2000: Thraxas

Thraxas is a private investigator who is scratching out a career as a private investigator. Living in a poorer section of town, he has a barbarian landlord and an attractive ex-gladiator as a sometime partner. Things get interesting when Thraxas is hired by the Princess Du-Akai to recover a missing letter. Thraxas needs to face a host of threats including a ruthless killer, mad half-orcs, and some pretty evil sorcerers.Why it's on the listScott's world is an intriguing mix of Humans, Elves, and Orcs - a fantasy noir light mix of magic with tongue-in-teeth humor and few politically correct reservations at all. Thraxas is a merry and rebellious look at a detective who enjoys gambling and eating more than casting spells or preaching about the past. This book is even-handed while also not taking itself too seriously. Martin Scott knows what he wants to accomplish and does it perfectly.Read if you likeSword and Sorcery, Tongue-in-cheek fantasy