Eugene J. McGillicuddy's Alien Detective Agency


Fiction - Science Fiction
313 Pages
Reviewed on 08/23/2023
Buy on Amazon

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    Book Review

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

Eugene J. McGillicuddy's Alien Detective Agency is a work of fiction in the science fiction, mystery, and adventure subgenres. It is suitable for the general adult and older teen reading audience and was penned by author George Allen Miller. We follow the adventures of our titular character, Eugene J. McGillicuddy, a private detective in a twenty-second-century Washington, D.C., burdened with omniscience. Earth has joined the Galactic Congress due to its endangered state, attracting a variety of alien visitors. Eugene's agency caters to these extraterrestrial guests, solving anything from minor cases to alien pet mysteries. However, his psychic abilities are a double-edged sword, and when he becomes involved in a case for an ornery dinosaur diplomat, chaos ensues.

Author George Allen Miller offers readers a delightful blend of science fiction, mystery, and humor that is penned with confidence, creativity, and a clear passion for immersive storytelling. The imaginative universe populated with eccentric aliens and intriguing scenarios adds layers of intrigue to the story and makes the world feel fully realized. The dynamic between Eugene and his allies, including a self-aware computer program and a super-genius, infuses the narrative with wit and camaraderie and is layered with sharp dialogue that both characterizes the varied cast and furthers the storyline without the need for huge chunks of prose. The plot's fast-paced nature keeps readers engaged as they follow the characters through inter-dimensional escapades and cosmic challenges, and I found the twists unexpected but deeply satisfying. Overall, Eugene J. McGillicuddy's Alien Detective Agency is an inventive and enjoyable read that seamlessly combines quirky characters, a unique premise, and thrilling cosmic escapades, and I would not hesitate to recommend it to science fiction fans everywhere.

David Korson

George Allen Miller humorously blends elements of classic detective fiction with alien sci-fi in Eugene J. McGillicuddy's Alien Detective Agency. Life during the 22nd century on Earth is very different from what we experience today. Numerous alien species have integrated into human society, bringing their worlds' technology, foods, languages, politics, and peculiar personalities. Despite the dramatic differences in a post-first-contact future, society still needs detectives to solve problems and obtain things others can’t. That’s where Eugene J. McGillicuddy comes in. With inexplicable psychic powers, McGillicuddy has a unique talent that helps in his work. When he is hired by an alien race to find a place that nobody knows exists, McGillicuddy’s job quickly takes an unexpected and dangerous turn.

With a refreshingly lighthearted writing style, George Allen Miller clarifies otherwise unimaginable scenes and adds comedy to encounters with even the most menacing beings. I particularly enjoyed reading about the inventive futuristic tech and the wide variety of alien races, ranging from a hard-working octopus chef to a species of religious reptilians and everything in between. Humor takes center stage from the first few pages through comical miscommunications from an alien language translator. But as the story develops, sinister motivations, curious developments, and interesting characters like quirky sentient AIs make for a story as engaging as it is humorous. A fun romp through the galaxy, Eugene J. McGillicuddy's Alien Detective Agency sets the bar high for laugh-out-loud science fiction comedies.

Olga Markova

Eugene J. McGillicuddy’s Alien Detective Agency by George Allen Miller is a captivating fusion of fantasy, sci-fi, and crime fiction. The story takes us to the twenty-second-century world of Washington, DC. We meet Eugene McGillicuddy, a.k.a. Jack, a clairvoyant private detective, his rescue AI Eddie, and his “unpaid not-a-secretary” Alice Pemberton. Jack and Alice rescue the egg of a dethroned alien prince. When Jack delivers the egg to Ambassador Kah, a two-ton alien dinosaur, Ambassador Yut of the alien Puntini pig-men nation engages Jack to find the location of the vault where an ancient race visited Earth a long time ago, believing it to have been an ancient Puntini colony. Before long, Jack, Eddie, and Alice find themselves in a perilous whirlpool of intergalactic adventures. But will they succeed?

