Weird but so enjoyable. Glad I've read the earlier tales in the series as that makes this so much better but it would still stand as a single tale.

Roll on Book 5 please.

Yay! The gang is back.
As a massive fan of this series, I couldn't wait to get stuck in.
The series continues with a body face-planting the street from a great height right in front of Stella. The powers that be believe Stella had something to do with the young mans demise so the team investigate to prove otherwise.
This is book four in the series. It's dark, hilarious, and often bonkers. An urban fantasy/horror that will have you gasping one minute and then laughing out loud the next. There's a new member of the team, Brian the ghoul, and I'm hoping he'll be in the next book.
Thank you, NetGalley and publishers, for the ARC. I really needed that.

Preamble: Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an advance copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review.

Amble: The Stranger Times gang are back, and this time it's ZOMBIES!

When a student falls out of the sky and splats on the pavement right in front of Stella, it's inevitable The Stranger Times staff are going to investigate. The fact that he was floating over Hulme Street prior to losing control and falling to his death might seem unusual, but this is Manchester dontcha know, epicentre of 'weirdy bollocks'.

In typical Stranger Times fashion, the incident is investigated and shenanigans ensue. I lost count of how many times I snort-laughed, but a few of the culprits are included below:

"Even Banecroft isn't going to wazz on somebody's grave. Well, probably not."

"Banecroft's little pop quizzes always had a point to them and, more often than not, the point was that you were an idiot."

"I don't know about anyone else," said Ox, "but I'm really glad Manny was wearing trousers for that."

"I'm not saying nothing," said Ox. Banecroft looked back at him. "While I applaud the obstinacy, the double negative from a purportedly professional journalist is unforgivable."

And last, but not least (edited to avoid spoilers):
"There also appeared to be a halo of golden light around her whole body, like in one of those Ready Brek commercials from the eighties, only she'd achieved hers by summoning the dead to wage bloody war rather than by eating a hearty breakfast."

We get a little more insight into Stella's whatjamacallit, and Banecroft is on top form as always. Also... Brian. I love Brian. More Brian in the next book please.

If you like weirdy bollocks, zombies and foul-mouthed newspaper editors you'll love the fourth instalment of The Stranger Times series. Just make sure you (re-)read the first three in preparation for the madness.

This was fantastic! I have read, and loved, all of the Stranger Times books, and this did not disappoint. Brilliantly written, excellent bad guys, a fantastic tying together of clues, and a really satisfying advancement of pre-existing plot points. A bit more Sturgess in this book, which I am very pleased about, and with the Stranger Times team back together, a storming return to the familiar and excellent banter of the previous books. I did miss loon day and the headlines which do not feature in the ARC, but otherwise no bad things to say!

I love the audiobooks for these, so I will definitely be listening to that when it comes out too.

I have never got on with comic books. Until The Stranger Times. These books have me laughing out loud at the preposterous characters and plots. I love them. And I am so pleased to receive e-ARC's to read and review. Thank you.

What a ride. I cannot get enough of this laugh out loud fantasy series. Back for a fourth excursion into the humour/horror filled lives of the Staff at that ‘upmarket’ newspaper rag - The Stranger Times. The Staff, they’ve been through a lot and come out the other end. Well, not really out, maybe more still somewhere inside. Mayhem is just around the corner, or maybe about to fall from the sky! The Stranger Times Staff know the truth. Well they know some of the truth, and what they know is not always (read seldom) believable! But their job is to give their readers the truth in print. But only some of the truth. Because, the truth of the matter is, no-one that isn’t really in the know would actually believe the truth, and honestly are truly better off for it. Oh, and they are going to be saving the world, and Manchester, again. Another normal day at work for The Staff at The Stranger Times. Thank you to Random House Uk, Transworld Publishers and NetGalley for the ARC. The views expressed are all mine, freely given.

Thank you to the author, publishers Bantam and NetGalley UK for access to this as an advance reader’s ebook. This is an honest and voluntary review.

A new drug which can literally make someone fly, or float, at least until gravity terminally proves it still exists. When Stella, student and junior reporter at the number one newspaper of the weird and unexplainable - The Stranger Times - comes face to face with the after effects, the newspaper staff are quickly pulled in to investigate. The truth, as always, is way weirder than it first appears.

As a fan of the previous three Stranger Times books I was really excited to get access to an advanced reader copy of this via NetGalley. Since the very first page of the first book I have loved these stories and how they are written. Funny fantasy, these evoke the humour and warmth of Terry Pratchett, and I’m loving how the lore of the secret power structures (formal and informal) of the magical underworld are being built up throughout the series.

Banecroft is at his best in this book. The aggressive, rude, newspaper editor with a penchant for creative swearing and threatening people with a blunderbuss, has grown as a character over the series so far. And, as he faces an existential threat for his very soul, we’re again given the opportunity to see the strength of the man

If you pick up this book without reading the others you’ll be able to follow along the main plot, but are likely to be confused by many of the references to previous plotlines. But, go back and start from book one and you’ll be doing yourself a favour by finding a fantastic nee series and then appreciating and enjoying this instalment all the more.

We return to the Stranger Times offices and Bancroft has serious problems as The Pilgrim has informed him he will be taken to hell on Halloween unless he makes things right. Only problem is Brancroft does not know what he has to do or how. Also Hanna and Stella are shocked when a university student floating about suddenly splats to the ground in front of them. What is going on?

Once again we have a brilliant novel with brilliant characters who work to produce the weekly issue of The Stranger Times. Wonderful writing and fast paced storyline which leaves you wanting more. Cannot believe this is the fourth book in this series. Enjoy.

This certainly re-lit my fire! The best presents are those you didn't know you needed (THANK YOU, Netgalley), and Caimh O'Donnell's latest landed pat to spread warmth and cheer into the bleak and bitter Irish November days. Better than the fluffiest of blankets it was, to immerse myself once more in the supernatural shenanigans of the Stranger Times crew, where outlandish (but cohesive) plots and characters (yay Brian, hope you're here to stay!) are only outstripped by the wit and humour of the delivery ("Batman was exactly what happened when someone dreadfully dull had too much disposable income.")
I shall be enthusing pointedly about this in the hopes that someone gets it for me for Christmas though, to be honest, I'll probably just get it for myself anyway. Some books you check on your page count and groan inwardly, as it seems like you'll never finish the wretched thing; with Stranger Times, you give a little whoop when you realise that you can live in this delightfully hilarious world for quite a bit longer. This Cork woman forgives your Limerick/Dublin antecedents, Mr O'Donnell, sure you couldn't help it :)
* (4-stars only because it is not "literature", but I'm starting to wonder if making people happy isn't reason enough for the fifth one...)

Relight my Fire is the latest in a series of comic fantasy novels written by C.K.McDonnell.

Once again it involves the staff of The Stranger Times a publication for all the strange phenomena, or ‘weirdy bollocks’ going on in the city of Manchester. It starts with a man flying, or rather ‘hovering’, from a high roof top before crashing into the ground, right in front of Stranger Times’s Stella. Other weird events follow and the team have to find out how and why. There is the added complication of Vincent Banecroft being given a deadline, after which he will literally be dead, if he cannot please a character called The Pilgrim.

All moves at a fast pace and the writing is comic, imaginative and full of magical goings on. I read this very quickly as I very much enjoyed it. I read a proof copy provided by NetGalley and the publishers but my views are my own.

The Stranger Times series is fast becoming one of my favourites. Book 4 was offered to me early by the publishers, via Netgalley, as I had championed the previous books. It certainly lived up to any expectations I had.

We are reunited with the usual Stranger Times team and some brilliantly crafted new characters. It opens with a student floating across the high rises of Manchester before plunging to his untimely death, setting the scene for a high adrenaline, often hilarious caper across some familiar (to me) Manchester scenery. I love Manchester, it is 20ish minutes on the train from my house, and the author has captured the Manchester vibe perfectly.

In Relight my Fire, we meet evil witches, celebrity zombies (oh my god, I really want to talk to someone about this part of the book) a ghoul and some grave-digging gnomes who craft the plot of the story whilst a Gene-Hunt like newspaper editor with zero social skills leads his intrepid team on a mission to solve the case. I half expected John Simm to make a cameo in a bright red Quattro (If you know, you know)

If you have read all the others in the series, you are going to love this and if you have not read any, I would highly recommend them. Laugh out loud supernatural japes in modern day Manchester. Perfect!

Thanks to Bantam Books for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

5 stars ++ Definitely the best yet.

I'll apologise for waxing lyrical from this point on. Okay, maybe not lyrical but overly enthusiastic at least.

The employees of The Stranger Times are thankfully back in the building and it's probably for the best that they stay there because it's getting even more weirdy outside - students are behaving oddly (yes even more strange than students usually do). The only problem is that someone is taking notice.

It starts with Stella nearly getting squashed by one. Thankfully Banecroft et al are tailing the teenager since her last near death experience. Unfortunately for Banecroft someone with a bigger grudge is tailing him. It's bound to end badly unless the staff start solving mysteries fast.

But how do you find out who has been messing with the newly deceased? Will Hannah and DI Sturgess ever get past the awkward stage? How does Hannah's teenage pop idol crush fit into this? Will the paper go out on time and will the crossword ever get better? But, most importantly, will Manny ever keep his trousers on?

I'm giving away nothing more of the plot than you'll read in the blurb because it's simply too insanely wonderful. CK McDonnell has truly outdone himself on this outing of the Times. Its funny, witty, clever, tightly plotted, reasonably disturbing and with a finish that has various extremely satisfying endings (you'll understand when you get there - I'll just say you may be surprised who you meet in this book).

