Jacob Fincowicz didn’t like his name. So he changed it to Jason Midnight – which he doesn’t like any better – and became a Private Investigator. But not just any private investigator. Because if Jason Midnight isn’t quite real, then how can his cases be either? Such as:

-- Why does everyone in the world with the (possible) exception of Jason want to kill George Johnson?

-- What is the identity of the demonic late night DJ who brings the spirit of Jack the Ripper back to life?

-- Why does a strange cultlike family oddly resembling the ancient Norse Gods not fear the end of the world so much as eagerly anticipate it?

-- Who is the mystery woman who keeps drowning out Jason’s private inner theme music with her own soundtrack?

-- And what is the Devil doing in charge of the Manitoba Lotteries Corporation?

Midnight's Delight

Meet Private Investigator Jason Midnight, originally known as Jacob Fincowicz.  He prefers not to be remembered by his childhood name which was “Jake the Fink.”  “Midnight’s Delight” takes you through thirteen chapters of adventures.  Each chapter is like a short story with an unusual twist to it.  I found myself laughing out loud at many of Midnight’s adventures.  Much of the book centers around the Heighdy Hole Hotel.  It is important to know that there is a wormhole in the alley behind it.  Many of the adventures are involved with “things” that come from this place.

While the chapters in this book are laughable and twisted, Baillie manages to incorporate some metaphysical ideas.  For example, Midnight sees things come into existence that others don’t.  It is questioned, “Why should human beings perceive any more of existence than we need to comprehend to exist as human beings?”  We all live in our own perceptions of reality.  For Midnight, his perceptions are very unusual and highly entertaining.

I highly recommend this novel to fans of fantasy.  It would be a really fun one to discuss in a readers group.  If you enjoy books the Nightside books by Simon Green or the Callahan books by Spider Robinson, you will love this book. “Midnight’s Delight” is purely a delight to read.