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Geek Tragedy (The Mervyn Stone Mysteries #1)
by
Nev Fountain
Mervyn Stone does not look like a special man. His nose is too big, his hair is always on the point of open rebellion, and he appears to have put his clothes on in the dark. He looks like a hedge which has been dragged through a man backwards.
Mervyn was script editor of the BBC television series Vixens from the Void, a ‘Dynasty in Space’ soap opera which gripped the nation...more
Mervyn was script editor of the BBC television series Vixens from the Void, a ‘Dynasty in Space’ soap opera which gripped the nation...more
Hardcover, 287 pages
Published
October 31st 2010
by Hirst Publishing
(first published January 1st 2010)
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I had really high hopes for this book, because Nev Fountain has written one of the most brilliantly funny things I've ever heard (the Big Finish audio, The Kingmaker). When I saw it on a dealer's table at the recent Gallifrey One convention, I snapped it up and started reading it immediately, hoping that it would be brilliant enough that I'd feel compelled to go straight back and buy the two sequels.
With such high hopes, it might have been inevitable that I'd be a bit disappointed. Geek Tragedy...more
With such high hopes, it might have been inevitable that I'd be a bit disappointed. Geek Tragedy...more
Having heard the podcasts that built up to the book, and knowing a little of concepts that went into it--old British SF TV series, geek culture, murder mysteries, a main character that is both part of and slightly hating on the culture that props him up as an ex-script editor--it caught my eye and I've waited for it to be released. I received it the mail today, along with its two sequels, and yes, finished it pretty much in one go (technically two goes, since I hung out with my wife in the middl...more
In the 80s, Mervyn Stone was a script editor for a TV series called Vixens from the Void. Many years later, this program is still spawning sci-fi conventions, and Mervyn attends one of these. But when the organiser is found dead, supposedly suicide, things don't quite add up,and Mervyn ends up using all his skills as a script editor to spot the plotholes and loopholes and eventually figure out who-dunnit.
I really enjoyed the setting of this book - I've attended a sci-fi convention or two in my t...more
I really enjoyed the setting of this book - I've attended a sci-fi convention or two in my t...more
I laughed so hard in places, I cried. This is one serious piece of satire! All the way through reading this I was reminded of the movie Galaxy Quest. Another wonderful piece of satire. Mervyn Stone has been away from the conference circuit for 7 years. He never starred in any of the episodes of Vixens From The Void, he was the editor of the scripts. A show from the 80s, it sounded like the budget and special effects were Hilton none. But murders galore at the convention and Mervyn feels compelle...more
Bought this ages ago, to be honest it's a genre that doesn't usually appeal. However setting it in a world that I find of understand made it tremendously accesible, and I enjoyed trying to work out who did what, and what "clues" were red herrings. Of course I didn't work it out until the author revealed it, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. Roll on volume two...
Short punchy chapters can keep momentum by allowing a lot of good cliffhanger revelations, but it also makes the book easy to read in small bursts, which meant this took longer to read than I had anticipated. The basic premise of setting a murder mystery at a science fiction convention is tremendous fun and gives a little insight into the relationship between convention guest and attendee which can be amusingly moving despite the tone trying to keep everything light. Good twists, splendid charac...more
not high literature but a fun read. Good murder mystery with some nice twists in it. Somewhat of a fantasy element though if he really thinks a writer is going to get that much sex at a con
Nov 12, 2012
Ian
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommended to Ian by:
Nev Fountain
Funny stuff, and more revelatory about Fan Conventions than you could imagine. While no one real person is specifically spoofed in the story, it's possible to recognize everyone and oneself during the action. That said, no one is laughed at, as its take on the situation is far more celebratory than one of a mocking tone. Very humorous, full of surprises, and a fair smattering of smut. Imagine "Carry On…" crossed with every episode of "Doctor Who" and the nit-picking of SF fans. Worth your time.
Apr 13, 2013
Brian Kennedy
marked it as to-read
Nov 20, 2012
Fiona
marked it as the-book-club
Nov 18, 2012
Thom
marked it as to-read
Oct 25, 2012
Robin Stuart
marked it as to-read
Sep 08, 2012
Zach Sparks
marked it as to-read
Aug 09, 2012
Sissi
marked it as to-read
Aug 09, 2012
José Ernesto
marked it as to-read
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Nev Fountain, born Steven John Fountain, is an English writer, best known for his comedy work with writing partner Tom Jamieson on the radio and television programme Dead Ringers
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