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Shadow of a Dead God: An Epic Fantasy Mystery (Completed Series) (Mennik Thorn Book 1) Kindle Edition
Fans of Jim Butcher and Scott Lynch will love this snarky fantasy mystery.
It was only supposed to be one little job - a simple curse-breaking for Mennik Thorn to pay back a favour to his oldest friend. But then it all blew up in his face. Now he's been framed for a murder he didn't commit.
So how is a second-rate mage, broke, traumatized, and with a habit of annoying the wrong people, supposed to prove his innocence when everyone believes he's guilty?
Mennik has no choice if he wants to get out of this: he is going to have to throw himself into the corrupt world of the city's high mages, a world he fled years ago. Faced by supernatural beasts, the mage-killing Ash Guard, and a ruthless, unknown adversary, it's going to take every trick Mennik can summon just to keep him and his friend alive.
But a new, dark power is rising in Agatos, and all that stands in its way is one damaged mage...
Completed series.
Finalist in the Book Bloggers' Book of the Year Award (BBNYA) 2021
Shortlisted for the Booknest Fantasy Award Best Self-published Novel 2020
Reviews
"The start of something great." - Novel Notions“I loved every moment of this book. In terms of sheer entertainment value, its certainly one of the best I’ve read this year and it’s been a while since I’ve had such fun with a book.” - Rowena Andrews, Beneath a Thousand Skies
“Fast-paced, quick-witted, deftly plotted and as well-thought-out as it is well-written. Highly recommended, and I’m already looking forward to the next one.” – Juliet E. McKenna, Author of The Tales of Einarinn, The Aldabreshin Compass, and The Green Man’s Heir
“Shadow of a Dead God contains the snarky, disillusioned, diamond-in-the-rough, down-at-heels, determined and fiercely loyal mage-detective your TBR desperately needs!
“Recommended for readers of The Lies of Locke Lamora and anyone who loves fantasy mystery starring a delightfully reluctant, unlikely, foul-mouthed and golden-hearted hero.” – Katrina Middelburg, Read. Ruminate. Write.
“If you need a fun, entertaining read in these trying time, Shadow of a Dead God is highly recommended.” - Jamie Lee Moyer, Author of Brightfall
“Mennik Thorn is a wry, dry, washed-up mage whose talents, other than friendship, are modest to say the least. A dogged determination to live life on his own terms puts him at odds with almost everyone and everything. But he’s funny, and he’s good-hearted, and Samphire can plot a mystery that turns every page. Reading his story of detective derring-don’t is as satisfying as it is entertaining. A great start! I look forward to more.” - Justina Robson, Author of Natural History and the Quantum Gravity series.
- LanguageEnglish
- Publication dateMay 27, 2020
- File size4.7 MB
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See full series- Kindle Price:$15.97By placing your order, you're purchasing a license to the content and you agree to the Kindle Store Terms of Use.
- Kindle Price:$21.96By placing your order, you're purchasing a license to the content and you agree to the Kindle Store Terms of Use.
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This option includes 3 books.
This option includes 4 books.
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Editorial Reviews
Review
"Shadow of a Dead God is fun ... we have a frantic plot centered around a murder mystery, a colourful world, and an engaging main character." - Fantasy Inn
"I recommend Shadow of a Dead God to those who enjoy their fantasy with a good dose of mystery, cool magic, and characters who are likable despite their flaws ... This is a great 1st book in a series as well and something that I really recommend!" - Queen's Book Asylum
"One of the best things about this book though, is the worldbuilding. Shadow of a Dead God has some wonderfully original concepts ... I had a great time with Shadow of a Dead God, and I can't wait to read more!" - Weatherwax Report
"Shadow of a Dead God has so much more going for it, including an excellent magic system, great characterisation and plenty of humour." - Booknest
"The writing was strong, the pacing and action kept me hooked, the central character is likable and I feel like I've found a series here that I would very much like to continue reading." - Lynn's Books
"SoaDG is a great first book for what I hope to be a long-running series. All of the pieces arethere for an immersive story about magic, power, and friendship." - Fantasy Book Critic
"Our judges were completely hooked by this page-turner of a mystery, set in a well-drawn world with fully fleshed characters. The characters especially won rave reviews ... a polished, well-balanced read, with plenty of humor to leaven the grisly murders, and all the tension and surprises one could wish for." - Fantasy Faction
About the Author
Product details
- ASIN : B0888RFP2C
- Publisher : Five Fathoms Press
- Accessibility : Learn more
- Publication date : May 27, 2020
- Edition : 1st
- Language : English
- File size : 4.7 MB
- Simultaneous device usage : Unlimited
- Screen Reader : Supported
- Enhanced typesetting : Enabled
- X-Ray : Not Enabled
- Word Wise : Enabled
- Print length : 472 pages
- Page Flip : Enabled
- Book 1 of 4 : Mennik Thorn
- Best Sellers Rank: #752,859 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #2,324 in Humorous Fantasy (Kindle Store)
- #2,954 in Humorous Fantasy (Books)
- #6,702 in Urban Fantasy (Kindle Store)
- Customer Reviews:
About the author

Patrick Samphire started writing when he was fourteen years old and thought it would be a good way of getting out of English lessons. It didn’t work, but he kept on writing anyway.
He has lived in Zambia, Guyana, Austria, and England. He has been charged at by a buffalo and, once, when he sat on a camel, he cried. He was only a kid. Don’t make this weird.
Patrick has worked as a teacher, an editor and publisher of physics journals, a marketing minion, a web designer, and a pen pusher (real job!). He has a PhD in theoretical physics, which is about as much use as you might expect. As well as writing, he works as a freelance editor and book cover designer.
He now lives in Wales, U.K. with his wife, the awesome writer Stephanie Burgis, their son and daughter, and their cat, Pebbles. Right now, in Wales, it is almost certainly raining.
Patrick has published about twenty short stories and novellas, two novels for children, and four novels for adults, the first of which was SHADOW OF A DEAD GOD.
Customer reviews
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Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers enjoy this fantasy mystery for its engaging story with monsters and magic, and appreciate its self-deprecating sense of humor and darkly funny tone. The book features great characters with strong voices, and customers praise its tightly written case novel style and great pacing. They value the book's exploration of loyalties and relationships.
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Customers find the book's story engrossing and detailed, with interesting magic and worldbuilding elements that keep them engaged throughout.
"...Our hero's voice is so unique--quippy, clever, and self-deprecating...." Read more
"This book has a little of everything, mystery, humor, violence, and of course, magic. Recommend to everyone, fantasy fan or not!" Read more
"Awesome, down to earth, darkly funny fantasy" Read more
"...struggle among the most powerful mages in his city, and his story is right up my alley...." Read more
Customers find the book very enjoyable, describing it as a great first book that is genuinely entertaining, with one customer noting it's a fun fantasy adventure.
"...Shadow of a Dead God is such a fun read with a steady, flowing pace defined by a harmony between intense, bloody action and quiet..." Read more
"...Soapbox Note: I can't tell you how many times I've heard, "This was a good book... for a self-published novel."..." Read more
"I adored Shadow of a Dead God. It was snarky and sweet and fun and thrilling and just the dose of escapism and optimism I needed...." Read more
"Awesome, down to earth, darkly funny fantasy" Read more
Customers appreciate the character development in the book, noting the strong voice and colorful personalities, with one customer highlighting the under-powered hero trope.
"...The pacing is great. The characters are fun (even the creepy 11 y/o psychopath murder-hobo)...." Read more
"...The snarky Mennik (Nik) is a terrific, richly developed character who finds himself at a turning point in his life...." Read more
"...And oh how this tape is shredded to ribbons! With beautifully crafted characters, a city so well-depicted it feels alive, and an interesting magic..." Read more
"...Our hero's voice is so unique--quippy, clever, and self-deprecating...." Read more
Customers enjoy the book's humor, particularly its self-deprecating and darkly funny tone, with one customer highlighting the entertaining narrator's snarky style.
"...If you're looking for a fun fantasy adventure with mystery and humor, you'll definitely want to pick up Shadow of a Dead God." Read more
"...Nik is a great character - funny, self-deprecating (too much sometimes) and loyal...." Read more
"I adored Shadow of a Dead God. It was snarky and sweet and fun and thrilling and just the dose of escapism and optimism I needed...." Read more
"Awesome, down to earth, darkly funny fantasy" Read more
Customers appreciate the writing style of the book, describing it as tightly written and well constructed, with one customer noting that it doesn't include unnecessary exposition.
"Good book with a well written story...." Read more
"...Samphire does a wonderful job at vividly constructing the city one building block at a time, detailed in passing...." Read more
"...thing that really stands out about this story is the tone and the writing style...." Read more
"...This book reads like a modern urban fantasy novel set in an epic high fantasy world, and it hits a number of my favourite tropes - our protagonist..." Read more
Customers enjoy the pacing of the book, describing it as lively and fast-paced, with one customer noting the slow unfurling of the world as a joy.
"...Happily, the pacing varies...." Read more
"...-depicted it feels alive, and an interesting magic system, Shadow of a Dead God is lively and thoroughly enjoyable pursuit for the truth...." Read more
"...Samphire is king of the delightfully irreverent. The pacing is great...." Read more
"...of the under-powered hero, which he totally is, and the slow unfurling of the world is a joy, and I loved the web of important relationships he..." Read more
Customers appreciate the character relationships in the book, with one mentioning the intricate web of important connections.
"...Shadow of a Dead God is a highly entertaining and original tale of unconditional loyalty and the dangers of greed...." Read more
"...a great character - funny, self-deprecating (too much sometimes) and loyal...." Read more
"...hero here, just a mage with limited talent, but containing an admirable loyalty to those he cares for...." Read more
"...and the slow unfurling of the world is a joy, and I loved the web of important relationships he moves through...." Read more
Reviews with images

A highly entertaining and original tale of magic and mystery
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on June 9, 2025Format: KindleVerified PurchaseMennik Thorn is a second-rate (at best) magic user who gets caught up in a power struggle among the most powerful mages in his city, and his story is right up my alley. I love characters like Nik: proud denizens of the seedier sides of town who value independence over power, ambition, and wealth, and who suddenly find themselves shaken from their humdrum lives by forces beyond their ability to control.
The snarky Mennik (Nik) is a terrific, richly developed character who finds himself at a turning point in his life. He has to tap into strengths he doesn't know he has in order to solve the mysteries threatening not only his own life and the lives of his friends, but the welfare of the corrupt city he loves. He is forced to make tough decisions, and he doesn't always choose wisely. Ultimately, he finds himself forced to choose between his independence and the preservation of the greater good.
Patrick Samphire has come up with a uniquely creepy magic system based on the "decaying effluent of dead gods," and the result is murder, mayhem, and inescapable horror. You know those dreams where the monsters find you no matter how cleverly and desperately you try to hide? Nik finds himself in this living nightmare in one of the most memorable scenes in this book.
This is the beginning of a series, and I am looking forward to reading through it. I'd like to learn more about Benny, Nik's oldest (and maybe only) friend. He's got potential, but he's more an accessory than a developed character in this story. And I definitely want to see more of Sereh, Benny's homicidal pre-teen sister who can hide in plain sight and is lethal with a blade. (Sereh reminds me of a child version of Stehlen, my favorite character in Michael Fletcher's Beyond Redemption books.)
Shadow of a Dead God is a self-published, gritty fantasy that deserves widespread attention. If you love noirish epic fantasy, check it out!
- Reviewed in the United States on January 13, 2021Format: KindleVerified PurchaseMennick Thorn, a freelance magician, lives a miserable life and barely makes the ends meet. He knows magic, but he lacks the skills and charisma to make it big. Most people hate him. Actually, he sometimes hates himself, too.
The story opens with a failed job and turns into a murder mystery with high personal, stakes. I like personal stakes in fiction. Much more than epic ones. Nik works under time pressure to solve the mystery, save his only friend, and survive murder-ghosts.
I liked Nik and his narration. He’s slightly unreliable and keeps vital information for himself, but I didn’t mind. It created tension. He knows he lacks talent and his lack of self-assurance, bordering on anxiety, will make him sympathetic to many readers. Not to me, though. I prefer protagonists with more skill, more cunning, and more agenda. And Nik has no agenda. When the situation requires it, he acts and proves resourceful but, overall, he’s not the sharpest tool in the shed. He’s a good friend and uncle, though.
Each chapter moves the plot forward. Instead of wasting time on exposition, we jump head-first into the action. Swift pacing kept me racing through the pages to see what’s gonna happen. Happily, the pacing varies. Samphire balanced action scenes with more reflective, internal moments focused on relationship details, Nik’s thoughts and memories, and unobtrusive world-building.
The urban setting makes the story easy to follow and focused. The coastal city of Agatos feels nicely sketched and has an interesting history. Another world-building detail that impressed me was the source of magic in the world - it comes from decomposing corpses of gods. Bloody cool.
I do have some gripes with the book, however. The blend of tones and themes doesn’t always work; the comic elements undermine serious points, and the darker moments give a bitter aftertaste. Nik’s constant self-deprecation tired me and made it difficult to root for him. Frankly, he reminded me of Harry Dresden from Storm Front. A tall, wise-cracking screw-up solving mystery and failing at turning cynical. A nice bloke, with the heart in the right place, just not too inspiring.
There’s also Sereh - Benny’s eleven-year-old daughter everyone’s terrified of. I hope there’s more to her story cause right now it feels awkward when adult and battle-hardened characters fear her. Perhaps I’m just not a fan of badass children?
SoaDG is a great first book for what I hope to be a long-running series. All of the pieces are there for an immersive story about magic, power, and friendship. It may have shortcomings, but it succeeds where many fail - it’s genuinely entertaining. I had great fun reading it.
Top reviews from other countries
- Lord rascalReviewed in India on June 9, 2021
5.0 out of 5 stars Loved it
Format: KindleVerified PurchaseExtremely fast paced. I loved the energy of the book. Nik was fabulous as the under powered mage. It was funny at times and more adrenaline fuelled than any other book I have read this year.
And now I guess I have to wait for the sequel. Gosh!
- Sonja BauernfeindReviewed in Sweden on March 22, 2023
5.0 out of 5 stars A witty protag, a finely crafted world, exciting magic, and a fast paced mystery hard to put down.
Format: PaperbackVerified PurchaseWhat’s inside: A witty detective who cannot catch a break, a finely crafted magic system anchored solidly in its own world, charming side characters (including a young girl who’ll carve out your kneecaps with a knife if you look at her wrong), and a fast-paced and clever mystery to solve.
Mennik Thorn can give Harry Dresden a run for his money; not only when it comes to collecting bruises in the name of rent, but also in how he’s hell-bent on doing the right thing. He has undeniable charm. He’s funny. He’s loyal. He’s actually pretty dang good at what he does, but there’s always something waiting to go wrong and challenge him.
Shadow of a Dead God excels not only in Mennik though (which it does, his character type is like catnip for me), but it boasts a lot of intriguing characters on top of that, along with fantastic world-building. Agatos is a carefully crafted fictional city in a setting that feels alive far beyond Mennik’s (Nik’s) story, and the magic system we’re given is just chef’s kiss. And I’m not just talking about the practical applications of it, but also its origin and the consequences it has on society at large. Plus, the Ash Guard? Yeah, they’re probably one of my favourite bits about the book, and I really really really hope I’ll see more of them in the second one (which I got waiting for me on my bookshelf right now). The practical applications of the magic are fantastic, too, and Patrick Samphire has a real knack for writing action sequences that aren’t only thrilling, but which also teach us a lot about the world.
I’ve had an amazing time reading this and can honestly say it always put up a fight when I had to put it down to get some sleep. Highly recommend!
Sonja BauernfeindA witty protag, a finely crafted world, exciting magic, and a fast paced mystery hard to put down.
Reviewed in Sweden on March 22, 2023
Mennik Thorn can give Harry Dresden a run for his money; not only when it comes to collecting bruises in the name of rent, but also in how he’s hell-bent on doing the right thing. He has undeniable charm. He’s funny. He’s loyal. He’s actually pretty dang good at what he does, but there’s always something waiting to go wrong and challenge him.
Shadow of a Dead God excels not only in Mennik though (which it does, his character type is like catnip for me), but it boasts a lot of intriguing characters on top of that, along with fantastic world-building. Agatos is a carefully crafted fictional city in a setting that feels alive far beyond Mennik’s (Nik’s) story, and the magic system we’re given is just chef’s kiss. And I’m not just talking about the practical applications of it, but also its origin and the consequences it has on society at large. Plus, the Ash Guard? Yeah, they’re probably one of my favourite bits about the book, and I really really really hope I’ll see more of them in the second one (which I got waiting for me on my bookshelf right now). The practical applications of the magic are fantastic, too, and Patrick Samphire has a real knack for writing action sequences that aren’t only thrilling, but which also teach us a lot about the world.
I’ve had an amazing time reading this and can honestly say it always put up a fight when I had to put it down to get some sleep. Highly recommend!
Images in this review
- Lazy DaiReviewed in Australia on September 9, 2022
5.0 out of 5 stars Great fun
Format: KindleVerified PurchaseMennik Thorn is a freelance mage of limited ability, earning a modest living performing low-rent magic like expelling ghosts. His comfortable life of relative anonymity ends abruptly when he agrees to help his friend Benny, a professional thief, on an ‘assignment’ and he suddenly finds himself in the middle of a string of gruesome murders apparently committed by a large, vicious supernatural entity. Now under the direct scrutiny not only of the City Watch and the feared Ash Guard but of the three High Mages who control the city, he finds himself in a race against time to save Benny from execution and discover who or what is behind the murders.
I enjoyed this enormously – it’s on the light side of grimdark and is full of snappy dialogue, novel characters, and twisted humour. While it’s a stand-alone book, there are other ‘adventures of Mennik Thorn’ and I’m currently reading the second (and I expect I’ll get the third too).
- Iasmina EdinaReviewed in Germany on February 28, 2022
4.0 out of 5 stars What Dresden Files Book One Should Have Been
Format: PaperbackVerified PurchaseCan't count the number of times this book made me laugh out loud. Snarky main character, fast-paced, and way more magic than I would expect from an urban fantasy/mystery novel.
If you liked Dresden Files, read this.
If you didn't like Dresden Files, definitely read this.
- Ed CrockerReviewed in the United Kingdom on November 19, 2021
5.0 out of 5 stars Fantasy plus noir done well - very very well (spoiler free review)
Format: PaperbackVerified PurchaseI love epic fantasy which features great worldbuilding and well thought out magic systems and strange creatures and all the rest. I also love detective noir where the protagonist is witty and downtrodden but keeps going out of an innate sense of right that no one else seems to share, and eventually solves the murder through sheer force of will - and bruises. Well I'm happy to report that this book is all that and more.
Arguably the star of the show is the magic system; I don't want to say anything more because it's more fun if you go in blind but suffice to say, this is how magic systems are meant to be: original, carefully constructed, working in practice and fun. The origin of where magic comes from - along with how the police in the city deal with it- is also wonderful; applause-worthy wonderful, and really makes this novel stand out in the fantasy crowd I think.
The city building is also very well thought out. Main city Agatos is a place of rich people being dicks and the poor getting by with their wits, so not much new here in terms of fantasy, but it feels original because of the thought Samphire has put into all the different levels of the city. Each area feels original and well fleshed out, and I had no problem visualising this city of different levels, both in terms of terrain and class.
I loved the central protagonist; Mennick Thorn is a world-weary, witty second-class mage who you learn to really root for not jut because not just because every other character seems to want to beat him up but because his position is an intriguing one; although kind of a deadbeat he also possesses skills with magic that give him promise too; and his background suggests the potential for greater things. It's this dynamic of a talented loser (although his actual actions suggests he's much less of a loser than the more titled people around him) that puts the reader very much in his corner.
Not all of the characters are as well-fleshed out as him; I would have loved more interaction with his sister, his potential romantic interest and his mother, but this is the first part of a series and I expect we'll get a better feel for these characters soon enough.
Finally, it should be noted that the murder mystery element is well constructed and satisfyingly concluded; Samphire balances the investigative elements well with the bits where mages are shooting magic at each other or supernatural beasts are tearing into people.
Overall, I had a fun time all the way through, I strongly rooted for the main character, and I was bowled over by some of the worldbuilding - everything you want in a fantasy. I can't wait to see where this series takes us.