Eugene J. McGillicuddy’s Alien Detective Agency by George Allen Miller gripped me from the cover and kept me turning pages to the end. This amazing story is full of hilarious humor, suspense, and ingenuous plot twists as Jack and Alice navigate dimensional rifts, quantum tunnels, and intergalactic portals. I liked the relatable characters of Jack, Eddie, and Alice, and I was fascinated by the motley crew of aliens and AI whom they encounter on their mission. But most of all, I liked the thought-provoking aspect of the story as it portrays the fate of “accidental AIs” and the future of humans after the friendly aliens rescued Earth from destruction. I highly recommend this brilliant, fascinating intergalactic thriller to fans of sci-fi, fantasy, dystopia, crime fiction, and adventure thrillers. Any chance of a sequel?

Asher Syed

Eugene J. McGillicuddy's Alien Detective Agency by George Allen Miller is a science fiction novel in which Eugene “Jack” McGillicuddy operates as a psychic detective in 22nd-century Washington, D.C., on Earth, now overseen by the Galactic Congress due to its precarious state resulting from past neglect. The planet has evolved into a hub for interstellar travelers intrigued by its history of self-inflicted near-destruction and sporadic settlement. Eugene's expertise is often sought by these visitors for recovering lost items or beings. However, his involvement in a case for a dinosaur diplomat goes awry, leading to his capture and pursuit across the galaxy by various alien species and massive sentient machines. Assisted by allies Eddie and genius Alice Pemberton, Eugene navigates through multidimensional challenges, striving to secure his rescue and, perhaps, the salvation of the universe.

“Tiny unicorns danced along the walls. They kicked with their feet and defecated little happy faces on every surface.” I have not laughed so hard reading a book since I got my hands on the 1932 classic Cold Comfort Farm, but Eugene J. McGillicuddy's Alien Detective Agency by George Allen Miller has officially ended the humor drought. The futuristic setting is really well established, including the near-extinction of the human population, with tramcars and the sad knowledge that rush hour traffic will still be a thing in centuries to come. I loved Miller's use of time manipulation and the existence of life beyond our realms, like with the Zun and their Ghost World. Jack is a fully developed character with depth and intelligent wit, which is enhanced by dialogue that sounds organic despite it often being with AI. I could have done without him using the word “groovy” but nobody is perfect. Close to it though is Miller's writing and this book is an absolute pleasure to read. Very highly recommended.

Rabia Tanveer

Eugene J. McGillicuddy's Alien Detective Agency by George Allen Miller is a hilarious science fiction novel with mystery and suspense to keep you on the edge of your seat. Humans had almost destroyed Earth, which was now endangered. Earth joined the galactic society to survive, meaning aliens came to visit or stay there forever. Eugene Jack McGillicuddy was a private detective in Washington, D.C., keen on keeping his psychic abilities hidden forever. However, that all went to hell when an alien diplomat figured it out and demanded Eugene help him. He wants Eugene to find some ancient artifact and return it with his "gift." Eugene did not know he would be stepping into the murky waters of danger and lies. With Alice, Kah, and Eddie on his side, he needed all the help he could get before the diplomat revealed his secret to the world. Would Eugene find the artifact, or would the universe pay the price?

I have not enjoyed a science fiction novel as much as I enjoyed Eugene J. McGillicuddy's Alien Detective Agency. Author George Allen Miller crafted a fantastic universe where anything was possible, and I loved every aspect of it. The addition of aliens, strange animals, and a conscious AI program worked well. I loved the action, Eugene's struggles to hold on to his sanity, and the overall environment of the story. The dialogues were hilarious, the descriptions were transportive, and the plot was interesting. The story's complexity blew me away because the story flowed very smoothly. The characters were incredible, and their arcs were great. Eugene's arc was the best. He learned to accept his gift, use it to his advantage, and get the job done without dying. I hope there is a sequel because I want more!