The Con Artist: A Novel - Fred Van Lente

Written by Fred Van Lente
Read by Roger Wayne
Format: MP3
Bitrate: 64 Kbps
Unabridged

Length: 6 hrs and 32 mins
Release date: 11-13-18
Publisher: Tantor Audio

Comic book artist Mike Mason arrives at San Diego Comic-Con, seeking sanctuary with other fans and creators—and maybe to reunite with his ex—but when his rival is found murdered, he becomes the prime suspect. To clear his name, Mike will have to navigate every corner of the con, from zombie obstacle courses and cosplay flash mobs to intrusive fans and obsessive collectors, in the process unraveling a dark secret behind one of the industry’s most legendary creators.

A review - The murder mystery sub-genre is pretty cut-and-dry when you get down to it: a murder occurs and someone must track down said murderer. Simple and familiar, sometimes effective, but almost always an entertaining ride. The Con Artist is exactly that, but there is something that makes it unique: nerd culture.

The Con Artist was a bit exhausting because you have the chaos of three different parts moving at once: the murder mystery, Mike Mason’s personal life, and the Comic-Con itself. Fred Van Lente does a mostly decent job of organizing it all and keeping the reader on their toes, but it does feel a bit busy at times… much like an actual Con. Therefore, it should be obvious that if you aren’t a die-hard nerd or don’t find Comic-Con appealing, this novel probably isn’t for you. There are dozens upon dozens of references to pop culture, so you really need to know your stuff before going in.

Otherwise–entertaining, funny, and smart–The Con Artist is a truly unique spin on the mystery genre. Mike Mason is a character readers can root for, and it is through his perspective that Van Lente gives an interesting commentary on the comic book industry, making some truly hard-hitting points about its creators and the endless cycle that turns them out and spits them back out. It’s not pretty when you think about it, and Fred Van Lente really makes you think