Review: The Dorians

The Dorians by Nick Cutter
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book caught my eye at Indigo on my trip to Vancouver, BC (the Granville store to be precise), and I put down a nice red C$50 note on this, plus a goosey little bag to store my souvenirs. And let me tell you, it was money well spent. A uniquely Canadian spin on certain Frankenstein tropes, with a touch of Jurassic Park and Cocoon in the DNA, it’s a fast paced and very creepy sci fi horror story about a group of oldsters pulled out of their MAID consultations (yes, in the event of a film adaptation it’ll have to be Canadian or else that part will really have to be changed) to be subject to the experimental whims of a teenage super genius. It’s perfect for spooky season, and only after I got my copy up north did I see that Beaverton library had it too. But I’ll be using the library to instead work my way through Cutter’s backlist…

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Review: Heaven's River

Heaven's River by Dennis E. Taylor
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The Bobiverse was starting to lose me with Book 3, but this book, nearly double the length of its predecessor, nevertheless held my interest far better than All These Worlds ever did. Part of the reason for that, I think, was because it predominantly follows the Bobs on one particular world, getting a deep dive into the culture of the seemingly cute and cuddly - but also very smart and cunning - Quinlan species. But also, part of it was the fact that I brought my library copy of the book on a road trip to the author's homeland, and I was able to sit and read some bits and pieces of it up near the scenic views of the Capilano Reservoir above North Vancouver, BC. Though the book did drag on a bit longer than it should have, it was the intricacies of Quinlan culture that made me appreciate it the most, and now I can safely say I'm truly ready for the fifth (and final?) book.

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Review: All These Worlds

All These Worlds by Dennis E. Taylor
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

So…originally, this was the end of the series? Before Saga Press bought it up and reissued all the hardcovers, plus text editions of the follow up Audible originals? That is, if I have my understanding of this series and its jump from indie to mainstream correctly. I probably don’t, but then again, I can say the same about Dungeon Crawler Carl. Similarly to that series, just as I suspected, this one is starting to very slowly lose me, but for the opposite reason. Whereas Dinniman’s books sprawl like a Southern California metropolis, this series has turned into less of a single story and more of a collection of vignettes that happen to take place over a long period of time. And over that time, the whip smart social commentary of the earlier books fades away, even while the book tries to explore more of the alien societies the Bobs meet. I’ll keep reading at least through book 4, but I may just find myself giving up after that. We’ll see.

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Review: Track of the Cat

Track of the Cat by Nevada Barr
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The first entry in this long running series that’s been on my periphery for years, it only crossed my radar for real with the release of the new USA/Crave TV series adaptation, whose first episode takes the story of this book and transplants the setting from Guadalupe Mountain National Park in Texas to Glacier National Park in Montana. The series got me good because of how much it throws back to the Blue Sky era on USA Network, but this book is definitely a bite sized bit of darkness in comparison. It definitely has a certain Western eye for detail, especially with certain bits of political commentary about Texans and their conservatism and disdain for big government - some of which still hold up today, despite the right wing becoming the very big government they love to preach against. Unlike the TV series, these books, as I understand it, take place in different parks on each installment, which will be a fun vibe to see - especially since it makes me think of Reacher, but make him a lady ranger instead.

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Review: Coastal Views to Die For

Coastal Views to Die For by Sam Lumley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Oliver and Ricky are back for a second travel assignment that turns into a murder mystery, this time set in the fictional Rose Beach on the Oregon coast. While the first book somewhat riffs on Glass Onion by dealing with a stupid and obnoxious tech bro CEO, this book is much more Knives Out as it deals with a toxic family whose secrets are coming out in the will. Additionally, the relationship between Oliver and Ricky develops in unexpected ways, not as sunshine and roses as the book’s cozy vibe would have you expect…but stick with it, and we’ll all be rewarded. This series is definitely one I’ll be following as long as it continues!

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Review: How to Have a Killer Time in D.C.

How to Have a Killer Time in D.C. by Sam Lumley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Here’s a series that’s just right for me: a gay, autistic travel writer based in the Bay Area gets an assignment in DC and becomes an unlikely detective after witnessing a death involving a self driving car. Being set in DC, there’s no shortage of political references, including some veiled jabs in the eye at Trump and his traitorous acts, but also a bit at Elon Musk, lampooned (as it were) by Moonshot Motors CEO Kelso King. Though King more closely resembles Musk’s brother Kimball with his Texas aesthetic (and he’s allegedly the son of an oilman), the faulty EV’s and absolutely obvious lack of critical thinking skills are so Musk, it hurts. But hey, this book gives us a far more positive autistic role model with Oliver Popp (DON’T call him “Ollie”), and his love interest Ricky (aka Tariq) is a very well fleshed out character too. Being biracial, Ricky’s very name is an example of code switching. And unlike the reserved Oliver, he’s gregarious enough to perfectly match his energy in an “opposites attract” way. I’ve already got the sequel coming soon on my TBR too, promising a trip to the lovely Oregon coast…

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Review: Stumptown, vol. 4: The Case of a Cup of Joe

Stumptown, vol. 4: The Case of a Cup of Joe by Greg Rucka
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The fourth and (sadly) final volume of Greg Rucka's Stumptown saga is absolutely the most Portland of them all, not least of which because it deals in a Barista Mafia whose members are all trying to outdo one another on the world-class PDX coffee scene. This book, more than either the second or third before it, would've made a terrific episode or arc in the ABC series - and it also makes the strongest case for why there needs to be a full fledged film series adaptation of Stumptown getting all four graphic novels properly adapted and then some. This series, this franchise, does not get enough love in the world, and I should've read these years ago when the ABC show first came out.

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