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Quadrail #1
Нощният влак за Ригел
Всичко започва, когато човекът, появил се от мрака на нощта, за да отнесе важно съобщение на бившия разузнавач Франк Комптън, рухва мъртъв в краката му. Съобщението е от мистериозните Паяци — загадъчни чуждоземци, които поддържат квадрелсовата железница, забележителна транспортна система, свързваща различните цивилизации в галактиката. Тяхното послание: някой се готви да атакува цялата мрежа и световете, които обслужва, с помощта на бойни кораби, прекарани през самата железница — нещо, което принципно е невъзможно.
320 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
735 people are currently reading
2262 people want to read
About the author
Timothy Zahn
489 books8,604 followersTimothy Zahn attended Michigan State University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in physics in 1973. He then moved to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and achieved an M.S. degree in physics in 1975. While he was pursuing a doctorate in physics, his adviser became ill and died. Zahn never completed the doctorate. In 1975 he had begun writing science fiction as a hobby, and he became a professional writer. He and his wife Anna live in Bandon, Oregon. They have a son, Corwin Zahn.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 290 reviews
December 4, 2025
Страхотно начало на вълнуваща космическа опера!
Тимъти Зан е създал едно чудно и оптимистично бъдеще за земляните, в което те са начинаеща звездна империя, в компанията на дванайсет други извънземни раси.
Добро описание на извънземните (обожавам войнствените му катеричоци, надявам се да ги има и по нататък), различни интересни светове, уникална система на придвижване между тях и естествено, заплетена интрига държаща те в напрежение до самия край на книгата.
Препоръчвам "Нощният влак за Ригел" на всички почитатели на sci-fi жанра, а следващите приключения на Франк Комдън ще ги прочета на английски.
Тимъти Зан е създал едно чудно и оптимистично бъдеще за земляните, в което те са начинаеща звездна империя, в компанията на дванайсет други извънземни раси.
Добро описание на извънземните (обожавам войнствените му катеричоци, надявам се да ги има и по нататък), различни интересни светове, уникална система на придвижване между тях и естествено, заплетена интрига държаща те в напрежение до самия край на книгата.
Препоръчвам "Нощният влак за Ригел" на всички почитатели на sci-fi жанра, а следващите приключения на Франк Комдън ще ги прочета на английски.
January 19, 2023
Okay, so I am just going to throw the maximum number of stars at this. It is always the ones you don't expect it from, that crawl under your skin.
Night Train To Rigel is a deceptively fun, sprawling space adventure in the James Bond mould. It also happens to centre around an intriguing concept, namely that of the Galaxy spanning Quadrail system.
I was standing inside the greatest engineering feat the universe had ever known.
The story is pretty twisty, as far as mysteries go, so expect a lot of deception and a number of reveals and plot pretzels right up to the last page. Admittedly, there isn't a lot of hard science here (if any) but as far as Space Operas go, I found this one pretty hard to put down. There are a number of alien races and a good portion of the narrative is dictated by the political undercurrents of "societal status" and the protocol expectations of the different races, but it never gets bogged down in red tape.
All in all, a lot of fun, with ever higher stakes and some good ol' humdinger reveals. There's even a smattering of horror thrown in, because, why not?
Night Train To Rigel is a deceptively fun, sprawling space adventure in the James Bond mould. It also happens to centre around an intriguing concept, namely that of the Galaxy spanning Quadrail system.
I was standing inside the greatest engineering feat the universe had ever known.
The story is pretty twisty, as far as mysteries go, so expect a lot of deception and a number of reveals and plot pretzels right up to the last page. Admittedly, there isn't a lot of hard science here (if any) but as far as Space Operas go, I found this one pretty hard to put down. There are a number of alien races and a good portion of the narrative is dictated by the political undercurrents of "societal status" and the protocol expectations of the different races, but it never gets bogged down in red tape.
All in all, a lot of fun, with ever higher stakes and some good ol' humdinger reveals. There's even a smattering of horror thrown in, because, why not?
June 16, 2011
This book is not meant to be thought-provoking; its characters are not meant to be great thinkers nor are they meant to be overly developed; it is not written to become the next Great American Novel. No - it is meant to be a fun romp, an homage to the spy flicks that it constantly references. The old spy flicks of the 60s-80s (even some of the newer ones) don't give us great characters, deep thinking or plot developments - they give us action, conspiracies, villains - and nifty gadgets. And, in keeping with the science fiction aspect of this book - weird aliens. Read it for what it is - brain candy. And enjoy it for that. I won't go into plot details - but if you are a fan of campy spy movies, sci fi kitsch or b-movies, I think you'll find this book to be a lot of fun.
And, of course, go out and buy Timothy Zahn's many other fabulous books, which DO give you wonderful characters and plots - he has several that I have read and enjoyed just as much. This is a multi-faceted, very talented author. For those who are disappointed in this book - well, go and try a few of his Star Wars books - I guarantee, even if you aren't a fan of Star Wars, you WON'T be disappointed. They are marvelous!
And, of course, go out and buy Timothy Zahn's many other fabulous books, which DO give you wonderful characters and plots - he has several that I have read and enjoyed just as much. This is a multi-faceted, very talented author. For those who are disappointed in this book - well, go and try a few of his Star Wars books - I guarantee, even if you aren't a fan of Star Wars, you WON'T be disappointed. They are marvelous!
December 16, 2024
„Нощният влак за Ригел“ е много добро съчетание на шпионски трилър и военна фантастика! В бъдещето човечеството се е присъединило към клуба на галактическите империи, а междузвездните пътешествия се извършват чрез футуристична квадрелсова железница. Сюжетът е изпълнен с вълнуващи обрати и политически интриги...
March 16, 2018
2.5
I think it took me a lifetime to read this book. Ok, maybe it just felt that way because I was bored for so much of it. Honestly, it's not a bad book. But I felt it went on longer than it needed to, considering the plot was just a guy riding a galactic train back and forwards, following handily laid out clues and reacting to things.
I might have just called a 'meh' read, except for one major oversight that I'm so tired of seeing. Zahn created a whole galaxy, full of several planets and a ton of different species. Do you know, there's not a single woman among them? Not one. Not one rides the train. Not one works in any of the stations. Not one was in a restaurant or hotel. Not one passes the main character on the street.
With the exception of his sidekick, the "beautiful but enigmatic agent of the Spiders," whose sole character trait is her lack of personality, there is not a single female of any sort in all 300+ pages of this book. AUTHORS, STOP DOING THIS.
This doesn't happen by accident. This isn't excusable because the book is about aliens. Not including females in your books is a choice you make and it infuriates me. I will most likely never read another Timothy Zahn book again. Because he's not a new author, and if he hasn't fixed this bad habit by this point in his career, he doesn't intend to and I can't be bothered with it.
I think it took me a lifetime to read this book. Ok, maybe it just felt that way because I was bored for so much of it. Honestly, it's not a bad book. But I felt it went on longer than it needed to, considering the plot was just a guy riding a galactic train back and forwards, following handily laid out clues and reacting to things.
I might have just called a 'meh' read, except for one major oversight that I'm so tired of seeing. Zahn created a whole galaxy, full of several planets and a ton of different species. Do you know, there's not a single woman among them? Not one. Not one rides the train. Not one works in any of the stations. Not one was in a restaurant or hotel. Not one passes the main character on the street.
With the exception of his sidekick, the "beautiful but enigmatic agent of the Spiders," whose sole character trait is her lack of personality, there is not a single female of any sort in all 300+ pages of this book. AUTHORS, STOP DOING THIS.
This doesn't happen by accident. This isn't excusable because the book is about aliens. Not including females in your books is a choice you make and it infuriates me. I will most likely never read another Timothy Zahn book again. Because he's not a new author, and if he hasn't fixed this bad habit by this point in his career, he doesn't intend to and I can't be bothered with it.
