What do you think?
Rate this book
Fan Mail
In a thriller narrated entirely through e-mails, letters, faxes, messages, memos, and transcripts, beautiful newscaster Joan Carpenter is stalked by a crazed fan
416 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published August 1, 1993
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
November 4, 2019
What I Did Like:
-The Formatting. This book is written entirely in the form of memos, faxes, phone messages, and emails. It’s a different and interesting way to write a book and (for the most part) it worked for this story. It added to the tension of the story and kept you guessing.
-The mystery is solid. I like to be surprised by my mystery books (you probably know that by now) and this one delivered. I didn’t have it all figured out and I enjoyed the ride.
-Joan. She’s a solid character. I like her attitude, her ambition, and her sense of humor. I already mentioned there were a few cliche characters rolling around in this book, but Joan was a breath of fresh air to that stale cast. I’m glad she was our lead character.
Who Should Read This One:
-If you are looking for something different, give this formatting a try.
-If you like a mystery to keep you guessing and even have scary moments, you’ll like this one.
My Rating: 4 Stars. I like the originality.
For Full Review (including what I didn’t like): https://youtu.be/JhyVFi3TnN8
-The Formatting. This book is written entirely in the form of memos, faxes, phone messages, and emails. It’s a different and interesting way to write a book and (for the most part) it worked for this story. It added to the tension of the story and kept you guessing.
-The mystery is solid. I like to be surprised by my mystery books (you probably know that by now) and this one delivered. I didn’t have it all figured out and I enjoyed the ride.
-Joan. She’s a solid character. I like her attitude, her ambition, and her sense of humor. I already mentioned there were a few cliche characters rolling around in this book, but Joan was a breath of fresh air to that stale cast. I’m glad she was our lead character.
Who Should Read This One:
-If you are looking for something different, give this formatting a try.
-If you like a mystery to keep you guessing and even have scary moments, you’ll like this one.
My Rating: 4 Stars. I like the originality.
For Full Review (including what I didn’t like): https://youtu.be/JhyVFi3TnN8
August 15, 2026
Laut Werbetext ist „Fan Mail“ der „erste Briefroman des elektronischen Zeitalters“. Das Konzept funktionierte überraschend gut: Über Briefe, Faxe, Telefonate oder Anrufbeantworternachrichten, später Protokolle oder Mitschnitte eines Diktiergeräts, bekam man die Handlung erzählt, hauptsächlich von der Fernsehmoderatorin Joan, die im Mittelpunkt der Aktionen des „Wächters“ stand. Weitere Blickwinkel steuerten ihr Agent Dan und ihre Schwester Jane durch ihre Antworten bei, ferner die interne Polizeikommunikation sowie der Nightbeat-Sendungschef Fishwater.
Ich mochte Joan und Dan sofort, die hin- und hergeschickten Nachrichten taten ein Gutes, ihre Persönlichkeiten, vor allem ihren Humor, abzubilden. Negativ fielen mir hingegen bisweilen Abschweifungen oder die zu ausführliche Reflexion der Geschehnisse, auf.
Der Thrill-Faktor war nicht ausnehmend hoch, ich hätte mir vielleicht noch ein paar weitere Wächter-Briefe gewünscht, aber jeder der vorkommenden Kontaktaufnahmen fesselte mich. Meine Lieblingsszene war das Öffnen des mysteriösen Paktes am Anfang im Studio, weil dessen Inhalt (SPOILER) – die Hoden eines Zeitungsjournalisten, der Joanies Sendung zuvor zerrissen hatte – (SPOILER ENDE) so völlig überraschend kam.
Wer hinter dem „Wächter“ steckte, konnte ich hingegen bereits im ersten Drittel erahnen. Normalerweise errate ich den Täter nie, weshalb es auch ein Zufall sein kann, aber (SPOILER) als in einem Polizeibericht erwähnt wurde, dass Alexis Hartz „Stars sammle“ und Joanie möglicherweise deshalb das Haus neben ihrem eigenen beschafft habe, hatte ich sie sofort im Verdacht. Kurze Zeit später wurde Joans Co-Moderator Gary Wells ermordet, in einem leerstehenden Haus mit Zu-verkaufen-Schild, was zu Alexis Maklerberuf passte. Zudem fand ich es verdächtig, wie rar ihre Auftritte nach dem Anfang waren – als sollte die Aufmerksamkeit von ihr weggelenkt werden. (SPOILER ENDE)
Die Geschichte konnte ich dennoch in vollen Zügen genießen, ehrlich gesagt, wäre ich sogar enttäuscht gewesen, (SPOILER) hätte sich der Wächter als der kleinkriminelle Betrüger entpuppt, der am vereinbarten Treffpunkt in der Bahnhofshalle aus Aufmerksamkeitsdrang
Schüsse abgab. (SPOILER ENDE)
Das Ende kam mir ein wenig abrupt, dafür gab es ein fulminantes Finale in Joanies Haus, wobei man sie und den Wächter über ein Aufnahmegerät verfolgte.
Fazit: „Fan Mail“ ist ein auf interessante Weise erzählter Roman, der seinen Leser nicht langweilt. Die Spannung hätte man indes noch ein wenig anziehen können.
Ich mochte Joan und Dan sofort, die hin- und hergeschickten Nachrichten taten ein Gutes, ihre Persönlichkeiten, vor allem ihren Humor, abzubilden. Negativ fielen mir hingegen bisweilen Abschweifungen oder die zu ausführliche Reflexion der Geschehnisse, auf.
Der Thrill-Faktor war nicht ausnehmend hoch, ich hätte mir vielleicht noch ein paar weitere Wächter-Briefe gewünscht, aber jeder der vorkommenden Kontaktaufnahmen fesselte mich. Meine Lieblingsszene war das Öffnen des mysteriösen Paktes am Anfang im Studio, weil dessen Inhalt (SPOILER) – die Hoden eines Zeitungsjournalisten, der Joanies Sendung zuvor zerrissen hatte – (SPOILER ENDE) so völlig überraschend kam.
Wer hinter dem „Wächter“ steckte, konnte ich hingegen bereits im ersten Drittel erahnen. Normalerweise errate ich den Täter nie, weshalb es auch ein Zufall sein kann, aber (SPOILER) als in einem Polizeibericht erwähnt wurde, dass Alexis Hartz „Stars sammle“ und Joanie möglicherweise deshalb das Haus neben ihrem eigenen beschafft habe, hatte ich sie sofort im Verdacht. Kurze Zeit später wurde Joans Co-Moderator Gary Wells ermordet, in einem leerstehenden Haus mit Zu-verkaufen-Schild, was zu Alexis Maklerberuf passte. Zudem fand ich es verdächtig, wie rar ihre Auftritte nach dem Anfang waren – als sollte die Aufmerksamkeit von ihr weggelenkt werden. (SPOILER ENDE)
Die Geschichte konnte ich dennoch in vollen Zügen genießen, ehrlich gesagt, wäre ich sogar enttäuscht gewesen, (SPOILER) hätte sich der Wächter als der kleinkriminelle Betrüger entpuppt, der am vereinbarten Treffpunkt in der Bahnhofshalle aus Aufmerksamkeitsdrang
Schüsse abgab. (SPOILER ENDE)
Das Ende kam mir ein wenig abrupt, dafür gab es ein fulminantes Finale in Joanies Haus, wobei man sie und den Wächter über ein Aufnahmegerät verfolgte.
Fazit: „Fan Mail“ ist ein auf interessante Weise erzählter Roman, der seinen Leser nicht langweilt. Die Spannung hätte man indes noch ein wenig anziehen können.
July 27, 2022
Es geht aufwärts mit der Karriere von Joan Carpenter. Die Moderatorin hat zu einem anderen Fernsehsender gewechselt und sich in der neuen Stadt eingerichtet. Mit ihrer neuen Stelle erreicht sie mehr Zuschauer als bisher. Leider wird sie von ihren männlichen Kollegen immer wieder ausgebremst. Das stört nicht nur sie, sondern auch einen ihrer Fans. Er nennt sich selbst der Wächter und beschließt, die Sache selbst in die Hand zu nehmen um seinem Idol den Weg an die Spitze zu ebnen.
Ronald Munson hat für seinen Krimi einen ungewöhnlichen Stil gewählt: er besteht nur aus Mails, Briefen, Fax und Nachrichten auf Anrufbeantwortern. Das ist auf der einen Seite sehr spannend, denn so erhält man viele unterschiedliche Sichtweisen auf ein und die selbe Sache. Auf der anderen Seite kann es aber auch passieren, dass gerade dadurch der Täter zu früh entlarvt wird.
Das ist in diesem Krimi nicht der Fall. Der Autor lässt den Täter zwar zu Wort kommen, gibt die Identität aber nicht zu früh preis. Trotzdem hatte ich ein paar Mal den Eindruck, dass ich zu früh wusste, was als Nächstes passieren würde. Das hat mir ein bisschen die Spannung genommen.
Mein Fazit
Fan Mail ist ein Krimi für zwischendurch. Weder Handlung noch Charaktere sind sehr kompliziert, deshalb kann man ihn flott lesen, ohne den roten Faden zu verlieren. Trotzdem ist er nicht langweilig und ich kann mir vorstellen, dass er zu seiner Zeit (das Buch wurde in den späten 1990er Jahren veröffentlicht) größere Wirkung erzielt hat als jetzt, denn mittlerweile sind die Krimis deutlich raffinierter geworden.
Ronald Munson hat für seinen Krimi einen ungewöhnlichen Stil gewählt: er besteht nur aus Mails, Briefen, Fax und Nachrichten auf Anrufbeantwortern. Das ist auf der einen Seite sehr spannend, denn so erhält man viele unterschiedliche Sichtweisen auf ein und die selbe Sache. Auf der anderen Seite kann es aber auch passieren, dass gerade dadurch der Täter zu früh entlarvt wird.
Das ist in diesem Krimi nicht der Fall. Der Autor lässt den Täter zwar zu Wort kommen, gibt die Identität aber nicht zu früh preis. Trotzdem hatte ich ein paar Mal den Eindruck, dass ich zu früh wusste, was als Nächstes passieren würde. Das hat mir ein bisschen die Spannung genommen.
Mein Fazit
Fan Mail ist ein Krimi für zwischendurch. Weder Handlung noch Charaktere sind sehr kompliziert, deshalb kann man ihn flott lesen, ohne den roten Faden zu verlieren. Trotzdem ist er nicht langweilig und ich kann mir vorstellen, dass er zu seiner Zeit (das Buch wurde in den späten 1990er Jahren veröffentlicht) größere Wirkung erzielt hat als jetzt, denn mittlerweile sind die Krimis deutlich raffinierter geworden.
September 29, 2007
It was a tedious reading at first, but upon reaching the last 3-4 chapters, I just couldn't put it down. It has a different twist. Totally unexpected. I like the writing style of the book. Absolutely different from the ones I usually read.
January 8, 2009
Whodunit with an interesting twist on presentation - the story is through faxes, e-mails, messages etc. fun read.
May 30, 2018
This is a quick moving novel about a young, beautiful news reporter who becomes the obsession of a deranged fan once she takes the job of "Nightbeat" co-anchor in St. Louis. At first, Joan Carpenter is amused by the awkward advances from the fan who signs letters as "The Watcher". As the Watcher's communiques become more frequent and personal, Joan realizes that she is not dealing with normal fan mail.
Ronald Munson's epistolary style of presenting this book is a little offsetting at many points throughout the novel making it sometimes tedious to plow through. I will say that the story moved rapidly and sufficiently contained enough plot twists to keep me reading. I wasn't surprised when the Watcher's identity was exposed, but it was adequately explained and believable.
This would be a good beach or plane ride book.
Ronald Munson's epistolary style of presenting this book is a little offsetting at many points throughout the novel making it sometimes tedious to plow through. I will say that the story moved rapidly and sufficiently contained enough plot twists to keep me reading. I wasn't surprised when the Watcher's identity was exposed, but it was adequately explained and believable.
This would be a good beach or plane ride book.
September 18, 2022
A friend recommended this book to me with the rave review of “This book is trashy, but it’s one of my favorites because I am very nosey.” If you are nosey, it does scratch that particular itch as the story is almost entirely told through correspondence via fax (in the golden age of faxing, the 90s), letters, answering machine messages, etc. As I am in the middle of trying to pick up the habit of reading more frequently and fell off the wagon for a couple of months, it was a very good way to get back on track. Something light and easy with quick and easy stopping points as each correspondence is only a couple pages long.
