Step into the shadowy, thrilling world of Nightside, where it’s always 3 a.m., and the line between dreams and nightmares blurs! Created by British author Simon R. Green, the Nightside series is a delicious blend of urban fantasy and noir detective fiction. Follow John Taylor, a private investigator with a knack for finding lost things, as he navigates a hidden, supernatural London teeming with gods, monsters, and everything in between.
This isn’t your typical detective story—think gritty pulp novels meets magical chaos, with a dash of dark humor. Whether you’re a fan of urban fantasy or just love a good mystery, Nightside’s eerie charm will pull you in and keep you hooked.
How Nightside Began
Simon R. Green, a prolific sci-fi and fantasy author, launched the Nightside series in 2003 with Something from the Nightside. Inspired by classic noir detectives and his love for blending genres, Green crafted a world where the supernatural thrives in a pocket dimension within London. His goal? To create a playground for wild, unpredictable stories where anything is possible. With his background in literature and a knack for irreverent storytelling, Green set the stage for a series that’s as darkly funny as it is thrilling.
The Heart of Nightside
The series kicks off with Something from the Nightside, where John Taylor is hired to find a missing girl, dragging him back to the Nightside he swore to leave behind. In Agents of Light and Darkness, Taylor hunts the Unholy Grail, battling angels and demons in a chaotic quest. Nightingale’s Lament sees him investigating a singer whose voice might kill, while Hex and the City dives into Taylor’s mysterious past. Each book is a fast-paced, standalone adventure, perfect for quick reads.
Nightside’s strength lies in its vivid setting—a neon-lit, eternal night where bars like Strangefellows serve the strangest clientele. Themes of redemption, identity, and moral ambiguity weave through Taylor’s cases, with his ‘Private Eye’ gift both a blessing and a curse. The series’ noir style, laced with pop culture nods and dark humor, feels like a love letter to pulp fiction, while its supernatural elements echo urban fantasy greats like Jim Butcher’s Dresden Files.
From Razor Eddie, the Punk God of the Straight Razor, to Shotgun Suzie, a bounty hunter with a tragic past, the cast is unforgettable. Green’s world-building is inventive, with references to his other works like the Deathstalker and Secret Histories series, creating a rich, interconnected universe.
Why Nightside Resonates
Though not as mainstream as some urban fantasy series, Nightside has a cult following for its bold, unapologetic style. Fans love its blend of gritty detective work and fantastical chaos, often comparing it to Neil Gaiman’s Neverwhere for its dark, hidden-world vibe. The series’ 12 novels and short stories, completed in 2012, offer a complete, binge-worthy saga that’s perfect for readers craving something offbeat. Its influence can be seen in the growing popularity of noir-infused urban fantasy, inspiring writers to mix genres with a playful edge.
- Publication Years: 2003–2012
- Number of Books: 12 novels, plus short stories
- Key Character: John Taylor, a PI with a supernatural gift
- Setting: Nightside, a hidden London where it’s always 3 a.m.
Grab Something from the Nightside and dive into a world where danger and magic collide. Ready to walk the neon-lit streets with John Taylor?