Relight My Fire
(The Stranger Times 4)
by C. K. McDonnell


Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews

Genre: General Fiction (adult), Sci Fi & Fantasy, mystery and thrillers.

Oh, I just love the whole silliness of this series, combined with the witty fun dialogue. Banecroft still wins at that, he is such a curmudgeon, sharp tongue (but accurate), drunken workaholic, and yet hidden deep he's actually got a caring side underneath.
Stella is lovely, I do feel for her, she doesn't know what she is, or how to control her powers. Then the rest of the gang, they all work so well together.
Its another fun story, involving more supernatural entities, a new drug that gives people temporary powers but inevitably ends in death, the spook squad of the police trying to work out how to prevent more, and cover up whats happening so as not to alarm the public. The founders doing their usual, another group creating mayhem, a new character joining the ST gang, its business as normal for the ST group.
What I love about this series is the supernatural has elements of spooky but its all wrapped up with some sheer silliness, stuff that's so improbable and yet fits in perfectly and becomes almost believable. You never quite know quite way the story will turn.
I loved it again. Do I know exactly who's behind what and how it resolved after finishing the story? Not really, it becomes so complex its quite hard to keep track, but I have the gist. This is one of the stories for me where its about the journey not the ending, the enjoyment is in just how things play out along the way, not in finding out exactly who did what.
Roll on more for the cast of The Stranger Times.

Stars: Five, a fun read, full of weird and wonderful events and surprises.

ARC supplied by netgalley and publishers

You have NO idea how happy I was to see this book. I was told that Love Will Tear Us Apart was the last book...well now I come to think of it, no one told me, a comment by another reviewer made me assume it was. I'm not often glad (or even willing to admit) I'm wrong, but for this, I will happily hold my hands up.

The book begins with a man falling from the sky. Where he'd been floating. Straight into the path of Stella, who has been attempting to live a normal student life. Well, as normal as a girl can expect whilst been stalked by the well-meaning but overprotective staff of The Stranger Times. Obviously, they're the team to work out why the man was floating. But soon, reapers, mad cats, faded popstars, grave robbers, ghouls, and all manner of other lunacy complicate things just a smidge. And let's not even mention the freezing....

These books are delightfully bonkers. And every time I finish one, I have a big grin and aching sides from laughing. If you haven't read these, do so immediately, from the beginning. You won't regret it.

These books are always a great escape from reality and the characters really drive along the plot. I think that’s my favourite thing about the series in general, the strong characters that are present in every book. C. K. McDonnell is an excellent author and these books are always a great read!

A cracking fourth instalment in the Stranger Times series - it brings together all our protagonists and leads them down new and twisty paths in Manchester.
Stella is now at university studying Journalism (thanks to Banecroft) and all is going well , student life a breeze until that is it isn't. Something strange is going on in Manchester, where suddenly people seem to be able to fly, curse in flowers and other mystical things. When a young man goes splat in front of Stella, it is lucky that Hannah is close by, although that is not really luck as all the team are taking turns in shadowing Stella - just in case...
This isn't the only mystery troubling the team (and also DI Sturgess now relegated to the "weird bollocks" arm of policing) as graves are being robbed, strange powers rising and Banecroft with a tight timeline for redemption or being sent to Hell.
The action is well paced and the Founders interest in The Stranger Times team continues. I loved the celebrity zombies released from Cryogenic status plus the ghosts, ghouls and gnomes keeping things fun. It is also worth checking out https://thestrangertimes.co.uk/news/ for articles such as Coma, coma chameleon or I wax to suck your blood or the equally good classifieds -FOR SALE: psychic dog. Can read thoughts, is judgmental. Free to good Christian home. PO Box 19
Would recommend the series to everyone - my thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for access to this ARC.

This offbeat urban fantasy series is undoubtedly funny – but it’s not remotely cosy. And there is a fair amount of swearing going on, too. Unsurprising when you take into consideration some of the extreme situations our plucky band find themselves dealing with – but do be warned that if f-bombs offend you, then avoid this one.

That said, I was delighted to see the whole team back together again. Though given the speed at which major problems overwhelm various team members, instead of coping with an overarching single enemy – certain employees at The Stranger Times newspaper offices are dealing with their own issues.

Stella is grappling with her complete lack of any sort of past – and keeping the monster within her sufficiently quiet so she doesn’t draw unwelcome attention from The Founders. The rest of the team are equally determined to ensure that doesn’t happen – so she’s followed everywhere she goes…

Hannah’s relationship with a certain D.I. has stalled after having apparently returned to her former husband in the previous book – I strongly advise you start with the first book to avoid crashing midway into the series, as the staff have been through so many major adventures, they are radically changed from the characters we first encountered in The Stranger Times. So they are both quite wary of expressing any feelings for each other. I’m hoping this slightly daft will they/won’t they state of affairs is soon sorted out, as they are frankly too old to continue with this sort of shenanigans. That said, I’m delighted to have Hannah back in the fold as she is one of my favourite characters.

Once again, Vincent Banecroft is magnificently unpleasant – his highly sarcastic comments to his long-suffering staff are hilarious. As are Office Manager Grace’s rejoinders. Initially, I found him thoroughly objectionable, but McDonnell has a gift for writing apparently irredeemably horrible people and making them sympathetic – Vincent being a case in point. I was really worried that he’d be whisked away to everlasting Hell – something that wouldn’t normally concern me if a main character generally behaved towards the people around him the way Vincent does.

I enjoyed the storyline and thought the plotting and pacing was very well handled, as ever. I particularly enjoyed meeting Brian the ghoul and I’m hoping we encounter him in other adventures to come. All in all, this is a thoroughly enjoyable and well-written addition to The Stranger Times series and comes very highly recommended to fans of urban fantasy with a strong dollop of Brit-based humour. While I obtained an arc of Relight My Fire from the publisher via Netgalley, the opinions I have expressed are unbiased and my own.
9/10

The anticipated return of our weird friends at Stranger Times. I thoroughly enjoyed the first three books, and this one doesn’t disappoint. Weird, wonderful and laugh out loud funny. A great continuation of the story.

Book Review:
Relight my Fire (The Stranger Times 4) by C.K. McDonnell
Bantam, 25th January 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️

Synopsis:
Stella is enjoying life as an almost student, until a man falls from the sky right in front of her, leaving a big old hole in the pavement for Manchester Council to fill. The obvious question of how he ended up in the sky in the first place has no obvious answers, which is where The Stranger Times come in.

But this isn't just the hunt for another story. Ehat have dodgy gear, disturbed graves and a decommissioned rock star got to do with all this?

Vincent Banecroft has problems of his own in the form of a tall, dark but-definitely-not-handsome man dressed like a funeral who has been sent to make the paper's editor atone for his sins.

All that plus territorial ghouls, homicidal felines, eternal (and seemingly unstoppable) gnomes and a celebrity Who's Who that'd put a royal wedding to shame, and you're looking at a wild few days for The Stranger Times.

Review:
There are more than enough clues here that it doesn't really matter if you've read the previous three books in the series or not. I really wanted to love Relight my Fire, and the synopsis made me think I would, but I found it quite hard to follow at times. It jumped around a bit and seemed to lose focus, so I lost interest at times.
Stella is an interesting character, who I warmed to more than Vincent. Whilst some of the plot points seem a tad convoluted, the humour between The Stranger Times team, the sisterly bond between Hannah and Stella and the sharp wit are high points.

*I received an eARC from the publisher via NetGalley. This is my unbiased review.

#BookReview #RelightMyFire #CKMcDonnell #Bookstagram #BantamBooks

Interesting and excellent, as always. The stranger times series is like no other and this story was no exception. I’m biased because I live and work in Manchester but the setting, quirky characters and outlandish plot all combine to make a very good page turner. I would recommend this any other title in the series.

Another brilliant book in the series! I have read the previous books, but the good thing about the series is that even if you haven’t, you can still follow along quite easily without the need to read the ones that came before. If you haven’t read them, I’d highly recommend those too. The story is clever and funny and it all comes together in the end and all the breadcrumbs you’ve been given fall into place. Definitely looking forward to the next instalment, thank you #netgalley

This is a brilliant story and a great carry on for the stranger times saga. I love these books and the characters if you love the rivers of London series you will love this. The only negative I have it's that it's too funny and I found I couldn't read it whilst looking after my three month old as me laughing would wake him up ! Can't wait for the next in the series

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!