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The Comic-Con Killer
Joe Durvance was the biggest TV star of the 1980s, but now he's a nobody. When he can't even get a role in panto, he decides to accept an offer to appear at a low-key sci-fi convention. What he doesn't reckon on is being murdered onstage during his Q&A session by a masked latex-clad cosplayer, with no end of suspects including crazy fans, rival convention organisers and even his own son.
Joe's wife Janette is half his age and wasn't even born when his show The Constellation Cowboys was on TV. With her husband dead, she doesn't waste any time in shacking up with her stepson Antoine. As their passion intensifies, and dark secrets from the past begin to creep out of the woodwork, who will be left alive as the killer rampages through all the suspects?
Now it's up to Inspector Nicola Williams to stop the maniac, but she has her own demons to fight. The love of her life is dead, her superintendent has quit and things are getting steamy with a male officer half her age. Luckily she has the help of Joe Durvance super-fan Justin Bates, an eccentric sci-fi obsessive who feels right at home in the murky world of comic-cons and Z-list celebrities.
Joe's wife Janette is half his age and wasn't even born when his show The Constellation Cowboys was on TV. With her husband dead, she doesn't waste any time in shacking up with her stepson Antoine. As their passion intensifies, and dark secrets from the past begin to creep out of the woodwork, who will be left alive as the killer rampages through all the suspects?
Now it's up to Inspector Nicola Williams to stop the maniac, but she has her own demons to fight. The love of her life is dead, her superintendent has quit and things are getting steamy with a male officer half her age. Luckily she has the help of Joe Durvance super-fan Justin Bates, an eccentric sci-fi obsessive who feels right at home in the murky world of comic-cons and Z-list celebrities.
120 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2015
8 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
September 19, 2015
A madcap murder mystery
Funnily enough, I bought my copy of this book from the author himself while at a comic-con.
This quick read is a story of murder set within the seamy underside of the collector convention scene, where shagging, gore, betrayal and often disgusting dark humour abound. Comedy can be a personal thing, but for me, the jokes, poking fun at celebrity culture, science fiction and fandom, mostly hit their mark. It's a quick read that takes on a breakneck pace by the halfway point and I enjoyed it overall.
Funnily enough, I bought my copy of this book from the author himself while at a comic-con.
This quick read is a story of murder set within the seamy underside of the collector convention scene, where shagging, gore, betrayal and often disgusting dark humour abound. Comedy can be a personal thing, but for me, the jokes, poking fun at celebrity culture, science fiction and fandom, mostly hit their mark. It's a quick read that takes on a breakneck pace by the halfway point and I enjoyed it overall.
September 28, 2015
I bought a copy of this book at a convention.
I must say that Gareth has a way with words which can often times leave you squirming in your seat. The Comic-Con Killer does not shy away from this, but at the same time offers what I can only conclude as a cynical and bleak view of the whole Comic-Con industry, from sweaty fat men who collect everything in mint condition, to has-been film stars in the line up for a convention.
The bleak picture that Gareth paints starts to drain you, but before things send you spiralling into depression, the mood changes as some seriously funny moments crop up, and you can quickly find yourself reading the remainder of the book in one sitting.
This book has it all; sex, intrigue, mystery, plot twists, freaky assed psycho convention organisers, you name it, it's got it. Stripping back the layers reveals a story of greed, love and revenge, but the question remains. Who killed Joe Durvance?
From the gross moments of a nasty toilet scene to the unfortunate death of a character who slips on a turd and drowns in a septic tank of feces and urine, you will find yourself hooked on finishing The Comic-Con Killer.
I must say that Gareth has a way with words which can often times leave you squirming in your seat. The Comic-Con Killer does not shy away from this, but at the same time offers what I can only conclude as a cynical and bleak view of the whole Comic-Con industry, from sweaty fat men who collect everything in mint condition, to has-been film stars in the line up for a convention.
The bleak picture that Gareth paints starts to drain you, but before things send you spiralling into depression, the mood changes as some seriously funny moments crop up, and you can quickly find yourself reading the remainder of the book in one sitting.
This book has it all; sex, intrigue, mystery, plot twists, freaky assed psycho convention organisers, you name it, it's got it. Stripping back the layers reveals a story of greed, love and revenge, but the question remains. Who killed Joe Durvance?
From the gross moments of a nasty toilet scene to the unfortunate death of a character who slips on a turd and drowns in a septic tank of feces and urine, you will find yourself hooked on finishing The Comic-Con Killer.
October 2, 2015
This book both disgusted me and intrigued me. I loved it, I hated it, it was...everything all at once! I must admit, I scratched my head all the way through as to killed Joe Durvance, and I didn't see the ending coming at all. Excellent plot twist. Gareth manages to make the disturbing elements of life both funny yet traumatic at the same time.
The characters are diverse and very unique in their personalities. Each one very human in their depictions, even down to bodily functions. It's a little much, but it's true to life in that respect. I did find myself laughing at times. I also felt my stomach churning at times. Sometimes both happened simultaneously which made for an interesting evening.
It leaves you guessing all the way through who the killer might be, and just when you think you might be onto someone, chances are you were wrong...at least I was anyway.
If you like dark humour, a healthy dose of cynicism, and a true who-done-it mystery, definitely buy this book.
The characters are diverse and very unique in their personalities. Each one very human in their depictions, even down to bodily functions. It's a little much, but it's true to life in that respect. I did find myself laughing at times. I also felt my stomach churning at times. Sometimes both happened simultaneously which made for an interesting evening.
It leaves you guessing all the way through who the killer might be, and just when you think you might be onto someone, chances are you were wrong...at least I was anyway.
If you like dark humour, a healthy dose of cynicism, and a true who-done-it mystery, definitely buy this book.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews