The Sixth Helix

Jake Nourth #1

by Al Onia

Trapped in a dead-end job in a city he hates, Conspiratorial Investigator Jake Nourth pins his hopes on solving the mystery of the missing Sixth Helix, a device that will unlock the secrets of space and time. One big score will free him from the twisted streets of Meld. As mystery piles upon mystery, it soon becomes apparent that Jake is over his head in an ocean of astrophysical theories and a rising wave of petty crime. But when the bodies pile up, Jake realizes there is a lot more at stake then his pending departure—his marriage, his reason and, maybe, his life.

240 pages, Paperback

Published May 23, 2019

About the author

Goodreads anthologies also containing my work: AB Negative, Warrior Wisewoman 3, Body-Smith 401 and North of Infinity. Ares Magazine #1 has my short story "Neanderthal Sunset" (A.J. Onia).

Reviews

[Jennifer Rahn · Rating 4 out of 5]

The city of Meld, on planet Twist, is in a constant state of flux, subject to the whimsy of time and space. Meld is constantly shifting its streets and buildings, making the city next to impossible to navigate. Two artifacts, the Throat and Quarrage, have been studied for centuries, yet remain enigmatic. The story follows investigator Jake Nourth, as he first investigates missing items, then missing people, then murders. He is surrounded by strange native inhabitants, strange clients, and even stranger colleagues as he tries to relocate the missing Sixth Helix, which holds the key to the evolution of Twist and its furry natives.