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Nuclear Bombshell #6
The Flaxen Femme Fatale
The last freelance P.I. on earth, Zach Johnson has been hired to track down a young beauty who happens to be a deadly secret weapon for the World Council. Figuring girls just want to have fun, he follows Natasha to various vacation destinations, but she eludes him, leaving a trail of destruction in her wake. Zach, however, isn?t surprised to discover that things aren?t what they seem, and to save the world, he's going to have to find a way to team up with the woman he's supposed to destroy...
352 pages, ebook
First published December 1, 2008
About the author
John Zakour
129 books67 followersFrom the Author's Website
John Zakour is a humor/sf/fantasy writer with a Master's degree in Human Behavior and slowly plugging away at his Ph.D. He has written zillions (well, thousands) of gags for syndicated comics and comedians (including: Rugrats, Grimmy, Bound and Gagged, Dennis the Menace and Joan River's old TV show.) John also writes his own syndicated comic, Working Daze for United Media. John has been the regular cartoonist for Geek.com and has sold cartoons or gags to hundreds of journals and magazines. John is also a contributor to Nickelodeon magazine writing Fairly Odd Parents and Jimmy Neutron comic books. Recently he has started writing Simpsons comics for Bongo.
John’s first humorous SF mystery book, The Plutonium Blonde (DAW 2001, co-written with Larry Ganem and started of as an interactive web story for the Sci Fi channel) was named one of the top 30 SF books of 2001 by The Chronicle of Science Fiction who called it, “the funniest SF book of 2001”. His second novel, The Doomsday Brunette (DAW Feb 2004) has made the Locus best sellers list. The third book in the series, The RadioActive Redhead, also made the SF best seller list.
Besides his novels John has sold numerous short stories to anthologies and magazines. John has written the dialog and song lyrics for Frogwares Software computer game Around the World in 80 days. For something a bit different John writes skits for the Harlem Rockets basketball team.
In the past, John has written and helped develop the first year and season of the comic book and animated series: Caramel Crew, for Mobtoons. John also has written for the independent SF TV show, “Realm of the Mind”. John also helped develop an animated sf horror series, called Prime Squad for MUV Technologies in India. His romantic comedy, Skin Deep about an ordinary guy who can’t believe the hottest girl on campus is actually in love with him has won a couple of writing awards. John has also written for Ebru tv.
John use to be a database programmer / web guru / science writer for NYSAES.
When he's not writing or studying John likes to play softball, watch TV and hang out with his wife and son. He use to do judo and karate, but those have been replaced by tai chi and archery.
John Zakour is a humor/sf/fantasy writer with a Master's degree in Human Behavior and slowly plugging away at his Ph.D. He has written zillions (well, thousands) of gags for syndicated comics and comedians (including: Rugrats, Grimmy, Bound and Gagged, Dennis the Menace and Joan River's old TV show.) John also writes his own syndicated comic, Working Daze for United Media. John has been the regular cartoonist for Geek.com and has sold cartoons or gags to hundreds of journals and magazines. John is also a contributor to Nickelodeon magazine writing Fairly Odd Parents and Jimmy Neutron comic books. Recently he has started writing Simpsons comics for Bongo.
John’s first humorous SF mystery book, The Plutonium Blonde (DAW 2001, co-written with Larry Ganem and started of as an interactive web story for the Sci Fi channel) was named one of the top 30 SF books of 2001 by The Chronicle of Science Fiction who called it, “the funniest SF book of 2001”. His second novel, The Doomsday Brunette (DAW Feb 2004) has made the Locus best sellers list. The third book in the series, The RadioActive Redhead, also made the SF best seller list.
Besides his novels John has sold numerous short stories to anthologies and magazines. John has written the dialog and song lyrics for Frogwares Software computer game Around the World in 80 days. For something a bit different John writes skits for the Harlem Rockets basketball team.
