Recently I discovered the movie Cast a Deadly Spell and then its sequel Witch Hunt. While I did like Cast a Deadly Spell better than Witch Hunt, I must say that I enjoyed both a great deal.
What I am looking for is either book or movie recommendations that would have a similar feel to them. For example, Harry Turtledove’s The Case of the Toxic Spell Dump would qualify. Basically I am looking for stories where magic exists in modern times that have a similar feel to either those movies or the book that I mentioned.
Have not seen the movie Constantine, but the graphic novels that they were based on (Hellblazer) would qualify. Harry Potter would not (I would have a hard time telling you exactly why, but it would be something to do it not being quite dark enough and magic not being quite mainstream enough).
I still haven’t got around to seeing Cast A Deadly Spell. But, I’ve watched Witchhunt quite a bit.
So-Modern world, magic, film noir and/or hardboiled detective genre?
The Lord Of Illusions- Swan was the world’s greatest stage magician. A trick went wrong, and hundreds witnessed his death on stage. But now, that accident is starting to look like murder, and private eye Harry D’amour is beginning to suspect Swan’s magic was no trick.
The Last Illusion-(The film was inspired by this story. Clive Barker allowed many changes, but made sure the mix of horror, magic, and a gum shoe who’s gotta do what he’s gotta do stayed)Swan was the world’s greatest stage magician. Now, he’s dead. All Harry D’amour has to do is guard the body for one night. But nothing, and nobody, are what they seem. D’amour finds himself in great danger and not knowing who to trust.
Would alternate realities work for you? If so I’ll suggest:
Dead Witch Walking and The Good, The Bad and The Undead both by Kim Harrison. Set in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky and good, if “fluffy” (to some) books.
Jim Butcher’s Dresden Files are darker and addictive.
Don’t miss the “Lord Darcy” books by Randall Garrett: the novel Too Many Magicians and two short story collections. These tales are set in an alternate universe in which magic has become a science. Wonderful stuff!
