Tombyards & Butterflies-A Montague and Strong Detective Novel: A Montague and Strong Detective Novel (Montague & Strong Case Files) Paperback – February 27, 2017

Loved this book! Great setting with a unique take on magic that felt familiar. The MC has a great sense of humor to compliment to staunch second MC. Good twists and turns in the story, incredibly well written, an all around classic Urban Fantasy novel! On to book 2

The book is a good start to what is undoubtedly a larger supernatural world under the "real" world. The book is a quick, easy read. And not saying that as a bad thing. There is a good bit of humor. There are gun fights, vampires, ancient gods, magic, and a bit of romance thrown in. If I compare it to summer movies, this would be a good popcorn movie. Just a fun ride.

Got out of the reading habit. This book had fun characters and a good story so sucked me back in. Only lasted 2 days. Ready for the next.

Entertaining and funny😝

This book started with fast and furious action and kept the pace throughout the book. I had a hard time at first understanding what was what, but soon understood the story. The Characters are interesting with one being immortal and having a very snarky tongue and the other being a polite, well-mannered British mage. The plot is good and solid but goes fast. You go from the first case which is finding a protecting a girl who is part of another group, to an interview with Hades and finding Charon. I enjoyed this book and may reread it again, but I don't know if I will keep re-reading it over and over. It is well worth at least one read.

How many supernaturals can you fit on one page. I liked the story but it took a while to figure out what was going on and who was doing what. In the first few pages of the story there were gods, vampires, werewolves, were bears, mages, sorcerers, immortals and more gods. So once I had all the characters straight, at least I think I have all the characters, the story became interesting. Not sure if I will read the next one or not we'll have to see.

This is how light urban fantasy is meant to be. Take your favorite buddy-cop movie/series, add some magic and demons and vampires, add a serious dose of snark, a dash of British pomp, and season liberally with refined cluelessness, and you might just find yourself with something like Montague and Strong.The bad: it's nothing you haven't read or seen before if you've watched more than an episode of Buffy or read more than three urban fantasy novels. If you want ground-breaking pulse-pounding OMG-I-Can't-Believe-That-Happened-What-Sick-Bastard-Could-Even-THINK-Of-That?!? reading...look elsewhere. This isn't early Sandman Slim.Instead, it's a *fun* book with really interesting characters, and that's where this book shines. On the surface, they're clichés...hard-bitten supernatural detective, powerful and proper English Mage, grumpy police Lieutenant. But they are handled *deftly*, and not at all as clichéd as you might expect. In this book, we learn Strong's `powers' but other than a few casually-dropped references, no *idea* how he got them or what they mean. And they're impressive and refreshing, and presented magnificently. Montague...or Monty...is equally powerful and equally mysterious. We don't *get* long-winded expositions about who they are and why they're here. We run into them on the street and get shanghaied into their adventure, and that's it. Like the guy sitting next to you in the DMV, he may mention an ex-wife but you don't (hopefully!) get three hours of backstory about how they met, what their romance was like, or how she liked to tie him up and bring in a gallon of used grease and a herd of goats. All that stuff comes over time, you're way more interested in getting through the DMV and heading over to the comic shop you learned he owns.We *know* there's more...and a lot more interesting!...stuff to learn. I confess I am (not literally!) *dying* to know about Strong's legendary date! And a *lot* more about Chi! And what's the deal with Karma?Because these are interesting little tidbits in the Montague & Strong world that are hinted at, but not fully exposed. And done in such a way that we the readers...or at least me, the reader...are eager to know *more*! (For those of you a little wary of `plot holes' and `lack of backstory', let me assure you in book 2 and various short stories, a lot of information comes out, so...the author knows what he's doing)By way of comparison...hm. I'd compare this favorably with Hartness' Black Knight Chronicles...maybe even a smidgen higher on a first book against first book basis. It's not at Dresden Files level, no...but it's within spitting distance, if only because it's a lighter sort of series so they aren't fighting the same weight class, so to speak.Honestly, how can you resist? Strong gets a hellhound named *Peaches*!

This was a really good introduction to a series. It set up the characters really well by sending them through a bunch of action and adventure with magic thrown in. And best of all a dog was added to the mix. I look forward to their adventures in future books. I definitely enjoyed this book and recommend it.

Read through it in one session. Good second bookThis is looking to be a good series.I really like the pop references. Chicago is Dresden. Not sure about St.Louis

Amazing writing style. I love the humor interspersed with action and the superfast pace. Keep it up!

I was pulled into the book from page one, neglecting sleep and delaying work as I eagerly devoured the the next page, and the next, and...There were a few moments in the storyline that I characterise as 'Dr Smith' moments that the lead character could have done without but overall a great read and well worth a five star rating.Eagerly awaiting the next in the series.

Sets up its world in short order and then off we go on a pacy and exciting adventure.There's a lot of decent characters on show here and I like the hints to a backstory which interests but doesn't detract from the main story.If there's one criticism it's that too much is thrown into the first book, for instance a red headed vampire who just spends the whole story sat about in our heroes office.Action, wise-cracking galore and an intriguing partnership.Great stuff

I have read the entire series of this set now and I love it. I love Monty and Strong and of course the mighty Peaches. I love all the characters and how they all interact and get to know each other and it all started with this book. I had to read the lot all 19 of them (at current status.) The series has humour, action, magic and adventure that draws you in and has you rooting for the trio.