Just in case you're wondering...

Here are some things I read today that discouraged me from taking the query seriously:

1. A title page with "first draft/unedited."

2. A note at the bottom of the cover page that told me I'd be subject to fines if I copied or stored the material electronically.

3. The author mentioned he is the relative of a famous author.

4. A disc with the manuscript (unsolicited).

5. Single spaced, right justified manuscript pages

Jeff Somers is actually getting good reviews

My new best friend Charlene Brusso, writing in sfsite.com says:

Somers writes with assurance and style. This is fun, cyberpunky noir SF with just the right mix of fatalism and attitude, seasoned with plenty of bullets and black comedy.

Not to be out done, Pat at Fantasy Hotlist writes:

For some reason, I can't say that Jeff Somers' The Electric Church piqued my curiosity when I received the ARC. A few weeks later, as I was looking for something not too bulky to bring along for my trip to NYC and DC, I decided to give this Orbit USA launch title a shot. The story was occurring in New York City, which sort of made it apropos.

I started reading this action-packed novel on the eve of my departure, and I would have read The Electric Church till the wee hours of the night had I not had an early plane to catch. I was immediately sucked into this cyberpunk/noir science fiction tale.

and got four stars in SF Signal!

REVIEW SUMMARY: It disturbs me to say that I liked so many bad people in this book.

MY RATING: ****

BRIEF SYNOPSIS: Gunner Avery Cates is hired to execute the high priest of The Electric Church, a group of brain-stealing cyborgs (yes, you read that right) who aim to preach about eternal enlightenment.

MY REVIEW:
PROS: Excellent pacing; well-written action sequences; fun characters; dark setting.

CONS: There's something remarkably unsettling about passionately rooting for the killers and thieves.

BOTTOM LINE: A first-rate piece of science fiction entertainment.