April 14, 2018
This is the first of a five book “Quadrail” series. And, my GR friends are likely aware that I know how it ends because I have previous reviewed books #3,4, and 5.
I liked this series so much that I have gone back to book #1 to see how it all began. Frank Compton, the best trouble-shooter/private eye in the known universe, is at the center of a very puzzling assignment that begins with a dying man who hands him a Quadrail ticket but no explanation. Very soon he finds that “the Spiders” want to hire his services. It is not long before we meet Bayta, whom the Spiders insist must be his partner. This is an affront to Compton who is a loner and likes to do things his way and his way alone.
There are plenty of alien species in this series including the Spiders who run the Quadrail (that can take anyone at faster than light speeds around the galaxy), as well as, Filiaelians, Juriani, Bellidos, Halkas, Shorshians, etc. Zahn has done an excellent job of “world building” and has thought out not only the physical aspects of these alien races but how their thought processes and cultures might differ and on what multiple species might collaborate.
Compton is a throwback to the Philip Marlowe-type. Zahn deftly handles this vibe in a world of the future. Here is an example that I feel illustrates this as Compton attempts to console Bayta.
“I’m sorry,” I said. “If it helps any, there was probably nothing you could have done to save him. If you’d been there, it would have been two of you dead instead of one.”
“I know that.” She took a deep breath, let it out tiredly. “But all the logic and reason in the world doesn’t help when someone was your friend.”
I turned away. “I’ll take your word for it.”
I could feel her eyes on me. “You have friends, Frank,” she said. “Or at least, they’re there if you want them.”
I’ll take your word for it,” I said again, a little more brusquely this time. I didn’t need her sympathy.”
Nothing is as it seems in this novel or the entire series. Action is almost non-stop and the dialogue is snappy. I’m glad that I went back for this book which demonstrates how well Zahn had all of this thought out from the start.
I liked this series so much that I have gone back to book #1 to see how it all began. Frank Compton, the best trouble-shooter/private eye in the known universe, is at the center of a very puzzling assignment that begins with a dying man who hands him a Quadrail ticket but no explanation. Very soon he finds that “the Spiders” want to hire his services. It is not long before we meet Bayta, whom the Spiders insist must be his partner. This is an affront to Compton who is a loner and likes to do things his way and his way alone.
There are plenty of alien species in this series including the Spiders who run the Quadrail (that can take anyone at faster than light speeds around the galaxy), as well as, Filiaelians, Juriani, Bellidos, Halkas, Shorshians, etc. Zahn has done an excellent job of “world building” and has thought out not only the physical aspects of these alien races but how their thought processes and cultures might differ and on what multiple species might collaborate.
Compton is a throwback to the Philip Marlowe-type. Zahn deftly handles this vibe in a world of the future. Here is an example that I feel illustrates this as Compton attempts to console Bayta.
“I’m sorry,” I said. “If it helps any, there was probably nothing you could have done to save him. If you’d been there, it would have been two of you dead instead of one.”
“I know that.” She took a deep breath, let it out tiredly. “But all the logic and reason in the world doesn’t help when someone was your friend.”
I turned away. “I’ll take your word for it.”
I could feel her eyes on me. “You have friends, Frank,” she said. “Or at least, they’re there if you want them.”
I’ll take your word for it,” I said again, a little more brusquely this time. I didn’t need her sympathy.”
Nothing is as it seems in this novel or the entire series. Action is almost non-stop and the dialogue is snappy. I’m glad that I went back for this book which demonstrates how well Zahn had all of this thought out from the start.
April 8, 2011
Futuristic Railway Intrigue. Disgraced former intelligence agent Frank Compton steps out of New Pallas Towers to find a freshly dead guy carrying a Quadrail ticket with Frank's name on it. Obviously Frank can't pass that up, and soon he's travelling on the space train, being followed by at least three people, and about to be offered a job he can't refuse: He has to prevent an intergalactic war. Or maybe an intragalactic one; it is NEVER clear.
Whatever, right? The most remarkable thing about this book is that we meet a lot of folks, humans, six different kinds of non-humans, the engineered Spiders that run the Quadrail, a hybrid or two, and we are on and off the train and in several train stations and a resort and in all that time there is only one female character. Everyone is male! Even, eventually, things that were originally referred to as "it" become "he"! It is miraculous.
So there's that. Also, the only emotion she ever shows is fear; I spent half the book suspecting her of being a robot. It's not entirely her fault. No one around here is particularly lively in the personality department. Our first person narrator Frank is a complete cipher and not an interesting one. This might as well have been written in a distant third.
On the other hand, this book does feature commando chipmunk people. Which is pretty awesome. And the villain, a variation on a science fiction classic, is threatening in all the right ways and is probably the best thing about this book. Too bad we have to wait so long before we meet it/him.
Two stars. From the beginning, the plot happens to Frank, and while that's partly appropriate -- he is in fact tangled up in a plot he doesn't understand until late in the game -- it only serves to emphasize his lack of agency. ALSO THERE IS ONLY ONE WOMAN IN THIS ENTIRE BOOK.
Whatever, right? The most remarkable thing about this book is that we meet a lot of folks, humans, six different kinds of non-humans, the engineered Spiders that run the Quadrail, a hybrid or two, and we are on and off the train and in several train stations and a resort and in all that time there is only one female character. Everyone is male! Even, eventually, things that were originally referred to as "it" become "he"! It is miraculous.
So there's that. Also, the only emotion she ever shows is fear; I spent half the book suspecting her of being a robot. It's not entirely her fault. No one around here is particularly lively in the personality department. Our first person narrator Frank is a complete cipher and not an interesting one. This might as well have been written in a distant third.
On the other hand, this book does feature commando chipmunk people. Which is pretty awesome. And the villain, a variation on a science fiction classic, is threatening in all the right ways and is probably the best thing about this book. Too bad we have to wait so long before we meet it/him.
Two stars. From the beginning, the plot happens to Frank, and while that's partly appropriate -- he is in fact tangled up in a plot he doesn't understand until late in the game -- it only serves to emphasize his lack of agency. ALSO THERE IS ONLY ONE WOMAN IN THIS ENTIRE BOOK.
October 23, 2018
Тимъти Зан не само още го може, но върви напред и нагоре. Двадесет години след „Кобра” и „Блекколар”, и десет след „Завоевателите” отново ни шамаросва със серийна военно-политическа фантастика с криминален уклон. И е добър, много е добър. Четивото е леко, динамично и ми донесе пълно удоволствие и почивка. Такива фантастики обичам, може би дори повече от социалните.
„Нощният влак за Ригел” е книга, която не те оставя да я оставиш. Интригата се заплита с всяка глава, залозите постоянно се вдигат, а финалът успява да изненада като шамар в тъмното.
За пореден път се убеждавам, че един добър и непретенциозен стил на писане, гарниран с рекомбинация на простички фантастични допуски, погледнати под необичаен ъгъл, може да донесе пълно удовлетворение на читателя, без да претендира за литературни висоти.
Човечеството с много мъка е успяло да се добере до престижната дванадесеторка на междугалактическите империи. За целта е набутало камара кинти в построяване на станции на квадрелсовата железница, – единственият способ за преодоляване на междузвездните пространства – която се управлява от мистериозните паяци.
Франк Комптън е бивш разузнавач на човечеството, който е забъркан насила в мащабна конспирация. Самите паяци са го харесали за свой агент и искат да предодврати огромно бедствие. С навлизането в ситуацията, Комптън установява, че нещата не са такива каквито му ги представят и не може да различи страните в назряващия междуимперски конфликт. След шеметно обикаляне по релсовите пътища и посещание на десетки екзотични дестинации, малко по малко положението се усложнява, вместо да се изяснява. Докато накрая...
Ахаааа, ще си го четете сами.
Много политика, убийства, двойни и тройни агенти, десетки раси и интересите им се преплитат по път�� на разследването, а явно крайната цел на някого е галактическа доминация.
