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rosekk's review against another edition
5.0
His stories have a narrative neatness which is really satisfying (especially in mysteries). Everything ties up and makes sense. His characters feel likely and even when they're not exactly realistic they still feel multifaceted (which in a ~20 page story is extra impressive). The science employed in the stories seems accurate enough (to a layman like me, anyway) without being dry. In this volume, there's the added delight of the occasional forwards and afterwards which give an impression of Asimov as a person: funny, self-aware enough to joke at his own expense, honest and enthusiastic enough to show genuine pride in his work.
topdragon's review against another edition
4.0
I always like it when I find a book that mixes two of my favorite genres, in this case science fiction and mystery. This volume contains 14 short stories, all by the science fiction master, Isaac Asimov, and all previously published in magazines of the day such as “Astounding Science Fiction”, “The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction”, “Amazing Stories” “The Saint Detective Magazine” and even “Scientific American”.
While there is indeed a mystery element to all of these stories, I would say they fit more solidly into the science fiction arena. Asimov, of course was well known as a professor of biochemistry at Boston University as well as a knowledgeable physicist in his own right so readers should expect a healthy dose of science in his stories. Five of the stories involve the recurring characters of H. Seton Davenport, a pragmatic and official investigator who acts as the foil for the reader (i.e. the one baffled by the mystery) and Dr. Wendell Urth, the eccentric solver of the crimes, albeit often only appearing on stage in the final couple of pages. The other stories are all stand-alone and quite thought provoking. I believe my favorite goes to the final story in the set, “The Billiard Ball” first published in “If” magazine in 1967 wherein Mr. Asimov manages to combine the scientific mysteries of developing an anti-gravity theory/device with a murder plot.
While there is indeed a mystery element to all of these stories, I would say they fit more solidly into the science fiction arena. Asimov, of course was well known as a professor of biochemistry at Boston University as well as a knowledgeable physicist in his own right so readers should expect a healthy dose of science in his stories. Five of the stories involve the recurring characters of H. Seton Davenport, a pragmatic and official investigator who acts as the foil for the reader (i.e. the one baffled by the mystery) and Dr. Wendell Urth, the eccentric solver of the crimes, albeit often only appearing on stage in the final couple of pages. The other stories are all stand-alone and quite thought provoking. I believe my favorite goes to the final story in the set, “The Billiard Ball” first published in “If” magazine in 1967 wherein Mr. Asimov manages to combine the scientific mysteries of developing an anti-gravity theory/device with a murder plot.
lilacs_book_bower's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Very entertaining collection. Usually in short story collections, there are a few that stand out and a few that aren't great. These were all solidly fun to read.
ramsfan1963's review
adventurous
challenging
funny
informative
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
srgower's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
3.0
Quite a few stories deal with scientists focused on being famous or recognized / preserving a legacy. I wonder if this is something Asimov worried about?
guidopetri's review
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
david611's review against another edition
4.0
This is a very good mix of thirteen crime and mystery stories (excepting one or two) by Mr. Asimov, some written during the earliest stages of his writing career. At times it felt like reading Sherlock Holmes, albeit based in a science-fictional scenario. A few scientific descriptions (although not too technical), which are usually expressed within dialogues, could tend to go beyond the grasp of understanding with an under-average, un-scientific mind. All the stories are wonderful, although some need to be given special admiration.
Paté de Foie Gras was an intensely interesting story, scientifically extrapolated upon a folk-tale that kids usually listen to during their school days.
Marooned Off Vesta and Anniversary is a combination of two stories, the second one of which was written as a sequel on the preceding story's twentieth anniversary of its publication. The first story (unedited, as claimed by the writer in his foreword) has been very well written considering that it was the writer's first published story in a magazine while he was in his late teens, in the infamously well-remembered commencing year of WWII, 1939. Anniversary continues, as the characters from the first story meet up on the twentieth anniversary of their events in the first story. The two combine together to exhibit the element of mystery.
Obituary deals with murder using an experimental time-travel phenomenon. An amazing story.
The Key is a well devised mystery tale, which also discusses about a certain group of extremists with their idea about of reducing the global population by ninety-nine percent through killing. It talks about the rigid nature of their emotions, lacking empathy, and their incapability to connect very well with other people's emotions.
The book ends with The Billiard Ball, another lovely idea based upon Einstein's Theory of Relativity.
Paté de Foie Gras was an intensely interesting story, scientifically extrapolated upon a folk-tale that kids usually listen to during their school days.
Marooned Off Vesta and Anniversary is a combination of two stories, the second one of which was written as a sequel on the preceding story's twentieth anniversary of its publication. The first story (unedited, as claimed by the writer in his foreword) has been very well written considering that it was the writer's first published story in a magazine while he was in his late teens, in the infamously well-remembered commencing year of WWII, 1939. Anniversary continues, as the characters from the first story meet up on the twentieth anniversary of their events in the first story. The two combine together to exhibit the element of mystery.
Obituary deals with murder using an experimental time-travel phenomenon. An amazing story.
The Key is a well devised mystery tale, which also discusses about a certain group of extremists with their idea about of reducing the global population by ninety-nine percent through killing. It talks about the rigid nature of their emotions, lacking empathy, and their incapability to connect very well with other people's emotions.
The book ends with The Billiard Ball, another lovely idea based upon Einstein's Theory of Relativity.
glowe2's review
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
A collection of short stories by Isaac Asimova. Funny, light-hearted and clever makes for pleasureable reading.
tbr_the_unconquered's review
4.0
A very recent review on this site by Nandakishore on a work by Agatha Christie explains the dilemma in trying to review mysteries. It is something like trying to explain how an ingenious magic trick works for once the explanation is done, the audience feels oh, so was that just it ? and countless hours of practice on the magician's part goes to waste in a breath. This is also the reason why I love mysteries for you never know what awaits you at the end of the tale. Asimov in this slim volume offers tales in this huge family tree set in futuristic cityscapes.
The stories are more or less very simple in their structure. In the gap of a good ten or 15 pages, the whole affair reaches a conclusion which Asimov makes us believe is a logical one. There are no convoluted plots nor larger-than-life characters for even in space, Asimov's characters retain an earthly touch. Two characters tend to repeat through most of the stories. The first is an official investigator H.Seton Davenport who while being pragmatic and duty bound cannot help but being a baffled albeit pale shade of Dr. Watson. The eccentric detective caricature here is bestowed upon Dr. Wendell Urth who is quite a unique character sketch. There is also another reason why I liked this duo for they are never interested in each other's company beyond the lifetime of the mystery, a purely professional working arrangement is how they proceed. To add to this is the way the mysteries are solved for all these seemingly impossible knots are untied in the cluttered setting of Dr. Urth's abode. Another of my favorites in the book was the tongue in cheek rendition of a folk tale in the guise of Pâté de Foie Gras .
A solid collection of tales but nothing unexpected in the plot lines in terms of twists. As reliable as morning coffee is your man Isaac Asimov !
The stories are more or less very simple in their structure. In the gap of a good ten or 15 pages, the whole affair reaches a conclusion which Asimov makes us believe is a logical one. There are no convoluted plots nor larger-than-life characters for even in space, Asimov's characters retain an earthly touch. Two characters tend to repeat through most of the stories. The first is an official investigator H.Seton Davenport who while being pragmatic and duty bound cannot help but being a baffled albeit pale shade of Dr. Watson. The eccentric detective caricature here is bestowed upon Dr. Wendell Urth who is quite a unique character sketch. There is also another reason why I liked this duo for they are never interested in each other's company beyond the lifetime of the mystery, a purely professional working arrangement is how they proceed. To add to this is the way the mysteries are solved for all these seemingly impossible knots are untied in the cluttered setting of Dr. Urth's abode. Another of my favorites in the book was the tongue in cheek rendition of a folk tale in the guise of Pâté de Foie Gras .
A solid collection of tales but nothing unexpected in the plot lines in terms of twists. As reliable as morning coffee is your man Isaac Asimov !
kristick's review
3.0
Reread after reading Asimov's other mysteries. I like the Wendell Urth stories and "Pate de Foie Gras" but "I'm in Marsport without Hilda" aged badly.