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Thursday Quotables – The Wise Man Says

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Zeppelins claimed the highest airlines in the city, so the view was pretty spectacular. Air traffic whipped by beneath us as the floaters whizzed to their destinations, and beneath that was the city itself: towering monoliths so massive that the entire upper section of the city hung in the air, interconnected island of commerce that grew like barnacles from their colossal host buildings. It was night, and the city lights winked and glitters from Downtown to Bayside, counterfeit stars that pumped adrenaline into a city that never relax, much less slip.

“Nice view.” I leaned against the outside railing, puffing smoke in the breeze. The airship was a ghost that floated along its computer-navigated course by way of its massive helium cells. Passengers relaxed inside the cabin at the cocktail lounge or in their suites, but only a few braved the thin air and cold drizzle outside. I pulled my collar tighter and ignored the light rain.

Wiseman nodded as he gazed over the railing. “Nice to take it from a bird’s eye view. Makes you remember this city can be a thing of beauty.”

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The Wise Man Says is a short story set in the world of the Troubleshooter by Bard Costantine, and really it’s an excellent introduction to that world. The plot is very simple, besides I think the strong point in this short story is the voice (Mick Troubble’s voice is strong, personal and witty) and the mood (definitely noir). I like Troubble’s attitude a lot, tough as you would expect from a hard-boiled PI, but also humorous, sometimes in a dark way.

New Heave, the dieselpunk city where this takes place, is a character in itself. I read the first story in the Troubleshooter series, and I know New Heave has her secrets. I can’t say you get a hit of that here, but you definitely get the impression this city has a history.

It was a fun read.


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THE WISE MAN SAYS (Bard Constantine) In this introductory short story we meet Mick as a newly christened amnesiac, who has to quickly learn the ropes of living in the dystopian city of New Haven. Good thing he has a friend in Theodore Wiseman, the resident Troubleshooter who shows Mick the only way to make it in the city is to shoot first and ask questions afterward
THE WISE MAN SAYS (Bard Constantin) Nothing is what it looks like in this first instalment in the Troubleshooter Series, where Mick fist starts to glimpse beyond his amnesia

9 Comments

  • Sue Coletta
    Posted May 21, 2015 at 22:27

    Loved the voice in this.

    • Post Author
      jazzfeathers
      Posted May 23, 2015 at 18:45

      This novel voice is really one fo the best things. I love it too 🙂

  • Lisa @ Bookshelf Fantasies
    Posted May 22, 2015 at 03:54

    I like it! I love the idea of looking down at the city from a zeppelin, and the description is really fantastic.

    • Post Author
      jazzfeathers
      Posted May 23, 2015 at 18:45

      This is a very visual novel. I had no problem visualising New Heaven. Very strong descriptions in here.

  • Danni Mae
    Posted May 22, 2015 at 10:31

    I like the very last line in this- it hints at some underlying problem in the city without directly saying anything about it. Arouses curiosity. Great quote!

  • CW Hawes
    Posted June 4, 2015 at 18:28

    Good atmosphere presented in the quote. Is the story part of a collection?

  • Bard Constantine
    Posted July 31, 2015 at 06:05

    Really appreciate the spotlight, Sarah. Much appreciated!

    • Post Author
      jazzfeathers
      Posted July 31, 2015 at 07:19

      You’re very welcome. I really enjoyed this story 🙂

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