As a longtime fan of this author’s murder mystery novels, I approached this science fiction book with curiosity and caution. However, I’m thrilled to say that the transition into the realm of science fiction was impressive.

Set in a future where Mars has been successfully colonized, the author seamlessly weaves a tapestry of intrigue and political power struggles against the backdrop of this captivating yet stark new world. The vivid descriptions of the landscape, the belt area, compounds, and travel vessels as well as the intricacies of the colonized areas, transported me to an entirely new and detailed realm.

The characters are well-developed and relatable, with their motivations and actions driving the plot forward at a steady pace. The secrets and relationships that emerge, sometimes slipping on the page as an afterthought, were well done and enjoyable. The intertwining of political maneuverings, personal vendettas, and hidden agendas kept me guessing until the very end.

This science fiction gem will undoubtedly captivate both science fiction enthusiasts and fans of the author’s previous works.

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SUMMARY

Only the rich and the ruthless survive.

Upon discovering a rock bearing ancient microfossils, exobiologist Dr. Miguel Hernandez seeks to preserve a tract of Mars for further research. But Lowell Colony Mayor Andre Rand covets the same area for expansion. Framed for sabotage, Miguel must flee into the deadly Martian wilderness and, if possible, collect additional evidence before it’s destroyed by construction.

In a society driven by greed and ruled by corruption, Miguel stands to lose all. His friends betray him and his top students become targets. Even his secret weapon, Andre’s duplicitous wife, turns on him. And then Miguel discovers a truth more terrifying still: behind everything lurks a shadowy figure from the asteroid belt. And she doesn’t just want Mars. She wants Miguel and his students.