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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Alex Benedict is well known to Jack McDevitt fans as a merchant of rare and recently rediscovered artifacts. Since Alex lives far in our future, some of these artifacts can involve lost technology of engaging complexity. Assisted by the lovely, resourceful, skeptical, and multi-talented Chase Kolpath, Alex works through another historical puzzle in this sixth book of the series.
To establish--and perhaps inflate--the value of items in an estate sale, Alex and Chase investigate the mysterious disappearance of the improbably-named physicist Christopher Robin. Robin had himself been investigating the occasional appearances of unidentified starships at seemingly-random locations among the worlds of the Confederacy. Although these sightings have remained unexplained for hundreds of years, they have provoked little lasting curiosity. Of greater concern are the infrequent disappearances of modern starships. This is seen as an unwanted, but acceptable price for travel through the dangerous depths of space.
As Chase and Alex assemble pieces of this puzzle, readers peer over their shoulders and begin guessing at the outcome. We also learn more about Chase's pre-Alex employment, explore a planet hidden for centuries in a dust cloud, and listen to Alex debate his colleagues and critics about the sentience of the artificial intelligences ("Betas") that perform so many of their society's tasks. One cannot help anticipates the role these themes and events will play in future Benedict adventures.
This is an essential and rewarding read for fans of the Alex Benedict series. Although it connects nicely to events of previous books, it can also be enjoyed as a stand-alone story. The time you spend in it will seem short compared to the faster pace of the universe around you.
To establish--and perhaps inflate--the value of items in an estate sale, Alex and Chase investigate the mysterious disappearance of the improbably-named physicist Christopher Robin. Robin had himself been investigating the occasional appearances of unidentified starships at seemingly-random locations among the worlds of the Confederacy. Although these sightings have remained unexplained for hundreds of years, they have provoked little lasting curiosity. Of greater concern are the infrequent disappearances of modern starships. This is seen as an unwanted, but acceptable price for travel through the dangerous depths of space.
As Chase and Alex assemble pieces of this puzzle, readers peer over their shoulders and begin guessing at the outcome. We also learn more about Chase's pre-Alex employment, explore a planet hidden for centuries in a dust cloud, and listen to Alex debate his colleagues and critics about the sentience of the artificial intelligences ("Betas") that perform so many of their society's tasks. One cannot help anticipates the role these themes and events will play in future Benedict adventures.
This is an essential and rewarding read for fans of the Alex Benedict series. Although it connects nicely to events of previous books, it can also be enjoyed as a stand-alone story. The time you spend in it will seem short compared to the faster pace of the universe around you.
Format:Hardcover
Loved this real return to form by probably the best current SF writer. Mr Mc gets into the heads of his characters and balances this with a great galactic mystery (alternate universe?). This latest Chase and Alex is a real corker with a great ending. If you don't know McDevitt then start here.
Format:Hardcover
A talent for War is by far the best (and first) Alex Benedict book, but Firebird comes close. In reality the last four should be called Chase Kolpath books, since she is the narrator. Like Watson recounting Sherlock Holmes, she gives a less flattering view of Benedict. This tale starts because Benedict seeks to manufacture a myth about a lost professor in order to increase the value of his estate which Benedict has a contract to sell.
Like all McDevitt books there are red herrings a plenty and it is hard to review the book without giving them away. There is a discussion on the humanness of artificial intelligence. Another reviewer mentioned Stephen Kings 'Truck'. I was more reminded of George H Smith's 'The four day weekend' where intelligent taxis politely but menacingly pursue humans with the war cry of 'cab sir?'
Like all McDevitt books there are red herrings a plenty and it is hard to review the book without giving them away. There is a discussion on the humanness of artificial intelligence. Another reviewer mentioned Stephen Kings 'Truck'. I was more reminded of George H Smith's 'The four day weekend' where intelligent taxis politely but menacingly pursue humans with the war cry of 'cab sir?'
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
The best
I love Jack McDevitt's books - he writes well, presents a wholly credible picture in his far future and delivers pageturning action, peppered with detail about futuristic... Read more
Published 5 months ago by P. Forsyth
Best part of the Alex Benedict Series?
For the record, I have read all parts of McDevitts Alex Benedict novels and I am confident they are not everyones cup of tea. Read more
Published 6 months ago by purolator
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