So maybe you’re wondering. You come along to this blog every now and then, and you actually read the sidebar to keep track of what I may or may not be reading, and are wondering what’s happened when books just fall off the list or sit there for weeks on end. Does it mean the book’s rubbish or just that I’ve been slack in updating things? It really depends, but in the case of the latest book on the list, I thought I should clarify.
When Charles was here a couple weeks ago he was saying very complimentary things about Liz William’s novel Banner of Souls, so I became very interested in reading the novel. Unfortunately, it isn’t on sale in Australia. I even called my local specialist SF bookshop who clarified just how ‘specialist’ they are by letting me know they’d never heard of Liz Williams, this despite the fact that I’d actually bought a copy of Nine Layers of Sky from them last year. Pfeh. The obvious solution was to get in touch with the indefatigable Justin at Slow Glass in Melbourne, who has arranged for a copy to wing it’s way here in a while.
I am, however, not a patient person. This is a failing (one, admittedly, of many). So, I emailed my friend Jeremy and let him know that I’d heard he was publishing this book by Liz called Snake Agent which sounded pretty cool, and could I check it out? Being an all-round swell kind of guy, Jeremy arranged to get a copy of the novel into my hand’s ASAP. It then sat in my office at home for a few days over Christmas and during Charles’ visit, but I picked it up about a week ago. The publisher’s website describes it thus:
“You were supposed to go to Heaven, but ended up in one of the many Chinese hells instead. Who you gonna call? Nobody, you’re dead. Luckily, in future Singapore, Detective Chen is on the case. Specializing in supernatural crimes, Chen finds himself in hell teaming up with a demon cop to solve the mystery, return a lost soul to its rightful reward, and restore harmony between Heaven and Earth.”
Which does a good enough job, I guess, though it doesn’t let you know that it’s a delight to read, fast and fun and engaging and well worth any trouble to read and absorb. At least, so far. I’m half way through, and need to pay attention to work-ish things so I’m not reading as much as I’d like. But I will, and then I’ll post here in detail about the book, but I already suspect you should get it when you can. I’m not sure when it’s being published – I’ve heard several different dates – but make sure you check it out.