Step into the thrilling world of Chase Dagger, where mysteries unravel with a supernatural twist! Lee Driver’s Chase Dagger series blends hard-boiled detective work with fantasy and sci-fi, following private investigator Chase Dagger and his shapeshifting partner, Sara Morningsky, as they tackle cases that defy reality. Set in the gritty yet mystical Cedar Point, Indiana, this series hooks readers with its unique fusion of genres and unforgettable characters.
From a scarlet macaw with a photographic memory to a shadowy past that haunts our hero, Chase Dagger offers a fresh take on the mystery genre. Whether you’re a fan of classic whodunits or crave a dash of the paranormal, this series delivers a captivating ride.
How Chase Dagger Began
Lee Driver, the pseudonym of S.D. Tooley, crafted the Chase Dagger series out of her love for the unusual. Growing up near Chicago, Driver devoured horror and mystery novels, drawing inspiration from Stephen King and Dean Koontz, while her fascination with UFOs and shows like X-Files shaped her genre-blending style. Launched in 1999 with The Good Die Twice, the series was born to push boundaries, pairing grounded detective work with fantastical elements like shapeshifting and high-tech gadgets.
The Heart of Chase Dagger
The series kicks off with The Good Die Twice (1999), where Chase and Sara investigate a murder that shouldn’t be possible—a woman killed years after her supposed death. In Full Moon-Bloody Moon (2000), they hunt a shapeshifter tied to gruesome murders linked to Friday the 13th full moons, weaving horror into the mix. The Unseen (2002) dives into sci-fi with an invisibility cloak at the center of a baffling case, while Chasing Ghosts (2008) explores Chase’s murky past with a secret corporation called BettaTec.
Driver’s stories thrive on themes of identity, loyalty, and the blurred line between reality and the supernatural. Sara, a Native American shapeshifter who transforms into a hawk or wolf, brings cultural depth and moral complexity, grappling with her powers’ potential for good or evil. Chase, enigmatic and gadget-savvy, balances grit with vulnerability, his mysterious history unfolding across the series. The Cedar Point setting grounds these wild tales, making the extraordinary feel eerily plausible.
The series’ style is fast-paced and witty, with humor from sidekicks like Einstein, the memory-gifted macaw, and Skizzy, a paranoid tech genius. Driver’s ability to keep the supernatural relatable has earned praise from outlets like Booklist, which notes her knack for grounding high fantasy in the real world.
Why Chase Dagger Resonates
Chase Dagger stands out in the mystery genre for its fearless genre-blending, appealing to fans of urban fantasy, sci-fi, and traditional detective stories. Its cult following cherishes the dynamic between Chase and Sara, whose partnership—teetering on romance but never quite crossing—keeps readers hooked. Reviews on platforms like Goodreads and Amazon highlight the series’ addictive pacing and imaginative plots, with fans calling it “an escape from reality.”
Though not a mainstream blockbuster, the series’ niche appeal lies in its originality and Driver’s bold storytelling. Its influence can be seen in how it paved the way for other cross-genre mysteries, encouraging authors to mix the mundane with the magical. For readers seeking something off the beaten path, Chase Dagger remains a hidden gem.
- First Book: The Good Die Twice (1999)
- Latest Book: Nightfall (2015)
- Total Books: 8
- Author Pseudonym: Lee Driver (S.D. Tooley)
Grab The Good Die Twice and dive into Chase Dagger’s world of mystery, magic, and mayhem!