Another fantastic instalment of the Stranger Times series! McDonnell never fails to disappoint, a fantastic series by a fantastic author, definitely one of my favourites.

I just love every single one of these to be honest. It is exactly my flavour of interesting characters, deep down heart-warming relationships, and true absurdity. In this series McDonnell takes up the mantle that was sadly put down by Terry Pratchett's City Watch series, infuses it with a heavy dash of Robert Rankin's weirdness and gives the reader a truly fantastic experience.

Relight My Fire is no exception.

Thanks to NetGalley for the free ARC in exchange for a fair review.

Three and a half stars.

We return to Manchester and the Stranger Times newspaper, they thought they were publishing ridiculous stories, conspiracy theories, and wild imaginings, turns out a lot of it was true.

Someone is distributing dodgy pills which enhance any minute magical ability of the taker which has resulted in a woman's touch turning everything to flowers, another woman setting a bathroom alight, and one unfortunate young man thinking he could fly (well, TBH he could for a minute until his brain overthought things). Said unfortunate young man happened to reacquaint himself with terra firma right in front of Stella, who was trying to be a normal young woman, but The Founders are convinced the two events are connected.

So generally its business very much as usual at the Stranger Times. I won't mention the fading rockstar, the improbable sisters, the Quaker, the ghoul, the body snatchers, or the brass goblins - I mean, what would be the point?

Generally if you liked the three previous novels you'll like this. The style is familiar, the humour is dry, and not all of the bodies are breathing.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley for an honest review.

‘Some comebacks can be murder … Stranger Times Investigates’ - cover tag line.

My thanks to Random House U.K./Transworld Publishers/Bantam Press for an eARC via NetGalley of ‘Relight My Fire’ by C.K. McDonnell.

This is the fourth book in The Stranger Times series in which the author skilfully blends urban fantasy, mystery, comedy, and horror. It is set in Manchester and features an ensemble cast of eccentric characters who produce The Stranger Times, a weekly newspaper that prints the news that no one else will report.

While some background is provided, I would suggest that it is best to read these books in order to appreciate the characters’ development, a number of ongoing plot threads, and the running jokes. I was very pleased that it opened with a Dramatis Personae, which proved very useful as an aid to memory. It also includes a Drinkiposium, advising on each character’s favourite drink.

As for the plot of ‘Relight My Fire’, it sort of defies summary. So just a taste. In the opening trainee journalist, Stella, is on her way home when a body falls from the sky right in front of her. Squelch! Certain Powers That Be are convinced that Stella is responsible for this event. The Stranger Times team need to prove her innocence and this leads them down various rabbit holes, including investigating disturbed graves. Could there be zombies?

In addition, Vincent Banecroft is contacted by a tall, dark sinister figure, dressed like a funeral director, who no one else seems to see. He announces that he is there to ensure Banecroft atones for his sins. These and other plot lines are woven together with the occasional strange report from The Stranger Times archives.

Overall, ‘Relight My Fire’ was another excellent instalment in this quirky series. It is filled with action, great characters, witty dialogue and plenty of pop culture references, including the all important question of what type of zombies they are dealing with based on various film references.

Very highly recommended.

I love C.K/Caimh McDonnell. His self-published Bunny McGarry books are up there with Pratchett for being the funniest books I’ve read, and this Stranger Times series builds upon his already impressive reputation.

Relight My Fire is the 4th book in the series, and carries on following the events of book 3. The wacky cast of characters are as fascinating and hilarious as ever. Vincent Baincroft is one of my favourite characters in print, he’s a slightly more drunk, Irish version of Mick Herron’s Jackson Lamb, and its glorious.

This is a witty, thoughtful and downright brilliant book. Read it.

I recieved an advanced reader copy of this book in return for an honest review.

I have been following the stranger times and it's staff since the beginning. I said it then and I will say it again this is one newspaper that will never be called dull.

Each book has had moments where I am laughing out loud and even some moments where I have to re read because I wasn't sure I had read that right.

They are brilliant unbelievable books with just the right amount of "normality" to make you wonder if maybe there is something to the strange and wonderful stories they report on.

This Serries continues to go from strength to strength. I adored every single word of these books. I can't wait to see what turns up next in the pages of The Stranger Times.

In the previous book, the Stranger Times team had a lot of close calls, and as they attempt to put it all behind them the universe has other ideas. As Stella tries to get to grips with University, her place on a journalism course courtesy of Bancroft’s guilt, a man falls from the sky in front of her. Moments before his death he was seen floating, which is odd even for the Stranger Times team. As the newspaper of weird news, they’re already on the case, but it becomes even more important that they find out what happened when The Founders think that Stella was involved. After everything that has happened, they’re just itching for an excuse to get their hands on her and no one will let that happen.

Of course, nothing ever goes smoothly for the gang, and Bancroft’s past has come back to haunt him quite literally. While Simon forgave the editor for his role in the desecration of his spirit, it seems that other powers are less than charitable. Those who watch over the dead have decided to give him one more chance to atone. With just a name to go on and very little time to identify the problem and fix it, Bancroft sets the team on it with only Hannah knowing how dire the situation truly is.

As the title suggests Relight My Fire has a healthy dish of musical nostalgia as C.K. McDonnell also throws in an indie rock singer from Hannah’s teenage years. He perfectly captures the embarrassing moment of coming face to face with the idol of teenage adoration that was postered all over her bedroom wall and used more than once to practise kissing on. I’m sure I won’t be the only one who felt seen when Hannah word-vomited spectacularly.

I wasn’t sure how this book would be considering a lot happened in the last one to wrap up various sub-plots. It didn’t just see us finding out the truth about Bancroft’s wife, it also in a roundabout way finally settled Hannah in as assistant editor. Up until that point she wasn’t quite sure if the Stranger Times was where she belonged, and her secret mission with Mrs Hawnforth gave her a much-needed boost of confidence. There was a noticeable change in her in this book, and while she had her normal flustered moments, it was great to see her talking to Stella about university in a big sisterly way without needlessly putting herself down.

Compared to the previous books this one is a four-star for me, and that’s not to say it was bad in any way, it just didn’t quite hit all the points that the others have. In a way, Love Will Tear Us Apart felt like the equivalent of a TV mid-season finale and in Relight My Fire McDonnell starts to lay the ground for new sub-plots. There’s still plenty of chaos and action, including an incredible battle scene that I won’t ever forget, however, I felt that character development was more the aim of the game here. Again, not a bad thing, it was just slightly different and promises wonderful chaos and danger for the team in the next book.

Once again McDonnell introduced some wonderful new characters, and I am hoping that they reappear again. Toni is too glorious not to be seen ever again. I adored her and the dressing down she gave to the complaining customer was one of my favourite scenes in the book. Plus, how could I not love a character who introduces themselves as “That’s Toni with an I […] because I will insist on making a disability into a brand.”? I loved that McDonnell created a character that used their trauma and resulting disability in such a positive way.

It seems as though one of them at least looks to be a new permanent fixture and I can’t wait to see more of Brian. He is exactly the type of character I would expect to find in a Stranger Times novel.

I realised while reading Relight My Fire that The Stranger Times series has become a comfort read for me. Sadly I read so quickly that the new novel is done and I’m stuck waiting for the next one all over again. With the way this one ended, I’ve got a lot to think about between now and the next book!

I absolutely love these books, the characters are amazing and fascinating, the story takes us on such an adventure. I loved every minute and couldn't put it down!

Thank you to the author, publisher and netgalley for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

Book 4 in the series, and there isn't any sign of it slowing. The characters are still their insane, messy selves, the plot develops a little further, but there is still plenty of mystery to be revealed yet. And Manchester will never feel the same again.

With some of the sharpest, pointiest humour I've ever seen, this book is worth buying for the author's note alone. (And Brian the ghoul)

Once again we have another wonderful title from C. K. McDonnell with the staff of the Stranger Times and all manner of darkly wonderful malarkey

The Staff of the Stranger Times has encountered its toughest case yet: Stella is going to Uni. They all worried about her going back and forth, especially in the centre of Manchester. And they have a right too, especially when a floating man is spotted over the city, before falling to the pavement in front of Stella as she makes her way home. Soon the Stranger Times team are looking into magically tampered rugs, grave digging and possibly a zombie apocalypse.

Once again a delightfully dark and fun story, where we continue to see Bankcroft's team do what they do best: which is generally being bloody lucky (or unlucky.) Another five-star rated story to enjoy!

More fun with the diverse team at Manchester’s Stranger Times newspaper. As always it seems the author is enjoying his books as much as the reader.
Cue flying people, drugs and grave robbers. What they might have in common is something the team have to find out, not least because one of their own is threatened and, even worse, the Editor Banecroft has someone who wants him in Hell, soonish.
Great characters as always. Banecroft has a similar character to Jackson Lamb in the Slow Horses spy series, which makes him unpleasantly entertaining. The crew get stuck into their investigations not realsing there might be a lot of familiar dead people cause trouble in their future.
Great fun, easy reading and plenty of clever humour. Another winner.

After an eventful few months the staff at Stranger Times are enjoying a quieter time. Stella has even been able to start university and lead a relatively normal life. That is until a man falls out of the sky in front of her. The Stranger Times team must work quickly to find out what really happened before the Founders blame Stella for the attack. Meanwhile Banecroft has his own issues going on, with a myserious character only he can see threatening to banish him to hell for eternity if he doesn't atone for his sins. This time there is more than just the newspaper edition riding on the deadline.

I've been enjoying this series since book one so was pleased to be granted an arc from NetGalley for the latest installment. It didn't disappoint.

Having only recently read the previous book events were still very fresh in my memory, and this one picked up pretty quickly where that left off. The character dynamics were all still clear in my head too, so this was very easy to get in to. As with the previous books this one is generally quite light hearted, there's a lot of humour, but the world development and magic systems are sound. With each book so far we have learned more about the various powers that exist in the world, and this one continues to build on that.

One thing I did notice whilst reading this was that the story followed a clearer arc this time, and although there was separate strands to it, it wasn't as hard to follow what was going on as I thought book 3 was at times. There's still plenty of action though, and it's definitely not predictable.

In terms of characters we got to learn more about Stella this time. I feel like we're finally starting to get some idea of what she is capable of. I also enjoyed seeing a slightly different side to Banecroft in this one. He's still as cantankerous as ever, but his softer side is starting to show through in places.

It's a great read, and if you've enjoyed the earlier books you'll enjoy this one. It's definitely a series best read in order though, otherwise you'll miss out on a lot of the back story and world building, and things won't make sense.

Thanks to NetGalley, Random House UK and Transworld Publishers for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

Book 4 of a planned trilogy and all is going swimmingly for the staff of The Stranger Times in Manchester.
These books MUST be read in sequence, otherwise you won’t have the foggiest what is happening, won’t believe what is happening, and you will miss so many unusual people and animals, both dead and alive, with their back stories and their extraordinary talents!!
Vincent Banecroft is the editor of this paper, and he is his normal loathsome, sweary self, but this time he has a constant companion. Not a dog, they are more discerning, but a tall guy, dressed in black with a steely gaze, who casts no shadow. He represents the Guardians of the Dead, and he informs Vincent that he must make reparations for the death of Simon, a previous employee, or he will be toast.
Weird events are happening in Manchester, concerning the staff of the Stranger Times. There are students getting high, in a markedly different way, people sniffing around graveyards, and a most unusual introduction to Cryogenics. Cats are not the cuddly creatures you think in this scenario.
DCI Sturgess makes a welcome return , he is the only member of the Police force that will investigate anything concerning this newspaper, the other officers avoid that ‘ loony paper’ with good reason. What will he find in his investigations this time?
This series continues to entertain with genuine laugh out loud moments. The writing is crisp with a healthy side order of wit, irony and sardonic humour. It is highly addictive pure, unadulterated nonsense, and the lucky readers will quickly become accustomed to these strange coves and their talents, or be lost in the hurly burly chaos. Personally, I cannot wait for the next in this series, and so many of my family have been gifted these books, it would be churlish to stop writing now!!
My thanks go to Netgalley and the publishers Random House UK, for my advanced copy, freely given in exchange for my honest review. A five star read only because I can’t give any more! I will post a copy of this to Goodreads and Amazon UK.

I was throughly excited to read another installment in this series, now on book 4 and I love the wee group of Stranger Times employees, honestly a book that makes me chuckle when reading.

Stella is branching out and trying to have a bit of a normal life as a student... but this is rudely interrupted by a man falling from the sky!

This leads the group into a bigger story, of dug up graves, drugs and dead rock stars... yep you heard me right...

All the while, our fearless leader Banecroft is being haunted by a Pilgrim, who lures him into lingerie shops just for the fun of getting him into trouble... before he delivers a sinister message that is.

It may be these things are not as seperate as they think, and the group must get their investigation hats on, and maybe some help from a friendly DC, will help them get to the bottom of things.

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House/Bantam for the chance to read and review this latest installment... long may this series continue.... out tomorrow 25th January!

This was so fun, which is exactly what I would expect from this series. The plot didn’t grip me quite as much as previous installments, but it didn’t really matter. The banter between all of the characters is as entertaining as ever and there truly isn’t a dull moment.

I also really enjoyed the continuation of the found family element in this book; the relationship between Stella and the other members of the Stranger Times gang was very sweet. I liked getting to see more development of Stella, who started out the series as a stereotypical ‘grumpy teenager’ character.

Plot-wise, as I said, I wasn’t as keen on that aspect. It was a little convoluted and hard to follow at points. But it’s still an enjoyable read, and that final confrontation was very funny and exciting. It really made me laugh out loud – it was so well done.

It’s just a fun romp – completely over-the-top in parts and takes full enjoyment in the ridiculous. These books won’t be for everyone, but I’m thoroughly enjoying the series and cannot wait for the next installment. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing a free copy of this book.

Content Notes: Violence, murder, death, drug addiction, drink spiking (on-page), drug overdoses, grave disturbance, blood, gore, torture, kidnap, imprisonment, implied rape and sexual assault (off-page).

It’s The Stranger Times: Celebrity Edition. They’re all here. Well, the ones that meet a specific criteria are. Regardless, you’re bound to come across a few familiar faces.

It’s the lead up to Halloween so, if you know this series even a little bit, you know you’re in for a treat! And maybe a couple of tricks…

I’ve been wanting more Stella and more Stella is exactly what I got. She may have preferred a smaller role in this book, though, as she didn’t appear to particularly enjoy having a guy fall for her. From the sky. Splattered all over the pavement.

‘You’ve got dead guy all over you, love.’

And that’s only the beginning of the ‘weirdy bollocks’ in this book.

Hannah meets her celebrity crush. Banecroft is given a deadline. Manny’s ability to remember to wear pants is improving. Sometimes.

“These days, not only was anything possible, but almost everything was far too believable.”

There’s more time spent in a graveyard than your average book and people seem to have a whole new appreciation for Laurence of Arabia. This is the book with the tone deaf roadie and a rage problem which, believe it or not, is not Banecroft’s. Or not only Banecroft’s.

And you’ll be introduced to Brian.

‘Nothing is weirder than Brian.’

With everything that’s going on for the team, I’m surprised they find time to print a newspaper at all.

‘News does not sleep.’

This series has action, humour, strangeness (obviously) and a weird little found family that I absolutely adore. The more I get to know them, the more time I want to spend with them. I will be reading The Stranger Times for as long as new editions keep getting published.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Bantam Press, an imprint of Transworld Publishers, Penguin Random House UK, for the opportunity to read this book.

If you haven't read any "Stranger Times" books yet, you've been very silly. "Relight My Fire" is the 4th book, and is my favourite so far (I'll probably say the same about book 5... and 6... and 7. I'd like at least 30 books in this series please. Though if you could run to 50, that would be grand! The staff of The Stranger Times feel like family and I was so happy to catch up with them. So, obviously, I love the characters! This one has a great plot, and the usual fantastic writing. Go grab copies!!
P.S: A special thank you to C.K. McDonnell for standing in the rain. It's appreciated!

My thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley. This review was written voluntarily and is entirely my own, unbiased, opinion.

I know I bang on about reading series books from the start, in the right order, mainly cos of character development and a bit of backstory. Well, for this series I am strongly recommending this to be the best way forward. Yes there is a bit of catch-up to be found herein but nowhere near enough for everything to make complete sense if you go in cold. It's all a bit convoluted and fantastic and, well, strange... so not easily guessed or accepted... But it's your call, as always.
So... in this, the fourth outing for the staff (and entourage) of the wonderful publication that is The Stranger Times. And we start with Stella who, after the shenanigans of the last book, has settled down a bit and is now a student at the local University. I say settled down, that is, until, a young man falls down at her feet. Literally. Falls down. From a great height. Splat! Bit of a shock, even given her recent past. But why did he jump, was he pushed, did he fall? And did Stella have anything to do with it or was it wrong time/wrong place?
Meanwhile Banecroft has his own issues in the form of a nasty ghostlike figure who seems hell bent on making his already miserable existence, even more, well, miserable.
And so begins more of what you have already come to expect from our motley cast of characters. As well as a few new faces to meet, we reconnect with old favourites along the way. Like a dysfunctional family reunion with no filter on the invite list! All coming under the category of that "weirdy bo//ocks" by the weary Det Sturgess...
And if you also factor in the "extended" cast... you'll know when you get to that bit. Well... I just melted into fits of streaming tears, I laughed that much. Not sure it's meant to be THAT funny or if I am just bonkers. Bit of both I guess. But I'm definitely glad I read when I was safe at home. Alone.
And even with all the shenanigans and weirdy stuff, and the bonkersness, there's a proper tangible plot and storyline that is so well crafted and all comes together nicely.
Leaving me hanging so much for book five... My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

5 of 5 stars
My Five Word TL:DR Review : Goes from strength to strength

I am loving this series. I really can’t get enough of it and every time a new book comes out I’m there to devour it in super quick time. So, so good.

