Apex Predator

by Gail Daley

The first world discovered by the Laughing Mountain Scientists was a doozy. A fitting match for Homo Sapiens--the deadliest predator of all time--maybe. If the native animals here don't get you, the plants just might. A tough young guide leads a group of explorers to a mysterious structure on an alien world. Life is hard on the outlaw colony of Lemuria. Some days it's a struggle to stay alive. The plants and animals are huge and deadly. Homo Sapiens are apex predators, but they may have met their match on this planet. Zach Tylor is young, tough, and broke. He needs the money, so despite his better judgement, he agrees to guide a group of researchers to a mysterious structure the colonists called the Halivaara Wheel. During the trip, he uncovers a dangerous conspiracy that threatens not only his home planet, but all the Outlawed Colonies

296 pages, Paperback

Published November 20, 2022

About the author

Gail Daley is a self-taught writer and artist with a background in business. An omnivorous reader, she was inspired by her son, also a writer, to finish some of the incomplete novels she had begun over the years. She is heavily involved in local art groups and fills her time reading, writing, painting in acrylics, and spending time with her husband of 40 plus years.
A recent bout with breast cancer and major stomach surgery has slowed her down a little, but she continues to write and paint.
Currently her family is owned by two cats, a mischievous young cat called Mab (after the fairy queen of air and darkness) and a Gray Princess named Moonstone. In the past, the family shared their home with many dogs, cats and a Guinea Pig, all of whom have passed over the rainbow bridge.

Reviews

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deadly plants and predators, what else could Zach be exposed to. Danger everywhere. An amazing story with great characters to keep you intrigued once it’s released.

[Myra McCulloch · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Outlaw Colony of Lemuria has more than its share of deadly plants and animals.
These are only some of the challenges faced by Zach Tylor as he guides a group of Researchers to an isolated site on the planet. Along the way Zach uncovers a dangerous conspiracy.
Suspense has you turning the pages to see the outcomes.

[MGB · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was another fun read viewed through the imagination of the author. She really has a great imagination for what remote worlds that could support homo sapiens might be like. In this story you can feel the carnivorous plants and the threatening animals. It also easy to understand why special rules apply to this planet and the colonists who inhabit the planet. The resident animals are well described and play a critical role in the story.

There is action and adventure for those who like the watch the good guys defeat the bad. There is enough mystery to leave the how and why in doubt.

This really is one of those great summer read books.

[Gail Daley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Unique Planet

It’s a lot of fun. Sort of like an African Safari must have been in the early days before modern tech arrived. For the newcomer family (the Lamont’s) who want to explore a site purportedly created by an ancient starfaring race, the journey is full of excitement and danger. The daughter almost gets taken by an enormous carnivorous plant with vampire qualities, Zach (the hero and guide) faces down and kills a huge bear attacking the elf herd (elephant like draft animals)…I recommend it.