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Nightside #3
Nightingale's Lament
In the Nightside, the hidden heart of London where it's always 3 AM, Detective John Taylor must find an elusive singer known as The Nightingale. Her silken voice has inexplicably lured many a fan to suicide--and Taylor is determined to stop her, before the whole neighborhood falls under her trance. But to catch the swift-winged Nightingale, he'll have to hear the deadly music--and survive.
217 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published April 27, 2004
About the author
Simon R. Green
292 books3,137 followersSimon Richard Green is a British science fiction and fantasy-author. He holds a degree in Modern English and American Literature from the University of Leicester. His first publication was in 1979.
His Deathstalker series is partly a parody of the usual space-opera of the 1950s, told with sovereign disregard of the rules of probability, while being at the same time extremely bloodthirsty.
Excerpted from Wikipedia.
His Deathstalker series is partly a parody of the usual space-opera of the 1950s, told with sovereign disregard of the rules of probability, while being at the same time extremely bloodthirsty.
Excerpted from Wikipedia.
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March 8, 2019
Nightingale's Lament (Nightside, #3), Simon R. Green
In the Nightside, the hidden heart of London where it's always 3 AM, Detective John Taylor must find an elusive singer known as The Nightingale. Her silken voice has inexplicably lured many a fan to suicide--and Taylor is determined to stop her, before the whole neighborhood falls under her trance. But to catch the swift-winged Nightingale, he'll have to hear the deadly music--and survive.
تاریخ نخستین خوانش: روز بیست و ششم ماه دسامبر سال 2014 میلادی
عنوان: نایت ساید جلد سوم: سوگ بلبل؛ نویسنده: سیمون آر. گرین؛ مترجم: علی مصلح حیدرزاده؛ مشخصات نشر: تهران، ویدا، چاپ نخست 1390، در 186 ص، اندازه 14 در 21 س.م، فروست: مجموعه نایت ساید، شابک جلد 3: 9789646807785؛ شابک دوره: 9789646807914؛ موضوع: داستانهای نویسندگان انگلیسی سده 21 م
من تیلور هستم، «جان تیلور». روی کارت ویزیتم نوشته شده، که یک کاراگاه خصوصی هستم. اما در واقع تخصص من، پیدا کردن هر چیز گمشده است. این استعدادی است، که از زمان تولد در «نایت ساید» در وجودم نهفته است. من «نایت ساید» را مدت‌ها پیش ترک کردم. جانم در خطر بود. حالا در خیابان‌های روشن لندن زندگی می‌کنم. اما کار و کاسبی اخیرا کساد شده است. به همین دلیل وقتی «جوانا برت»، که از او بوی پول به مشام می‌رسید، در دفترم ظاهر شد، و از من خواست دختر نوجوان گمشده اش را پیدا کنم، نتوانستم نه بگویم. خیلی زود فهمیدم، دختربچه کجا رفته است: «نایت ساید»، آن شهر دوزخی، که زیر لندن واقع شده است. جایی که همیشه ساعت سه صبح است. جایی که می‌توانید در کنار اسطوره ها قدم بزنید، و با هیولاها دم‌خور شوید. جایی که هیچ چیز آنچه به نظر می‌رسد، نیست و هر اتفاقی ممکن است. من قسم خورده بودم هرگز به آنجا بازنگردم. اما یک دختربچه به خطر افتاده، و یک زن به من اعتماد کرده است، پس هیچ انتخابی ندارم...، من به خانه بازمی‌گردم... ا. شربیانی
In the Nightside, the hidden heart of London where it's always 3 AM, Detective John Taylor must find an elusive singer known as The Nightingale. Her silken voice has inexplicably lured many a fan to suicide--and Taylor is determined to stop her, before the whole neighborhood falls under her trance. But to catch the swift-winged Nightingale, he'll have to hear the deadly music--and survive.
تاریخ نخستین خوانش: روز بیست و ششم ماه دسامبر سال 2014 میلادی
عنوان: نایت ساید جلد سوم: سوگ بلبل؛ نویسنده: سیمون آر. گرین؛ مترجم: علی مصلح حیدرزاده؛ مشخصات نشر: تهران، ویدا، چاپ نخست 1390، در 186 ص، اندازه 14 در 21 س.م، فروست: مجموعه نایت ساید، شابک جلد 3: 9789646807785؛ شابک دوره: 9789646807914؛ موضوع: داستانهای نویسندگان انگلیسی سده 21 م
من تیلور هستم، «جان تیلور». روی کارت ویزیتم نوشته شده، که یک کاراگاه خصوصی هستم. اما در واقع تخصص من، پیدا کردن هر چیز گمشده است. این استعدادی است، که از زمان تولد در «نایت ساید» در وجودم نهفته است. من «نایت ساید» را مدت‌ها پیش ترک کردم. جانم در خطر بود. حالا در خیابان‌های روشن لندن زندگی می‌کنم. اما کار و کاسبی اخیرا کساد شده است. به همین دلیل وقتی «جوانا برت»، که از او بوی پول به مشام می‌رسید، در دفترم ظاهر شد، و از من خواست دختر نوجوان گمشده اش را پیدا کنم، نتوانستم نه بگویم. خیلی زود فهمیدم، دختربچه کجا رفته است: «نایت ساید»، آن شهر دوزخی، که زیر لندن واقع شده است. جایی که همیشه ساعت سه صبح است. جایی که می‌توانید در کنار اسطوره ها قدم بزنید، و با هیولاها دم‌خور شوید. جایی که هیچ چیز آنچه به نظر می‌رسد، نیست و هر اتفاقی ممکن است. من قسم خورده بودم هرگز به آنجا بازنگردم. اما یک دختربچه به خطر افتاده، و یک زن به من اعتماد کرده است، پس هیچ انتخابی ندارم...، من به خانه بازمی‌گردم... ا. شربیانی
May 30, 2021
I don't know. If I'm being entirely honest, the bright and vibrant Nightside isn't being served too well by its overpowered private eye. I suppose I might have fallen head-over-heels for this whole thing if I had gotten to know him as being anything other than unbeatable. The stakes are always for the town or for his clients or for his friends. His own stakes are rather lukewarm.
So here I am, enjoying the novels IN GENERAL while still not caring for the MC. Sure, he's got that whole nicer-looking Hellboy vibe, but only to a small degree. The rest of it is noir with interesting side characters and a fairly solid plot.
So it's not BAD, it's just not doing all that much for me. It's missing that particular flavor. I'll try more, however.
So here I am, enjoying the novels IN GENERAL while still not caring for the MC. Sure, he's got that whole nicer-looking Hellboy vibe, but only to a small degree. The rest of it is noir with interesting side characters and a fairly solid plot.
So it's not BAD, it's just not doing all that much for me. It's missing that particular flavor. I'll try more, however.
February 21, 2021
Prekliata barová speváčka: svojím spevom doháňa ľudí k samovražde
Ja (vstávajúc od stola): podržte mi pivo, prehlásim a spustím svoju obľúbenú
-Ako prvý ide onen krígeľ piva, ktorý je ku mne najbližšie. S vypätím posledných síl si utrhne ucho a skončí svoju životnú púť ako znôška črepín váľajúcich sa po zemi
-Ďalšou obeťou môjho spevu je lidl taška. Jej uši, za ktoré bola prevesená na stoličke, to už nevydržia a prasknú, následkom čoho sa igelitka zošuchne a záhadne zmizne*
-Medzitým si kolónia záchodových pavúkov, ktorí síce nemajú uši, ale zato ich kĺby sú pokryté chĺpkami citlivými na vibrácie, začne hromadne depilovať nohy
- Marihuana v jointe sa snaži konvertovať na oregano, aby mohla požiadať o azyl v ráde hluchavkovitých
-O depiláciu nôh sa už nepokúšajú len pavúci ale i dvaja basgitaristi a kuchár
-Sada ihiel** si začína vzájomne zašívať uchá, čím podstúpuje zmenu pohlavia na sadu špendlíkov
-Barové stoličky si depilujú nohy
-Traja mŕtvi štamgasti, obete spevu dávno zabudnutej barovej speváčky, sa pokúšajú vstať z mŕtvych, aby sa mohli znovu zabiť
-A to som sa ešte ani nedostala k refrénu!
-----
*O ďalšom osude zmiznutej igelitky sa vie len toľko, že jej obsah sa našiel roztrúsený v opustenom dome 18 kilometrov od zmieneného baru. Po Nočnej strane však kolujú legendy o tajomnom tvorovi z mestskej kanalizácie, ktorý je okrem svojej krvilačnosti známy tým, že nikdy, ale naozaj nikdy nešuští, čo mnohých samozvaných odborníkov na urbánnu faunu zvádza k myšlienke, že by mohlo ísť o krokodíla. Hoci pripúšťam, že nešušťanie je typickým atribútom krokodílovitosti, zdá sa mi zo strany pseudovedeckej obce trochu úzkoprsé opomenúť možnosť, že by mohlo ísť o zákernú hluchonemú igelitku
**Ak si myslíte, že táto recenzia nielenže nemá nič spoločné s knihou, ale ešte aj postráda vnútornú konzistenciu, pretože čo robí sada ihiel v bare, tak vedzte, že hlavný hrdina sa volá John Taylor, teda v preklade Jano Krajčír. Je to súkromné očko, ktoré medzitým ako ja spievam, prostredníctvom niekoľkých šťastných náhod rozrieši banálny prípad, ktorý by vás aj tak nezaujímal.
Ja (vstávajúc od stola): podržte mi pivo, prehlásim a spustím svoju obľúbenú
-Ako prvý ide onen krígeľ piva, ktorý je ku mne najbližšie. S vypätím posledných síl si utrhne ucho a skončí svoju životnú púť ako znôška črepín váľajúcich sa po zemi
-Ďalšou obeťou môjho spevu je lidl taška. Jej uši, za ktoré bola prevesená na stoličke, to už nevydržia a prasknú, následkom čoho sa igelitka zošuchne a záhadne zmizne*
-Medzitým si kolónia záchodových pavúkov, ktorí síce nemajú uši, ale zato ich kĺby sú pokryté chĺpkami citlivými na vibrácie, začne hromadne depilovať nohy
- Marihuana v jointe sa snaži konvertovať na oregano, aby mohla požiadať o azyl v ráde hluchavkovitých
-O depiláciu nôh sa už nepokúšajú len pavúci ale i dvaja basgitaristi a kuchár
-Sada ihiel** si začína vzájomne zašívať uchá, čím podstúpuje zmenu pohlavia na sadu špendlíkov
-Barové stoličky si depilujú nohy
-Traja mŕtvi štamgasti, obete spevu dávno zabudnutej barovej speváčky, sa pokúšajú vstať z mŕtvych, aby sa mohli znovu zabiť
-A to som sa ešte ani nedostala k refrénu!
-----
*O ďalšom osude zmiznutej igelitky sa vie len toľko, že jej obsah sa našiel roztrúsený v opustenom dome 18 kilometrov od zmieneného baru. Po Nočnej strane však kolujú legendy o tajomnom tvorovi z mestskej kanalizácie, ktorý je okrem svojej krvilačnosti známy tým, že nikdy, ale naozaj nikdy nešuští, čo mnohých samozvaných odborníkov na urbánnu faunu zvádza k myšlienke, že by mohlo ísť o krokodíla. Hoci pripúšťam, že nešušťanie je typickým atribútom krokodílovitosti, zdá sa mi zo strany pseudovedeckej obce trochu úzkoprsé opomenúť možnosť, že by mohlo ísť o zákernú hluchonemú igelitku
**Ak si myslíte, že táto recenzia nielenže nemá nič spoločné s knihou, ale ešte aj postráda vnútornú konzistenciu, pretože čo robí sada ihiel v bare, tak vedzte, že hlavný hrdina sa volá John Taylor, teda v preklade Jano Krajčír. Je to súkromné očko, ktoré medzitým ako ja spievam, prostredníctvom niekoľkých šťastných náhod rozrieši banálny prípad, ktorý by vás aj tak nezaujímal.
October 4, 2020
Tercera entrega del famoso detective John Taylor tras haber regresado después de una pausa de 5 años a su lugar de procedencia, The Nightside. En este trabajo, al protagonista se le pide que investigue una serie de suicidios en extrañas circunstancias.
Me ha costado terminar este libro ya que me encontraba en medio de un bloqueo (y creo que sigo en ello). Pero bueno, creo que vuelvo a decir lo mismo respecto a esta saga.
No se trata de libros difíciles de leer, ni con una trama enrevesada. Simplemente se tratan de casos aislados del detective. Parecen más episodios de la serie “Supernatural”, por lo que leerlos no resulta ser un desperdicio tampoco si te gusta este tipo de literatura.
Lo único que espero es que en el siguiente libro se empiece a indagar un poco más sobre los orígenes del Nightside o sobre el propio protagonista porque ya creo que es hora.
Me ha costado terminar este libro ya que me encontraba en medio de un bloqueo (y creo que sigo en ello). Pero bueno, creo que vuelvo a decir lo mismo respecto a esta saga.
No se trata de libros difíciles de leer, ni con una trama enrevesada. Simplemente se tratan de casos aislados del detective. Parecen más episodios de la serie “Supernatural”, por lo que leerlos no resulta ser un desperdicio tampoco si te gusta este tipo de literatura.
Lo único que espero es que en el siguiente libro se empiece a indagar un poco más sobre los orígenes del Nightside o sobre el propio protagonista porque ya creo que es hora.
June 3, 2021
I very much enjoy the world building of the Nightside and the characters within it. I find the series clever and witty too. Recommended.
July 14, 2018
I cannot get enough of these books! After having read the previous book I was really curious as to what the next case would entail. At first, it seemed a bit trivial since it seemed like the solution was not going to be too far out of reach but it took a turn for the best. I did enjoy the introduction of the new characters since it made up for the lack of Suzie and Eddie. The characters were well constructed and it is awfully pleasant to know them- even their weaknesses. The characters of Julien and The Masques was interesting because I also would have never seen it coming. Green amazes me in how he knits up these details into the plot so seamlessly. As well as, how he manages to wrap up the story. Especially, for this case (no pun intended) because it left a heartwarming feeling that made me almost tear up, as creepy as it was.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 21, 2016
4.5 Stars
Nightingale's Lament by Simon R. Green is the third book in the Nightside series. These stories are classic noir like private eye mysteries in an urban fantasy setting. They are perfect for my interests today. I have been reading a lot of urban fantasy lately. Combine my new favorite genre with a detective noir like story and you have made me something special. I loved this book. I loved the writing of Green. I loved the world of Nightside. And I especially loved our main character (can't call him the good guy), John Taylor.
Green paces this one perfectly, never stopping to get the reader up to speed but rather taking us along for a brisk ride where just enough backstory is told along the way to keep us interested. I couldn't put this book down. The characters make this story work...
Awesome fictional place, somewhere in space and time...a place called Nightside!
Don't forget that the place called Nightside is probably the main antagonist of the story.
Nightingale's Lament is a tight urban fantasy story that is just plain fun to read. This is a more intimate story than the previous two with even more emphasis on magic. The Nightingale is an amazing concept and I immediately picture Alice Glass singing like that and capturing us all in her magical web.
I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend it. I look forward to reading more from John Taylor and the Nightside series.
Nightingale's Lament by Simon R. Green is the third book in the Nightside series. These stories are classic noir like private eye mysteries in an urban fantasy setting. They are perfect for my interests today. I have been reading a lot of urban fantasy lately. Combine my new favorite genre with a detective noir like story and you have made me something special. I loved this book. I loved the writing of Green. I loved the world of Nightside. And I especially loved our main character (can't call him the good guy), John Taylor.
Green paces this one perfectly, never stopping to get the reader up to speed but rather taking us along for a brisk ride where just enough backstory is told along the way to keep us interested. I couldn't put this book down. The characters make this story work...
Awesome fictional place, somewhere in space and time...a place called Nightside!
Don't forget that the place called Nightside is probably the main antagonist of the story.
Nightingale's Lament is a tight urban fantasy story that is just plain fun to read. This is a more intimate story than the previous two with even more emphasis on magic. The Nightingale is an amazing concept and I immediately picture Alice Glass singing like that and capturing us all in her magical web.
I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend it. I look forward to reading more from John Taylor and the Nightside series.
October 1, 2010
While in hiding for causing blackouts all over the Nightside, John Taylor gets hired to find out why fans of a singer called the Nightingale are killing themselves. Taylor hooks up with Dead Boy, an undead youth eternally 17 years old and the trail takes them up against Mrs. and Mr. Cavendish, the Nightingale's managers. What sinister secret is at the heart of Nightingale's strange behavior, as well as that of her suicidal fans?
Simon Green is one sick bastard. I mean that in the best way possible. Who else could string beasts from the Outer Darkness, transvestites, sleep walking thugs, a shapeshifting prostitute, and the creepiest pair this side of Croup and Vandemar from Neverwhere? Mr. and Mrs. Cavendish were extremely unsettling in their behavior. The nod to Doc Savage in the form of Julian Advent, Victorian Adventurer was a nice touch. One of the things I enjoy about the Nightside books are all the easter eggs thrown in.
As always, the dark biting humor is present, as well as a generous spoonful of gore. The story was good although it wrapped up a little too nicely in the end. I am pleased at how quickly the overall plot progresses in the Nightside books as opposed to a certain other series I could name. I won't mention names but it rhymes with Darry Hresden.
Simon Green is one sick bastard. I mean that in the best way possible. Who else could string beasts from the Outer Darkness, transvestites, sleep walking thugs, a shapeshifting prostitute, and the creepiest pair this side of Croup and Vandemar from Neverwhere? Mr. and Mrs. Cavendish were extremely unsettling in their behavior. The nod to Doc Savage in the form of Julian Advent, Victorian Adventurer was a nice touch. One of the things I enjoy about the Nightside books are all the easter eggs thrown in.
As always, the dark biting humor is present, as well as a generous spoonful of gore. The story was good although it wrapped up a little too nicely in the end. I am pleased at how quickly the overall plot progresses in the Nightside books as opposed to a certain other series I could name. I won't mention names but it rhymes with Darry Hresden.
October 12, 2009
The Nightside stories are so hard boiled it’s hard to put in perspective, but I’m going to try anyway. If you took Dashiell Hammett’s corpse rolled it in batter then deep fried it till black, you would have a pretty good approximation of what Simon R. Green is going for. Nightingale’s Lament is the third book in the Nightside series, and follows the same mold the previous books do. The story is basically another case file for John Tayler. He’s been tasked to discover the the cause behind the mysterious suicides surrounding a young singer’s performances. Through the course of the mystery he once again uses his reputation and collection of odd characters to help in solving the case. Simon R. Green continues to introduce new and fascinating characters into his narrative.
So far with each installment Green has tightened up the writing, and really shown how exciting this world can be. The gritty fast paced style is really starting to grow on me. Nightingale’s Lament is full of memorable lines, I’ll call the them Taylorisms. For example:
“"I don't use guns. Never have. They have too many limitations."
“That man could brood for the Olympics, and pick up a bronze in self-pity while he was at it”
"Condiments, Never leave home without them”
Those are just a few of many great quotes. The book’s tone is almost always tongue in cheek, but it remains just serious enough to keep the suspense high. Green has something special with the Nightside series. I hope he continues to improve the narrative, and keeps these things coming out.
So far with each installment Green has tightened up the writing, and really shown how exciting this world can be. The gritty fast paced style is really starting to grow on me. Nightingale’s Lament is full of memorable lines, I’ll call the them Taylorisms. For example:
“"I don't use guns. Never have. They have too many limitations."
“That man could brood for the Olympics, and pick up a bronze in self-pity while he was at it”
"Condiments, Never leave home without them”
Those are just a few of many great quotes. The book’s tone is almost always tongue in cheek, but it remains just serious enough to keep the suspense high. Green has something special with the Nightside series. I hope he continues to improve the narrative, and keeps these things coming out.
June 17, 2009
Ever heard the phrase, "Killer Voice?" Well, Rossignol (translates to Nightingale in French) is a girl in the Nightside who literally does. Her voice has the power to drive people to kill themselves. It didn't used to be that way, but something changed, made her sad, so all she can do is sing dreary songs (think Depeche Mode at their most downer moments). John Taylor has been asked to find her since she disappeared. That's where this journey begins. This is a dark journey, even for Taylor. There are horrific moments, funny moments, and even poignant moments. Why do they always leave Taylor?? This is probably the goriest of the Nightside books so far. Yet I am still hooked. I think Simon R. Green is an incredible writer with a great imagination. Can't wait to read more Nightside books.
August 12, 2016
این رو بیشتر دوست داشتم..
از همه مورد توجه تر انتخاب شخصیت نویسنده است که داستان را جالب می کند
امتیاز واقعی سه و نیم هست..
از همه مورد توجه تر انتخاب شخصیت نویسنده است که داستان را جالب می کند
امتیاز واقعی سه و نیم هست..
July 18, 2024
These are really good books but they are entertaining enough to make them worth a read.
August 21, 2016
Ever listened to a song so sad it makes you want to commit suicide? Well this is what John Taylor is up against in the 3rd installment of The Nightside. A worried father sets John on the trail of Rossignol, a singer just about to get her big break. But the songs she sings are causing a mass of suicides. Are people of the Nightside that easily led or is something more sinister occurring.
This book has all the humor and character of the previous two. We meet some new characters as well that will steal your heart and some that you will love to hate!
This book has all the humor and character of the previous two. We meet some new characters as well that will steal your heart and some that you will love to hate!
August 23, 2014
Loved it, I can never get bored reading about John Taylor and his cases.
June 11, 2019
Another delightfully horrifying trip into the Nightside. This author comes up with some crazy stuff, but it's a fun read.
February 12, 2008
This is book #3 in the Nightside/John Taylor series; The other two are Something From the Nightside and Agents of Light and Darkness. If you want a good escape read, this is it. I absolutely love this series...a kind of a cross between horror, sci-fi, and crime noir. Give it a try.
The Nightside is now home to John Taylor, who previously lived in the Nightside, left it to work in the outside world and has now returned. He has many enemies, but he also has some amazing powers which tends to keep his enemies (and everyone else) at bay. The Nightside is found in a dark corner of London (the way to the Nightside is obscured and only those who know about its existence can find it). In the Nightside, it's permanently 3 in the morning; it has its share of ghosts, ghouls, monsters, zombies, and other creepy folk. But other than that, the same type of living goes on in the Nightside...there's commerce, there is law, there are parts of the place smart people never go to and everything is taken in its stride.
In this installment, after having solved a mystery as to where a certain power plant has its energy source, John goes into hiding. While he's laying low, he receives a visit from one Charles Chabron asking him to look into the welfare of his only daughter, Rossignol. She is a singer, and lately her singing has inspired several people to go home and commit suicide. As John goes about the Nightside seeking help in finding and saving Rossignol, he meets with a host of creepy characters who try to get in his way.
At times funny, Nightingale's Lament does have at its core a good "mystery." It is simply a good fun read and does not aim for more but it is fun on a higher level and does not insult your intelligence. I mean, by the time you finish one of these books, you're scratching your head going "hmmm. Maybe...."
I would recommend this book, but even though someone noted that this book could be a stand alone away from the series, I would recommend reading them in order; the character of John Taylor and his experiences are built upon in each installment.
read: 5/03/2005
The Nightside is now home to John Taylor, who previously lived in the Nightside, left it to work in the outside world and has now returned. He has many enemies, but he also has some amazing powers which tends to keep his enemies (and everyone else) at bay. The Nightside is found in a dark corner of London (the way to the Nightside is obscured and only those who know about its existence can find it). In the Nightside, it's permanently 3 in the morning; it has its share of ghosts, ghouls, monsters, zombies, and other creepy folk. But other than that, the same type of living goes on in the Nightside...there's commerce, there is law, there are parts of the place smart people never go to and everything is taken in its stride.
In this installment, after having solved a mystery as to where a certain power plant has its energy source, John goes into hiding. While he's laying low, he receives a visit from one Charles Chabron asking him to look into the welfare of his only daughter, Rossignol. She is a singer, and lately her singing has inspired several people to go home and commit suicide. As John goes about the Nightside seeking help in finding and saving Rossignol, he meets with a host of creepy characters who try to get in his way.
