Month: October 2020

Star Cops

Star Cops

by Chris Boucher (Head Music, 2013)

Boucher_Star Cops

A blanket title under which Boucher reworks his scripts from the ill-fated Star Cops TV programme. The resulting novella and four sequentially developing novelettes feature snappy dialogue and intelligent, environment-specific crime scenarios playing out against a backdrop of uncommonly realistic inner-solar-system SF.

 

 

Bloodshot

Bloodshot

dir. David S. F. Wilson (2020)

Wilson_Bloodshot

A relatively straightforward and palatable SF action movie based (loosely) around nanite technology. The acting is pretty good (within its weight division) and the twists aren’t entirely gratuitous. The cinematography, however, admits to some lamentable computer rendering in place of live-action filming.

 

 

Grave Sight

Grave Sight

by Charlaine Harris (Berkley, 2005); audiobook read by Alyssa Bresnahan (Clipper, 2005)

Harris_Grave Sight

Full marks for concept and characterisation, the latter of which benefits in particular from Alyssa Bresnahan’s audiobook reading. The mystery itself, however, falls into that category where the intricacies of plot work better in the writer’s head than as a functioning whodunnit.

 

 

The Case of the Missing Marquess

The Case of the Missing Marquess

by Nancy Springer (Penguin, 2006)

Springer_Case Missing Marquess

Though lacking the preternatural powers of deductive reasoning made famous by her older brother, 14-year-old Enola Holmes is determined and resourceful and promises much as a protagonist. This first mystery is ever-so-slightly underwhelming yet provides the necessary backstory for adventures to come.

 

 

Fatherhood: Stories About Being a Dad

Fatherhood: Stories About Being a Dad

by William McInnes (Hachette, 2018); audiobook read by William McInnes (W F Howes, 2018)

McInnes_Fatherhood

McInnes reflects upon his own journey as a father but also, with the benefit of passing years, upon childhood experiences and his dad’s parenting. Discursive but always with purpose; wistful yet laugh-out-loud funny; McInnes is a natural storyteller (and narrator). Highly recommended.

 

 

Doctor Who: The Macros

Doctor Who: The Macros

by Ingrid Pitt & Tony Rudlin (Big Finish, 2010)

Pitt_Rudlin_Macros

A well-acted production of a script that offers few surprises. The Doctor becomes embroiled in but unable to change history (the Philadelphia Experiment), the basis of his inability to interfere is glossed over, and a thoroughly one-dimensional tyrant revels in her machinations.

 

 

Murder Most Unladylike

Murder Most Unladylike

by Robin Stevens (Puffin, 2014); audiobook read by Gemma Chan (Random House, 2015)

Stevens_Murder Most Unladylike

A school story murder mystery set in 1930s England. While middle-grade readers will quickly come to love the Deepdean Boarding School for Girls—its idiosyncrasies presented through Hong Kongese student Hazel Wong’s refreshingly non-English narrative perspective—the mystery investigation itself remains underwhelming.

 

 

The Sarah Jane Adventures, Series 1

The Sarah Jane Adventures, Series 1

(CBBH, 2007)

Sarah Jane Adventures 1

A cleverly conceived Doctor Who spinoff, aimed at a younger audience but with sufficiently well-executed SF (both serious and Slitheen-level over-the-top) to keep adults interested. While Elisabeth Sladen is top-billed, her teen co-stars prove equally capable. The half-hour two-parters format works nicely.

 

 

The Complete Peanuts: 1976 to 1976

The Complete Peanuts: 1975 to 1976

by Charles M. Schulz (Fantagraphics, 2010)

Schulz_Complete Peanuts 1975-1976

An ever-so-slightly flat couple of years. Schulz remains head-and-shoulders above the competition but takes a few missteps in his search for new storylines and characters. Though not entirely efficacious, the attempted reinvigoration demonstrates an intent to pursue rather than rest upon laurels.

 

 

Knock Three Times

Knock Three Times

by Cressida Cowell (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2019); audiobook read by David Tennant (Bolinda, 2020)

Cowell_Knock Three Times

Magic, conflict, adventure and silliness. This third instalment of Cowell’s Wizards of Once series treads water to an extent but also moves elements into place for a dramatic finale in books to come. David Tennant’s audiobook reading is as exuberant as ever.

 

 

Derelict Space Sheep