I absolutely loved book one so I couldn't wait to read the second book and I loved it just as much. Set in Manchester and based around the newspaper team at Stranger Times where only the strange going on's get published. It really is the perfect escape into a world of supernatural fantasy. With close to the knuckle humour, a talking dog that can't lie and a great bunch of misfits. I can't wait to read book 3.

Are you feeling despondent? Need a little pick-me-up? Nothing too heavy? We all need (in this case) a book to make us feel happier and give us something to laugh at, and for me, that’s C. K. McDonnell’s job. I love these books. I really do laugh out loud.

The team at The Stranger Times have probably lost the will to laugh at their editor anymore. I mean, they see him every day, but his general bad attitude and shockingly bad work relations are hilarious.

Assistant Editor Hannah is back at work after her messy divorce, and Manchester is faced with what appears to be a bit of a vampire problem. But, you see, Vampires don’t exist. And everyone agrees on this.

Even when this book was being serious, it made me laugh. Banecroft’s interesting swearing system is workplace goals (although I work in Early Years, so still a no for me!), there’s a man on a canal boat who can’t lie and lives with a talking pug, the new journalist who lives in his van and lives on a diet of ice cream (and has terrible wind) - well. It’s just all delightfully wonky, funny and frankly genius!
I can’t wait for the next one!

I always approach the second in the series with trepidation, especially when I enjoy the first one so much. However, in this case I need not of worried. CK McDonnell has once again cast his magic over The Stranger Times and its marvellous staff. Once more things of fantasy become real as Manchester and Stranger Times come under threat. I love the humour of these book and they certainly make me chuckle. I can’t wait for the next in the series. It can’t come soon enough. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this novel in return for an honest review.

I really enjoyed the second instalment of 'The Stranger Times' series. In 'This Charming Man' we are introduced to a man who is cursed and cannot lie, his dog and former human who honourably serves him as part of his curse and, vampires. However, it soon becomes apparent that unlike monsters, spectres and ghosts (which we are familiar with in the first book), there is a general disbelief that vampires exist. That is until one half of Fuzzy Britches (a dating app and social media network) is revealed as a vampire. A fun romp which sees the return of Banecroft, Ox, Reggie, Stella, Grace, Hannah and D.I Sturgess.

This Charming Man
(The Stranger Times 2)
by C. K. McDonnell



Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews

Genre: General fiction, mystery and thrillers, fantasy

Book two, Please, please read book one first or you'll be lost, and that would be such a shame.

This series has wonderful characters, peculiar and quirky stories, and the most fabulous dry humour. Real blink and you miss it stuff. Its one of those that on second and third readings you'll find gems you missed first time round.

Its a continuation from book one, though a complete story in itself. The characters understand a bit more about the world they've been dropped in, but its confusing....and scary for them. And of course they now know the autonomy they thought they had over their lives is an illusion, they can do as they want, so long as its in line with what the Founders want. And doesn't upset the Folk. And doesn't get them in trouble they can't explain with the human police....
They're kind of being controlled in that they'd directed what to investigate, but it lies in line with what The Stranger Times publishes, so Bancroft is happy.

As before its a weird and wonderful journey through to the conclusion, and I'm really getting to like Bancroft. Obnoxious through he is, he's a sharp and scary intellect, and has a wonderful turn of phrase. All the characters have a distinct role and fit so well together, I've singled him out but they are all incredible and have a distinct role...
It's a very different kind of fantasy read, nothing is as it seems, no-one has a traditional fantasy role, its a very unique story-line but such fun to read.

Stars: Five, another cracking read, full of sharp humour, snappy one liners, puzzles, weird and wonderful creatures and I'm off to read book three now.

ARC supplied by Netgalley and publishers

Only realised after I'd read this and the next book in the series that I'd missed the first and whilst not essential to read The Stranger Times before this, I think it would enhance your enjoyment of the tale to read them in order so you can fully understand as the characters develop.

Still quite amusing at times and the fantasy elements are gradually becoming clearer.

I was really entertained by how amusing this story was as well as being a fantastic plot.

I have probably read hundreds of books featuring vampires at this point and yet this had a rather unique idea as to how this particular story ended up having vampires in...

I love the whole banter between the Stranger Times staff in between the more serious parts of the plot.

I really like how the goth subculture wasn't pictured as being the enemy in this book and elaborated on how alternative people are just misunderstood.

We're back at The Stranger Times for the second book in the series and this time, it would appear that Manchester is having an issue with vampires.

Newly divorced assistant editor, Hannah is not happy as it appears that someone is trying to kidnap Stella, a member of staff via the plumbing and trying to figure out if there is going to be a future for her and a certain DI.

These books are an absolute delight and remind me so much of the style of Terry Pratchett.

So, this is a second in the series and unfortunately, I haven’t read the first. However, I enjoyed this instalment so much. I don’t think I’ve ever read a second in series before the first before. It was clear a lot had come to pass before the book started but I was fairly caught up by 40% in a narrative way that did not feel like exposition.
The writing in this book is so fun, funny and glib. The characters are off the wall and unexpected but believable. They are also whole people (for the most part) each with clearly thought-out motivations and goals. So yes, this was a super super fun urban fantasy read. The narrative hopping between the stranger times crew, the police and the bad guys was so fluid and the conclusion was unpredictable and unexpected. I would definitely recommend this series.
It's hard to express how much fun I had reading certain chapters. You just have to read it! Also I bloody loved how UK and set in Manchester this was. Yay UK based urban fantasy!

More supernatural adventures at "The Stranger Times" - very good light read.

Hannah and her colleagues at "the Stranger Times" become involved in an adventure, having to deal with another set of supernatural forces causing havoc. All the characters from the previous book are included plus a few new ones, especially on the Founders / Folk level. There's plenty of mayhem as well as humour thrown in, mostly successfully.. It's an entertaining read, well worth reading, but it's probably better to read "The Stranger Times" first to get the full picture. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I jumped straight from the first book into this sequel, which I'm glad for - there are elements of the plot that you'll want to remember from The Stranger Times.
I found this easier to dive into, already being familiar with the setting and characters, so had time to really appreciate the humour and weirdness, The plot seemed to have more teeth (no pun intended) which worked well alongside the character dynamics and satire.

This is the second book in the Stranger Times series. It was great to see the employees of 'The Stranger TImes' paper back together again.

In this second instalment, we see Vincent Bancroft, editor of the paper, and his team are investigating 2 cases. The first is to find out who and why someone is trying to kidnap one of his employees, and the second is to find out why vampires are running around Manchester.

This was another weird but fun read. Although you could probably read this as a standalone, I would recommend you read the first book to understand the characters.

I highly recommend the audiobook.

Our favourite group of misfits is back, Hannah is dealing with her divorce and the others are dealing with their own stuff, you know, ghosts, magical powers etc, the usual...

When a body turns up looking suspiciously like a vampire... but they can't be real, right?? Everyone in Manchester knows they're not! I won't say too much about the story but this was fun, funny and really touching at times as well.

I really enjoyed this second installment of The Stranger Times series and looking forward to book 3!

I absolutely love these characters, the humour, the improbable scenarios. The Stranger Times was an amazing start to the series and now that the characters are established in our minds the author has even more fun at their expense! Hands up if you can hear the nails on a blackboard quality of THAT laugh 😆! Who can resist Margo? Who wouldn’t love to meet Cogs and Zeke? And those are just the fringe characters!

He must have been an amazing stand up but I am very grateful that C K McDonnell took the decision to hang up his mic and concentrate on providing us all with an antidote to the strange(r) times we’re living in.

With thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, Random House UK, Transworld Publishers and the author for an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This Charming Man
(The Stranger Times 2)
by C. K. McDonnell

Pub Date 17 Feb 2022
Random House UK, Transworld Publishers, Bantam Press
General Fiction (Adult) | Mystery & Thrillers | Sci Fi & Fantasy

We are back at the Stranger Times newspapers with book 2 in the series. The Stranger Times is a publication that covers the strange and wonderful, and it has a paranormal influence on both the paper (or magazine, I'm not sure) and the staff. In this book, the trouble begins when a vampire appears despite the fact that they have been explicitly told by people in the know that vampires do not and should not exist.

Hannah has been through so much and now this what more can happen at the Stranger Times.

#NetGalley #bookstagram#bookreview #booktok #bookclub #generalfiction #mysteryandthriller #scifictionandfantasy #thischarmingman @transworldpublisher

Manchester has been getting some very odd, vampire like murders lately and who better to end up right in the middle of it than the staff of the Stranger Times. If you haven’t read the first book in the series then stop reading and head to my review here:Book Review – Stranger Times by C.K. McDonnell ★★★★★ alternatively just get the book and read it, it’s great.

There are a couple of new characters introduced, Sturgess a lowlife tabloid refugee and freelancer who Banecroft knows from his fleet-street career. He lives in his van with his disgusting habits and a diet so high in sugar it would be a 10 year old’s dream. And an odd couple who live on a houseboat in the middle of the canal of a man who can only tell the truth and a talking dog (well a man who has been turned into a dog, we don’t get more info than that but hopefully we will at some point in the series).

I am loving the character development for all the staff especially Banecroft as he has gone from being a caricature of a bad boss to a man who has suffered a loss and is coping the best he knows how and the responsibility he feels for his staff is at times almost touching especially has he tries so hard to cover it up by being and asshole.

The character of Stella, the teenager with unknown powers who is now Banecroft’s protegee is also growing in wonderful ways. Her stroppy teenage ways are very familiar (I have a 13 year old time-bomb at home too) and well written.

The words wacky and strange still apply to this book as much as it’s predecessor but the series is starting to grow into itself in ways that bode very well for the rest of what I can only hope to be a long stretch.
What I liked:
Great character development
Engaging mystery
Laugh out loud funny

What didn’t work for me:
Can’t think of anything.

Suitable For: Anybody with a sense of humour
Sex: None
Violence: Quite a lot
Drug Reference: Some
Swearing: Oh Yes, mainly from Banecroft.

I didn’t think it was possible but series keeps on getting better and better.

Due to be published on my blog on 12th of January 2023

This Charming Man is number 2 in the Stranger Times series, and it's well worth starting at the beginning if you can. Saying that, I think this is the slightly stronger of the two.

The Stranger Times is a publication reporting on the weird and wonderful, with a supernatural influence on both the paper (or magazine, I'm not sure) and the staff themselves. In this book, the trouble starts when a vampire turns up - when they've explicitly been told by people in the know that vampires definitely don't or rather shouldn't exist.

It's another darkly funny instalment with a plot that gets going right away (book 1 arguably had more preamble to set up the Times and its many characters). And now that I'm more familiar with the characters, I felt a lot more jeopardy and drama whenever they were in danger.

As per the first book, the main plot is resolved within the pages, but there are a few background plots simmering away that will no doubt go on to power the rest of the series. And I'll be back to read more. I'm enjoying the world and the characters - and it's simply nice to read something that can raise a smile or two along the way.

I honestly just don't think that this author's style of writing is for me. I thought I might have warmed to the characters in this book, but that just didn't happen. Once again, the humour just fell so flat for me.

I was offered this book as an ARC by NetGalley and found it a good follow up to 'The Stranger Times. McDonnell writes fun and engaging books with believable (if flawed) characters.

This follows on from the first book in this series - and do read that first - The Stranger Times.
Vampires don't exist and even the Founders and the Folk know this to be true. So how come there seem to be credible reports of a vampire on the loose! The Founders via their intermediary from the last book, Dr Carter, request that Vincent Banecroft, Stranger Times's editor, discretely (!!) investigates. Needless to say other things are going on from Hannah's divorce through to the fact that it seems as though someone may be trying to abduct Stella (whose possible powers are still something of a mystery) so there is plenty of story here.

Ox and Reggie are around as is Sturgess, the DI from the previous book. Stanley Roker, gutter press writer who hates, and is hated by, Vincent plays a larger role. To my delight Simon who only appeared briefly in the previous book returns. On account of having died in the previous book he can be hard to see though! We are also introduced to Cogs and Zeke - an excellent idea and pairing. It allows Vincent to boast that he outdrunk a "doggie"…

Indeed I found that I am coming to love Banecroft almost as much as I love Jackson Lamb (and there is shared DNA there without question). The writing is very laconic and dry a lot of the time. There is also a decent pace of story telling going on here too. It is genuinely edgy and tense at times, laugh out loud at others. As with the last book there are "chapter intro" of pieces in The Stranger Times - some of them are very funny.

I have to mention "The 5 stages of sympathy" piece. I'll not give anything away but for me that is a genius bit of writing! Humour and almost anything can be difficult. McDonnell managed humour and crime well enough in the Dublin Trilogy however, for me I think he is even better at humour and fantasy. I simply want more of this series and will read the next one and anything else in the series. 4.5/5 and rounded up for "The 5 stages of sympathy" piece alone!