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shane_tiernan's review against another edition
1.0
I had heard that this was pretty funny and I think I have the actual book laying around here somewhere. It's set at a Con and I've been to many sci-fi/fantasy conventions, (though it's been a while since I had the entire experience of staying overnight) So I thought I would enjoy it a lot. Unfortunately it was terrible and the only reason I finished it was because it was short (5 cds) and it let me vicariously live at a Con for a week or so.
The story was REALLY dated and every time the narrator said, "Put the disk in the IBM-PC" I flinched. Basically she seemed to enjoy educating the reader on "new" computer technology, including a precursor to e-mail and to fandom in general. Everything was written like it was a big surprise and she was sure you had never heard of anything like it before. Considering the main audience for the book was probably fans, it doesn't seem to make sense. This seemed more like a book written about fandom from an outsider's perspective and even the main character was an author who knew nothing about fandom (and then was able to be a Dungeon Master without knowing the rules until a couple hours before the game).
Other than the "hey I know exactly the kind of person they're talking about" there's not much thrill to it. The mystery seemed rather amateurish and the characterizations of the fans were never positive. Really Con people (or fans) are the only group of people that I've been around who didn't disappoint me once I got to know them.
The story was REALLY dated and every time the narrator said, "Put the disk in the IBM-PC" I flinched. Basically she seemed to enjoy educating the reader on "new" computer technology, including a precursor to e-mail and to fandom in general. Everything was written like it was a big surprise and she was sure you had never heard of anything like it before. Considering the main audience for the book was probably fans, it doesn't seem to make sense. This seemed more like a book written about fandom from an outsider's perspective and even the main character was an author who knew nothing about fandom (and then was able to be a Dungeon Master without knowing the rules until a couple hours before the game).
Other than the "hey I know exactly the kind of person they're talking about" there's not much thrill to it. The mystery seemed rather amateurish and the characterizations of the fans were never positive. Really Con people (or fans) are the only group of people that I've been around who didn't disappoint me once I got to know them.
rebeccacider's review against another edition
3.0
I know Sharyn McCrumb for her Appalachian fiction, but when this luridly illustrated paperback was donated to the library, I learned that she apparently wrote SF-themed paperback murder mysteries for TSR in the eighties.
This book is a satirical mystery set in a science fiction convention in Virginia, and is a glorious lampoon of old-school fandom, probably the best I've read. The characters were ALL TOO REAL and the setting made me nostalgic for my own glory(?) days frequenting Virginia science fiction conventions a couple decades later.
Alas, as an actual mystery, I thought this book failed pretty hard - the solution was simply not that interesting and the last few chapters stretched plausibility farther than I would have liked. I was also put off by Brenda, whose character is almost a sensitive portrayal of a fat woman who finds her tribe, but who is constantly fat-shamed by the text and whose arc paints a pretty unflattering portrait of young women in fandom.
Still a super-fun read, and highly recommended to anyone interested in the history of fandom (especially women, who can read in horror about the bad old days when white men roamed the earth).
This book is a satirical mystery set in a science fiction convention in Virginia, and is a glorious lampoon of old-school fandom, probably the best I've read. The characters were ALL TOO REAL and the setting made me nostalgic for my own glory(?) days frequenting Virginia science fiction conventions a couple decades later.
Alas, as an actual mystery, I thought this book failed pretty hard - the solution was simply not that interesting and the last few chapters stretched plausibility farther than I would have liked. I was also put off by Brenda, whose character is almost a sensitive portrayal of a fat woman who finds her tribe, but who is constantly fat-shamed by the text and whose arc paints a pretty unflattering portrait of young women in fandom.
Still a super-fun read, and highly recommended to anyone interested in the history of fandom (especially women, who can read in horror about the bad old days when white men roamed the earth).
justiceofkalr's review against another edition
2.0
There are some things I liked about this and some things I loathed about this. First off, as a mystery it sucks. The murder doesn't even take place until halfway through the book. And then the police come in, gawk at the con, and generally do nothing until someone correctly guesses the killer on a hunch. So as a mystery it's not very satisfying. But, as a parody it's a bit more interesting. The look at fandom is kind of amusing, and an odd mix of insulting and humorous. The references are fun as well. The characters are all huge stereotypes, which works in this kind of book, but left me not caring and not even differentiating well between most of them. But, it definitely felt kind of heavy handed at times. I laughed at a few lines and characters, but mostly I just found myself rolling my eyes.
urikastov's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
tanya_the_spack's review against another edition
2.0
I have very mixed feelings about the book. I can't decide whether I like it or hate it. It's a clever premise. It is a murder mystery set at a science fiction convention. The title of the book (and it's a great title) is also the title of a book written by a minor author invited to the con; he is our protagonist. However, the author's agent/editor/girlfriend seems to be voice of this book's author, Sharon Mccrumb. And she's annoying.
And this is where my mixed feelings mostly come in. She seems to have a very cliche view of con-goers, incredibly judgmental about what losers they all are. The geeks are all superficially characterized. At the same time, I had to admit I'd met con-goers like those portrayed. Thus I was constantly bouncing back and forth between offense and laughter.
As for the tale itself, I liked the premise. It was a fairly interesting read (I don't normally read murder mysteries), and they way the killer was brought to light at the end (through a Dungeons and Dragons game) was a great idea. Unfortunately, the events at the very end of the game when the murderer is revealed led me to roll my eyes. I didn't buy it. I think that the suspension of disbelief was lost because of the weak characterization. We as readers had not been given a deep enough understanding of the murderer - or any of the characters, for that matter - to accept what was then told us about what he did and his motivation.
So... mixed feelings. Clever premise, fairly good read, but weak characterization, which damages the entire story.
And this is where my mixed feelings mostly come in. She seems to have a very cliche view of con-goers, incredibly judgmental about what losers they all are. The geeks are all superficially characterized. At the same time, I had to admit I'd met con-goers like those portrayed. Thus I was constantly bouncing back and forth between offense and laughter.
As for the tale itself, I liked the premise. It was a fairly interesting read (I don't normally read murder mysteries), and they way the killer was brought to light at the end (through a Dungeons and Dragons game) was a great idea. Unfortunately, the events at the very end of the game when the murderer is revealed led me to roll my eyes. I didn't buy it. I think that the suspension of disbelief was lost because of the weak characterization. We as readers had not been given a deep enough understanding of the murderer - or any of the characters, for that matter - to accept what was then told us about what he did and his motivation.
So... mixed feelings. Clever premise, fairly good read, but weak characterization, which damages the entire story.
lilacs_book_bower's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
Some of these older mysteries do not hold up well, I am finding. It's a pity because this one has a good mystery, a fun setting, some of the sexism gets called out, and there some likable main characters with some depth. I would have rated it higher, but there is a LOT of fatphobia here, particularly in regards to one character, and the sort of villain of the piece also uses the f-word (a gay slur), and that was shocking to read on the page. I'd like to think the authors I have read lately would be writing more sensitively in this day and age, but we have to judge them by what they did write.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Eating disorder, Sexism, Murder, and Fatphobia
tarrant's review against another edition
4.0
How could you not love a book with a title like this one? Perfect for anyone who has gone to a -con or loves a role-player/gamer/fanfic person. It's a bit dated but love.
letab's review against another edition
5.0
This is a hilarious satire of comic/fantasy/ sci fi conventions. I laughed till I cried. Of course, the book is much better if you have actually attended one of the aforesaid conventions but you can still enjoy it otherwise. McCrumb weaves a world of characters, events and good natured humor to a "This is Spinal Tap" level with a bit of murder thrown in for a romping whodunit. I have read this book numerous times and love it more with each read. It's satire without malice; a book that even convention goers will appreciate and have fun with.
hskey's review against another edition
3.0
Great fun. McCrumb totally nails the fantasy/sci-fi convention crowd. I've been to and helped organize a few of these types of events and it made me feel like I was there again. Light writing style and a lean story meant I finished this one way too quickly. I wanted more!