Re: "Starter Villain" by John Scalzi

On 5/5/25 16:20, Lynn McGuire wrote:

"Starter Villain" by John Scalzi
    https://www.amazon.com/Starter-Villain-John-Scalzi/dp/1250879396/
 A standalone science fiction book, no prequel or sequel.  I read the well printed and well bound trade paperback published by Tor Books in 2023.  A sequel would be cool.  There is a very nice short story at the end of the book.
 Charlie is down and out on his luck.  He lives by himself with his cat, Hera, in his Dad's old house.  His three older half siblings are constantly after him to sell the house so they can get their shares of the proceeds.  Charlie used to work as a reporter for the Chicago Tribune but he was laid off and then his Dad got sick.  After his Dad passed away, he now works as a substitute teacher.  Paying for the utilities and taxes on the house are difficult at best with his limited funds.  Especially since he and Hera like to eat occasionally.
 But, Charlie sees on CNBC Morning Squawk Box that his billionaire reclusive uncle Jake, a major owner of parking garages across of the USA, has passed away.  His uncle was his mother's older brother, his mother who passed away in a strange car wreck when Charlie was five years old.  And then Charlie's life goes wild as a beautiful woman contacts Charlie about him hosting the viewing and burial of his uncle in their hometown.  The viewing of his uncles body is very contentious with several obvious henchmen showing up to view the body.  One guy even tries to stab his uncles body to make sure that he is "dead this time".
 I love the cover of the book.  It conveys a mysteriousness about the book immediately.  I showed the book cover to my 83 year old mother who promptly said that she wanted to read the book next so she has it now.
 The author has a fairly active website / blog at:
    https://whatever.scalzi.com/
 My rating:  5 out of 5 stars
Amazon rating:  4.5 out of 5 stars (13.025 reviews)
 Lynn
 

I listened to it while doing my organlegger job, driving from Boulder Creek to Stanford and back, or BC to San Francisco and back, or BC to Sacramento and back. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Lots of interesting twists. I can recommend it.
I can't comment on the printing, binding, or covers since those don't really come across well in audio format. But the narration was top notch!
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Dave Scruggs
Senior Software Engineer - Lockheed Martin, et. al (mostly Retired)
Captain - Boulder Creek Fire (Retired)
Board of Directors - Boulder Creek Fire Protection District (What was I thinking?)