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Tex Murphy #4
Tex Murphy and the Poisoned Pawn
There are no heroes anymore...only villains of varying degrees...From the author of "Tex Murphy and the Tesla Effect", "Tex Murphy and the Pandora Directive" and "Tex Under a Killing Moon" comes the latest exciting adventure in the series.It’s November, 2050 and Tex Murphy, P.I. is fresh off a mid-life crisis…but not the fun kind. First, his memory of the past seven years was mysteriously erased. Then he found out his dream girl, Chelsee, was long gone. And now his bank account—which got inexplicably fat during his lost years—is back to skin and bones.Fate has dealt Tex some lousy cards, but he has one ace in the hole. During his just-completed case, he turned up a secret bit of information worth a “king’s ransom”. Or so he was told by a new player in the game, the enigmatic Count St. Germain, who seemed more than ready to deal.But before Tex can determine what a king’s ransom comes to in 2050 dollars, St. Germain raises the Tex has played a pivotal role in four potentially world-changing events over the past thirteen years (six, depending on your definition of "world-changing") and St. Germain suspects this hasn’t happened by accident; a “Man Behind the Curtain” has made Tex an unwitting pawn in an unknown game. And it all seems to have started during Tex’s very first case.With St. Germain’s unique assistance, Tex travels into the past, recounting the story of his first case, back in 2037. Together, they find new connections between all of Tex’s cases and pick up the trail of the unknown puppet master. A shocking discovery awaits about what happened all those years ago…and how those events are about to change Tex’s future.
261 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
March 17, 2021
Another great entry in the Tex Murphy series.
Mr. Conners has given us quite a long wait with this one, but what a wait it was.
As someone who struggled through “Mean Streets” and was unable to play “Overseer,” “The Poisoned Pawn” is a true treat for Tex Murphy fans.
This book is the perfect combination of Sherlock Holmes, Sam Spade, and Indiana Jones as our requisite hero, Mr. Tex Murphy, both deals with the fallout of his latest case and confronts the known and unknown truths of his first case as an independent private detective. Aaron Conners is a heck of a writer and has managed to provide a hero who is dashing and reserved, intelligent and innocent, and despite the fact that he has saved the world several times over, needs a reminder to get a good (and greasy) meal now and again.
The narrative is crisp and clear, and Conners’ voice for Murphy is evident. Every line exudes Chris Jones’ Tex Murphy, and it is a sheer pleasure to read.
The story deals with established narrative, but adds a new framing story to the mix. I won’t provide any spoilers, but man, what an ending. I assuredly speak for Mr. Conners’ dear readers when I say that we need a conclusion to this cliffhanger as soon as possible. Don’t leave us hanging!
What a great book, and what a joy to read. Here’s hoping that the game based upon the novel will finally come out soon!
Mr. Conners has given us quite a long wait with this one, but what a wait it was.
As someone who struggled through “Mean Streets” and was unable to play “Overseer,” “The Poisoned Pawn” is a true treat for Tex Murphy fans.
This book is the perfect combination of Sherlock Holmes, Sam Spade, and Indiana Jones as our requisite hero, Mr. Tex Murphy, both deals with the fallout of his latest case and confronts the known and unknown truths of his first case as an independent private detective. Aaron Conners is a heck of a writer and has managed to provide a hero who is dashing and reserved, intelligent and innocent, and despite the fact that he has saved the world several times over, needs a reminder to get a good (and greasy) meal now and again.
The narrative is crisp and clear, and Conners’ voice for Murphy is evident. Every line exudes Chris Jones’ Tex Murphy, and it is a sheer pleasure to read.
The story deals with established narrative, but adds a new framing story to the mix. I won’t provide any spoilers, but man, what an ending. I assuredly speak for Mr. Conners’ dear readers when I say that we need a conclusion to this cliffhanger as soon as possible. Don’t leave us hanging!
What a great book, and what a joy to read. Here’s hoping that the game based upon the novel will finally come out soon!
May 26, 2021
Aaron Conners did it again, channeling Tex Murphy brilliantly! Every syllable, each nuance are straight-up Tex. Chandler Avenue, as well as many other scenes from the Tex Murphy adventure games series, played crisp and clear in my mind's eye. I've read Under A Killing Moon, The Pandora Directive, and Tesla Effect, but this novel surprised me with many startling twists, and an allusion to potential tidings lurking just out of sight. High praise to Aaron Conners! Hi definitely recommend The Poisoned Pawn!!!
February 19, 2021
If you are reading this, you may know who the character is, with it's witty and charming personality. Reading Tex Murphy's novels is like reading a good friend's diary, only your real friends lives (I dare to say) are not that interesting.
Now, about Tex Murphy and the Poisoned Pawn. The core of the story is a retelling of his first case. If you have played the TM: Overseer game, you know most of it, though in it's written form it is more consistent and a few changes make it more exciting, as Tex's life is in danger and time is running out. The most memorable scenes, as Gideon's monologue, are there, and some cheesy moments are corrected (no inflatable doll here).
The story starts and finishes in the present, with a shocking ending I couldn't stop reading. (I'm not going to spoil it, you'll have to read the book). It may well be the best Tex Murphy novel to date, and it has the bonus of being available before the game.
Now, about Tex Murphy and the Poisoned Pawn. The core of the story is a retelling of his first case. If you have played the TM: Overseer game, you know most of it, though in it's written form it is more consistent and a few changes make it more exciting, as Tex's life is in danger and time is running out. The most memorable scenes, as Gideon's monologue, are there, and some cheesy moments are corrected (no inflatable doll here).
The story starts and finishes in the present, with a shocking ending I couldn't stop reading. (I'm not going to spoil it, you'll have to read the book). It may well be the best Tex Murphy novel to date, and it has the bonus of being available before the game.
September 25, 2022
I only played one Tex Murphy Game so far so i was pretty confused by the Ending of the Book.
As far as i understand it, you have to play all Tex Murphy Games to fully understand the Story in this Book. But that is really the only little "Problem" i have.
The Book was a very enjoyable read. It captured the Essence of the Games really good.
I guess i have to read the other Tex Murphy Books too ;)
As far as i understand it, you have to play all Tex Murphy Games to fully understand the Story in this Book. But that is really the only little "Problem" i have.
The Book was a very enjoyable read. It captured the Essence of the Games really good.
I guess i have to read the other Tex Murphy Books too ;)
May 18, 2021
Good extra , for the Tex Murphy story.
May 21, 2021
Text book Tex, but a bit of an inconclusive conclusion.
Maybe this is part 1, and it's to continue? If so, I'll buy it!
Maybe this is part 1, and it's to continue? If so, I'll buy it!
February 11, 2023
If you have enjoyed the other books in the series, the you will enjoy this book. FYI it ends on a cliffhanger.
March 29, 2021
I should have written this review just after reading the book... so, I will keep it short
I recall from 4 years ago: this was, for me, the second best Tex Murphy book of the 4 released until then. The original game, Overseer, is almost good. In fact, the story is interesting, but the system is a bit boring. I recommend reading the book instead of playing. It´s streamlined, and very interesting. I confess that, in the game, I missed Rook, Louie and the whole gang. But in the book, I love them not being there: the jokes with them are so constant in every other book, it´s great to get a little break.
The prelude/prologue, that are not in the game, are very good.
I recall from 4 years ago: this was, for me, the second best Tex Murphy book of the 4 released until then. The original game, Overseer, is almost good. In fact, the story is interesting, but the system is a bit boring. I recommend reading the book instead of playing. It´s streamlined, and very interesting. I confess that, in the game, I missed Rook, Louie and the whole gang. But in the book, I love them not being there: the jokes with them are so constant in every other book, it´s great to get a little break.
The prelude/prologue, that are not in the game, are very good.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews