Lillian Stewart Carl

Jean Fairbairn, writer for “Great Scot Magazine,” is in Inverness to interview some folks on the Loch Ness monster phenomenon. Iris Mackintosh, local environmental activist and whose father claims to have seen Nessie in the 1930s, is also on Jean’s list of interviews along with American scientist, Roger Dempsey. Dempsey is in Inverness to prove Nessie does exist by using his latest electronic gear to search the waters. A backdrop to this all is the “Midsummer Monster Madness Festival.”

During the fireworks show the first night, Dempsey’s boat explodes out on the water. One of his divers is killed. The consensus is it was intended to kill Dempsey. He had already received death threats.

Jean finds herself drawn in to solving the crime and also dealing with her feelings when Detective Alistair Cameron arrives on the scene. They had worked together before.

A good cozy read with a fair share of red herrings to keep you guessing.… (more)

Somewhat dull but useful companion volume to Bujold's famous Miles series. The opening chapters where Bujold is interviewed and talk with her own prose are the most interesting. After that comes a series of book forwards by sort of famous people who enjoyed them, history of the universe, and spoilers (or synopsis) of all the plots - nowhere near as entertaining as re-reading them, but probably useful if you're trying to find something specific. It does make you realise just how madcap the adventures are. There's also a glossary of all the names, places and people - what book they appeared in and what backstory we know about them. Many are just one name, and a line or two. Again not really interesting, but a useful reference if you're trying to remember the details. I suspect its actually most useful for Bujold herself, who can keep all the backstory true when she's writing prequels.

I very much suspect that Bujold's own writing history is now not an amenable path for new authors looking to get published. Her first three novels were taken by Baen - a company she remains on good terms with today despite being a very much more major author name now. Only after her first seven books had been accepted did she recruit an agent to assist with the contract negotiations etc.

A useful bluffers guide if you're going to be interacting with the Bujold fanbase and don't have time to read all the books. Or a reference for those who've read them but can't quite remember the details when it comes to who was who. But for the average reader of Bujold, it doesn't hold anything of particular note. Published in 2008 so it doesn't have the latest stories in it.… (more)