This was a great follow-up to Cold As Ice. While the story featured some of the same characters, the plotline was not related at all. Sheffield's future Sol system continues to expand with intrigue and mystery. However, I don't think the story was as engaging as the first. Sheffield's attention to detail and realism hit the mark with me. If you've read my other reviews, you'll know that I love hard-scifi. ( )

Part of a sequence started with Cold as Ice, but basically a standalone. The major character is introduced in Cold as Ice, but Bat has a bigger role to play here. A couple of other cameos from people in the first book.

Haven't read the second, so don't know if there are any returnees from that.

However, you can pretty much read this on its own.

There's a SETI signal to try and work out, and a doomsday weapon to stop for Bat and the various other gurus of the Puzzle Network. Despite that, lacks the tension of the first in this setting.

http://notfreesf.blogspot.com/2008/12... ( )