SCI-FI CRIME THRILLER: War of the Maps - Paul McAuley

Release Date: 07/01/21

Publisher: Gollancz

SYNOPSIS:

On a giant artificial world surrounding an artificial sun, one man - a lucidor, a keeper of the peace, a policeman - is on the hunt. His target was responsible for an atrocity, but is too valuable to the government to be truly punished. Instead he has been sent to the frontlines of the war, to use his unique talents on the enemy. So the lucidor has ignored orders, deserted from his job, left his home and thrown his life away, in order to finally claim justice. Separated by massive seas, the various maps dotted on the surface of this world rarely contact each other. But something has begun to infiltrate the edges of the lucidor's map, something that genetically alters animals and plants and turns them into killers. Only the lucidor knows the depths to which his quarry will sink in order to survive, only the lucidor can capture him. The way is long and dangerous. The lucidor's government has set hunters after him. He has no friends, no resources, no plan. 

 

But he does have a mission. 

 

REVIEW:

Paul has always been an author that I've loved to spend time with. He's known for rich world building, creating characters that I want to get to know and above all else giving me a pace that is crafted well knowing when to let me take a breather and when to keep me holding my breath through the high octane sequences. 

 

This title is no exception and with this book, Paul;s principle characters put personal ideal's above those of superiors. Its delightfully dark in a dystopian way, brings a hero to the fore that whilst flawed is multi faceted and is just fascinating to be around. Add to this a cracking crime aspect within alongside dialogue that moves the story forward, all round makes this a book that will easily occupy the reader away from the very real worries of the world.

SCIENCE FICTION CRIME: From Darkest Skies 2: From Distant Stars - Sam Peters

RELEASE DATE:  19/04/18

PUBLISHER:  Gollancz

SYNOPSIS:

Inspector Keon has finally got over the death of his wife Alysha in a terrorist attack five years ago. The illegal AI copy of her - Liss - that he created to help him mourn has vanished, presumed destroyed. His life is back on track. But a deadly shooting in a police-guarded room in a high-security hospital threatens to ruin everything. Who got past the defences? Why did they kill the seemingly unimportant military officer who had been in a coma for weeks? And why did the scanners pick up the deceased man the next day on the other side of the planet, seemingly alive and well?
As Keon digs into the mysteries he begins to realise that the death was connected to a mysterious object, potentially alien, discovered buried in ice under the north pole. Someone has worked out what is hidden there, and what its discovery will mean for mankind. Someone who is willing to kill.
And another player has entered the game. Someone who seems to know more about Keon than is possible.
Someone who might be using Liss's information against him.
Or who might be Alysha, back from the dead.

REVIEW:

The second book in the series and one that continues to develop the principle character we met in the original novel.  As you'd expect if you read the original, the authors brings all of his skills to the fore giving and melding a cracking crime story alongside science fiction in such a way that it will appeal to readers of both genres.

Add to this top notch dialogue alongside a principle player you just love to spend time round generates a story that is hard to put down with "one more chapter" becoming a frequently uttered phrase within your home.  Just make sure you've got a sick day available as once you start you won't stop until that final page is turned.  Magic.

SCIENCE FICTION CRIME: One Way - SJ Morden

RELEASE DATE:  10/04/18
PUBLISHER:  Orbit


SYNOPSIS: 
EIGHT ASTRONAUTS. ONE KILLER. NO WAY HOME.

Andy Weir's THE MARTIAN meets Agatha Christie's AND THEN THERE WERE NONE.

* * * * *

There's a murderer amongst them, and everyone's a suspect . . .

Frank Kittridge is serving life for murdering his son's drug dealer, so when he's offered a deal by Xenosystems Operations - the corporation that owns the prison - he takes it.

He's been selected to help build the first permanent base on Mars. Unfortunately, his crewmates are just as guilty of their crimes as he is.

As the convicts set to work on the frozen wastes of Mars, the accidents multiply.

Until Frank begins to suspect they might not be accidents at all . . .

* * * * *

A murder mystery set on the frozen red wastes of Mars, by rocket scientist Dr S.J. Morden.


REVIEW:
 As a reader I love to be taken on a journey within the tale and whilst in some of the crime stories out there its kept to a murder in a mansion, this tale takes murder to a whole other planet, in this case Mars,  as a group of convicts are allowed to serve their sentences building a livable environment on the red planet.

As people die off in accidents, suspicions are arisen and then a murder investigation is underway as one man tries to unravel it all before he's next on the murderers list.  The fact that Mars is uninhabitable helps give you a feeling of a small environment where characters are tripping over each other with very little privacy which when backed with a load of sciencey facts give this story a feeling that it could be grounded in reality.

Whilst in some parts I found the science side a bit heavy going with the explanations it did fulfill a job by helping you get to grips with the  planet and topography, this helps immensely in helping you suspend your disbelief and allowing you to full immerse.  All round a fun read and a book that a good few others will get a kick out of.  Cracking.