The Recommended Entry Point
For anyone looking to dive into the writing of Brent Spiner, the clear and essential starting point is his 2021 novel, Fan Fiction: A Mem-Noir: Inspired by True Events. Written in collaboration with author and screenwriter Jeanne Darst, this is Spiner's only full-length novel. Because it stands alone, there are no complicated multi-book reading orders or complex series paths to navigate. However, readers must choose between two distinct formats—print/ebook or the fully cast audiobook production—which offer different storytelling experiences.
The Standalone Works of Brent Spiner
Fan Fiction: A Mem-Noir (2021)
Set in 1991 during the absolute height of Star Trek: The Next Generation's popularity, the story follows a fictionalized version of Brent Spiner himself. The plot begins when Spiner receives a series of increasingly bizarre, threatening letters, followed by a mysterious package. The stalker claims to be "Lal," the android daughter of Spiner's legendary character, Data (originating from the classic TNG Season 3 episode "The Offspring"). As the threat escalates, Spiner gets entangled with the FBI, the LAPD, and his own eccentricities in a fast-paced, comedic noir mystery.
How to Choose Your Format: Print vs. Audiobook
While the physical book is a hilarious and quick read, the audiobook version is widely considered by the fan community to be the definitive way to experience the story. It operates less like a standard single-narrator reading and more like an immersive radio drama.
- The Print/Ebook Version: Excellent for readers who prefer a classic, fast-paced hardboiled detective spoof. The prose is snappy, co-written with Jeanne Darst, and captures the dark humor of Hollywood fame.
- The Full-Cast Audiobook: Highly recommended. It features Brent Spiner alongside his actual Star Trek: The Next Generation castmates. Patrick Stewart, Jonathan Frakes, LeVar Burton, Gates McFadden, Marina Sirtis, and Michael Dorn all voice fictionalized versions of themselves, creating a highly nostalgic and meta-fictional auditory experience.
Other Narrative and Audio Projects
To fully experience Brent Spiner's narrative catalog, fans should also check out his non-book audio dramas and musical releases, which share the same noir tone and metafictional spirit as his novel.
Dreamland (2008)
Often miscategorized in online databases as a book, Dreamland is a musical narrative CD co-performed with cabaret singer Maude Maggart. It is structured as a classic 1940s-style radio play. The project tells a complete noir love story, weaving spoken-word dialogue and atmospheric sound effects with performances of classic American standards.
Ol' Yellow Eyes Is Back (1991)
Released during the peak era of The Next Generation (and the exact year in which the events of Fan Fiction are set), this album is primarily a musical tribute to pop standards. However, it serves as a great thematic companion piece to the novel, as it features backup vocals from "The Sunspots"—which was actually a group consisting of TNG co-stars Jonathan Frakes, LeVar Burton, Michael Dorn, and Patrick Stewart.
What to Know Before You Start
Before reading or listening to Fan Fiction, keeping a few contextual details in mind will enrich your experience:
- The TNG Connection: You do not need to be a die-hard Star Trek fan to enjoy the book, but having a basic familiarity with Star Trek: The Next Generation—specifically the character of Data and his short-lived android daughter Lal from "The Offspring"—makes the stalker's letters and the inside jokes significantly more rewarding.
- Fact vs. Fiction: The book is a "mem-noir." While it features real people (like his castmates and agent) and authentic biographical details (such as Spiner's childhood memories and his love for classic Hollywood), the central stalker plot, police investigations, and many character interactions are entirely fictionalized for comedic effect.