Step into the gritty, magical streets of Haven, where Hawk and Fisher, the toughest crimebusters in fantasy, tackle murders, magic, and mayhem! This husband-and-wife duo, created by British author Simon R. Green, stars in a genre-blending series that mixes hardboiled detective noir with sword-and-sorcery adventure. Since 1990, their tales have thrilled readers with a unique blend of mystery and fantasy in a corrupt city where justice is as rare as an honest politician.
In the Hawk and Fisher series, the couple serves as captains in Haven’s City Guard, a police force in a world where Medieval brutality meets Industrial Revolution grit. Their unyielding commitment to justice sets them apart in a city overrun with spell-casters, demons, and thieves. With a battle-axe in Hawk’s hand and a dagger in Fisher’s, they solve crimes that tangle the supernatural with classic whodunits, making every case a thrilling ride.
How Hawk and Fisher Began
Simon R. Green, a prolific sci-fi and fantasy writer born in Wiltshire, England, in 1955, launched the Hawk and Fisher series in 1990 with the novel Hawk & Fisher (also known as No Haven for the Guilty in the UK). Inspired by his love for blending genres, Green drew from detective greats like Agatha Christie and fantasy icons like Glen Cook to craft a police procedural set in a magical world. His background in literature from the University of Leicester and a knack for witty, action-packed storytelling shaped this series, which became a fan favorite for its fresh take on fantasy.
Green’s rise to prominence in the late 1980s, after selling seven novels in 1988, gave him the platform to experiment with Hawk and Fisher. The series, set in the same universe as his Forest Kingdom books, grew from a desire to explore what life would be like for honest cops in a corrupt, fantastical city. The result was a dynamic duo whose chemistry and grit captivated readers.
The Heart of Hawk and Fisher
The series spans seven books, with the first six released rapidly between 1990 and 1992, followed by a finale in 2000. In Hawk & Fisher, the couple investigates a locked-room murder at a sorcerer’s mansion, blending vampire hunts with political intrigue. Winner Takes All sees them protecting a reformist politician amid dark magic and assassins, while The God Killer tasks them with solving divine murders on Haven’s Street of Gods. Wolf in the Fold sends them undercover in a noble house to catch a spy, only to face a deadly ‘Freak’ and a corpse-filled mystery.
Haven itself is a character—dark, dreary, and teeming with corruption, where magic and technology collide. Themes of justice, loyalty, and moral ambiguity run deep, as Hawk and Fisher navigate a world where everyone has a price, except them. Green’s sardonic humor and fast-paced style, paired with cozy British mystery vibes, make each book a quick, addictive read. The series’ blend of noir, fantasy, and police procedural elements creates a unique tone, like a magical Law & Order with swords.
The couple’s dynamic—Hawk’s battle-axe bravado and Fisher’s sharp-witted dagger skills—grounds the fantastical in relatable teamwork. Their marriage adds depth, showing love and trust amid chaos, while their mysterious past, hinted at in ties to the Forest Kingdom, keeps readers guessing.
Why Hawk and Fisher Resonates
Hawk and Fisher carved a niche in fantasy by merging detective tropes with low fantasy, influencing later works like Terry Pratchett’s City Watch novels. Fans on platforms like Goodreads praise the series for its action, humor, and engaging mysteries, often comparing it to Jim Butcher’s Dresden Files for its gritty charm. Though not a bestseller like Green’s Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves novelization, the series’ cult following endures, with eBook omnibuses like Swords of Haven keeping it accessible.
Its lasting appeal lies in its timeless themes—standing firm against corruption and fighting for what’s right, no matter the odds. Hawk and Fisher’s blend of heart, humor, and heroism continues to hook readers seeking a fresh fantasy fix.
- First Published: 1990
- Number of Books: 7
- Setting: Haven, in the Low Kingdoms
- Related Series: Forest Kingdom
Grab Hawk & Fisher and dive into a world where justice battles magic in the darkest corners of Haven!