The Reign of the Kingfisher

"Mr. Martinson nails the crime thriller tone and style from the get-go . . . the Kingfisher’s story becomes an elegant deconstruction of superhero mythology and a deep examination of 21st-century heroism. Alan Moore and Joseph Campbell would most likely approve."—Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

“Martinson’s debut novel is set in a Chicago that used to have a superhero. It’s one of those books that plays with genre in an interesting way: the prologue reads like a graphic novel, and the entire book reads like literary detective fiction. With a superhero in it.”—The Millions

"Martinson novelizes the superhero comics form with such a meticulous yet fluid style, readers may forget there is no artwork . . . On its face a breakneck thriller, Kingfisher also delves into themes of morality and vigilantism, corruption and justice. Martinson's debut is compelling, artistic and, quite simply, a blast."—Shelf Awareness

“This genre-bending book has plenty for suspense fiction aficionados to revel in.”—Bookpage

"The Reign of the Kingfisher is an extraordinary novel. Martinson's prose is so stunning, and his characters so indelible, that I'd suggest you read it even if you don't read comic books and have little interest in superheroes; this is a book for people who like reading really, really good books. It's an exciting debut, and a story that will stay with you for a long time."—Emily St. John Mandel, New York Times bestselling author of Station Eleven

“Debut novelist Martinson provides great storytelling . . . A linguistically nimble and narratively taut fiction that skews closer to Jeffrey Deaver or Don Winslow than tales of costumed capers. A solid crime novel about people just trying to do the right thing in a bad old world.”—Kirkus Reviews

“Fans of superhero tales will relish Martinson’s energetic debut . . . Martinson ratchets up the tension and keeps the suspense high to the end. Readers will eagerly await his next novel.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)