Signatures

by James A. Hetley

Ebook, 2015

Status

Available

Publication

Book View Cafe (2015), 230 pages

Description

John Patterson thinks he damn well earned his pension. He survived more than twenty years as a police forensic wizard, tracking down and fighting the worst that criminal magic could throw at him. If he could only retire the nightmares, as well.Some of those nightmares feature Albert Kratz, alias Albertus Magnus, a psychopathic criminal mage Patterson trapped in a burning building years ago. So why is a dead man leaving his unique magical signature on the grisly "artistic" murder of a diplomatic courier?Detective Sergeant Nef Cash recognizes that crime scene from old file photos and drags Patterson out of retirement to fight a deadly enemy one more time. Cash has her own motives besides police work, and her move will turn his personal life inside out.… (more)

User reviews

LibraryThing member ERose207
This book managed to hook my attention immediately and keep my attention for its entirety. Rare feat that. I enjoyed the story immensely. The writing style is fluid and lacks the over-embellishment and unimportant details that frequently bog down an otherwise good book. I loved the protagonist; an
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equal mix of cynicism and sarcasm that was incredibly easy for me to relate to. And the unique spin on magic mixed with law enforcement was enjoyable. Thumbs up, Mr. Hetley. I do hope for a sequel.
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LibraryThing member reading_fox
Superb. Absolutely classic urban fantasy and should be the definitive guide on how to write in this genre. If you thought Harry Dresden was good, read this and it will leave you staggered. I've read a fair bit of UF and this is by far the best I've come across. Yes it is that good.

Magic is real in
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the world. It always has been, but for the last decade or two a few people have been able to actively harness and direct it, rather than subconsciously manipulate it with their minds. Of course such a shift in culture has changed things, but not as much as you might expect.The police have a magic department in every State. But users are still few and far, and it comes at a cost in metabolism and skill, that few are that talented. The general populace are not as accepting as they could be, religions are generally against them, and so for magicians (and witches) life is best kept simple and discreet. John is the classic PI, old and alcoholic with too many bad memories. He left the force when he could no longer face the reminders of having to convict his partner for a magically induced theft. And so he makes a living from the bottle and finding lost things, identifying items and other small little jobs. He still has a few contacts on the force to smooth life's troubles.

One day one of those, his last trainee, a young native american woman Nef Cash, turns up at his office requesting his help. For all that she can tell a killer called Kratz is back on the case again perfecting his artistically arranged murders. But she knows that John and his teams last acts was to trap Kratz in a burning building from which they were sure he'd not been able to escape. Please can he aid the force this last time - with a badge if he wants - and just make sure Kratz is really put away for good. John despite being old bald and fat can't say no to a pretty woman, and has bad memories of Kratz, so he'd really like to think he's away for good.

It's just good. A believable set-up, and well thought out implications, magic system that puts a lot of strain on it's users for not a lot of result - so it doesn't have to be excused away from situations. Legal and illegal use is not determined by some secret cabal of Grand Inquisitors, but through the laws of the land like everything else. There's great characters, John is a perfect PI, gruff, and caring, basically a good guy, trying to do the right thing in a complex world, no more hypocritical or self-serving than he has to be. The 'bad guys' are good too with some clever motivations,a few good twists, moral ambiguity all around. Perhaps the only thing I didn't like was that John became a bit of a babe magnet with five women throwing themselves at him during the course of the book. I did like that he didn't know how or why they did so and very much didn't take it for granted. The women do all have their own lives to live, they aren't just there for John, and trade secrets off -stage, which worked very well.

It is I think a standalone - although there is perhaps scope for others to be written. So although I can't immediately get the rest of the series, I will certainly see what else the author has written. An immediate hit.
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LibraryThing member rjlouise
I appreciate a book that puts limits on magic. I hate wizards who are one step removed from gods. Magic has a cost and I really appreciate it when it is the wizard (and not the amorphous universe or animals or plants) who has to pay that cost. That was one of the first things I noticed and
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appreciated about SIGNATURES. I felt like this was magic I could relate to because it wasn't some all-powerful deus ex-machina. It was a tool that served several functions, but there were places it could not go. I also liked the subversion of the 'long-lived magician' trope. Magic, in this book, actually limits the life of the user because of how it burns energy for them. That was excellent. Also, the way the mystery was laid out was extremely interesting. I liked how things worked together and wove into each other. The plot was fun to follow and it was well-paced. I wanted to know who the killer was, but I didn't mind the side trips into relevant details because they kept things moving in the right direction.

But even with all that good, I gotta say - the narrative devices didn't work. The detective tells us at the beginning that he's conflated cases to protect identities, he's out-right lied in places, he's not telling the story as it was but in a way that still gets it off his chest. Fine. Cool. Good to know. But the detective often breaks the fourth wall to remind the reader of that fact (and other things, too) and IT IS SO DISTRACTING. It took me about a week to read this book because I kept getting thrown out of the story by the narrator. The main character (and his unlikely sex god status) was CLEARLY wish-fulfillment and made it pretty darn obvious this book was written by a middle-aged white dude. This was also something that constantly threw me out of the narrative and the narrator's fourth-wall breaking humble brags (In the vein of: "I know what you're thinking, it's totally unlikely that a fat, balding, retired cop would gather all these women to him, but I DIDN'T ASK FOR THIS THEY JUST THROW THEMSELVES AT ME!") just made it worse. Each of the last four chapters felt like it should have been the ending, but there seemed to always be more chapters. !!!!!SPOILER ALERT!!!!! The author clearly tried to be inclusive, but the only diverse characters all DIE and one of them *entirely* unnecessarily - oh, and she's PREGNANT ('woman's death is more tragic because she is pregnant' is the most disgustingly over-used trope and I hate it and it should die). Also, the reveal of why these crimes were committed was so pathetic and tired and trope-tastic, it made me shout in anger.

In short: the book tried really hard, but ended up being VERY problematic.

C-: Plot was interesting, magic system well-developed and unique; trope-heavy, clichéd, and non-functional narrative devices.
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LibraryThing member carod
Signatures is an urban fantasy mystery about retired forensic wizard John Patterson. He is called out of retirement when a murder scene is discovered which closely resembles murders perpetrated by a killer Patterson trapped in a burning building years before. When he examines the murder scene he
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finds the unique magic signature of a murderer he thought he had left for dead. As he races to catch the killer, the danger to himself, and those he cares about increases.

Signatures is written in the style of a classic noir mystery with urban fantasy elements. The author even has the main character make references to noir mysteries in a tongue in cheek way. I enjoyed the sarcastic humour of the main character. I found the magic system and the role of magic in society interesting. I figured out the mystery fairly early on, but still enjoyed continuing to read the story as Patterson solved the mystery and stopped the villain. I would recommend this novel to readers who enjoy urban fantasy such as the Dresden files.
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LibraryThing member bkjake
Fascinating story about a "forensic magician", excellent mystery, and great storytelling. The rules of this magic enabled world otherwise like ours was well developed and quite believable. The mystery and misdirection led me along nicely and I solved it about the same time as our main character.
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Overall, very enjoyable and hard to put down!
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LibraryThing member spbooks
I give a book 10% of its length to grab me. If it doesn't, I move on to something else. Unfortunately, this is one of those books. It just didn't seem, to me, to get to the point quickly enough - too much periphery stuff going on. I appreciate that there needs to be scene setting and getting to
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know a character, but this one just didn't do if for me.
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LibraryThing member Aly3636
I really enjoyed this book. It has a mix of magic and mystery in it. I never thought much about the meaning of the title Signatures really I thought when I saw it "the signatures to killers or like their MO". This book really meant their magical signatures which way a pleasant surprise. I would
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read more book from this author. * I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review*
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LibraryThing member MelissaR25
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I love the concept of a magical investigation. I especially liked that he recognized the limits of magic and that he maybe shouldn't do the things he was doing. The idea of everyone having a 'signature' that attaches to the things they do is fascinating to me.

A
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couple of things didn't flow quite right for me in the book. First, John Patterson is a bit of a man-whore. Not sure I understood the point of including that in the story. Second, he mentions lying, or possibly lying, about details of his story. I got absorbed in the story and that was more of a distraction for me.

I hope there are more books coming from this author, especially more in this series.
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LibraryThing member nannersmom
Mystery + witchcraft + fantasy was an interesting take on this story. I liked the concept, but found the book too wordy at times, repeating things previously mentioned. For example, I understand a character was brought up in a racist environment, but could have done without the repeating N
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word.

Slow at the beginning, maybe too wordy setting it up. Got way better a third of the way in.

I won a copy of this book from Library Thing in exchange for a review.
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LibraryThing member coffeeNoSugar
Urban fantasy. Noir mystery. A gritty narrator whose brand of sarcastic humor keeps you entertained. Welcome to “Signatures,” the newest release by author James A. Hetley.

John Patterson is a retired detective turned private investigator. He’s also a wizard, one of the many found working for
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local and state police departments, as well as the FBI. Since retirement, Patterson has made his living taking on various cases from private clients, using his magic to help solve them. Through the business and alcohol, he tries to dull the reminders that he was the man who sent his former love to prison – and of a homicidal wizard named Kratz who he thought he killed years ago.

Nef Cash was Patterson’s last trainee on the force. She knows Patterson is likely the only man who can solve the city’s latest homicide, and she visits him in his office to ask for his help. The murder has the markings of the killer Albert Kratz. The victim’s organs are arranged artistically outside of his body. Kratz’ murder scenes were always one-of-a-kind works of “art.” But Kratz is supposed to be dead. He was burned alive in a building fire set by Patterson and his partner. Yet, his signature is at the scene. Patterson can taste him. He can smell him at the scene, then later outside his apartment. His office. But how did Kratz not die in the fire? And why did the latest murder seem like a clone of one of Kratz’ other homicides instead of the originals for which he was known? Patterson is determined to figure it out.

There’s no doubt that Hetley’s “Signatures” will appeal to both urban fantasy and noir mystery fans alike. The wizards, witches, and magic they use will delight those who love urban fantasies. The gritty and gruff Patterson as the narrator will remind noir mystery fans of their favorite 1960’s pulp fiction novels. “Signatures” doesn’t straddle the two genres without fully immersing itself in one or the other like some other books attempt to do. Hetley has written a novel that readers of both genres will enjoy. He may even create noir mystery fans from urban fantasy lovers– and vice versa. If they manage to read the entire book, that is.

Hetley's use of italics to put emphasis on words spoken by the narrator gets tiresome early on. Despite the fact that both the narration and dialogue are strong and capable of carrying the reader through, Hetley seems to disagree. He italicizes words frequently throughout the novel. Although he clearly meant to help the reader “hear” the story, he ends up creating distraction after distraction instead. There’s nothing like becoming immersed in a story, then having the author yank you out of it. Yet, it feels like that’s exactly what Hetley does throughout the book.

“Signatures” has the potential to be a reader favorite. It has the potential to garner endless five star reviews and top at least a few bestseller lists. However, it’s not quite there yet. “Signatures” needs another edition, one where Hetley’s obvious talents as a fiction writer aren’t overshadowed by his attempts to also be a director.
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LibraryThing member Ameise1
I've two kind of feelings about this story. Firstly, it's fascinating due the combination between a mystery and witchcraft. Signatures isn't something which can be seen, it's more a kind of an aura. All wizards and whiches who are working for the police are working with this Signatures. They know
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beforehand what might occur soon, something like a seventh sense on the other hand they can be cheated as well. The story is fast-paced and gripping.
Secondly, I'm disappointed by the narrator's permanent repetition about his ability of witchcraft, his failures or what he has already mentioned earlier. It makes me asking: Is he thinking if we readers are stupid or are suffering from Alzheimer's?
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LibraryThing member DrLed
Synopsis: John Patterson is a wizard working as a private detective. He gets dragged into a murder case that looks very much like one perpetrated by Al Kratz. However, this wizard was caught and killed. Cash, the beautiful Detective Sargent, drags Patterson in because he is the only one who
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remembers Kratz's signature. As the story progresses, it seems that Kratz is actually after Patterson as well as people of whom he is fond. More murders follow, with clues that don't seem to point to Kratz, although his 'signature' remains constant.
Review: This was really interesting. Much of the characterizations were significantly different from descriptions of wizards other writers embrace. The mystery was well constructed with sufficient clues to keep the reader's interest, but without giving away the ending. I'm hoping that this isn't a 'one-off' and that the characters will continue in further stories.
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LibraryThing member TeriA-M
An unexpected hero faces an enemy that he thought was dead. Murder, magic and a retired police officer who is also a wizard. James Hetley puts together some unlikely ingredients that combine into a delicious book. The plot had some twists and turns with some outcomes that came out of the blue for
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me. I couldn't put it down. Come meet John Patterson. He is an interesting guy you will enjoy meeting.
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LibraryThing member amber223
I received this book from the Early Reviewers in exchange for an honest review. I had a great deal of trouble getting into this book. I probably would have put it down and never finished it if it weren't for this review. If you really enjoy the Harry Dresden books, then you may enjoy this book, but
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I had some trouble getting into those books also. There are clues dropped all the way through the book, but I had a great deal of trouble "getting into" the narrative and the way things were explained. I probably would not recommend this book to my friends that are readers.
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LibraryThing member TammiKroeger
This book definitely had a different take on a detective murder mystery. It seemed to drag on in places and didn't really keep my attention. It out of my normal genre of reading and I'm sure that's a factor, but at least is wasn't totally predictable.
LibraryThing member dalexander
Although I do read crime novels and magically novels , I have never read one that combined these two genres. There were elements of the book I enjoyed and other elements I could have limited. The action parts of the story were enjoyable but the over use of figurative language and the unnecessary
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asides to the reader I found distracting and at times they seemed to slow the story down. I feel these two elements hindered my ability to become engaged with the storyline.
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LibraryThing member HopefirewindLove
This book drew me in immediately with its fascinating story. The intrigue of magic and police work is blended beautifully. The characters are also very well written and I was hooked instantly to follow their story. It was a fairly easy read and anyone who enjoys this type of story should give this
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one a chance. I hope there will be more.
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LibraryThing member tardis
Signatures by James A. Hetley. Reviewed for LibraryThing Early Reviewers program. A noir police procedural about a forensic wizard. Interesting concept - magic takes power, which comes from the wizard's own body, so practitioners are large people, who can lose 20 lbs with a spell. There can be
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other prices - some spells can as easily do to the caster what the caster is trying to do to the other person. The other thing is that magic leaves a unique "signature" and another wizard can identify who it came from. The world-building is good but odd - very difficult to match to a real-world time period. There are things that seem modern, but attitudes (especially with regard to race) seem more 1970s. Dark, dense and a very noir-ish ending, but a good read, and I'd definitely read more by this author and in this "universe'.
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LibraryThing member LongDogMom
I received Signatures by James A. Hetley through LibraryThing Early Reviewers. As an avid reader of both mysteries and urban fantasy, I was intrigued by the idea of a book that combined both into a gritty, noir murder mystery/police procedural with a supernatural detective investigating a murder by
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supernatural means.

