What do you think?
Backyard Starship
Icky & Funboy
Van Tudor is a busy man.
And that means his friends are going to have to help out as they begin expanding their role as Peacemakers, diplomats, and warriors.
But not every job is fun. Unless you make it fun.
Tasked with a simple prisoner transfer, Icky convinces Funboy to take a chance on something that goes against every fiber of his being.
The Galaxy's Biggest Buffet.
Naturally, things don't go well. There are sneeze guards, and cheese fountains, and a small case of murder that lands Icky and Funboy as suspects in a crime so heinous, it almost interrupted their breakfast.
Come along as Funboy unleashes his unparalleled desire for truth, good hygiene, and justice while Icky—
Icky is going to smash things and eat, sometimes at once. Because that's what friends do. They pursue their passions, they lift each other up, and they look for ways to beat a murder rap, hopefully in time for dinner.
And that means his friends are going to have to help out as they begin expanding their role as Peacemakers, diplomats, and warriors.
But not every job is fun. Unless you make it fun.
Tasked with a simple prisoner transfer, Icky convinces Funboy to take a chance on something that goes against every fiber of his being.
The Galaxy's Biggest Buffet.
Naturally, things don't go well. There are sneeze guards, and cheese fountains, and a small case of murder that lands Icky and Funboy as suspects in a crime so heinous, it almost interrupted their breakfast.
Come along as Funboy unleashes his unparalleled desire for truth, good hygiene, and justice while Icky—
Icky is going to smash things and eat, sometimes at once. Because that's what friends do. They pursue their passions, they lift each other up, and they look for ways to beat a murder rap, hopefully in time for dinner.
406 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 2, 2025
About the author
J.N. Chaney
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
January 13, 2026
Nothing like the Backyard Starship series
This is nothing like the other books with the same characters. This is just about Icky and Funboy and how they end up being accused of crimes and then set free to try and prove their innocence on a space station
It's a Crime thriller, with aliens thrown into the mix
As just a crime thriller, it's 3*, what relates it to 4* is the interaction between Icky and Funboy, who until now have not been the best of friends
It's cleverly done, well thought out, with the duo slowly working out what is going on and who is doing it.
Nice little surprise at the end, with a guest appearance of Van turning up in the last few pages
If the plan is to bring more of these side books out, please do
This is nothing like the other books with the same characters. This is just about Icky and Funboy and how they end up being accused of crimes and then set free to try and prove their innocence on a space station
It's a Crime thriller, with aliens thrown into the mix
As just a crime thriller, it's 3*, what relates it to 4* is the interaction between Icky and Funboy, who until now have not been the best of friends
It's cleverly done, well thought out, with the duo slowly working out what is going on and who is doing it.
Nice little surprise at the end, with a guest appearance of Van turning up in the last few pages
If the plan is to bring more of these side books out, please do
December 7, 2025
would have been a good 3-4 chapters
Despite intrinsic humor and some entertaining turns of phrase, this might have been better as a short story or several chapters supporting the fists of Orion.
Having said that, I did read it all so I guess it’s okay. Also learned where to keep spare bills in the tool chest, so it wasn’t a complete loss….
Despite intrinsic humor and some entertaining turns of phrase, this might have been better as a short story or several chapters supporting the fists of Orion.
Having said that, I did read it all so I guess it’s okay. Also learned where to keep spare bills in the tool chest, so it wasn’t a complete loss….
January 1, 2026
Meh.
Icky and Funboy are decent secondary comic relief characters. That said, they are ‘one trick ponies’ and can’t really carry a spinoff. If there are further adventures, fine, but I won’t read them. This book wasn’t very well structured and, frankly, boring. That’s my negativity for the day.
Icky and Funboy are decent secondary comic relief characters. That said, they are ‘one trick ponies’ and can’t really carry a spinoff. If there are further adventures, fine, but I won’t read them. This book wasn’t very well structured and, frankly, boring. That’s my negativity for the day.
January 1, 2026
A different type....
..... of story plot. It was full of questionable plot lines. Plenty oh Hows, and Wheres and so on. Quite a few of dead ends and of course Icky and Funboys interaction. Maybe a good plot to fill in for The coming retirement. Just over the Horizon. Stay Tuned I guess
..... of story plot. It was full of questionable plot lines. Plenty oh Hows, and Wheres and so on. Quite a few of dead ends and of course Icky and Funboys interaction. Maybe a good plot to fill in for The coming retirement. Just over the Horizon. Stay Tuned I guess
January 17, 2026
Great continuation of these lovable characters……
Have always loved Icky and this book continues that enjoyment even more
fanboy developed into a professional peacemaker at his finest…. Well done J.N and Terry, please keep this wonderful series of the Backyard starship saga going…..forever maybe? :)
Have always loved Icky and this book continues that enjoyment even more
fanboy developed into a professional peacemaker at his finest…. Well done J.N and Terry, please keep this wonderful series of the Backyard starship saga going…..forever maybe? :)
January 21, 2026
Personality and Action!
I am glad I found this book from the Peacemaker universe! Excellent action, and the suspense kept the pages turning. Hopefully, there will be another soon. Generally these protagonists outside of their normal team dynamics may seem unsatisfactory. But it works because of the familiarity of the protagonists. Unexpected and a good read. Thanks!
I am glad I found this book from the Peacemaker universe! Excellent action, and the suspense kept the pages turning. Hopefully, there will be another soon. Generally these protagonists outside of their normal team dynamics may seem unsatisfactory. But it works because of the familiarity of the protagonists. Unexpected and a good read. Thanks!
April 7, 2026
Good addition to Backyard Starship.
Fun boy and Icky make an interesting team, investigating a murder they are accused of. They are allowed to search for clues working to clear themselves. Well written and organized in a manner that won't be easy to guess the outcome. I would enjoy working alongside Icky, she is quite the gal!
Fun boy and Icky make an interesting team, investigating a murder they are accused of. They are allowed to search for clues working to clear themselves. Well written and organized in a manner that won't be easy to guess the outcome. I would enjoy working alongside Icky, she is quite the gal!
December 8, 2025
What a Twist!
I am hoping for more books like this. It was as good a whodunit as I have ever read and I'd love more standalone volumes in the same vein. Maybe with different pairs and maybe including Goober.
In short, a breath of fresh air with inscrutable mysteries.
BZ guys.
I am hoping for more books like this. It was as good a whodunit as I have ever read and I'd love more standalone volumes in the same vein. Maybe with different pairs and maybe including Goober.
In short, a breath of fresh air with inscrutable mysteries.
BZ guys.
January 2, 2026
Incredibly Boring.
Overused plot lines. Character interactions dull and predictable. The whole book's concept should have been scraped on the planning board.
The only thing good was the ending. One, because it ended the book: and Two, the only place the writing was enjoyable.
Overused plot lines. Character interactions dull and predictable. The whole book's concept should have been scraped on the planning board.
The only thing good was the ending. One, because it ended the book: and Two, the only place the writing was enjoyable.
January 6, 2026
Good read but
The but part is that if felt the story line dragged out. It could have been condensed and make for more enjoyable reading rather than dragging and then becoming boring.
The but part is that if felt the story line dragged out. It could have been condensed and make for more enjoyable reading rather than dragging and then becoming boring.
January 12, 2026
Another fun adventure with the team!
Icky and Funboy team up on a adventure? Intrigue, hijinx, and hammer weilding mayhem? So much fun.
Another fun part of the Peacekeepers universe.
Icky and Funboy team up on a adventure? Intrigue, hijinx, and hammer weilding mayhem? So much fun.
Another fun part of the Peacekeepers universe.
January 20, 2026
As always adventure, surprises and laughs.
Never would have though Funboy and Icky would make a dynamic duo. They pulled it off and found they had more compatability than the could have imagined.
Entertaining story.
Never would have though Funboy and Icky would make a dynamic duo. They pulled it off and found they had more compatability than the could have imagined.
Entertaining story.
January 25, 2026
I really enjoy the Backyard Starship series. However, Icky and Funboy doesn’t match them. The writing of this one just wasn’t as good. I think it was thrown together to fill in the time gap for the next volume of Backyard Starship.
June 7, 2026
The usual shenanigans from our favorite FunBoy and Icky. I love the consistency of these characters and yet how they continue to evolve.
I will always listen to another story from this series. Thank you Jeffrey Kafer for embodying these wonderful characters.
I will always listen to another story from this series. Thank you Jeffrey Kafer for embodying these wonderful characters.
December 11, 2025
Superlative
I've read the BS series and now they'rs some side action with Funboy and Icky. Love the writing style. I hope there is more side bars.
I've read the BS series and now they'rs some side action with Funboy and Icky. Love the writing style. I hope there is more side bars.
December 18, 2025
Amazing adventure
I’m so glad Icky and Funboy are the lead characters in their own story. It was funny and had plenty of twists and turns.
I’m so glad Icky and Funboy are the lead characters in their own story. It was funny and had plenty of twists and turns.
December 28, 2025
Really good
Great short story! It's a spy adventure with Sourpuss & Stomach. What more could you ask for? Definitely worth the time to read.
Great short story! It's a spy adventure with Sourpuss & Stomach. What more could you ask for? Definitely worth the time to read.
January 14, 2026
Kept my interest
Another good story from this series. Every one of them has been a good and fun read. I'm going to read it again.
Another good story from this series. Every one of them has been a good and fun read. I'm going to read it again.
February 24, 2026
Fun and entertaining
February 27, 2026
Great story
Read
March 1, 2026Top Notch Science Fiction!
May 3, 2026
As my favourite characters from the Backyard Starship series, I absolutely loved this Icky & Funboy adventure. An entertaining sci-fi whodunit.
May 7, 2026
They did it again!
The plot was very interesting and the twists were interesting. Not sure how they keep coming with such plots and material. Looking forward to more!
The plot was very interesting and the twists were interesting. Not sure how they keep coming with such plots and material. Looking forward to more!
May 20, 2026
great read
This is Icky and Funboy at their best. Always frame and violence but justice always prevails even when the odds are against them.
This is Icky and Funboy at their best. Always frame and violence but justice always prevails even when the odds are against them.
May 23, 2026
Great Spinoff
Very enjoyable read. Good mystery tale with several expected and unexpected twists. I'm looking forward to a follow-up. You will enjoy reading this.
Very enjoyable read. Good mystery tale with several expected and unexpected twists. I'm looking forward to a follow-up. You will enjoy reading this.
May 29, 2026
Not what I expected or wanted. A murder mistery really!
Normally I can't put one down, but this was a very difficult read for me. I didn't look forward to it as normal.
Normally I can't put one down, but this was a very difficult read for me. I didn't look forward to it as normal.
June 30, 2026
Strange but fun read. Approved by the cat on my lap.
January 1, 2026
Good, but,
There are things about this book that I really liked. It was about time that these two got paired off to let nature take its course. However, because of the lowering of standards on decent language not found in other volumes of the related series, I took 2 stars off what I would have otherwise rated this book. There was no reason for the crudeness that appeared out of nowhere for no good reason.
There are things about this book that I really liked. It was about time that these two got paired off to let nature take its course. However, because of the lowering of standards on decent language not found in other volumes of the related series, I took 2 stars off what I would have otherwise rated this book. There was no reason for the crudeness that appeared out of nowhere for no good reason.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews