Places in the Darkness

3 stars (releases Nov. 7,2017)

I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was a fairly good sci fi book and an easy read. The story takes place at a space station above Earth that is touted to develop the latest technology, while at the same time providing refuge to people trying to escape their problems on Earth. Everyone has a job on the station, sometimes more than one, and they take their free time very seriously. Black market booze, underground sex parlors, prostitution and fight clubs dominant the inhabitants’ time off. The peace is kept by a government security force, for which our lead character Nikki “Fix” Freeman works. She also has a lucrative side business providing security and problem-fixing for the more seedy businesses of the station.

A grisly murder is committed on the same day a new straight-laced government person, Alice, is put in charge of the station. Upon the advice of another by-the-book government official, Alice assigns Nikki to investigate the crime. As the bodies start to pile up and Alice and Nikki’s memories start to falter, it’s a race to find out who and what is behind the new crime wave.

The book gets a bit too technical at times and bogs down in the middle. Despite the space station setting, it’s still just a murder mystery with a few twists and turns along the way. Overall it’s an ok read with a fairly satisfying ending.