Markhat Series by Frank Tuttle

A troll’s missing head could cause Markhat to lose his own. A Markhat story. All the finder Markhat wanted was a beer at Eddie’s. Instead he gets a case that will bring him face to fang with crazed, blood-craving halfdead, a trio of vengeful Troll warriors, and Mama Hog’s backstreet magic. Plus, the possible resurgence of the Troll War. All right in his own none-too-quiet neighborhood. Through the town of Rannit’s narrow alleys and mean streets, Markhat tries to stay one step ahead of disaster... moreA troll’s missing head could cause Markhat to lose his own. A Markhat story. All the finder Markhat wanted was a beer at Eddie’s. Instead he gets a case that will bring him face to fang with crazed, blood-craving halfdead, a trio of vengeful Troll warriors, and Mama Hog’s backstreet magic. Plus, the possible resurgence of the Troll War. All right in his own none-too-quiet neighborhood. Through the town of Rannit’s narrow alleys and mean streets, Markhat tries to stay one step ahead of disaster. And ignore Mama Hog’s dire warnings that this time, the head that rolls could be his own. This book has been previously published and has been revised and expanded from its original release. less

Can a haunted man help the dead find peace?Markhat is a Finder, charged with the post-war task of tracking down sons and fathers gone suddenly missing when an outbreak of peace left the army abandoned where they stood. But now it’s ten years on after the war, and about all he’s finding is trouble.This time, trouble comes in the form of a rich widow with a problem. Her dearly departed husband, Ebed Merlat, keeps ambling back from the grave for nocturnal visits... moreCan a haunted man help the dead find peace?Markhat is a Finder, charged with the post-war task of tracking down sons and fathers gone suddenly missing when an outbreak of peace left the army abandoned where they stood. But now it’s ten years on after the war, and about all he’s finding is trouble.This time, trouble comes in the form of a rich widow with a problem. Her dearly departed husband, Ebed Merlat, keeps ambling back from the grave for nocturnal visits. Markhat saw a lot during the war, but he’s never seen anyone, rich or poor, rise from the grave and go tromping around the landscape. But for the right price, he’s willing to look into it.As a storm gathers and night falls, Markhat finds darker things than even murder lurk amid the shadows of House Merlat.This book has been previously published.Product WarningsThis title is rife with the walking dead, sarcastic butlers, barking dogs and ghostly dances. less

The Cadaver Client Markhat is hired by a guilty ghost to make amends to the wife and child he abandoned a decade ago – but is the dead man really dead, and is he seeking his estranged wife not out of guilt, but out of his insatiable desire to deal out a final, cruel act of vengeance?The Mister Trophy All the finder Markhat wanted was a beer at Eddie’s... moreThe Cadaver Client Markhat is hired by a guilty ghost to make amends to the wife and child he abandoned a decade ago – but is the dead man really dead, and is he seeking his estranged wife not out of guilt, but out of his insatiable desire to deal out a final, cruel act of vengeance?The Mister Trophy All the finder Markhat wanted was a beer at Eddie’s. Instead he gets a case that will bring him face to fang with crazed, blood-craving halfdead, a trio of vengeful Troll warriors, and Mama Hog’s unpredictable brand of backstreet magic. Oh, and the possible resurgence of the Troll War that nearly wiped humanity out a decade ago. Through Rannit’s narrow alleys and mean streets, Markhat runs to stay one step ahead of disaster, all the while ignoring Mama Hog’s dire warnings that this time, the head that rolls could be his own!Dead Man’s Rain Markhat is a finder by trade, charged with the post-war task of tracking down missing sons and fathers who’d fought in the War but remained missing after the Truce. But now it’s ten years on after the war, and about all he’s finding is trouble. This time, trouble comes in the form of a rich widow with a problem. Her dearly departed husband, Ebed Merlat, keeps ambling back from the grave for nocturnal visits. Markhat saw a lot during the war, but he’s never seen anyone, rich or poor, rise from the grave and go tromping around the landscape. But for the right price, he’s willing to look into it. As a storm gathers and night falls, Markhat finds darker things than even murder lurk amid the shadows of House Merlat. less

Demons in a feeding frenzy drive the world-weary Markhat to the brink… A Markhat story. Quiet, hard-working seamstresses aren’t the kind that normally go missing, even in a tough town like Rannit. Martha Hoobin’s disappearance, though, quickly draws Markhat into a deadly struggle between a halfdead blood cult and the infamous sorcerer known only as the Corpsemaster. A powerful magical artifact may be both his only hope of survival—and the source of his own inescapable damnation... moreDemons in a feeding frenzy drive the world-weary Markhat to the brink… A Markhat story. Quiet, hard-working seamstresses aren’t the kind that normally go missing, even in a tough town like Rannit. Martha Hoobin’s disappearance, though, quickly draws Markhat into a deadly struggle between a halfdead blood cult and the infamous sorcerer known only as the Corpsemaster. A powerful magical artifact may be both his only hope of survival—and the source of his own inescapable damnation. Markat’s search leads him to the one thing that’s been missing in his life. But even love’s awesome power may not save him from the darkness that’s been unleashed inside his own soul. Warning: This gritty, hard-boiled fantasy detective novel contains mild romance and interludes of suggestive hand-holding. less

Markhat’s new client is already dead and buried—or is he?The Markhat Files, Book 4Humans, Trolls and even the halfdead have all passed through Markhat’s door—more than once—seeking his services as a finder of missing persons and lost loves. This is a first, though. This time, his client is a dead man. At least that’s what Granny Knot claims. But as long as the coin is real, Markhat has no trouble working for a guilt-ridden ghost... moreMarkhat’s new client is already dead and buried—or is he?The Markhat Files, Book 4Humans, Trolls and even the halfdead have all passed through Markhat’s door—more than once—seeking his services as a finder of missing persons and lost loves. This is a first, though. This time, his client is a dead man. At least that’s what Granny Knot claims. But as long as the coin is real, Markhat has no trouble working for a guilt-ridden ghost.Trouble is exactly what he finds, and soon he suspects his client, ghost or not, has darker motives for finding his estranged wife than the reconciliation he claims. Left with a cadaver for a client, a spook doctor for a partner, and Mama Hog as advisor on all things spiritual, Markhat must unravel a dark mystery ten years old, and do it before another grave is filled. Maybe his own.Product Warnings: This work of fiction involves the occult, several rather questionable uses of stuffed birds, the release of sarcasm inside a cemetery and numerous disparaging portrayals of wood elves. less

No secret stays buried forever.   A Markhat novel.   When patron of the arts Lady Erlorne Werewilk hires Markhat to identify the parties who are stealthily mapping out the Lady’s estate by moonlight, Markhat anticipates the usual—greedy relatives or rapacious neighbors plotting a land grab. After all, muses Rannit’s most feckless Finder, the Lady runs a colony filled with young artists... moreNo secret stays buried forever.   A Markhat novel.   When patron of the arts Lady Erlorne Werewilk hires Markhat to identify the parties who are stealthily mapping out the Lady’s estate by moonlight, Markhat anticipates the usual—greedy relatives or rapacious neighbors plotting a land grab. After all, muses Rannit’s most feckless Finder, the Lady runs a colony filled with young artists. Aside from snits over color and perspective, how dangerous could a squabble over a backwoods house possibly be?   With new partner Gertriss in tow, Markhat takes the Lady’s case. Before the first night is done, the house is visited by murder, mayhem, and the haunting wail of what may be a genuine banshee, come to herald not just one death, but the deaths of all within. Trapped in a house under siege, Markhat must make a desperate gamble with an old enemy to win the race to unlock the secret that lies beneath the Lady’s lands. And find a way to turn that secret against the powerful forces converging on House Werewilk.   Warning: This Markhat adventure involves suggestions of impending matrimony, full-scale gluttony, and misuse of fermented beverages. Persons with weak constitutions or persons currently at the halfway mark of a thousand-meter tightrope walk above a crocodile-infested river should refrain from reading this work of fiction in dimly-lit drawing rooms, which should never be constructed above crocodile-infested rivers in the first place. less

Ask not for whom the wedding bells toll… The Markhat Files, Book 6 There’s no way Markhat can turn away his newest client. Who is he to refuse the woman he loves—especially when she bribes him with breakfast? This time it’s Darla’s friend Tamar Fields, whose fiancé vanished days before the wedding. His wealthy family insists Carris Lethway is simply away on urgent business... moreAsk not for whom the wedding bells toll… The Markhat Files, Book 6 There’s no way Markhat can turn away his newest client. Who is he to refuse the woman he loves—especially when she bribes him with breakfast? This time it’s Darla’s friend Tamar Fields, whose fiancé vanished days before the wedding. His wealthy family insists Carris Lethway is simply away on urgent business. Tamar smells a lie, and she needs Rannit’s most famous finder to figure out if the source of the suspicious aroma is a conspiracy, or the groom’s cold, sweaty feet. As if his plate isn’t piled high enough, Mama Hog’s slip of the tongue has landed him in the middle of a good old-fashioned Pot Lockery clan feud. Plus, Rannit’s streets are abuzz with rumors of war—and Tamar’s case has his own lady love hearing wedding bells of her own. As Rannit arms for battle, Markhat finds himself torn between old alliances and new commitments, and a growing, awful fear that no matter which way he turns, all he loves is about to go up in flames. Warning: This work of fiction is known to contain dangerous vowels and at least two instances of provocative folk dancing. Readers should be prepared to produce fresh emus for inspection at any time while reading pages 78 or 134. Neither the Publisher nor the Author condones the formation of covalent hydrogen bonds, although the Author does wink at them when his attorney isn't looking. less

Brown River Queen Markhat and Darla board a lavish vampire gambling riverboat, the Brown River Queen, on her maiden voyage down the Brown. Hired by House Avalante to be on the lookout for trouble, Markhat dreams of a fat payday and a week of free beer and lavish meals. That dream is shattered with the first murder on board the Queen... moreBrown River Queen Markhat and Darla board a lavish vampire gambling riverboat, the Brown River Queen, on her maiden voyage down the Brown. Hired by House Avalante to be on the lookout for trouble, Markhat dreams of a fat payday and a week of free beer and lavish meals. That dream is shattered with the first murder on board the Queen. More blood is quickly shed, the slain rise to walk, and as the cruise turns to a nightmare, Markhat and Darla uncover a sorcerous plot to assassinate Rannit’s mysterious Regent, and plunge the fledgling Regency back into the arcane chaos of the days before the War. Even with Darla fighting tooth and nail at his side, Markhat’s latest case may well prove to be his last. Author’s Note: Previously published, with a different cover, but under the same title. There is an order to the Markhat Files series. They are best read in this order: THREE MEAN STREETS HOLD THE DARK THE BANSHEE’S WALK THE BROKEN BELL BROWN RIVER QUEEN THE FIVE FACES THE DARKER CARNIVAL WAY OUT WEST less

The Five Faces Rannit’s crime bosses are falling, each slain by an unstoppable killer who taunts each victim with a drawing depicting the date, time, and grisly manner of every death. The only clues to the killer’s identity are the five crude faces drawn at the bottom of each death notice. Even warned, no one escapes, no one survives. Hired by House Avalante to find the killer, Markhat suspects sorcery is afoot... moreThe Five Faces Rannit’s crime bosses are falling, each slain by an unstoppable killer who taunts each victim with a drawing depicting the date, time, and grisly manner of every death. The only clues to the killer’s identity are the five crude faces drawn at the bottom of each death notice. Even warned, no one escapes, no one survives. Hired by House Avalante to find the killer, Markhat suspects sorcery is afoot. When the ranks of the slain come to include judges and even members of the Dark Houses, Markhat finds evidence that the murderer is no mere mortal, but a godlet determined to grow to maturity after millennia of lurking underground. When Markhat receives his own death-drawing, he takes a perilous plunge outside Time itself. He then discovers he must find a way to cheat death – or lose Darla and everything else he loves to the ravenous maw of a horror from Rannit’s prehistoric past. Author’s Note: Previously published, with a different cover, but under the same title. There is an order to the Markhat Files series. They are best read in this order: THREE MEAN STREETS HOLD THE DARK THE BANSHEE’S WALK THE BROKEN BELL BROWN RIVER QUEEN THE FIVE FACES THE DARKER CARNIVAL WAY OUT WEST less

Come one, come all! Step right up to the terrors that stalk the midway. When Dark’s Diverse Delights arrives by night to set up shows and rides that promise fun and excitement for one and all, the outskirts of Rannit begin to look disturbingly like the nightmares that plague Markhat’s sleep. Mama Hog has sent him a new client, a cattle rancher with a missing daughter... moreCome one, come all! Step right up to the terrors that stalk the midway. When Dark’s Diverse Delights arrives by night to set up shows and rides that promise fun and excitement for one and all, the outskirts of Rannit begin to look disturbingly like the nightmares that plague Markhat’s sleep. Mama Hog has sent him a new client, a cattle rancher with a missing daughter. Markhat’s search reveals genuine terrors lurking amidst the carnival’s tawdry sideshows, where Death itself takes the main stage every evening, just past midnight. The orchestrator of the murderous, monstrous mayhem is the mysterious carnival master, Ubel Thorkel. And after Buttercup the Banshee is threatened, Markhat is in a race against time to find the carnival’s dark heart and strike it down once and for all—or die trying. Warning: Left unattended, this book is prone to rotate corn crops, eschew oral hygiene, engage in long-distance artillery exchanges with remaindered copies of C.S Lewis’s “The Chronicles of Narnia”, and provide unwelcome commentary during rush-hour traffic. Readers are advised to exercise extreme caution during vertical take-off and landing of Harrier fighter jets, because that’s just basic common sense. At no point should this book be considered a substitute for professional medical advice or paprika. Especially paprika. less

The Markhat Files, Book 8 Markhat and Darla journey into the unknown, where Trolls and worse await those who dare the wastelands, and old magics take on new life when fueled by vengeance and the undying power of greed. Three thousand miles of haunted prairie lie between Rannit’s bustling streets and tiny frontier town of Railsend. Finder Markhat’s new case puts him aboard the steam locomotive Western Star, bound for Railsend…and the edge of the world... moreThe Markhat Files, Book 8 Markhat and Darla journey into the unknown, where Trolls and worse await those who dare the wastelands, and old magics take on new life when fueled by vengeance and the undying power of greed. Three thousand miles of haunted prairie lie between Rannit’s bustling streets and tiny frontier town of Railsend. Finder Markhat’s new case puts him aboard the steam locomotive Western Star, bound for Railsend…and the edge of the world. But before the Star sees its first sunrise, blood is spilled, and Markhat finds himself at the center of a murderous mystery. When wartime magic of the killing sort enters the picture, Markhat realizes not all the passengers are who they seem. There’s a rogue sorcerer aboard the Western Star, a sorcerer bent on homicide—and not just one death will do. Pressed into service by railroad law, Markhat must unravel the tangled web of lies before the next life taken is his own. Warning: This novel should not be combined with corn syrup. Honestly, it’s a shame we have to mention that, but after the events of last May (we’re really sorry about your ebook reader, Mr. Dercroft-Higgins) it’s best to state this explicitly. Also, clinical studies show that koi and other members of the carp family may find portions of Chapter Eight disconcerting. Although frankly, with fish it’s hard to tell. Anyway, no corn syrup and no koi or carp. Please refer other complaints to the Bureau of Odd Happenstance, and remember to include a self-addressed, stamped badger with your inquiry. less