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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
178 people are currently reading
18 people want to read
About the author
J.N. Chaney
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 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
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.
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
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.
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.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews