The Longest Con by MichaelBrent Collins, Book Review

FanFamFunComCon has started and everyone is hustling about their business. There are major media stars, and lesser known ones, competing against other draws for the attention of the attendees. The people have come to share in their fandoms, listening to the stars and experts talk about the entertainments they enjoy. Many in attendance show their enthusiasm by dressing up as their favorite characters—cosplay. Not everyone at the convention is who they look like. More so, not everyone is who they seem.

The Longest Con by Michaelbrent Collinsis a who-done-it mystery set at the FanFamFunComCon. He presents his story in the traditional style of first person noir detective thriller. Of course, true to his personal style, there are twists he throws in making the story a fun read. I enjoyed it from beginning to end.

Collins is the lead character, so the narration is from him. Because he is an author, he understands the style requirements of the story he is telling and plays with them to great effect. But, he is not the only person you will recognize in The Longest Con.

Other authors are cast to play themselves in the story. If you have been to a convention and been around where the authors are, you will recognize the names and already have a visual reference to whose includes. Each of the characterizations builds on the personas we have come to know and expect from the other authors we enjoy. Then, he takes it a step further into the realms we, the regular conventioneers, haven't been privy to. When we move into that new direction we meet conventioneer we didn't realize we've been bumping shoulders with.

These other attendees are those we wouldn't want to accidentally run into at other times. The races of fantasy come to the conventions because they can easily mingle. They easy fit in with those of us having a good time, and we even may be having our picture taken with those who have accomplished such outstanding cosplay.

From beginning to end The Longest Con takes the reader on a clue chasing adventure around the convention to find out who committed the murder, how it was done, and why. The twists and turns are present, as well as all the clues for those readers who look for them.

Many of us have already suspected this was happening at the conventions we go to. Now, it is in writing, from a firsthand perspective, to remove our doubts. In the very least, the next time I wander along looking for another book to buy in the artist section, there are some authors I am going to give more respect to.

Thanks to Michaelbrent Collins for the opportunity to review his book.

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