In the past, John has written and helped develop the first year and season of the comic book and animated series: Caramel Crew, for Mobtoons. John also has written for the independent SF TV show, “Realm of the Mind”. John also helped develop an animated sf horror series, called Prime Squad for MUV Technologies in India. His romantic comedy, Skin Deep about an ordinary guy who can’t believe the hottest girl on campus is actually in love with him has won a couple of writing awards. John has also written for Ebru tv.
John use to be a database programmer / web guru / science writer for NYSAES.
When he's not writing or studying John likes to play softball, watch TV and hang out with his wife and son. He use to do judo and karate, but those have been replaced by tai chi and archery.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
December 15, 2016
So full of potential - secret weapons, military secrets, secrets about secrets! And yet, no cigar.
And while am a fan of boobs, being proud owner of a pretty pair myself, just how many boob comments are too many? Too many boob comments does not a funny book makes.
And while am a fan of boobs, being proud owner of a pretty pair myself, just how many boob comments are too many? Too many boob comments does not a funny book makes.
April 30, 2009
I won this book at a giveaway. It is the the 6th volume of the Zach series.
Normally I don't read book from within a series. But in this case I made an exception. I needed a break from fantasy and so I decided to read something different. And to be honest The Flaxen Femme Fatale is different.
This is another case of Zachary Nixon Johnson, the last freelance P.I. on earth in the year 2070. As in the previous books he has to save the world from a dangerous woman with superpowers. His main aides are HARV - a computer which is wired directly to his brain- and GUS - an experimental ultra-powerful weapon with own AI.
It is a fast pace story with a lot of humor and some interesting thoughts.
I really appreciated the dialogues between Zach, HARV and GUS. And there are a lot of reminiscence to the 20th century.
Anyway this is definitely a book which you either hate or like.
To my surpise I like it and therefore I will read the rest of the series too.
Normally I don't read book from within a series. But in this case I made an exception. I needed a break from fantasy and so I decided to read something different. And to be honest The Flaxen Femme Fatale is different.
This is another case of Zachary Nixon Johnson, the last freelance P.I. on earth in the year 2070. As in the previous books he has to save the world from a dangerous woman with superpowers. His main aides are HARV - a computer which is wired directly to his brain- and GUS - an experimental ultra-powerful weapon with own AI.
It is a fast pace story with a lot of humor and some interesting thoughts.
I really appreciated the dialogues between Zach, HARV and GUS. And there are a lot of reminiscence to the 20th century.
Anyway this is definitely a book which you either hate or like.
To my surpise I like it and therefore I will read the rest of the series too.
June 22, 2022
This book was exactly what I expected. It doesn't stand above any of the preceding stories but if you have read this far you will be adequately satisfied by this entry into the series.
That is good and bad, I'm starting to want something to change for real in this serise. Zach is exactly the same wisecracking goofball as in all the other stories. Things have changed in the world around him but he hasn't become any different for all the experiences he's been through.
The other thing that is just starting to bug me is the power levels of the threats and of Zach's resources are scaling up to ridiculous levels. For example This amount of control and power is so off the charts, that it's making Zakour's crazy world built around sentient directly brain connected computers, talking weapons, and ultra-powerful superbabes seem silly. I get it, it's a light hearted type of story but it's getting harder and harder to accept.
I think there is only one more book in the series, or at least there is one more in the series on my nightstand so I'll finish up what I have.
That is good and bad, I'm starting to want something to change for real in this serise. Zach is exactly the same wisecracking goofball as in all the other stories. Things have changed in the world around him but he hasn't become any different for all the experiences he's been through.
The other thing that is just starting to bug me is the power levels of the threats and of Zach's resources are scaling up to ridiculous levels. For example This amount of control and power is so off the charts, that it's making Zakour's crazy world built around sentient directly brain connected computers, talking weapons, and ultra-powerful superbabes seem silly. I get it, it's a light hearted type of story but it's getting harder and harder to accept.
I think there is only one more book in the series, or at least there is one more in the series on my nightstand so I'll finish up what I have.
August 9, 2016
Bought this in audio format. This is the first time that I have ever heard of this series and I enjoyed it tremendously. It is the perfect thing to listen to when you are on a road trip.
December 31, 2018
This review is for the entire series I binged in two weeks like a crazy day on Netflix. So I must say I loved it! Humorous, campy and fun for all the right reasons. Zakour pokes fun at all the tropes and takes it to the next level, so much over the top you have to chuckle at it poking fun of itself. Just the right blend of Noir and Sci-Fi to make the universe come alive! I highly recommend a binge on this one if you want something light hearted and fun to read!
June 2, 2017
Very fun, and funny, semi-noir style sf hardboiled detective/pulp adventure hero book with several over-the-top characters.
July 26, 2019
These GraphicAudio adaptations are excellent, and so much fun!
February 22, 2009
This is the sixth book in the series, and the fact that I'm still reading tells you something. The books are about "the last PI on Earth," set in a very tongue-in-cheek future with a definite old-style pulp/detective noir feel.
In this book, Zach, the last remaining private eye, is hired by the government to find and retrieve the "flaxen femme fatale," a genetically-engineered woman named Natasha. She's escaped from her training ground and the military fears her powers, which are extensive, and the fact that Natasha isn't really trained in how to control them. If she gets angry or annoyed or even peeved, her thoughts can kill. So Zach and his trusty holographic sidekick HARV (hardwired into his brain) and enthusiastic intelligent gun Gus head off to investigate and bring her back. But, of course, not everything is as it seems.
These books are essentially just fun reads. There's some nice laid back humor, a fast-paced adventure, with some snide little commentary about our world and our ideals thrown in for kicks along the way. Nothing serious is heavy handed; it's really all about the ride. The future world is just too over the top for anything else, really. This adventure wasn't as thrilling or perhaps as interesting as some of the past books in this series, but it was still engaging and at no point did I get bored enough to set the book aside. In fact, there were a few surprises, especially toward the end. (I can't really mention those surprises without spoiling some of the book though.)
I don't really have any complaints about the writing or the plot or the characters or anything like that. As I said, it was a fun ride and you can't take anything all that seriously. I do have an issue with the fact that this book has so many typos, such as missing words, words written written twice (yes, that was done on purpose), etc. I'd say that this book wasn't copy edited, or somehow the copy edits didn't make it into the final published version. I know from experience that you can't eliminate every typo, even during extensive copy edits, but the number of errors here was just too much, to the point where I got annoyed. Again, this has nothing to do with the quality of the writing or the story, but it does destroy a little bit of the fun of reading.
If you can read over those typos though, and enjoy the story, then the book is good. Not the best out of the series so far, but not the worst either, and it certainly didn't make me want to give up the series. In fact, I'm already reading the seventh book (and I can already tell that it's going to be better than this one).
In this book, Zach, the last remaining private eye, is hired by the government to find and retrieve the "flaxen femme fatale," a genetically-engineered woman named Natasha. She's escaped from her training ground and the military fears her powers, which are extensive, and the fact that Natasha isn't really trained in how to control them. If she gets angry or annoyed or even peeved, her thoughts can kill. So Zach and his trusty holographic sidekick HARV (hardwired into his brain) and enthusiastic intelligent gun Gus head off to investigate and bring her back. But, of course, not everything is as it seems.
These books are essentially just fun reads. There's some nice laid back humor, a fast-paced adventure, with some snide little commentary about our world and our ideals thrown in for kicks along the way. Nothing serious is heavy handed; it's really all about the ride. The future world is just too over the top for anything else, really. This adventure wasn't as thrilling or perhaps as interesting as some of the past books in this series, but it was still engaging and at no point did I get bored enough to set the book aside. In fact, there were a few surprises, especially toward the end. (I can't really mention those surprises without spoiling some of the book though.)
I don't really have any complaints about the writing or the plot or the characters or anything like that. As I said, it was a fun ride and you can't take anything all that seriously. I do have an issue with the fact that this book has so many typos, such as missing words, words written written twice (yes, that was done on purpose), etc. I'd say that this book wasn't copy edited, or somehow the copy edits didn't make it into the final published version. I know from experience that you can't eliminate every typo, even during extensive copy edits, but the number of errors here was just too much, to the point where I got annoyed. Again, this has nothing to do with the quality of the writing or the story, but it does destroy a little bit of the fun of reading.
If you can read over those typos though, and enjoy the story, then the book is good. Not the best out of the series so far, but not the worst either, and it certainly didn't make me want to give up the series. In fact, I'm already reading the seventh book (and I can already tell that it's going to be better than this one).
October 21, 2010
The sixth book in the wildly entertaining Zachary Nixon Johnson series! For those not up to speed, Zachary Nixon Johnson is the last freelance private investigator in a future world that seems more peaceful than the times we currently live in, but is often maddening to anyone who considers himself down-to-earth. Since I don't like spoilers, I'll just give you the general gist of things. The comical adventures of each book usually center around one or more beautiful woman somehow connected with some world-threatening plot. There is lots more to each story, but I'll let you discover that for yourself. Go out and pick up the first book Plutonium Blonde right now!
But, back to Flaxen Femme Fatale. If I had reviewed the previous five books on Goodreads, they all would have gotten five stars easily. This book, however, almost lost that fifth star. Right in the middle of the book, something started to not sit right with me. There was a darkness growing in the story that hadn't really been there the previous books. It made me a little uncomfortable. At first, I thought I wasn't enjoying the book as much. But, I kept on reading. Then I realized what was really up. In the earliest books, we are told of the New World Council that governs this future Earth. Very little is said of them, but readers can almost believe them to be entirely benevolent because the first person narrator has assured us that humanity is enjoying a relatively peaceful existence. As the series progresses, we are given little hints that the Council might not be all they crack themselves up to be. But, this is mostly played out for humor. This book put a darker spin on that idea, making Johnson's future world just a little scarier. The discomfort I felt reading about it was probably just what the author intended, as each book has had a fair share of commentary (both subtle and heavy-handed) along with the laughs. This anything-but-down-to-earth future world just got a little less Utopian. Seeing this, I put that fifth star back in place. For those who have read the first five books and are worried about this one, don't worry. All the wild speculation and great humor are still there along with the great detective story we've gotten before.
But, back to Flaxen Femme Fatale. If I had reviewed the previous five books on Goodreads, they all would have gotten five stars easily. This book, however, almost lost that fifth star. Right in the middle of the book, something started to not sit right with me. There was a darkness growing in the story that hadn't really been there the previous books. It made me a little uncomfortable. At first, I thought I wasn't enjoying the book as much. But, I kept on reading. Then I realized what was really up. In the earliest books, we are told of the New World Council that governs this future Earth. Very little is said of them, but readers can almost believe them to be entirely benevolent because the first person narrator has assured us that humanity is enjoying a relatively peaceful existence. As the series progresses, we are given little hints that the Council might not be all they crack themselves up to be. But, this is mostly played out for humor. This book put a darker spin on that idea, making Johnson's future world just a little scarier. The discomfort I felt reading about it was probably just what the author intended, as each book has had a fair share of commentary (both subtle and heavy-handed) along with the laughs. This anything-but-down-to-earth future world just got a little less Utopian. Seeing this, I put that fifth star back in place. For those who have read the first five books and are worried about this one, don't worry. All the wild speculation and great humor are still there along with the great detective story we've gotten before.
August 6, 2014
Pulpy is as pulpy does!
I love this series, it's so ridiculous and fun that it's always something I go back to when I am in the mood to just turn off my brain and enjoy the ride. This is the 6th book so I won't go into it in too much detail, just read it if you like the others:
World: Same zany world and cast of characters. The world is pretty much fully formed by this time, however there was still some areas not looked at. New New Vegas and New San Diego were nice new locals. Although I do wish we had spent more time in New New Vegas and New San Diego as I have found that we've spent a lot of time in New Frisco already. The world is fun and I still love the old with the new.
Story: Same plot points, same beats and same cliches. Still Zackary Nixon Johnson saving the world surrounded by pulpy hot women and 50s era science fiction cliches. This time around the new locals made the story a bit different but honestly the story is what it is, and after 5 books you know what to expect, it's fun, but you know what to expect.
Characters: All the fan favorites are back as are the typical new female character and evil villain. The banter is fun, the dialog snappy and Johnson's internal dialog is just enjoyable. Read it!
Fun read and it is what I needed exactly at this point in time. This is book 6 so I don't really see the need to tell you what to expect from these books, if you've made it this far, you're gonna finish the series.
Onward to the next book!
I love this series, it's so ridiculous and fun that it's always something I go back to when I am in the mood to just turn off my brain and enjoy the ride. This is the 6th book so I won't go into it in too much detail, just read it if you like the others:
World: Same zany world and cast of characters. The world is pretty much fully formed by this time, however there was still some areas not looked at. New New Vegas and New San Diego were nice new locals. Although I do wish we had spent more time in New New Vegas and New San Diego as I have found that we've spent a lot of time in New Frisco already. The world is fun and I still love the old with the new.
Story: Same plot points, same beats and same cliches. Still Zackary Nixon Johnson saving the world surrounded by pulpy hot women and 50s era science fiction cliches. This time around the new locals made the story a bit different but honestly the story is what it is, and after 5 books you know what to expect, it's fun, but you know what to expect.
Characters: All the fan favorites are back as are the typical new female character and evil villain. The banter is fun, the dialog snappy and Johnson's internal dialog is just enjoyable. Read it!
Fun read and it is what I needed exactly at this point in time. This is book 6 so I don't really see the need to tell you what to expect from these books, if you've made it this far, you're gonna finish the series.
Onward to the next book!
October 1, 2015
This is the sixth book in the series, and the fact that I'm still reading tells you something. The books are about "the last PI on Earth," set in a very tongue-in-cheek future with a definite old-style pulp/detective noir feel.
In this book, Zach, the last remaining private eye, is hired by the government to find and retrieve the "flaxen femme fatale," a genetically-engineered woman named Natasha. She's escaped from her training ground and the military fears her powers, which are extensive, and the fact that Natasha isn't really trained in how to control them. If she gets angry or annoyed or even peeved, her thoughts can kill. So Zach and his trusty holographic sidekick HARV (hardwired into his brain) and enthusiastic intelligent gun Gus head off to investigate and bring her back.
But, of course, not everything is as it seems.
Read more at SFReader.com The Flaxen Femme Fatale, by John Zakour
In this book, Zach, the last remaining private eye, is hired by the government to find and retrieve the "flaxen femme fatale," a genetically-engineered woman named Natasha. She's escaped from her training ground and the military fears her powers, which are extensive, and the fact that Natasha isn't really trained in how to control them. If she gets angry or annoyed or even peeved, her thoughts can kill. So Zach and his trusty holographic sidekick HARV (hardwired into his brain) and enthusiastic intelligent gun Gus head off to investigate and bring her back.
But, of course, not everything is as it seems.
Read more at SFReader.com The Flaxen Femme Fatale, by John Zakour
December 19, 2011
The sixth book of the adventures of Zachary Nixon Johnson, the last freelance Private Detective on Earth in a pulp action style future where all the vices of the 21st century have compounded even more, aliens tweaked the human genome to create psis, and teleportation has replaced airplanes.
Zach is hired by the military to find a secret weapon that has gone AWOL, that is the Flaxen Femme Fatale of the title who can evidently kill people with her mind at will or when she gets angry or depressed, not to mention a whole lot of other things she can do.
Add in complications like Reality TV Bounty Hunters, Elvis Impersonators, Aliens and more and you have a Zach story, complete with Killer Robots and hover cars.
These are always a fast read, and although you need to put on some suspension of disbelief protective goggles along the way are worth the romp thru a mystery in a dystopian future.
Zach is hired by the military to find a secret weapon that has gone AWOL, that is the Flaxen Femme Fatale of the title who can evidently kill people with her mind at will or when she gets angry or depressed, not to mention a whole lot of other things she can do.
Add in complications like Reality TV Bounty Hunters, Elvis Impersonators, Aliens and more and you have a Zach story, complete with Killer Robots and hover cars.
These are always a fast read, and although you need to put on some suspension of disbelief protective goggles along the way are worth the romp thru a mystery in a dystopian future.
April 5, 2010
This was probably the best book in the series so far. There is one more (so far) after this one, but this one was definitely the best I've read. As funny as ever, but I felt there was more character in Zach this time, and the Femme Fatale was more interesting than previously.
At first, it was kind of like, oh, yet another ultra-powered superbabe that is even more powerful than the one before it, and Zach (who is relatively squishy in the Rifts definition) is the only one who can stop her. But this one had more of a twist too it, and that made the whole book much more interesting.
Another good read :)
At first, it was kind of like, oh, yet another ultra-powered superbabe that is even more powerful than the one before it, and Zach (who is relatively squishy in the Rifts definition) is the only one who can stop her. But this one had more of a twist too it, and that made the whole book much more interesting.
Another good read :)
December 3, 2011
I have to be in the mood to read a book like this but when I am, I really really enjoy myself. Very droll, part send up of the genre, part homage...it is quite an inventive take on the adventure / sci fi/ hard boiled detective genre.
There is always a twist or turn or two in these books and always a moment where I go 'huh, clever!'.
Don't let the pop-art on the cover fool you. These aren't as silly as they make themselves out to be...though of course, they are plenty silly!
Very unique. I'll venture to say there are few books like these. I admire the writer very much for 'thinking outside the box'.
The comic con reference is just brilliant!
There is always a twist or turn or two in these books and always a moment where I go 'huh, clever!'.
Don't let the pop-art on the cover fool you. These aren't as silly as they make themselves out to be...though of course, they are plenty silly!
Very unique. I'll venture to say there are few books like these. I admire the writer very much for 'thinking outside the box'.
The comic con reference is just brilliant!
December 30, 2014
Zachary Nixon Johnson is the last freelance P.I. and things are starting to heat up again when a flaxen bombshell starts visiting him. She warns him not to try to bring her in. Earth Force then shows up to hire him to find Natasha, the most powerful person in the world.
The Flaxen Femme Fatale is a fun sci fi meets detective fiction with plenty of action and humor. Highly recommended for those who do not take their science fiction too seriously.
The Flaxen Femme Fatale is a fun sci fi meets detective fiction with plenty of action and humor. Highly recommended for those who do not take their science fiction too seriously.
June 1, 2009
Eh. Too many boob comments--a very male-centric book for a particular stereotype of male. Not all bad, but just not the kind of read I enjoy. All these superpowered bimbo and babe types and one rather scruffy PI with a heart of gold in a SF/Fantasy future. Amusing I suppose, but not my cup of tea.
December 25, 2009
Another great Zachary Nixon Johnson (the last freelance PI on Earth) story. I love this hard-boiled detective series set in the future.
September 17, 2010
Compared with Altered Carbon, this is a lighter take on the future noir genre.
This series is still light and fun, I enjoy it.
This series is still light and fun, I enjoy it.
September 4, 2016
I just love this series, ok? Read it if you can. Better yet, listen to it via Graphic Audio.
Read
October 31, 2018Boring and repetitive. (Stopped at page 164.)
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