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Alacrity FitzHugh and Hobart Floyt #2
Jinx on a Terran Inheritance
The flies in the ointment. Once upon a time the dying ruler of a small interstellar kingdom made a minor Old-Earth bureaucrat named Hobart Floyt the surprised inheritor of an interstellar spaceship. And that was wonderful, for in those days, when Mankind was again expanding into the galaxy, a private spaceship was a license to coin credits.
There were just a couple of minor problems. The dead ruler never told Floyt how to find the ship, the bureaucrats of Earth wanted the ship for themselves, and someone kept trying to murder Floyt and his friend Alacrity Fitzhugh....
There were just a couple of minor problems. The dead ruler never told Floyt how to find the ship, the bureaucrats of Earth wanted the ship for themselves, and someone kept trying to murder Floyt and his friend Alacrity Fitzhugh....
403 pages, Paperback
First published November 12, 1985
20 people are currently reading
172 people want to read
About the author
Brian Daley
47 books99 followersBrian was born in Englewood Hospital in Englewood, New Jersey on Dec. 22, 1947. A blizzard kept him and his mother at the hospital over Christmas, and the nurses sang "Away in a Manger" to them.
His middle name is Charles. He grew up in Rockleigh, NJ. His mother's name was Myra and his father's name was Charles. He has an older brother, David, and a younger sister, also named Myra. He had no children of his own, but he was always great with his two nieces and four nephews.
He went to Nathan Hale Elementary School in Norwood, NJ, and a consolidated High School - Northern Valley Regional High School in Old Tappan, NJ.
Brian loved to read, drive his '74 Corvette Stingray, spend summers with me on Martha's Vineyard, and travel to wild and exotic places like the jungles of Guatemala and Mexico, and the mountains of Nepal.
He said he wanted to write from an early age, about third grade. He also read a LOT of science fiction as a kid, and that inspired him.
After he graduated from high school in 1965 he joined the army and went to Vietnam for a year's tour of duty. Then he went to Berlin, Germany.
After the army he went to Jersey City State College, majoring in media. While attending college and working as a waiter at a local steak house, he also wrote his first novel, Doomfarers of Coromande. Del Rey Books accepted it and started him on his writing career. The editor picked Brian's manuscript out of the "slush" pile (unsolicited manuscripts) because it was the most neatly typed, but it wasn't accepted right away. The editor made Brian do a lot of re-writing.
When the first STAR WARS movie came out Brian saw it, and he was elated. He said he came out of the theater fundamentally changed. His editor asked which character he would like to write about for a movie-related novel. Brian said he picked Han Solo because Han was the only one who made a moral decision... he started out on the wrong side of the law, but joined with the good guys. And to tell you the truth, Brian was a whole lot like Han, a maverick.
He died of pancreatic cancer in February of 1996. He had just turned 49. He wrote the adaptation for National Public Radio drama THE RETURN OF THE JEDI while he was undergoing chemotherapy. He died at his house in Maryland the night the Jedi radio cast was toasting him at their wrap party, having finished the taping of the shows that day.
When they posted the notice of his death, messages began coming in from all over the world. The gist of them was that his passing created a "disturbance in the Force."
Brian Daley's first novel, The Doomfarers of Coramonde, was published on the first Del Rey list in 1977. It was an immediate success, and Brian went on to write its sequel, The Starfollowers of Coramonde, and many other successful novels: A Tapestry of Magics, three volumes of The Adventures of Hobart Floyt and Alacrity Fitzhugh, and, under the shared pseudonym 'Jack McKinney', ten and one half of the twenty-one Robotech novels. He first conceived of the complex GammaL.A.W. saga in Nepal, in 1984, and worked on its four volumes for the next twelve years, finishing it shortly before his death in 1996.
His middle name is Charles. He grew up in Rockleigh, NJ. His mother's name was Myra and his father's name was Charles. He has an older brother, David, and a younger sister, also named Myra. He had no children of his own, but he was always great with his two nieces and four nephews.
He went to Nathan Hale Elementary School in Norwood, NJ, and a consolidated High School - Northern Valley Regional High School in Old Tappan, NJ.
Brian loved to read, drive his '74 Corvette Stingray, spend summers with me on Martha's Vineyard, and travel to wild and exotic places like the jungles of Guatemala and Mexico, and the mountains of Nepal.
He said he wanted to write from an early age, about third grade. He also read a LOT of science fiction as a kid, and that inspired him.
After he graduated from high school in 1965 he joined the army and went to Vietnam for a year's tour of duty. Then he went to Berlin, Germany.
After the army he went to Jersey City State College, majoring in media. While attending college and working as a waiter at a local steak house, he also wrote his first novel, Doomfarers of Coromande. Del Rey Books accepted it and started him on his writing career. The editor picked Brian's manuscript out of the "slush" pile (unsolicited manuscripts) because it was the most neatly typed, but it wasn't accepted right away. The editor made Brian do a lot of re-writing.
When the first STAR WARS movie came out Brian saw it, and he was elated. He said he came out of the theater fundamentally changed. His editor asked which character he would like to write about for a movie-related novel. Brian said he picked Han Solo because Han was the only one who made a moral decision... he started out on the wrong side of the law, but joined with the good guys. And to tell you the truth, Brian was a whole lot like Han, a maverick.
He died of pancreatic cancer in February of 1996. He had just turned 49. He wrote the adaptation for National Public Radio drama THE RETURN OF THE JEDI while he was undergoing chemotherapy. He died at his house in Maryland the night the Jedi radio cast was toasting him at their wrap party, having finished the taping of the shows that day.
When they posted the notice of his death, messages began coming in from all over the world. The gist of them was that his passing created a "disturbance in the Force."
Brian Daley's first novel, The Doomfarers of Coramonde, was published on the first Del Rey list in 1977. It was an immediate success, and Brian went on to write its sequel, The Starfollowers of Coramonde, and many other successful novels: A Tapestry of Magics, three volumes of The Adventures of Hobart Floyt and Alacrity Fitzhugh, and, under the shared pseudonym 'Jack McKinney', ten and one half of the twenty-one Robotech novels. He first conceived of the complex GammaL.A.W. saga in Nepal, in 1984, and worked on its four volumes for the next twelve years, finishing it shortly before his death in 1996.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
January 25, 2012
This was actually my favorite book in the series, and like the others it is IEH. (Intriguing, exciting and hilarious) There are some scenes, such as the funeral of the High Meddler, that I enjoyed so much I wet the pages with my tears (of laughter) and read it two or three times before continuing on in the book. I still remember the last four lines of limerick that Hobart Floyt composes the spot as a eulogy...
He left behind a sad nation (I don't remember this line exactly, so I've improvised)
This glorious son of creation
But though we'll all miss him
It's time to off-kiss him
In the interest of good sanitation
It is worthwhile to browse through used books to find this one and its two buddies.
He left behind a sad nation (I don't remember this line exactly, so I've improvised)
This glorious son of creation
But though we'll all miss him
It's time to off-kiss him
In the interest of good sanitation
It is worthwhile to browse through used books to find this one and its two buddies.
May 8, 2020
Floyt and Fitzhugh find themselves harried, harassed, enslaved, chased, and otherwise engaged while trying to track down Floyt's inheritance.
March 3, 2017
Had this book forever in my collection and finally got to read it. It was fun 80's sci-fi. Pretty amazing how much of the imagery is still relevant. Light and and bouncy sci-fi fun.
May 3, 2018
When Hobart and Alacrity find out the contents of the former’s inheritance, they are both ecstatic. But there’s the little problem of getting to the planet where it’s stored…and where on the planet it’s stored. Opposing factions of galactic politics intervene in the duo’s quest, and the friends they’ll have met along the way come in many different shapes and sizes. Too, the enemies. And once they find the inheritance, they’ll have to figure out a way to avoid bringing it back into the wily hands of the power-hungry back on Terra.
Picking up right were Requiem left off, Jinx is as fast-paced or faster. The two protagonists are often caught between a rock and a hard place, but their pathos is tangible and their successes and failures are believable. The plot is interesting, and the series promises to end on a high note.
Picking up right were Requiem left off, Jinx is as fast-paced or faster. The two protagonists are often caught between a rock and a hard place, but their pathos is tangible and their successes and failures are believable. The plot is interesting, and the series promises to end on a high note.
June 1, 2022
This may very well be my new favorite sci-fi book. While not quite as fun as the first installment, Jinx... was where the bulk of the plot for the trilogy takes place, and it put a new meaning to the word jinx! Whomever said the middle story of a trilogy should be the lowest point, Brian Daley took that very seriously. Our heroes start their journey to claim the Terran Inheritance and every roadblock imaginable is put in their way.
I enjoyed reading this so much I didn't want it to end. I'm also a somewhat embarrassed to admit that a scene in the last chapter got me a little choked-up. The pacing, world building, character motivations, emotional resonance... were all right where they needed to be. I can't recommend this enough to anyone interested in some classic science fiction! Reading part one is probably a good idea to fully immerse yourself, but not required to enjoy this one.
I enjoyed reading this so much I didn't want it to end. I'm also a somewhat embarrassed to admit that a scene in the last chapter got me a little choked-up. The pacing, world building, character motivations, emotional resonance... were all right where they needed to be. I can't recommend this enough to anyone interested in some classic science fiction! Reading part one is probably a good idea to fully immerse yourself, but not required to enjoy this one.
January 21, 2021
The second in the series and just as good as the first one. It is a great sci-fi aventure story, with humour. A little juvenile but even at my age (getting on) I thoroughly enjoyed myself. My only problem with it is that the writing is too sofisticated at times making me feel a little intellectually inferior.
February 14, 2023
The pacing is a little jittery. There isn't the same drive through as in the first book, and the end of the novel seems very rushed, like at one point there could have been a whole other book in the series, but the events get compressed to 80 pages at the end.
6 out of 5 stars, one of the greatest adventure stories ever.
6 out of 5 stars, one of the greatest adventure stories ever.
March 19, 2018
Adventure awaits
Once again Brian brings a story filled with adventure, comedy, relationships, and morality played out on a galactic stage. A wonderful read!
Once again Brian brings a story filled with adventure, comedy, relationships, and morality played out on a galactic stage. A wonderful read!
October 22, 2013
Another delightfully random sub shop selection - I came to learn that the author of this text was perhaps more famous for his work in the Star Wars universe, cranking out Han Solo books and radio adaptations of the original films. He also has Tron in his credits!
This adventure focuses on dual protagonists, and as such I believe is the first buddy-book I've read in recent memory. He has a great knack for describing small mannerisms and visual cues which are totally spot on, and in only a few choice words allow the reader to perfectly picture the subtle reaction of one character to another.
We follow Hobart Floyt and Alacrity Fitzhugh as they search the galaxy for Floyt's inherited starship. Ports of call, scandalous space stations, bizarre alien worlds and back stabbing intrigue are the order of the day, all done with good nature and way less grittiness than you would find in a similar military sci-fi. This part I appreciated. It does have that Star Wars vibe to it, and I think he certainly found his calling writing in that universe, though it's nice he got to pen his own characters here and there.
It took me a little over two weeks to read this book, which is not unusual, but for some reason I kept losing the narrative and forgetting which minor characters were which. I suspect this is more my failing than the author, but it seemed unusual so was worth noting. While I didn't completely love this ride, I'm almost compelled to read it again next year for this reason, to see if I get more out of it when able to keep up with the cast more adequately.
This adventure focuses on dual protagonists, and as such I believe is the first buddy-book I've read in recent memory. He has a great knack for describing small mannerisms and visual cues which are totally spot on, and in only a few choice words allow the reader to perfectly picture the subtle reaction of one character to another.
We follow Hobart Floyt and Alacrity Fitzhugh as they search the galaxy for Floyt's inherited starship. Ports of call, scandalous space stations, bizarre alien worlds and back stabbing intrigue are the order of the day, all done with good nature and way less grittiness than you would find in a similar military sci-fi. This part I appreciated. It does have that Star Wars vibe to it, and I think he certainly found his calling writing in that universe, though it's nice he got to pen his own characters here and there.
It took me a little over two weeks to read this book, which is not unusual, but for some reason I kept losing the narrative and forgetting which minor characters were which. I suspect this is more my failing than the author, but it seemed unusual so was worth noting. While I didn't completely love this ride, I'm almost compelled to read it again next year for this reason, to see if I get more out of it when able to keep up with the cast more adequately.
April 1, 2013
In this 2nd installment of the adventures of Hobart Floyt and Alacrity Fitzhugh, the reader is once again caught up immediately in sharing the trials and tribulations of the spacefaring duo. As the story progresses, we learn more about the forces working against the pair, the true Terran Inheritance, and more about Alacrity's past. The harried and hounded friends manage to survive one mishap after another, and gain vital information along the way, that makes the ending of this book absolutely riveting. Brian Daley is at his best with this book, his writing captivates the reader with vivid descriptions of the environment to the point you really feel you have "been there", and the interaction of the two friends is such that it often seems as if these are people you really know. Very highly recommended!
January 30, 2017
Not as immediately engaging as its predecessor, the second installment of the Floyt/Fitzhugh saga eventually picks up steam about 1/2 way through and ultimately succeeds thanks to author Brian Daley's rakish prose and entertaining characters. The overall vibe hearkens back to the cliffhanger serials of yore, with our hapless heroes seeming to fall into the hands of (ill) fate more than one could even remotely consider "lucky". While a bit sluggish in parts, it still leaves one yearning for the continued exploits and eager to delve into the next novel. Pity Daley didn't continue the adventures before he passed away. Also a pity that nobody has considered these novels for either a film or TV series (though one wonders if anybody could do them justice outside the written medium they currently exist in).
February 19, 2016
I would have rated it higher, had I begun at #1. Usually I just read with only a mild target intended, and then integrate. I'd avoided science fiction through no fault of the genre and jump in, finding a direction after learning the terrain.
In this case, from my perspective, it got only 3 stars because it reminded me a bit of Dvorak. For the engrossed, the understanding, the fans, it makes perfect sense. For me, there's a lot going on. Maybe too much. Maybe unpaced for my tiny little mind. Or like the third episode of Star Wars: so much had to happen to get it to fit that it was forced.
I understand why many reviewers give it 4 or more stars. Dvorak is famous in classical circles after all.
In this case, from my perspective, it got only 3 stars because it reminded me a bit of Dvorak. For the engrossed, the understanding, the fans, it makes perfect sense. For me, there's a lot going on. Maybe too much. Maybe unpaced for my tiny little mind. Or like the third episode of Star Wars: so much had to happen to get it to fit that it was forced.
I understand why many reviewers give it 4 or more stars. Dvorak is famous in classical circles after all.
January 18, 2016
The story is very episodic. Some episodes are gripping, creative and funny. Other episodes are boring, meandering or hard to follow. The vocabulary can get pretty obscure, which is sometimes fun and sometimes annoying. Not as good as the first book, but there are more good parts than bad.
January 27, 2016
Once again Brian Daley writes a great story that blends just enough humor with the action to keep you laughing as you are swept along with the characters in the adventure. Excellent 2nd book in the trilogy, I am eagerly looking forward to the 3rd book. Highly recommended
July 17, 2025
a fun follow-up to the 1st in the series.
February 6, 2012
I forgot how much of the story (all of book 3) takes place AFTER they get back to Earth. Still love these books, tho!
May 18, 2012
I have read this too many times to count. :)
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November 4, 2013Good addition to the series.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews