THE STRANGER TIMES is a weekly newspaper based in Manchester dedicated to publishing all the weird and the wonderful news that’s fit to print. Run by editor in chief, Vincent Bancroft, the staff is an assembly of misfits who spend as much time writing as they do trying to reign in their verbally abusive, alcoholic boss.

Hannah Willis, the latest assistant editor seemingly destined to be fired, joins the paper just as a mysterious American man arrives on the scene with plans to complete a dangerous and forbidden practice.

For years, the events reported by The Stranger Times were seen as nonsense. What happens when the truth becomes stranger than fiction?

I was looking to read something on the lighter side after going through a number of particularly dark horror novels, so in perusing my shelf, THE STRANGER TIMES jumped out at me as a potential fit. I could not have been happier with my choice. This was a hugely hilarious story that I blew through in about two days. I can’t recall the number of times I laughed out loud while reading CK McDonnell’s novel. As it says on the cover – and as many reviews have pointed out – this felt very Terry Pratchett-esque. The dialogue is quick, witty, cutting, and uproarious.

While I’ve mentioned it in the past, fantasy is the one genre I generally have a difficult time getting into. That doesn’t seem to be the case when considering the urban fantasy subgenre. There are fantastical creatures slipping in and out of this story, but with it set against contemporary England, it gave me enough grounding in reality to have the overall story work for me. It also helps that I absolutely adore British humor.

As great as the plot is, it is the characters who make this one memorable. I cared about every single member of the cast that McDonnell created. Vincent Banecroft, while a completely insufferable lunatic, is somehow lovable. Hannah, the novel’s central protagonist, is a great stand-in for the reader who much like the character, is dropped into the Stranger Times world in the middle of pure chaos.

What a great read. I loved this so much, I ran out immediately after finishing to grab the second and third in the series. The fifth, and most recent entry, is a Christmas novel, so I do have to get caught up before the holiday season, which should not be a problem. Onto book two!