Ghosts of Valderia: An Urban Fantasy Detective Noir

Self-Published

Community Rating

Description

Discworld meets Dresden Files!

Rain-soaked streets. A city on the edge. A deadly drug spreading like wildfire. In Valderia, sixteen bodies are just another week—until one of them belongs to someone you loved.

Ridley, a PI with more grit than sense, won’t accept that his mentor’s death was just another overdose. With ex-cop Sally Nairo at his side, he tears through the city’s shadows, hellbent on vengeance. Their search for the truth will lead from the glitz of the theatre stage, to the brothels of the wealthy elite, uncovering a dark twisted secret in one of the wealthiest families in Valderia.

Across the city, Rufi Chaw’Drak, a Goblin enforcer, walks a dangerous line. Tasked with finding the source of the poison devastating the city, he’s hiding one crucial fact: he sold it. Now he’s scrambling to cover his tracks, and hunt down the anonymous supplier before he gets thrown into the bottom of a tar pit with his throat slit. Rufi’s mission will set him on a direct collision course with half the Villains in Valderia and one of the most powerful criminals in the Free Forests.

In Valderia, loyalty is a liability, the past never stays buried, and the truth can be as deadly as the lies.The Ghosts of Valderiais a dark, pulse-pounding urban fantasy noir where survival demands sacrifice, and no one gets out clean.

Information

Status: Completed
Year: 2024
Author: MoMoleEsq

Royal Road Stats

Rating: 4.7/ 5.0
Followers: 72
Views: 48,792

Reviews

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Community Reviews(7)

