Book Review: The Void (The Tanner Sequence) by Timothy S. Johnston

This is the third Tanner Sequence novel I have read and I love the gripping intensity of these cleverly twisted mysteries.

The Void (The Tanner Sequence)

by Timothy S. Johnston

• File Size: 633 KB
• Print Length: 346 pages
• Publisher: Carina Press (March 30, 2015)
• ASIN: B00N0MYHBI

Genre: Sci Fi, Mystery
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: March 30, 2015
2403 AD
It would be easier to kill him than to trust him.
Transporting a serial killer might seem like a simple job for CCF Homicide Investigator Kyle Tanner. After spending years apprehending murderers, he's ready to hang up his pistol. Babysitting a prisoner will bring him to Alpha Centauri, where he can search for a way to escape the CCF forever.
If he makes it.
When his ship breaks down in deep space and a CCF research vessel comes to his aid, Tanner realizes he's in terrible danger: the scientists on board have blocked his distress call. And when Tanner's prisoner escapes, he begins to suspect that the proximity of the research vessel had nothing to do with luck and everything to do with the CCF's relentless reach.
Facing near-certain death by his own organization, Tanner must unravel a tangled skein of vengeance, duplicity and murder in deep space. But he's being held at the will of master puppeteers, and if he can't cut the strings, he'll dance straight to a gruesome, excruciating death….
A Tanner Sequence Novel

Review:
Kyle Tanner is a homicide detective working in space as part of the CCF (Confederate Combined Forces). He is known as an investigator who “always gets his man”. Tanner is almost always called in for the most serious murders. Of course, the CCF generally tries to keep murders quiet as they like the public to think that all is calm, quite and orderly. In truth, government dissidents are fiercely hunted and eliminated. Even Tanner and his partner, Shaheen, are becoming concerned about the excesses of the Council and thinking of ways to escape.

Tanner has captured the 'Grim Reaper' serial killer and is looking to take a break until his superior tells him that the Council is requiring him to personally deliver the prisoner for execution. Shaheen decides to come along on the trip so they won’t be apart and to perhaps make other plans. Midway between space ports their ship systems die, leaving them completely stranded in the void of space. They have no way to reach out to anyone for help so they are surprised and relieved when another ship approaches.

The 'rescuing' ship is a CCF scientific research vessel which has had similar malfunctions but had some systems survive. Their engineer has been working to get the other systems back on line. The small crew agrees to take Tanner and Shaheen on board to help although Tanner immediately notices the tension and realizes that the explanations they are being given do not really make sense. When Tanner discovers a body of a crew member that no one mentioned things quickly become even more tense as he insists on investigating. Tanner realizes why capturing the Grim Reaper was easier than expected as he begins to make connections between the scientific crew and his prisoner.

Author Timothy Johnston does a remarkable job of developing a twisted mystery with numerous suspects and lots of danger. I was pulled into the scenario very quickly and eager to keep reading to watch Tanner struggle to stay alive so he can solve another killing! There is a bit of technical, scientific detail that goes beyond my ability, or desire, to comprehend. Still it adds depth without hurting the story. Johnston does provide some graphic murder details and forensic autopsy description that some might find makes them queasy. That part I enjoy – not the gruesome parts but the science of it.

This would read fine as a stand alone but I recommend reading the books in order. I found the growth of Tanner, that has him interviewing the prisoner, interesting. The mystery is well developed with clever twisting and some final tangents that are well done even if not so surprising. I really liked the Agatha Christie style reveal too. I highly recommend this series to readers who enjoy detailed mysteries - whether earth bound or in space.

I received this ebook from the author for an honest review before release on March 30. 

Book Review with Giveaway: The Freezer (The Tanner Sequence) by Timothy S. Johnston

This is another sharp, intense mystery with heart-pounding suspense.

The Freezer (The Tanner Sequence)
by Timothy S. Johnston

File Size: 542 KB
Print Length: 308 pages
Publisher: Carina Press (August 25, 2014)
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
ASIN: B00KPJNL3E
Genre: Mystery, Sci Fi
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: August 25, 2014
A Tanner Sequence Novel
2402 AD
CCF homicide investigator Kyle Tanner and his girlfriend are on their way to Pluto, en route to a new life together. Just one little death to check out in the asteroid belt first. But when you're as tangled up in conspiracy as Tanner is, a few hours on a case can change your life. Or end it.

The mystery is a strange one—one man dead, a cryptic message his dying breath. Still, Tanner's ready to wrap it up until another gruesome murder shakes him to his core. The discovery of a microscopic bomb near his own heart offers the first faint clue, but the clock is ticking. He has four days….

A desperate search for answers takes Tanner to The Freezer, an isolated facility on one of Jupiter's moons. With anti-CCF dissidents targeting the facility, a team of scientists conducting experiments the military would rather remain hidden, and a mysterious man in white hunting him on the ice, Tanner will have to choose his allies carefully. Putting his faith in the wrong person will leave him bleeding out in seconds.

Review:
Lieutenant Kyle Tanner has a reputation as one of the most persistent and best CCF homicide investigators. He used to be a lone wolf but, since his last case, The Furnace, he has been enjoying recently discovered emotions with his new girlfriend, Shaheen. They are traveling to Pluto to start a new life together when Tanner is assigned a new case that takes him to a base known as “The Freezer” located on an ice moon of Jupiter.

The case begins when a doctor is found dead having left a cryptic message accusing his murderer of 'having reached him'. Tanner learns that the man died of a microscopic bomb that erupted near his heart and a similar device has been found within Tanner. The clock is ticking as Tanner forces two other doctors and a civilian engineer to return to The Freezer where the connections lead.

Tanner and his companions aren’t particularly welcomed. The other scientists and the station leader are clearly hostile, frightened and hiding more than a murder. Tanner soon realizes that he is dealing with several Confederacy dissidents who should have been turned in by the leader but, for some reason, were not. This adds an additional layer of hostility among the scientists. A second murder and sabotage to communications result in making everyone a suspect and it is hard for Tanner to know who, if anyone, can be trusted.

Tanner is sharp and keenly observant as he puts together pieces of information to uncover the motive and murderer. Tanner is challenged not only by the uniquely dangerous surroundings and a deranged, superhuman opponent, but also by his own grief and exhaustion as he races against external and internal deadlines.

I really like the plot details and the non-stop, heart- pounding action of this series. Author Johnston uses finely crafted, unique twists and details to create the mystery and intertwine the characters. There is continual danger and suspense with surprises just as the reader thinks the situation is under control. The story is told in first person by Tanner sharing an interesting view of calm precision and dedication in his job mixed with rare glimpses of emotional turmoil. The wonderful deduction process is summed up showing how Tanner pieces the facts together. My final reaction at completion was somewhere between “whew” and “wow”! I definitely look forward to the next Tanner ‘roller coaster’ mystery!

~~~~~~~~~~~~

This story begins with a great opening quote from Poe [“The boundaries which divide Life from Death are at best shadowy and vague. Who shall say where the one ends, and where the other begins?...”], then slides into a good hook:

I left Mars on a Tuesday in a jumpship bound for Ceres and I didn’t know it at the time but by Saturday I would be dead.    (Location 8.)

I received this title from the author for an honest review.

The author has graciously offered the following for Giveaway:
a) Mobi format eBook copy of The Freezer (available after release 8/25/14) - open worldwide
b) Mobi format eBook copy of the first book The Furnace - open worldwide
c) Five signed covers of The Freezer - US and Canada only.


d) One TSJ Mug - US and Canada only. 

ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY for chance 

to win items a) through d)

ENTRY FORM HERE

(Don't forget to fill in the form for entry!

I have noticed a few commenters who forgot to enter through the Form.)

For 3 Extra Bonus entries comment on the review, OR

visit THE AUTHOR'S WEBSITE and tell me something you like/learned there.

* This contest is open as noted: worldwide for ebook copies; US or Canada for swag items.
* This contest will close 5 PM (Central) August 23, 2014.
WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED after August 23, 2014.
Winners will have 72 hours to respond on the winners form linked in the announcement or by email.

Book Review and Giveaway: The Furnace (The Tanner Sequence) by Timothy S. Johnston

This is an intense mystery in an interesting and dangerous sci fi setting.

The Furnace (The Tanner Sequence)
by Timothy S. Johnston

File size: 1220 KB
Print Length: 390 pages
Publisher: Carina Press (December 23, 2013)
ASIN: B00F942TT2

Genre: Mystery, Sci Fi
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: December 23, 2013
Dead Space, 2401 AD

Kyle Tanner is about to die. Alone, floating in a vacsuit only a few million kilometers from a massive, uncaring sun, he has barely enough time or juice to get out a distress signal before either his oxygen runs out or he succumbs to the radiation.

When the CCF sent investigator Kyle Tanner to SOLEX One, a solar energy harvester past Mercury, he thought it would be an open-and-shut murder case. A crew member was found dead, minus his head and hands. Not the worst Tanner has ever seen, but the deeper he delves, the more nightmarish it becomes. A shadowy figure, bleeding from his hands, assaults Tanner in his quarters. Then two more turn up dead, missing their heads and hands as well.

With no one to trust and everyone a suspect—even the intriguing chief engineer, Shaheen—Tanner must navigate a crew on the brink of madness to uncover a conspiracy that could threaten the whole of the human race. Even if it means making the ultimate sacrifice…

Review:
This sci fi mystery grabs you from the opening as the protagonist investigator, Kyle Tanner, is drifting in space and dictating the report of how the murders and deaths occurred - including his own. Kyle sets up some background explaining his role as a reluctantly famous homicide investigator and enforcer. He continues explaining his assignment from Mercury to investigate a suspicious death on a far off space station known as SOLEX One. The space station, beyond Mercury and close to the sun, houses a small crew with four scientists who are studying and harvesting solar energy while all hoping they stay shielded from the risk of radiation.

The death Kyle is to investigate could have been an accident except for the bizarre fact that someone cut off and disposed of the head and hands post-mortem. Kyle begins his methodical interviews which clearly trigger a problem as he discovers when he is attacked in his cabin. Soon two more bodies are found, missing their heads and hands, and Kyle knows there is foul play afoot.

Everyone at SOLEX is a suspect until Kyle can uncover clues for motive and opportunity. Along the way he begins to form an attachment with the uniquely beautiful and brilliant chief engineer, Shaleen. Piece by piece he pulls together evidence that reveals a devastatingly dangerous plot of revenge. Shaleen is able to help with computer details as well as survival functions as the station suffers sabotage - not only at the hands of the murderer but by Kyle himself trying to trap the killer.

I really like Kyle as a no-nonsense investigator and it is interesting to watch as he purposefully decides that maybe he can stretch his life, and emotions, to include another person, Shaleen. The conspiracy plot is wonderfully diabolical and frightening as a bio-engineered assassination plan goes out of control.

The story is well written and engaging. The technicalities of the scientific elements are sufficiently explained to make it understandable to non-scientific readers. The author even supplies diagrams of the Station to help orient the activities during the investigation. Although the killing and decapitation is macabre, this is definitely a twisted mystery, not a horror story. I highly recommend this to those who love a good homicide investigation story.

I selected this book from NetGalley for review.

ENTER THE GIVEAWAY: The author contacted me and has generously offered an ebook copy of this sci fi mystery for Giveaway as well as five signed covers!

ENTRY FORM HERE
Don't forget to fill in the form for entry!
I have noticed a few commenters who forgot to enter through the Form.

For 3 Extra Bonus entries comment on the review OR
visit the author's website and tell me something you like/learned there.

* This contest is open WORLDWIDE.
* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) February 28, 2014.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.
WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED after February 28, 2014.
Winners will have 72 hours to respond by email or the winners form linked in the announcement.