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Reliance Sinclair #1
On Impulse
Heather Texle launches with a thrilling, non-stop, action-packed novel that is a blend of space opera adventure and sci-fi murder mystery that won the 2023 Minnesota Author Project contest in Adult Fiction. If you enjoy books with a strong female lead, a sass-talking spaceship’s computer, an annoyingly hot detective who won’t give up, and more action scenes that you can shoot a blaster at, then this book is for you!
When the Department trained me to catch criminals, I never dreamed I’d become one.
Agent. Suspect. Intergalactic fugitive.
I was one of them until I shot my partner in self-defense. Even though the Department cleared me of wrongdoing, my co-workers didn’t agree. They turned their backs on me, so I turned my back on them. My partner’s actions never made sense. After ignoring my gut for a year, I asked my tech-genius best friend to dig into it.
Now Jarrett’s gone dark, and I soon discover he’d been brutally murdered. An officer finds me standing over the body, blaster in hand. Even I admit it looks bad.
There’s no way I can trust the Department to investigate further—not if I'm already the prime suspect. My only option is to run. Is it impulsive? Sure. Will having law enforcement dog me across the galaxy make life difficult? Most certainly. I’ll have to stay one step ahead of them if I want to solve Jarrett’s murder and clear my name.
Doing that will require every trick the Department taught me—and a few I learned on my own.
Grab it now to find out what mystery Jarrett uncovered and to what extreme Reliance will go to in order to bring her friend’s killer to justice.
When the Department trained me to catch criminals, I never dreamed I’d become one.
Agent. Suspect. Intergalactic fugitive.
I was one of them until I shot my partner in self-defense. Even though the Department cleared me of wrongdoing, my co-workers didn’t agree. They turned their backs on me, so I turned my back on them. My partner’s actions never made sense. After ignoring my gut for a year, I asked my tech-genius best friend to dig into it.
Now Jarrett’s gone dark, and I soon discover he’d been brutally murdered. An officer finds me standing over the body, blaster in hand. Even I admit it looks bad.
There’s no way I can trust the Department to investigate further—not if I'm already the prime suspect. My only option is to run. Is it impulsive? Sure. Will having law enforcement dog me across the galaxy make life difficult? Most certainly. I’ll have to stay one step ahead of them if I want to solve Jarrett’s murder and clear my name.
Doing that will require every trick the Department taught me—and a few I learned on my own.
Grab it now to find out what mystery Jarrett uncovered and to what extreme Reliance will go to in order to bring her friend’s killer to justice.
271 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 4, 2023
94 people are currently reading
128 people want to read
About the author
Heather Texle
4 books26 followersHEATHER TEXLE is the award-winning author of the Reliance Sinclair science fiction series who finds inspiration in quirky, weird, and I-can’t-believe-that’s-true things. With a lifelong passion for learning, Heather is fascinated with the creativity and ingenuity of the human spirit. She also adores a good conspiracy theory.
After graduating college, Heather moved to Minnesota where she attained her law degree and continues to live with her husband and two cats, Mew and Spots. Despite once being stranded in the Gulf of Mexico on a burning cruise ship, she loves to travel and can often be heard muttering “I miss Scotland” on cool, rainy days. Her debut novel, On Impulse, won the 2023 Minnesota Author Project contest for Adult Fiction.
For more information about Heather and her work, follow her online on FaceBook, Goodreads, and BookBub. You can also sign up for her newsletter and receive a free Reliance Sinclair story at www.heathertexle.com.
After graduating college, Heather moved to Minnesota where she attained her law degree and continues to live with her husband and two cats, Mew and Spots. Despite once being stranded in the Gulf of Mexico on a burning cruise ship, she loves to travel and can often be heard muttering “I miss Scotland” on cool, rainy days. Her debut novel, On Impulse, won the 2023 Minnesota Author Project contest for Adult Fiction.
For more information about Heather and her work, follow her online on FaceBook, Goodreads, and BookBub. You can also sign up for her newsletter and receive a free Reliance Sinclair story at www.heathertexle.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
February 6, 2025
I am one of the judges of team Space Girls for the SPSFC4 contest. This review is my personal opinion. Officially, it is still in the running for the contest, pending any official team announcements.
Status: Yes
Read: 100%
I tend to be off the loop with things in general, so I haven't been closely following the books from other review teams in the competition. Apparently this book was a quarterfinalist last year, just don't know from which team and by how many decimals of points it was not a semifinalist.
On Impulse starts very strong with nonstop thrills. Our protagonist Reliance is waiting in a street market filled with overpriced fruits for her ex coworker to show up for a strange meeting. When he fails to show up, she visits his condo and encounters a horrible crime scene that reminded me of the movie Seven by its sheer brutality.
Due to the combination of bad luck (and poor thinking on her behalf), she prefers to run from the cops for a crime she never comitted. There's plenty of scenes in the book that reminded me of Memoirs of a synth, where she female lead is planet hopping pretty frequently, giving us nice glimpses of different worlds.
The writing is certainly polished, although I did see two mistyped homophomes (for example taught vs taut and steel vs steal). The prose alone is putting this book in the top 25% quartile of the books I have sampled so far and I really enjoyed the first chapter and corporate crime mystery that is slowly being revealed.
Now, I have read quite a few participating competition books with sorta morally grey but mostly law abiding protagonists running from cops doing reckless things. And when you read enough books with the same popular themes, they need to work extra hard to stand out. So if there was any criticism I could have with this book, it would be that I keep on comparing it to other books that I really loved and feel the other book did X or Y trope better.
I also would have liked additional clarity about the spaceship AI Felix. From the vague description, it is a human sized cat robot that likes tossing mugs on the floor? Not sure, but I certainly liked Felix despite him (it?) appearing in so few scenes. The AI reminds me of a funnier version of Hot Ice Hilda's spaceship AI in the first few episodes of Outlaw Star. Unlike most books with fugitive antiheros, the cops in this book are insanely efficient tracking people down (but nobody uses retina scanners for odd reasons). Half of Reliance's problems in the book would be solved if she learned how to use acting prowess to divert cop attention away instead of recklessly running. ^_^'
---
Update: Finished the full book, and looking back, while 90% of Reliance's problems would have been avoided (and thus rendering the book much shorter) if she had just cooperated with DECA cops from the beginning... Well, there is a huge event halfway in the book that might not have worked if she didn't go AWOL blowing up a really expensive satellite, steal clothes, punch a lowly cop, evade arrest, and... well... her rap sheet seems pretty long.
If the reader can be patient with the nonstop reckless cop chasing chapters, the reward at the halfway point of the novel is guaranteed. Trust me, it is one of those books that gets better as the story progresses.
Now, I can't really talk much more because, ahem... spoilers. Only that I continue feeling miffed the DECA cops can get warrants so ridiculously easy. They make those crime TV drama shows like Special Victims Unit look like amateurs efficient. Which is so bizarre for me cuse I know beforehand how much red tape is needed just to ask for white sheets of paper and printer ink. ^_^' But hey, this is a Sci-Fi book, so maybe efficient underpaid government agencies can exist.
I also got introduced to a new word called sofacide. And Walnut the gerbil is adorable. Oh, and what is with the IV punzocat turned into weapon scene? I suppose a #14 gauge one might be kinda sharp and sturdy, but they are just flimsy tubular plastic. A pen would have worked better. Rest of the medical scenes seemed otherwise well done. The medication mentioned in the book doesn't exist in real life, but it has a cool name that probably would belong to the barbiturate family if it did.
For the time being, this book can be enjoyed as a standalone with a satisfying conclusion. However, if a sequel ever comes out, I would be really excited to read it and enjoy more (mis)adventures of Reliance Sinclair.
4.5 stars!
Status: Yes
Read: 100%
I tend to be off the loop with things in general, so I haven't been closely following the books from other review teams in the competition. Apparently this book was a quarterfinalist last year, just don't know from which team and by how many decimals of points it was not a semifinalist.
On Impulse starts very strong with nonstop thrills. Our protagonist Reliance is waiting in a street market filled with overpriced fruits for her ex coworker to show up for a strange meeting. When he fails to show up, she visits his condo and encounters a horrible crime scene that reminded me of the movie Seven by its sheer brutality.
Due to the combination of bad luck (and poor thinking on her behalf), she prefers to run from the cops for a crime she never comitted. There's plenty of scenes in the book that reminded me of Memoirs of a synth, where she female lead is planet hopping pretty frequently, giving us nice glimpses of different worlds.
The writing is certainly polished, although I did see two mistyped homophomes (for example taught vs taut and steel vs steal). The prose alone is putting this book in the top 25% quartile of the books I have sampled so far and I really enjoyed the first chapter and corporate crime mystery that is slowly being revealed.
Now, I have read quite a few participating competition books with sorta morally grey but mostly law abiding protagonists running from cops doing reckless things. And when you read enough books with the same popular themes, they need to work extra hard to stand out. So if there was any criticism I could have with this book, it would be that I keep on comparing it to other books that I really loved and feel the other book did X or Y trope better.
I also would have liked additional clarity about the spaceship AI Felix. From the vague description, it is a human sized cat robot that likes tossing mugs on the floor? Not sure, but I certainly liked Felix despite him (it?) appearing in so few scenes. The AI reminds me of a funnier version of Hot Ice Hilda's spaceship AI in the first few episodes of Outlaw Star. Unlike most books with fugitive antiheros, the cops in this book are insanely efficient tracking people down (but nobody uses retina scanners for odd reasons). Half of Reliance's problems in the book would be solved if she learned how to use acting prowess to divert cop attention away instead of recklessly running. ^_^'
---
Update: Finished the full book, and looking back, while 90% of Reliance's problems would have been avoided (and thus rendering the book much shorter) if she had just cooperated with DECA cops from the beginning... Well, there is a huge event halfway in the book that might not have worked if she didn't go AWOL blowing up a really expensive satellite, steal clothes, punch a lowly cop, evade arrest, and... well... her rap sheet seems pretty long.
If the reader can be patient with the nonstop reckless cop chasing chapters, the reward at the halfway point of the novel is guaranteed. Trust me, it is one of those books that gets better as the story progresses.
Now, I can't really talk much more because, ahem... spoilers. Only that I continue feeling miffed the DECA cops can get warrants so ridiculously easy. They make those crime TV drama shows like Special Victims Unit look like amateurs efficient. Which is so bizarre for me cuse I know beforehand how much red tape is needed just to ask for white sheets of paper and printer ink. ^_^' But hey, this is a Sci-Fi book, so maybe efficient underpaid government agencies can exist.
I also got introduced to a new word called sofacide. And Walnut the gerbil is adorable. Oh, and what is with the IV punzocat turned into weapon scene? I suppose a #14 gauge one might be kinda sharp and sturdy, but they are just flimsy tubular plastic. A pen would have worked better. Rest of the medical scenes seemed otherwise well done. The medication mentioned in the book doesn't exist in real life, but it has a cool name that probably would belong to the barbiturate family if it did.
For the time being, this book can be enjoyed as a standalone with a satisfying conclusion. However, if a sequel ever comes out, I would be really excited to read it and enjoy more (mis)adventures of Reliance Sinclair.
4.5 stars!
May 29, 2025
[This review can also be found on my BLOG]
**I read this book as a judge for the fourth annual Self Published Science Fiction Competition (SPSFC), this review is solely my own and does not reflect the opinions of the whole team**
CW: violence, blood, injury, murder, death, kidnapping/confinement, medical content/trauma, vomit
--
On Impulse follows Reliance Sinclair, ex-agent for the Department of Enforcement of Criminal Affairs as she discovers that a friend who was helping her get to the bottom of a personal mystery is murdered. Officers find her at the scene of the crime and her rash decision to run marks her as the prime suspect. With the DECA on her tail Reliance follows the few clues that she has in order to clear her name and avenge her friend. Along the way she stumbles upon a handful of other mysterious deaths connected to her original mission which may lead her to more than just the answers she’s looking for.
With a fast moving pace and a protagonist that you can’t help but get behind regardless of how unreasonable her choices are, this is a book that draws you in from the first chapter.
Reliance is as reckless as she is quick-witted which is such a chaotic combination. I really liked her resourcefulness when it came to disguises , how she adapted her outfits so quickly to get out of tricky situations was a fun part of the story. However, you could see it from a mile away that at some point her luck was going to run out and following her on her journey was equally amusing and face-palm worthy.