Mojo HoneythistleRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
I love how this blends fantasy and detective genres. The dialogue vividly builds the world and characters, making them come alive as I read. It’s a fresh and engaging take on a detective novel, and I’m thoroughly enjoying it. The unique twist keeps me completely hooked. I can see the characters in my head as I read. Well done!
GanuRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
If you like detective stories, then this might be a great read for you!
In my view, the characters are the highlight of this story. Each one possesses a unique personality, and their manner of speaking and actions contribute to making every character stand out as an individual.
The story itself is also remarkable. It caters to individual tastes, offering a substantial amount of thrill and moments that make you wonder, "Could this have happened?" or, if you're a Detective Conan fan, you might find yourself exclaiming, "MASAKA!"
The writing style is IMMACULATE. With further editing, it could mirror the quality expected of traditional books. Although it resembles a conventional book, it retains the "Webnovel" characteristic of being straightforward and easy to read.
As for grammar, it's good, a few problems here and there, but nothing that would break your reading experience.
If you approach it expecting a dark thriller, you'll find it's not quite that. Instead, it's a light-hearted mystery that delves into the fantasy aspects of its world, advancing the plot as Ridley and Nairo work to unravel the enigma, that is the theft of the diamond.
When I hear the word "Detective", whodunnit stories storm my mind, so I was expecting something like that, but still this novel managed grab my attention.
It's a refreshing departure from the typical LitRPG/Cultivation narratives that flood this site constantly. If you're seeking a break from the norm, this is a must-read.
HodynohandleRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
This was a very enjoyable mystery/action story! The semi modern fantasy setting is very interesting. It isn't something I would have expected to like as much as I did! The different races and layers of the city/society were well thought out and intriguing to learn more about.
The world building was perfect for the setting and story. It reveals a lot of backstory and history while leaving enough open for more mysteries and sequels to explore.
The characters are written very well and have a good mix of those to root for and against. Both the supporting and main characters are memorable and are introduced at a good pace. Each character is described very well, and even those who aren't encountered frequently are hard to forget.
The mystery/case that drives the narrative is intriguing and well thought out from beginning to end. It was very satisfying! Some mysteries are way too obvious, while others don't give any way for the reader to try to put clues together and have more of a twist ending which I find unsatisfying. This story found a great balance that kept me engaged the entire time.
The way the author balanced the different scenes and pacing was also very well done. I felt like they managed the emotions of the reader very well. The scenes that would cause you to worry for the heroes, or grimace at the actions of the baddies would be followed with levity or hope being revealed and vice versa.
Overall it was a very enjoyable read and I can't recommend it enough!
Ukpeje HonourRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Review: The narrative style is distinctive and engaging, blending gritty realism with fantastical elements. The dialogue, especially Ridley’s and Oz’s, is sharp and often humorous, adding a unique flavor to the story. The descriptive language vividly paints the setting, from the bustling city to the filthy heaps. However, some descriptions could benefit from more clarity to avoid confusion.
Review: The story’s plot is intriguing and well-paced, with a strong focus on the mystery of the bank robbery and the interactions between characters. The introduction of Benny Two Coats as a suspect adds depth and anticipation for future developments. The narrative balances humor and suspense effectively, though the pacing could be tightened in places to maintain momentum.
Review: The grammar throughout the story is excellent. Sentence structures are varied and complex, yet clear, and punctuation is used effectively to enhance readability. There are no noticeable grammatical errors, contributing to a smooth and professional reading experience.
Ridley and Nairo are well-developed and distinct, with compelling personalities and strong interactions. Ridley’s unorthodox methods and Nairo’s professionalism create a dynamic partnership that drives the story forward. The secondary characters, like Oz, add color and depth to the narrative. While most characters are well-rounded, some could benefit from further development to enhance their roles and motivations.
Overall Review:
Overall, I find the Ridley story to be an intriguing and enjoyable read. The blend of fantasy and detective elements is handled skillfully, and the unique character interactions keep me hooked. The dialogue is sharp and often humorous, adding a lot of personality to the narrative. However, there are a few areas where the pacing and description could be tightened up for an even smoother experience. Still, the creativity and character depth make it a compelling story that stands out.
Nitin ChouhanRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
A perfect detective novel with an amazing writing style and plot. I was hooked from the very start. And the characters and their conversations feel extremely real. If you are looking forward to reading a mystery detective novel then it's the best one for you. Looking forward to read all the chapter. :)
ReadyMcDreamyRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
This is an awesome and really original story. Feels like the writer has put so much passion and energy into crafting a world totally unique and interesting. It really feels like a real lived in world with such interesting concepts and settings every chapter.
Style: It's really well written and has a unique comedic tone. There's a nice blend of action and satire that reads really well.
Grammar: There's a few typos here and there but nothing that takes away from the story. Strong punctuation and all that good nerdy stuff.
Story: The story is awesome! It feels like its always unfolding and going somewhere knew. The mystery element is good and keeps you reading. The settings and unique action is really top quality. The world is so alive and fresh and distinct from anything I've read on here.
Character: The characters are the strongest thing about this story. The two leads Ridley and Nairo are awesome fully fleshed out characters you jump off the page. They have such a fun dynamic and are both likeable and unique in their own ways. I sometimes find myself agreeing with both of them at the same time when they have conflict. Oh man the side characters are often hilarious and so imaginitive they could be their own MCs in a different story.
All round this story is totally different to the usual style of RR but I think it's so worth checking out if you like high quality writing, setting, and characters. And it looks like the writer is being pretty consistent with upload schedule so I hope they keep it up!
FantalystRoyal Road
★★★★★ 4.5
Overall this was a very well done start to the story. I enjoyed reading it so far and at no point in time did I find myself bored.
Style: I liked the style, the first chapter was a bit hard with how unique and different the character voices were when written out. Obviously given their species, it makes sense. I felt like chapter 2+ any issues with that were completely addressed. The two main characters had their style, but it didn't take away from the story. Overall though it flowed really well and was a nice easy read
Grammar: I knocked this one just a bit due to a few typos and grammatical issues. It was nothing major and the author was very quick to fix them. It might just be worth doing a once over of future chapters by listening with like AI or some voiceover reader to listen for those little oddities.
Story: The story has been great! The settings are very fun to hear about and the world feels alive. Especially the characters, which I believe is the highlight of the book.I think the only thing keeping it from being a 4.5 or 5 star is that a few of the chapters didn't end at a place that made me feel like I had to press that next button right away.
Character: Every character so far has been a delight and well thought out. It's clear this author takes a lot of pride in the way the dialouge works out. The banter of the do whatever and by the books due allows for a real fun time for me as the reader. If you're a fan of the show Psych, it reminds me a lot of Sean and Lassie working together on a case.
Even the secondary characters are well thought out and play to their strengths. Great job here.
Big Al’s Catfish Haven was the number 3 ranked seafood restaurant on Yelp for the area of Ravenwood. That may sound like an impressive feat until you learn there were only 4 seafood themed locations in the entire town. That’s less of an accomplishment and more like being the best-dressed guy at a nudist colony.
The fact there were even four restaurants in this Midwestern to