The Real-Town Murders - Hardcover

Adam Roberts is commonly described as one of the UK's most important writers of SF. He is the author of numerous novels and literary parodies. He is Professor of 19th Century Literature at Royal Holloway, London University and has written a number of critical works on both SF and 19th Century poetry. He is a contributor to the SF ENCYCLOPEDIA.

This is witty, smart, cleverly structured and, like the master's finest films, hooks the reader from the opening moments and never lets go. Dial M for Marvelous.―STARBURST MAGAZINE

using lit-fic techniques and by not playing by the genre rules, [Roberts] rises to the challenge that Mitchell sets down―SFX

The Thing Itself is evidence of Adam Roberts' inimitable brilliance.―Tor.com

The sort of chase thriller that Hitchcock used to film.―MORNING STAR

The kind of elegantly playful fun at which Roberts, almost routinely it seems, excels.―SFX MAGAZINE

The Real-Town Murders is thoughful, clever and effortless fiction that successfully blends hardboiled noir with near-future scifi to create a rich, rewarding story. Highly recommended.―SF BOOK

Personally, I found it deeply fascinating...The closest reference point for me was Philip K. Dick's VALIS trilogy which fits in the same general literary area but "The Thing Itself" is definitely much more fun.―Upcoming 4 Me

I do appreciate a novel that makes me think while also entertaining me. The Thing Itself marries the two to perfection. There is so much packed within these pages and, without doubt, it's one of those memorable novels that will stand to repeated readings over the passing of time. A book of the year for me, for sure.―For Winter's Nights

Gripping and ingenious.―CRIME TIME

As ever, Roberts's use of the genre to explicate ideas - the allure of virtual reality and the consequent aff ectless society - is done with grace and economy, and what might have been a grim read is leavened by moments of irreverent black humour.―GUARDIAN