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Opportunity
Security Lieutenant Dave is looking forward to some simple cases and patching things up with his wife. His handling of a terrorist attack has gained him acclaim and some new friends in high places, but he is still closely involved with Arancha Station's mob boss.
When the spacestation manager is killed in a new and worrying way, Dave realises that he's got possibly the biggest case of his career. Unfortunately, as soon as his new boss arrives with reinforcements, he is relegated to monitoring data and assigned a rookie partner to babysit.
Dave needs to find something that will crack the case open before the killer can strike again.
When the spacestation manager is killed in a new and worrying way, Dave realises that he's got possibly the biggest case of his career. Unfortunately, as soon as his new boss arrives with reinforcements, he is relegated to monitoring data and assigned a rookie partner to babysit.
Dave needs to find something that will crack the case open before the killer can strike again.
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Published May 14, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
July 1, 2018
Hello. This is the author speaking.
This project was a very different one to my previous books. A space detective working for the establishment, rather than a military rebellion. Setting it on a remote space station, where even a reply to simple background check could take weeks to arrive, gave me the chance to explore a story with some of that classic detective feel. Of course, on the local scale they have loads of hi-tech equipment!
Hopefully you think it has worked. Feel free to let me (and everyone else) know by leaving a review.
This project was a very different one to my previous books. A space detective working for the establishment, rather than a military rebellion. Setting it on a remote space station, where even a reply to simple background check could take weeks to arrive, gave me the chance to explore a story with some of that classic detective feel. Of course, on the local scale they have loads of hi-tech equipment!
Hopefully you think it has worked. Feel free to let me (and everyone else) know by leaving a review.
July 20, 2018
Set in the same universe, I believe, as his superb Two Democracies series (start with Liberty), this is quite different. On an obscure space station in an economic slump, security chief Dave Pratt is faced with an intriguing, challenging, and possibly terrifying murder. The SF aspects are slightly muted by police procedure, but they are very present in the high-tech questions that he struggles to find answers for. This is blended expertly with the human interest strands of the story which include Dave's stressed relationships; with his wife (superb), his colleagues, his boss (old and new), a crime lord, and those story strands revolving around the perpetrator/s-slash-victims of whatever it is that's going on (not to give away any spoilers).
Few writers can immerse the reader so effectively in a new world, and Shaw writes to the same high standard as authors like C.J. Cherryh (particularly, her Alliance/Merchanter universe). The pace of this complex story is moderate, but Shaw maintains a high level of tension throughout. Highly recommended.
Note: This review is an ARC copy which I was given for free.
Few writers can immerse the reader so effectively in a new world, and Shaw writes to the same high standard as authors like C.J. Cherryh (particularly, her Alliance/Merchanter universe). The pace of this complex story is moderate, but Shaw maintains a high level of tension throughout. Highly recommended.
Note: This review is an ARC copy which I was given for free.
June 9, 2018
Title: Opportunity
Author: Alasdair Shaw
Publisher: Alasdair Shaw
ISBN: B07BX9F7QD
Buy Link: http://www.alasdairshaw.co.uk/twodemo...
Reviewer: Teresa Fallen Angel
Blurb:
Two Democracies: Justice 1
Security Lieutenant Dave is looking forward to some simple cases and patching things up with his wife. His handling of a terrorist attack has gained him acclaim and some new friends in high places, but he is still closely involved with Arancha Station's mob boss.
When the space station manager is killed in a new and worrying way, Dave realizes that he's got possibly the biggest case of his career. Unfortunately, as soon as his new boss arrives with reinforcements, he is relegated to monitoring data and assigned a rookie partner to babysit.
Dave needs to find something that will crack the case open before the killer can strike again.
Total Score: 5/5
Summary:
Dave has been working as security on the Arancha station for years making do with a limited crew and supplies while somehow succeeding in containing any problems that popped up until his boss comes up dead. That is only the beginning of deaths that leave everyone wondering what and who is behind the murders. The arrival of a new station manager leaves Dave demoted while the case remains unsolved and the deaths continue.
This was fast paced sci-fi story containing many plot twists keeping the reader wondering where it would lead. IT was fascinating how Dave was willing to use every asset at hand, even when working with the local organized crime boss made him look dirty. Working with limited supplies in a distant space station made it necessary to make due with what you had. As the deaths began to pile up the reader was kept in suspense wondering who was next. Dave, like many individuals in the police, worked difficult hours making problems with his family. It was wonderful how his oldest son supported what he was doing understanding that it was his fathers job to keep them all safe. I look forward to reading the next book in the Two Democracies: Justice series.
Author: Alasdair Shaw
Publisher: Alasdair Shaw
ISBN: B07BX9F7QD
Buy Link: http://www.alasdairshaw.co.uk/twodemo...
Reviewer: Teresa Fallen Angel
Blurb:
Two Democracies: Justice 1
Security Lieutenant Dave is looking forward to some simple cases and patching things up with his wife. His handling of a terrorist attack has gained him acclaim and some new friends in high places, but he is still closely involved with Arancha Station's mob boss.
When the space station manager is killed in a new and worrying way, Dave realizes that he's got possibly the biggest case of his career. Unfortunately, as soon as his new boss arrives with reinforcements, he is relegated to monitoring data and assigned a rookie partner to babysit.
Dave needs to find something that will crack the case open before the killer can strike again.
Total Score: 5/5
Summary:
Dave has been working as security on the Arancha station for years making do with a limited crew and supplies while somehow succeeding in containing any problems that popped up until his boss comes up dead. That is only the beginning of deaths that leave everyone wondering what and who is behind the murders. The arrival of a new station manager leaves Dave demoted while the case remains unsolved and the deaths continue.
This was fast paced sci-fi story containing many plot twists keeping the reader wondering where it would lead. IT was fascinating how Dave was willing to use every asset at hand, even when working with the local organized crime boss made him look dirty. Working with limited supplies in a distant space station made it necessary to make due with what you had. As the deaths began to pile up the reader was kept in suspense wondering who was next. Dave, like many individuals in the police, worked difficult hours making problems with his family. It was wonderful how his oldest son supported what he was doing understanding that it was his fathers job to keep them all safe. I look forward to reading the next book in the Two Democracies: Justice series.
May 11, 2018
Author gave me an advanced copy of the book for reading and reviewing. The book was something I didn't quite expect: an almost normal case of coppers and robbers. That is not the full story, though. Everything happens in a remote space station, police has very few resources and the bad guys have lot more. That's not fair!
The story is good and people have quite a lot of character. Life on the station flows naturally without any unnecessary explaining of every detail. Obviously not everything is told and next books in the series can expand the story.
I just could not shut down my ebook reader and had to give quite many of my sleeptime hours to the book. Thus, it is fair to give lot of stars: 4/5.
The story is good and people have quite a lot of character. Life on the station flows naturally without any unnecessary explaining of every detail. Obviously not everything is told and next books in the series can expand the story.
I just could not shut down my ebook reader and had to give quite many of my sleeptime hours to the book. Thus, it is fair to give lot of stars: 4/5.
August 19, 2019
**** SPOILER ALERT ****
"Opportunity" was my first chance to read Shaw's writing. I felt right at home very quickly as the author did a great job at world building.
Shaw did a great job of mixing the two genres if mystery/thriller and science fiction. I loved Asimov's "The Caves Of Steel", but I have to hand it to the author, Shaw does a lot better job of breathing life into the characters. I look forward to exploring this "universe" more in future.
I highly recommend this book.
In the interest of transparency: I was given a free copy of this book for review and I am voluntarily sharing my own honest opinion in this review.
"Opportunity" was my first chance to read Shaw's writing. I felt right at home very quickly as the author did a great job at world building.
Shaw did a great job of mixing the two genres if mystery/thriller and science fiction. I loved Asimov's "The Caves Of Steel", but I have to hand it to the author, Shaw does a lot better job of breathing life into the characters. I look forward to exploring this "universe" more in future.
I highly recommend this book.
In the interest of transparency: I was given a free copy of this book for review and I am voluntarily sharing my own honest opinion in this review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 21, 2019
This story was a blast to read as it combined two of my favorite genres in one story, space opera and a who done it mystery. I loved all of the twists and turns in the plot, it really keeps you guessing. The world building was very good. The characters are excellent with the range from hero to the guy you love to hate with a surprise twist. It has a lot of action and the pace moves along very well. If you like sci fi and mystery, this is a book for you. For the record, I received an Advanced Reader Copy of this book with the request to leave an honest review for other potential readers.
August 16, 2020
Received as a review copy, this is an honest review. Security lieutenant Dave should have been on his way to working easy cases to solve as he tries mend a ruined marriage; he is about to find himself trying to an labyrinth of a murder that put himself up against a crafty killer. A unique story, meshing the genres of science fiction and thrillers together with excellent twists and surprises until the end, highly recommended.
December 3, 2020
A well written police/crime story. The big difference is that all that crime and police activity take place in space. In a space station with many floors and parks and shopping centers and so on. But still it is the police drama and how to solve a crime. There are criminal gangs and their in-fighting. Our hero has to weigh his police duties with the responsibilities of husband and father. We get interesting insight into him and the people around him.
It was a very good read.
It was a very good read.
May 14, 2018
The death of Olisan Veddir, the Arancha Station manager, means that Security Lieutenant Dave Pratt has a big problem on his hands. Was it murder, or not? Unfortunately with this death comes a new boss, Williams. Dave doesn't trust him one tiny bit, and the feeling is mutual.
As you read, you think this is going to be a very simple and straightforward story - wrong. It's twisty and turny like a rollercoaster, up to an unexpected ending. Shaw reads people well and realistically.
Well written and the story flows smoothly. It's easy to read, enjoyable, and the characters are full and engaging. I'm looking forward to the rest of this series.
I received an eARC of this book which voluntarily read and reviewed. All opinions are my own.
As you read, you think this is going to be a very simple and straightforward story - wrong. It's twisty and turny like a rollercoaster, up to an unexpected ending. Shaw reads people well and realistically.
Well written and the story flows smoothly. It's easy to read, enjoyable, and the characters are full and engaging. I'm looking forward to the rest of this series.
I received an eARC of this book which voluntarily read and reviewed. All opinions are my own.
September 28, 2020
Opportunity - a review by Rosemary Kenny
A suspicious security officer on a remote space station is sidelined to a desk job, when he too-zealously investigates the murder of his boss there, with a most unlikely ally as sidekick in his investigation.
He and his new boss hate and suspect each other for different reasons - and so do the police when they see who the former's working with!
Who's the more likely suspect - and who's being framed as the killer? The truth is out there somewhere, but will it remain a matter of speculation, or will the suspect become the next victim?
Read Opportunity by Alasdair Shaw to find out - you're sure to be mystified and entertained in equal proportions!
A suspicious security officer on a remote space station is sidelined to a desk job, when he too-zealously investigates the murder of his boss there, with a most unlikely ally as sidekick in his investigation.
He and his new boss hate and suspect each other for different reasons - and so do the police when they see who the former's working with!
Who's the more likely suspect - and who's being framed as the killer? The truth is out there somewhere, but will it remain a matter of speculation, or will the suspect become the next victim?
Read Opportunity by Alasdair Shaw to find out - you're sure to be mystified and entertained in equal proportions!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews