The Nightstar Zoo

OK, here's the story. My dad is an avid mystery buff. His favorite mysteries are Perry Mason, and the Travis McGee books. But he's definitely *NOT* into sci-fi.

So, what I want is suggestions for mystery sci-fi that's heavier on the mystery end, so I can try to get him addicted to sci-fi as well.

I read him the back cover of "Feet of Clay" by Terry Pratchett, and it didn't interest him at all. I was thinking Niven's "Flatlander", but I think that's a bit heavy on the sci-fi...

So, I need some suggestions here. Post away!

_________________
Fandemonium 2010 -- No Boundaries.
http://www.fandemonium.org
Friday - Sunday, August 6th - 8th, 2010
Nampa Civic Center - Nampa, Idaho (Only 20 minutes from the airport!)
(Idaho: It ain't just potatoes anymore.)

Asimov's Lije Bailey novels are one I'd try. Caves of Steel, The Naked Sun, and Robots of Dawn. They are definaly robot novels, but they are also murder mysteries, very good ones I think.

Kit already named mine. Asimov is really a great author.

And Bookworm told me to check out Asimov's "Black Widower" stories.

_________________
Fandemonium 2010 -- No Boundaries.
http://www.fandemonium.org
Friday - Sunday, August 6th - 8th, 2010
Nampa Civic Center - Nampa, Idaho (Only 20 minutes from the airport!)
(Idaho: It ain't just potatoes anymore.)

Some of the Vorkosigan books by Lois McMaster Bujold might be suitable - I think I'm thinking of Cetaganda. (Unfortunately I haven't read all the books in the series - started perhaps six months ago, generally have to wait a few weeks for the library hold to reach the top of the list, and then they "upgrade" their database at the end of last year. I really hate trying to use it now...)

Check out "The Long ARM of Gil Hamilton" by Niven, as well.

Definately get the whole series, I got in to it when for x-mas my husband bought me Civil Campaign. The majority of the plots are mysteries, and she doesn't overwhelm you with the tech either. Even if your father doesn't like them, read them anyway. I have loved the whole series, and I'm the sort who tends towards the fanasty more than the sci-fi.

Re: Vorkosigan's book

Mountains of mourning might be a good place to start - shorter, and sadder than Cetaganda. Though I don't know if someone who doesn't know the setting already can appreciate it in full. :\ Komarr is centered around a crime too.

Asimoc's Black Widower is mystery, but not sci-fi at all.

Yeah, but it *IS* Asimov, and maybe if he likes Black Widower, he'll be willing to try some of Asimov's other work, and from there, the possibilities are endless...

_________________
Fandemonium 2010 -- No Boundaries.
http://www.fandemonium.org
Friday - Sunday, August 6th - 8th, 2010
Nampa Civic Center - Nampa, Idaho (Only 20 minutes from the airport!)
(Idaho: It ain't just potatoes anymore.)

I just bought a collection of short stories called "The 13 Crimes of Science Fiction" it was editied by Asimov and has a SF story in each of 13 mystery genres. You can probably find it at a library. I'd say this would be a good bet. (Realizing at this piont you've most likely already dealt with the issue. )

Just ran a cross a semidecent Chandler-esque sci-fi story. Called, "Gun, with occasional music" by Jonathan Latham.

It's not bad, not bad at all, including a novel way to deal with an untenable situation for the protagonist.

However, it's on the weird edge, for all that it's almost a sci-fi pastiche of Chandler's gumshoe novels.

-John

The robot series is a must.

Zahn's "Icarus Hunt". The two ferrets just rock.