For someone called Reliance this woman has some major trust issues and the details on her past are sparingly given so unpacking that side of her is a sort of slow burn over the course of the story. Her inclination to works solo doesn’t stop her from crossing paths and interacting with a handful of interesting acquaintances along the way though. My favourite relationship in the book was the one that she had with Felix, the AI of her ship the Soteria which is uploaded to a mechanical cat avatar. I thought this was a really fun play on the animal companion trope and I wish we had gotten more page time with them together. Just as entertaining was the chase and banter that Reliance had with Grayson Wright, the DECA agent who was on her tail and the little found family dynamic that his team had was also brilliant.
One thing I would have liked a bit more from was the worldbuilding. There is of course quite a bit of planet hopping and while Texle’s narration provided vivid descriptions for these places in the moment, I think these trips being quite short meant the different settings sort of blurred together so didn’t stand apart to me. The technology side of the things and how it tied into the unfolding mystery was interesting though.
Admittedly the development of the case had its moments of predictability and I found the catching the bad guys part of the conclusion to be a bit sluggish and anticlimactic but overall this was a fairly enjoyable read.
**I read this book as a judge for the fourth annual Self Published Science Fiction Competition (SPSFC), this review is solely my own and does not reflect the opinions of the whole team**
CW: violence, blood, injury, murder, death, kidnapping/confinement, medical content/trauma, vomit
--
On Impulse follows Reliance Sinclair, ex-agent for the Department of Enforcement of Criminal Affairs as she discovers that a friend who was helping her get to the bottom of a personal mystery is murdered. Officers find her at the scene of the crime and her rash decision to run marks her as the prime suspect. With the DECA on her tail Reliance follows the few clues that she has in order to clear her name and avenge her friend. Along the way she stumbles upon a handful of other mysterious deaths connected to her original mission which may lead her to more than just the answers she’s looking for.
With a fast moving pace and a protagonist that you can’t help but get behind regardless of how unreasonable her choices are, this is a book that draws you in from the first chapter.
Reliance is as reckless as she is quick-witted which is such a chaotic combination. I really liked her resourcefulness when it came to disguises , how she adapted her outfits so quickly to get out of tricky situations was a fun part of the story. However, you could see it from a mile away that at some point her luck was going to run out and following her on her journey was equally amusing and face-palm worthy.
For someone called Reliance this woman has some major trust issues and the details on her past are sparingly given so unpacking that side of her is a sort of slow burn over the course of the story. Her inclination to works solo doesn’t stop her from crossing paths and interacting with a handful of interesting acquaintances along the way though. My favourite relationship in the book was the one that she had with Felix, the AI of her ship the Soteria which is uploaded to a mechanical cat avatar. I thought this was a really fun play on the animal companion trope and I wish we had gotten more page time with them together. Just as entertaining was the chase and banter that Reliance had with Grayson Wright, the DECA agent who was on her tail and the little found family dynamic that his team had was also brilliant.
One thing I would have liked a bit more from was the worldbuilding. There is of course quite a bit of planet hopping and while Texle’s narration provided vivid descriptions for these places in the moment, I think these trips being quite short meant the different settings sort of blurred together so didn’t stand apart to me. The technology side of the things and how it tied into the unfolding mystery was interesting though.
Admittedly the development of the case had its moments of predictability and I found the catching the bad guys part of the conclusion to be a bit sluggish and anticlimactic but overall this was a fairly enjoyable read.
July 5, 2025
Read for the SPSFC4 finals
Honestly there was nothing bad here, but I was not compelled to keep reading either. My favorite pair of characters came in towards the end and I wanted to know more about them!
I've got mixed feelings about an ex agent who tends to bunk up a lot of things and get caught easily when getting into shenanigans. She doesn't do a ton of research or think things through, gets caught easily, and goes in with no plan most of the time... maybe her partner shot at her because she was a safety risk 😂😂
On the other hand, the pets are hilarious. It was a give and take with this book but the pace did keep moving. ⭐⭐⭐✨
Honestly there was nothing bad here, but I was not compelled to keep reading either. My favorite pair of characters came in towards the end and I wanted to know more about them!
I've got mixed feelings about an ex agent who tends to bunk up a lot of things and get caught easily when getting into shenanigans. She doesn't do a ton of research or think things through, gets caught easily, and goes in with no plan most of the time... maybe her partner shot at her because she was a safety risk 😂😂
On the other hand, the pets are hilarious. It was a give and take with this book but the pace did keep moving. ⭐⭐⭐✨
June 12, 2025
I love lots of action and this story has plenty, in addition to a former cop that doesn’t know when to quit, even when she should, a ship’s avatar in the form of a large cat, and a rescued guinea pig that both add a bit of humor in the midst of some fairly dark events. Reliance Sinclair is a former cop that discovers her best friend has been murdered and then runs away from law enforcement, believing that if she were captured, no one else would be able to find who was responsible. This leads her into a very dangerous situation, one that I didn’t expect, with lasting consequences. There was quite a bit of loss, mistreatment, torture and experimentation on unwilling subjects, but it all lead to a conclusion that was satisfying, although by that point I was thinking a little more blood thirsty and vengeful, but that’s just me. I’m curious where the relationship with handsome Grayson Wright will go, it looks like there’s some interest there on both sides, but it might not be appropriate, so there’s that. I guess I’ll just have to read On Impact, the next story in the series, to find out.
April 8, 2023
I loved this book!
The worldbuilding is great; the violence and body count weren't unexpected but were sad. And how can someone not love a book with an AI cat and a chipped guinea pig?!? On Impulse has mystery/thriller/sci fi adventure aspects and satisfied my love of all three genres. There is even a bit of possible romance with a definite hunk of smart man candy. Reliance is a fantastic narrator, and I enjoyed the well-written and thrilling story. I read it in KU but will buy it to reread, because it deserves many rereads. I'm looking forward to more of Reliance's adventures.
The worldbuilding is great; the violence and body count weren't unexpected but were sad. And how can someone not love a book with an AI cat and a chipped guinea pig?!? On Impulse has mystery/thriller/sci fi adventure aspects and satisfied my love of all three genres. There is even a bit of possible romance with a definite hunk of smart man candy. Reliance is a fantastic narrator, and I enjoyed the well-written and thrilling story. I read it in KU but will buy it to reread, because it deserves many rereads. I'm looking forward to more of Reliance's adventures.
September 20, 2023
On Impulse” is book one of the Reliance Sinclair Space Opera series. Heather Texle combines a thrilling, non-stop, action-packed blend of space opera adventure and sci-fi murder mystery, to tell the story of a well-trained detective, now-turned fugitive in a twisty homicide case.
Captain Reliance Sinclair of the Soteria finds her friend Jarrett tortured and killed in his house -his face is bloated and discolored in death, black flies swarming around his eyes and lips. Sinclair can easily tell that he has been dead for over four days and that his torturers were after information, as proven by the broken console in the living space. A forceful knock at the front door sends her sprinting for the bedroom window, and out towards her bike, in the hope that she will escape before the officers can contact the Andaress-4 Central Command, for grounding of all planets to orbit transports.
Readers are introduced to a protagonist who understands what will happen to her once she is summoned for questioning after interfering with a crime scene. It is with that awareness that she makes up her mind not to surrender or rely on the corrupt and incompetent law enforcement agency to bring her friend’s murderers to justice. It is also revealed that she will do anything, from incapacitating a satellite to defying a direct order, as the impulse to find her friend’s assassins continues to bite.
“On Impulse” features an outstanding crime story that is both intriguing and complex. Readers are invited to experience the protagonist’s roller coaster ride of emotions that sends her into risky and adrenalizing voyages. Her trauma is portrayed with exceptional sensitivity, and readers will find themselves rooting for her even at the helm of breaking the law. The interplay between planets, the almost-human interaction with technological characters, and the touching scenes combine to facilitate an unforgettable adventure, developed with prose that crafts every sentence until it beats to a rhythm of its own.
As the mystery disentangles, explosive mysteries emerge, and you won’t believe the ending. “On Impulse” is conclusively a winner in the sci-fi murder mystery category, and an accomplished surefire must-read, fit for readers of all ages.
Captain Reliance Sinclair of the Soteria finds her friend Jarrett tortured and killed in his house -his face is bloated and discolored in death, black flies swarming around his eyes and lips. Sinclair can easily tell that he has been dead for over four days and that his torturers were after information, as proven by the broken console in the living space. A forceful knock at the front door sends her sprinting for the bedroom window, and out towards her bike, in the hope that she will escape before the officers can contact the Andaress-4 Central Command, for grounding of all planets to orbit transports.
Readers are introduced to a protagonist who understands what will happen to her once she is summoned for questioning after interfering with a crime scene. It is with that awareness that she makes up her mind not to surrender or rely on the corrupt and incompetent law enforcement agency to bring her friend’s murderers to justice. It is also revealed that she will do anything, from incapacitating a satellite to defying a direct order, as the impulse to find her friend’s assassins continues to bite.
“On Impulse” features an outstanding crime story that is both intriguing and complex. Readers are invited to experience the protagonist’s roller coaster ride of emotions that sends her into risky and adrenalizing voyages. Her trauma is portrayed with exceptional sensitivity, and readers will find themselves rooting for her even at the helm of breaking the law. The interplay between planets, the almost-human interaction with technological characters, and the touching scenes combine to facilitate an unforgettable adventure, developed with prose that crafts every sentence until it beats to a rhythm of its own.
As the mystery disentangles, explosive mysteries emerge, and you won’t believe the ending. “On Impulse” is conclusively a winner in the sci-fi murder mystery category, and an accomplished surefire must-read, fit for readers of all ages.
July 5, 2025
Great book.
Loved the characters, tech and action.
Can’t wait to read more.
Loved the characters, tech and action.
Can’t wait to read more.
February 23, 2025
100% read. I read this as one of the judges in the Space Girls team; opinion and rating are my own and do not reflect other team members. I am giving this a Yes to moving it forward to the "¼ finals" - this doesn't necessarily mean it's safe as it still awaits other team member's opinion.
I absolutely admired the protagonist Reliance Sinclair; a woman who goes the distance for people she cares about, is all about the smarts and skills and totally using them to her advantage.
Right from the start, this book is action packed; both physically and mentally so I remember feeling surprised that I'd only read 35% when I put it down because so much had occurred. I hoped that this wasn't going to be a book where ½ the book is all action which then gets dialed down or one where there is too much action to the detriment of the plot or too much bloat.
I picked this book up again this morning and finished the remaining 65% quite rapidly. The action and pacing remained steady and my worry about "bloat" was unfounded.
(I'm giving this 4 stars at present - I haven't done an "official" score yet. All the books I have given a Y to would score at least an 8/10)
I absolutely admired the protagonist Reliance Sinclair; a woman who goes the distance for people she cares about, is all about the smarts and skills and totally using them to her advantage.
Right from the start, this book is action packed; both physically and mentally so I remember feeling surprised that I'd only read 35% when I put it down because so much had occurred. I hoped that this wasn't going to be a book where ½ the book is all action which then gets dialed down or one where there is too much action to the detriment of the plot or too much bloat.
I picked this book up again this morning and finished the remaining 65% quite rapidly. The action and pacing remained steady and my worry about "bloat" was unfounded.
(I'm giving this 4 stars at present - I haven't done an "official" score yet. All the books I have given a Y to would score at least an 8/10)
February 27, 2025
I received this book from the SPSFC4 where I’m a judge. This book is one of our team’s quarter-finalists, so I’m doing a full review of it.
I love a good mystery. I also love a good mystery set in space!
This story wouldn’t make sense without Sinclair’s character, though. She’s not only smart and skilled, but she’d the kind of woman who’ll raw dog a 24-hour interstellar flight and go a day without eating. She’s not afraid to get her hands dirty. The book definitely does not skip over the gritty parts of being on the run - she’s grimy, she always needs a shower, and she suffers a lot of physical discomfort. And that’s what makes her likable. She’s sassy, but not enough to become a YA heroine (aka annoying), she’s brave but not foolhardy, and she has audacity as well as a conscience and morals. She’s very well-rounded and while we don’t learn a ton about her before she became a cop (and then stopped being a cop), her actions are what define her. I thought she was great.
And speaking of her skills, she’s reasonably skilled. She can pack a punch, but she can’t beat up three dudes on her own. Her biggest assets are her ability to think quickly on her feet, adapt, and stay one step ahead. I was constantly impressed by her costume changes to fool people following her and the smart ways she got out of situations.
The book has a great balance of her escaping on her own, fortuitous run-ins, and needing help from others. In this way, it felt realistic.
The side characters weren’t as fleshed out, though there were two introduced in the last little bit I really enjoyed, and the villains were as unlikable as they could be. The only thing that really disappointed me was the lack of something that seemed to be building but kind of fizzled out. I was like at 99% when I realized that nope, not going to happen. Why’d you do me like that?
The best side character was the AI cat construct that lives in her ship. Oh, and the gerbil. Animal sidekicks are the best.
The writing is quick and flows wonderfully, with lots of fun action, great dialogue, and a lack of the narrative issues I’ve seen in a great deal of self-published books.
The world-building is solid. Nothing really new - multiple worlds, evil corporations, gangsters, underworlds, FTL, etc., but the mystery was tied to the technology of the setting, which worked well. Actually, one thing I really liked was the focus on mass transit. In sci-fi, we often see a small group on their little ship or like the military ships, but we rarely see regular people commuting from one planet to another (Hyperion is an exception - that ending will always haunt me), so I liked how Sinclair utilizes public transports most of the time. I just really really like worldbuilding that takes into account real-world logistics.
I’ll wrap up by saying I love a good mystery, a sassy woman main character, and this one has a surprising turn of events a third of the way through that actually caught me off guard; I did not expect it, nor that it would turn out to be helpful later on (that was quite clever).
I highly recommend this book if you’re looking for a fun sci-fi mystery!
I love a good mystery. I also love a good mystery set in space!
This story wouldn’t make sense without Sinclair’s character, though. She’s not only smart and skilled, but she’d the kind of woman who’ll raw dog a 24-hour interstellar flight and go a day without eating. She’s not afraid to get her hands dirty. The book definitely does not skip over the gritty parts of being on the run - she’s grimy, she always needs a shower, and she suffers a lot of physical discomfort. And that’s what makes her likable. She’s sassy, but not enough to become a YA heroine (aka annoying), she’s brave but not foolhardy, and she has audacity as well as a conscience and morals. She’s very well-rounded and while we don’t learn a ton about her before she became a cop (and then stopped being a cop), her actions are what define her. I thought she was great.
And speaking of her skills, she’s reasonably skilled. She can pack a punch, but she can’t beat up three dudes on her own. Her biggest assets are her ability to think quickly on her feet, adapt, and stay one step ahead. I was constantly impressed by her costume changes to fool people following her and the smart ways she got out of situations.
The book has a great balance of her escaping on her own, fortuitous run-ins, and needing help from others. In this way, it felt realistic.
The side characters weren’t as fleshed out, though there were two introduced in the last little bit I really enjoyed, and the villains were as unlikable as they could be. The only thing that really disappointed me was the lack of something that seemed to be building but kind of fizzled out. I was like at 99% when I realized that nope, not going to happen. Why’d you do me like that?
The best side character was the AI cat construct that lives in her ship. Oh, and the gerbil. Animal sidekicks are the best.
The writing is quick and flows wonderfully, with lots of fun action, great dialogue, and a lack of the narrative issues I’ve seen in a great deal of self-published books.
The world-building is solid. Nothing really new - multiple worlds, evil corporations, gangsters, underworlds, FTL, etc., but the mystery was tied to the technology of the setting, which worked well. Actually, one thing I really liked was the focus on mass transit. In sci-fi, we often see a small group on their little ship or like the military ships, but we rarely see regular people commuting from one planet to another (Hyperion is an exception - that ending will always haunt me), so I liked how Sinclair utilizes public transports most of the time. I just really really like worldbuilding that takes into account real-world logistics.
I’ll wrap up by saying I love a good mystery, a sassy woman main character, and this one has a surprising turn of events a third of the way through that actually caught me off guard; I did not expect it, nor that it would turn out to be helpful later on (that was quite clever).
I highly recommend this book if you’re looking for a fun sci-fi mystery!
November 26, 2023
Reliance Sinclair is a former space cop with a haunted past and an uncertain future. We open on a human-settled alien planet, nicely situating us in the distant future of the interstellar diaspora that is the foundation (heh) of so much of my favourite sci-fi.
Sinclair is on her way to meet a friend who had been digging into something for her, possibly a conspiracy with a high risk of lid-off-blowing and a potential to go all the way to the top. But there's much more to this than a very solid set of action / procedural tropes piled up on that excellent sci-fi premise I mentioned. If that was all there was, it would be fine - who doesn't love a Lethal Weapon / Fugitive in space? But this story has a bit more, and it's told with feeling.
The Fugitive bit starts when Sinclair finds her friend tortured and killed. When she is discovered at the scene of the crime, she runs (on impulse, see?) because she's the only one who can really get all the lid-blowing and top-going done here. She's chased by a Good Cop named Wright, and an interplanetary game of cat and mouse (and guinea pig) begins, taking them from the seamy underbelly of organised space crime to the lofty towers of the space CEO classes. And it's pretty darn great. Well written, easy to read, and action that clips along nicely.
I made a note quite early in my read-through: "Iko is a real cunt and if he doesn't get his just desserts at the end I'm giving this book three stars." I was inordinately annoyed by that guy. I know he was a plot device but he was a very irritating plot device, and I wanted him to face creative mob-honour justice for his crime of being a useless piece of shit. I'll circle back to this later.
I was entertained by the clever weaving of futuristic tech and settings into the chase between Sinclair and Wright, and the solving of the case itself. The economic system was solid and the facial-recognition and other identification methods were nicely done.
One thing I noticed quite a lot was how the author laid it on thick with the ageism. Numerous times through the story, Sinclair is commented on and even thinks to herself about being 'too old' for various considerations, and I gathered she was in her early thirties? I wasn't sure if there was a purpose to this, beyond the comment on the way society treats the value of women. It's an important piece of cultural signpostage and I appreciate it being highlighted this way. It was actually really grating and gave me a moment of 'damn, women put up with this a lot, don't they?' Consider the lesson taken on board, although obviously I am a perfect gentleman and am sensitive to this sort of thing anyway. Let's all do better.
The initialism IBMD made me laugh every time for some reason, although I'm not sure whether it was because of IMDB or IBD. Maybe it was a combination of both. Well anyway, the story was exciting and entertaining and thought-provoking, and had enough critique of present-day corporate stoogery and arms dealing to make the villains' villainy compelling. It's not what I would call a complete story, since it is something of a setup to a larger series, but it was satisfying enough for a first chapter. I remain annoyed at the lack of proper closure but obviously something has to remain for later adventures. Even so ... justice schmustice, I want revenge.
Sex-o-meter
There's not really any sex, only a few vaguely sexy thoughts from the characters. They had other things going on and sex wasn't the focus here. Weirdly, I found the story to be a little bit male-gazey (although not to any uncomfortable degree), which is funny because I understood this was written by a woman, but - shit, look, it's 2023 AD and I guess any author can male-gaze if they want to and I should check my prehistoric misconceptions at the door. No but seriously, there was a funny kind of focus on the curvy lady agents and the protagonist was dressed and undressed and even had her hair done in an amusingly kid-experimenting-with-Barbie way, and that sounds harsh but I really did just find it funny and vicariously titillating. Hell, maybe it's just me being a sucker for the technogoth look and appreciating the fact that it was adequately described in the text. Oh, and Reliance and Wright had a real will-they-won't-they thing going on that will probably continue in the other Reliance Sinclair novels, but if will-they-won't-they counted as sex ... it doesn't. It doesn't count as sex. On Impulse scores a will-they-won't-they out of a possible sex.
Gore-o-meter
Starting with the gruesome death of Sinclair's friend and carrying on through a series of firefights and crime syndicate battles and some very unpleasant lab experiment and associated killings, this book had its share of viscera but it wasn't all in all that gory a tale. Two flesh-gobbets out of a possible five.
WTF-o-meter
There wasn't much WTF here either. The setting and the technology was pleasingly advanced and clever, but it was all more or less explicable. This wasn't about weirdness, this was about a corporation and its evil mega-rich head turning the posthuman technological revolution into a weapon and subsequent revenue stream. The only truly un-answerable question in the book was whether you'd rather have a robot cat AI avatar, or a chip-enhanced super guinea pig as a pet. One for the ages, that is. Let's give this one a perfectly realistic robot frog out of a possible workshop full of creepy half-built robot clowns and stuff on the WTF-o-meter (that was a Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? vs. Blade Runner joke).
My Final Verdict
From the outset, this was a well-written and very readable story. But! Iko didn't get what he deserved. “It’s more of a frenemy situation" my goddamn arse, that sucked. But okay, the book was better than that, and doesn't deserve the three stars I threatened to give it. Indeed, the fact that I felt so strongly about it is a credit to the author. So, four stars it is. But in my heart, it's three stars. Fuck you, Iko.
Sinclair is on her way to meet a friend who had been digging into something for her, possibly a conspiracy with a high risk of lid-off-blowing and a potential to go all the way to the top. But there's much more to this than a very solid set of action / procedural tropes piled up on that excellent sci-fi premise I mentioned. If that was all there was, it would be fine - who doesn't love a Lethal Weapon / Fugitive in space? But this story has a bit more, and it's told with feeling.
The Fugitive bit starts when Sinclair finds her friend tortured and killed. When she is discovered at the scene of the crime, she runs (on impulse, see?) because she's the only one who can really get all the lid-blowing and top-going done here. She's chased by a Good Cop named Wright, and an interplanetary game of cat and mouse (and guinea pig) begins, taking them from the seamy underbelly of organised space crime to the lofty towers of the space CEO classes. And it's pretty darn great. Well written, easy to read, and action that clips along nicely.
I made a note quite early in my read-through: "Iko is a real cunt and if he doesn't get his just desserts at the end I'm giving this book three stars." I was inordinately annoyed by that guy. I know he was a plot device but he was a very irritating plot device, and I wanted him to face creative mob-honour justice for his crime of being a useless piece of shit. I'll circle back to this later.
I was entertained by the clever weaving of futuristic tech and settings into the chase between Sinclair and Wright, and the solving of the case itself. The economic system was solid and the facial-recognition and other identification methods were nicely done.
One thing I noticed quite a lot was how the author laid it on thick with the ageism. Numerous times through the story, Sinclair is commented on and even thinks to herself about being 'too old' for various considerations, and I gathered she was in her early thirties? I wasn't sure if there was a purpose to this, beyond the comment on the way society treats the value of women. It's an important piece of cultural signpostage and I appreciate it being highlighted this way. It was actually really grating and gave me a moment of 'damn, women put up with this a lot, don't they?' Consider the lesson taken on board, although obviously I am a perfect gentleman and am sensitive to this sort of thing anyway. Let's all do better.
The initialism IBMD made me laugh every time for some reason, although I'm not sure whether it was because of IMDB or IBD. Maybe it was a combination of both. Well anyway, the story was exciting and entertaining and thought-provoking, and had enough critique of present-day corporate stoogery and arms dealing to make the villains' villainy compelling. It's not what I would call a complete story, since it is something of a setup to a larger series, but it was satisfying enough for a first chapter. I remain annoyed at the lack of proper closure but obviously something has to remain for later adventures. Even so ... justice schmustice, I want revenge.
Sex-o-meter
There's not really any sex, only a few vaguely sexy thoughts from the characters. They had other things going on and sex wasn't the focus here. Weirdly, I found the story to be a little bit male-gazey (although not to any uncomfortable degree), which is funny because I understood this was written by a woman, but - shit, look, it's 2023 AD and I guess any author can male-gaze if they want to and I should check my prehistoric misconceptions at the door. No but seriously, there was a funny kind of focus on the curvy lady agents and the protagonist was dressed and undressed and even had her hair done in an amusingly kid-experimenting-with-Barbie way, and that sounds harsh but I really did just find it funny and vicariously titillating. Hell, maybe it's just me being a sucker for the technogoth look and appreciating the fact that it was adequately described in the text. Oh, and Reliance and Wright had a real will-they-won't-they thing going on that will probably continue in the other Reliance Sinclair novels, but if will-they-won't-they counted as sex ... it doesn't. It doesn't count as sex. On Impulse scores a will-they-won't-they out of a possible sex.
Gore-o-meter
Starting with the gruesome death of Sinclair's friend and carrying on through a series of firefights and crime syndicate battles and some very unpleasant lab experiment and associated killings, this book had its share of viscera but it wasn't all in all that gory a tale. Two flesh-gobbets out of a possible five.
WTF-o-meter
There wasn't much WTF here either. The setting and the technology was pleasingly advanced and clever, but it was all more or less explicable. This wasn't about weirdness, this was about a corporation and its evil mega-rich head turning the posthuman technological revolution into a weapon and subsequent revenue stream. The only truly un-answerable question in the book was whether you'd rather have a robot cat AI avatar, or a chip-enhanced super guinea pig as a pet. One for the ages, that is. Let's give this one a perfectly realistic robot frog out of a possible workshop full of creepy half-built robot clowns and stuff on the WTF-o-meter (that was a Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? vs. Blade Runner joke).
My Final Verdict
From the outset, this was a well-written and very readable story. But! Iko didn't get what he deserved. “It’s more of a frenemy situation" my goddamn arse, that sucked. But okay, the book was better than that, and doesn't deserve the three stars I threatened to give it. Indeed, the fact that I felt so strongly about it is a credit to the author. So, four stars it is. But in my heart, it's three stars. Fuck you, Iko.
June 19, 2025
DISCLAIMER - I received a free copy of this book to review for the 2024/25 Self-Published Science Fiction Competition (SPSFC).
There is a lot to like about this fast paced, science fiction/murder mystery. First, I loved the protagonist, Captain Reliance Sinclair. I mean, how can you not like a character named Reliance. She is strong willed and capable, and yet entirely “human”. Second her spaceship is fast, sleek, and named Soteria, which I figure is an homage to the Greek goddess of safety, salvation, deliverance, and preservation from harm. Third, her computer’s avatar is not only a cat but it is named Felix, hopefully named after the cartoon cat originally created in 1919. Fourth, Reliance’s adversary is Grayson Wright, a fully developed and multifaceted character.
Dashing around the universe, while avoiding the police who have mistakenly, branded her as a murderer, Reliance faces numerous obstacles while trying to save the universe from a truly horrible villain. If you like space adventure wrapped up in a murder mystery you will love this book.
While this book is not perfect, it is a great first effort by new author Heather Texle. My complaints are all about the science. I am a hard science fiction fan and Texle takes quite a few liberties with the laws of physics. From interstellar space ships that can be ready to launch in minutes, to FTL (faster than light) space travel, to radio communications that are neither limited by distance or the speed of light, Texle ignores science for the sake of a good storyline. So, sit back and enjoy this fun and exciting read while closing your eyes to the fictional science.
There is a lot to like about this fast paced, science fiction/murder mystery. First, I loved the protagonist, Captain Reliance Sinclair. I mean, how can you not like a character named Reliance. She is strong willed and capable, and yet entirely “human”. Second her spaceship is fast, sleek, and named Soteria, which I figure is an homage to the Greek goddess of safety, salvation, deliverance, and preservation from harm. Third, her computer’s avatar is not only a cat but it is named Felix, hopefully named after the cartoon cat originally created in 1919. Fourth, Reliance’s adversary is Grayson Wright, a fully developed and multifaceted character.
Dashing around the universe, while avoiding the police who have mistakenly, branded her as a murderer, Reliance faces numerous obstacles while trying to save the universe from a truly horrible villain. If you like space adventure wrapped up in a murder mystery you will love this book.
While this book is not perfect, it is a great first effort by new author Heather Texle. My complaints are all about the science. I am a hard science fiction fan and Texle takes quite a few liberties with the laws of physics. From interstellar space ships that can be ready to launch in minutes, to FTL (faster than light) space travel, to radio communications that are neither limited by distance or the speed of light, Texle ignores science for the sake of a good storyline. So, sit back and enjoy this fun and exciting read while closing your eyes to the fictional science.
June 19, 2025
I couldn't put it down. A brilliant sci-fi murder mystery with plenty of action.
The main character, Reliance Sinclair, is a former agent, supremely funny and competent, and still she makes some bad choices. When she finds her friend murdered, she flees the scene and becomes the prime suspect in a homicide case. With the handsome Agent Wright on her heels, Reliance Sinclair sets out to track down the real murderers and stumbles upon a much bigger case.
Neural implants (for rodents), illegal weapons tech, flying car chases, robotic lizard cats, and a guinea pig. This book has a bit of everything. The story takes place in the far future on several terraformed planets and moons, all inhabited by humans and their pets. The technology is interesting, and the characters, human as well as cavy, are skilfully written.
I very much enjoyed this, and I’ll be looking out for the sequel.
The main character, Reliance Sinclair, is a former agent, supremely funny and competent, and still she makes some bad choices. When she finds her friend murdered, she flees the scene and becomes the prime suspect in a homicide case. With the handsome Agent Wright on her heels, Reliance Sinclair sets out to track down the real murderers and stumbles upon a much bigger case.
Neural implants (for rodents), illegal weapons tech, flying car chases, robotic lizard cats, and a guinea pig. This book has a bit of everything. The story takes place in the far future on several terraformed planets and moons, all inhabited by humans and their pets. The technology is interesting, and the characters, human as well as cavy, are skilfully written.
I very much enjoyed this, and I’ll be looking out for the sequel.
April 24, 2023
Overall I liked this book. I enjoyed the characters and the world building was pretty good. I thought the writing in the book improved as it progressed (Not that it was bad to start but I did feel it improved). I wish I had highlighted the specific things I saw to give a better example. I look forward to the next installment.
**** spoiler****
I wish there had not been eye stabbing specifically in the lab situation, the hospital one wasn't great but not nearly as disturbing. I was seriously concerned I was going to have nightmares from the lab piece. I hope there is no more of that in the future books.
**** spoiler****
I wish there had not been eye stabbing specifically in the lab situation, the hospital one wasn't great but not nearly as disturbing. I was seriously concerned I was going to have nightmares from the lab piece. I hope there is no more of that in the future books.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 26, 2025
I read On Impulse as part of a judging team for the fourth annual Self-Published Science Fiction Competition (SPSFC4), where it is a semifinalist.
