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Jay Omega #1&2
Bimbos & Zombies: Bimbos of the Death Sun / Zombies of the Gene Pool
Contents:
* Bimbos of the Death Sun
* Zombies of the Gene Pool
* Bimbos of the Death Sun
* Zombies of the Gene Pool
310 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1997
2 people are currently reading
96 people want to read
About the author
Sharyn McCrumb
125Ìýbooks1,096Ìýfollowersâ€�
ÌýÌýÌý Sharyn McCrumb, an award-winning Southern writer, is best known for her Appalachian “Balladâ€� novels, including the New York Times best sellers The Ballad of Tom Dooley, The Ballad of Frankie Silver, andÌýThe Songcatcher.ÌýGhost Riders, which won the Wilma Dykeman Award for Literature from the East Tennessee Historical Society and the national Audie Award for Best Recorded Books. The Unquiet Grave, a well-researched novel about West Virginia's Greenbrier Ghost, will be published in September by Atria, a division of Simon &Schuster.ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý
ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý Sharyn McCrumb, named a Virginia Woman of History by the Library of Virginia and a Woman of the Arts by the national Daughters of the American Revolution, Ìýwas awarded the Mary Hobson Prize for Arts & Letters in 2014. Her books have been named New YorkÌýTimes and Los Angeles Times Notable Books. In addition to presenting programs at universities, libraries, and other organizations throughout the US,ÌýSharyn McCrumb has taught a writers workshop in Paris, and served as writer-in-residence at King University in Tennessee, and at the Chautauqua Institute in western New York.
ÌýÌýÌý Sharyn McCrumb, an award-winning Southern writer, is best known for her Appalachian “Balladâ€� novels, including the New York Times best sellers The Ballad of Tom Dooley, The Ballad of Frankie Silver, andÌýThe Songcatcher.ÌýGhost Riders, which won the Wilma Dykeman Award for Literature from the East Tennessee Historical Society and the national Audie Award for Best Recorded Books. The Unquiet Grave, a well-researched novel about West Virginia's Greenbrier Ghost, will be published in September by Atria, a division of Simon &Schuster.ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý
ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý Sharyn McCrumb, named a Virginia Woman of History by the Library of Virginia and a Woman of the Arts by the national Daughters of the American Revolution, Ìýwas awarded the Mary Hobson Prize for Arts & Letters in 2014. Her books have been named New YorkÌýTimes and Los Angeles Times Notable Books. In addition to presenting programs at universities, libraries, and other organizations throughout the US,ÌýSharyn McCrumb has taught a writers workshop in Paris, and served as writer-in-residence at King University in Tennessee, and at the Chautauqua Institute in western New York.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
March 28, 2024
Bimbos of the Death Sun [finished 1/21/24]: Jay Omega (Professor James Owens Mega) is attending his first ever science fiction convention--as a featured author. Under the pen name Jay Omega, he has written a hard SF novel--which has been given the title Bimbos of the Death Sun and a lurid cover by his publishers--and his partner, Marion Farley (Professor of English, science fiction specialty) advises him that he should go to a convention and promote his book. So he does. He doesn't expect the weekend to involve sharing author honors with one of the most odious fantasy authors, Appin Dungannon or judging a writing contest or serving as Dungeon Master for a live "Dungeons & Dragons" game...or becoming involved in a murder investigation when somebody decides they've had enough of Dungannon and shoots him in his hotel room. Dungannon's fantasy series may have been beloved by fans...but he certainly wasn't. His idea of author/fan interaction was to insult their intelligence at every opportunity.
Poor Lieutenant Ayhan doesn't know what to make of the case when it's assigned to him.There are elves, Star Trek officers, vampires, storm troopers, and more wandering the hallways of the hotel. Since 90% of the convention attendees are in costume, it's difficult to pin down who's who--and he's never sure when someone mentions a name if it's a real person or not.
"I didn't see....Yes, I did. Going down the hall toward the room, I passed two Imperial Storm Troopers, and when I came out, I ran into Dracula." [Louis Warren]
Lt. Ayhan sighed, "I love this case."
He wonders which of these crazy SF/Fantasy folk went off the murder deep-end and decided to rid the world of the rude author. But, having just met him that weekend, Jay Omega wonders who didn't want to kill him? When Jay's expertise is needed with the victim's computer, they realize that portions of Dungannon's most recent novel have been deleted. Could the deletions hold the key to the murder?
So, this was hilarious--dated views of women notwithstanding. I never attended a SF convention--I was too young when I was in my full-throttle science fiction phase. But I did write Star Trek parodies and poetry and, had I been able, I'm sure I would have attended a con in full Trek costume. I'm pretty familiar with the rabid fan mentality that McCrumb portrays. I see that some of the reviewers on Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ take exception to her poking fun at these things. But I can definitely recognize the types and enjoy the fun being had. I don't think she's being cruel and, quite honestly, some of the behavior is very funny. Full points for setting, background, and general ambiance.
The mystery plot itself is a little obvious. Mainly because I didn't think McCrumb built up enough solid motives among the "suspects"--and really didn't have the lieutenant do much in the way of investigating those suspects. The death occurs rather late in the game and so the ending was a bit fast and forced. An earlier murder with more investigation and motive development would have been welcome. I'm not as familiar with McCrumb's work, so I looked to see if this was her debut mystery, but she had at least three under her belt at that point (and possibly four--depending on the timing between this and Paying the Piper). Still, this was a highly entertaining book and I enjoyed reading it. ★★� and 1/2. [rounded up here]
First posted on my blog .
***
Zombies of the Gene Pool [finished 3/27/24]: Jay Omega (Professor James Owen Mega) is back for another mystery set in the world of science fiction fans. This time Erik Giles, fellow professor in the English department (who, once upon a time, was an early fan of science fiction and SF author C. A. Stormcock), invites Omega's partner Professor Marion Farley and Omega to what promises to be the Fan event of the year. In the 1950s Giles was member of a fan group known as the "Lanthanides"--several members went on the be famous as either authors, critics of the genre, or, in the case of "Bunzie" (Reuben Bundschaft Mistral), a famous Hollywood movie producer. 1954 saw the group decide to go cross-country from Wall Hallow, Tennessee to the Worldcon in San Francisco, but their car broke down and they had to return home to the FanFarm. So, they held their own convention and buried a SF time capsule with short stories from all members along with other SF memorabilia. It's time for a reunion and Mistral has set it up with plenty of fanfare. News outlets will be on hand as will representatives of various publishing houses who will bid for the right to sell the collection of SF stories.
But there are a few surprises in store. First, Pat Malone, one of their number who supposedly died long ago, crashes the reunion party. Malone had always been the most caustic of the group and was most famous in fandom for having written a treatise saying most fans and authors had sold out. He hasn't changed a bit and makes several references to events the other Lanthanides would rather forget. Someone decides they don't want Malone ruining their chances for a terrific book deal and poisons him. So Omega goes to work finding out if Malone really did rise from the dead only to be killed or if something else is going on...
This one didn't have as much charm as the first Jay Omega book (Bimbos of the Death Sun). Part of the fun of that first one was the SF convention setting. The send-up of science fiction fans felt more light-hearted and thought it poked fun at the ways and mores of those fans, it didn't seem mean-spirited. Zombies seems to have a touch of meanness. We also have to wait way too long for the murder to happen and then it's wrapped up in a rush. And then there's the fact that there really isn't any way for readers (this reader, anyway) to figure out who did it and why. There's a whisper of a hint early one, but you'd really have to read between the lines (with a crystal ball in hand) to figure out what it really means. There is a surprise at the end that could make up for some of this--but I had a feeling something like it might be in the works. Again--no real clues to say so, but once a similar idea floated through my mind the ending didn't surprise me as it could have. ★★ and 1/2
First posted on my blog My Reader's Block.
Poor Lieutenant Ayhan doesn't know what to make of the case when it's assigned to him.There are elves, Star Trek officers, vampires, storm troopers, and more wandering the hallways of the hotel. Since 90% of the convention attendees are in costume, it's difficult to pin down who's who--and he's never sure when someone mentions a name if it's a real person or not.
"I didn't see....Yes, I did. Going down the hall toward the room, I passed two Imperial Storm Troopers, and when I came out, I ran into Dracula." [Louis Warren]
Lt. Ayhan sighed, "I love this case."
He wonders which of these crazy SF/Fantasy folk went off the murder deep-end and decided to rid the world of the rude author. But, having just met him that weekend, Jay Omega wonders who didn't want to kill him? When Jay's expertise is needed with the victim's computer, they realize that portions of Dungannon's most recent novel have been deleted. Could the deletions hold the key to the murder?
So, this was hilarious--dated views of women notwithstanding. I never attended a SF convention--I was too young when I was in my full-throttle science fiction phase. But I did write Star Trek parodies and poetry and, had I been able, I'm sure I would have attended a con in full Trek costume. I'm pretty familiar with the rabid fan mentality that McCrumb portrays. I see that some of the reviewers on Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ take exception to her poking fun at these things. But I can definitely recognize the types and enjoy the fun being had. I don't think she's being cruel and, quite honestly, some of the behavior is very funny. Full points for setting, background, and general ambiance.
The mystery plot itself is a little obvious. Mainly because I didn't think McCrumb built up enough solid motives among the "suspects"--and really didn't have the lieutenant do much in the way of investigating those suspects. The death occurs rather late in the game and so the ending was a bit fast and forced. An earlier murder with more investigation and motive development would have been welcome. I'm not as familiar with McCrumb's work, so I looked to see if this was her debut mystery, but she had at least three under her belt at that point (and possibly four--depending on the timing between this and Paying the Piper). Still, this was a highly entertaining book and I enjoyed reading it. ★★� and 1/2. [rounded up here]
First posted on my blog .
***
Zombies of the Gene Pool [finished 3/27/24]: Jay Omega (Professor James Owen Mega) is back for another mystery set in the world of science fiction fans. This time Erik Giles, fellow professor in the English department (who, once upon a time, was an early fan of science fiction and SF author C. A. Stormcock), invites Omega's partner Professor Marion Farley and Omega to what promises to be the Fan event of the year. In the 1950s Giles was member of a fan group known as the "Lanthanides"--several members went on the be famous as either authors, critics of the genre, or, in the case of "Bunzie" (Reuben Bundschaft Mistral), a famous Hollywood movie producer. 1954 saw the group decide to go cross-country from Wall Hallow, Tennessee to the Worldcon in San Francisco, but their car broke down and they had to return home to the FanFarm. So, they held their own convention and buried a SF time capsule with short stories from all members along with other SF memorabilia. It's time for a reunion and Mistral has set it up with plenty of fanfare. News outlets will be on hand as will representatives of various publishing houses who will bid for the right to sell the collection of SF stories.
But there are a few surprises in store. First, Pat Malone, one of their number who supposedly died long ago, crashes the reunion party. Malone had always been the most caustic of the group and was most famous in fandom for having written a treatise saying most fans and authors had sold out. He hasn't changed a bit and makes several references to events the other Lanthanides would rather forget. Someone decides they don't want Malone ruining their chances for a terrific book deal and poisons him. So Omega goes to work finding out if Malone really did rise from the dead only to be killed or if something else is going on...
This one didn't have as much charm as the first Jay Omega book (Bimbos of the Death Sun). Part of the fun of that first one was the SF convention setting. The send-up of science fiction fans felt more light-hearted and thought it poked fun at the ways and mores of those fans, it didn't seem mean-spirited. Zombies seems to have a touch of meanness. We also have to wait way too long for the murder to happen and then it's wrapped up in a rush. And then there's the fact that there really isn't any way for readers (this reader, anyway) to figure out who did it and why. There's a whisper of a hint early one, but you'd really have to read between the lines (with a crystal ball in hand) to figure out what it really means. There is a surprise at the end that could make up for some of this--but I had a feeling something like it might be in the works. Again--no real clues to say so, but once a similar idea floated through my mind the ending didn't surprise me as it could have. ★★ and 1/2
First posted on my blog My Reader's Block.
January 2, 2018
I just re-read the first book in this compilation, Bimbos of The Death Sun, and read the sequel, Zombies of the Gene Pool for the first time.
I loved the first book just as much this time as I did on first reading it many years ago. As well as giving us a fun comedic mystery novel, Sharyn McCrumb presents us with interesting, well-developed characters who are sometimes outrageous but at the same time completely believable human beings who seem like they could exist in the real world. She also gives us a great glimpse inside the world of Sci-Fi fandom and conventions.
The second book I found slower paced and a bit less engaging but still a good read. It provides a similar insight into the world of science-fiction authors and aspiring authors. The characters and the setting are just as well developed as the first book but I found the plot did not move along as well, that it was to a greater extent a character study. Personally I enjoy books most which have strong plots and although I must also have characters that are well developed in order to enjoy a book, plot comes first.
Both books also give a fascinating glimpse back, to some extent inadvertently, into the computer and internet world of 1988-1992, reminding those of us who were involved in it then of things which are to a large extent forgotten today and are probably unknown to most people under 30. The world of 12 pound portable computers, audio-coupled modems and pre-World-Wide-Web online bulletin boards bring back fond memories (although I am fine doing without the 12 pound portables).
I loved the first book just as much this time as I did on first reading it many years ago. As well as giving us a fun comedic mystery novel, Sharyn McCrumb presents us with interesting, well-developed characters who are sometimes outrageous but at the same time completely believable human beings who seem like they could exist in the real world. She also gives us a great glimpse inside the world of Sci-Fi fandom and conventions.
The second book I found slower paced and a bit less engaging but still a good read. It provides a similar insight into the world of science-fiction authors and aspiring authors. The characters and the setting are just as well developed as the first book but I found the plot did not move along as well, that it was to a greater extent a character study. Personally I enjoy books most which have strong plots and although I must also have characters that are well developed in order to enjoy a book, plot comes first.
Both books also give a fascinating glimpse back, to some extent inadvertently, into the computer and internet world of 1988-1992, reminding those of us who were involved in it then of things which are to a large extent forgotten today and are probably unknown to most people under 30. The world of 12 pound portable computers, audio-coupled modems and pre-World-Wide-Web online bulletin boards bring back fond memories (although I am fine doing without the 12 pound portables).
April 17, 2021
The two stories in Bimbos & Zombies are a fun, and quite accurate look, at Fendom. The two main characters, female and male, are equally strong while being competent individuals and as a team. The mysteries are interesting, and somewhat believable. Overall, worth the read and I highly recommend to both mystery and sci-fi/fantasy fans. Readers who enjoy a strong, intelligent female character that doesn't play dumb will enjoy the books.
The only real gripe is the lame book jacket cover. Granted, the art is related to one line in the second story, but it could've been larger. The back cover is a solid color and holds no information. Just drab.
The only real gripe is the lame book jacket cover. Granted, the art is related to one line in the second story, but it could've been larger. The back cover is a solid color and holds no information. Just drab.
January 6, 2015
Two not very involving mysteries that seem to serve primarily as opportunities for Ms. McCrumb to shower her derision upon the worlds of s-f fandom and academia. If you've got an axe to grind against one or the other, you may enjoy these more than I did. Full disclosure: I gave up about a quarter of the way into the second novella. Life is too short to waste on uninteresting books.
February 28, 2008
These are absolutely funny and edgy. It is obvious that she has been to the SF cons more than once. The books are a bit snarky, but really true to how conventions operate. I am an SF geek and I saw some of myself in the books, but I laughed my head off.
September 12, 2008
Murder mysteries set against a backdrop of Science Fiction fandom. The mysteries themselves were pretty minimal, the book was more about the characters and fandom. Bimbos' solution was pretty obvious but Zombies did throw a curveball of sorts. Had some amusing lines within and overall I enjoyed it.
March 21, 2019
{snort} {giggle} {guffaw} I am generally not into mysteries. This is a science fiction mystery twofer! The first story is about a murder at a science fiction convention. There are the standard characters: kindly authors, eager fans, beleaguered powers-that-be running the 'con, Big Name Fans, at least one obnoxious author guest, and mundanes trapped in the mix. The second story is about a murder at a science fiction writers reunion. The writers had lived and written together when young, now their lives have taken different turns, but they all came together once more for a reunion of sorts. Then one of them dies in a manner that is found to be murder.
The protagonists are an engineering professor who wrote a science fiction novel, and his significant other, a professor of literature at his university who teaches science fiction and edited the aforementioned novel.
The protagonists are an engineering professor who wrote a science fiction novel, and his significant other, a professor of literature at his university who teaches science fiction and edited the aforementioned novel.
October 21, 2020
Thoroughly entertaining, if dated, stories about reluctant science fiction writers caught up in murders. This book contains two stories with the same main characters. The stories were clearly written in the 80's, with references to dial up modems and message boards. Even though the references were dated, it was fun to see the earlier days of sci-fi fandom through this lens.
December 2, 2023
I wanted this book to be fun. But it just wasn't. It seems to wallow in obscure knowledge about how the 80s fanzine era worked. I enjoy a glimpse at history, but the story needs to come first. A somewhat clever ending in the first story, though...
April 22, 2022
These books were so much fun to read.
November 8, 2024
Halloween 2024 Holiday Read
Bimbos Of The Death Sun
Moved along kinda slow and the writing felt like a foreign author trying to write in English.
Bimbos Of The Death Sun
Moved along kinda slow and the writing felt like a foreign author trying to write in English.
April 17, 2021
Two for the price of one! Not a SF fan and definitely not a techno geek (though the technology in this book is really outdated), but enjoyed Jay Omega's chagrin over his bimbo book and the intelligence he used to resolve both murders. Of course there would have been no satisfactory conclusion without the able assistance of Dr Marion Farley.
March 22, 2014
Bimbos Of The Death Sun: I thought Bimbos Of The Death Sun was an amusing but okay book. It's a really amusing look at one particular fandom, and the characters really felt like real people. I could definitely people like them, and they were really believable. I can definitely appreciate this particular fandom and how much a fan they are of their particular thing. However...I've never been to a sci-fi/fantasy convention or comic convention or any other sort of fan convention, and I feel like I could have related to it a little bit more if I had some convention-going experiences. I also think that I would have appreciated it a little more if I were a convention person. I definitely appreciate the fan experience, but not as much as I could have. Still, it was an entertaining read.
Zommbies Of The Gene Pool: Zombies Of The Gene Pool is also an entertaining but okay read. It's an amusing look at a different side of fandom and authors as fans of the genre they're a part of. Like Bimbos Of The Death Sun, I can see the events of the book happening and I felt like everyone could very easily be a real person. I think I liked it a little bit more than Bimbos Of The Death Sun, but not by much. Something about it was slightly more relateable than Bimbos, and it was a little bit easier to get into than Bimbos, but there is something about Zombies that isn't as entertaining or amusing as Bimbos.
Overall: Overall, Bimbos & Zombies was amusing but okay. The mystery that gets introduced in each book seemed to pop up late and is solved relatively quickly. My rating for each book individually would be 2 stars, since they were both okay. For the collection (since that's what this is), I'd give it 2 stars.
Zommbies Of The Gene Pool: Zombies Of The Gene Pool is also an entertaining but okay read. It's an amusing look at a different side of fandom and authors as fans of the genre they're a part of. Like Bimbos Of The Death Sun, I can see the events of the book happening and I felt like everyone could very easily be a real person. I think I liked it a little bit more than Bimbos Of The Death Sun, but not by much. Something about it was slightly more relateable than Bimbos, and it was a little bit easier to get into than Bimbos, but there is something about Zombies that isn't as entertaining or amusing as Bimbos.
Overall: Overall, Bimbos & Zombies was amusing but okay. The mystery that gets introduced in each book seemed to pop up late and is solved relatively quickly. My rating for each book individually would be 2 stars, since they were both okay. For the collection (since that's what this is), I'd give it 2 stars.
January 9, 2016
When I first saw the book I was excited by the title. Unfortunately it is misleading, it's not a book about "bimbos" and "zombies", it's two stories, one of which involves the word "bimbos" and another which sort of involves "zombies"
I enjoyed the first story, though it very clearly shows its age (written in the 80s). It also has a familiar (albeit very negative) presentation of conventions.
There was at least one horribly blatant red herring and some characters which didn’t actually add to the story. Plus there were some places that could use a bit more editing, overall I enjoyed it though it wasn’t anything steller.
The second story took me much longer to finish, I still enjoyed it but it was nowhere near as good. I hated the ending and found various parts to be confusing.
I have no intention of reading anything else by this author in the future, but at least I enjoyed this book.
I enjoyed the first story, though it very clearly shows its age (written in the 80s). It also has a familiar (albeit very negative) presentation of conventions.
There was at least one horribly blatant red herring and some characters which didn’t actually add to the story. Plus there were some places that could use a bit more editing, overall I enjoyed it though it wasn’t anything steller.
The second story took me much longer to finish, I still enjoyed it but it was nowhere near as good. I hated the ending and found various parts to be confusing.
I have no intention of reading anything else by this author in the future, but at least I enjoyed this book.
March 26, 2012
Unfortunately, I have this as an omnibus, so I've chosen to rate the omni. First off, Bimbos is one of my favorite books, always good for a read, and started my love of Sharyn McCrumb's works. If it was just Bimbos, I'd give it a much better rating, definitely a 4, possibly a 5. Smoothly written, humorous, with just the right number of inside jokes, Bimbos of the Death Sun is a must read for anyone who attends Sci Fi/Fantasy/Gaming conventions.
Zombies of the Gene Pool, however, is the reason my review comes in at a mediocre 3 stars. Somehow, it lacks all of the magic of the first part and just kind of plods along at its own Eeyore like pace.
Zombies of the Gene Pool, however, is the reason my review comes in at a mediocre 3 stars. Somehow, it lacks all of the magic of the first part and just kind of plods along at its own Eeyore like pace.
October 21, 2013
Two light, simple mystery stories about an engineering professor who happens to write a sci fi book and is embarrassed by this fact. Bimbos takes place at a sci fi Convention and since i had just recently read another light mystery book that took place at a sci fi con (Kiwi Con by Lilian Jackson Braun), i wasn't as interested in Bimbos as i might have been (unfortunate, but luck of the draw).
Zombies is another simple story that does have a few twists (some very predictable & one or two interesting ones) though. I liked Zombies better.
Zombies is another simple story that does have a few twists (some very predictable & one or two interesting ones) though. I liked Zombies better.
April 1, 2011
I still much prefer McCrumb's ballad novels, but these were amusing. They're a little weird, though, in that they feel like making them mysteries was almost an afterthought. The crimes aren't even committed until almost 2/3 through the story in both books. And then they're solved at a breakneck pace.
I'm sad, though, that the series seems to end here. Now we'll never know if Jay and Marion get tenure.
I'm sad, though, that the series seems to end here. Now we'll never know if Jay and Marion get tenure.
November 27, 2011
This book is for any uber nerd who has ever been to a con. Yes, it's a murder mystery, or zombie tale, but it's really 1,000 inside jokes and quips about fandom. Fun and frivolous- geeks, this one is for you.
March 15, 2009
Mildly amusing.
July 10, 2012
Bimbos is excellent...5 star. Zombies - Good characters, weak story. 3star max
August 2, 2013
Brilliant, both.
December 7, 2015
Dated, not one of Sharyn McCrimb's best.
April 19, 2017
Very funny and great narrator.
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