Manhattan In Reverse
And Other Stories
-
- ¥1,000
Publisher Description
A major collection of short fiction from Peter F. Hamilton, New York Times bestselling author of Pandora’s Star, The Dreaming Void, and many other epic science fiction novels—including a brand-new novella starring detective Paula Myo
Fans of the Commonwealth Saga will enjoy the return of Paula Myo, the genetically engineered police investigator whose single-minded pursuit of justice runs up against a postwar citizenry eager to forget old crimes. In the all-new novella “Manhattan in Reverse,” Paula is dispatched to the backwoods planet of Menard after a docile, supposedly nonintelligent alien species attacks peaceful human settlers. Menard may have to be evacuated—something the planet’s corporate owners and human populace are prepared to resist . . . perhaps with targeted aggression.
Violence hits closer to home in “The Demon Trap” in which Paula’s investigation of a gruesome act of terrorism leads into unexpected political, technological, and philosophical waters, threatening the course of human evolution.
Time travel has never been so tricky—or so deadly—as it is in “If at First . . .,” in which Metropolitan Police detective David Lanson finds himself matching wits with a sociopath who might very well be from the future . . . or, at least, a future.
“Blessed by an Angel” is set in the Commonwealth Universe of the Void trilogy and features an alien visitor who offers the local human population a chance at paradise. But one species’ paradise may be another’s hell.
Three other thrilling pieces round out the collection—and showcase Peter F. Hamilton’s ability to weave scientific speculation into very human storytelling.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Best known for his lengthy space operas (The Dreaming Void, etc.), Hamilton clearly demonstrates his skill with shorter lengths in this collection of seven stories, published in the U.K. in 2011. Many of the stories adopt the form of mysteries, including the time travel story "If at First..." and the novella "Watching Trees Grow," which use science fictional speculation as the underpinning of the mystery. "The Forever Kitten" is a brief and understated but still disturbing tale of the use of antiaging treatments. The title story and "The Demon Trap" feature investigator Paula Myo, star of Hamilton's Commonwealth books, and serve as an excellent introduction to that series. The stories stand on their own without separate introductions or other context, demonstrating Hamilton's ability to handle a variety of topics, while repeated themes give the stories the feel of a connected narrative or discussion rather than separate pieces.
