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Novel Problems
Novel Problems is a humorous science-fiction story about a book that causes its author unexpected grief.
How can one book cause so much trouble? It starts when the author uses confidential information to write a novel about alien spies.
The book falls into the hands of an ambitious admiral who mistakes it for a real document. He launches a manhunt for the aliens, with the author as his prime suspect.
The truth is out there somewhere, but neither of these characters is likely to find it! The author's friends must help him clear his name, while the admiral's inept minions try to put him away for good. All unaware that real aliens are watching the situation and deciding the fate of humanity!
How can one book cause so much trouble? It starts when the author uses confidential information to write a novel about alien spies.
The book falls into the hands of an ambitious admiral who mistakes it for a real document. He launches a manhunt for the aliens, with the author as his prime suspect.
The truth is out there somewhere, but neither of these characters is likely to find it! The author's friends must help him clear his name, while the admiral's inept minions try to put him away for good. All unaware that real aliens are watching the situation and deciding the fate of humanity!
340 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 1, 2020
24 people are currently reading
931 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
December 27, 2022
Jake writes really bad science fiction in which he includes some non-classified information about a missile defense system his company builds. His friends convince him to rewrite and get rid of the company info, but through a complicated series of events his original manuscript ends up in an agent’s hands who sends it to a contact in the military to vet. That contact, who is also working on the actual missile defense system, gets in a car accident and the sf manuscript and the real documents concerning the defense system get mixed together convincing the most inept group of military intelligence operatives (think Monty Python doing a skit about inept government investigators) that there is a spy ring trying to steal their system. To make matters even worse, the sf novel has aliens in it and the investigators think that aliens are also involved in the espionage plot.
What follows is a convoluted series of mistakes and other bungles that would make the aforementioned Monty Python actors proud. The investigators convince themselves that a serious plot is afoot that actually involves outer space aliens and they are determined to uncover it no matter how many idiots get in their way. The most competent people in the whole story are the dog and the third grader—oh, and the actual aliens who are trying very hard not to get caught up in this investigation.
It certainly is a crazy storyline and that’s what makes it fun.
What follows is a convoluted series of mistakes and other bungles that would make the aforementioned Monty Python actors proud. The investigators convince themselves that a serious plot is afoot that actually involves outer space aliens and they are determined to uncover it no matter how many idiots get in their way. The most competent people in the whole story are the dog and the third grader—oh, and the actual aliens who are trying very hard not to get caught up in this investigation.
It certainly is a crazy storyline and that’s what makes it fun.
March 16, 2021
Much too messy for me
Some books should stay buried - maybe, but this one should stay on the shelf. I found the narrative too disjointed and erratic, with some odd character faults hinged on questionable behavior. No character development to speak of, and a mostly unbelievable plot. Not the experience I expected from the preview.
Some books should stay buried - maybe, but this one should stay on the shelf. I found the narrative too disjointed and erratic, with some odd character faults hinged on questionable behavior. No character development to speak of, and a mostly unbelievable plot. Not the experience I expected from the preview.
December 4, 2020
"Novel Problems" by George Morrison is a humourous sci-fi with alien beings, relatable characters, and a hint of romance. Vivid descriptions and attention to details within scenes brings this tale to life.
Jake is a secret novelist. Rejection after rejection has dimmed his zest for writing, but he still attempts to write the next great sci-fi novel. He sits behind his government-issued desk and dreams up stories for his characters. His faithful friend, Felipe, is his sounding board. With their mischievous book-hurrying dog, Chaucer, they live a quiet life of geeky bachelors.
Together, they proofread Jake's recent novel, which is based largely in information gleaned from Jake's government job. The plot incorporates somewhat secret touch-points, but Jake shrugs it off as simply being part of a fictional story.
When Jake's young niece, Daphne, discovers his latest novel, she decides to surprise him by sending it to a local publishing agent. This is when Jake's trouble begins, and he could only wish his manuscript had stayed buried.
