Many of you are familiar with Douglas Adams' more popular series of books based on the original "Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy". If you enjoyed them, I would like to recommend you also read his other 2 1/2 books starring the private investigator Dirk Gently. These can be found in the books "Dirk Gently's Holisitic Detective Agency", "The Long, Dark Tea-Time of the Soul", and his posthumously published collection of essays and incomplete third Gently novel, "The Salmon of Doubt". (Perhaps fate was playing a cruel game of fore-shadowing, as this last 1/2 book stars half of a cat.)
The same writing style -- perhaps even an elevated version of that same style -- is evident throughout. There isn't as much sci-fi (though there is some), but there is plenty to keep you interested. As I re-read "Tea-Time" even now, I find myself wondering what's up with that bird with the tattoos on its wings? I remember that it's explained later, but I also remember the explanation being a little vague. It reminds me of those "Choose Your Own Adventure" books, in that as I read them, I find myself exploring the characters and scenes differently each time. (It doesn't hurt that I simply can't remember things that I read for more than an hour or two!)
I'm truly saddened that the Hitchhiker movie was such a bomb, since it pretty much kills the possibility of any future attempts at a Dirk Gently movie. I would love to see such a film, but alas...
Enjoy!
Dave