Tubular Android Superheroes

This enjoyable romp picks up where Surfing Samurai Robots and Hawaiian U.F.O. Aliens left off. For those not familiar with those two titles, suffice to say that they are a mix of science fiction, detective noir and humor that turns out to be quite enjoyable. The protagonist and narrator, Zoot Marlowe, is an alien from the planet T'toom, a wet world whose star-travelling natives learned of Earth via its radio broadcasts (they are too far away to yet have received its television broadcasts), and Zoot patterned himself after Philip Marlowe. He had, in the first novel, Surfing Samurai Robots, travelled to Earth in his spaceship, and landed in near-future Southern California. He befriended some surfers and helped them solve a mystery. Realizing his assistance was needed, he stayed to provide further assistance. In this book, Zoot is faced with the specter of a car dealer who has developed disposable automobiles that dissolve at the press of a button, but who secretly desires world domination. What ensues is pure comedy gold.

Third in the Zoot Marlowe series, and the same as the rest: great pun-filled names, snappy "gum-shoe" patter, and a mystery set in near-future Malibu that you can solve yourself. A wonderful follow-up to Surfing Samuari Robots and Hawaiian UFO Aliens. You know you're in for fun when the first name of "Whipper" Will's dad turns out to be "Iron."