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Plan 9 for Murder: An Academic Mystery
A witty, amusing academic couple find themselves embroiled in a mystery surrounding a murder at a convention of UFO enthusiasts. They’re torn between trying to ignore the entire mess--though an awkwardly placed corpse makes that difficult—and doing some sleuthing on their own, in the mode of Nick and Nora or Tommy and Tuppence. In the process of solving the mystery, they deal with mysterious documents that make wild claims and, more unsettling, with sinister characters who seem all too interested in keeping them, and anyone who knows about them, quiet. Will they survive an alarming interlude with the killer? Will they emerge unharmed and still full of sly asides about government cover-ups, academic misdeeds, and credulous Saucerians? Find out in 'Plan 9 for Murder"
251 pages, Paperback
Published June 28, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
September 5, 2023
I think it's pretty good, but then I'm a co-author. I'm not sure how I ended up with this opportunity to review the book-- I was merely looking to see if it was available for review. It's probably a mistake according the rules of Goodreads for me to review it, so I won't-- I'll merely tout it and suggest that readers who enjoy cozy mysteries and humorous novels will like it. My apologies if this violates the rules.
March 26, 2025
3.25 ✨ This book hooked me with the blurb and lost me along the way. The intended audience seems to be New Adult or Adult readers who are beginners in the thriller/mystery genre. It focuses on an academic couple, Annie Sinclair and Charles Renaud, who, at the start, adopt a cute little puppy, Asta, and begin an atypical journey.
In my opinion, this reads more like academic fiction, meaning there's a lot of focus on their careers and the specific terminology related to their work. Obviously, this was implicit in the premise of the story, but I was surprised by how much of it there was. That said, I ended up researching philology and codicology. It's definitely a topic worth falling down an internet rabbit hole for.
As for the characters, I didn’t connect with any of them. I mostly felt indifferent toward them. Uncle Frederick’s involvement was a good choice, as we’re dealing with an organization like UFODARC, which is often misperceived, though I’m trying not to be stereotypical.
Now, here’s where things get tricky. I want to rant a little bit about this. Usually, I keep my reviews short and sweet with few (if any) spoilers, but in this case, I can’t.
****Spoilers Ahead****
Did I suspect Gerasimov’s involvement? Yes. Did I expect the plot twist? No. Did it make sense? Kinda.
Perdue was the wild card at the start because of his paranoid characteristics, which align with this group’s beliefs. It frustrated me how unconcerned Annie and Charles were about his well-being at the conference.
Now, the *pièce de résistance* that had me losing my marbles: the fact that Annie, and therefore also Charles, didn’t suspect Poindexter was insane! He was my prime suspect from the beginning. He tried hard not to be suspicious and threw off the scent, which somehow worked because they never suspected him—not even when he received information from one of them about someone, and that someone was mysteriously “unalived” the very next day- TWICE. The only way they figured out he was the murderer was because he kidnapped Annie 😑. Also, the summary at the end wasn’t needed, but it’s appreciated.
The main characters had an interesting dynamic. Charles was meant to be the comedic relief, which felt kinda cringe at the start, but eventually, the jokes and timing worked. Annie, on the other hand, was more of a narrow-minded scholar with a rebellious side. She wanted nothing more than to stick to science, but somehow got herself involved with UFOs.
This isn’t bad in itself, but my problem is that she seemed to want to benefit from it rather than help, it never felt 100% genuine, especially considering her goal to get tenure. That made me question their ages, as well as their decision-making skills. By the end, I kind of liked the ‘hero’ aspect of Charles (even though the gun made zero sense in my mind), and I think the bonus content, "Meet the Murderer," was what really sold me on their relationship, along with the addition of "The Dripping Talon" as an inside joke.
********
Overall, it’s a solid book. It has a unique storytelling style thanks to the authors’ academic background, and it guides you through the motions as the clues appear. The pacing was medium, balancing action and information-based scenes. It made me want to check out the author’s nonfiction work.
In my opinion, this reads more like academic fiction, meaning there's a lot of focus on their careers and the specific terminology related to their work. Obviously, this was implicit in the premise of the story, but I was surprised by how much of it there was. That said, I ended up researching philology and codicology. It's definitely a topic worth falling down an internet rabbit hole for.
As for the characters, I didn’t connect with any of them. I mostly felt indifferent toward them. Uncle Frederick’s involvement was a good choice, as we’re dealing with an organization like UFODARC, which is often misperceived, though I’m trying not to be stereotypical.
Now, here’s where things get tricky. I want to rant a little bit about this. Usually, I keep my reviews short and sweet with few (if any) spoilers, but in this case, I can’t.
****Spoilers Ahead****
Did I suspect Gerasimov’s involvement? Yes. Did I expect the plot twist? No. Did it make sense? Kinda.
Perdue was the wild card at the start because of his paranoid characteristics, which align with this group’s beliefs. It frustrated me how unconcerned Annie and Charles were about his well-being at the conference.
Now, the *pièce de résistance* that had me losing my marbles: the fact that Annie, and therefore also Charles, didn’t suspect Poindexter was insane! He was my prime suspect from the beginning. He tried hard not to be suspicious and threw off the scent, which somehow worked because they never suspected him—not even when he received information from one of them about someone, and that someone was mysteriously “unalived” the very next day- TWICE. The only way they figured out he was the murderer was because he kidnapped Annie 😑. Also, the summary at the end wasn’t needed, but it’s appreciated.
The main characters had an interesting dynamic. Charles was meant to be the comedic relief, which felt kinda cringe at the start, but eventually, the jokes and timing worked. Annie, on the other hand, was more of a narrow-minded scholar with a rebellious side. She wanted nothing more than to stick to science, but somehow got herself involved with UFOs.
This isn’t bad in itself, but my problem is that she seemed to want to benefit from it rather than help, it never felt 100% genuine, especially considering her goal to get tenure. That made me question their ages, as well as their decision-making skills. By the end, I kind of liked the ‘hero’ aspect of Charles (even though the gun made zero sense in my mind), and I think the bonus content, "Meet the Murderer," was what really sold me on their relationship, along with the addition of "The Dripping Talon" as an inside joke.
********
Overall, it’s a solid book. It has a unique storytelling style thanks to the authors’ academic background, and it guides you through the motions as the clues appear. The pacing was medium, balancing action and information-based scenes. It made me want to check out the author’s nonfiction work.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 15, 2025
Omg…I didn't expect the turns that this book had!!!
ANNIE Sinclair, a philologist, gets a strange invitation to speak on the validity of a controversial document to a gathering of UFO aficionados, propelled by her desperation to get a tenure at the university she teaches at, Annie, along with her husband honour the invitation in the hopes that it would sustain her relevance in her field. What was supposed to be her comeback slowly unfolds into a series of events laced with mystery, lies, and murder. What happens when the mundane lives of an academic couple are upturned by not one but two strange murders that link back to them?
What stood out to me: This author provides an unconventional lens through which we see married characters in books, especially regarding their repertoire, which I found profoundly refreshing.
I also enjoyed the author’s sharp and witty writing, which extends into the personality of the main character.
Not-so-enjoyable parts: There were parts that seemed long-winded, especially in descriptions, which had me skipping lines of text. Some conversations, whilst trying to take on an intellectually humourous tone, seem to drag on.
Overall, it was a great read which I would recommend to anyone interested in mystery but with a touch of humour and, of course, suspense.
ANNIE Sinclair, a philologist, gets a strange invitation to speak on the validity of a controversial document to a gathering of UFO aficionados, propelled by her desperation to get a tenure at the university she teaches at, Annie, along with her husband honour the invitation in the hopes that it would sustain her relevance in her field. What was supposed to be her comeback slowly unfolds into a series of events laced with mystery, lies, and murder. What happens when the mundane lives of an academic couple are upturned by not one but two strange murders that link back to them?
What stood out to me: This author provides an unconventional lens through which we see married characters in books, especially regarding their repertoire, which I found profoundly refreshing.
I also enjoyed the author’s sharp and witty writing, which extends into the personality of the main character.
Not-so-enjoyable parts: There were parts that seemed long-winded, especially in descriptions, which had me skipping lines of text. Some conversations, whilst trying to take on an intellectually humourous tone, seem to drag on.
Overall, it was a great read which I would recommend to anyone interested in mystery but with a touch of humour and, of course, suspense.
June 4, 2025
Full transparency I read this book in-between April- May and I forgot to write a review.
Plan 9 for murder is a fun and easy read about a murder that happens at a convention of UFO enthusiasts. At the beginning it's kinda of hard to get into because the first chapter spends a considerable amount of time on a phone call about a conference invitation before anything resembling suspens appears. But once we move past that, the book has a decent plot development, the characters are lovable, and it has some good jokes.
The only reason why I didn't enjoy it too much is because I don't usually read about UFOs mysteries or things like that so it was hard to get my attention. Overall a 3/5, thanks to Book tasters for providing the book.
Plan 9 for murder is a fun and easy read about a murder that happens at a convention of UFO enthusiasts. At the beginning it's kinda of hard to get into because the first chapter spends a considerable amount of time on a phone call about a conference invitation before anything resembling suspens appears. But once we move past that, the book has a decent plot development, the characters are lovable, and it has some good jokes.
The only reason why I didn't enjoy it too much is because I don't usually read about UFOs mysteries or things like that so it was hard to get my attention. Overall a 3/5, thanks to Book tasters for providing the book.
March 5, 2025
If you enjoy books that combine mystery and humour, this book is a winner. Five starts, no doubt! It's my first academic mystery read of the year and I highly recommend, it's definitely a must read!
Plan 9 for murder is just one of those books you pick up and just can't put down. I honestly love how the suspense is perfect! The character are witty and engaging, and the plot twists will have you gasping out loud, it's just that good.
It's not your average murder mystery; it's clever, quirky and refreshingly different. The blend of intrigue and humor makes it an entertaining read.
Don't miss out on this gem.
Plan 9 for murder is just one of those books you pick up and just can't put down. I honestly love how the suspense is perfect! The character are witty and engaging, and the plot twists will have you gasping out loud, it's just that good.
It's not your average murder mystery; it's clever, quirky and refreshingly different. The blend of intrigue and humor makes it an entertaining read.
Don't miss out on this gem.
March 24, 2025
A Brilliant Blend of Witty Humor and Mystery
Plan 9 for Murder: An Academic Mystery by Elizabeth Hildinger and Erik Hildinger is a fascinating novel that playfully combines an academic setting with an engaging mystery. Personally, I found the title itself to be a great source of inspiration and ideas. I also thoroughly enjoyed the short story at the end and appreciated the well-structured composition of the book! The theme of a UFO enthusiast conference mixed with a murder case was another reason I simply couldn’t resist reading this. Thank you for gifting me a book that exceeded my expectations!
Plan 9 for Murder: An Academic Mystery by Elizabeth Hildinger and Erik Hildinger is a fascinating novel that playfully combines an academic setting with an engaging mystery. Personally, I found the title itself to be a great source of inspiration and ideas. I also thoroughly enjoyed the short story at the end and appreciated the well-structured composition of the book! The theme of a UFO enthusiast conference mixed with a murder case was another reason I simply couldn’t resist reading this. Thank you for gifting me a book that exceeded my expectations!
October 31, 2025
I DNFed this book and not because I was bored but because I could not see myself finishing it .It’s a great read for Young Adults especially those of us who love Academia, now mixed with mystery,that’s not something you see everyday and that’s what makes it intriguing. I connected with Annie ,she loves her career,her husband and a true reflection of having it all as a woman . I just can’t finish the entire book now but I know I’d revisit it one day .
February 24, 2025
As one of the authors, I don't suppose I should write anything here, but this seems to be the only way to get the second edition onto Goodreads. This edition has some new material and a new cover. It's better than ever. I'll leave it at that.
April 5, 2025
Possible minor spoilers below.
Style-wise, this was a very smooth and easy read. Not a heavy read at all, either, which I love. Cozy mysteries are my favorite genre, especially fare with a lot of humor and this one has that, with its out-there characters and situations stemming from the plot. My only character complaint is that, at times, the main characters were really snobby and judgmental in a way that was more off-putting than amusing. Like most mysteries, it was fairly easy to ascertain early on who the victim would be, although the killer was not as obvious because the motive wasn’t as obvious as it initially appeared to be. At times, it felt like there was a lot of filler and the plot stagnated a bit BUT it turns out most of the “filler” did have a purpose in either the main plot or main subplot. Overall, I enjoyed the book very much (I also enjoyed the unusual meet-cute bonus story and noir short story at the end).
Style-wise, this was a very smooth and easy read. Not a heavy read at all, either, which I love. Cozy mysteries are my favorite genre, especially fare with a lot of humor and this one has that, with its out-there characters and situations stemming from the plot. My only character complaint is that, at times, the main characters were really snobby and judgmental in a way that was more off-putting than amusing. Like most mysteries, it was fairly easy to ascertain early on who the victim would be, although the killer was not as obvious because the motive wasn’t as obvious as it initially appeared to be. At times, it felt like there was a lot of filler and the plot stagnated a bit BUT it turns out most of the “filler” did have a purpose in either the main plot or main subplot. Overall, I enjoyed the book very much (I also enjoyed the unusual meet-cute bonus story and noir short story at the end).
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews