Book Reviews and More: It Was Only On Stun - Declan Finn

Friday 16 December 2022

It Was Only On Stun - Declan Finn - Convention Killings Book 1

It Was Only On Stun!

Convention Killings Book 1

Declan Finn

ISBN 9781478163336

ASIN B008HU0ZIW

I have read 22 books by Declan Finn and 21 of them in the last 8 months. I have greatly enjoyed books in three other series. This is one of two in the Convention Killings series that I am aware of. These were published a decade ago. Both the Saint Tommy and the White Ops series are greatly entertaining, and I cannot wait for the Pius trilogy of 5 books to be back in print. I am now working through his back catalogue. This was a very entertaining story, it had a fan fiction feel, but also a bit of a spoof and homage. The description of this story is:

“When security specialist Sean A.P. Ryan agrees to protect actress Mira Nikolic at a Science Fiction convention, he thinks it can't be all bad. It's only a three-day weekend with some colorful characters in costumes. But Sean is hardly prepared for what awaits him; the costumes, the fanboys, the freaks and geeks are only the beginning. There are actors with attitude problems, writers with rabies, and how do you spot an assassin when everyone is wearing a mask? This doesn't even account for the real threats. When his client left Europe, she had been a figure of peace in a region that didn't want it. Now that she's an international celebrity, factions from the old country see her as the start of a reunion tour, with guns. Not only that, but she is being stalked by Middle Earth's Most Wanted Elven Assassin; he thinks that the actress is actually an Elven princess, and will do anything to prove it to her, including murder. And what is that body doing in the middle of the vendor's floor with a sword-cane through his chest?”

There are different covers for this book, one matches style and design of the second book as well. I am not a fan of those covers. But the Red Shirt coloured cover with a name sticker fells perfect for the volume. Towards the end of the volume one of the characters states:

“Mira’s eyes softened. “Corbin Eielson.” “Him,” her voice dripped with hydrofluoric acid. “So, at least one psycho author, the IRA, the cartel that wouldn’t die, the Robin Hood reject, al-Qaeda, Interpol, vampires, mercenaries, an axe-murderer, and the Nazgul? Do you know how much this sounds like a comedy routine? The newspapers won’t know where to start.” Inna Petraro laughed. “Kovach is already writing the story and wants movie rights.” “Make that two psychotic authors,” Edward Murphy muttered. “Should’ve killed him when I had the chance,” he sighed. “Actually, I can’t believe Eielson got off so easy.” Mira Nikolic looked at him from her chair. “How do you mean?” Edward never looked up from the blanket. “Our Sean’s a medieval character. The last guy who raised a hand to a child, or a woman, wound up in several worlds of hurt.” Athena nodded. “Including whatever world Pointy-Ears came from.” Galadren smiled. “Middle Earth?” “Listen, you—” “Athena,” Mira interrupted, “allow me.””

This story was vastly entertaining. It is easy to figure out who some of the characters are meant to be in real life. And the franchises presented and the conflict at cons between franchises and fandoms is well written. I believe this is the first volume Finn published, and it is not even listed on the Fantastic Fiction DB. As such the writing is understandable. If it is his debut novel it is very impressive. The number of subplots exceeds even the novel Clear and Present Danger, and the number of characters Piers Anthony’s Bio of a Space Tyrant series. There are so many characters, so many plots, and at the center of it all Sean Ryan. Sean and his descendants appear in other books and series, and they are excellent.

This was a vastly entertaining story with numerous twists! I was really impressed with this offering from the pen of Finn, especially if it is his first novel, I know many seasoned writers that cannot keep track of that many characters and plots. A great read. And leaves you wondering what happens in book 2, Set to Kill!

Friday 16 December 2022

It Was Only On Stun - Declan Finn - Convention Killings Book 1

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