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The Dave Travise Series
Myra
Officially, Finn Douglas died on active duty. The truth is more complicated.
When a Federation Navy patrol is ambushed, on the edge of explored space, Finn is the only survivor. Instead of death, he’s given the chance of a new life. All he has to do is keep his mouth shut.
Fitted with a second-hand identity chip, Finn Douglas becomes Dave Travise.
His new boss is Rixon, a trader with flexible morals, living on both sides of the law. Dave soon finds that his new life isn’t easy. Rixon has plenty of rivals, all looking for a chance to settle old scores.
As his life lurches from one crisis to another, Dave only has his wits and his new shipmates to keep him safe. If they can be trusted.
If that wasn’t enough, there’s Myra, the engineer on his new home. She could be available, except that she’s the real Dave Travise’s old flame.
Whatever name he uses, Dave’s going to need all the luck in the galaxy to get out of this in one piece.
A review
I really enjoyed this book, which I found a great action-packed adventure. The hero was very likeable and reminded me a bit of Han Solo. Indeed, I think this book would appeal very much to fans of Star Wars; certainly, I have suggested that my son read it on that basis. Unlike another reviewer, I found the descriptions concerning the spaceships very interesting; they did not detract from the story at all, but helped me to picture the spaceships clearly in my mind. I also found the descriptions of the planets fascinating; it is obvious that the author has really thought out his sci-fi world. In summing up, I would say that the story was good and kept my attention, and that the book was also easy to read. Once I started it, I found I could not put it down until I had finished reading it and I will definitely be reading the sequel ‘Freefall’ to see what happens next in the saga.”
Freefall
Can you ever forget, when everything makes you remember?
Dave Travise is a man with a past. And the way things are going; he might not have much of a future.
All he really wants to do is forget, but he’s reminded about what he has lost at every turn. His life is in a rut, until the day the person he was expecting to see isn’t there, because she’s dead.
He finds out that she had a secret. He’s warned to keep his nose out.
Does he listen? Or could this be the adventure he’s been looking for?
As he gets more involved, his world turns upside down. Events take control of his life, and before he knows how he’s at the centre of a Galaxy-wide conspiracy.
Dave is pursued by those in power, desperate to keep what he knows a secret.
The biggest secret of all time.
A review
“A galactic adventure you will want to read again and again!
After reading ‘Myra’ and loving it – I took ‘Freefall’ as my holiday read and boy was I glad I did. Written in first person narrative I explored the galaxy, saw new planets, escaped peril and felt every emotion of Captain Dave Travise. Freefall is so immersive and richly described I immediately entered the action and felt as if I was living within the story.
Haunted by the past Dave Travise finds himself caught up in a few sticky situations with some questionable acquaintances as he joins the quest for truth. Every galactic aspect is plausible and all the characters are so well drawn I couldn’t help but care about them and their plight. I feel Myra and Freefall really lends itself to be a movie or TV series – a bit like a galactic Indiana Jones.”
Promise Me
Break one promise to keep another, can there be a way to please everyone?
Dave Travise has promises to keep, a galaxy to search and no time to lose. The trouble is, most of the promises that he’s made contradict each other.
Why is there always more than one problem to solve at the same time? The authorities are on his trail and his girlfriend’s family are missing. If that wasn’t enough, he’s expected to mete out revenge on a man he hasn’t seen for fifteen years.
Pulled in different directions by the demands placed on him, friends become enemies and new allies appear. Once Dave realises that the only way to appease everyone is by doing what feels right, he may be surprised at what his efforts reveal.
In the end, there’s more than one way to keep a promise.
“a rollicking adventure ride filled with intrigue, murder, and quite a bit of mystery.”
The Boxset
He’s survived the massacre of his shipmates. Now he’s been trapped into working for the bad guys. Things are about to get complicated for Dave Travise.
Whatever else he might be, Dave Travise is a survivor.
A navy man through and through, Finn Douglas has to adjust fast when his world turns upside down. Changing his name and becoming Dave Travise, galactic trader, is just the beginning.
Suddenly, he’s no longer one of the good guys, Instead, he’s working on a ship for hire, transporting whatever, wherever, with no questions asked.
There is a bright side, he’s met Myra and she promises to change his life for the better.
Keeping one step ahead of trouble is never easy, that’s before the intergalactic conspiracy that he gets involved with, and the bits of his past that come back to haunt him.
Can Dave ever find peace, or will he always be who he once was?
“totally believable characters in out of this world adventures.”
“Utterly fantastic story! It had the rare, magical ability to suck me into the story itself! “
The Balcom Series
Ribbonworld
‘Review a hotel for me,’ she said. ‘It’ll be easy,’ she said. I haven’t even got started and there’s a body in the bathroom.
It was only supposed to be a hotel review, all Miles Goram wants to do is finish up and get off Reevis as quickly as he can. It’s an airless planet where everyone lives under a giant dome, not the sort of place he wants to be stuck on. The body in his bath has really fouled his plans up. Then he discovers the dead man’s secret.
Miles gets drawn deeper into life on Reevis, he finds corruption and mistrust everywhere. Balcom Industrial treat the place like their own kingdom and discourage any questioning incomers. As a journalist and ex-convict, Miles is top of their most unwanted list.
If the death threats and the fact that everyone trying to make him leave wasn’t enough, there’s the added distraction of a missing heiress thrown in.
Suddenly his life has got very complicated, Miles wants answers. If only he can live long enough to find them.
A review
“A very immersive book. From beginning to end you’re taken on a journey through a vivid, complex world that also speaks prominently about our own. Sci-fi can often be too lacking in plot; in Ribbonworld, the author intertwines realism brilliantly with fantastical settings to create a very compelling read.”
Jungle Green, the second Balcom Story.
One tablet a day, it’s supposed to keep you alive. But it might just kill you.
TC is the wonder drug. Manufactured in secrecy, on a remote planet at the edge of the galaxy.
It makes worlds inhabitable; and Balcom Industrial lots of money.
Suddenly, the people who need to take it to stay alive start to die!
For Layla Balcom, the news is devastating. She’s just resumed her rightful place as head of Balcom. This problem threatens to spoil her moment of triumph. Can the drug be flawed? Or is something else going on?
The answer needs to be found, quickly.
Whether Layla will survive is not guaranteed.
“One of those books that you can’t put down until finished.”
“Fascinating lead character and intricately plotted”
A review
“This book has to be one of the best Sci-fi/Crime stories I have read so far. The storyline stops you from putting the book down.
The characters that Richard Dee creates quickly become part of your life; which makes finishing this book really frustrating. I can’t wait for the third instalment, to see what trouble Miles can get into next.”
The Lost Princess.
The prequel to Ribbonworld and Jungle Green
Where is Layla Balcom?
The most famous woman in the Galaxy, heiress to the Balcom empire, has vanished.
Has she simply exchanged her celebrity life for peace and quiet or has the unthinkable happened?
In the midst of the search, where rumours and speculation are rife, journalist Miles Goram thinks that he’s found the answer.
A girl on the run suggests that Layla could be a hostage, in a secret club where the rich indulge their fantasies. It’s located on Dalyster, a corrupt and secretive world. A place where his status as a reporter will do him no favours in his efforts to uncover the truth.
As he investigates, Miles finds that he is caught in the rivalry between a senior politician and Layla’s father.
And he has managed to upset both of them.
“Great story! The more you read from this author, the more you want to read from this author.”
“well-crafted read with fantastic characters and an imaginative Sci-Fi setting”
The Next part of the Balcom story is coming soon.
In the fourth part of the Balcom story. Layla and Miles finally come face-to-face with the source of all their troubles.
The Balcom Dynasty, all the Balcom novels in one place.
Everyone’s looking for Layla Balcom
The most recognisable woman on Centra has vanished. Is she tired of being famous or is there something more sinister going on?
Read Layla’s story in these three great novels, available together for the first time.
Journalist Miles Goram is a man with a mission. All he has to do is find Layla Balcom, heiress to the biggest company in the inhabited worlds.
It should be an easy job for a man with all his contacts. What can possibly go wrong?
What starts out as a simple hunt for a missing person turns into so much more.
As his search progresses, Miles discovers that Balcom is a company with major problems.
Balcom builds the things that keep everyone connected, if they’re in trouble, everyone is in trouble.
The company is owned by Igor Balcom; his power is fading.
Layla was the future, with her missing the vultures are circling around Balcom.
Suddenly Miles finds himself in danger, the hunter is becoming the hunted.
To make things worse; his enemies have all the power.
What people have said about the novels.
“If you like sci-fi; then here is a master of the art.”
“It’s dark, mysterious, and is almost equal parts Sci-Fi and thriller.”
“Jungle Green has to be one of the best Sci-Fi/Crime stories I have read.”
“well-crafted read with fantastic characters and an imaginative Sci-Fi setting.”
“In Ribbonworld, the author intertwines realism brilliantly with fantastical settings to create a very compelling read.”
Steampunk series
The Rocks of Aserol
What is the secret of Waster Mine?
Horis Strongman is a man on a mission. Sent to discover the truth behind a strange message from the provincial city of Aserol, he stumbles upon a secret.
One that could change the balance of power in Norlandia.
In this world, mighty machines of metal are powered by Steam and Clockwork. Coal is King.
Because of what Horis discovers, those in power want him silenced, whatever the cost.
Horis is forced to run for his life, aided by those who can prove his innocence and unsure of whom he can trust.
One thing is for certain. His life, and Norlandia itself, will never be the same again.
A review
“A cracking read, which rattles along apace as our protagonist tries to avoid both frying pan and fire when he is sent to investigate an incident at a mine. What starts as a seemingly straightforward assignment soon spirals out of his control – if, indeed, he ever had control of it – and he is plunged into damage control mode, aided by a feisty heroine and a group of retired soldiers, in order to clear his name. The steampunk world is well-crafted and easy to visualise, bringing the story beautifully to life. The ending was a little abrupt for my liking, but ultimately successful, as it left me wanting to know what happened to the characters next, as well as what happened with some unresolved issues in the wider world.”
A New Life in Ventis
Some men thirst for adventure, all Horis Strongman ever wanted was a quiet life.
Robbed of that by the events in Aserol and Northcastle, surely a trip to the Western Isles will allow him peace. New discoveries await him in these foreign lands.
Meanwhile, those who were against him have recovered and can still do him harm.
Before he and those he cares for can be truly safe, he must face his foes again, and this time, the stakes are raised.
By the time his journey ends, he will find that he has allies in the strangest places; for the final confrontation that he hopes will secure his future.
A review
“Good gravy, what a fabulous book! Sorry it took so long to get my review in, I wanted to re-read A New Life In Ventis. I had a lot of distractions the first time! It’s a fabulous story! I found Rocks of Aserol to be a bit dry in places, and it took off slowly, but A New Life In Ventis took off with a bang, and kept up the tempo throughout the entire story. I really liked that there wasn’t a gap between the books, so no backtracking to explain what happened. My goodness, the scrapes Grace and Horis found themselves in! At times, I found myself thinking what else could go wrong for them?! Though somehow by sheer grace alone, they pulled through everything, and good prevailed!
This author certainly has a knack for taking a storyline that could be heavy and depressing, and while keeping it fantastically detailed, keep it light enough to be easy to read.”
The Sensaurum and the Lexis.
Is Jackson Thwaite ready to discover the secret of Makewright Orphanage?
Although he doesn’t know it, he has been selected to be part of something vital to the land of his birth.
Norlandia is a country under threat, as never before. The old heroes are but a memory, while evil forces gather, seeking power.
They are armed with the latest devices that perverted science has devised.
Control of Norlandia and everyone in it is their ultimate aim.
Who will stand in their way?
Under the command of the mysterious Mortimer Langdon, all that stands between civilisation and anarchy are Jackson and the rest of The Orphan Detectives.
The Safety of the Realm
The message was a shock. “Jackson, Jessamine, you are needed. The Safety of the Realm is at stake.”
Fresh from their recent adventures, Jackson and Jessamine are on holiday, aboard the luxury cruising-liner, the King Leopold. Their voyage will take them to the fabled Western Isles, lands of mystery and scene of many a recent battle. After what they have been through, it should be a time of rest and recuperation, of seeing the wonders of life in foreign parts.
They find that their voyage is filled with intrigue, it appears that everyone has a secret to hide. Then there is the visitor in foreign parts, with his devastating news.
They learn that they are needed to fight a new foe, one whose threat is born of a new way of waging war. Something against which the might of Norlandia will have no defence.
The plans for the destruction of everything they hold dear must be retrieved and delivered before they can be enacted.
There will be no rest for the Orphan Detectives until this threat is dispatched.
A review
Jackson and Jessamine are enjoying a well-deserved break for their honeymoon aboard a luxury cruise to the Spice Islands. While aboard, they enjoy all the luxuries the ship has to offer, and meet an eclectic group of passengers with them. As the cruise unfolds, what seemed like quirks in some of their fellow guests start to arouse suspicions in the newlyweds.
More and more unusual events unfold, before receiving word that there is a plot against their country, one they must put their honeymoon on hold to unravel. The more they uncover about their fellow guests, the more troubling the situation becomes. Their kidnap, imprisonment and forced labour at the hands of a nefarious foe finally reveal the scope of a troubling plot that would have dire consequences should it not be thwarted soon.
Once again, Richard Dee has demonstrated his mastery of the art of storytelling. The story is filled with the perfect amount of jeopardy to raise the tension and deliver the pace. The world is rich, suitably filled with Victoriana to suit the steampunk setting. There are wonderful, futuristic creations that are almost magical and yet still entirely believable within the world.
I love Jackson and Jessamine in their first outing, and that has only strengthened in this book. I look forward to seeing what comes next for the daring duo and their employers!
Andorra Pett Series.
Andorra Pett and the Oort Cloud Café
How far is far enough? Andorra needs to get away from her ex, but is Saturn taking it a step too far?
When Andorra’s life turns upside down, she decides on a career change. Running a diner on a mining station orbiting Saturn. It seemed like a good idea at the time…
With her best friend Cy in tow, Andorra reckons it’s the best thing for them both. A chance to start again where nobody knows them.
Trouble is, there’s a secret hidden in the café. Before they have a chance to get settled, there’s a queue of dubious characters trying to find it.
While learning to bake and get used to life in space, Andorra has a murderer to catch!
Before they strike again…
“Agatha Raisin meets Miss Marple, in Space!”
“a tale that has everything – humour, suspense, a strong but struggling heroine, a fantastic sci-fi setting, and a truly universal story.”
A review
“I really enjoyed this story and this is mainly down to the fact that this story had a little bit of everything to keep me interested. It definitely had a dash of cosy crime/mystery about it as Andorra (Andi) decides to do a little bit of investigating after making a discovery in her new business venture. Even though it is set in space it doesn’t have too much of a sci-fi feel to it, just enough to make the plot that little bit more interesting.
There is a wonderful array of characters that Andi meets as she gets her cafe up and running. Andi is brilliant and I couldn’t help but like her especially her knack of getting into trouble. I loved her friendship with Cy they made such a great team with lots of fun moments along the way.
It’s a wonderfully fun story with an added mystery and I loved putting the clues together but there were surprises along the way to keep me on my toes. I raced through the story in no time at all and my interest was kept completely.”
Andorra Pett on Mars.
Everyone said it was suicide, but were they right?
Andorra Pett’s ex turns up, with some bad news. Her best friend Maisie has killed herself, on Mars.
Trevor doesn’t believe it. Neither does Andorra, it just wasn’t like her. He wants Andorra to come back with him, look around and see if she can find some answers.
Despite her misgivings, Trevor’s paying and says she can take Cy with her. It’ll be a cheap holiday! What can possibly go wrong…
It soon becomes clear that there’s a lot more going on. Rival gangs, hidden messages and new friends all point Andorra towards a much bigger story.
What was Maisie caught up in?
“A plethora of eye rolls, snickers, and outright laughs! “
“Brilliant and humorous adventure”
A review
“I’d previously read and LOVED Andorra Pett and the Oort Cloud Café, so when I realised there would be another novel featuring the supersleuth of Saturn herself, I was really pleased and couldn’t wait to get my hands on a copy…luckily, I didn’t have to wait long as author Richard Dee was kind enough to send over a copy.
Although this book picks up where Oort Cloud Café finishes, I don’t think it’s a necessity to have read that before starting this, as it reads well as a standalone, and any information that you do need is well explained.
Andi is as fantastic as before, larger than life, beautifully written, and just sounds like someone you’d want to go down the pub and swap embarrassing stories with. Cy is entertaining, and his relationship with Andi is sweet. There is a whole host of other characters that make the book as engrossing as it is. Andi and Cy unwittingly getting sucked into a rollercoaster ride of drama while trying to find out what happened to poor Maisie made captivating reading.
Andorra Pett on Mars satisfied both the sci-fi nerd and crime thriller fan in me simultaneously; it’s an intelligently written tale full of twists and turns that I found impossible to put down!”
Andorra Pett and her Sister
This time, it’s personal…
When your sister’s been arrested, is it really the end of the world?
Andorra Pett and her sister Argentia, have never got on, it’s complicated. So, when Andorra gets a call for help, she knows it must be serious.
Argentia is in trouble, big trouble. She doesn’t know why she’s been arrested. Or how she’s upset some big deal drug smugglers. But it seems her husband does, and he’s left her to take the fall.
The police think she’s guilty, Andorra is her only hope of avoiding prison.
Against her better judgement and without her friend Cy to help her; Andorra starts to investigate…
“Space super sleuth Andorra Pett returns.”
“Twists, turns, and smart sleuthing done right.”
Are we There Yet?
Every story has a beginning.
Ten-year-old Andorra Pett and her best friend Maisie are on holiday, in Devon.
Amid trips to the beach and the moors, they stumble on an old caravan in the woods.
Who is the owner and why is he acting so strangely? What could he be hiding?
All they have to do is persuade her parents that there’s something very bad going on.
Years before she arrives at the Oort Cloud Café, Andorra gives us an early glimpse of her talent for solving puzzles.
“Space super sleuth Andorra Pett returns.”
“Twists, turns, and smart sleuthing done right.”
A review
This is my first Andorra Pett mystery, and I’m so impressed, I’m diving into the first book in the series. This short is a glimpse of the sleuth Andorra as a young girl.
The characterization is brilliant! The story is fast moving, and keeps the tension at a perfect level. Any cozy mystery fan MUST check out Andorra Pett!
Andorra Pett takes a Break.
Yearning for peace and quiet with her partner, Derek, Andorra Pett heads home to the space mine off Saturn. Despite her good intentions, she soon gets dragged into the station’s politics, so it’s a relief when the chance of a holiday comes up.
All she has to do to get the trip of a lifetime is give a speech on the maiden voyage of the Solar Breeze, a new sort of cruise ship.
Its voyages around the solar system will be the must-have vacation. Once the great and the good have had a sneak preview, on a cruise taking in the delights of Venus and Mercury.
But nothing is ever simple in Andorra’s life. Things get really serious when the Solar Breeze is hijacked by eco-terrorists.
A trip around the sun will never be the same again.
A review
Another amusing bit of Andi’s life, just showing that it’s impossible for her to even go on vacation and be free from stuff happening to her.
Andorra Pett and the Luna Mining Conspiracy
Wherever Andorra Pett goes, trouble seems to be waiting for her.
The Moon is no exception.
Andorra and her best friend, Cy are in Selenville having a quiet holiday. It seems ideal, there’s a bit of sightseeing to do but she chose it because it’s a good place to chill and unwind.
Except, nothing is ever easy in her world.
When they arrive, they find that Selenville is alive with intrigue, over the control of the Moon’s industry.
A chance remark leads them on the trail of an audacious plot to destabilise the economy of the solar system and give control of everything in it to a criminal syndicate. A plot so well hidden that nobody will believe it’s possible.
This means that Andorra has to find proof, and the right person to show it to.
Time is of the essence; although she doesn’t know it, her world is about to change forever.
A review
In this latest instalment, we find Andorra making up for not spending much time of late with best friend Cy. They take a trip to the Moon. There is nothing going on there, no real tourism, so it should be a relaxing break with nothing that could possibly go wrong. Or at least, that’s the plan anyway.
True to form, however, nothing quite goes as planned. It all starts when Andorra discovers guests using her name as an alias for seedy daliances off planet. Then she discovers factions of disent amongst the miners and workers on the Moon caused by a potential takeover of operations by the OLC, the company she works for. When assaults and violent threats are made against her and those around her she finds herself unable to avoid diving headlong into yet another mystery, dragging Cy along for the ride.
Somehow, the series feels as fresh as ever. Though the format is fairly similar across the books, it works time and again. There is a comfort knowing how things will go. But what sets the Andorra Pett series apart is the story that Dee weaves around that format. And this is no exception. It brings together more elements of Andorra’s life and background, it being a second trip to the Moon for her, while also connecting to her background as a mining scooper.
Once again, the drama that Andorra faces is entertaining without feeling overblown. The story is pacey and moves along nicely. It also neatly sets up things for the next book. I look forward to seeing what mess she finds herself in next!
The Boxset
Meet Andorra Pett. She’s running away from trouble, but it keeps finding her. The first three adventures of the solar systems most unlikely detective are here in one volume
“Agatha Raisin in space – slick crime thriller meets sci-fi fun.”
When Andorra decides to get away from her car-crash of a love life, she ends up on a space mine orbiting Saturn, armed only with the determination to do something different. Solving crime was never on the agenda, just a bit of forgetting about the past and making a new life.
Trouble is; bodies and murderers seem to be around every turn. Not to mention organised crime, stolen goods and all manner of dubious characters. Andorra soon gets dragged in over her head. At least she’s kept her sense of humour
With her pal Cy, she gets to grips with running a café and discovers its secrets.
Then her ex turns up with a tale of woe, forcing her to go to Mars.
Finally, she discovers that family is the only thing that really matters, when her sister back on Earth needs her help.
Stand Alone Novels
Survive (the tale of Ballantyne Alysom).
Ballantyne Alysom is the Galaxy’s most famous explorer.
Davis Jansen is the cameraman he takes to record his latest mission.
Alysom is giving nothing away, except that it’s something that’s never been seen before.
When things go wrong, they are marooned on a savage and uncharted planet. The survivors need a leader they can rely on.
Jansen watches and records it all as Alysom’s true character is revealed. He’s not the genial and fearless explorer that everyone sees.
The Far Explorer is a ship riddled with infighting and jealousy, Alysom is controlling and arrogant, nothing like the man that his reputation suggests.
Jansen’s efforts to expose the truth carry just as much risk as surviving on the planet did.
Maybe more
Find out if enough lies can ever bury the truth in Survive, the tale of Ballantyne Alysom.
“I recommend this book, it’s the kind you can’t put down till the end and then you’re disappointed when the end happens.”
Beta readers comments:-
What a fantastic book!!! I love how while every book you write is technically the same genre, they are all completely different.
Survive came alive from the first page, and really took on a life of its own.
The characters were all well developed and believable, the story was saturated with the atmosphere, and the bad guy Bal was someone that everyone has experienced at one point in their life!
A lot of effort has been put into the research for the story, it comes across as real instead of patently fake.
My goodness, that ending though! Perfect setup for a second book, which I sincerely hope there is one!
All in all, another fabulous read.
Life, and Other Dreams.
Who are you when you dream?
Rick isn’t sure anymore…
Is he Rick, living in the here and now? Working a boring job, married to Cath.
Or is he Dan, living six-hundred years and half a galaxy away? Exploring an alien planet with Vanessa by his side.
Two worlds, one man. While he’s awake in one place, he’s asleep in the other.
Simple enough, until people from Dan’s world start turning up in Rick’s life.
Confusing? But then it gets worse. Dan is accused of a crime he didn’t commit. Ricks wife leaves him and both realities are falling apart.
Which life is real? Will either go back to how it was?
If you had a choice, which would you choose?
“a masterpiece of fiction”
“Fast-paced, edge of your seat stuff!”
A review
“The story concerns a man by the name of Rick/Dan, who experiences extremely lucid dreams of a life on a far off planet called Ecias, to the extent he begins to question which of these lives is true reality. Throughout his journey for the truth, both lives begin to fall apart and he has to deal with repercussions on both sides.
We essentially have 2 different intertwining stories that are both expertly written and meld into a fluid and near perfect dual story. Both have parallels which become more intense as Dan gets deeper into trouble. The story on Ecias could have easily been written as a separate book, as could the tale of Rick, but together they create a weird sublime beauty and one that questions identity and the human condition. The world which Rick lives in is so relatable and the small things such as the noise of an MRI scanner are spot on. While Ecias isn’t as relatable in terms of it being a fantasy place, it relatable in the sense of wonder and freedom it provides it’s inhabitants. They also have a logical and plausible reason for being on the planet.
Everything is so well thought out and every character is fleshed out to such great detail. I’d say there isn’t a badly written character anywhere near the book. Everyone feels like a real person and they act as such. The pacing throughout is impeccable and I found myself gripped. constantly wanting to know what would happen next and how everything fits together. The mind puzzle element of the book is so deep and enticing, it’s hard not to get caught up in it.
It’s a book you think about long after it’s finished and one that truly belongs in the upper echelon of sci-fi, surpassing much of what has come before. It creates its own identity which is an amazing thing. It’s rare for a book to feel as fresh and new as this. I wondered part way through if it would be similar to ‘We Can Remember It For You Wholesale’ by Philip K Dick (which was later turned into the film Total Recall) but no. It went its own path and one that I’d say works better than that of Dick’s story. I like the fact that no proper comparison can be drawn, as nowadays there seem to be so many similar books with the same themes and plot devices. It is really nice to have an author write what they want and not just pander to what performs the best in the charts.
If I had one fault with the book, it would be that there’s a sequel. So, in theory, it’s not a problem with this story, but it affects the overall ending. What’s there is perfect. It ends in the most sublimely, strangely beautiful way which makes you truly think. By knowing there is a follow-up, some of the perfection is sadly lost. That isn’t to say the sequel won’t be great, it just feels unnecessary considering the perfection that is the ending of this book.
Needless to say, I would consider this book a must read and one that I would happily read again. I would go as far as to say that I consider ‘Life and Other Dreams’ a masterpiece of fiction and one I am so glad to have experienced.”
The Hitman and the Thief
Assassination can be a messy business, especially if you’re having a bad day.
Dan Jones is the ultimate problem solver, the hitman for crime boss Fliss Bauer.
Fliss has a rival, Kalindra Dallin. She runs a particularly unpleasant planet. Dan is told to arrange her demise. It’s just another job; until a random event means that it all goes horribly wrong.
To save his skin, Dan is forced to try again, only this time he has to work with a partner. He doesn’t want to but it’s the only chance he’s going to get; if he wants to put things right.
Can the hitman and the thief get the job done, more importantly, can they keep each other alive?
A review
“Richard’s latest book, The Hitman and the Thief, takes the reader on a twisting journey through different worlds. The action moves swiftly, with unexpected twists and turns. As usual, Richard’s excellent technical knowledge conveys a gritty reality with ease. This is a fun read, hard to put down and I sure hope there is a sequel in the making.”
The Syk’m
Behave, or the Syk’m will come and take you away.
That was the threat hanging over my childhood, the terrifying punishment that made us all obedient.
As children, we were told that the Syk’m watched over us. Should we misbehave, they could do unimaginable things.
Because we were young and knew no better, the mere mention of their name was enough to control us. We went to bed, minded our manners, stopped our shouting. Although the Syk’m were mythical creatures, never seen, we all believed in their power over us.
Now that I’m older and wiser, I thought that I had outgrown the unseen terrors of my childhood. I thought that I no longer believed in the power of the Syk’m.
Then the day came when I discovered that the Syk’m were real. The day they found me. Their message was clear. Despite everything I had imagined, they needed my help. It was the day I discovered that they were not the monsters we had all believed them to be.
There were others in the universe.
A review
Richard Dee is a fantastic writer, and something of a genre journeyman having written brilliant novels in the cozy crime, steampunk and sci-fi genres, so I entered The Syk’m with high hopes. I am a big fan of fantasy, more specifically the enormous Discworld series by Terry Pratchett. While that series is very much a satire of the real world, it also lovingly and mockingly follows many of the standard patterns or tropes of fantasy – warriors and beasts, dragons, kings and queens, witches and wizards and so on. I was pleasantly surprised to find Dee has taken a somewhat different approach to fantasy. It feels every bit a fantasy novel, but without all of the tropes. The adventure is grand in its scale, the characters developing as they work through setbacks and pitfalls. Richard Dee has crafted a fantastical fantasy filled with fun, adventure and danger all in equal measure. I look forward to seeing where he takes this new direction next.
We Are Saul
When Saul is paralysed in an accident, he thinks it’s the end of his life. In fact, it’s just the beginning.
While trying to come to terms with his injuries, the mysterious Dr Tendral offers him a way to make a difference. All he has to do is join his project. There are no other details until he agrees, he’s either in or out.
What choice does he have?
Agreeing is just the beginning. Saul undergoes drastic surgery, only then is the full depth of the project revealed.
Or is it?
As time goes on and he learns more about Tendral’s scheme, Saul’s new life becomes increasingly difficult.
In the end, he has to abandon everything as he learns the truth.
All second chances come with a price.
A review.
We Are Saul follows Saul Wilstreet, an odd-jobber who takes on jobs to fund a lifestyle of travelling to disaster-hit locations to help in the relief efforts. While in a far-flung corner of the world, when a relationship became more serious than he was ready for, he fled back to the UK. Unfortunately for him, a tragic accident with an HGV left him paralysed. Laid up in a hospital bed, life as he knew it over, an interesting opportunity comes his way. An opportunity for a second chance at life. Not just existence. A life unhindered. With advanced technology, Saul will be able to control a robotic version of himself with his mind. He can have a full life, with full sensations and experiences. An opportunity too good to be true. Something Saul discovers in time.
We Are Saul makes for a sci-fi novel with a difference. There’s modern technology, robots, and something more, but the story offers hope for what could be. But it also offers a cautionary tale of what just might await us in our future. Not everything is as it seems, and very rarely does something life-changing come without a catch. And this is something Richard Dee sets up in this novel really well. I found myself hooked from the first page to the last.
I Remember Everything.
A psychological thriller.
It’s the big question. Where do we go, when it’s all over?
What happens to our unfinished business?
At 20:08, Detective Ian Gisbon is murdered.
At the same instant as he dies, on the other side of the country, Suzan Halford is born.
Nobody could have guessed that locked in her head is the key to unmasking Ian’s killer.
All Suzan has to do is grow up and remember it.
Before she’s aware of her knowledge, a chance discovery sets an unstoppable chain of events in motion, and Suzan’s life spirals out of control.
What’s happening is impossible, it’s destroying her family. And driving her crazy.
There’s only one person she can turn to, the only one who can help. But they’ve been gone for years. Finding them will mean that justice can finally be done.
A Review
That little voice in your head telling you to read this book… listen to it!
I loved this new release from Richard Dee. A unique story that keeps you hooked throughout.
At the same time a Detective is murdered a young girl is born. Detective Ian Gibson’s consciousness is transferred into Suzan Halford’s body and there it remains, watching over the young girl until she is old enough to help him uncover the truth, catch a killer, and bring about justice.
The ending was bittersweet but satisfying and the pace we pitch perfect throughout.
Another success for Richard Dee and I suspect not the last!
5 stars – highly recommend!!!!
Where’s Lizzie?
A Psychological Thriller.
He was only away for an hour, he left his wife and baby daughter in their broken-down car, parked in a layby.
When he returned, his car had moved. Now it was against a tree, a mile further down the road.
His wife had hit her head and lost her memory.
Worse than that, his one-year-old daughter was missing from the back seat.
How long would it take to get her back?
A Review
Douglas, his wife, Rom, and their one-year-old daughter, Lizzie, are heading from London to Cornwall for a family reunion. Rom’s sister is back from Australia, and she’s not met Lizzie yet.
On their way, the car breaks down. Doug only leaves them for an hour while he goes for help, when he gets back, they are gone. When he manages to locate the car, Rom is seriously injured and remembers nothing, and Lizzie has gone.
We follow Doug through the most difficult time of his life. His wife doesn’t remember him or their daughter. Who has their daughter and why?
This was an emotionally charged and haunting story from the author.
Interesting and believable characters, some with secrets.
A great plot with twists along the way to make you question what you really think.
Textbook
Creating a Sci-fi World
Do you want to write Sci-fi or Steampunk adventures?
Are you struggling with World Building?
Do you want to create a world: or even a universe, but you’re put off by all the science you think you need to know before you can start?
If the answer to any of those questions is yes, I’ve tried to simplify the process by showing you another way.
This guide is based on the World-building workshops that I hold as a member of the Exeter Authors Association. The aim is to show you an easier way of doing things, with chapters on such subjects as Location, Characters, Sidekicks and Steampunk. I’ll tell you the method that I’ve used to create several universes in the future and in an alternative present, maintaining realism without getting bogged down in the technicalities.
Creating a Sci-fi World contains exercises and suggestions, as well as examples from my novels, there are even some short stories to illustrate how my methods can be applied.
Collections
The Adventures of Kalyn Deere, Bounty Hunter.
Kalyn Deere is straight out of the Navy and straight into trouble.
When she arrives home, after five years away, Kalyn misses seeing her father by an hour. There’s no chance to patch up their broken relationship, no time to explain.
A month later, he sends her a message. “Help me,” is all he says.
Erik Deere is a private investigator and bounty hunter, a job he said Kayln must never be allowed to do. That’s the reason she left in the first place.
With Erik missing, she’s dragged into his world, whether he likes it or not.
Kalyn needs to find her father and keep his business going. All the while pretending that everything is normal.
She has to learn fast, helped by Erik’s secretary, Silva. And by some of the dubious characters she meets along the way.
Kalyn Deere. Bounty Hunter.
Solving crime and searching for her father, all across the Galaxy.
Get some FREE short stories HERE
