What do you think?
Rate this book
The Mervyn Stone Mysteries #3
Cursed Among Sequels
It's the announcement all its fans have been waiting for! After seventeen long years, they're bringing back the science-fiction TV series Vixens from the Void; an intergalactic story of Space Bitches which was as 80s as Hair Gel, Live Aid and the Brixton Riots. So it's bright lights, good times and the high life for ex-script editor Mervyn Stone again! Or so he thought - The reason why he is stuck in a pub in the the backside of Cornwall, with no decent television channels, no central heating and a badger in his bed eludes him at the moment. His breakfasts smell of burning flesh, and his underpants are starting to coagulate. And to make matters worse, someone is trying to kill him. Is it the incompetent director who hates Mervyn from way back? The mad fan who wants the relaunch stopped at all costs? The flaky ambitious star? The executive producer with 'issues'? The arrogant womanising actor? The writer pretending to be something he's not? The producer with a guilty secret? Mervyn is learning something very important. Perhaps the past should stay in the past.
271 pages, Hardcover
First published April 1, 2011
1 person is currently reading
30 people want to read
About the author
Nev Fountain
52 books45 followersNev Fountain, born Steven John Fountain, is an English writer, best known for his comedy work with writing partner Tom Jamieson on the radio and television programme 'Dead Ringers'.
He is currently writing for Dead Ringers and the satirical magazine 'Private Eye'.
He has written three humorous murder-mystery novels, collectively called 'The Mervyn Stone Mysteries', and a serious thriller called 'Painkiller'.
His latest book, 'The Fan Who Knew Too Much' was released in July this year.
Nev was born in Stamford, Lincolnshire and now resides in Surrey.
He is currently writing for Dead Ringers and the satirical magazine 'Private Eye'.
He has written three humorous murder-mystery novels, collectively called 'The Mervyn Stone Mysteries', and a serious thriller called 'Painkiller'.
His latest book, 'The Fan Who Knew Too Much' was released in July this year.
Nev was born in Stamford, Lincolnshire and now resides in Surrey.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
July 23, 2021
The Mervyn Stone books finish (although there could easily be more) on fine form with Cursed Among Sequels, which recaptures that kind of high concept setting that made Geek Tragedy feel so fresh. (I felt the second book didn’t really have that, despite revolving quaintly around a DVD commentary.)
This time, instead of a sci-fi convention, the story happens on a location shoot for the Vixens From The Void reboot. Instead of a series of murders there are suspicious attempted murders; curiously this involves just as much investigation as a “normal” murder mystery. The plot is pleasingly complex and comes together very neatly. The only element that really stuck out (and it’s not really a spoiler) was Mervyn’s long lost son appearing out of nowhere for one scene. Surely even Mervyn would strike a red pen through that one!
It’s as laconically funny as its hero, although as usual his somewhat dated, little-bit-sleazy personality does creep into the narrative. (But not as much as in DVD Extras Include: Murder.) I enjoyed the references to cult SF telly, some subtler than others! Brisk chapters as usual keep the momentum going, and I enjoyed thumbing through it at a quick pace.
This time, instead of a sci-fi convention, the story happens on a location shoot for the Vixens From The Void reboot. Instead of a series of murders there are suspicious attempted murders; curiously this involves just as much investigation as a “normal” murder mystery. The plot is pleasingly complex and comes together very neatly. The only element that really stuck out (and it’s not really a spoiler) was Mervyn’s long lost son appearing out of nowhere for one scene. Surely even Mervyn would strike a red pen through that one!
It’s as laconically funny as its hero, although as usual his somewhat dated, little-bit-sleazy personality does creep into the narrative. (But not as much as in DVD Extras Include: Murder.) I enjoyed the references to cult SF telly, some subtler than others! Brisk chapters as usual keep the momentum going, and I enjoyed thumbing through it at a quick pace.
August 2, 2012
I have now finished the entire Mervyn Stone trilogy. Will there be more? I honestly wasn't sure if I would like this third part. I thought the second novel was inferior to the first and I was afraid that this one might limp along. However, I was delighted to see that Cursed Among Sequels was almost as brilliant as number one. (Nothing beats a murder or two that occur at a sci-Fi convention!) Mervyn is hired to help out on a remake of Vixens from the Void, his space-age Dynasty rip-off cult classic tv series from the 80s. It always amazes me how he continually gets suckered back into the Vixens lair, becomes a super genius investigator, and narrowly misses a horrible, painful death.
I've never been a sci-Fi fan. My dad and brother were the fans in the household. In fact, I think they both have blister-packed action figures lurking in their homes. Granted, my dad's were probably gifts from my brother. But the both are still addicted to Doctor Who and Torchwood. I even have a nasty ex who was a Trekker and force fed me old Star Trek movies. All of that aside, this series tickled my funny bone and brought back memories of my tortured youth where Sundays were ruled by the males having ownership over the remote control with dreary Science Fiction programming brainwashed into my brain. I guess the point I'd like to make is: this series is for everyone. Mystery lovers will be highly entertained. Comedy lovers will giggle themselves silly. And Sci-Fi lovers....well let's just hope they can laugh at themselves. Just a little bit.
I've never been a sci-Fi fan. My dad and brother were the fans in the household. In fact, I think they both have blister-packed action figures lurking in their homes. Granted, my dad's were probably gifts from my brother. But the both are still addicted to Doctor Who and Torchwood. I even have a nasty ex who was a Trekker and force fed me old Star Trek movies. All of that aside, this series tickled my funny bone and brought back memories of my tortured youth where Sundays were ruled by the males having ownership over the remote control with dreary Science Fiction programming brainwashed into my brain. I guess the point I'd like to make is: this series is for everyone. Mystery lovers will be highly entertained. Comedy lovers will giggle themselves silly. And Sci-Fi lovers....well let's just hope they can laugh at themselves. Just a little bit.
June 9, 2012
Pretty decent. I liked the twist ending.
December 26, 2017
Cute and funny, I quite enjoyed this random book (with the horrible cover). Camp murder mystery.
November 28, 2014
I was vaguely disappointed with this. I love the other two books in the series, and is hoping for more of the same. But somehow this one doesn't quite work in the same way. There are some nice ideas in there, but the payoff isn't as interesting or clever as in the other two books in the series.
November 17, 2015
The series continues. Still great fun.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews