Soma Blues [Hardcover]

Robert Sheckley (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1997

The owner of The Alternative Detective Agency, Hob Draconian returns in a case that takes him to Paris, London, and the island paradise of Ibiza in search of a powerful new narcotic, a quest that leads to a deadly confrontation with kidnappers and would-be killers.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Ace science fiction author Robert Sheckley also writes mysteries--most recently a wry and atmospheric series about Hob Draconian and the Alternative Detective Agency. This latest book in the series takes Hob through some evocative landscapes--Paris, London, Ibiza--in search of stolen art and a dangerous new drug. As usual, Sheckley is able to produce an array of chuckles and chills with the apparent effortlessness of a magician releasing pigeons from his empty hands. The equally diverting Draconian New York is available in paperback.

From Library Journal

Series protagonist Hob Draconian, experiencing an economic dry spell, happens to be staying in Paris with a woman friend when a very determined hit-and-run driver kills a man there from the Spanish island of Ibiza. Aware that Hob lives in Ibiza, police (and the victim's brother) ask Hob's help in their investigation: the victim apparently sold a powerful new drug known as soma. Easy dialog, pervasive wit, mot-juste description, Hob's laid-back outlook, and a lively supporting cast of idiosyncratic characters make for delightful reading.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Forge; 1st edition (April 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312862733
• ISBN-13: 978-0312862732
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.1 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,899,361 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A very pedestrian book, June 21, 2001

By 

"ahmadku" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Soma Blues (Hardcover)

When I heard about this book, I was excited, since Sheckley is one of the few writers who writes decent comedic science fiction.

His foray into mystery is not a successful one. This book wasn't good or bad, it was just ordinary. There was nothing really remarkable about the plot or the characters, and I found it hard to get into this book.

If you want my opinion, stick to Sheckley's scifi stuff.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A fast-paced romp through sex, drugs and stolen art, April 13, 1998

By 

Edward Alexander Gerster "miamibooks" (South Miami, FL USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Soma Blues (Paperback)

I look forward to each new book by Robert Sheckley, and have yet to be disappointed. This new novel in Sheckley's adventures of the soft-boiled detective Hob Draconian is a fast-paced romp, filled with ironic wit, intrigue and plot situations that are as bizarre as the characters that inhabit them. So put on your traveling shoes and read your way to a smile. Highly recommended.