If you already look down (at least somewhat) on those who enjoy science fiction (and especially those that may attend "fan conventions") then this might be a book you want to read.
The humor that is here is of a lower negative type and the "mystery" is basic and not really the "star" of the show. I looked these 2 up after learning of their existence, and was disappointed. While I wouldn't say I was a fan of her other work (I suspect that they might appeal more to readers who like heavier romance elements) I hadn't found them too bad. This book's attitude was also a little surprising to me in another way, as I grew up in Eastern Tennessee and I've read a few of her other books where she does a fair job of showing Appalachian mountain culture and folklore at least somewhat accurately. They are "Jay Omega 1 and 2.)While I find her understanding of those fans weak in both books this is by far the most.insensitive. This is one of 2 books by McCrumb that are apparently an attempt to "poke fun" at science fiction fandom. It seems that publishers, editors, film makers, and fan paraphernalia manufactures are happy to make money off these people but still feel free to look down on them. We are also treated to the picture of over weight and desperate women who will "settle" for the pimply unwashed denizens of science fiction fandom. Also it seems that (at least if this book is to be believed) most of these poor benighted people are also over weight and socially inept (possibly even "unwashed" and "smelly"). It seems that along with those who are over weight and a few other groups science fiction/fantasy fans are fair game for the kind of humor that if aimed at most any other group would not be tolerated. I'm not sure why it's "okay" to look down on those who enjoy imaginative pass times. I hope that McCrumb wasn't trying for the insulting and condescending tone that seems to permeate this book. In what I assume is an attempt at parody we go to a science Fiction convention where we are all assured that "we" (the readers of the mystery genre I suppose) are far superior to these pathetic examples of humanity.fairly jarring if you happen to enjoy science fiction yourself.
There are also a truck load of caricatures and stereotypes, cruel ones at that. There is some humor here and a (sort of) murder mystery. The writer is however (at least in my humble opinion) capable of better, much better. If you like them happily it's a free country. So as mentioned I did get that the books are meant to be a burlesque. Even though I enjoy fantasy and science fiction I do possess at least a modicum of intelligence, you know just enough for basic reasoning.
I do realize that, I didn't miss it.really. "These" (Jay Omega 1 &2) are presented as satire or spoof. The writer is however (at least in my humble opinion) capable of Originally posted 2009 updated 2016
Originally posted 2009 updated 2016 "These" (Jay Omega 1 &2) are presented as satire or spoof. Beautifully observed, funny, nicely constructed, even compassionate." *Robert Silverberg From the Paperback edition.more While die-hard fans of Dungannon's seemingly endless sword-and-sorcery series wonder how they'll go on and hucksters wonder how much they can get for the dead man's autograph, a hapless cop wonders, Who would want to kill Appin Dungannon? But the real question, as the harried convention organizers know, is Who wouldn't ? But somewhere between the costume contest and the exhibition Dungeons & Dragons game, Dungannon gets done in. Hurling insults and furniture with equal abandon, the terrible, tiny author proceeds to alienate ersatz aliens and make-believe warriors at warp speed. and whose gleeful disdain for his fawning fans is legendary. Now the halls are alive with Trekkies, tech nerds, and fantasy gamers in their Viking finery *all of them eager to hail their hero, bestselling fantasy author Appin Dungannon: a diminutive despot whose towering ego more than compensates for his 5' 1" height. Now the halls are alive with Trekkies, tech nerds, and fantasy gamers in their Viking finery *all of them eager to hail their hero, bestselling fantasy author Appin Dungannon: a diminutive despot whose towering ego more than compensates for For one fateful weekend, the annual science fiction and fantasy convention, Rubicon, has all but taken over a usually ordinary hotel. For one fateful weekend, the annual science fiction and fantasy convention, Rubicon, has all but taken over a usually ordinary hotel.