Cold Eternity

This chilling blend of science fiction and horror from Barnes (Ghost Station) explores ethical questions about whistleblowing against the eerie backdrop of a spectral spaceship full of cryogenically preserved corpses. Halley Zwick goes into hiding to avoid testifying about the complex web of governmental corruption she accidentally uncovered. A job on the Elysian Fields provides the perfect cover. The ship was built more than 150 years ago as the impermanent resting place for early space colonists rich and famous enough to be cryogenically frozen, only to be later turned into a morbid, orbiting museum when reviving those frozen proved virtually impossible. The setting is creepy in itself, and Barnes teases out the tension with tantalizing hints about inhabitants of the ship who may be even more frightening than the corpses. The suspense builds to a fever pitch as Halley begins questioning her sanity. Barnes also paints a believable, if bleak, portrait of the state of humanity several centuries from now, which adds to the terror of the events unfolding within the novel. It’s not for the faint of heart. Agent: Suzie Townsend, New Leaf Literary. (Apr.)