mysteries published by BAEN

[Over]

Originally Posted by HarryT

THOROUGHLY seconded. The "Thraxas" books are wonderful. I'm especially fond of his barbarian, ax-wielding, chainmail-bikini-wearing girlfriend . They're written by Martin Scott. Although they can be read independently, they're best read as a series. Unfortunately it all rather ends "mid story" because the author had a contractual disagreement with Baen over what should have been the final book in the series.

Ouch! Does this means the series will be unfinished? Or the author will release subsequent novels in another publisher?

[HarryT]

Apologies for the omission .

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by Over

Ouch! Does this means the series will be unfinished? Or the author will release subsequent novels in another publisher?

The author has a blog on which the whole story is explained, but unfortunately I can't find the address at present (do you know where it is, Xenophon?). I think the current situation is that he hopes to write an ending at some point, but there are no definite plans for it yet.

Don't let it put you off the series. The 8 (I think it's 8) books in it are great!

[Xenophon]

Zelda:

The aforementioned Lord Darcy stories are truly excellent. Randal Garrett accepted a challenge from John W. Campbell editor of Astounding Science Fiction -- then the leading SF magazine in the world -- to write a mystery in a fantasy setting that didn't cheat on the mystery aspect. All necessary information is available to the reader. The laws of magic are explained (enough), and are scrupulously followed. No "Holmesian" "but I knew from examination of the cigar ashes that..." denoument -- when the examination of the cigar ashes and what Holmes knew therefrom was never indicated to the reader. As an editor Campbell strongly believed that technology (whether SF or Magical) and story background had to be consistent; he published quite a lot of Hard SF because of that bias. Randall Garrett not only satisfied Campbell, he (metaphorically) hit the ball completely out of the park! These stories are really good!

Lord Darcy as a character is something of a hybrid of Sherlock Holmes, Lord Peter Whimsey, and James Bond. At various points in the stories you'll recognize homage to many of the great mystery writers and characters who have gone before. Don't miss these books.

Xenophon

[ShortNCuddlyAm]

*making notes* Lots of interesting-sounding books here...

[pdurrant]

You can find the explanation at

http://martin-millar.blogspot.com/2007/12/thraxas.html

I've no idea what the contractual problems were with Baen. A shame they couldn't come to an agreement.

Hopefully something will get worked out eventually, whether with Baen or with another publisher.

Originally Posted by HarryT

The author has a blog on which the whole story is explained, but unfortunately I can't find the address at present (do you know where it is, Xenophon?). I think the current situation is that he hopes to write an ending at some point, but there are no definite plans for it yet.

Don't let it put you off the series. The 8 (I think it's 8) books in it are great!

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by pdurrant

You can find the explanation at

http://martin-millar.blogspot.com/2007/12/thraxas.html

I've no idea what the contractual problems were with Baen. A shame they couldn't come to an agreement.

That's the one I was looking for! Thanks for posting the link.

[zelda_pinwheel]

Originally Posted by Xenophon

Zelda:

The aforementioned Lord Darcy stories are truly excellent. Randal Garrett accepted a challenge from John W. Campbell editor of Astounding Science Fiction -- then the leading SF magazine in the world -- to write a mystery in a fantasy setting that didn't cheat on the mystery aspect. All necessary information is available to the reader. The laws of magic are explained (enough), and are scrupulously followed. No "Holmesian" "but I knew from examination of the cigar ashes that..." denoument -- when the examination of the cigar ashes and what Holmes knew therefrom was never indicated to the reader. As an editor Campbell strongly believed that technology (whether SF or Magical) and story background had to be consistent; he published quite a lot of Hard SF because of that bias. Randall Garrett not only satisfied Campbell, he (metaphorically) hit the ball completely out of the park! These stories are really good!

Lord Darcy as a character is something of a hybrid of Sherlock Holmes, Lord Peter Whimsey, and James Bond. At various points in the stories you'll recognize homage to many of the great mystery writers and characters who have gone before. Don't miss these books.

Xenophon

*Lord Darcy stories shooting to the top of my list...*

that sounds excellent, and i did think immediately of Lord Peter Wimsey when i saw the name.

[mtravellerh]

Put Thraxas on my wishlist.

[Xenophon]

The Vorkosigan Saga by Lois McMaster Bujold is character-driven SF/Adventure. But a number of the novels and stories are also mysteries.

If you're not too sure about SF, start with the (free!) novella The Mountains of Mourning; it's definitely a mystery, and is sufficiently self-contained to stand quite well on its own. It's a super story, that won both of SF's highest awards the year it was published (the Hugo and the Nebula). This one is certainly worth your time, whether you continue on to any of the others or not.

If The Mountains of Mourning convinces you to give the rest of the series a try, you'll probably want to read them in chronological order. You can find that order from the timeline included at the end of The Mountains of Mourning. These books are solid gold -- I cannot possibly recommend them strongly enough! Over the years, I've pushed them on many friends and relatives. Even the ones who "don't like science fiction" liked them.

The mysteries in the series are (at least) the novels Cetaganda, Memory, Komarr, and Diplomatic Immunity. Ethan of Athos (a sort of a side-jaunt from the main line of the series) is also sort-of a mystery.

Xenophon

P.S. The most cost-effective way to buy the eBooks is as Omnibus editions; each of which includes more than one novel from the series. Those editions are largely, but not entirely in chronological order.

[zelda_pinwheel]

Originally Posted by Xenophon

The Vorkosigan Saga by Lois McMaster Bujold is character-driven SF/Adventure. But a number of the novels and stories are also mysteries.

If you're not too sure about SF, start with the (free!) novella The Mountains of Mourning; it's definitely a mystery, and is sufficiently self-contained to stand quite well on its own. It's a super story, that won both of SF's highest awards the year it was published (the Hugo and the Nebula). This one is certainly worth your time, whether you continue on to any of the others or not.

If The Mountains of Mourning convinces you to give the rest of the series a try, you'll probably want to read them in chronological order. You can find that order from the timeline included at the end of The Mountains of Mourning. These books are solid gold -- I cannot possibly recommend them strongly enough! Over the years, I've pushed them on many friends and relatives. Even the ones who "don't like science fiction" liked them.

The mysteries in the series are (at least) the novels Cetaganda, Memory, Komarr, and Diplomatic Immunity. Ethan of Athos (a sort of a side-jaunt from the main line of the series) is also sort-of a mystery.

Xenophon

P.S. The most cost-effective way to buy the eBooks is as Omnibus editions; each of which includes more than one novel from the series. Those editions are largely, but not entirely in chronological order.

thanks xenophon !! free is very welcome to test out a series (particularly since i'm exploring a genre i don't usually read), and since i'm trying to keep a fairly tight rein on my book-buying budget currently (too many books to be read already, and keeping a close eye on expenses given the current state of the world economy...) i can't buy all the books at once right away. i'll take a look at that one for sure. but once i'm ready to spend a bit of money Lord Darcy is still at the top of my list. luckily those are available in an omnibus for a mere 4$ so hopefully i'll get to them soon.

[Xenophon]

Originally Posted by zelda_pinwheel

thanks xenophon !! free is very welcome to test out a series (particularly since i'm exploring a genre i don't usually read), and since i'm trying to keep a fairly tight rein on my book-buying budget currently (too many books to be read already, and keeping a close eye on expenses given the current state of the world economy...) i can't buy all the books at once right away. i'll take a look at that one for sure. but once i'm ready to spend a bit of money Lord Darcy is still at the top of my list. luckily those are available in an omnibus for a mere 4$ so hopefully i'll get to them soon.

When it comes to watching your expenses, it's interesting to note that several of the recommended books are in the Baen Free Library. These include the novella The Mountains of Mourning, and the first of the two Doc Sidhe books. Also, the first 25% of every book is available as a free sample on line.

<pull hat down over eyes, pull up collar of trench coat>
Pssssst! Hey! Hey, kid!! Wanna try some eBooks? First hit's free...
</pull hat down over eyes, pull up collar of trench coat>


Xenophon

[zelda_pinwheel]

Originally Posted by Xenophon

When it comes to watching your expenses, it's interesting to note that several of the recommended books are in the Baen Free Library. These include the novella The Mountains of Mourning, and the first of the two Doc Sidhe books. Also, the first 25% of every book is available as a free sample on line.

that's great to know !! thanks.

<pull hat down over eyes, pull up collar of trench coat>
Pssssst! Hey! Hey, kid!! Wanna try some eBooks? First hit's free...
</pull hat down over eyes, pull up collar of trench coat>

teehee... of course, it's probably a little late to try to get me hooked on ebooks. but it might work for the genre, you never know.

[igorsk]

In addition to the listed above...
Collection of fantasy mysteries: The Dragon Done It, edited by Eric Flint & Mike Resnick.
Intro, book page.
Retief! by Keith Laumer and Retief's Peace by William H. Keith Jr. chronicle the adventures of Retief, who often has to apply his deductive powers to thwart whatever enemies are plotting against Corps Diplomatique Terrestrienne.
John Ringo's Princess of Wands contains a take on "Ten Little Niggers" with a supernatural twist.

[zelda_pinwheel]

Originally Posted by igorsk

In addition to the listed above...
Collection of fantasy mysteries: The Dragon Done It, edited by Eric Flint & Mike Resnick.
Intro, book page.
Retief! by Keith Laumer and Retief's Peace by William H. Keith Jr. chronicle the adventures of Retief, who often has to apply his deductive powers to thwart whatever enemies are plotting against Corps Diplomatique Terrestrienne.
John Ringo's Princess of Wands contains a take on "Ten Little Niggers" with a supernatural twist.

thanks igorsk ! i'll take a look at those too ! i'll stay away from princess of wands though. Ten Little Niggers was the only agatha christie that ever scared the pants off me. once was enough.