Logan: So let’s talk about the reviews for Agates are Forever. Some pretty funny stuff out there. Especially about Nick, that arrogant bastard.
Frankie nods.
Nick: Guilty.
Logan: OK. First off, the Publishers Weekly review was very good. Google’s Gemini AI summarizes the Publishers Weekly review as:
According to Publishers Weekly, "Agates are Forever" is a "grinning, self-aware" mystery with a "pile of red herrings and suspects" that delivers "deliriously entertaining" results, with reviewers noting that noir fans will likely hope for a sequel due to its enjoyable, witty style; the review particularly highlights the author's use of deadpan humor and a large cast of suspects to keep readers guessing.
Frankie nods and looks at Nick. Nick nods.
Logan: And Kirkus reviews liked it too. The Gemini AI summary is:
This review describes "Terret's" mystery novel about geologist Nick Cameron. Nick gets involved with a mysterious woman, Theo, and her valuable agates, leading him into a complex plot involving stolen museum funds, Mexican gold ore linked to Pancho Villa, and a killer. The author successfully weaves together the various plot threads with geological details and humor, using a pulp fiction style reminiscent of classic detective novels. The narrative is mostly told through Nick's perspective, with the reader as his confidant. However, a brief shift in perspective to another character, Frankie, is seen as a misstep. The book includes visual aids like drawings and clue lists and is ultimately described as an engaging mix of humor, mystery, history, and geological facts.
Frankie: I’m a “misstep?” That guy needs his jug thumped.
Nick: Kirkus is clearly racist and misanthropic to call a shift of perspective to a Navajo a "misstep."
Logan: He meant no offense to you, Frankie, it’s a style thing.
Frankie: He needs his jug thumped.
Logan: Please don’t. Now, speaking of misanthropy and racism, here’s what one Goodreads reviewer said:
Where do I even start with this book? It is full of just about every red flag you could imagine: misogyny, narcissism, racism, sexism, etc.
Frankie grins.
Nick: Huh? Funny Publishers Weekly and Kirkus didn’t notice. I thought you said we had sensitivity readers clear it.
Logan: Yes, we did. Five men: A Black attorney and pastor, a Latino engineer, a Jewish MBA, and two White PhD Geologists. Three women: a White DEI consultant (really!), a Comanche nutritionist, and a White editor. Interestingly, or perhaps predictably, the pastor was the only person who picked up on the themes of duty, retribution, atonement, and mercy.
Nick: And no complaints about “misogyny, narcissism, racism, sexism, etc.?”
Logan: No. The DEI person thought Nick seemed a tad arrogant. But I think the readers were smart enough to see that AAF “riffs on noir tropes,” as Publishers Weekly noted, some of which might seem misogynistic and arrogant but are genre characteristics.
Nick: So who wrote this review?
Logan: Apparently a White woman from a small town in Minnesota who is also a huge Taylor Swift fan. She’s young.
Nick: Hmm. A real racism expert. What would a Black guy, a Latino, and a Native American know about racism, anyway?
Logan: Nothing. You need to be a witch finder or whatever they call it nowadays.
Frankie: Next.
Logan: OK. Here’s another Goodreads reviewer:
The plot was pretty convoluted, partly centering around agates (as per the title) and partly centering around mysterious gold-filled rocks and long-abandoned gold mines.
Frankie: “Gold-filled rocks?” Some undiscovered items from the Tsar’s Fabergé egg collection?
Logan: I’m not sure. I thought Nick rather clearly explained what gold ore is. Regarding the plot, I think a lot of mysteries today have simple plots, so something more traditional probably surprised her. She’s young, maybe mid 20’s.
Nick: What does she look like?
Frankie: Next.
Logan: Now, here’s a good one:
This sharp debut combines Western grit, noir swagger, and biting humor into a wild, sun-drenched romp through the Arizona desert. Nick Cameron, a wisecracking geologist with a talent for landing in hot water, is as likable as they come, and the supporting cast is just as fun. The dialogue snaps, the setting sizzles, and Quartzrock, Arizona, feels so real you’ll want to pack sunscreen. With its clever blend of twists and charm, this mystery keeps you guessing (and grinning). Fans of quirky characters and smart storytelling will be hooked. I can’t wait to see where Nick’s misadventures take us next in this series!
Nick: Wow. Who wrote that?
Logan: A guy.
Nick: I think a pattern is emerging.
Frankie: Next.
Logan: Now for something different. Most reviewers praise and love the characters, but not this Goodreads reviewer:
We don’t get any character development at all. Nick tells us some things about himself as we go along, but all of the characters lack depth and complexities.
Nick: So no tragic backstories, gender confusion, boozing, divorce, or failed romances?
Logan: You got it. That’s the formulaic crap that gets passed off as character depth nowadays. As for character development, I think she means that a character must experience some profound change or epiphany and emerge transformed. Hero's journey bullshit from some writers' workshop. Of course you don't see that in mysteries because mysteries are not about character transformation. Sherlock Holmes, Phillip Marlowe, and Hercule Poirot do not have such transformations. So that reviewer is an idiot. But consider this, also by a younger woman:
For me, Nick’s quirkiness was endearing and made him a very likeable character. Terret does a fabulous job of bringing all the locales to life with his vivid descriptions and memorable characters.
Logan: And this:
The author wrote this well and I liked the Arizona setting in the book. All of the characters were interesting in this.
Nick: Well, there it is.
Logan: Now, one thing that did confuse some people was your use of noir slang, like dame, roscoe, wooden kimono, gams, and so on. I’ve read all the reviews and I think this results from lack of familiarity with the hardboiled/noir genre. On the other hand, the meaning of the terms is pretty obvious in context, so maybe it’s the perceived mismatch between the dated slang and present-day setting. The interesting thing is that it didn’t confuse most people at all, so possibly it’s a generational thing.
Nick: That’s a problem. If your audience doesn’t know what you’re riffing on, they won’t get it. Anything else?
Logan: Yes. Many people commented on the humor, for example:
The geologic metaphors, dry wit and social commentary had me laughing on every page. Add to that a deep and confounding mystery made for hours of fun. I haven't laughed with a novel in years. Thanks LT.
Frankie: So to summarize, some younger women either don’t get it or find the noir tropes irritating, sexist, or misogynistic because they are unfamiliar with them. Aside from them, people like it.
Logan: Yes. And I forgot to mention that some reviews really like the historical and literary aspects:
Through this novel, I uncovered my passion for historical fiction and literary fiction genres; I observed that this book seamlessly weaves elements of both throughout. Although the story is set in contemporary Arizona, which provided an exceptional backdrop, it embodies the essence of a timeless western mystery, replete with distinctive dialogue and characterizations
Frankie: Anything else?
Logan: Yes. One more thing from a younger woman:
The main character, Nick Cameron, was also looking at every female character as a potential lover, and it just annoyed me.
Nick: Welcome to the real world, my chickadee.
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