by Richard Castle
ages: adult
First sentence: “It was always the same for her when she arrived to meet the body.”
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“Oh, Melissa,” you say. “We know that you are really eclectic in your reading. But, a book written by the main character of a TV show. Really? Isn’t that a bit meta for your tastes?”
Yes. Yes, it is. And yet, it sat out there in cyberspace, it’s sultry cover calling to me, piquing my interest. Eventually, I had to cave in.
“Yes, but it can’t have been a good book. It’s written by a fictional person!”
Well, it wasn’t fine literature, that’s true. And I’m not sure it wasn’t even a good mystery, since I called it about halfway through. It did feel pretty pedestrian as far as books go. But, it was fun, and that’s all I was expecting. I’m guessing the screenwriters wrote it, by the way.
“What makes you say that? Nathan Fillion’s headshot’s on the back cover… they went pretty far keeping the illusion that Richard Castle ‘wrote’ the book.”
I know! And that’s one of the things I liked (besides Nathan Fillion’s headshot on the back cover). It really was an in-joke kind of things for fans of the series. Scenes in the book that were lifted straight from episodes; in many ways it was a mash-up of Castle, season one. Aside from Nikki Heat thoroughly beating up a bad guy while buck naked, of course. (Though honestly, I wouldn’t mind seeing Stana Katic pull that off…)
“So, if it’s just a bunch of scenes from episodes thrown together by the screenwriters, is there even a plot?”
Yes, it does have a plot. Nikki Heat is a NYPD detective and the latest murder is millionaire developer Matthew Starr. Jameson Rook is a celebrity journalist following Nikki around to get background for an article he’s writing. As they investigate Starr’s murder, things unravel about his background, his wife, and his business, centering in on the $60 million art collection in his house. Of course, lives are put on the line, banter is had, and sparks fly. It’s not as fun as the show, and I got annoyed with a few things — like calling Detectives Raley and Ochoa “Roach” — but mostly, it’s was just fluffy fun.
“Even if it is fun, why should we, who don’t really watch Castle or follow Nathan Fillion obsessively on Twitter, read it?”
My response: Why aren’t you? It’s quite fun as TV goes. Great writing, pretty good stories, it’s some serious fun. Seriously, though, if you’re not a fan of the show, I really don’t know why you’d pick up the book. Unless you really, really like mysteries and will read just about anything. But, if you’re a fan (or even if you only just watch the show), it’s a quick, fun, fluffy read.
“*sigh* That means you’re going to read the sequel, doesn’t it?”
Yep. It does.
The Book Nut 
great post.. love the conversation. as a fan it is very hard to resist the temptation of picking up this book. I appreciate your thoughts on it.
~L
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Not into murder/mystery, but I love Castle, so definitely something I'd consider just for fun!
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Y'know, Wiz, I'm not either. Which is why I don't usually do mysteries. But it's enough like the TV show to actually be enjoyable. It is a good “just for fun” book.
And L, that's why I'm here. To give into temptation for you! 😀
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🙂 I love Castle (the show)! Nathan Fillion has come a long way into worming himself into my heart. I'm a little hesitant to read Heat Wave since I'm more a fan of seeing what Castle says and does than what his fictional characters say and do… Fiction within a fiction, strange.
But if I'm in the mood for light and fluffy, I may pick this up! 🙂
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I am going to be watching the first two seasons of this show very soon. Looking forward to it
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I'm reading this at the moment. I think you're correct, it does sound like the screenwriters wrote it. Fun read though and they keep the dynamics of the characters of Castle going throughout the book with changed names. It was a fun idea.
Ann
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Aww. I love this show. Mostly because Nathan Fillion is so funny. I've never considered reading the book, but you kinda made me want to.
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Kelly: you're a Firefly fan; you'll probably like it. 😀
Ann: it is a fun idea, even if it is a bit meta. And publicity whoring.
Annette: well, if you do pick it up, I hope you find it as fun as I did.
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HA! I should try it when I'm in a summer fun book kind of mood. Maybe I'll take it on my cruise. I'll picture Castle writing it all the while . . .
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HA! Great post. I just watched me some more Firefly tonight! I ADORE HIM!!!
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Yes, you will, Cami. (It helps to have Nathan Fillion's picture looking up at you from the back cover.)
Corinne: you're watching Firefly! Hooray! (Join the fan club. :-D)
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found your site on del.icio.us today and really liked it.. i bookmarked it and will be back to check it out some more later
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Hmmm for some reason only half the post can be seen. I tried reloading but still same.
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Great read! I wish you could follow up to this topic
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Did you heard what Rob Matts said about that?
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