I loved it. I've enjoyed the whole series so far but this is most assuredly the best yet. I laughed more. I stayed awake to finish it. I really did not want to put it down. Excellent.

Very highly recommended. Since I've read the first three I can't honestly say whether you could read this without the others. But why would you? Read them all. They're very funny.

Thankyou to Melissa Kelly at Random House for the advance review copy. I did a little dance when it landed.

This is easily one of my favourite recent sff series so I was delighted to be immersed back in this world again. The characters are great, The plots are intriguing and the narrative is witty. this is the best one so far too.

In early 2022, I came across The Stranger Times series by CK (Caimh) McDonnell and instantly fell in love with the sense of wit, likeable characters (well, for the most part, Vincent is complicated 😉) and unpredictable storylines.
'Relight My Fire' is the very welcome fourth addition to the series.
Set in Manchester, the world of our Stranger Times crew is one where ghosts, ghouls and goblins co-exist alongside a generally obviously public. The Stranger Times is a weekly newspaper that covers all manner of unusual and plain bonkers stories (dragons living beneath the city, royal family being aliens, ghosts haunting lap-dancing clubs etc).
And once again the city of Manchester is experiencing some strange shenanigans, aka "weirdy bollocks".
Now, this may seem a little bizarre but bizarre is the business of TST and frankly, the team are more than a little unusual themselves.
Our intrepid reporting team consists of:
Vincent Banecroft - drinker, expert insulter and in need of new socks
Hannah - editor and possibly the sanest of the group, though the competition sets a low bar
Grace - office manager, God fearing and a mammy figure
Reggie and Ox - the hilarious double act, who act as though they don't get along but have each others back
Stella - a source of unknown power and teenage sarcasm
Manny - possessed by an unknown entity, and not keen on clothes
This time around their leader Vincent Bancroft is in trouble - as he is challenged to discover who is behind a recent spate of thefts from local graveyards. If they fail, then deeply, hellish things will happen to Vincent. And meanwhile, someone is hunting down people with powers so our team have their work cut out.
With a series, there is always a fear that the latest installment will not match upto expectations but don't fear, CK McDonnell has once again created a dark, hilarious, fantasy, with witty asides targeting contemporary society and the characters that we have come to love. And yes, I'm including the irascible Banecroft in that statement.
With an utterly madcap storyline, it is easy to see why many have compared the series to Prachett's beloved Discworld and I can think of no higher praise.
From the opening page, you are swept along in the rollercoaster of laughter and mayhem and all I can say is "Book Five. Please"!

Thank you to the publishers for an unexpected but appreciated ARC of the newest instllment in The Stranger Times world.

C.K McDonnell has done it again! This series has become one of my favourite contemporary science-fiction / mystery worlds to lose myself in. Set firmly amongst the familiar Northern backdrop of Manchester, we join the gang for another baffling, hilarious and sometimes scary few days.

Vincent Banecroft is one of the most memorable characters you'll read about alongside the practical Hannah; god-fearing Grace; sarcastic and unsure Stella; the North's answer to a modern day double act in Reggie and Ox with some familiar and new faces thrown in.

I love how C.K. McDonnell manages to take typical horror tropes (vampires, werewolves, ghosts, and in this book, zombies) but put a clever, modern slant on them or as they're referred to in this book, "weirdy bollocks."

The pacing is quick, and the dialogue is even quicker - all books in this series manage to mix the serious with the absurd whilst making you literally laugh out loud. A must-read and highly recommended!

I was delighted to receive an ARC of 'Relight My Fire', the fourth book in 'The Stranger Times' series by C K McDonnell. Once again, I was spirited away into the contemporary setting of Manchester to join the wacky bunch - Grace and Hannah being my favourites - as they try to untangle the 'weirdy bollocks' that seem to be plaguing the city.

This book is very well written, drawing upon McDonnell's now expansive fiction-writing experience as well as the comic timing that he brought to the stage. The plot is thorough with good pace, the dialogue authentic and quick-witted. These stories are a great combination of fantasy, crime and mystery, but you'll be having such a good time reading them that you'll forget to pick up the clues as you go along and find yourself, at the end, simply having had a lovely time, safe in the knowledge that all of the threads have been neatly tied up - except the ones that Caimh leaves dangling to tease us until the next book is out.

Highly recommended!

So happy to heave read this latest instalment early! This is my favourite Stranger Times novel to date, it was just so so good! It has everything you need and more. The plot is brilliant and really builds on some crucial elements from the past 3 books, the introduction to a couple of new characters was a great way to mix things up, and i really feel this has brought everything together nicely to set up the future parts of the series. The normal gang are back and as brilliant as ever, they're funny, entertaining and as usual a joy to read. Definitely the best one yet and I can't wait for publication.