This is a sci-fi thriller featuring a tenacious lead trying to unravel a conspiracy, and it by and large plays the hits. There are a few moments that strain credulity, and the villains can be a bit mustache-twirly at times, but it’s engaging and well-paced, with a fun main character who banters well with the space cop on her tail.
There’s no reinventing the wheel here, but it’s a fast-paced and fun read, and sometimes that’s what you need.
First impression: 14/20. Full review and SPSFC score to come at www.tarvolon.com
This is a sci-fi thriller featuring a tenacious lead trying to unravel a conspiracy, and it by and large plays the hits. There are a few moments that strain credulity, and the villains can be a bit mustache-twirly at times, but it’s engaging and well-paced, with a fun main character who banters well with the space cop on her tail.
There’s no reinventing the wheel here, but it’s a fast-paced and fun read, and sometimes that’s what you need.
First impression: 14/20. Full review and SPSFC score to come at www.tarvolon.com
June 9, 2025
Reliance by Heather Texle is a heart-pounding sci-fi thrill ride. Reliance is a badass ex-agent on the run, using her elite skills to uncover a deadly conspiracy. The action is nonstop, the tension’s high, and that annoyingly attractive detective chasing her? Perfectly frustrating. The cliffhanger ending has me counting down to Book 2. If you’re a fan of The Expanse or Killjoys, this one’s a must-read!
June 19, 2025
Kept me up way past my bedtime!
I found Reliance to be an intriguing protagonist, and the fast-paced story kept me turning the pages (hence the aforementioned loss of sleep...). I thoroughly enjoyed delving into this new-to-me world and getting to know Reliance's enemies and allies alike - not least of all Felix, her ship's feline avatar - but I'll have to admit that Walnut took my by surprise and stole a piece of my heart in record time.
More, please?
I found Reliance to be an intriguing protagonist, and the fast-paced story kept me turning the pages (hence the aforementioned loss of sleep...). I thoroughly enjoyed delving into this new-to-me world and getting to know Reliance's enemies and allies alike - not least of all Felix, her ship's feline avatar - but I'll have to admit that Walnut took my by surprise and stole a piece of my heart in record time.
More, please?
April 4, 2023
Gripping, #unputdownable
I’ve been anxiously awaiting this release since reading Texle’s On Insight (free on her website when you sign up for the newsletter). This is a captivating murder mystery set in space with an interesting look at the future of personal tech. It is fast-paced and action-packed with an uncanny mix of futuristic and realistic.
I’ve been anxiously awaiting this release since reading Texle’s On Insight (free on her website when you sign up for the newsletter). This is a captivating murder mystery set in space with an interesting look at the future of personal tech. It is fast-paced and action-packed with an uncanny mix of futuristic and realistic.
July 22, 2023
I was split 90% of the time on whether I wanted to strangle Sinclair or pat her on the back consolingly. I appreciated the title after I read the entire thing.
I enjoyed the world building and the action was fast paced.
I was low key annoyed by Sinclair and I hope she progresses and doesn't relapse.
I enjoyed the world building and the action was fast paced.
I was low key annoyed by Sinclair and I hope she progresses and doesn't relapse.
June 25, 2025
I was not expecting a lot from this book and it started out seeming a bit derivative. But as I got further into the book it came into its own and kept me interested until the closing chapter. It does a good job of evoking other planets and locations in a far-flung space-dwelling society. I hope to read the next in the series and it was well worth the read.
August 19, 2025
When Reliance finds out her friend has been murdered because he was searching for information she requested, all she want is revenge.
On the run from her former colleagues she burns fast though armcuffs and planets.
But, having learned from the best, she tries to find the culprit.
This does not go without some fights, violence and betrayal like any space opera.
Nice plot and fun to read.
On the run from her former colleagues she burns fast though armcuffs and planets.
But, having learned from the best, she tries to find the culprit.
This does not go without some fights, violence and betrayal like any space opera.
Nice plot and fun to read.
August 19, 2025
On Impulse by Heather Texle is a thrilling sci-fi adventure that combines action-packed space opera with a murder mystery. The story follows Captain Reliance Sinclair, a well-trained detective turned fugitive, as she navigates a complex web of corruption to clear her name. With its fast-paced and engaging plot, this book is perfect for fans of strong female leads and space thrillers.
December 23, 2025
This was an enjoyable space adventure and while the protagonist can be slightly cumbersome at times (having a 'plan' now and then might be a good idea), I do like the ensemble that was created by the end of this book and it's kept me interested in reading more. I can't wait to see more Felix and Walnut - if this were on TV, they'd be the stars of the show. ;)
February 17, 2025
Loved the way she handled this often-hacked plot. We all know how this scenario is going to end, but the author led us through in very interesting and entertaining ways.
I'm looking forward to the rest of the series.
I'm looking forward to the rest of the series.
May 25, 2025
Sassy, sharp, great pilot and in trouble being accused of murdering her partner. She had been on the detective intelligence dept until her partner is murdered. She finds him and immediately leaves the current solar system to find who dunnit. Very enjoyable.
July 11, 2025
Solid Fun
I liked the main character, a lot. It was a satisfying story, not ending in a cliffhanger. The supporting cast were fun, especially the space cat! Looking forward to book two.
I liked the main character, a lot. It was a satisfying story, not ending in a cliffhanger. The supporting cast were fun, especially the space cat! Looking forward to book two.
August 1, 2025
Impressive
I loved the characters, human and others, and the plot. The twists and turns kept me reading non-stop. The technology and fight scenes are believable. Heather Texle has written an altogether excellent story.
I loved the characters, human and others, and the plot. The twists and turns kept me reading non-stop. The technology and fight scenes are believable. Heather Texle has written an altogether excellent story.
August 31, 2025
good story
This was a good story, and introduction to this series. Four stars instead of five only because of the occasional unnecessary use of profanity. It added nothing to the story and seemed out of place.
This was a good story, and introduction to this series. Four stars instead of five only because of the occasional unnecessary use of profanity. It added nothing to the story and seemed out of place.
September 30, 2023
I was pulled into Reliance Sinclair’s world and can’t wait to find out what happens next. Full of action and suspense.
July 29, 2024
Enjoyable sci-fi story with intrigue and mystery
February 22, 2025
Was an amazing story can’t wait to reread it
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