The Wrecking Squad

by Nick Snape

One crew, one loyalty and a single shot at redemption.

Captain Rebekah Khan and her ragtag crew of the repair ship Sunstar finally have a chance to pay off their crushing debts when an automining vessel goes rogue. After preventing the high value cargo from disappearing into the outer system, they uncover sabotage only a crew with their military experience would recognise.

Instead of returning as heroes, they are blackmailed into taking on a new crew member and to hunt for a mysterious, uncertified spacecraft. Deep into the black, they desperately try to hide their murky past, while their loyalties are tested to their limits when they finally come across the marooned ship and its deadly cargo.

Featuring the action of Aliens, the camaraderie of Firefly and the infighting of The Expanse, The Wrecking Squad is the new science fiction novel from Nick Snape, author of the highly rated Weapons of Choice series.

Genres: Science Fiction

308 pages, Paperback

Published July 8, 2025

About the author

Nick Snape has been steeped in Science Fiction and Fantasy since his friends first dragged him from his schoolwork and stuck a book under his nose. Lost to the world of imagination he became a teacher by accident though he thoroughly enjoyed developing the joy of reading and writing in his pupils. Having retired after thirty years he thought it was high time to practise what he preached.

Reviews

[Dom · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

This was a pretty fun read, but it definitely felt like a bit of a setup book, providing the introduction to the rest of the series. I’m hoping that it will come into its own from book two. The crew we follow are interesting and I liked some of the worldbuilding we see around them, as opposed to just the physical/geographical worldbuilding (although that was also fine!).

I don’t think there was anything too deep here, it was more just a quick blast through the pages, but sometimes that’s exactly what I need. I’m definitely interested to see where we go with book two though, with a new dynamic starting to be settled in and lots of potential to explore the characters and their situation further.

[Cory Rathbun · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this as an ARC from the author. I really enjoyed this book! The Wrecking Squad reminded me of a mix of The Expanse, Alien, Dead Space and Event Horizon - all properties that I love. A mystery mission to pay off debt while they’re on the run in hopes of moving on to a real post-war life. The individual members of the crew had wonderfully engaging levels of personality and I was excited to see the shift when the shit hits the fan and their former lives come out - trauma and all. Nick has a strong voice and I’d be extremely happy to read more of what’s next for the crew! If you dig any of the mix of TV shows, games, or movies above you’ll certainly want to read this.

[Jan Godfrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great sci fi. Awesome Crew with mysterious past, crashed ship with secrets, plenty of action and a dash of political intrigue.

[Adam Bassett · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Wrecking Squad is a fun sci-fi novel, with myriad (sometimes macabre) twists from start to finish. It’s a great pick for anyone who loves space-fairing sci-fi as well as those just curious to try one. Read the full review on FanFiAddict.

Thank you to the author for providing me with an ALC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

[Dave Lawson · Rating 4 out of 5]

An action packed sci fi thriller with moments of humor, solid character development, and a really exciting plot!

[Drosfix · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was given a Arc for review.

This book was a action pact and more grounded sci-fi story. Think a hist movie were they don't know what the hist it, so the have no plan... This book was action pact early on, but this did not overstay there welcome, this maybe was for the one of the other pow characters. Here lay one of the thing that did not make it 5 stars. We switch pow characters in middle of a chapters and I would like to say how we switch to, this maid it even harder when they was one the same group.

If you like more grounded sci-fi and like actin and a little mystery that will grow, this book maybe could be for you.

[Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Wrecking Squad follows the crew of the salvage vessel Sunstar, and their mysterious passengers.

Times are hard, and when a job come in that seems to good to be true they are in no position to turn it down.

The characters all feel unique and leave us with a sense of only having scratched the surface. The universe feels lived in and our time with the characters feels like an adventure.

The book has vibes of Alien, Firefly and The Expanse and needs to be a TV show.

[Stephen Gavin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent start to a sci fi series. Characters were very well done and kept me interested in seeing where this “crew/squad” ended up. Very dynamic and fluid situations that are written superbly and keep a host of villains at bay. But for how long? I want to read the next book to see where this goes.

[Sarah Cornforth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nick Snape’s *The Wrecking Squad* is absolutely fantastic. The characters are brilliant and you very quickly become invested in the team. It genuinely feels like you’re right there alongside them. Each member of the squad has such a different personality, but somehow they all work together perfectly, and that dynamic is what really pulls you into the story.

The mystery itself is incredibly compelling too. Every time you think you’ve got a handle on things, there’s another twist or layer that keeps you hooked. It’s one of those books where you keep thinking “just one more chapter”.

I enjoyed it so much that I’m already half way through the second book with the rest of the series sat in my TBR pile.

If you love Altered Carbon, The Expanse, and are generally just a bit geeky when it comes to sci-fi, then you’re going to love this!

[Ryan M Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wrecking Squad is great, a fast-paced sci-fi adventure novel that features a small spaceship crew like The Expanse or Firefly on a dangerous mission not unlike Dead Space or Event Horizon. It's the Mass Effect to Nick Snape's other sci-fi series Weapons of Choice which is more Halo, with robot squad members, starship boardings, and vacuum battles that keep the reader enthralled from start to finish. It's not diamond-hard sci-fi, but it's hard enough for an engineer like me to appreciate it. Can't wait for the sequel!

[Caroline Noe · Rating 5 out of 5]

A space salvage crew, hiding a traumatic past, is hired to recover a mysterious box from a wreck, only to find themselves fighting for their lives.

It's all here, from the Firefly wisecracking, broken crew and the fatally weaponised mind, to the claustrophobic terror ship of Alien. Of my last few years of reading, I cared most about the fate of these characters.

[Andre Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book and a very talented author.

This is my first taste of Nick Snape’s sci-fi writing.
As a fan of many sci-fi books, films, and TV series, especially The Expanse and Firefly, this book has drawn me in to read the rest of the Wrecking Squad Series.

Every plan or project will fail unless there’s strong cohesion within the ranks. I believe Nick has captured the essence of comradeship in this crew of the Sunstar. Each character has their own dilemmas and personality, bringing greater depth to the story while also creating difficulties for them to overcome.

He has a real knack for bringing to life ruthless and cunning adversaries, making them feel just as menacing as they are intriguing, and putting this all in a believable universe.
Full of gritty sci-fi action in a fast-paced storyline, it's a great start to the series.

I’m delighted I found this book!

[Sebastian Alexander · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting unique experience and read, with a variety of characters which make for a unique mix, and interesting team bonding, with numerous twists and turns, leaving you guessing a to what will happen next.

I can’t wait to see where the author takes the story next, and look forward to seeing where Nick, takes this story next, this was a unique adventure, and the first space adventure I’ve read.

Well done, a great story.

[Maria Perez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gritty Sci-fi with heart

I normally prefer softer sci-fi /space opera, but this book won me over with:

- Interesting cast of characters, each bringing their unique personality and perspective. You've got to root for them. That includes the robot ZZ3. Also, I'm so curious about the twins! Definitely will be reading the FREE backstory novella ASAP.

- Engaging dialogue

- Story-telling that makes me feel like I'm right in the middle of the action. The author paints each scene so well while still keeping it fast-paced. 

- A horrifying discovery that I won't describe to avoid spoilers but Whoa!

- Intrigue. The reader discovers each twist and turn together with the characters.

If you like realistic, gritty, military sci-fi, you will definitely enjoy this story. Next one in the series will be added to my TBR list.

[Michael Shotter · Rating 5 out of 5]

A solid sci-fi adventure.

Experienced science-fiction readers will recognize a lot of the elements present in "The Wrecking Squad," with its ragtag, ex-military, mining-asteroid salvage crew protagonists, gallivanting around the fringes of civilized space as they hide from their sordid past while attempting to rebuild their lives, and protect some precious cargo they acquired during their final mission in uniform. That familiarity isn't necessarily a bad thing as the concept is largely well executed, ensuring that fans of such tales will find a lot to enjoy in it.

I have a few nitpicks, such as some inconsistencies that most casual readers likely won't notice, a few somewhat awkward descriptions of items and actions, and enough instances of "plot armor" sparing characters from death or serious injury to be noteworthy, but overall, the story is fun, well-paced, and worked for me in all the ways it needed to to make up for those quibbles.

"The Wrecking Squad" is the first in a fairly long series of books, but does a good job of establishing the foundation for that series while still providing an ending I think most readers would find satisfying enough to not feel cheated if they decided to delay or not continue the adventure, which I always appreciate in a "book one." I'm giving it a 4.5, rounded up so as not to underrate it.

[T.K. Toppin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author Nick Snape has done it again! The Wrecking Squad is yet another brilliant addition to his array of books. Diving straight into the story with a mysterious salvaging job, the crew soon encounter multiple challenges, with each chapter revealing a little bit more about the characters and the world - and what's a Nick Snape story without something alien, right? This is a meaty space opera, science fiction, space exploration, mystery-thriller, galactic wheeling-dealing and action-filled adventure. There's something for everyone here, including found family among broken souls and lasting camaraderie. The prose is sharp, the dialogue witty, the characters likeable and relatable, and the story oozing with layers of intrigue, secrets and revelations.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audiobook: This was my first experience with this author's work, and it won't be my last. I enjoyed this almost non-stop action thriller. Once the audiobook started, my attention was gripped by the story, and I listened to the whole audiobook from beginning to end without stopping. I was thrilled to be in space with this group of adventurers. I liked the characters and their relationships as they cared about one another. I enjoyed Ryan Pierson's narration as his performance enhanced the story's entertainment. I was given a copy of the audiobook. I volunteered, without financial gain, to post this review which reflected my honest opinions regarding this audiobook.

