The first book in a trilogy, I found this very slow to start. It took me a few attempts to get through the first couple of chapters, as I found the very similar acronyms and organisations to be confusing.

This is essentially a political spy novel set in space. Drew is an investigator working for two rival organisations, and is sent offworld to a remote space station to investigate a suspicious death. Of course, nothing on the space station is as it seems, and Drew's investigation uncovers a lot more than he expected to.

The alien race in the book is mildly humorous but could do with some more in-depth characterisation - I assume they will be expanded upon in future novels.

The book did pick up pace and the central portion of the book was enjoyable - less was made of the two organisations Drew is working for as a double agent, and more was focussed on the investigation itself and other events on the space station. Of course, it all linked back to itself in the end.

Looking forward to seeing where the trilogy leads.

*I received a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review ( )

Note: I received a free copy of this book via LibraryThing's Early Reviewer program.

This book is a spy thriller set in the far future when Earth participates in a galactic society of aliens and colonies of humans. Earth has a complex governmental structure, and is corrupt to boot. The story is about a spy and double agent assigned to a space station on the edge of Earth-controlled space.

Of course, I can't say much more about the plot than the premise above, or I'd have to hide my review because of spoilers. So I'll limit myself to my own reactions to the book. For me, it starts out slow. I was mildly confused by all the organizations, their acronyms and the protagonist's relationship to them. After about 10 pages, the pace of the novel really picks up. Like other books of this genre, there are lots of unexpected plot twists and our hero has no time to catch his breath. The author keeps us guessing about who is doing what to whom and why. It definitely earns the description "thriller". I also liked the variety of characters -- both human and alien -- who are believable and interesting.

Work through the first few pages, and you'll find a very satisfying "thrilling" spy novel with all the twists and turns a science fiction environment can give. ( )

When his best friend was found brutally murdered, Drew wasn't about to let anyone prevent him from conducting his own investigation. That is, until he's being sent to a remote space station as a double agent, to investigate another brutal death. Coincidence, or all part of the intricate power play between rivaling global security agencies?

This was an entertaining read, although I had trouble really engaging with the story. I found the main characters to be likeable and interesting, but the multiple story lines that the main character unveils as he makes its way through the confusing web of espionage spanning the story were hard to follow. The alien species' strange rituals and mysterious technology was a nice touch, but I found that it distracted the reader too much from the main elements of the story. But it's a nice universe and I wouldn't mind reading the next novel in the series. ( )

This is a reasonably well-written, quick-moving mystery/spy thriller set in outer space. Drew Townsend, a spy with a criminal background, is sent to Daisy Hub station to solve the murder of the previous station manager. He soon realizes this may not be the whole case, he may not be working for who he thought he was, and there are more players in the game than he originally expected. Undercover as the new station manager, Drew and we get to know his band of (sometimes comically) genius misfits, as they try to stave off an interstellar incident. An entertaining read with just enough science to be believable, action to be a thriller, and intrigue to be captivating. Recommended, looking forward to the second book in the trilogy. ( )

Drew Townsend is dispatched to a remote station for punishment, to solve a crime, or to do a wholly different job for which he, as a genius among geniuses, is uniquely qualified. The trouble is that even he may not know who he is really working for and whether the job he is supposed to do is the right thing, or if he should follow the unintended path he created right into the center of a battle of powerful political forces.

This book is a well-written fast-paced humorous caper that just keeps delivering on all of its promises. As the crime investigation unfolds to explore the best and worst of human nature, the rest of the complex layers of the story and the characters are revealed. The people are individuals with their own stories to tell, and Daisy Hub becomes a character in its own right. The politics are believable, and the mystery is a worthy one.

This was a fun read, and I am looking forward to the rest of the series. Marks has a way of bringing the story to life.

A review copy was provided by Edge-Lite in exchange for an honest review. This review and more at annevolmering.com. ( )