For some reason, I thought I was going to be reading a superhero novel from someone adjacent to the supervillain’s point of view. I have no idea why I initially thought this, as this is actually Get Smart from someone adjacent to KAOS’ point of view–or rather, to someone adjacent to KAOS’ biggest business rival. (It did not take me long to realize this as it pokes fun at Ian Fleming/James Bond from almost the beginning.)
Our Protagonist is Charlie Fitzer, a divorced former journalist currently struggling to make ends meet as a substitute teacher. His greatest aspiration is to acquire a local bar and restaurant that is a community fixture. He is not going to be able to meet that aspiration due to the struggling to make ends meet part. Then he’s approached with an offer by a woman who works for his uncle. His very rich, very deceased uncle: Attend his uncle’s funeral in exchange for enough money to buy the bar and restaurant. This leads to a number of shocking discoveries, such as what his uncle’s actual business was.
Our Protagonist’s uncle turns out to have been a villain of epic mad science contractor proportions (the uncle was not a mad scientist he just paid them) and even has a private island with a volcano lair. The uncle had an ongoing rivalry with an entire organization of rich villains who he mostly outcompeted and ran circles around despite their best efforts. This organization now has it in for Our Protagonist. It’s a good thing that his uncle had the forethought to give him a security detail to protect him. (Which Our Protagonist knew nothing about and had no way of finding out about because his security detail is a pair of sentient cats. I loved Hera and Persephone. I also loved the dolphins.)
I ended up really enjoying this book! Charlie is a smart character with an analytical mind and it was fun watching him figure things out, but occasionally falling short due to incorrect information or lack of experience. I also enjoyed the dry humor and the dialogue, which was a highly entertaining, fast-paced banter that didn’t undercut the slower more serious moments. (Of which there were occasionally a few. Dolphins threatening to strike might seem funny on the surface, but the organizer’s beefs with Management are absolutely legitimate, and Charlie takes the moment seriously.)
This is a great book with lots of interesting twists and turns. The outcome is surprising but makes sense in context with the underlying themes of the story. (You may or may realize what I’m talking about when you get to the point I’m attempting to not spoil. It’s subtle, but I really got a kick out of it.) Overall this was a great book and I highly recommend it!
This review is based on a galley copy of Starter Villain, which I got via NetGalley.
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