Five Star First Edition Mystery - The Tawdry Yellow Brick Road [Facsimile] [Hardcover]

David Bischoff (Author)

Book Description

Series: Five Star First Edition Mystery | Publication Date: July 9, 2004

Madrigal "Maddy" Harper is a parole officer and the single mother of a mildly autistic 12-year-old son, Skylar. His fascination by the science fictional universe of Star Train brings them both to ElfCon, a fanfest and SF extravaganza. When Abner Farelli, an ex-con and parole-jumper who Maddy had a run-in with, turns up dead, shot with her stolen gun, Lt. Mitchell Blackson informs her that she is the prime suspect because of her "history" with the deceased. Then Maddy is present during a mishap that kills a publishing executive. Another accident? Or is she now the suspect in two deaths? Hauled off to jail with no alibi, Maddy realizes that the only way either crime will be solved is by investigating each one herself. One low-key jailbreak later, she's hot on the trail of a killer whose ambitions have gotten the better of him.

David Bischoff lives in Eugene, Oregon.

Editorial Reviews

Review

" The Tawdry Yellow Brick Road is an outrageous combination of Agatha Christie, John D. MacDonald and Janet Evanovich, with a kick-ass heroine who'll handcuff your heart while you're too busy laughing to notice."
-- Kristin Sparks, author of 98 Degrees and Getting Hotter

Product Details

• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: Five Star; 1 edition (July 9, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1594141940
• ISBN-13: 978-1594141942
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.7 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,820,191 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

David Bischoff has published over one hundred novels including THE SELKIE, THE JUDAS CROSS and THE GAMING MAGI TRILOGY.

"I'm so pleased to both THE DESTINY DICE and WRAITH BOARD, the first in my fantasy trilogy THE GAMING MAGI, in ebook format. I let my imagination run wild on this one. I did it before A GAME OF THRONES by George R.R. Martin and I'm thrilled it's reached a kind of cult status -- particularly amongst computer gamers and designers who've told me it influenced them."

Bischoff's other novels now available on the Kindle include TIN WOODMAN, the basis for the STAR TREK:THE NEXT GENERATION episode "Tin Man" and the STAR HOUNDS series.

"Wow," says Bischoff. "When I put THE INFINITE BATTLE out, it roared right up
the charts."

Book Two STAR HOUNDS: GALACTIC WARRIORS and Book Three STAR HOUNDS: THE MACROCOSMIC CONFLICT have just been released.




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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars strong relationship drama inside a fine investigative tale, July 28, 2004

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Five Star First Edition Mystery - The Tawdry Yellow Brick Road (Hardcover)

In Eugene, Oregon, parole officer Madrigal "Maddy" Harper raises her twelve years old son Skylar by herself in a trailer park. Sky's dad not only failed to grow up, but also deserted his child once he realized the kid suffered from Asberger's Syndrome, a type of Autism.

Sky rarely finds anything fascinating so when he does Maddy goes all out to further his interest. Thus, they attend a Star Train science fiction convention, as the lad is a big fan of the series. At the ElfCon, Maddy notices parole jumper Abner Farelli. Being taller, heavier, and confident that she can take the smaller man, Maddy gives chase. Abner escapes when Maddy crashes into despondent Star Train author Everett Wilkins.

Not long afterward, someone shoots Abner using Maddy's stolen gun. Her alibi actor hunk Richard Battersea refuses to give her an alabi because he fears how his wife will react. Worrying about what will become of Sky if she goes to prison; Maddy investigates the murder of Abner.

Maddy and Sky make this investigative tale work as readers will see a loving mother and son struggle with his condition by doing "normal" things together. Maddy is a terrific protagonist, who depends on few people except those she trusts like her best bud when it comes to Sky. The story line is intriguing due to insight into Asberger's Syndrome, which is cleverly woven into the plot as part of the relationships between characters. No wizard behind curtains to make things right, Maddy knows that the yellow brick road leads to prison if she fails to uncover the identity of the killer.

Harriet Klausner

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent read, August 23, 2006

By 

Bruce A. Dennison - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Five Star First Edition Mystery - The Tawdry Yellow Brick Road (Hardcover)

Any one who has ever been to a sci-fi convention will enjoy this entertaining mystery that has a great deal of humor added into the mix. Any one who has NOT been to a sci-fi convention will also enjoy the book because it is a well written mystery AND the convention descriptions are probably what you imagine one would be like. Overall an excellent read and well worth the time.

0 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A smutty retelling of the Wizard of Oz, July 22, 2004

By 

Gus the Goldfish (Fishbowl, WA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Five Star First Edition Mystery - The Tawdry Yellow Brick Road (Hardcover)

You might think that we don't need a new, erotic version of the "Wizard of Oz", but I assure you that we do.

The Cowardly Lion is madly in "love" with Dorothy, but is terrified to act on it. The Tin Man is unable to form emotional attachments, and goes through dozens of lovers. The Scarecrow is just a dumb guy who is led around by pretty girls.

And Dorothy just wants to go home, but she's not going alone...