Terry Pratchett: A Life With Footnotes: The Official Biography by Rob Wilkins

 

Terry Pratchett: A Life With Footnotes: The Official Biography by Rob Wilkins
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This hardback had been sitting on my shelf since it was released, pre-ordered as soon as it was announced and delivered promptly by Amazon. However unlike Shepherd's Crown which I devoured straight away this felt like the end and well we always want to put things off as long as possible. Naturally after reading this incredibly moving, insightful and educational endeavour by Rob Wilkins with the aid of copious notes from Terry and his many friends and family I wish I had opened the book straight away. There is consolation in seeing someone you consider a legend be nothing more than a human being with a few gifts and a drive which can set them apart. The look at Terry as a boy and then a young man laying the groundwork for what was to come was inspirational yet it was all so normal. That doesn't mean anyone could do it, no there was something special about Terry and by extension all those that do wonderful things to benefit themselves and the world and in this book we see aspects of the man's character known only to those closest to him. I was never one to rush to get an autograph and subscribed to the never meet your heroes mindset but Terry was a man who if you caught him at the right time would make things all good and worthwhile if only for those moments you shared while he signed a book.


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Hair Raising by Kevin J. Anderson

 

Hair Raising by Kevin J. Anderson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Trouble is brewing from within the Werewolf community, who knew that those that transform under the full moon would would have issues with those that are werewolves all year around and vice versa but they do and combined with a spate of scalping it looks like the hair will certainly fly. Meanwhile Body Building can now be taken quite literally especially with the 24 hour body part emporium and online stores that will for a price supply whatever you need (documentation and proof of donation supplied). It is the fall out from this new enterprise that is Dan's central case, hired by Coroner Archibald Victor who received some dodgy body parts and is seeking redress Dan finds himself in the middle of a conspiracy with questionable funeral practices and a visit to the Zombie Godfather which is never a good thing.
This third novel in the series is perhaps the most complex so far, lots of plot threads and character storylines which weave amongst themselves before all being wrapped up to a given level of satisfaction for those involved. For the ready, well this was a very entertaining read and lots adventures with the Zombie PI and associates.

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Unnatural Acts by Kevin J. Anderson

 

Unnatural Acts by Kevin J. Anderson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Zombie PI Dan Chambeaux returns for his second adventure in the novel "Unnatural Acts" along with his lawyer partner Robin Deyer and all round girl friday Sheyenne (girlfriend and ghost) plus Officer Toby McGoohan his BHF (Best Human Friend). The plea of an escaped Golem brings to light the exploitation of Golems who have been slaving away to produce cheap knick knacks, this in turns reveals a concerted attempt to gentrify areas of the Quarter with big business and organised crime hiding in the shadows. Even worse is Senator Rupert Balfour who is quite happy to stoke up resentment and hatred for all non-humans upto the point of inciting violence and using the confusion and hysteria to get a bill past which can ultimately strip all non-humans of any rights.
Throw in the always complicated aspect of prostitution in the form of the Full Moon Brothel and the ghost of a famous bank robber not to mention the ghost of Harvey Jekyll then Dan and his friends have a lot on their plate none of it as yummy as is served in the 24 hour Ghoul’s Diner.
I'm really beginning to enjoy this series, Dan is a noir character in a setting which is very well constructed and the almost overabundant "monsters" let alone all shades of human will allow for many a tale to be told.

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Death Warmed Over by Kevin J. Anderson

 

Death Warmed Over by Kevin J. Anderson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Welcome to the world of Dan Chambeaux Private Investigator.
After a bizarre sequence of events (The Big Uneasy) the world changed and all the classic monsters and supernatural "terrors" became real, for Dan who had recently been murdered while investigating the death of his girl friend this meant digging himself out of his grave and living his afterlife as a Zombie. Dan being Dan just meant he continued being a PI but now he had his own murder to solve. Of course paying clients are a must have so a Vampire convinced someone is out to get him, a Mummy suing the museum for his freedom, Witches suing a published for poor spell checking on a spell book and various other distractions occupy Dan's day, oh yes the original murder of his girlfriend needs to be solved, fortunately she came back as Ghost and with minor poltergeist powers now works in the office. Life is never dull in the Unnatural Quarter and being dead once doesn't mean it can't happen a second time and well wear and tear for a Zombie is a big issue.
Death Warmed Over is a very satisfying introduction to the world of Dan Chambeaux aka Dan Shamble and the world that Kevin has created to allow his character to play within is fascinating and only begun to be explored. The main characters have a Noir feel to them (Classic PI) and the humour both with the narrative and characterisation comes through strong. This and other stories within the series was part of a Kickstarter reward and it hasn't disappointed, highly recommended.


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