Book review: The Miskatonic Manuscript

The Miskatonic Manuscript
By Vin Suprynowicz
323 pages, Mountain Media, December 11, 2015

Available from AbeBooks.com $28.50 autographed, limited edition hardcover
or
Amazon.com $5.99 Kindle ebook

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When last we saw rare-book dealer Matthew Hunter and the beautiful, dauntless Chantal Stevens they were searching for the lost testament of James, a much-rumored scripture by the brother of Jesus, a document powerful forces would kill to suppress.

That was in Vin’s first Hunter-Stevens novel.

Now they’re back. Back at their shop, Books on Benefit in Providence, Rhode Island. Back with their distinctly motley crew of friends and associates (including a writer of vampire tales who may take his role just a little too seriously and a small person named Skeezix whose uncanny affinity with cats makes me wonder about his genetic heritage).

And of course they’re back to searching for another rare manuscript. This time there’s nothing biblical about it — unless you worship at the altar of H.P. Lovecraft, whose work the lost document is. Some of the characters in The Miskatonic Manuscript literally do worship at that altar, being members of the Church of Cthulu.

Their religion has gotten one of their leaders in trouble with the DEA, which disapproves of the church’s sacraments. The imprisoned man’s brother wants Matthew to find the manuscript because it might, just might, contain the key to locating and updating a real-world device that will enable Cthulhians to fight back against the war on drugs — by hopping between dimensions to launch surprise attacks against unrepentant drug warriors.

This time the manuscript is easily found, the dimension-hopping device is located — and the story roars into action.

This isn’t just a story of fighting drug warriors (though that, too). When something goes awry between dimensions and a rescue operation is needed, The Miskatonic Manuscript rapidly expands to encompass even more inter-dimensional travel, dinosaurs, nekkid women, .50 BMGs and RPGs, entheogenic drugs, and … well, you should really read to find out.

The characters are well-drawn and likeable. The world of used book dealers is depicted in charming detail. Matthew and Chatal have fantastic chemistry (if you can say that about characters on a page, rather than onscreen). Their knowledge (and Vin’s) of entheogens is impressive. And all this is presented within a story that’ll keep you up late at night, turning pages long after you thought you’d turn in.

Are there flaws? Sure. A friend who also got a review copy commented that this book is like three and a half different novels strung together. Just when you think the story is going to go one way it goes another. Some of those about-faces take us in fascinating directions; some not so much. I found one segment a bit too John Carter of Mars-ish for my taste. OTOH, that might be your favorite episode (particularly if you’re fond of those abovementioned nekkid women).

The one thing that’s consistent from page one to the dramatic climax is that Vin can really, truly spin an imaginative tale. This isn’t a novel you’ll read because the author is a freedomista (though that, too). This is one you’ll read because it’s a rip-roaring good time.

Even when Vin stops the action to deliver a political point (and of course he does; we freedomistas all use our bully pulpits whenever opportunity arises), he does it well. And he keeps those interludes to a minimum.

The Miskatonic Manuscript is a novel of science fiction and fantasy and mystery and passion and drugs and big guns and scary creatures. It’s a story with great characters, beautiful writing, and plenty of action that moves most entertainingly along from start to finish.

At the end there’s a also big hint about where we might encounter Matthew Hunter and Chantal Stevens next. From that glimpse it’s clear that if this book is very good and exciting (which it is), the next one’s going to be downright explosive. Can’t wait.

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Get The Miskatonic Manuscript here:

AbeBooks.com $28.50 autographed, limited edition hardcover (NFI on my part)
or
Amazon.com $5.99 Kindle ebook (Standard Amazon commission to me)