A Most Peculiar Novel

[Ronald Orenstein <ornstn@home.com>]

I would not usually use this list to draw people's attention to detective 
stories, but I have just begun reading one with a difference.

The hero and narrator of this book, one Vincent Rubio, is a hard-boiled 
detective down on his luck in Los Angeles.  His partner has been murdered, 
his business is in bad shape and his business has been reduced to cheap 
spying jobs on erring husbands.

Oh, yes.... He is, among other things, a Velociraptor.

The book is called "Anonymous Rex", and it is a first novel by one Eric 
Garcia.  Its premise is that dinosaurs did not become extinct, but live 
among us today disguised, in clever latex suits, as normal human 
beings.  They recognize each other by their keen sense of smell, and seem 
to do just fine if they can avoid becoming addicted to herbs (Vincent is 
hooked on basil) and can keep their tails from popping into view (using a 
variety of complicated clamps).

Judging by the first few chapters, the book seems like fun as long as you 
suspend your disbelief quite thoroughly, and avoid wondering how a 
brontosaur or a T-rex could possibly pass itself off as a normal-sized 
human being.  The author is apparently working on a sequel.
--
Ronald I. Orenstein                           Phone: (905) 820-7886
International Wildlife Coalition              Fax/Modem: (905) 569-0116
1825 Shady Creek Court
Mississauga, Ontario, Canada L5L 3W2          mailto:ornstn@home.com