[Michael Torres · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is an enjoyable read with twists and turns and plenty of action. Meet the Wrecking Squad, a motley crew of characters a military-grade robot, and two empaths just what can go wrong with hiding their secrets? It requires vigilance in a world where one slip can cost them everything. The Wrecking Squad has a great plot with a double cross waiting around the corner. With plenty of blackmailers just waiting to take advantage of them, their situation, and the power to expose their secrets what are they to do? You can't break them. and they will do anything and everything to ensure they survive.

[Paul Zareith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is written first and foremost for enthusiasts of military action and will certainly appeal to them. Other scifi/horror enthusiasts will also likely love the deep bonds of camaraderie, the complex dynamics among the various characters, the ever-present threat of a dark past coming back knocking, and the creepy alien creatures and an even creepier empire. We see some good potential for promising world building, though in the first book we mostly see glimpses of them. Looking forward to exploring the dark world deeper in the future books.

[Hayley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good fun read where you can definitely see the Expanse inspiration. It does lack the major political shenanigans of the expanse, which I think made for a quicker read.

We have an AWOL Marine Crew operating under assumed names and doing odd jobs to keep their ship going. We find out they are caring for and hiding, two young girls who appear to have off the scale empath abilities.

Eventually, the crew are sent to retrieve something from a ship that is supposedly floating derelict. Supposedly.

I liked most of the characters. Rebekah and Davina were my faves and I do hope we see more of Davina going forwards.

Well worth a read if you enjoy military scifi with mildly hinted at politics. I assume this does increase in later books.

[E. P. Soulless · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very Firefly meets Terminator with a dash of Red Dwarf kind of book. Not quite in my wheelhouse of what I usually read, but Nick's squad of misfits and unlikely heroes made my end of the year a little brighter. Well done, I tend to nibble on this kind of series, but I'll be very likely circling back at some point.

[Bryan Chaffin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Wrecking Squad is such a fun book! It's fast and exciting, with the kinds of twists and turns that kept me reading and wanting more. The characters in the Wrecking Squad had me rooting for them from the get-go, and I can't wait for the rest of this series.

[Patrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

An intriguing and gripping first book in what looks likely to be a very interesting series. The characters are a varied and interesting mix, all unique, but excellent when working as a team. The story had many twists and turns, keeping you guessing as to where it will take the squad next.

[Gunnar Sandstrom · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this as it seemed to be in my lane but I was disappointed.
It had the characters and tropes of the military sci-fi genre I read but it fell flat for me.
I didn’t like it and that’s it.

[Iain Benson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nick Snape has produced a proper gritty sci-fi, with characters that know each other well, with a sense of deep connection predating the story by decades. We learn tantalising bits of their history as the story progresses (there’s an origin story novella available from the author letting us dive deeper into it), the former captain, Hendricks, now the mother-like figure, but too emotionally broken to be captain. Rebekah, the new captain, solid and dependable, thinks each step through. Arin the joker, Savvo the hard man. This is a good crew. Also, there are the twins. Empathetic, driving people mad – and though they play a part, you can tell there is a much bigger story to come. But this story… this story is a corker. Sent to retrieve a mysterious object from a distant ship filled with hints at genetic experimentation by a shadowy figure (The Butcher, Nick’s next book), creating a nightmare for the crew as they hunt for their robot and the mysterious object. Another thing I loved: There is no exotic physics in this book. No anti-gravity, no artificial gravity, no faster than light. This leads to different space battles. Put a hole in a ship, everybody inside dies. Nick weaves this into the plot, creating something truly marvellous and readable. He is rapidly becoming a favourite author.

[CHARLES WALKER BOWSER · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay, let's be clear this is derivative.

But that's OK.

It's obvious the author loved the Sten series by Cole and Brunch. They gender flipped Sten and Alex, added twins with empathy, and set the work in a vaguely star empire setting. She even has the wrist blade sheath Sten uses.

And don't get me wrong, the Sten series is iconic. Adult film actress Nina Hartley is seen reading the first novel in one of her 1980s movies. So, being derivative of a good work is not always bad

NOTHING about this work is new or original, but it's still well written, and if you missed Sten and thought making him a woman would be interesting, then read it.

[Gloria C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book as an ARC. This is the return to scifi by the author that I’ve been waiting for. Not only that, the layers are a little deeper in this series, the relationships more complex and they are revealed in a way that makes you read on. The story itself is superb, drawing you in with an increasing sense of danger and creepiness until the deadspace/aliens climax hits full-on. You want this crew to survive, need them to. Read it.

[Gary Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

I rated it 5 stars to honor the work the author put in... But it was so disjointed and convoluted that I found myself scanning, which is usually a book killer for me. But because I was so lost and confused as to what was happening, I hung in there till the end. If this was typical of his style... Bye bye... 🙂