Claire, a hardworking literary agent, receives the manuscript and is intrigued by the realistic premise and correlation to local government. After her initial research, she sends the manuscript out for further fact-checking, Little did she know that the sci-fi tale about aliens from outer space would reach an actual inter-planetary visitor! What was once pure fiction is regarded as a true documentary of government secrets.
The network of aliens is human-like and powerful. Their reaction to being, as they believe, discovered, is paranoia. With good reason.
Soon, Jake, Claire, and even little Daphne, are embroiled in a government conspiracy that goes beyond country, beyond Earth.
This book is a fun jaunt through a world that could be, and is highly relatable.
Jake is a secret novelist. Rejection after rejection has dimmed his zest for writing, but he still attempts to write the next great sci-fi novel. He sits behind his government-issued desk and dreams up stories for his characters. His faithful friend, Felipe, is his sounding board. With their mischievous book-hurrying dog, Chaucer, they live a quiet life of geeky bachelors.
Together, they proofread Jake's recent novel, which is based largely in information gleaned from Jake's government job. The plot incorporates somewhat secret touch-points, but Jake shrugs it off as simply being part of a fictional story.
When Jake's young niece, Daphne, discovers his latest novel, she decides to surprise him by sending it to a local publishing agent. This is when Jake's trouble begins, and he could only wish his manuscript had stayed buried.
Claire, a hardworking literary agent, receives the manuscript and is intrigued by the realistic premise and correlation to local government. After her initial research, she sends the manuscript out for further fact-checking, Little did she know that the sci-fi tale about aliens from outer space would reach an actual inter-planetary visitor! What was once pure fiction is regarded as a true documentary of government secrets.
The network of aliens is human-like and powerful. Their reaction to being, as they believe, discovered, is paranoia. With good reason.
Soon, Jake, Claire, and even little Daphne, are embroiled in a government conspiracy that goes beyond country, beyond Earth.
This book is a fun jaunt through a world that could be, and is highly relatable.
March 3, 2022
I received this as a Goodreads Giveaway.
Novel Problems tells about Jake, an IT nerd and aspiring novelist, who finds himself caught up in a national security breach when his niece Daphne sends his recent rough draft to a local publisher. Said publisher, Claire, sends the manuscript to a military friend to get an expert opinion, but things go south when the friend is in a car accident. The manuscript goes flying and mixes with official documents, making it look like the writer had access to classified information. A crack team of detectives makes a mess of hunting down Jake and Claire, among others, to get to the bottom of the security breach. The detectives wrongly suspect alien espionage of the rather innocent perps, while completely overlooking the actual aliens who closely resemble those written about in the manuscript.
While this book is not laugh-out-loud funny, it read like a Dave Barry book if Dave Barry wrote sci-fi. It was a series of humorous mistakes and missteps on the part of the accusers and accused. Eight-year-old Daphne was the stand-out star of the book as she takes charge in many scenes and seems to be the character with the most sense.
Novel Problems tells about Jake, an IT nerd and aspiring novelist, who finds himself caught up in a national security breach when his niece Daphne sends his recent rough draft to a local publisher. Said publisher, Claire, sends the manuscript to a military friend to get an expert opinion, but things go south when the friend is in a car accident. The manuscript goes flying and mixes with official documents, making it look like the writer had access to classified information. A crack team of detectives makes a mess of hunting down Jake and Claire, among others, to get to the bottom of the security breach. The detectives wrongly suspect alien espionage of the rather innocent perps, while completely overlooking the actual aliens who closely resemble those written about in the manuscript.
While this book is not laugh-out-loud funny, it read like a Dave Barry book if Dave Barry wrote sci-fi. It was a series of humorous mistakes and missteps on the part of the accusers and accused. Eight-year-old Daphne was the stand-out star of the book as she takes charge in many scenes and seems to be the character with the most sense.
December 22, 2025
Novel Problems by George Morrison is a super funny and exciting sci-fi story that also makes you think about creativity, friendship, and teamwork. The story is about Jake, a secret novelist, who uses some confidential info from his government job to write a novel about alien spies. Things go totally sideways when the book ends up in the hands of an ambitious admiral who thinks it’s real. He launches a manhunt for aliens and thinks Jake is the main suspect!
Jake’s friends, including his niece Daphne and his loyal buddy Felipe, have to help him clear his name while the admiral’s clueless minions try to catch him. Meanwhile, actual aliens are watching everything and deciding the fate of humanity! The way the story mixes comedy, sci-fi, and real human relationships makes it really fun to read.
I loved the characters, they feel real, funny, and easy to relate to. The scenes are vivid, and there’s even a little hint of romance. It’s not just about aliens or government secrets; it’s about friendship, trust, and handling unexpected chaos.
If you like books that are funny, a little crazy, and full of adventure with relatable characters, you’ll really enjoy Novel Problems.
Jake’s friends, including his niece Daphne and his loyal buddy Felipe, have to help him clear his name while the admiral’s clueless minions try to catch him. Meanwhile, actual aliens are watching everything and deciding the fate of humanity! The way the story mixes comedy, sci-fi, and real human relationships makes it really fun to read.
I loved the characters, they feel real, funny, and easy to relate to. The scenes are vivid, and there’s even a little hint of romance. It’s not just about aliens or government secrets; it’s about friendship, trust, and handling unexpected chaos.
If you like books that are funny, a little crazy, and full of adventure with relatable characters, you’ll really enjoy Novel Problems.
February 10, 2022
An aspiring writer uses information about a new missile system his employer is developing for the government as part of a science fiction novel. When the government mistakes it for a journal of an alien spy, he finds himself in hot water.
This turned out to be a quick, light read. The characters were engaging enough, but the tone was a little scattershot, with Keystone Cops style antics of the government agents mixed with occasional physical and psychological torture. That undermined the author's efforts to humanize the agents, unfortunately.
Also, there were elements of the story that felt unnecessary and didn't really go anywhere, in particular a subplot involving real aliens. Still, the story moved along at a brisk pace and was entertaining enough. Still, it could probably have used a stronger edit to resolve some of these issues.
Ultimately, while the author may have been going for the feel of something like "Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy", it felt more like the book equivalent of "Adventures in Babysitting".
This turned out to be a quick, light read. The characters were engaging enough, but the tone was a little scattershot, with Keystone Cops style antics of the government agents mixed with occasional physical and psychological torture. That undermined the author's efforts to humanize the agents, unfortunately.
Also, there were elements of the story that felt unnecessary and didn't really go anywhere, in particular a subplot involving real aliens. Still, the story moved along at a brisk pace and was entertaining enough. Still, it could probably have used a stronger edit to resolve some of these issues.
Ultimately, while the author may have been going for the feel of something like "Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy", it felt more like the book equivalent of "Adventures in Babysitting".
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January 3, 2024George Morrison ’77
Author
From the author:
In Novel Problems, an unsuspecting author finds himself caught in a web of danger and deceit when his science-fiction novel is mistaken for a real document!
When the book falls into the hands of an ambitious admiral, the author becomes the prime suspect in a manhunt for the aliens he wrote about in his book. While the admiral and his minions try to put him away, the author's friends must help him clear his name. Neither of these characters is aware that real aliens are watching and deciding the fate of humanity!
If you enjoyed the thrilling action and suspense of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, you'll love Novel Problems.
Author
From the author:
In Novel Problems, an unsuspecting author finds himself caught in a web of danger and deceit when his science-fiction novel is mistaken for a real document!
When the book falls into the hands of an ambitious admiral, the author becomes the prime suspect in a manhunt for the aliens he wrote about in his book. While the admiral and his minions try to put him away, the author's friends must help him clear his name. Neither of these characters is aware that real aliens are watching and deciding the fate of humanity!
If you enjoyed the thrilling action and suspense of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, you'll love Novel Problems.
February 5, 2022
For the first half of this book I wasn’t for sure if I would finish this book but then things started to pick up and I needed to know how it ended. I wish the ending was a little more… the events of this book would not have have led to this in real life. There were areas that could have been expanded in such as character development and how all the characters were connected and some could have been trimmed or that didn’t pertain to the story.
I would say this book is written more to a middle grade style then I expected and could see if working well with that group with a little clean up. I received this book in a goodreads giveaway.
I would say this book is written more to a middle grade style then I expected and could see if working well with that group with a little clean up. I received this book in a goodreads giveaway.
February 21, 2023
If your looking for a government alien coverup “comedy” I’d say this is it.. though the real aliens didn’t seem to have a reason to be in the story… The book creates a hero out of a Labrador and a young girl because the government is full of a bunch of power hungry man-children unable to realize they made a mistake. the ending did feel a tad rushed, and again i was expecting more from the real aliens throughout the story.
May 22, 2021
Not what I expected it is a Great Humorous Science Fiction
I,m tried off all the war sci-fi that is being publish now.
This is a great relief, all ages will enjoy this book. I hope to see more like this from the author. It is so goo that I will buy the book for my library. I can also see this as a great fun movie.
I,m tried off all the war sci-fi that is being publish now.
This is a great relief, all ages will enjoy this book. I hope to see more like this from the author. It is so goo that I will buy the book for my library. I can also see this as a great fun movie.
November 23, 2021
You won’t be able to put this down
This book is cleverly written and funny at the same time. Learn how a bunch of simple mistakes can set a investigation in the wrong direction. It’s easy to follow just how all this happens. This book can be read by everyone and should be. Enjoyed it to the full most.
This book is cleverly written and funny at the same time. Learn how a bunch of simple mistakes can set a investigation in the wrong direction. It’s easy to follow just how all this happens. This book can be read by everyone and should be. Enjoyed it to the full most.
October 20, 2020
Fun way to spend a few hours...
This book was fun to read. Plus, I loved the way it exposes the Patriot Act for what it is- a runaround of the Constitution!
The characters are well developed and realistic, for the most part. But, most of of all, it was just a great adventure.
This book was fun to read. Plus, I loved the way it exposes the Patriot Act for what it is- a runaround of the Constitution!
The characters are well developed and realistic, for the most part. But, most of of all, it was just a great adventure.
May 4, 2022
The book was okay. I did like the characters, but the real aliens are useless and the authorities are on the dumb side. The storyline was satisfying so that makes up for the other things that were a little off in the book.
May 23, 2022
This book seemed really satirical and over the top. The story itself was interesting, but every little thing was SO DRAMATIC that it almost seemed useless. I spent half the book rolling my eyes at the story. But I loved the little alien love plot backstory. It was kinda cute.
July 22, 2022
I hoped to like this, because I do like quirky books, but this just wasn't that great. I really didn't see the point of Solomon and Hansen at all.
Received via Goodreads giveaway for nothing more than an honest review
Received via Goodreads giveaway for nothing more than an honest review
January 31, 2022
Enjoyable and entertaining storyline that held my interest throughout.
June 22, 2022
Writing is a little schlocky, but it is a fun, quick, quirky read.
December 31, 2024
Funny, and horribly believable
What a fun romp. Loved it for the entertainment value. Not the great American novel, but I enjoyed it immensely. I can see it as a fun movie.
What a fun romp. Loved it for the entertainment value. Not the great American novel, but I enjoyed it immensely. I can see it as a fun movie.
April 9, 2021
This is a really fun spoof of an alien sci-fi conspiracy. Through a series of mishaps, a novel is mistaken for a spy's work and the adventure takes off from there. Lots of interesting characters (Jake, Daphne, Claire, Chaucer ...), great humor, fast pacing ... this all makes for an enjoyable and easy read.
I won a copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway for this honest review.
I won a copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway for this honest review.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews