Billibub Baddings and the Case of the Singing Sword may throw the reader for a loop at first if he doesn't know what to expect. Reading the first few chapters, the reader might think, "Is this a joke?" Yup, it is, and a damn fine one, too. Tee thoroughly lampoons both the fantasy and hard-boiled detective genres while still paying close attention to good storytelling, and thus delivers an engaging and satisfying, if somewhat whimsical and unusual, story for the reader.

Many genre authors like to mix the genres together to create a new flavor to their stories. This is the first time I've seen fantasy and mystery blended quite in this fashion. It makes for fantastic dialogue and laugh-out-loud funny narrative.

— Joe Murphy of The Dragon Page Radio Talk Show

To read the full review from Joe Murphy, click here.

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The story is a true page-turner, giving just enough clues to help the smart reader figure out the mystery with Billi. The characters are full and vibrant – from Billi and his secretary Miranda to Al Capone himself, they all jump off the page and haul the reader along into their world. Morris has really done his homework on the time and place of his story as well – we as readers get to experience Chicago in the Roaring Twenties.

Even the language is right on target, bringing the flavor of the times to a deeper level. So go and order your copy, ya mooks, or I'll hafta order my own hit.

Capisce?

 

Billibub is a dwarf with an attitude. After finding himself in a whole new world, he quickly adapts and carves his own place. Mr. Morris has written an intriguing twist on the average hard-boiled detective story. With plenty of Bogart-esque tropes, Billibub is a very entertaining gumshoe. Mr. Morris' 1920's world through the eyes of the sarcastic Billibub is an absolute pleasure to read.

 

Perhaps my favorite part of this novel was the main character, Billibub. He's an excellent example of a less than physically perfect hero. He's short, hairy and just the right height to be mistaken as harmless.

 

Tee Morris doesn't let his readers down! Not now...not in any book of his I've read. This story will have you rolling in laughter and groaning at the antics of a Highland Dwarf in prohibition era America.

 

I have discovered that reviewing is a wonderful way to become cynical about the state of literature; so many things sound great, only to disappoint for one reason or another. BILLIBUB BADDINGS AND THE CASE OF THE SINGING SWORD is the Holy Grail of reviewers -- the book you would never have found on your own but can't praise enough. There's not a single false note, flat character, or unbelievable scene. The pacing is perfect, the mystery is tightly constructed, and the whole thing is leavened with self-depreciating humor.

Another reviewer has already beaten me to the Roger Rabbit comparison, so I will have to fall back on this -- if you love Buffy the Vampire Slayer, The Librarian, Cast a Deadly Spell, Pratchett, or Huff, run do not walk to your bookstore and pick up this book!

 

“In using magic, a chain of events is set into motion, and if you’re not careful you will quickly lose control of those events And at that moment you’re truly screwed.” So says Billibub Baddings, four-foot one with a forty-something inch waist, long red beard and braided hair dressed in a custom made pin stripe suit and doing business as a Private Eye during prohibition times in the City of Chicago, year 1929. Strange? Not as strange as the events in this book.

 

Tee Morris has written a fine book. Mr. Morris has accomplished what is normally unimaginable – combining our own familiar world with that of fantasy and very real magic. Billibub Baddings and the Case of the Singing Sword is Sam Spade, Mickey Spillane and Joe Friday - all tough guys – combined with stories by authors such as Terry Brooks or J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter series.

 

Morris skillfully blends all the best elements and cliches from fantasy, old-style detective and gangster stories into a fast-paced, action packed thrill ride. Billibub is a one of a kind detective who, although only four-foot one, is still man (or dwarf) enough to stand up to the worst both dimensions can toss at him and still manage to keep his sense of humor.

 

The Case of the Singing Sword is a truly unique take on the traditional Prohibition-Era gangster story. The main character, Billibub Baddings, is a dwarf who arrived in Chicago by accident when he fell through a Portal of Oblivion and landed in a Chicago library. Baggings then spent some considerable time living in the library, learning to speak English, reading up on the history of Chicago and stealing the librarian's lunches!

 

This is really a two shtick story: copious amounts of tough P.I. talk punctuated with references to orcs, goblins, dragons, mages etc. and a fairly routine mystery where the hero is vertically challenged and constantly reminded of it.  Author Morris deserves kudos though, for piecing it all together without too much genre-mocking, but at the same time, keeping it fast moving and fun.

— Yet Another Book Review Site

To read the full review from Yet Another Book Review Site,
click here.

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“It’s an easy story to tell.” That sentence follows the initial quote used in this review, but this reviewer takes her hat off to author Tee Morris for pulling off the rich blend of cross genre adventure in Billibub Baddings and the Case of the Singing Sword. Using an amazing talent for metaphor, Morris blends the fantasy of Tolkien with the mystery of Spillane, spicing it up with the humor of Gary K. Wolf. He brings to life with amazing visual clarity the Lord of the Rings, Tolkien-like home of his hero, while keeping the reader and Billi firmly planted on the path of cleverly crafted clues in “the asphalt jungle of the Windy City.” Billi blows into reality with a gusty, gutsy, humor that dares you to maintain your balance in this edge-of-your-seat, mystery, fantasy, thrill ride.

— WritersAndReadersNetwork.com

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