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Chris Tullbane
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Investigation, Mediation, Vindication: A Comedic Urban Fantasy (The Many Travails of John Smith Book 1) Kindle Edition

by Chris Tullbane (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.6 out of 5 stars 1,267 ratings

The stakes are real. The mediator isn't.

"Investigation, Mediation, Vindication." That's how the Yellow Pages ad starts, and if it sounds like the sort of thing a drunk teenager might come up with... well, you'd only be wrong about the teenager part. John Smith owns San Diego's smallest private investigation firm, but he doesn't know the first thing about mediation. Or vindication.

On the other side of town, vampire Lucia Borghesi is having a terrible century. Stripped of her throne and banished from Italy, she's now somehow found herself in a dispute with the local demigod of nightmares and terror. And to top it all off, the long-time city mediator has been assassinated and her second-in-command just hired a human to fill that role.

If he wants to survive, John will need to prove his value to Lucia and her people while keeping that demigod from sucking San Diego into an unnamed hell dimension. And he'll have to work fast, because his beloved Corolla is parked curbside in Logan Heights, like an open invitation to the neighborhood's graffiti enthusiasts.

Come take a walk on the weird side of urban fantasy, in what Kirkus Reviews described as an "entertaining tale that’s sure to leave readers anticipating the protagonist’s next misadventure."

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  1. Book 1 of 6
    The Many Travails of John Smith
  2. Print length
    313 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Accessibility
    Learn more
  5. Publication date
    May 19, 2020
  6. File size
    514 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Editorial Reviews

Review

Praise for Investigation, Mediation, Vindication:

"An entertaining tale that's sure to leave readers anticipating the protagonist's next misadventure." - Kirkus Reviews

"Amazing! This book had me laughing out loud. Brilliant characters, great banter and [the] most ridiculous but brilliant plot I've ever read." - Tayler S., GoodReads

"...a delightful mash-up, pulling threads from various genres to bring to life a unique urban fantasy that blends vampires, magic, adventure, and comedy." - Liz Konkel, Readers' Favorite

"Thoroughly enjoyable urban fantasy that I devoured in a day." - Debbie H., NetGalley

"This is the type of book I would definitely pick up to read again and again." - Jessica Barbosa, Readers' Favorite

"Reminiscent of the Dresden Files and the Kate Daniels series, Tullbane has carved out part of the fairly crowded urban fantasy realm for himself, and I'm excited to see what he does with it next." - Reid E., NetGalley

From the Back Cover

The stakes are real. The mediator isn't.

An exiled vampire queen.

A vegetable demigod.

A magic Nintendo.

When supernatural forces collide, it will take a skilled mediator to keep their conflict from destroying San Diego.

Unfortunately, all they have is John Smith.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0874QPCSR
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Ghost Falls Press
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ May 19, 2020
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 514 KB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 313 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1733482448
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Book 1 of 6 ‏ : ‎ The Many Travails of John Smith
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 out of 5 stars 1,267 ratings

About the author

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Chris Tullbane

Chris Tullbane

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Chris began as a gleam in someone’s eye, but birth and childhood were quick to follow. He’s been fortunate enough to live in Spain, Germany, and all over the USA, and is busy planning a tour of the distilleries of Scotland.

He currently lives in Nevada with his angelic wife and ever-expanding whisky collection and occasionally ventures outside to peer upwards, mutter to himself about ‘day stars’, and then scurry back into the house.

Chris is the author of multiple fantasy series: The Murder of Crows, The Many Travails of John Smith, The Storm Who Rides, The (Second) Life of Brian, and Stories From a Post-Break World. He regularly shares status updates on his author website..

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
1,267 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this urban fantasy book entertaining and well-written, with one review noting it's a page-turner. The protagonist is described as an average slacker dude, and customers appreciate the engaging plot with vampires and clever twists. The book features decent world-building and maintains nice pacing throughout.

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102 customers mention "Entertainment value"102 positive0 negative

Customers find the book entertaining, describing it as a truly fun read with engaging content. One customer notes it's an excellent page-turner with action, while another mentions it made them grin.

"Loved it!- Definitely must-read for fans of urban fantasy with a comedic twist. Great character development and plot twists...." Read more

"...and creative mysteries to solve are all accomplished with a such a sense of fun that you just know the author is having a blast writing this series,..." Read more

"Love this series! Action, romance of you're into vampires and great dialogue Get your detective gear and enjoy the ride," Read more

"...I enjoyed that book so much that I just had to start from the beginning, So, I immediately grabbed Investigation, Mediation, Vindication and jumped..." Read more

46 customers mention "Character development"38 positive8 negative

Customers love the characters in the book, finding the main character funny, with one customer noting the just-right amount of quick-witted protagonists.

"...Great character development and plot twists. Highly recommended!" Read more

"...The sense of humor in the narration, character banter, exciting action scenes and creative mysteries to solve are all accomplished with a such a..." Read more

"...Quite a few characters to absorb, and as much as I loved them all, it was when we met Bill that I knew I was completely hooked with author Chris..." Read more

"I very much enjoyed this first book. Well written, great characters, funny, snarky, a very fun read. Plenty of momentum to keep you reading...." Read more

45 customers mention "Plot twists"45 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the plot twists in this urban fantasy, particularly the engaging story with vampires and clever mysteries to solve. One customer notes that the antagonists have enough power to be interesting without being overdone.

"...Great character development and plot twists. Highly recommended!" Read more

"...the narration, character banter, exciting action scenes and creative mysteries to solve are all accomplished with a such a sense of fun that you..." Read more

"Love this series! Action, romance of you're into vampires and great dialogue Get your detective gear and enjoy the ride," Read more

"I love the idea behind this novel. Multiple fantasy races live side by side with humans without humans knowing it...." Read more

21 customers mention "Writing quality"21 positive0 negative

Customers praise the writing quality of the book, finding it exceptionally well written and an easy read, with one customer noting there are no wrongly worded phrases.

"...with a such a sense of fun that you just know the author is having a blast writing this series, and I have had reading it...." Read more

"I very much enjoyed this first book. Well written, great characters, funny, snarky, a very fun read. Plenty of momentum to keep you reading...." Read more

"...and though it follows a lot of the tropes, the author does it is an interesting way." Read more

"...Suitable for teens thru seniors. Author is quite accomplished at his craft and has an engaging voice. A little violent but not overdone. A plot!..." Read more

13 customers mention "Style"13 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the style of the book, finding it nicely done and well presented, with one customer noting that it improves substantially from beginning to end.

"...There's just something about his tone and style, and while this series is altogether different (in tone and style as well as content) it still has..." Read more

"I loved this novel! The characters are engaging and well fleshed out and the plot progression is wonderful...." Read more

"...It’s not perfect but it improved substantially from beginning to end. I can’t wait to see what John Smith does next!" Read more

"...the whole story line and character wound up tied together and finishing nicely...." Read more

10 customers mention "Pacing"10 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's pacing, with several noting it keeps them engaged and turning pages.

"A truly fun read and a solid first act...." Read more

"A quick paced, fun read. Good characters that leave you wanting more. Looking forward to following John and friends for awhile." Read more

"...The main character is so honest and accepting of everything, but strong and so very likable...." Read more

"Very novel (no pun intended) fast paced read. The constant repartee got on my nerves a bit. Cut some of that down...." Read more

6 customers mention "World building"6 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the world-building in the book, with one mentioning how it introduces a unique setting, while another notes how the layers of the world are well-integrated.

"Held my interest. Decent world-building. Liked that protagonist was an average slacker dude. Some humorous parts but not what I would call comedic...." Read more

"...Fortunately, that was not the case with this book. There was campiness...." Read more

"...The plot is fun and light but also introduces us to a unique world with a lot of colorful folks...." Read more

"...The worldbuilding was clean and well presented, perhaps the most deft thing in this mixed quality book." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fun, Entertaining, urban fantasy-
    Reviewed in the United States on November 17, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Loved it!- Definitely must-read for fans of urban fantasy with a comedic twist.
    Great character development and plot twists.
    Highly recommended!
    Helpful
     Report
  • Mike M
    4.0 out of 5 stars Urban Fantasy, done right!
    Reviewed in the United States on July 22, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    I read a ton of UF, and every novel always claims to be the next Dresden Files, blah blah... most don't even come close in story, characters or writing quality. The John Smith novels don't seem to be trying too hard to be something else, and are a such a fun time! Has this been done before? Sure, but that doesn't mean it's not done well (although this might be my first exposure to crabman-hitmen!). I find myself smiling and chuckling a lot as I read about John's adventures and mishaps.

    The sense of humor in the narration, character banter, exciting action scenes and creative mysteries to solve are all accomplished with a such a sense of fun that you just know the author is having a blast writing this series, and I have had reading it. I've torn through the first 4 and eagerly waiting for book 5 in September. Hoping to follow John and friends for a long time!
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome, just awesome
    Reviewed in the United States on February 9, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    Love this series! Action, romance of you're into vampires and great dialogue
    Get your detective gear and enjoy the ride,
    Helpful
     Report
  • Jacque
    5.0 out of 5 stars My new addiction!
    Reviewed in the United States on April 27, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    The Many Travails of John Smith is my new favorite series!!!! I actually read the second book in the series first after I discovered Blood is Thicker Than Lots of Stuff on NetGalley. I enjoyed that book so much that I just had to start from the beginning, So, I immediately grabbed Investigation, Mediation, Vindication and jumped in. Wheee!!!!

    An exiled vampire queen. A vegetable demigod. A magic Nintendo. A skilled mediator. Well, 3 out of 4 ain’t bad.

    John Smith (Yes that’s his name) is not having much luck in his choice of careers as a private investigator in San Diego. As luck would have it, his Yellow Page ad that he wrote as a drunk teenage "Investigation, Mediation, Vindication" lands him an interesting job. Only it’s not his Investigation services that are required but rather his mediation skills. What mediation skills?! He better learn quick because his services are need to prevent a demigod from sucking San Diego into an unnamed hell dimension. Yikes!

    AHHHH! Once I started reading, I found food and sleep were way over-rated because the situations John found himself are hilarious. John is in way over his head when the very lovely Anastasia rescues him from the not so cos-play crab men. And it just goes downhill from there for him. Really, with an opening like that, I knew I was in for a wild ride. Funny without being silly, John’s near-death escapades lured me in and completely snatched my attention. Quite a few characters to absorb, and as much as I loved them all, it was when we met Bill that I knew I was completely hooked with author Chris Tullbane golden nugget of a series. Don’t expect to figure out who stole the Nintendo. Just stir back and enjoy the insanity of Investigation, Mediation, Vindication.

    Stars: 5
    4 people found this helpful
    Helpful
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  • Rob McCready
    5.0 out of 5 stars Another AMAZING Tullbane Adventure!!!
    Reviewed in the United States on October 17, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    I've been reading superhero novels for the last few years. That is not at all what this book (or series) is about, but his Murder of Crows series is easily one of the best of its kind I've had the privilege to consume (and I do mean consume; I tore my way through them and then the novelettes in a matter of days, and nights...I literally could not put them down). There's just something about his tone and style, and while this series is altogether different (in tone and style as well as content) it still has his glorious sense of humor and sarcasm, but this series has even more of it! And while I normally enjoy connecting with heroes that are above average, John Smith's complete "averageness" is exactly what makes him so likeable! I'm very much looking forward to the rest of this series!
    One person found this helpful
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  • Kindle Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars Really entertaining
    Reviewed in the United States on July 20, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I very much enjoyed this first book. Well written, great characters, funny, snarky, a very fun read.
    Plenty of momentum to keep you reading. Words are actually spelled right. No constantly wrongly worded phrases.
    A pleasure to read.
    Helpful
     Report
  • Chrystal Roe
    5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome
    Reviewed in the United States on September 10, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I absolutely love this story. Life gets interesting when a human finds himself in the middle of a supernatural conflict. I sure hope there are more books about this character because he is truly awesome.
    Helpful
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  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent introduction to a new series!
    Reviewed in the United States on September 10, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    I loved this novel! The characters are engaging and well fleshed out and the plot progression is wonderful. This is amusing without becoming sophmoric as is too often the case. John Smith shows considerable growth in the story and I look forward to reading more! Oh, and I have to say that Lord Beer-Can is delightful! Bravo!
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Thangaraj
    5.0 out of 5 stars Completely ridiculous and brilliant!
    Reviewed in India on October 17, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Hard to find a book like this in my experience. Or Author I guess. Very funny, very interesting and moves very smoothly to it's destination. Worth reading for sure. Thank you Chris Tullbane!
    Report
  • Mark Sheppard
    5.0 out of 5 stars A fantastic and fun rollicking read!
    Reviewed in Australia on October 28, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    I thoroughly enjoyed this first book and cannot wait to read telhe rest of this series! The author weaves a fun urban noire tale with interesting characters in a fun, witty style that I enjoyed immensely. Highly recommended!
    Report
  • Andrei
    5.0 out of 5 stars fantastic book
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 25, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Dresden meets comedy with complex but likeable characters a must read for any who like urban fantasy detective stories and witty humour
    Report
  • Misfit Malice
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent!
    Reviewed in Canada on May 3, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Hard to believe that it was the first book even written by the author! The writing is tight, especially when there is suspense and action, the main character has a great sense of humour and is a great example of anti-hero without the usual clichés. Loved every page of it!
    Report
  • Avid reader
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent!
    Reviewed in Australia on October 11, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    An anti-hero that brings a great fresh take on the fantasy genre. Not over powered, but full of quick repartee. John is a really enjoyable character, and is honest to type.
    Report

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