The first novel that Adrian Attwood would write under his Mark Hayden pen-name was titled ‘A Piece of Blue Sky,’ coming out in 2014. This would also be the first in his ‘Operation Jigsaw Trilogy,’ paving the way for more still to follow in the future. Various other series that he’d write were the ‘Tom Morton’ series, along with the ‘King’s Watch’ urban fantasy series of novels. Main character reminds me a bit of Harry Dresden, just older (37) and with more self deprecating humour. Series has a little of military flavour too since he is an ex RAF helicopter pilot with the leg trauma. Very understated 'British' writing so be warned! Dry humour, amusing characters, Britishisms, weirdly wonderful and somehow compulsive. I think at this point, Hayden needs to try and begin to wrap this up. Lengthy series don't generally work out when there's more than a few main characters. And don't even get me started on these "side" novellas that I feel forced to read!!

I really like the King's Watch Series, but it felt like it lost it's way here, and lost it quite badly. The only reason I gave this 3 stars was that the last 25% of the book is actually great. I'd have given 5 stars if the first 75% could have been trimmed down to a third (or less) of what was there.Oh, the first event happens - some negotiations between two parties - and is wrapped up by about halfway through the book, but it's all nice and polite, with the big dramas being an extra family member turning up (not turning up and trying to undermine the process, just turning up, but for some reason that seems to cause a fuss) and a medical emergency just after it's wrapped up. Believe that a middle-aged, balding, criminal, with no particular talents other than faking his way through everything, is an attractive protagonist. Are willing to stipulate that every mythological system, ever devised by our very creative species, is both true and exists in parallel with every other one. There are also some clunky bits (Merseyside United anyone?) which is a shame because they’re grit in what is otherwise quite a well oiled mechanism.

Not that Conrad has any clue about this. As far as he is concerned, getting to the church at all is going to be enough of a challenge, what with three gods insisting on wedding invitations and the mother and father of Hen and Stag parties to go first… Very disappointed and I wouldn't even recommend this, if it wasn't for the obvious hints, that a few of these new characters are likely to make an reappearance in later additions.I waited till I was a little less than half-way through the second book to write this review. I now have a much better sense of what type of reader will enjoy it. In short, you will most likely enjoy this book, and this series, if you: In the corridors of power, the new Warden is launching her project of change, and not everyone is happy. Conrad Clarke, former RAF pilot and alleged gangster, gets a text – and a visit – from The Allfather. Of all the flavours of fantasy novels, I only really enjoy those set in the real world (often described as urban fantasy, although some, as is the case here, are mostly rural) - whether it's the intricate cleverness of something like Gene Wolfe's Castleview, or when it's mixed with the police procedural, as in Ben Aaronovich's Rivers of London, Sarah Painter's Crow Investigations or Paul Cornell's Shadow Police. That meant I was delighted to discover Mark Hayden's King's Watch series. In many ways it's great, though it has proved to be something of a curate's egg.

Armed with nothing but a sense of humor and a willingness to cheat, Conrad has to find the Witch and save his life. And then one night, strange lights drift across the lawn, and suddenly Don is a man with a mission. A mission to be rescued, if only he can find a way to send a letter…

Customer reviews

It's not a well seamed presentation, and it causes the reading to become quite awkward and clumsy. Gives the impression that even the author wasn't quite sure how to work it into the story. My Rating of “3” is generous. The best word to describe this book is...tedious. It is a slog, with endless side plots and activities; and more characters than War & Peace. Proving himself to be a hugely versatile writer, Attwood has also contributed to the ‘King’s Watch Story’ collection of books. This series has been written alongside other writers, including Lucy Campbell, making him a more than adept novelist. Maintaining a profile both offline and on, he continues to make a name for himself, being highly popular with readers from all over. If you felt it was important enough to publish a short story about it, than it must have been important enough to be included in the book to begin with.