To the plot. Well think of It’s Raining Men by the Weather Girls and you might have the first clue of how the story picks up. Literally, Stella is almost hit by a student who seems to have plummeted off one rather tall building – the thing is, shortly before his rapid descent it seemed like he was flying – and so we have the perfect mystery for the staff at the Stranger Times to focus on for their next edition. On top of this, there appears to be a mystery drug that seems to unlock latent magical ability, Banecroft has been set his very own personal mission by a mysterious Pilgrim – this is a mission that he is very keen to succeed in as the punishment for failure is too terrible to contemplate, and, the powers that be are taking a rather keen interest in Stella and her special abilities and beginning to wonder if she’s too dangerous to be allowed to roam freely.

It is possible that this review may contain spoilers for the previous books in the series, although I do strive to avoid these where possible. Also, I would suggest you read the other three books in the series. It might seem like a bit of catching up but it’s seriously worthwhile.

As with the other books in series there is plenty going on here, and as with those forerunners the story eventually pulls together in the most satisfactory way.

The staff at the Stranger Times continue to grow and the author is continuously building the world, steadily but surely placing layer upon layer as each book progresses.

What do I really love about this series.

Well, the author seems to pull a new and unusual mystery out of his hat with each story. There always seem to be other things going on around that central theme and with each read we discover just a little more of this strange world.

I love the writing. It’s witty, it makes me laugh out loud quite frequently, so many little bits and pieces tie together, we have people from previous books making repeat appearances and gradually this strange place is starting to firm up into something really special. On top of that the dialogue is excellent. There’s banter. There’s danger. Terrifying cats. Brass gnomes with a mission to ‘dig, dig, dig’, ghouls, a hotel for the supernatural and so much more.

The characters feel like a family. They care for each other. At least three of them now permanently reside at the Stranger Times office and frankly, it may be the safest place to be right now. Strange things are afoot. I really like Banecroft – he’s such a grump but his bark is worse than his bite. Then there’s Hannah who is still suffering embarrassment over the DI Sturgess ‘situation’ (Sturgess is now officially in charge of – and I quote – all the ‘weirdy bollocks’ that goes on in the City – frankly I think he’s going to need a bigger team). Stella is now a part time student doing her best to blend in (right up until the flying body incident) and the rest of the team – well, they’re mad as a box of spiders. I would also say that this instalment brings to us the most unexpected bunch of characters that you can ever hope to meet in a kind of ‘celebrity meets 28 days later’ type zombie thing.

Put simply. I can’t get enough of this series. I love the setting, the titles are all brilliant and fit so well, Manchester is such a great setting, the cast are wonderful. What can I say? Just read it (please) if you love a bit of clever urban fantasy with fantastic imaginings going on. I’ve found the perfect series for myself with this one and I love the way that it’s literally a mad mad mad mad world and yet all the mundanes are simply going about their regular lives without a care in the world and no idea that they’re surrounded by the strangest things imaginable.

I know I’ve probably missed out so much in this review but, I have to leave something for you to discover yourself and also you may hopefully glean from this just how much fun I’m having with each new instalment and be intrigued enough to go and grab a copy of the first in series.

I received a copy through Netgalley, courtesy of the publisher, for which my thanks. The above is my own opinion.

We’re back once again with the staff of the Stranger Times newspaper, purveyor of all that is weird and sometimes wonderful, if very rarely all that true. Still, it’s a living. Following on from events in the series so far, it’s nice to see life settling into some kind of normality for the characters – e.g. Banecroft is back to just being a belligerent sod rather than dangerously obsessed, and with a twinge of guilt for some previous happenings he’s managed to get Stella into journalism college.

Did I say normality? Not so much, when a student lands quite literally – and not healthily – in front of Stella’s feet. Which in itself is sadly not weird, but the whole bit before the fall, where he was more or less… floating. Throw in the grave robbing, a ghoul, a has-been pop star, and oh yes, Banecroft’s visitations from not-the-ghost-of-xmas-anything, and the stage is set for all manner of shenanigans. Strap in for the ride, folks!

For whatever reason, the previous instalment of this series didn’t quite hit as well as the first two, so I was a little ‘hmm’ going into this. But whether it’s the book or just me, I’m happy to report that we are firmly back on form – in fact, this is probably the best yet!

I do think reading the series up to date is going to help, as there’s a lot of background and we’re into the sort of ‘shorthand’ stage where the readers are lovely and comfortable with the characters and all their weirdness. Coming in cold might leave you highly puzzled about angels inhabiting human bodies, or tentacle eyeball creatures in another’s head – yeah, there’s very little ‘normal’ going on here!

What is going on would be a shame to spoil, but someone is messing with the (un)dead, and it’s up to Stranger Times to figure out what! Expect plenty of action, even more laughs, and just a right fun read. Recommended!