Reviewed by Taylin
TITLE: The County Fair Queen
SERIES: Standalone
AUTHOR: Lance Lansdale
PUBLISHER: Self-Published
LENGTH: Approximately 270 pages
RELEASE DATE: December 12, 2024
BLURB:
Everyone loves a comeback.
It’s been fifteen years since former boyband member and wine vineyard heir Phillip Firecracker retreated from the spotlight. Since then, he’s been happy enough living out the rest of his days as a recluse, with only his murderous tabby, and unpaid intern -slash- best (only) friend for companionship. When his former band members reunite without Phillip, publicly snubbing him, Phillip vows to upstage them. That’s where Nostalgia Nation (America’s #17 source for D-list reality TV) comes in.
When production for a seven-episode streaming series sends Phillip back to his hometown to grand marshal the annual Muscadine Madness fair, his career comeback takes a backseat. Now, his only goal is avoiding Mayor Rivers Rivera, the (alleged) man behind a homophobic prank that led to Phillip’s being crowned 2001’s Muscadine Queen. Unfortunately, with Rivers being mayor, number one local talk talk show host, organizer of this year’s fair, and Phillip’s one-man welcome wagon, that’s going to be a bit tricky.
With drama severely lacking, Phillip is given no choice. If he wants this show to be a success, he’s going to have to resort to something tried and true. Like a comeback, everyone loves a love story, even if it’s with the one man Phillip has no desire to associate with. When an old childhood flame begins to crackle, Phillip realizes he’s going to have to make a choice. His comeback, or his mayor.
The County Fair Queen is a single-POV, low-heat, slow burn. Heavy humor. Heavy heart. Slightly unhinged.
REVIEW:
After being snubbed by his band members, Phillip undertakes a publicity tour of his own that puts him in the unenviable hands of promoters whose end goals were not necessarily the same as Phillips. Along the way, Phillip encounters the one man he never wanted to see again – the one who ran away, making Phillip a laughingstock. Mayor Rivers Rivera and Phillip have much to sort out – can a nine-year-old boy be the catalyst to their future happiness?
This story is one that I looked forward to reading, then 25% in, I wasn’t sure about it. But in the end, I really enjoyed it.
The tale is told in the first person from Phillip’s single viewpoint. Note – the blurb says that the story is a touch unhinged, and YES, in places, it totally is. Between the reality show’s on-the-edge director who engineers drama, homelife, whacky town inhabitants, and the screwed-up past between Phillip and Rivers, unhinged just about covers it. There were times when I wondered if this was going to be one of those stories where Rivers was an angel, and Phillip was a man who, in the eyes of the world, would never get it right, while others conspire against him, and there are some of those instances – but stick with it.
Phillip is a man where – if sarcasm were an Olympic sport, he’d be an outright gold medalist. I love sarcasm, but just as I wondered if it was getting too much, Phillip had one of those revealing moments that put me in tears. From then on, I got him and loved him. The advertised terrorist cat – Mr. Papadopoulos, is a star I wanted more of. However, I think his possible page time was forfeited in favor of Beau – the pig-loving nine-year-old with flavors of Young Sheldon.
The County Fair Queen is a slightly unhinged, hugely sarcastic ride with little downtime and a lovely soul. The cast is an eclectic mix with wacky ways and hearts of gold. It’s a masterfully constructed ride of engineered drama, pig protests, and a few extra kinks for good measure. And by the end, you can’t help but love them all. Good Luck.
RATING: 
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