Introduction. Section 1 – Opening: Mike Hammer arrives at the murder scene: Section 2 – Mike expresses his bloodlust. Section 3 – Mike and Pat talk motives. Parody, tracing, and what I would have done. Introduction This morning I woke up and ran across something that made me absolutely furiously angry, and for my own… Continue reading Comparison between the first chapter of Mickey Spillane’s ‘I, the Jury’ and P. C. Hatter’s ‘I, the Tribunal’
Month: November 2023
This is not a review, it’s a recommendation.
Last night I had the absolute pleasure of attending the launch signing for brand new creator-owned comic Petrol Head #1, by Pye Parr (blow-you-away art/nigh-perfect design/fantastic everything) and Rob Williams (smooth as hell dialogue/wild story-wrangling/perfect melding of multiple-timelines-writing), and was privileged enough to spend a little time afterwards toasting Pye in company of some of… Continue reading This is not a review, it’s a recommendation.
First three SPSFC3 reviews
At long last, after getting through the bulk of the required slush reading, I have finished and written some reviews for books entered into SPSFC this year, which I am helping judge as part of Team Red Stars. As I have mentioned previously elsewhere, I am a picky reader. This isn't helped by my tendency… Continue reading First three SPSFC3 reviews
SPSFC 3 Review: The Rave, by J.R. Traas
Clearly built on the bones of a thousand things the author loves geeking out over, The Rave is a book about a rising heroine making her start in a world of rockstar monster-hunting heroes. Drawing inspiration from a thousand sources, from Battle Angel Alita to Fantastic Beasts by way of Avatar: The Last Airbender, it… Continue reading SPSFC 3 Review: The Rave, by J.R. Traas
SPSFC 3 Review: Jake’s Magical Market, by J.R. Mathews
This book is simultaneously wildly appealing and viciously disappointing. Jake’s Magical Market has reached a large and appreciative audience, deservedly, but its huge length, strong pacing, and moment-by-moment character studies all serve to conceal a multitude of weaknesses and missteps. This book is the equivalent of tasty popcorn covered in sticky syrup – delicious in… Continue reading SPSFC 3 Review: Jake’s Magical Market, by J.R. Mathews
SPSFC 3 Review: Fog of War, by Forest Wells
This book, Fog of War by Forest Wells, hit me right in the sweet spot between ‘too compelling for me to give up on’ and ‘so frustrating I want to put it down and forget about it’. As you can likely guess, this is not going to be an easy book for me to structure… Continue reading SPSFC 3 Review: Fog of War, by Forest Wells
October Visitations
I hope the Halloween season has been healthfully spooky to you all. Mine has been particularly terrifying, coinciding with needing to talk to my GP office (medical paperwork stuff over my medical history, only emotionally scary), needing to deal with tons of admin for my flat (the building I’m in has issues large enough that… Continue reading October Visitations