Author: mfordfeeney

The Authorities™ by Scott Meyer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The first non-SF book from Scott Meyer solidifies my belief that he’s an author to watch. While my favorite genre always has been and likely always will be science fiction, it’s nice to see him step outside of that comfort zone and try on a story in the “real” world. (Of course, his long running comic series Basic Instructions lives in this same space.)

The Authorities follows protagonist Sinclair Rutherford, a meticulous and sturdy police officer who succeeds at cracking a case despite the subtle indifference and outright hostility of his “superior” detectives. While the collar is a credit to his methodical mind and good instincts, the details of the case are embarrassing and the arrest he makes unfolds publicly and draws the type of attention he’d rather avoid.

His awkward public splash, however, is what draws the attention of an eccentric billionaire (are there any other kinds?) whose latest lark is creating a team of private Authorities (trademark pending) that will assist the police with high-profile crimes where they can generate publicity for the group. The team members have been selected for their marketability as much as their skill set, and Rutherford finds that in order to get the chance he’s always wanted, he’ll need to act the role of a loose cannon…

The premise is entirely believable, even probable. The idea of privatized police forces is the province of many stories and in point of fact, some reality. And of course they would be reality TV fodder.

The characters are intentionally diverse and interesting and the protagonist is very likable. There’s a slight over-emphasis on the characters – how they are all “characters” – and the story itself doesn’t quite distinguish itself as much as a result. I choose to believe this is because Meyer is setting the table for a series, and a certain amount of foundation work is needed.

I very much hope the author does develop The Authorities into a series. The whole thing feels like a TV series in many ways. (Not cinematic, but “tv-matic”? I know, you thought I’d say telematic, which sounds much better, but that’s an actual thing.)

If that’s how this plays out, then this first novel is really just a pilot, and virtually every TV pilot I’ve ever seen has the same characteristic as this book; great character introduction leading to little time for storyline. You have to wait until the show gets picked up for the good stories. I’m happy to wait…

[schema type=”book” url=”basicinstructions.net” name=”The Authorities™” description=”Sinclair Rutherford is a young Seattle cop with a taste for the finer things. Doing menial tasks and getting hassled by superiors he doesn’t respect are definitely not “finer things.” Good police work and bad luck lead him to crack a case that changes quickly from a career-making break into a high-profile humiliation when footage of his pursuit of the suspect—wildly inappropriate murder weapon in hand—becomes an Internet sensation. But the very publicity that has made Rutherford a laughing stock in the department lands him what could be the job opportunity of a lifetime: the chance to work with a team of eccentric experts, at the direction of a demanding but distracted billionaire. Together, they must solve the murder of a psychologist who specialized in the treatment of patients who give people “the creeps.” There is no shortage of suspects.” author=”Scott Meyer” publisher=”Rocket Hat Industries” pubdate=”2015-10-01″ isbn=”B015Q9EKA0″ ebook=”yes” paperback=”yes” ]

Where the Hell is Tesla? by Rob Dircks
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Now this book was an awful lot of fun.

As with the stories of the authors Rob Dircks is obviously influenced by (Douglas Adams, Terry Pratchett, Kurt Vonnegut), the story is rather less important than the dialogue and outrageous ideas. Also as with those writers, the story is actually pretty good.

An underachieving young man (is there any other kind in science fiction?) named Chip stumbles upon what appears to be a journal belonging to Nikola Tesla, describing a device of his own design for interdimensional travel. (Sorry, an “INTERDIMENSIONAL TRANSFER APPARATUS” – Tesla is rather particular about the proper terms for things.)

Accompanied somewhat reluctantly by his slightly more responsible friend Pete, Chip manages to expose them both to a series of increasingly improbable and dangerous situations as they move throughout dimensions the only way Chip knows how to do things – in over his head.

Where the Hell is Tesla? isn’t exactly a character study, but the characters are well thought out and expressed. Chip & Pete are familiar archetypes – the lovable idiot and his suffering friend – and these are well-worn types for a reason. These two idiots are just a hell of a lot of fun.

Where the Hell is Tesla? is just so enjoyable. After reading the story, I received a recommendation for Teleport This by Christopher M. Daniels. I’m not reviewing that one yet, as it’s a trilogy and I only took in the first book so far, but it has a very similar feel; and that’s a great thing. I can’t get enough of somewhat silly SF. As long as the characters have enough meat on the bone to stick with and the writing is solid, I’m up for a good time. Where the Hell is Tesla? delivers that and more. Highly recommended.

[schema type=”book” url=”http://robdircks.com/where-the-hell-is-tesla-novel/” name=”Where the Hell is Tesla?” description=”SCI-FI ODYSSEY. COMEDY. LOVE STORY. AND OF COURSE… NIKOLA TESLA. I’ll let Chip, the main character tell you more: “I found the journal at work. Well, I don’t know if you’d call it work, but that’s where I found it. It’s the lost journal of Nikola Tesla, one of the greatest inventors and visionaries ever. Before he died in 1943, he kept a notebook filled with spectacular claims and outrageous plans. One of these plans was for an “Interdimensional Transfer Apparatus” – that allowed someone (in this case me and my friend Pete) to travel to other versions of the infinite possibilities around us. Crazy, right? But that’s just where the crazy starts.” CHIP’S OFFICIAL DISCLAIMER: This is a work of fiction: the events depicted in the collection of emails did not happen. I have never been in contact with a covert government group attempting to suppress knowledge of the lost journal of Nikola Tesla. I have not been threatened with death if I divulge the secrets contained inside. They did not buy me this handsome jacket (oh crap, you’re reading this – trust me, it looks great on me). They did not come to my place, and liquor me up, and offer to publish this book as a sci-fi comedy novel to throw the public off the trail of the real truth. Or did they? I’m kidding. Of course they didn’t. Or did they? God, I can’t keep my big mouth shut. Where the Hell is Tesla? has been compared to Terry Pratchett (the Discworld Series), Douglas Adams’ Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, and even Kurt Vonnegut (I know, that last one is probably a stretch.)” author=”Rob Dircks” publisher=”Goldfinch Publishing” pubdate=”2015-01-16″ isbn=”0692370668″ ebook=”yes” paperback=”yes” ]

Master of Formalities by Scott Meyer
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I absolutely loved the Magic 2.0 series, so I was very eager to see what author Scott Meyer could do with a new narrative. I wasn’t disappointed.

Master of Formalities is a semi-satirical send-up of SF and politics in which a state of near constant war is avoided by the efforts of the Masters of Formalities, who ensure that a bizarre Victorian era type of rules of etiquette are followed in all dealings.

Wollard runs the household operations for the refined and proper House Jakabitus, sternly maintaining discipline and good manners with the staff. But the long-standing war with the improper Hahn Empire has gone on far too long, and Wollard finds he can influence his betters into pursuing détente, if only he can maintain proper form…

The writing from Meyer is once again very fine and very funny. Master of Formalities isn’t the breezy read the Wizard books are, which is not to say it isn’t very enjoyable. Just not quite as effortlessly entertaining. The tale is really quite long, possibly too long. There was no point in which I wasn’t enjoying it, so I have no suggestions for reducing it, but it really was a considerable read. Just as a thought, I wonder if this might have worked well as a serialized tale. You can’t help but see similarities to programs like Downton Abbey and so I think it might be interesting if the tale was presented with a similar episodic approach.

Meyer is fast becoming one of my favorite authors, and if Master of Formalities is a very different kind of read from him, that is in no way a bad thing. It’s clever and funny and while I may not be clamoring for a sequel, I absolutely enjoyed it. Recommended.

[schema type=”book” url=”http://basicinstructions.net” name=”Master of Formalities” description=”Even when finding oneself engaged in interstellar war, good form must be observed. Our story is set thousands of years after the Terran Exodus, where two powerful, planet-dominating families—the elegant House Jakabitus and the less refined Hahn Empire—have reached a critical point in their generations-long war. Master Hennik, the Hahn ruler’s only son, has been captured, and the disposition of his internment may represent a last and welcome chance for peace. Enter Wollard, the impeccably distinguished and impossibly correct Master of Formalities for House Jakabitus. When he suggests that Master Hennik be taken in as a ward of the House, certain complications arise. Wollard believes utterly and devotedly in adhering to rules and good etiquette. But how does one inform the ruler of a planet that you are claiming his son as your own—and still create enough goodwill to deescalate an intergalactic war?” author=”Scott Meyer” publisher=”47North” pubdate=”2015-07-28″ isbn=”147783091X” ebook=”yes” paperback=”yes” ]

Repeat by Neal Pollack
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I find it interesting when I can tell with absolute certainty how an author spends their free time. When an author gets into incredible detail on a certain area – much greater detail than on anything else in the book – it’s a sure sign that we’ve found their hobby. I’ve really only noticed this trend in the past year or so, which probably says more about the type of books I’ve been reading than anything else. I suspect it’s a sign of inexperience on the part of the author, but I don’t consider it a problem to the narrative. It’s just an observation.

In the case of Repeat, it’s two-fold; the book is obviously written by a Hollywood denizen, but yoga is clearly the passion of author Neal Pollack. I really knew nothing about the author prior to reading Repeat, but afterwards I was completely unsurprised to find that he is a serious yoga devotee. Looks like he’s actually written a series of yoga mysteries. I don’t know what to make of that…

He also writes extensively in the book about the show Jeopardy; he was a champion on that show.

Repeat is not an original concept for a novel. The fact that the author knows this and acknowledges it (through the character) helps tremendously. The book started incredibly slowly; I had a hard time getting into the pace of the story. Glad I stuck it out.

Repeat opens on the protagonist, a not hugely likable man-child named Brad Cohen, pondering what he considers an unsuccessful life on the eve of his fortieth birthday. He has a family and home, but is unhappy with his spotty screenwriting career and is largely disengaged from his life and family through his dissatisfaction and near constant state of being high. Before you can say Zuzu’s petals, he has been sent back to the moment of his birth, complete with his memories and consciousness. Cohen will have the experience of reliving his life, but with complete knowledge of everything that is happening to him and everything to come. And just when he’s got it all figured out, he’s born again…

Of course the parallels to Groundhog Day are overwhelming, as are the call-outs to It’s A Wonderful Life. As I stated at the beginning, the author completely owns this, so I don’t consider it a flaw. Think of it more as variations on a theme. There’s enough freshness here to make for an enjoyable read.

For the most part, though, that’s sort of all Repeat is; an enjoyable read. Not something of huge consequence, and that’s completely fine. The premise is familiar but the detail is unique. Pollack is a funny writer and creates some interesting scenarios. Go in with the right expectations and you’re likely to enjoy it as I did.

[schema type=”book” url=”http://www.nealpollack.com/” name=”Repeat” description=”Through strange metaphysical circumstances, failed screenwriter Brad Cohen finds himself caught in an infinite time loop, forced to relive the first forty years of his life again and again. Each “repeat,” Brad wakes up in the womb on what was supposed to be his fortieth birthday, with full knowledge of what’s come before. In various timelines, he becomes a successful political pundit, a game-show champion, a playboy, and a master manipulator of the stock market, but none of them seem to lead him out of his predicament. As he realizes he wants to break out of the loop and find the love of his life—the one he hadn’t appreciated the first time around—Brad tries, fails, and tries again to escape the eternal cycle of birth and rebirth. Repeat answers the question: If you could live half your life over, would you do things differently? Be careful what you wish for! Repeating is enough to drive a dude crazy.” author=”Neal Pollack” publisher=”Lake Union Publishing” pubdate=”2015-03-24″ isbn=”1477821333″ ebook=”yes” paperback=”yes” ]