The world building was interesting. I loved the idea that magic users need to have bulk because using magic takes energy and they can lose weight rapidly by doing a complicated spell. I also liked that wizards, like forensic wizard John Patterson, our book's protagonist, can smell things about other magic users...not just their unique "signatures" (hence the title of the book), but also other aspects of their personalities. That was a unique idea, and becomes a salient point in the mystery because John can smell the signature of the killer and it's one he recognizes, except that the person he associates with that smell is supposed to be dead. Patterson gets called in by Detective Sergeant Nefertiti Cash (love her name!) because she recognizes unique and horrific elements of the crime scene from old photographs she'd seen of a killer from 20 years back...a killer that Patterson was after when he was still a cop himself...a psychotic magic user who murdered in horrible ways. Except Patterson was there himself when that killer was trapped in a burning building, and he knows that he didn't come out because Patterson was there guarding the only escape route, making sure it stayed closed. So how could Albert Kratz, alias Albertus Magnus, dead psychopathic mage, suddenly appear back from the dead to begin murdering again? Not only was the crime scene identical to his work, but his "signature" was all over it...Patterson can't forget that smell. He can taste him, feel him. The reader hears his thoughts, his fears, his worries. Sometimes the narrative can become overly distracting and make the story drag a bit. I found myself having trouble concentrating at times, and having to go back and re-read parts, but overall I think it does a good job for the type of style of detective story it's going for. It's believable, gritty, horrific. The writer does a good job of pulling the reader in enough to feel the emotions that Patterson feels...his horror and fear at recognizing the signature of one of the scariest magical psychopaths he's ever met, despite his years of experience on the force. I would definitely look to read more in this series.
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LibraryThing member kailaru
I've been reading and following James A. Hetley since I first picked up a copy of Dragon's Eye almost 10 years ago. I've loved everything he's written and this book is no exception. It follows a very different form from Hetley's other works even though it deals with the same subject matter and is
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set in the same universe. It is much more gritty and dark. One of the reasons I enjoyed this book so much was it seemed to be an alternate view of a universe I was already comfortable with.
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LibraryThing member ladyoflorien
I really enjoyed Signatures, from how the title tied into the plot to how the plot twisted as it wound to its conclusion. The protagonists were flawed yet likeable, sleuthing their way through a noir mystery.
LibraryThing member Dokfintong
Signatures are the metaphysical signs, something like a scent, that identify the work of each individual wizard. In this police procedural, retired forensic wizard John Patterson recognizes the signature of a murderous wizard who has supposedly been dead for years.

Very similar to the Dresden Files
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and other crime busting urban fantasy, "Signatures" holds its own with interesting world-building and competent writing. Here magic takes energy and magicians, like opera singers, are big people and they like to eat.

I received a review copy of "Signatures" by James A. Hetley (Book View Café) through LibraryThing.com.
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