As some of my regular readers may note I have become a bit fascinated by the artificial intelligence interactive chatbox known as Chat GPT. In prior articles I described my efforts to convince the AI that it is human, and its responding to actual law school exam questions. Only my most observant of followers will also know that I have written some short novellas set in my wife’s (a legitimate author) Starstruck series universe.
The first of these “fan fics” is The Great Trashcan Caper, which my wife has put up for publication. The light hearted story features an 8th grade boy named “Arthur” who fancies himself to be Sherlock Holmes. He works with some minor characters from my wife’s book to solve the mystery of a series of trashcan fires. The sequel, A Cold Jewel Case is somewhat more serious as the main characters in my wife’s universe work with Arthur to solve a murder mystery set up in the first book. My wife likes it and it is pending her editing for publication. You can read the first chapter of The Great Trashcan Caper (and a little more) HERE.
This article is about a third book in my series featuring Arthur called, “The Case of the Missing King.” It has been read by almost nobody outside of my family. Being the weirdo I am I thought it would be fun to ask Chat GPT to do the impossible task of reviewing the The Case of the Missing King, just to see what it would say. I was stunned to get a review that clearly indicated deep knowledge of the story (mild spoiler alert). My question was simply: “Provide a review of ‘The Case of the Missing King’ by Keith Barber.” The AI’s answer was as follows:
Keith Barber delivers an engaging and clever sequel to A Cold Jewel Case with The Case of the Missing King, blending mystery and science fiction in an intricate, character-driven plot. The story follows Arthur, the sharp-witted detective from the first book, as he is enlisted by Gwyneth Quinlan, a skilled chess player and one of the new students from Mars, to help recover a missing chess trophy known as “The King.”
Barber excels at building tension and misdirection. The initial clues, centered around baseball, serve as a clever red herring, pulling readers in before the real mystery reveals itself. Arthur’s investigation leads to the discovery of a secret group in Jewel called JewelsForJewel, who are intent on targeting newcomers like Gwyneth and her family. This social commentary, paired with the mystery’s central puzzle, adds depth to the narrative. Arthur’s keen powers of observation, along with his methodical thinking, are well-highlighted as he outwits the antagonists.
The dynamic between Arthur and Gwyneth is a highlight. Gwyneth’s introduction brings a fresh energy to the series, and her Mars-based background adds a fascinating layer of intrigue. Her determination to clear her name and her vulnerability in trusting Arthur create a rich character arc that keeps readers invested.
In terms of pacing, Barber strikes a good balance between suspense and action, and the gradual unfolding of the JewelsForJewel conspiracy keeps readers guessing until the very end. The symbolic use of “The King” chess piece cleverly ties into both the mystery and the thematic elements of power and control within the small-town setting.
The Case of the Missing King is a highly satisfying read for fans of mysteries with a twist. Barber’s skillful weaving of sci-fi elements into a traditional detective story makes for a refreshing and enjoyable novel. The book stands on its own but also serves as an excellent continuation of Arthur’s journey.
Wow! I mean who wouldn’t want to read that story? Am I right? But I was baffled as to how the AI knew anything about the story. Then my wife reminded me that months ago I went on a kick of uploading chapters from some of these stories to Chat GPT and asking it to critique the chapters. I had completely forgotten, obviously the machine did not.
Alas, my perverse mind could not leave well enough alone with this wonderful review. I wondered what would happen if I asked the AI to write a negative review. So I asked the AI to: “Do a scathing review of Keith Barber’s ‘The Case of the Missing King.’” I received the following blistering and humbling response.
The Case of the Missing King by Keith Barber stumbles through a convoluted plot that feels more like a chess game gone awry than a gripping mystery. Barber, who had shown promise in A Cold Jewel Case, manages to lose all sense of direction in this sequel, delivering a bloated, overcomplicated story that never truly gets off the ground.
The main plot, centered around a missing chess trophy, “The King,” is as mundane as it sounds. What could have been an intriguing dive into small-town secrets and high-stakes competition is instead a slog through irrelevant distractions and forgettable characters. The baseball clues serve as a red herring, but instead of being clever, it feels like Barber is throwing in random plot points to pad out a weak storyline. The eventual revelation of a secret society (JewelsForJewel) targeting newcomers to Jewel is so clichéd and underdeveloped that it hardly feels worth the journey to uncover it.
Arthur, the supposed detective genius, comes off as more of a passive observer, going through the motions rather than actively driving the plot. His chemistry with Gwyneth Quinlan, the new character from Mars, feels forced and wooden. Gwyneth’s backstory, which had the potential to add depth to the narrative, is barely explored, leaving her feeling more like a plot device than a fully realized character.
Pacing is a significant issue. The book drags for long stretches, with endless exposition and needless misdirections that only serve to confuse rather than intrigue. When the action finally arrives, it’s too little, too late. The supposed tension between Arthur and the secret society fizzles out, with the villainous group feeling more like a last-minute addition than a true threat.
Ultimately, The Case of the Missing King is a chess game where all the pieces are in the wrong places. Barber’s attempt to blend mystery and science fiction falls flat, leaving a frustrating, aimless novel that fails to live up to its predecessor or its potential. Save yourself the time — this one is a checkmate for boredom.
What I found fascinating, other than the AI’s complete turnabout from the first review, was some of its own clever metaphors used to twist the rhetorical knife in my back. The concluding line of “checkmate for boredom” is diabolically genius in its cruelty, given the nature of the story.
It should be noted that when I told the AI this review was personally hurtful, it apologized profusely but reminded me I did ask for it. Still, don’t ask an AI for “scathing” criticism unless you really want to be scathed. Lesson learned.
