ALPHA OMEGA

 

ALPHA OMEGA

By Van Allen Plexico

White Rocket Books

776 pgs

 

We love space opera. From our earliest childhood days reading Flash Gordon and Buck Rogers in the Sunday cartoon pages to growing up with Star Trek, Deep Space Nine, Babylon 5, Stars Wars and Battle Star Galacta, to discovering the pulp hero Captain Future. All these series mesmerized us with their ray-blasting adventures out among the stars. And now, in the middle of the New Pulp revolution comes the greatest space opera novel of them all, “Alpha Omega” by multi-award-winning writer, Van Allen Plexico. 

Coming in at a whopping 776 pages, this mega book delivers so much action, suspense, thrills and breath-taking space battles, we see it as a space opera “Shogun.” Plexico is such a skilled storyteller, his grasp of pacing is wonderful. When one considers the length of this tale and the challenge of multiple characters, it’s incredible how he pulls it off. He never once allows the narrative to slow down; skillfully moving from one scene to the next. From the conflicts in our own solar systems, where a secret Russian cabal known as Omega is plotting a coup against allied United Nations, to space satellites, colonies on Mars and Alpha Centuri the action whips along. Never mind the spy vs spy manipulations going on behind the scenes. His three main protagonists, American Naval officers, Corrigan, Maguire and Wolfe are classically molded heroes, able to outwit their foes at every turn and then, using ingenious tactics, overcome dead overwhelming odds thrown at them. 

Bottom line, regardless of genre, “Alpha Omega” is one of the greatest books this reviewer has ever had the pleasure of reading. Thank you, Mr. Plexico, you made us feel young again.

THE WHOLE ART OF DETECTION

 

THE WHOLE ART OF DETECTION

Lost Mysteries of Sherlock Holmes

By Lyndsay Faye

The Mysterious Press

347 pgs

 

Ever since Arthur Conan Doyle bestowed upon the world his marvelous characters, hundreds of writers have written Sherlock Holmes pastiches. Some of have been highly successful with their efforts while others dismal failures. Still only a rare few brilliant in capturing the genuine Doyle essence of Homes and Watson. One of the latter is Lyndsay Faye, who, in this collection of fifteen tales, demonstrates an uncanny ability to portray Doyle’s heroes in a revealing light. 

Rest assured all the mysteries are adequate to applaud, but the treasure lies in the poignancy in which she exposes the affection shared by these two men; one an almost naïve romantic with a backbone of steel and other a pragmatic, nearly emotionless genius whose destain of civilized society is sad. That the two have, over the course of their partnership, become fast friends is remarkable and the heart of this book. Though all the stories contained are entertaining, “An Empty House” is my favorite of the bunch for the reason previously stated.

“The Whole Art of Detection” is wonderful and a delight for any avowed Holmes fan. Thank you, Lyndsay Faye.

MYSTERY OF THE MIDNIGHT SOLDIERS

 

MYSTERY OF THE MIDNIGHT SOLDIERS

By Darryle Purcell

A Buckskin Edition Western

181 pgs

 

In this latest outing, Monogram’s three amigos, Press Writer Curly Woods, chauffeur Nick Danby and western screen star Hoot Gibson are recruited by FBI Agent Jim Webber to investigate a senior facility for veterans located in the mountains. Webber suspects foreign agents are using the place to smuggle weapons intended for subversive Communist regimes around the world.  

Upon arriving at the facility, the boys discover that the doctor in charge is using a potent hallucinogenic gas to induce realistic nightmares on the residents. These scenarios having been culled from their combat experiences. His belief is by reliving their worst memories, the old patriots will be able to expunge them completely. Thus our heroes find themselves dealing with horrific midnight attacks by Nazis, Japanese soldiers and other past foes.  

They soon stumble upon a cache of hidden weapons only to be cut off by a violent mountain storm that washes out the only road to the home. At the same time, the saboteurs working at the retreat cut the phone lines thus starting an all-out assault on the residents and our heroes. Soon it’s a full-on battle, with Curly, Nick and Hoot in the middle of it. But can they hold out until the cavalry can come to rescue?  

Once again Darryle Purcell offers up a fast pace, fun actioner with some of the most likeable characters in pulp fiction today. This series is literary popcorn, once you’re read one of them, you have to go back and read them all.