Submitted by Steven Wilber 
(May 25, 2007)Night of the Long Shadows is an action-packed blend of high fantasy and hard-boiled crime fiction. While this is the secod book in The Inquisitives series, set in the world of Eberron, it is a stand-alone story and can be read independent of the 1st book (although that book is well worth a read as well) and can be enjoyed by any fan of fantasy (even if you've never read an Eberron novel before).
Dark and gritty, Night of the Long Shadows has a pulp noir feeling to it. Well-written plot twists and deep, interesting characters make this one of the best Eberron novels to date. The novel has a great cast of characters. The "heroes" are an eclectic mix. The story starts with a gruesome murder and quickly evolves into a fast-paced action-packed adventure through the city of Sharn.
We are introduced to a wide array of characters from all walks of life. As mentioned in another review, there is the mob enforcer who finds himself in the middle of a murder mystery, a half-elf detective who quickly comes to realize not everything is as it seems, the detective's dwarven assistant who helps keep him in line, and the old gang that hints at a less than savory past for our detective. Not only are the 'heroes' well done, but the villians provide an exciting mix of nastiness and genius.
The story is well-written and full of surprising twists that leave the reader on the edge of his or her seat. The author does a great job of providing clues and revealing the mystery a little at a time without tipping his hat too soon. I was left scratching my head through most of the book.
In addition to a great cast of characters and an engrossing mystery, the author does such a good job describing the city itself, that it becomes almost like another character in the tale.
Great writing, crisp dialog, an interesting tale, and deep characters makes this novel a must read for any fan of fantasy or mysteries.
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