Planetside

A combat veteran is plunged into danger on a remote planet in this blend of military invasion and scientific ambition. With just a year before retirement, the last thing Col. Carl Butler wants is to be sent on a politically touchy investigation on a distant, battle-torn world. His friend General Serata orders Butler to Cappa, where Lieutenant Mallot, son of a High Councilor, has disappeared. Cappa is a vital source of the silver needed for high-tech devices, but some of the native Cappans object to human mining activity. Once Butler arrives, Cappan insurgents are the least of his worries: someone’s trying to block his investigation. His efforts to find Mallot and bring the culprits to justice put Butler in the crosshairs of an unexpectedly deadly enemy on a mission that could be his last. The worldbuilding is weak, but Mammay capably writes Butler’s gritty, old-school soldier’s voice, and the story delivers enough intrigue and action for fans of military SF. Agent: Lisa Rodgers, JABberwocky Literary. (July)