October 7, 2021
Quick comments:
Really enjoyed the formatting and clever, witty conversational dialogue portrayed through faxes, recordings, messages, etc. Fan Mail did hold my attention as a whodunit although 3/4 through I suspected person (deliberately avoiding spoiler). I did not like last bit, seemed unnecessary (especially very last message…weird, unsatisfying).
3* due to cliched characters (mostly all except main character Joan) + I started scanning communications between parties w/o missing relevant info. I think the novel was too long.
Really enjoyed the formatting and clever, witty conversational dialogue portrayed through faxes, recordings, messages, etc. Fan Mail did hold my attention as a whodunit although 3/4 through I suspected person (deliberately avoiding spoiler). I did not like last bit, seemed unnecessary (especially very last message…weird, unsatisfying).
3* due to cliched characters (mostly all except main character Joan) + I started scanning communications between parties w/o missing relevant info. I think the novel was too long.
October 25, 2017
Joan is Mary Sue personified and I figured out the ending a quarter of the way through, if that. Diverting but shallow.
August 28, 2020
Excellent book that I read years and years ago but still think about occasionally. Had to Google the plot to remember what it was called, but now I have to buy it again and re-read it
Read
May 22, 2023No review available.
August 30, 2024
This was my very first thriller and I wanted to love it but I wasn’t a fan of the story being told through fax and letters and it was very predictable.
January 13, 2025
I can't quite call this one scary, but the well realized, distinct character voices across this epistolary novel made it eminently readable.
March 1, 2026
Classic whodunit
March 8, 2017
Nice thriller.
I enjoyed how the book was written. Instead of narration and chapters it was put together in a series of emails and phone calls.
Cool semi-twist ending.
Interesting and thought provoking ñ final email submission.
I enjoyed how the book was written. Instead of narration and chapters it was put together in a series of emails and phone calls.
Cool semi-twist ending.
Interesting and thought provoking ñ final email submission.
December 29, 2007
I picked this book up because it was for sale for like 30 pesos only (yeah i'm a cheapskate lol) and I was intrigued by the premise-- fanaticism (lol) and the unique format of the book. I have to say I was really pleasantly surprised with this.
There's something quite unique about reading a novel which is told in the form of faxes, phone call transcripts, letters, and memos.. kinda makes you feel like you're eavesdropping and hearing the story from the characters themselves, as compared to experiencing the story itself as it happens. Somehow it makes the characters distant, like they were on another plane, but maybe that's just me. Sometimes it gets frustrating coz at some point you ask yourself, "Don't these people ever TALK to each other at all? Do they really have to send faxes and memos all the time?" Sure, there were times wherein a good old conversation would have portrayed certain situations better (well except, of course, the fan mail from the Watcher lol). The lengthy faxes became boring to read at times (especially the ones from the detectives lol but they're full of details though). And my, do these people act like the fax machine is the best thing that ever got invented; it is 1994 after all haha!
This is one of those books that make you go "Wah! I didn't see that one coming!" I was surprised when I found out who the Watcher was. There's a strong female lead character (the anchorwoman who is the target of the Watcher's perverted desires) and just the right amount of "supporting characters"-- the usuals: detectives, police people, family members, neighbors, people at the news station. I also got a nice look at how the TV industry works and wow, they really would do anything to win the ratings game. I would have loved for the author to develop the character of the Watcher more-- I mean, I don't think I got to know him well; he sent only a few fan letters after all-- and I would have loved for the author to have explored the dynamics of his strange, perverted, yet totally understandable desires for the celebrity.
But despite all these, the book still delivered. Overall, a great book!
There's something quite unique about reading a novel which is told in the form of faxes, phone call transcripts, letters, and memos.. kinda makes you feel like you're eavesdropping and hearing the story from the characters themselves, as compared to experiencing the story itself as it happens. Somehow it makes the characters distant, like they were on another plane, but maybe that's just me. Sometimes it gets frustrating coz at some point you ask yourself, "Don't these people ever TALK to each other at all? Do they really have to send faxes and memos all the time?" Sure, there were times wherein a good old conversation would have portrayed certain situations better (well except, of course, the fan mail from the Watcher lol). The lengthy faxes became boring to read at times (especially the ones from the detectives lol but they're full of details though). And my, do these people act like the fax machine is the best thing that ever got invented; it is 1994 after all haha!
This is one of those books that make you go "Wah! I didn't see that one coming!" I was surprised when I found out who the Watcher was. There's a strong female lead character (the anchorwoman who is the target of the Watcher's perverted desires) and just the right amount of "supporting characters"-- the usuals: detectives, police people, family members, neighbors, people at the news station. I also got a nice look at how the TV industry works and wow, they really would do anything to win the ratings game. I would have loved for the author to develop the character of the Watcher more-- I mean, I don't think I got to know him well; he sent only a few fan letters after all-- and I would have loved for the author to have explored the dynamics of his strange, perverted, yet totally understandable desires for the celebrity.
But despite all these, the book still delivered. Overall, a great book!
August 4, 2010
So Stephen King loved it. Since he hasn't gotten me into his fandom yet I didn't know how high I should let my expectations fly.
The whole book is made up of letters, faxs (apparently faxing was da bomb in '93), phone conversations, memos, emails... ect. I think Munson did a great job with this format, but I wasn't particularly fond of it. I felt like I couldn't get as in-depth with the characters. Which, the characters were semi-interesting. I thought the book dragged with all their witty, recycled, chatter.
I think he set up the characters - shall I say suspects? - well. Right when I thought I knew who the creeper was he sprung some new information and it made me backtrack. Could it be him? No, it has to be this other dude. Well it could be either, but...
I wavered between a three-star liked it and giving it a two-star okay. In the end I didn't like the characters enough (wait, did I say I even liked them?) and it just carried on a little too long. Was it worth reading? It didn't disinterest me, and the ending was good enough, but I wouldn't recommend it. Maybe Stephen King fans would like it better.
The whole book is made up of letters, faxs (apparently faxing was da bomb in '93), phone conversations, memos, emails... ect. I think Munson did a great job with this format, but I wasn't particularly fond of it. I felt like I couldn't get as in-depth with the characters. Which, the characters were semi-interesting. I thought the book dragged with all their witty, recycled, chatter.
I think he set up the characters - shall I say suspects? - well. Right when I thought I knew who the creeper was he sprung some new information and it made me backtrack. Could it be him? No, it has to be this other dude. Well it could be either, but...
I wavered between a three-star liked it and giving it a two-star okay. In the end I didn't like the characters enough (wait, did I say I even liked them?) and it just carried on a little too long. Was it worth reading? It didn't disinterest me, and the ending was good enough, but I wouldn't recommend it. Maybe Stephen King fans would like it better.
May 18, 2013
First thing, the book is fast-paced which I very much liked.
Lastly, I don't like how it end. Ronald Munson did not clearly stated what happened to Joan, Dan, Peter or at least Charles Fishwater. What happened to her career, something like that. Nevertheless, I liked this book and would recommend it! Good read!
Lastly, I don't like how it end. Ronald Munson did not clearly stated what happened to Joan, Dan, Peter or at least Charles Fishwater. What happened to her career, something like that. Nevertheless, I liked this book and would recommend it! Good read!
November 25, 2007
Scary stalkerish book--I mostly gave it four stars because it is epistolary and because it takes place in St. Louis.
September 23, 2008
This book is really good...I love that it is written through faxes, e-mails, telephone calls, letters, etc. Plus it's pretty mysterious.
January 15, 2011
Une intrigue policière que l'on suit à travers une succession de fax, lettres, mails, petits mots et enregistrements retranscrits...
August 15, 2012
If it weren't a complete ripoff of Bob Randall's "The Fan" crossed with the movie "The Seduction" then it would have been okay. But as it is (a ripoff of superior material) I do not like it.
May 2, 2013
I hope to re-read this again. I read it back in 1995 when it came out at the recommendation of a friend and LOVED IT!
September 3, 2013
Cool book, all written in letters, faxes and messages. I had it figured out half way thru but had to finish just to see how it ended, but great the way it was written...
October 16, 2013
Very good!
March 23, 2016
I was skeptical about this book seeing as it is written in letter form. What a great book! Definitely original and one I remember well.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews