This was one of the most satisfying series I’ve ever read. I loved all of the interconnections across the novels and short stories. I even noticed a few connections to short stories that aren’t on the secret history timeline (like DJ Lenny Winter’s old house next to Toad Hall in Monroe, or ‘The Answer’ appearing in the Compendium)
Apart from the Tomb, I read all the RJ novels in chronological order, so it was cool to see all weirdness in the Pine Barrens in 1983 start to make sense in the last few novels (like the chewing gum moment in Twin Peaks, all the pieces start falling into place)
It’s a shame the RJ film is still in development hell as there are so many cinematic scenes throughout the books that would look badass on screen, especially the image of Rasalom in his Armani suit, walking on water in the Everglades.
I just have a few minor questions regarding the secret history:
1. I know the black pyramid from the teen trilogy is eventually used as a key to open the door to the old town beneath the Johnson Lodge. But what happens when it is placed in the indentation in the top of the pillar in the middle of the q’qr cage pyramid? (I’m assuming a shaft of light doesn’t shine through it and show Indiana Jones where to dig for the Ark of the Covenant)
2. I noticed Will Burleigh briefly appears in Panacea which connects The Fifth Harmonic to the secret history. Does this mean that Maya Quennell’s healing method she says she adopted from an ancient civilisation before the Mayans, is a reference to the First Age?
3. And finally, whatever happened to P. Frank Winslow? I like to think he survived the events of Nightworld and is now trying to publish his new Jake Fixx novel, but everyone is too depressed to read it, what with all the millions/billions of corpses still lying around and cities in complete ruin. Or, he was horribly killed by chew wasps because the advance for his latest book wasn’t enough to buy storm shutters!
I don’t know how much more secret history stuff you’re planning on writing, but it would be cool to see another globe-trotting quest with the characters of Panacea, or maybe another RJ story like Fix set between Fear City and the Tomb.
Apart from the Tomb, I read all the RJ novels in chronological order, so it was cool to see all weirdness in the Pine Barrens in 1983 start to make sense in the last few novels (like the chewing gum moment in Twin Peaks, all the pieces start falling into place)
It’s a shame the RJ film is still in development hell as there are so many cinematic scenes throughout the books that would look badass on screen, especially the image of Rasalom in his Armani suit, walking on water in the Everglades.
I just have a few minor questions regarding the secret history:
1. I know the black pyramid from the teen trilogy is eventually used as a key to open the door to the old town beneath the Johnson Lodge. But what happens when it is placed in the indentation in the top of the pillar in the middle of the q’qr cage pyramid? (I’m assuming a shaft of light doesn’t shine through it and show Indiana Jones where to dig for the Ark of the Covenant)
2. I noticed Will Burleigh briefly appears in Panacea which connects The Fifth Harmonic to the secret history. Does this mean that Maya Quennell’s healing method she says she adopted from an ancient civilisation before the Mayans, is a reference to the First Age?
3. And finally, whatever happened to P. Frank Winslow? I like to think he survived the events of Nightworld and is now trying to publish his new Jake Fixx novel, but everyone is too depressed to read it, what with all the millions/billions of corpses still lying around and cities in complete ruin. Or, he was horribly killed by chew wasps because the advance for his latest book wasn’t enough to buy storm shutters!
I don’t know how much more secret history stuff you’re planning on writing, but it would be cool to see another globe-trotting quest with the characters of Panacea, or maybe another RJ story like Fix set between Fear City and the Tomb.
I'm impressed. That's quite a bit of reading. Sounds like you were paying attention too. To sort of answer your questions, the secrets of the black pyramid are lost to time (which translates as: I've either forgotten or never completely worked them out myself.)
Good catch on Will. Yes, Maya's secrets are trickle-downs from the First Age.
P. Frank Winslow sightings have been reported among the ruins of the city. It's rumored that he's writing a post-apocalyptic novel on an old Royal typewriter and it won't include Jake Fixx.
I don't know if you've read "Infernal Night," but Madame de Medici therein is a Sax Rohmer character I borrowed for the story; she'll reappear next year in a story I wrote for a Sherlock Holmes anthology.
Good catch on Will. Yes, Maya's secrets are trickle-downs from the First Age.
P. Frank Winslow sightings have been reported among the ruins of the city. It's rumored that he's writing a post-apocalyptic novel on an old Royal typewriter and it won't include Jake Fixx.
I don't know if you've read "Infernal Night," but Madame de Medici therein is a Sax Rohmer character I borrowed for the story; she'll reappear next year in a story I wrote for a Sherlock Holmes anthology.
FPW
FAQ
"It means 'Ask the next question.' Ask the next question, and the one that follows that, and the one that follows that. It's the symbol of everything humanity has ever created." Theodore Sturgeon.
That's interesting. I thought I recognised the name Madame de Medici.
In a way, I prefer not having all the answers to the black pyramid. That's why I'm one of the few people who likes the film Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me and the way it poses even more questions. I just hope the new TV series this year doesn't ruin everything.
In a way, I prefer not having all the answers to the black pyramid. That's why I'm one of the few people who likes the film Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me and the way it poses even more questions. I just hope the new TV series this year doesn't ruin everything.