At times funny, Nightingale's Lament does have at its core a good "mystery." It is simply a good fun read and does not aim for more but it is fun on a higher level and does not insult your intelligence. I mean, by the time you finish one of these books, you're scratching your head going "hmmm. Maybe...."
I would recommend this book, but even though someone noted that this book could be a stand alone away from the series, I would recommend reading them in order; the character of John Taylor and his experiences are built upon in each installment.
read: 5/03/2005
January 13, 2010
I honestly don't know why I keep reading these books... the man just has no sense of subtlety whatsoever. I'm pretty sure the only thing keeping me reading these is to see what new ideas Green can come up with, I will give him that, the man has a fascinating imagination. If he could just harness some of Jim Butcher's ability to tell a story and make you feel for the characters, Nightside would rival The Dresden Files.
The stories thus far just come and go far too quickly, things just seem to happen rather than develop. Characters do things and change without really easing into it. I so terrible want to enjoy the series more than I am, but I'm just not feeling a connection to these characters enough to be able to. John is given too much of a reputation to ever put the guy at fault really, it's just gotten him out of way too many things to make me even think there will be something that can stop him. The times when his mere reputation doesn't get him out of something some random person shows up to bail him out of trouble or he uses his "gift" like a cheat code to just instantly come out on top of the situation. I'm still wondering what the heck his little bullet trick is too, it just kind of popped out of nowhere with no explanation, only that he developed it because of what happened with him and Suzy.
The thing with John's mother... oye, this is where the subtlety really needs to be applied. There's just far too much blurted out about this that's it's really not much of a mystery what the deal is with her. Every time John comes up against something strong it tells him about his mother and how powerful she is... it's like Green doesn't think the reader would be able to piece together clues so he has to just come out and practically tell you what's up with her. I like hints, figuring things out, not just being told what the mystery is out flat and then being told over and over again.
... I should learn to write things in a more coherent way, instead of rambling.
The stories thus far just come and go far too quickly, things just seem to happen rather than develop. Characters do things and change without really easing into it. I so terrible want to enjoy the series more than I am, but I'm just not feeling a connection to these characters enough to be able to. John is given too much of a reputation to ever put the guy at fault really, it's just gotten him out of way too many things to make me even think there will be something that can stop him. The times when his mere reputation doesn't get him out of something some random person shows up to bail him out of trouble or he uses his "gift" like a cheat code to just instantly come out on top of the situation. I'm still wondering what the heck his little bullet trick is too, it just kind of popped out of nowhere with no explanation, only that he developed it because of what happened with him and Suzy.
The thing with John's mother... oye, this is where the subtlety really needs to be applied. There's just far too much blurted out about this that's it's really not much of a mystery what the deal is with her. Every time John comes up against something strong it tells him about his mother and how powerful she is... it's like Green doesn't think the reader would be able to piece together clues so he has to just come out and practically tell you what's up with her. I like hints, figuring things out, not just being told what the mystery is out flat and then being told over and over again.
... I should learn to write things in a more coherent way, instead of rambling.
July 15, 2019
My second time through this book because... Because I couldn't remember it. But I loved it nonetheless.
What amazes me is Green's clever and witty world building and his wild assortment of all the wall characters.
What amazes me is Green's clever and witty world building and his wild assortment of all the wall characters.
April 4, 2018
My review can be read on my blog as well: https://starlitbook.com/2018/04/03/ni...
Nightingale's Lament starts with John working on a case, helping out an old friend. As a result, he manages to bring down one of the biggest electricity provider in the Nightside, causing all kinds of trouble - this later in the book comes back to kick him in the ass every once in a while. To be honest, this first chapter - and the story contained in it - was my favorite part, and it would have deserved a whole story. Instead, John is being hired to find out if everything is fine with the up and coming star Rossignol, who lately didn't seemed to be herself, and there were rumors regarding fans committing suicide. John sets out to look into the bottom of it. As usual, he gets partners, and we get to know some new characters - Julian, the editor of the Night Times, Dead Boy who ends up playing a crucial role, and my favorite in this book, Otto, the hurricane page boy.
The biggest strength of this series is the world building, and that you can really never forsee what's to come (or most of the time anyway, this time one of the twists were pretty obvious to me). I also like the humor, however, compared to the first book, this book seems to lack it. Sadly. Or it might be I wasn't in the mood to appreciate it. I don't know.
And now the rant part of my review. I've read 3 books now out of 12, but I can't see the improvement in the writing (or editing for that matter). On the contrary. This series has the potential to be one of the best, but it fails to deliver, which pisses me off. Green throws around the phrase "in the Nightside" like it's a fucking confetti. I mean, yeah, by book 3 we know we are in the Nightside, thanks. You don't have to add itt every second page. The repetitiveness can be boring after a while, and John's constant whining about not knowing about her mom. I hope we'll learn something about her soon, or poor John will have mommy issues sooner or later (or he has already, come to think of it). I also can't understand why the characters have to call each others names in every conversation (altough I have to say, I like the names like Razor Eddie the Punk God or Shotgun Suzie). You know we readers aren't stupid, we've been reading for pages this scene, we know full well, that you are together. Meh. However, I'm starting to realise that this might be a british thing and pretty common in their everyday lives. Strange.
Anyway, I really, really, want to love this series, and I keep carry on hoping it gets better. But if this continues, I might have to reconsider reading the series and stop wasting my money on it (living in Budapest, library is not an option or second hand bookshops for that matter. I have to buy every book I read, which can be a gamble at times). So far Nightingale's Lament was my least favorite, despite music playing a part in it. The story felt off, I didn't find it interesting enough, and felt like it was just an excuse to show off different scenes and parts of the Nightside, throwing it all in one book and hoping something will come out of it. And again, one of the twists were too obvious. I find myself getting tired of books where the MC just wanders around, keeps getting injured or something just so we know he is not immortal. Then in the last 10% of the book suddenly everyone pops up, reveals some big secret then every problem gets solved in the blink of an eye. Is it me or this just really gets boring after a while? Also, these books are short, and I get that the story must be wrapped up, but felt a bit rushed to me. I hope the next book will bring back some of the humor of the first book, because that made me snort loudly, and if I have to deal with all the repetitiveness, then at least I'd like to have some fun too.
Nightingale's Lament starts with John working on a case, helping out an old friend. As a result, he manages to bring down one of the biggest electricity provider in the Nightside, causing all kinds of trouble - this later in the book comes back to kick him in the ass every once in a while. To be honest, this first chapter - and the story contained in it - was my favorite part, and it would have deserved a whole story. Instead, John is being hired to find out if everything is fine with the up and coming star Rossignol, who lately didn't seemed to be herself, and there were rumors regarding fans committing suicide. John sets out to look into the bottom of it. As usual, he gets partners, and we get to know some new characters - Julian, the editor of the Night Times, Dead Boy who ends up playing a crucial role, and my favorite in this book, Otto, the hurricane page boy.
The biggest strength of this series is the world building, and that you can really never forsee what's to come (or most of the time anyway, this time one of the twists were pretty obvious to me). I also like the humor, however, compared to the first book, this book seems to lack it. Sadly. Or it might be I wasn't in the mood to appreciate it. I don't know.
And now the rant part of my review. I've read 3 books now out of 12, but I can't see the improvement in the writing (or editing for that matter). On the contrary. This series has the potential to be one of the best, but it fails to deliver, which pisses me off. Green throws around the phrase "in the Nightside" like it's a fucking confetti. I mean, yeah, by book 3 we know we are in the Nightside, thanks. You don't have to add itt every second page. The repetitiveness can be boring after a while, and John's constant whining about not knowing about her mom. I hope we'll learn something about her soon, or poor John will have mommy issues sooner or later (or he has already, come to think of it). I also can't understand why the characters have to call each others names in every conversation (altough I have to say, I like the names like Razor Eddie the Punk God or Shotgun Suzie). You know we readers aren't stupid, we've been reading for pages this scene, we know full well, that you are together. Meh. However, I'm starting to realise that this might be a british thing and pretty common in their everyday lives. Strange.
Anyway, I really, really, want to love this series, and I keep carry on hoping it gets better. But if this continues, I might have to reconsider reading the series and stop wasting my money on it (living in Budapest, library is not an option or second hand bookshops for that matter. I have to buy every book I read, which can be a gamble at times). So far Nightingale's Lament was my least favorite, despite music playing a part in it. The story felt off, I didn't find it interesting enough, and felt like it was just an excuse to show off different scenes and parts of the Nightside, throwing it all in one book and hoping something will come out of it. And again, one of the twists were too obvious. I find myself getting tired of books where the MC just wanders around, keeps getting injured or something just so we know he is not immortal. Then in the last 10% of the book suddenly everyone pops up, reveals some big secret then every problem gets solved in the blink of an eye. Is it me or this just really gets boring after a while? Also, these books are short, and I get that the story must be wrapped up, but felt a bit rushed to me. I hope the next book will bring back some of the humor of the first book, because that made me snort loudly, and if I have to deal with all the repetitiveness, then at least I'd like to have some fun too.
March 20, 2020
This is the third book in the "Nightside" series by Simon R. Green. John Taylor is a private detective in the Nightside. The Nightside is a hidden city below London where supernatural beings live and find their pleasures. Pleasures that can't be found in the mundane world. John Taylor has a unique Talent. He finds things. He has a power that lets him find anything or anyone, anywhere. In this one John Taylor is hired to find out why an up and coming singer's, named Rossignol a.k.a. the Nightingale, songs are causing people to commit suicide. She has also cut herself off from her friends and family and is only seen in public when she performs. After visiting Rossignol at the club, Caliban's Cavern, where she performs nightly, Taylor knows something is wrong. With the help of Dead Boy, a deceased mugging victim who now fights criminals, Taylor tries to locate the Cavendishe's, Rossignol's managers, former protege, Sylvia Sin, and find a way to rescue Rossignol from the couple's clutches. The latest installment in the Nightshade series is a great read and a great addition to this series.
September 3, 2007
NIGHTINGALE'S LAMENT (Fantasy/Detective) – VG
Simon R. Green – 3rd in series
Ace Fantasy, 2004 – Paperback
John Taylor has been hired to find a local diva who has cut herself off from her family. While her voice is gaining fame, it is also causing those who hear her to commit suicide.
*** Taylor's world is not a place one would ever want to visit: a part of London called Nightside where it is always 3 a.m. But, except for the monsters, has the feel and elements of a classic detective novel. If you enjoy Jim Butcher or Charlaine Harris, you might give these a try. I'd recommend starting at the beginning of the series but do feel this is the best so far. I shall be eagerly awaiting book four and the next visit to Nightside.
Simon R. Green – 3rd in series
Ace Fantasy, 2004 – Paperback
John Taylor has been hired to find a local diva who has cut herself off from her family. While her voice is gaining fame, it is also causing those who hear her to commit suicide.
*** Taylor's world is not a place one would ever want to visit: a part of London called Nightside where it is always 3 a.m. But, except for the monsters, has the feel and elements of a classic detective novel. If you enjoy Jim Butcher or Charlaine Harris, you might give these a try. I'd recommend starting at the beginning of the series but do feel this is the best so far. I shall be eagerly awaiting book four and the next visit to Nightside.
March 18, 2014
Read out of order by accident. This proved to not be a problem in that the storyline was rapid and engrossing from the start. So I decided to continue and glad I did. There was just a couple of inferences to incidents that I'm sure will be clarified in "Agents of Light and Darkness". This particular adventure takes John Taylor on a dark journey of the "Nightside" into an otherworldly noir state. Well, being new to this series and the series in and of itself having been around now for some time I don't believe I can say here what others have not already said. I do know that Mr. Simon Green has an incredible imagination and a great gift as a writer in this genre. Highly recommend and looking forward to continuing the next case development for John Taylor from the "Nightside".
August 13, 2009
This one is actually better than the first. Keeping you on the edge and eager to read more. I've been eagerly reading at any moment I can to find out what happens next. The ending had a surprisingly but interesting twist. Better written and you finally get to experience a lot more of the horrors of the Nightside than just hear people babbling on about how horrible the Nightside is. John Taylor has finally stopped giving too many long, unending, out of the blue talks on how horrible the Nightside is too which was a relief. All in all a great book and finally something that is taking me away from the Christian theology. Missing it but am managing to distract myself from it.
December 27, 2009
This was my introduction to the Nightside and I plan to read more(as a matter of fact i've already made a trip to my favorite used book store and picked up several). I like some Urban Fantasy (for example the Dresden books are some of my favorite novels) and these are starting out great. Nightside, a dark city within the city of London is a place you wouldn't want to get caught, but the stories are enthralling.
No spoilers here, but our hero in this volume sets out to investigate an insidious night club and some insidious agent/managers of talent, and to find out if dark powers are at play witha young singer.
No spoilers here, but our hero in this volume sets out to investigate an insidious night club and some insidious agent/managers of talent, and to find out if dark powers are at play witha young singer.
July 10, 2009
John Taylor is back, and with him comes the delightfully macabre, the grotesquely interesting world of the Nightside. Hired to inquire after the welfare of the Nightside's newest singing sensation, John must face ever-more malicious forces in his attempt to do right by his client. The story is a tangled mess of terror, mixed with well-placed humour. The Nightside may not be a place I'd want to live, but I'm loving visiting there again and again.
May 14, 2020
Well, we are off following John Taylor again with his mommy issues and his mysterious powers and origins. This time we meet Dead Boy, who helps Taylor on his quest to save a mysteriously talented singer. She is so good that she would win The Masked Singer, if anyone would be alive to vote - Yeah, she is that good.
The Nightside tales are simply quick distractions. I really didn't have to think too hard to read or follow the plot. The characters are pretty shallow, so I was interested but not too interested. By the end, it had that Scooby-Doo feel, where the villain shares their entire plot with Taylor and Dead Boy before being defeated by a surprise twist.
"I've would've gotten away with it if it hadn't been for those meddlin' kids."
The Nightside tales are simply quick distractions. I really didn't have to think too hard to read or follow the plot. The characters are pretty shallow, so I was interested but not too interested. By the end, it had that Scooby-Doo feel, where the villain shares their entire plot with Taylor and Dead Boy before being defeated by a surprise twist.
"I've would've gotten away with it if it hadn't been for those meddlin' kids."
June 30, 2020
Engrossing investigation into the nightside. John Taylor continues to be challenged by wicked humans and the darker things of the night. Fast read well told and many interesting insights into the lore of the sub-terrain of London's Nightsides expurgated bit of universe.
November 14, 2017
Best thing about this story was the short story in the beginning and Dead Boy. I do love the gamble of odd characters that make up Nightside. =)
July 24, 2020
Loved it. The series itself are the perfect in-between books books. Author does a great job reintroducing the old characters without overexplaining. Love the many hidden jokes & puns.
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