Bingo Square: Middle (the book is set in the MIDwest)
I really enjoyed this one! I honestly didn’t know too much about what to expect going into this but it was fun. Sometimes, when a book is super topical and contemporary, it can be frustrating because parts might already feel out of date but this one worked so well – probably helps that Scalzi and I are on the same side politically (or at least close enough). Still, while I am sure this novel will still be enjoyable in a few years, some of the commentary might feel out of place and confusing – hopefully (wouldn’t it be awesome if our new representatives changed things so much that complaints about private equity wouldn’t feel relevant anymore?)
It’s not Scalzi hasn’t done this before (Kaiju made reference to Covid) but it’s had mixed results: When the Moon Hits Your Eyes, which had an obvious Musk stand in, just wasn’t quite as fun as some of his other novels, but this one just came together so well.
The main character, Mike, is coming home to Richland, Ohio after 20 years. Modern day circumstances have impacted his ability to get a job so it’s time to regroup at home. Things aren’t going too great in Richland, though. While Mike has made it home just in time for the upcoming and rebranded fall festival, the Monster Mash, the town’s main employer has had lay offs, and everyone is expecting the announcement that the plant is shutting down. There’s also been a slew of pet disappearances amongst all this.
Before too long Mike, his childhood friend and town sheriff Dave, and Andi, newcomer and monster mash consultant/marketer find themselves drawn together into an investigation of what is going on in the town.
I won’t get too far into the details but as rage-inducing as the circumstances within the book are, it’s exactly what makes the story so enjoyable because it is rather optimistic, the characters find growth and improve, and there is just the right amount of comeuppance, all mixed with comedy, blood and guts (also tentacles as the cover implies).
Very minor spoiler for the beginning of the novel: the very first part of the novel (can’t remember if it was labeled prologue or chapter 1) follows a wild rabbit with a craving for tomatoes, so just wanted to say, don’t worry, the rabbit survives!
