Tides of Deception: A Oswald Nicht's Story

The Second of the "Our Man In Damara" or "Oswald Nicht's" series- this deliciously raunchy tale is set in the pirate city of Luskan.

Less saucy than the last, this story perhaps improves on its predecessor in terms of plot and also quality of smut, if that's what the reader is looking for.

The story itself is that Oswald has been sent by "The Crimson Thread" to assist Katanya Neegle, Pirate Captain and beloved of one of the Pirate Lords of the port. Secretly a Harpist agent (the writer seems determined to use the term 'Harpist' rather than Harper, perhaps because of Grammer) Agent, Katanya does her best to improve life for those in the city, whilst also sneaking out information to protect the seas from the worst of the pirates deprivations. However it seems a more terrible matter is afoot, as a vile group of Infernalist Cultists have risen up in the city, and are set on casting a ritual that will open a portal to Baator into Luskan itself!

Needing aid, the Harpists reached out to the King of Damara, who in turn rached out to the Crimson Thread, who sent her best agent, Man of Men, Spy's Spy, Oswald Nicht, lover extraordinare to assist Katanya.

What follows is a tale of raunchy adventure and comedy, a sort of buddy-guard drama, where the stoic, suave, reserved and dependable Oswald is forced to work with the chaotic, seductive, wild and intuitive Katanya, both using their distinctive styles to root out the corruption in an already corrupt town.

One style both have of course is bedding. Lots and lots of bedding.

At first these two do not get along, but eventually friendship blossoms and they both learn a little from each other, though curiously the book does not put them in a romantic pairing.

In the last few chapters they finally discover the root of the problem, a vile Rakshasa that had taken the form of Katanya Neegle's beloved, the Pirate Lord. Forced to slay her love at the end, Katanya is heartbroken and retreats to a nunnery.

The epilogue however features Oswald visiting the Nunnery and persuading her that she has to depart, for Zhentil agents are going to attack to kill her, and there is still yet much good to do in the world. She agrees, and flees with him, determined to aid him in the fight to come!

Behind them, the nunnery explodes. They do not look back.

Like the last book, this is a page turner, though melodramatic and wholey unrealistic in a number of ways.