We'll Always Have Parrots (Meg Langslow Mysteries)
Registered by 
GoryDetails
of Nashua, New Hampshire USA on 1/26/2008
This Book is Currently in the Wild!
GoryDetails of Nashua, New Hampshire USA on 1/26/2008 This Book is Currently in the Wild!
1 journaler for this copy...
I first discovered this book via the hardcover edition from the bargain rack at Barnes and Noble, and loved it so much that I got several copies (click here to see where they've all gotten to), with this one - a fair-condition paperback from Annie's Bookstop - the most recent.
The story's about a murder mystery at a fan convention, and it reminded me a lot of the very funny Bimbos of the Death Sun. [That one deals with a fantasy convention and this one's about the fans of a cult TV show, but there's a lot of overlap!]
The heroine, Meg, has a fiance who has a minor role on a cult TV show, and she tags along with him to a fan convention. [She's a blacksmith, as it happens, and has some swords and other ironmongery to take along to the dealer's room. Is this a marriage made in heaven, or what?] As the show is set in an exotic locale, somebody has the bright idea to decorate the hotel in jungle style, complete with live parrots and monkeys - hence the title, and a good deal of chaotic humor.
I knew from early on that this was going to be funny; the name of the cult TV show, for example, is Porfiria, Queen of the Jungle, and I was sniggering at the use of a rather nasty medical condition as the name of a fantasy heroine long before the reasons for this were explained in the story. [Yes, there's a reason; yes, it's very funny. And yes, "Porfiria" would be a great fantasy-character name. {grin}]
As in Bimbos, this story's both a pastiche and a homage to fandom; its quirks are highlighted, but so are its temptations and delights. And the writing's lively and very, very funny. [Minor-but-fun spoiler - select blank space to see: It shows attention to detail as well; what with all those parrots at the hotel it's perfectly believable that one of them would begin to imitate the "ding" sound of an arriving elevator, thereby causing much confusion to guests waiting for a lift!] There are little references to computer geekery and forensic TV shows and even slash fan-fiction, and wonderful digs between the characters. Oh, and the mystery's OK too! Definitely recommended.
[I was tickled to discover that the wonderful "Unshelved" comic strip featured We'll Always Have Parrots in its October 1 Book Club strip - check it out!]
The story's about a murder mystery at a fan convention, and it reminded me a lot of the very funny Bimbos of the Death Sun. [That one deals with a fantasy convention and this one's about the fans of a cult TV show, but there's a lot of overlap!]
The heroine, Meg, has a fiance who has a minor role on a cult TV show, and she tags along with him to a fan convention. [She's a blacksmith, as it happens, and has some swords and other ironmongery to take along to the dealer's room. Is this a marriage made in heaven, or what?] As the show is set in an exotic locale, somebody has the bright idea to decorate the hotel in jungle style, complete with live parrots and monkeys - hence the title, and a good deal of chaotic humor.
I knew from early on that this was going to be funny; the name of the cult TV show, for example, is Porfiria, Queen of the Jungle, and I was sniggering at the use of a rather nasty medical condition as the name of a fantasy heroine long before the reasons for this were explained in the story. [Yes, there's a reason; yes, it's very funny. And yes, "Porfiria" would be a great fantasy-character name. {grin}]
As in Bimbos, this story's both a pastiche and a homage to fandom; its quirks are highlighted, but so are its temptations and delights. And the writing's lively and very, very funny. [Minor-but-fun spoiler - select blank space to see: It shows attention to detail as well; what with all those parrots at the hotel it's perfectly believable that one of them would begin to imitate the "ding" sound of an arriving elevator, thereby causing much confusion to guests waiting for a lift!] There are little references to computer geekery and forensic TV shows and even slash fan-fiction, and wonderful digs between the characters. Oh, and the mystery's OK too! Definitely recommended.
[I was tickled to discover that the wonderful "Unshelved" comic strip featured We'll Always Have Parrots in its October 1 Book Club strip - check it out!]
Journal Entry 2 by GoryDetails at J Beaner's cafe, 25 Rt. 101A in Amherst, New Hampshire USA on Sunday, February 10, 2008
GoryDetails at J Beaner's cafe, 25 Rt. 101A in Amherst, New Hampshire USA on Sunday, February 10, 2008
Released 16 yrs ago (2/10/2008 UTC) at J Beaner's cafe, 25 Rt. 101A in Amherst, New Hampshire USA
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
RELEASE NOTES:
I left this book in one of the baskets on the wall near the fireplace inside J. Beaner's at around 2:45. Hope the finder enjoys it!
I left this book in one of the baskets on the wall near the fireplace inside J. Beaner's at around 2:45. Hope the finder enjoys it!
