Re: "Starter Villain" by John Scalzi

On 7/05/25 15:41, BCFD 36 wrote:

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!

How would the potential listener judge whether a book was worth reading
if it did not have a cover?
I understand that in the US (where Scalzi is), a blue tie represents a
Democrat political party supporter. To begin with, what cat would wear a
Windsor knot?