Full disclosure here – I met Richard Kadrey at ComicCon in July – got this SIGNED COPY of the book from him – oh YEAH. So yes, I am a total fanGirl.
This is number 5 of the Sandman Slim series. Sandman Slim, Kill the Dead, Aloha from Hell, The Devil Said Bang, Kill City Blues and now…Getaway God.
James Stark IS Sandman Slim: “The Monster that kills Monsters” – he got sent “Downtown” (to Hell) by his “Sub Rosa” (magician) friends where he lived for 11 years fighting in the arena. He came back stronger and madder than ever. In the previous books, he has..killed zombies, ruled Hell as Lucifer, fought Angels and elder gods.
Stark has a bad attitude and a worse reputation and you love him for it. He is an irreverent, rude, sarcastic, funny, murderous, Nephilim (half angel) that happens to have also once served as Lucifer – ruler of Hell. Except he wasn’t very good at it so he quit and gave the job to God’s brother (you really need to read the other books) and now is actually working for a living killing monsters for the Vigil.
In “the Getaway God” – LA (all of the stories center around Los Angeles, in all its sordid decadence) is being deluged by unending rainfall and the citizenry is fleeing (although they don’t know why, they just know they have to get the Hell out) . Stark knows why – there is a war in heaven, the God that is running Heaven is blind and deaf and hopeless and the ancient gods – the “Angra om Ya” – are coming to destroy the world. Just another day for LA. On top of that, the serial killer “St. Nick” is leaving flesh “chapels” to honor the coming of the Angra. Eewww.
To save the world and capture St. Nick, Stark (much to his disgust) teams up with “The Vigil” (a branch of Homeland Security dedicated to dealing with the Occult), a 400 year old buddhist mummy (who self mummified and is quite rude) and Julia; an ex-US Marshall turned PI. In addition, the usual cast of characters from the previous books is back: Mr Munin, Kasabian (an animated head), Candy (Stark’s “monster Jade” girlfriend), Vidocq (the 150 year old French alchemist) and Allegra the healer.
Hijinks and world saving ensue with clever and murderous repartee throughout.
These books are rude, crude, irreverent, smart, sassy and wickedly fun to read. Probably not a contender for Oprah’s book club and that’s exactly why I read them.
Two thumbs and a na’at up!