What do you think?
Rate this book
Family Law #3
Secrets in the Stars
When Lee Anderson and her parents discovered a new world teeming with life, it was the dream of every explorer: they were rich beyond their imaginations. But tragedy struck when a herd of creatures overran their camp and killed her parents.
The only other adult in her life had been their partner Gordon, who adopted her as parent. Which didn’t turn out to be easy, because he wasn’t human. He was a large intelligent alien, and to Lee he was Uncle Gordon, but neither his race – the Derf – nor Humans were gracious about accepting their family relationship.
After various misadventures and strife they made others accept their relationship, and also found that while they might not share blood, they both had exploring in the blood. Unhappy in civilization they decided to explore again – going really deep this time, far beyond established frontiers. They met other alien civilizations, made claim to new sources of wealth that rivaled their previous claims in value, and then headed home to present their new claims on Earth.
But a lot of things didn’t make sense. Warnings came from their Fargoer allies that not everything on Earth was as it seemed to be. This is the story of their return voyage, and the unexpected mysteries in what they had left behind.
The only other adult in her life had been their partner Gordon, who adopted her as parent. Which didn’t turn out to be easy, because he wasn’t human. He was a large intelligent alien, and to Lee he was Uncle Gordon, but neither his race – the Derf – nor Humans were gracious about accepting their family relationship.
After various misadventures and strife they made others accept their relationship, and also found that while they might not share blood, they both had exploring in the blood. Unhappy in civilization they decided to explore again – going really deep this time, far beyond established frontiers. They met other alien civilizations, made claim to new sources of wealth that rivaled their previous claims in value, and then headed home to present their new claims on Earth.
But a lot of things didn’t make sense. Warnings came from their Fargoer allies that not everything on Earth was as it seemed to be. This is the story of their return voyage, and the unexpected mysteries in what they had left behind.
461 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 5, 2015
251 people are currently reading
24 people want to read
About the author
Mackey Chandler
35 books219 followersMackey (Mac') Chandler is retired to Rochester Michigan from a working life that spanned a large number of occupations. Mold maker, aerospace machinist, plumber, mechanic and dozen more as well as owning several businesses. This life experience and travel show in the depth and variety of his writing.
A life long time reader of Science Fiction, the authors at Baen's Bar and their evening chat room motivated him to try his own hand at writing. His first effort was a short story titled "Common Ground" which sold to the short-lived Jim Baen's Universe.
His personal favorite book is "The Mote in God's Eye" by Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle. Other favorite authors include Michael Z. Williamson and C.J.Cherryh.
A life long time reader of Science Fiction, the authors at Baen's Bar and their evening chat room motivated him to try his own hand at writing. His first effort was a short story titled "Common Ground" which sold to the short-lived Jim Baen's Universe.
His personal favorite book is "The Mote in God's Eye" by Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle. Other favorite authors include Michael Z. Williamson and C.J.Cherryh.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
February 14, 2018
I struggled with this book, but kept going in the hope it was just a slow start. Unfortunately, although there were a few interesting minor incidents they were never followed up and most of the story was just boring.
Also part of what attracted me to this series was having a really interesting central character I could follow. In the first book we met Lee, a very intelligent and precocious girl whose parents were killed while they were exploring a new planet, this is who I latched onto. Unfortunately the author has since decided that she is a minor character amongst a large cast of other players.
After a couple of hundred pages I decided I had better things to do with my time and just gave up.
Also part of what attracted me to this series was having a really interesting central character I could follow. In the first book we met Lee, a very intelligent and precocious girl whose parents were killed while they were exploring a new planet, this is who I latched onto. Unfortunately the author has since decided that she is a minor character amongst a large cast of other players.
After a couple of hundred pages I decided I had better things to do with my time and just gave up.
October 8, 2023
This is the closest I will ever get to experience space exploration in this lifetime. For this alone I am grateful. The science part of this story is the best part. Also very good are the aliens introduced to the readers/listeners. This third book still continued to leave the characters at arms length and disconnected. I went back to re-listen to a favorite series/author/narrator to try to find out what is missing here. Couldn't figure it out.
I think I will leave this series for now. The characters actually got annoying in this book (Gordon, Lee and Thor) and the enjoyable imaginings of exploring solar systems and planets will end for now.
I think I will leave this series for now. The characters actually got annoying in this book (Gordon, Lee and Thor) and the enjoyable imaginings of exploring solar systems and planets will end for now.
March 22, 2023
I enjoyed this book and the interactions of the characters during the return to "civilization". Again, it's extremely difficult to believe the maturity of Lee and the commentary on earth's politics. Plus I think it's rather funny the use of "old slang" without much if any "new slang". Definitely a fun read.
January 12, 2022
Excellent!
February 1, 2016
Yet again, plot problems continue
A large part of this book seems unnecessary. While crossing the author's previous April series with the Family Law series may appear like a grand idea, it actually feels irrelevant.
The human heroine Lee seems almost dispassionate and unconnected to the events around her. She does not come across as sympathetic, merely annoying.
The Derf almost seem along for the ride in this book and again incomplete plot points disappear between books in the series.
Of the three books in the series, I find this one the most frustrating.
A large part of this book seems unnecessary. While crossing the author's previous April series with the Family Law series may appear like a grand idea, it actually feels irrelevant.
The human heroine Lee seems almost dispassionate and unconnected to the events around her. She does not come across as sympathetic, merely annoying.
The Derf almost seem along for the ride in this book and again incomplete plot points disappear between books in the series.
Of the three books in the series, I find this one the most frustrating.
May 7, 2022
first half 5 stars, second half 1 star
The first half is fantastic with the return journey from book 2. More of the really interesting first contact stuff. Second half goes completely off the rails when they get back to Luna/Earth. No longer really story driven. Lots of sermonizing from Luna people who are rich, powerful, live longer. Complaining about how they have to slap down Earth people. And protagonists AGREE with them. Kind of made me sick. I’m done with the series.
The first half is fantastic with the return journey from book 2. More of the really interesting first contact stuff. Second half goes completely off the rails when they get back to Luna/Earth. No longer really story driven. Lots of sermonizing from Luna people who are rich, powerful, live longer. Complaining about how they have to slap down Earth people. And protagonists AGREE with them. Kind of made me sick. I’m done with the series.
December 10, 2021
Chandler, Mackey. Secrets in the Stars. Family Law No. 3. Kindle, 2016.
In this third installment of Mackey Chandler’s Family Law series, the Derf Gordon, the human Lee, and the rest of the multispecies small fleet continue to explore and develop new trading relationships. In their earlier explorations, most of the races they met were groups that did not present an overwhelming threat, but this time they must deal with the superior technology of the caterpillars and some others that even the caterpillars don’t want to mess with. The inventive alien tech continues to entertain, and Gordon is as gruff and lovable as ever. The series now runs to six volumes, but I miss the tight character focus of the first one. 3.5 stars.
In this third installment of Mackey Chandler’s Family Law series, the Derf Gordon, the human Lee, and the rest of the multispecies small fleet continue to explore and develop new trading relationships. In their earlier explorations, most of the races they met were groups that did not present an overwhelming threat, but this time they must deal with the superior technology of the caterpillars and some others that even the caterpillars don’t want to mess with. The inventive alien tech continues to entertain, and Gordon is as gruff and lovable as ever. The series now runs to six volumes, but I miss the tight character focus of the first one. 3.5 stars.
October 30, 2018
I absolutely love this series. Space exploration, alien species, bureauctratic nonsense that is seen for what it is, and a whole lot more. What's not to love. The book could use a bit more proofreading, several minor grammar errors crept in, but otherwise, this is an excellent book if you're even slightly interested in science fiction, and space exploration.
May 21, 2025
Terrible, took me 6 months to finish. I got half way through and put aside. After reading another in the genre I decided to try again and made it to the end. Aside from how boring I found it the constant misunderstanding of science and bashing of science the author disagrees was super annoying, but science he liked was great. That’s not how evidence based science works
August 10, 2025
I overall enjoy the series. But what bugs me are the scenes that are built up and then (seemingly forgotten). Like what happened to Lee's cousin and his family in the first book, the water world scientist in the second and Clare in this one. I hope these plot points will get resolved further down the road.
August 25, 2025
Book 3 in the series
The characters make this series one of my favorites. Great world building and detailed descriptions of interesting places. Do you want to know how a 1500 pound intelligent Grizzly Bear can work with a 16 year old human girl? Read this series to find out.
The characters make this series one of my favorites. Great world building and detailed descriptions of interesting places. Do you want to know how a 1500 pound intelligent Grizzly Bear can work with a 16 year old human girl? Read this series to find out.
August 29, 2025
Maintaining the same very high standard!
This series keeps getting better and better. I’m gonna definitely finish this series then checkout everything else Mr Chandlers has written.
This series keeps getting better and better. I’m gonna definitely finish this series then checkout everything else Mr Chandlers has written.
September 17, 2025
Very very enjoyable book
I highly recommend this series they're very creative enjoyable and well worth the time spent as well as the money spent on them very good characterization David Schlosser
I highly recommend this series they're very creative enjoyable and well worth the time spent as well as the money spent on them very good characterization David Schlosser
September 17, 2017
Good story
This book isn't as action packed as the first two books but is still an excellent read.. If you enjoyed the first two books you'll enjoy this book.
This book isn't as action packed as the first two books but is still an excellent read.. If you enjoyed the first two books you'll enjoy this book.
November 3, 2017
Stars in her crown
Our hero's adventure out to discover new planets, old mysteries, and more questions with known and unknown answers. New beings and cultures abound.
Our hero's adventure out to discover new planets, old mysteries, and more questions with known and unknown answers. New beings and cultures abound.
May 8, 2021
Love this series!
It is a good read, with easy to follow scenes and an interesting story line. Can't wait to get to next page.
It is a good read, with easy to follow scenes and an interesting story line. Can't wait to get to next page.
March 26, 2022
Secrets in the Stars book 3
As in the other two books of the series this is also a good read and fun. The author has managed to continue the story line plot to make it interesting.
As in the other two books of the series this is also a good read and fun. The author has managed to continue the story line plot to make it interesting.
October 30, 2022
Good read
I was surprised by this book, but I was very glad to learn that April from the April Series re-enters this 🚀 space 🌌 opera.
Thanks for another fun read.🚀🚀🚀👍
I was surprised by this book, but I was very glad to learn that April from the April Series re-enters this 🚀 space 🌌 opera.
Thanks for another fun read.🚀🚀🚀👍
November 7, 2023
Pedophile
The author had to go and ruin the series by having a 130-year-old man try to get with a 15-year-old girl. FBI if you're listening, this man is telling on himself.
The author had to go and ruin the series by having a 130-year-old man try to get with a 15-year-old girl. FBI if you're listening, this man is telling on himself.
June 22, 2025
The third installment in the Family Law series by Make Chandler and this dragged a bit for me as there was not a lot that felt new from the last book. Still a good read.
August 30, 2019
I love all the books in this series, but I notice the EDITING is TERRIBLE !! Grammar and spelling both, not this book but all the books in this series. Is it a trend? Is editing done by stupid computers now? My goodness! Garbage in garbage out (the old saying when I learned fortran programming). And I've finished another great one in this series and I am not giving it away either. Writer reminds me in his values, of Robert Heinlein. And his style of characters have attitude toward civilization going to hell just as Jon Hunter did in the Hunters Run & Hunters Imperium series.
March 11, 2017
great series
Havent read the april series, but i will soon. This third book in the family law series is really good
Havent read the april series, but i will soon. This third book in the family law series is really good
December 20, 2021
Learning To Communicate
This is the third book in a continuing series. You need to have read the previous books to understand this one. The book ends with a natural break, but the story definitely continues. This book also has connections to an associated series that I now want to read because of the crossover of history and characters. The two series intersect and the reading order is listed on this post.
At the end of a long trip into the unknown, it’s now time to be heading back home, especially because they have new allies that need to spend money on weapons to keep themselves safe. The journey home is going to be a bit different to the one on the way there because they want to make sure they find as many resources as possible over the entire trip.
On the way back the members of the expedition are determined to solve the mystery of trying to communicate with the caterpillars. It seems that the desire to communicate is reciprocated.
It’s fascinating to read about the different species trying to work out how the other might think or express their concepts to each other. I particularly enjoyed seeing how the different races worked together to figure things out.
This journey also offers Lee more opportunities to learn about the universe and herself. She matures a lot in this book. I particularly enjoyed the part of the book that crossed over with a different series by the same author. It definitely made me want to read that series as well because the characters are intriguing as is the story that this book’s plot hinted at that’s contained in the other series.
This series continues to impress me in its attention to details surrounding different planets and societies. The universe building is impressive. This can slow down the plot in places, but I’m enjoying the journey so much I can’t grumble too much about that. I can’t wait to get my teeth into the next book. It definitely looks like the adventure’s only really getting started!
This is the third book in a continuing series. You need to have read the previous books to understand this one. The book ends with a natural break, but the story definitely continues. This book also has connections to an associated series that I now want to read because of the crossover of history and characters. The two series intersect and the reading order is listed on this post.
At the end of a long trip into the unknown, it’s now time to be heading back home, especially because they have new allies that need to spend money on weapons to keep themselves safe. The journey home is going to be a bit different to the one on the way there because they want to make sure they find as many resources as possible over the entire trip.
On the way back the members of the expedition are determined to solve the mystery of trying to communicate with the caterpillars. It seems that the desire to communicate is reciprocated.
It’s fascinating to read about the different species trying to work out how the other might think or express their concepts to each other. I particularly enjoyed seeing how the different races worked together to figure things out.
This journey also offers Lee more opportunities to learn about the universe and herself. She matures a lot in this book. I particularly enjoyed the part of the book that crossed over with a different series by the same author. It definitely made me want to read that series as well because the characters are intriguing as is the story that this book’s plot hinted at that’s contained in the other series.
This series continues to impress me in its attention to details surrounding different planets and societies. The universe building is impressive. This can slow down the plot in places, but I’m enjoying the journey so much I can’t grumble too much about that. I can’t wait to get my teeth into the next book. It definitely looks like the adventure’s only really getting started!
June 7, 2019
A very interesting step in the "Family Law" series. The first two thirds were mostly just a continued travelogue for the journey home. The trip back is almost never as interesting as the trip out. The real interesting stuff starts when they get back home. The twist with the Commission was a real surprise. I like a good surprise.
I felt that Chandler rushed a bit at the end, not that the story suffered, but there were many more minor errors that the editor missed. Maybe its just the editor who was rushed in the end (I will never know). I am still a bit uncomfortable with Lee's supposed age (it is interesting that Chandler mentions no specific age in this book).
One interesting twist was the tie-in with Chandlers "April" series. I have not started into this series, but I certainly will at least give it a look now.
So, it lost a star for editing, but I thoroughly enjoyed this book and cannot wait for the next.
** Update 6.6.2019 **
I have re-read the original book on my Kindle. I believe a newer better edited edition exists, no update has been pushed through. I have now read the April series by the same author. They are fun but that universe was not as tight as the original books in this series. I think that Chandler would have been better served by bringing April into the Family Law universe than the other way around. As it is, it feels forced and even clunky. The whole debacle over the Murphy's Law being left behind, or coming along, or being left behind just got annoying very quickly. I enjoyed re-reading the first two books, re-reading this was torture. Minus 2 stars.
I felt that Chandler rushed a bit at the end, not that the story suffered, but there were many more minor errors that the editor missed. Maybe its just the editor who was rushed in the end (I will never know). I am still a bit uncomfortable with Lee's supposed age (it is interesting that Chandler mentions no specific age in this book).
One interesting twist was the tie-in with Chandlers "April" series. I have not started into this series, but I certainly will at least give it a look now.
So, it lost a star for editing, but I thoroughly enjoyed this book and cannot wait for the next.
** Update 6.6.2019 **
I have re-read the original book on my Kindle. I believe a newer better edited edition exists, no update has been pushed through. I have now read the April series by the same author. They are fun but that universe was not as tight as the original books in this series. I think that Chandler would have been better served by bringing April into the Family Law universe than the other way around. As it is, it feels forced and even clunky. The whole debacle over the Murphy's Law being left behind, or coming along, or being left behind just got annoying very quickly. I enjoyed re-reading the first two books, re-reading this was torture. Minus 2 stars.
December 25, 2017
Too cute in the dialogue. The teen as adult decision maker, is a bit much. The author has a serious problem with The concept of government, I suspect. If so, I wish him well in his libertarian paradise. I hope he has the most wealth and best weapons when he gets there or it may not be as much fun as he expects.
The treatment of the alien cultures is interesting. They are the best part of the book. I'm going to read more of the series but not sure that I would recommend it.
The treatment of the alien cultures is interesting. They are the best part of the book. I'm going to read more of the series but not sure that I would recommend it.
November 14, 2015
Returning from their journey of exploration Lee and Gordon continues in the wein of April (another series by the author). Hope ther will be another book in the series, this kind of closes the three first but there is still enough for sequels.
December 13, 2015
Love Family Law series
Gordon, Lee and friends have great new tale. So many new friendships you almost need a chart to keep track. Please Mackey Chandler, write quickly so we can continue the voyage.
Gordon, Lee and friends have great new tale. So many new friendships you almost need a chart to keep track. Please Mackey Chandler, write quickly so we can continue the voyage.
January 1, 2024
Niiiice.....
September 24, 2017
This book is fascinating, it takes you on an wonderful adventure that never slows down. This story is completely different than most books in this genre and I found that to be the best part.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews