Need Help with Book Title - Science Fiction Fantasy Chronicles: forums

wmp3662 · 13th November 2004, 09:57 AM

Ok - I read the book back in 1981-82. The story was fantasy set in a city, maybe New York. There were two guys in it and a cat I think. The cover is dark and has a wizard carrying a sign that says "Wizard's Night Off" or "Wizard's Night Off"

It was a comedy/fantasy novel. Not part of a series as far as I know.

The story: the two guys travel the city looking for something. I remember that there was a evil presence after them. At one point they go to a museum where all sort of creatures attack them.

The dialogue throughout the book was rather comic, a nice alternative to the usual fantasy novel.

The setting was always at night or perhaps there was no day there. Anyway it had the feeling that it was set in New York.

I have been hunting down the title online but cant find the right name or remember the title.

Might have been by Dell. Not sure.

I will post any additional information that I can remember. Its been over 20 years since I read the book. Found it rather amusing but it was given away long ago.

I, Brian · 13th November 2004, 07:23 PM

Hi wmp3662, and welcome to the chronicles-network.

Hopefully somebody will be able to help out.

wmp3662 · 12th January 2006, 10:10 PM

Nope - no help so far. Its been over a year so I feel that the book is more than likely forgotten. What else is new about SciFi/Fantasy books in part?

dwndrgn · 13th January 2006, 01:48 AM

It sounds very much like something I've seen at the store...hmm...will have to think on it.

wmp3662 · 15th January 2006, 06:47 AM

Remember - this book was published in 1981-82. Was thinking more along the lines of used bookstores. If its still in print I would be surprised.

I just remember that it was offbeat. The humor was the main element of the book. The cat was actually the big mean spirit or person that kept after these guys.

At the beginning I think they start in the guys library at his house. Then they have to go out into the night and that's when the action would occur.

Then there was the usual showdown at the end.

The part about the fight at the museum is still rather vivid. The evil dude gets one of the dinosaurs moving after our heros.

Meanwhile, the cab driver is taking them around town. And they get attacked in the streets a few times too.

The wizard is in the very first part of the book but I dont think he comes back.

Del Rey may have published this book. I have tried in vain to remember anything about the title. I just remember the sign "The wizard is out" being on the cover. There is a wizard pictured on the cover in a room and the sign is on the door.

Total night setting. Really interesting book.

The Thieves Guild series was set at night as well if I remember. Read one of those books at the same time as this one - the motif remains in the old noggin.

Any help you can give would be appreciated.

dwndrgn · 15th January 2006, 01:30 PM

I'm old enough to have been shopping when this was published...so I might have seen it in a store. But it really sounds familiar. I still haven't identified it yet but I'm still working on it.

wmp3662 · 16th January 2006, 05:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dwndrgn

I'm old enough to have been shopping when this was published...so I might have seen it in a store. But it really sounds familiar. I still haven't identified it yet but I'm still working on it.

Great - any help you can give would be appreciated.

I had to abandon the search for now. I have tried every resource I know of and every Google search I can conjure up.

dwndrgn · 25th January 2006, 04:09 PM

Ok, no real luck yet but I've turned up three likely authors:
Glen Cook (Garrett, P.I.)
Simon Green (not really likely but I get him and Hawke confused)
Simon Hawke (Wizard series)

None of these seem to truly fit, but at the very least the storylines might interest you since they are in a similar vein...

Taltos · 26th January 2006, 08:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dwndrgn

Ok, no real luck yet but I've turned up three likely authors:
Glen Cook (Garrett, P.I.)
Simon Green (not really likely but I get him and Hawke confused)
Simon Hawke (Wizard series)

None of these seem to truly fit, but at the very least the storylines might interest you since they are in a similar vein...

Sorry, but it can't be any of those ... unless wmp3662 has discovered a time machine

Cook satrted Garret series in 1987 - besides Garret doesn't have cats he has a parrot
Green Nightside started on 2003 - and only single detective, no partners
Hawkes Wizard first book is published in 1987

Powers "Anubis Gates" - haven't read it myself and don't know if it has cat's

wmp3662 · 15th February 2006, 09:13 PM

Thanks folks. So far no luck on my side either.

13th November 2004, 09:57 AM	#1 (permalink)
wmp3662 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6	Need Help with Book Title Ok - I read the book back in 1981-82. The story was fantasy set in a city, maybe New York. There were two guys in it and a cat I think. The cover is dark and has a wizard carrying a sign that says "Wizard's Night Off" or "Wizard's Night Off" It was a comedy/fantasy novel. Not part of a series as far as I know. The story: the two guys travel the city looking for something. I remember that there was a evil presence after them. At one point they go to a museum where all sort of creatures attack them. The dialogue throughout the book was rather comic, a nice alternative to the usual fantasy novel. The setting was always at night or perhaps there was no day there. Anyway it had the feeling that it was set in New York. I have been hunting down the title online but cant find the right name or remember the title. Might have been by Dell. Not sure. I will post any additional information that I can remember. Its been over 20 years since I read the book. Found it rather amusing but it was given away long ago.

13th November 2004, 07:23 PM	#2 (permalink)
I, Brian Admin and Tea-boy Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: UK: SCOTLAND: Posts: 5,354	Re: Need Help with Book Title Hi wmp3662, and welcome to the chronicles-network. Hopefully somebody will be able to help out.

12th January 2006, 10:10 PM	#3 (permalink)
wmp3662 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6	Re: Need Help with Book Title Nope - no help so far. Its been over a year so I feel that the book is more than likely forgotten. What else is new about SciFi/Fantasy books in part?

13th January 2006, 01:48 AM	#4 (permalink)
dwndrgn Fierce Vowelless One Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Florida Posts: 3,660	Re: Need Help with Book Title It sounds very much like something I've seen at the store...hmm...will have to think on it.

15th January 2006, 06:47 AM	#5 (permalink)
wmp3662 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6	Re: Need Help with Book Title Remember - this book was published in 1981-82. Was thinking more along the lines of used bookstores. If its still in print I would be surprised. I just remember that it was offbeat. The humor was the main element of the book. The cat was actually the big mean spirit or person that kept after these guys. At the beginning I think they start in the guys library at his house. Then they have to go out into the night and that's when the action would occur. Then there was the usual showdown at the end. The part about the fight at the museum is still rather vivid. The evil dude gets one of the dinosaurs moving after our heros. Meanwhile, the cab driver is taking them around town. And they get attacked in the streets a few times too. The wizard is in the very first part of the book but I dont think he comes back. Del Rey may have published this book. I have tried in vain to remember anything about the title. I just remember the sign "The wizard is out" being on the cover. There is a wizard pictured on the cover in a room and the sign is on the door. Total night setting. Really interesting book. The Thieves Guild series was set at night as well if I remember. Read one of those books at the same time as this one - the motif remains in the old noggin. Any help you can give would be appreciated.

15th January 2006, 01:30 PM	#6 (permalink)
dwndrgn Fierce Vowelless One Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Florida Posts: 3,660	Re: Need Help with Book Title I'm old enough to have been shopping when this was published...so I might have seen it in a store. But it really sounds familiar. I still haven't identified it yet but I'm still working on it.

25th January 2006, 04:09 PM	#8 (permalink)
dwndrgn Fierce Vowelless One Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Florida Posts: 3,660	Re: Need Help with Book Title Ok, no real luck yet but I've turned up three likely authors: Glen Cook (Garrett, P.I.) Simon Green (not really likely but I get him and Hawke confused) Simon Hawke (Wizard series) None of these seem to truly fit, but at the very least the storylines might interest you since they are in a similar vein...

15th February 2006, 09:13 PM	#10 (permalink)
wmp3662 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6	Re: Need Help with Book Title Thanks folks. So far no luck on my side either.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread: