Ferriman's Law

Rating:
Summary: Sci-fi mystery, mystery sci-fi, whatever. Still lots of fun
Review: Detective novels in outer space have been done before, but not all that often, so it feels new. In this book, Detective Ferriman tries to clear his name when a criminal gang tries to frame him for killing a prostitute. Sure enough, he ends up in trouble both with the law and with a gang of thugs, and much of the suspense comes from how he tries to outwit both sides. Add to that the hard-boiled dialogue, with the detective as an outsider commenting on society, and you've got this Raymond Chandler thing going on.

The science-fiction elements are kept to a bare minimum, and the book can best be viewed as a satire on modern times -- especially with references to a "semen-stained dress" or the effects of deregulation.

The plot is well thought out, as the hero gradually unmasks the conspiracy against him. In some places, the book is also hilarious -- in once scene, the police plan to interrogate a suspect, but wait until his bladder is about to burst.

A great mystery, O.K. on the sci-fi, and a funny and entertaining novel. A great summer read.

Rating:
Summary: Ferriman as Anti-hero
Review: FERRIMAN'S LAW is an easy-read murder-mystery that will draw you in and keep you turning the pages until the crime is finally solved 180 pages later. As the story begins Ferriman is found wiping blood from his face and staggering down the street after a drunken brawl. Within minutes the bald, out of shape detective discovers a naked, dead woman in his bed and realizes he is about to be framed and dumped in prison to be "lovingly and slowly tortured" by the same lowlife he put away. He has four days to unravel the mystery before his "vacation" is over and he is due back home. Compounding the urgency is the fact that as a suspect in the crime, his passport and gun are confiscated and only one friend is around to help him out, a questionable one who seems more interested in proving he's a better policeman, than in helping the middle-aged Ferriman.

The latter is a master detective, alert to the smallest piece of evidence as he carefully reconstructs the crime: the dead woman's missing clothes, the Kurai syndicate with a motive for revenge, the nervous desk clerk, a restaurant owner with ties to the syndicate. The trail of victims leads to a final chase through an underground sewer, a man "screaming in pain and absolute terror" as Ferriman smells the "aroma of human flesh burning, while the water, superheated to steam, was peeling the man's skin away from his body."

What takes a typical who-dunit into a new realm is the fact that Ferriman is part of the Intergalactic Police Force and his beat is the universe a thousand years from now. But in Ferriman's world, crime and crooks haven't changed much. Underworld bosses bent on accumulating money and power still manipulate prostitutes and hotel clerks, and no one is much concerned one way or another. There is no doubt Ferriman will prevail and if a few dead bodies show up along the way, no one worries about the demise of minor characters. Besides, the excitement of the chase more than makes up for such small inconveniences.

But books are more than entertainment. This reviewer is on a quest for heroes, and her imagination worked overtime to find one in Zion's first novel. His main character lacks the photogenic visage of Tom Cruise, the inner strength of Christopher Reeves, and the charm of Cary Grant. He is a man who brutalizes women and shares in the spoils of crime. The best that can be said is that Ferriman is more amusing than heroic as he reflects on each stage of the murder investigation, citing rules that apply. Each rule is the consequence of mistakes he's made before. He is already up to #56 with more to come. "Don't let your gun do your thinking," #14. "Everything is always the last place you look," #51. "Tech is good, tech is wonderful. Don't trust it," # 4.

The rules are numerous and not necessarily meant to instill honor and integrity. Ferriman splits the "evidence" with insurance companies and Law # 6 follows: "To catch a thief you must first act like one." He spends several nights in a drunken stupor and formulates Law # 33: "Alcohol boosts your courage for ten minutes but zaps your strength for two hours." Still, if a reader is looking for a fun read, Lee Zion's novel will provide more than enough entertainment.

Rating:
Summary: Sci-fi mystery, mystery sci-fi, whatever. Still lots of fun
Review: FERRIMAN'S LAW treds old literary ground: the sci-fi noir. The most famous example of this genre/style is the film, BLADE RUNNER, based on Philip K. Dick's DO ANDROIDS DREAM OF ELECTRIC SHEEP? L. Neil Smith's libertarian sci-fi noir, THE WARDOVE, would be another example.

What all have in common is a traditional hard-boiled noir detective in a futurist setting.

Yet in other respects, FERRIMAN'S LAW differs. BLADE RUNNER was dark; FERRIMAN'S LAW not nearly so. Dick's books feature his unique metaphysical/spiritual sensibility, unlike FERRIMAN'S LAW. THE WARDOVE is heavy on political philosophy, again, unlike FERRMAN'S LAW.

Instead of darkness, metaphysics, or politics, Zion's sci-fi gumshoe book packs a sharp satirical bite. The dialogue is lean, moves fast, and is very funny. Fans of sci-fi noir should enjoy Zion's fresh slant on this old genre/style.

Rating:
Summary: Zion breathes new life into an old genre
Review: FERRIMAN'S LAW treds old literary ground: the sci-fi noir. The most famous example of this genre/style is the film, BLADE RUNNER, based on Philip K. Dick's DO ANDROIDS DREAM OF ELECTRIC SHEEP? L. Neil Smith's libertarian sci-fi noir, THE WARDOVE, would be another example.

What all have in common is a traditional hard-boiled noir detective in a futurist setting.

Yet in other respects, FERRIMAN'S LAW differs. BLADE RUNNER was dark; FERRIMAN'S LAW not nearly so. Dick's books feature his unique metaphysical/spiritual sensibility, unlike FERRIMAN'S LAW. THE WARDOVE is heavy on political philosophy, again, unlike FERRMAN'S LAW.

Instead of darkness, metaphysics, or politics, Zion's sci-fi gumshoe book packs a sharp satirical bite. The dialogue is lean, moves fast, and is very funny. Fans of sci-fi noir should enjoy Zion's fresh slant on this old genre/style.