“Blind Man’s Bluff”–Because you Demanded it

Well, one guy asked, actually, but okay. Here’s when you can discuss the latest and possibly last entry in the New Frontier series.

Why possibly last? Because the economy sucks, the publishing industry is slowly disintegrating, and rather than make long term plans, Pocket is making decisions entirely based upon what’s happening right now. So they’re waiting to see what the sales are on this book before deciding on whether there will be any more.

PAD

40 comments on ““Blind Man’s Bluff”–Because you Demanded it

  1. Hmm. I hope that they make sure to consider both sales of the TPB and the MMPB, given that they already announced the latter as being the January 2012 novel.

  2. Loved it, incredible handling of Tye Morgan situation and the reveal at the end. Truly epic sir.

  3. It’s funny, but I’ve been getting back into the Trek books (other than PAD’s) for the first time in ages in the last year or so. I read the “Destiny” trilogy on vacation and quite liked it (I annoyed my wife by insisting on bringing the books back because I liked them so much, rather than leaving them behind as I had promised). And I like the idea of the Typhoon Pact storyline as a fall-out. It’s a nice idea. Not all of the books are strong, but I still admire the concept.

    I also think Trek books are pretty much ideal ebook, travel reading for me. With the exception of PAD, who I like having in actual book format (it’s the collector mentality thing), the rest are perfect for loading onto an iPad (resist the pun folks) and taking with you when travelling. Light, fun and a little disposable. But rather than dragging paperbacks in my backpack, now it’s on my iPad.

    But that’s just me.

    As for the book, it’s fine, but I think some of the fun and zip from the earlier books are missing. I can’t help but wonder between the uncertainty about what’s happening with the series, and writing it for so long, if you’re not getting close to mentally done with the series. Maybe one or two more books to cue things up would be the way to go.

  4. Peter, you mention the publishing industry is slowly disintegrating. I’m curious what your thoughts are on the future. Do you think things are headed to more of a direct relationship between author and reader through sales of e-books?

  5. Well, because we had to wait for this one all that time, the Post-Destiny timeline is screwed up, (SPOILER WARNING) Nechayev is melted in Blind Man’s Bluff and Jellico is still a factor in Starfleet, while in Typhon Pact Nechayev’s around and Ed isn’t. So (OPEN COMMENT TO POCKET) You need one more at least from Peter to wrap that issue up. Don’t dare gloss over it.

    That being said, I liked it… but was a little disappointed Xyon, son of M’k’n’z’y takes a guilt-based action and rezcts with “i hate you!_” Shìŧ, kid, just grow up and be a Mensch, will ya? I also wished there was at least a small scene with Moke, and a little more Shelby, but I can understand that the narrative didn’t require what I missed. It doesn’t make the book bad, I just would have liked a few extra scenes. So I think this series can continue

  6. I enjoyed Blind Man’s Bluff and the ending was great. Pocket books should let this series continue. The Typhon pa t series was a huge let down. I also wish the new animated trek series that was going to be on startrek.com actually happened because then PAD could have penned a few episodes for that.

  7. Nice work Peter! I agree to being disappointed with Xyon’s behavior, but that was a pretty devastating ending. Hope there is more to the tale of Mackenzie Calhoun.

  8. I’d be quite happy to see a return to the MMPB series if the market can’t continue to support “New Frontier” in trade paperback. I worry that too many fans wait too long for MMPB reprints these days, so sales on the recent NF trade might not be as high as needed.

    Also, the last few books with swords and Starfleet insignias on deserted planetscapes might be easier to design and paint before the manuscript is finished, but I really miss seeing the “New Frontier” cast and guests on the covers. I want my Arex and M’Ress cover! I had to send off to Germany to get a Janos cover (ie. “Martyr”/”Märtyre”).

  9. I buy the NF books in whatever format they come in first, and have loved the series from the begining. I hope there are many many more BF books to come!

  10. I agree with all of you and I really hope the series is able to continue. This has become my favorite series by far and I know it has everything to do with Peter’s wittiness in his writings.

    I did want to ask Peter, is there anything we can do as your readers to help the cause? I would be more than willing to write an email, send a letter, whatever helps!

    1. I agree. I see the Simon & Schuster/Pocket Books/Gallery Books address on “Blind Man Bluff”‘s copyright page (1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York NY 10020)–is that where we could/should send letters saying how much we love buying and reading PAD’s NF novels? On the envelope, should we specify “ATTN” to a certain person/position in the company?

  11. I want to see the meeting between Soleta and Doctor Who, (amazed that you actually got were actually able to slip that reference past them).

    1. I agree! I’m new to the Doctor Who series (within the last year) and I caught the reference. How hilarious would that be? Crazy Doctor Who and Soleta!

  12. Peter, this’ll be short. Why? Because I’m going to ask of you this: Let’s just pretend I’ve sat here an hour and extolled the love and appreciation I have for several genre’s of your work, but with particular emphasis on all you’re Trek work (cough, Captain’s Daughter, cough).

    With that done, I have absolutely no solution to offer and absolutely no happiness about the consequences of this revelation, the impending threat of no more New Frontier books. Yes, my 2 cents are completely 1 sided. I’ve already bought my 2 copies (I give 1 to a friend, usually the same one, she loves your work too, birds of a feather) and I sincerely hope that the forces at work, with our collective volunteer work, realize and correct the economic barometer of current and future times, without serious unrest or bloodshed.

    How else are we expected to live and prosper?

  13. I started reading but when I got to the Seven of Nine chapter and the references to TNG: Before Dishonor – that I haven’t read yet – I stopped. I will order Resistance and Before Dishonor before continuing.
    .
    I am not complaining. I wanted to read those books eventually so now I have extra motivation.

      1. Should I read the Voyager Spirit Walk books before Before Dishonor? I read the first 2 Voyager relaunch books but I bought the next 2 and never read them.

  14. Trying desparately not to read any spoilers in the comments. Just wanted to say that although I scurried to Amazon UK to place my order as soon as I saw mention of it here, I’ve been advised it will not now be available until Jan 2012 whereas when I placed the order it was saying 2-3 weeks.
    It’s not as if I’m exactly so short of reading material as to have to order it from Amazon US but it’s frustrating nevertheless.
    New Frontier books are about the only ST books I buy now – love the characters and the series. Hope you get to continue with it and thanks for the pleasure I’ve got from all your ST and B5 books.

    1. Sue, I think you may have accidentally ordered the mass market edition, which indeed doesn’t come out until 2012. But the trade paperback edition is available now. I just checked on Amazon UK and it says that there are eight left in stock.
      .
      PAD

      1. Ohhh and I call myself internet savvy! I just latched onto the first version I saw and never thought there might be two.
        Many thanks, Peter. I’ve cancelled the first order and the other one is now on its way to me. Hurray!

  15. So will you be able to sign the digital copy of the book I have on my iPad? 🙂

  16. Peter,

    I enjoyed Blind Man’s Bluff. It would be a shame if the NF series came to an end on such a sad note. I will send an e-mail to Pocket Books to express my support and hopefully other people reading this will do likewise. Also, I just wanted to vote for another IDW comic, but how about placing it in the past with the original crew of the Excalibur? I really miss the banter between Si Cwan and Zak Kebron. No matter what happens to the New Frontier series, I just wanted to thank you, PAD, for a
    Star Trek novel that I always looked forward to.

    Speaking of novels, tomorrow is the day my bookstore gets the adaptation of the new Transformers movie — written by PAD. I will definitely pick up a copy. Peter: what other new release novels (written by you) are coming up soon?

  17. I enjoyed the book, and the New Frontier series as whole has been my absolute favorite set of star trek books. I had the book pre-ordered on Amazon and got it the day it came out.

    But, unfortunately, I have to echo a comment made above – it really did seem a lot less ‘fun’ than the earlier books in the series. I’ve actually felt that way about each of the last two books.

    I don’t know, perhaps it’s just me, but it really seems like some of your more recent stuff (Before Dishonor and the latest two NF books) doesn’t have the same humor level of your earlier work, or even the Sir Apropos books (which I love).

    However, I’m just a fan, and I’ll gladly pick up the next book if there is one.

  18. I enjoyed it as well – and would like to see (and will continue to pay for, if pocket/S&S are watching) some kind of resolution or follow up to the end.

    It’s a little sad – New Frontier is the only TNG-era related Trek left that I consume, so that feels like it’s ending for me – I’ll miss it after so many years. Not that I won’t go see and enjoy the next Abrams sequel, but it’s not quite the same.

  19. I haven’t read Blind Man’s Bluff yet – I just finished Treason – but considering that this is basically the 21st book with these characters (18 + TNG: Double Helix + Captain’s Table + Gateways), that’s a helluva run for one author.
    .
    Still, if you keep writing them, I’ll keep reading them.

  20. I was going to wait for the MMPB, but after reading the “possibly last” comment I decided not to wait and bought the Trade edition. Looking forward to reading it, as always.

  21. Just wanted to pop back and say how much I enjoyed the book. Extremely tense on all fronts but I did chortled at the Doctor Who references. I would have liked a husband and wife scene between Calhoun and Shelby. I feel for them being apart so much – and this is from somebody who didn’t particularly like Shelby in ST:TNG. I warmed to her as your series progressed, so thank you for that.
    Think I might have to go back and read the entire series from the beginning again now.
    I’ll join with everybody else in hoping you get to write more NF.

  22. Just finished BMB and i’ve to say that you’re still one of the few authors that keeps me reading till nonstop for hours. Lately, between work and personal matters i’ve less and less time to read, but everytime i get my hands in one of your books, i can’t stop.

    I hope there’s more NW books ahead, because I’m gonna miss all the characters a lot, really.

    By the way, a friend of mine is making a Star Trek adaptation for a spanish rpg, and it’s including NW races. Problem is, he is not sure how to translate S/he and Hir. Any ideas around here?

  23. I just finished the book, having purchased the paperback and the e-book (multiple format purchases can’t hurt…).

    All I can say is… wow. I absolutely loved the book. There was so much to relish, my favorite line being “I’m sorry, I’m so sorry.”

    So far as Xyon goes, I thought he played absolutely to his character. Throw blame on everyone else, avoid responsibility, keep deluding himself.

    I do hope we get more stories of this ship and her crew- and I loved the little “Remember” you gave for Morgan just in case…

    Well done, sir. Well done.

  24. I just finished the book, having purchased the paperback and the e-book (multiple format purchases can’t hurt…).

    All I can say is… wow. I absolutely loved the book. There was so much to relish, my favorite line being “I’m sorry, I’m so very sorry.”

    So far as Xyon goes, I thought he played absolutely to his character. Throw blame on everyone else, avoid responsibility, keep deluding himself.

    I do hope we get more stories of this ship and her crew- and I loved the little “Remember” you gave for Morgan just in case…

    Well done, sir. Well done.

  25. I also just finished reading Blind Mans Bluff and it was as good as ever, with the usual unexpected twists. But there are a lot of loose ends in this one, especially with the ending left where it was (I won’t give away any spoilers but you cannot fathom not finding out what Calhoun will do after THAT ending!), and Pocket Books would be mad not to continue on for at least one more. I hope you’re able to continue on with the New Frontier story Peter, its the one thread of the post-Nemesis Star Trek universe I can count on these days to actually deliver an exciting story. The Destiny story was epic but then ended with a whimper with the extremely dragged-out Typhon Pact series (which still hasn’t been wrapped up, and I’m surpised that with the many crossovers these days, the New Frontier characters didn’t even get a look in, unlike the Destiny Trilogy).
    Saying that, I’m looking forward to the next Mirror Universe book which from what I’ve read of the synopsis will continue the story of the mirror Calhoun in a major way, as well as the various plots left unfinished after the two previous Mirror Universe books, including the culmination of the master plan created by the mirror Spock to overthrow the Alliance. David Mack, the author of the awesome Destiny trilogy is penning this one, which bodes well!

  26. /####/#### /##
     /##///##/ ///
     /####### /###
     /##///## //##
     /##  /##  /##
    /####/####/####, PAD!! Remember me? 😉
    ///////////////

    (That probably won’t look right as a WordPress comment, but copy-and-paste it into NotePad or some other editor with a monospaced font.)

    Anyway, LTNS!! I’ve read all of the New Frontier novels to date (including BMB), but not the crossovers (e.g. Gateway). Like “Tony” above, I got to the point where it was apparent that I needed to read “Before Dishonor” first, but having bought them together, I was able to do so easily enough.

    One NF-related question regarding a fellow former GEnieite / SFRTan / Comics RTer: did KRAD •ever• forgive you for missing that golden opportunity in the climax of “Gods Above”? 😉

  27. Just finished Blind Man’s Bluff.

    Loved it as usual – especially the How I Met Your Mother gag, which had be chortling all the way to work 🙂

    Given the silence on any new books over the last year I assume this was the end for Mac, Kebron, Burgy et all. A sad day if so.

    But thank you PAD for 15 years of great stories and adventures

Comments are closed.