„Нощният влак за Ригел” е книга, която не те оставя да я оставиш. Интригата се заплита с всяка глава, залозите постоянно се вдигат, а финалът успява да изненада като шамар в тъмното.
За пореден път се убеждавам, че един добър и непретенциозен стил на писане, гарниран с рекомбинация на простички фантастични допуски, погледнати под необичаен ъгъл, може да донесе пълно удовлетворение на читателя, без да претендира за литературни висоти.
Човечеството с много мъка е успяло да се добере до престижната дванадесеторка на междугалактическите империи. За целта е набутало камара кинти в построяване на станции на квадрелсовата железница, – единственият способ за преодоляване на междузвездните пространства – която се управлява от мистериозните паяци.
Франк Комптън е бивш разузнавач на човечеството, който е забъркан насила в мащабна конспирация. Самите паяци са го харесали за свой агент и искат да предодврати огромно бедствие. С навлизането в ситуацията, Комптън установява, че нещата не са такива каквито му ги представят и не може да различи страните в назряващия междуимперски конфликт. След шеметно обикаляне по релсовите пътища и посещание на десетки екзотични дестинации, малко по малко положението се усложнява, вместо да се изяснява. Докато накрая...
Ахаааа, ще си го четете сами.
Много политика, убийства, двойни и тройни агенти, десетки раси и интересите им се преплитат по път�� на разследването, а явно крайната цел на някого е галактическа доминация.
February 14, 2021
If the first half had been as good as the second half this book would have earned an extra star. The story took too long to really kick in and there was a real disconnect for me with the main characters. I enjoyed the concept of the Modhri.
February 23, 2017
“You humans are without a doubt the most hunch-driven species in the galaxy.”
Good story telling and plot. Enough layers to protagonist, companion, and various antagonists to keep the reader guessing. Frank Compton is either very lucky or very unlucky. Either way, he’ll be lucky to get through this alive.
“You’re making a big mistake.” “I do it all the time. I’m used to it."
Quibble: Why the “clack” of the Quadrail passing over “expansion joints”? Why not ride above the rails, like maglev? Especially since … (but that would be telling.)
“The procedure was standard … and not to be trifled with merely because it didn’t happen to make sense.”
Good story telling and plot. Enough layers to protagonist, companion, and various antagonists to keep the reader guessing. Frank Compton is either very lucky or very unlucky. Either way, he’ll be lucky to get through this alive.
“You’re making a big mistake.” “I do it all the time. I’m used to it."
Quibble: Why the “clack” of the Quadrail passing over “expansion joints”? Why not ride above the rails, like maglev? Especially since … (but that would be telling.)
“The procedure was standard … and not to be trifled with merely because it didn’t happen to make sense.”
August 10, 2024
JhanKla on the Train
Stellaris. The train is gone, but I've only just begun the Quadrail series. Thankfully, there are more books for me to enjoy in this delightful space opera I stumbled across in my goal to read as many books about trains as possible. This book is a wee bit different from the other books in the TBR Train collection I compiled. This 'Quadrail' is a railroad in space, stretching lightyears, connecting all the systems in the Galaxy. And, yet Timothy Zahn managed to squeeze all the train mystery tropes onto this intergalactic hulk.
The hero of the book, Frank Compton a 'guile hero,' outwits the bad guys with his sly and wily political maneuvering (rather than Science or physical power.) It comes across with a bit of the old-school panache of Men in Black. It is replete with alien worlds and alien races, segregated only by ability to pay class based train fare. And, it contains much imaginative technology that one can only wish for in any universe. Actually, the video game Stellaris was apparently built around Zahn's ideas. If I'm wrong about that then please inform me of the true source, but reading the book is so much like playing Stellaris. Then there is so much more here. One thing in particular that I hope Zahn continues to expand is the use of multiple encrypted communication systems in the sequels. That was definitely an enjoyable aspect of the story.
I read this book in the Kindle format, with the Stellaris game soundtrack playing for theme music. I usually use my android for both Kindle and Audible, because I prefer that over the old Kindle Touch I have (and never use anymore.) With split screen, I like to use an audio visualizer app such as Alien Worlds Music Visualizer, or Audio Lab to see the galaxies swirling to the tune of Stellaris' Alpha Centauri, The Celestial City, and Pillars of Creation while I read. This book is perfect for that. I'd read it bit by bit over a week, until today from the 60% mark I was unable to close the book until the conclusion. It is a very enjoyable Space Opera that I think many people could enjoy, although its probably more of a niche favorite and not a literary giant outside the sci-fi realm.
Stellaris. The train is gone, but I've only just begun the Quadrail series. Thankfully, there are more books for me to enjoy in this delightful space opera I stumbled across in my goal to read as many books about trains as possible. This book is a wee bit different from the other books in the TBR Train collection I compiled. This 'Quadrail' is a railroad in space, stretching lightyears, connecting all the systems in the Galaxy. And, yet Timothy Zahn managed to squeeze all the train mystery tropes onto this intergalactic hulk.
The hero of the book, Frank Compton a 'guile hero,' outwits the bad guys with his sly and wily political maneuvering (rather than Science or physical power.) It comes across with a bit of the old-school panache of Men in Black. It is replete with alien worlds and alien races, segregated only by ability to pay class based train fare. And, it contains much imaginative technology that one can only wish for in any universe. Actually, the video game Stellaris was apparently built around Zahn's ideas. If I'm wrong about that then please inform me of the true source, but reading the book is so much like playing Stellaris. Then there is so much more here. One thing in particular that I hope Zahn continues to expand is the use of multiple encrypted communication systems in the sequels. That was definitely an enjoyable aspect of the story.
I read this book in the Kindle format, with the Stellaris game soundtrack playing for theme music. I usually use my android for both Kindle and Audible, because I prefer that over the old Kindle Touch I have (and never use anymore.) With split screen, I like to use an audio visualizer app such as Alien Worlds Music Visualizer, or Audio Lab to see the galaxies swirling to the tune of Stellaris' Alpha Centauri, The Celestial City, and Pillars of Creation while I read. This book is perfect for that. I'd read it bit by bit over a week, until today from the 60% mark I was unable to close the book until the conclusion. It is a very enjoyable Space Opera that I think many people could enjoy, although its probably more of a niche favorite and not a literary giant outside the sci-fi realm.
May 3, 2016
Fun. Fairly smart but never deep. Zahn loves his mastermind protagonists but weaves the clues they follow fairly well. Cool central villian; weak secondary characters. Stand alone but got spun into a series.
December 29, 2017
The title was the best thing about this book.
September 7, 2020
Read as part of my ongoing shelf audit project. Verdict: definitely fun, but not a lot of re-read value.
One of the neat things about science fiction is that pretty much anyone who wants to write about space travel has to come up with their own chosen method of FTL (or go full slower-than-light generation ship, but that's a different kind of story). Sometimes it's super-hard-science-y, and sometimes it's just 'hyperspace, okay?'
And sometimes people go "Fuck it. None of this is truly accurate anyway, so... space trains."
I. love. it.
I have a weak spot for train travel in real life, despite living in a country with woefully underdeveloped train routes. If I could, I would do all my long-distance travel by train and I'd be singing songs about it the whole time. Trains in space? Sign me UP. It is so absurd and so delightful. The fact that they're always basically terrestrial trains on a very long detour makes it even better. Sure, space trains have the same kind of rows of seats and overhead baggage storage, and the corridors are narrow even though they have literally infinite room - yes, I am 100% bought into all of this.
Anyhow. There are things in this book other than the Quadrail, surprisingly. There's mystery and a galaxy-threatening plot and questions about everyone's motives! There is, as in Manta's Gift, a human thrust into multi-leveled, multi-species scheming where he becomes a linchpin only a little bit on purpose. The thing is, the plot isn't what it seems going in, and so it's impossible to discuss without spoilers. So, here are some of those:
On a fundamental level, clever twists and space trains aside, this is a fun mystery/space opera. I'm sort of iffy on Compton as a lead; he doesn't have a lot in terms of distinctive personality and it threw me out of the story every time i was reminded that his name is 'Frank'. Bayta had potential but sometimes came off as pretty melodramatic, as a character, and while I finished the book thinking Zahn had decided not to add a romantic angle to their relationship, the fact that it's only first in a series indicates that that's probably just yet to come. I'm... not really here for them so much as the world they live in.
And I think that's why I'll be content to just read this one and not the sequels. I find this universe and the unique sociopolitical impacts of the Quadrail interesting; I don't care about the characters all that much, and I feel like this book's antagonist has been thoroughly enough explored. The idea of reading more books with basically the same core conflict... nah. I think this one works as a stand-alone, and that's how I'm content to experience it.
One of the neat things about science fiction is that pretty much anyone who wants to write about space travel has to come up with their own chosen method of FTL (or go full slower-than-light generation ship, but that's a different kind of story). Sometimes it's super-hard-science-y, and sometimes it's just 'hyperspace, okay?'
And sometimes people go "Fuck it. None of this is truly accurate anyway, so... space trains."
I. love. it.
I have a weak spot for train travel in real life, despite living in a country with woefully underdeveloped train routes. If I could, I would do all my long-distance travel by train and I'd be singing songs about it the whole time. Trains in space? Sign me UP. It is so absurd and so delightful. The fact that they're always basically terrestrial trains on a very long detour makes it even better. Sure, space trains have the same kind of rows of seats and overhead baggage storage, and the corridors are narrow even though they have literally infinite room - yes, I am 100% bought into all of this.
Anyhow. There are things in this book other than the Quadrail, surprisingly. There's mystery and a galaxy-threatening plot and questions about everyone's motives! There is, as in Manta's Gift, a human thrust into multi-leveled, multi-species scheming where he becomes a linchpin only a little bit on purpose. The thing is, the plot isn't what it seems going in, and so it's impossible to discuss without spoilers. So, here are some of those:
On a fundamental level, clever twists and space trains aside, this is a fun mystery/space opera. I'm sort of iffy on Compton as a lead; he doesn't have a lot in terms of distinctive personality and it threw me out of the story every time i was reminded that his name is 'Frank'. Bayta had potential but sometimes came off as pretty melodramatic, as a character, and while I finished the book thinking Zahn had decided not to add a romantic angle to their relationship, the fact that it's only first in a series indicates that that's probably just yet to come. I'm... not really here for them so much as the world they live in.
And I think that's why I'll be content to just read this one and not the sequels. I find this universe and the unique sociopolitical impacts of the Quadrail interesting; I don't care about the characters all that much, and I feel like this book's antagonist has been thoroughly enough explored. The idea of reading more books with basically the same core conflict... nah. I think this one works as a stand-alone, and that's how I'm content to experience it.
January 20, 2021
That was a diverting and easy read. The best part about it was the interesting world that Zahn has created to justify Cold War -style railway spy thriller tropes, in space. Everything feels like the Bond theme is just about to start up in the background: we have booby-trapped luggage handles; interrogation scenes; sweeping the cabin for bugs; all manner of covert agencies working on the same problem; double crosses from old friends; secret papers being delivered by bullet-ridden couriers; close-quarters hand-to-hand combat in first class railway carriages; ice-bound luxury resorts hiding nefarious plots etc. But it’s aliens instead of SPECTRE.
It rattles along at a fair old pace, although the last few chapters do hit the reader with a huge infodump, setting up lots of stuff in preparation for the sequels.
Like a good detective novel, it does exactly what you expect from the cover blurb, and does it well.
Sidenote: Is Zahn naming some characters in honour of characters from Asimov’s Foundation trilogy? (We have a Bayta and a Hardin in there)
It rattles along at a fair old pace, although the last few chapters do hit the reader with a huge infodump, setting up lots of stuff in preparation for the sequels.
Like a good detective novel, it does exactly what you expect from the cover blurb, and does it well.
Sidenote: Is Zahn naming some characters in honour of characters from Asimov’s Foundation trilogy? (We have a Bayta and a Hardin in there)
January 24, 2023
Zahn takes a hardboiled noir mystery--most of it taking place on a train--but sets it in space. (Look, the Quadrail makes absolutely no sense to me, but you have to accept it.) The plot unfolds like a Cold War-esque film noir, takes a turn to the unexpected , and ends with perhaps too much info-dumping for future installments.
It bugs me, though, that Bayta is pretty much the only woman in this entire story, and she spends most of the plot either being robotically unemotional or a frightened damsel in distress. (Two very different extremes.) Zahn is capable of writing complex female characters, but his default for minor or background characters is always always male. I know he can do better! (Just look at the newer Thrawn books!)
It bugs me, though, that Bayta is pretty much the only woman in this entire story, and she spends most of the plot either being robotically unemotional or a frightened damsel in distress. (Two very different extremes.) Zahn is capable of writing complex female characters, but his default for minor or background characters is always always male. I know he can do better! (Just look at the newer Thrawn books!)
January 12, 2010
I always get the impression when reading Zahn that the book showing in my head is in black and white, not colour. This is less connected to any actual mentions of colours in the story, and more to the from-another-era feel of the tale. This is not to say that the story is poorly done, any more than Casablanca or The Apartment are poor films. The pacing is just different!
Oh, and I always get the impression while reading that there is no way I will ever be able to make a plot like this. It's just SOOO complex. And there's no "leading the reader" along by the hand, these things are HARD to figure out, if you even do.
With this story, Frank Compton comes out of his apartment one day and finds a man who falls dead at his feet, in the best tradition of old-style mysteries. What makes the naturally interesting dead body even more interesting, however, is the fact that the body is carrying nothing other than a ticket on the Quadrail, in Frank's name- complete with accurate biometric info. Frank decides the dead body is a great reason to leave town now, and takes advantage of the ticket.
And soon he's recruited to help evert galactic war, carrying poison gas in his suitcase, traveling with a beautiful woman with a paralyzing fear of coral and friendships, and he keeps meeting travellers who are pretending to be drunk for no visible reason. (You fear the things done with no reason even more than the obvious ones, in this kind of showdown) (Also I can tell you all these things and they aren't even spoilers because they take place in like the first four chapters of the book. MANY THINGS HAPPEN.)
I must say that after reading so many romances lately, it was rather surprising for there to be no romance in this story. I kept expecting it to start growing, and it kept not. :D There was friendship, sacrificial friendship! But not romance. On the other hand, this is only the first book in a series, so perhaps it will grow in the other four books in the series! Which I now must add to my list of Books To Buy. Sigh.
Oh, and I always get the impression while reading that there is no way I will ever be able to make a plot like this. It's just SOOO complex. And there's no "leading the reader" along by the hand, these things are HARD to figure out, if you even do.
With this story, Frank Compton comes out of his apartment one day and finds a man who falls dead at his feet, in the best tradition of old-style mysteries. What makes the naturally interesting dead body even more interesting, however, is the fact that the body is carrying nothing other than a ticket on the Quadrail, in Frank's name- complete with accurate biometric info. Frank decides the dead body is a great reason to leave town now, and takes advantage of the ticket.
And soon he's recruited to help evert galactic war, carrying poison gas in his suitcase, traveling with a beautiful woman with a paralyzing fear of coral and friendships, and he keeps meeting travellers who are pretending to be drunk for no visible reason. (You fear the things done with no reason even more than the obvious ones, in this kind of showdown) (Also I can tell you all these things and they aren't even spoilers because they take place in like the first four chapters of the book. MANY THINGS HAPPEN.)
I must say that after reading so many romances lately, it was rather surprising for there to be no romance in this story. I kept expecting it to start growing, and it kept not. :D There was friendship, sacrificial friendship! But not romance. On the other hand, this is only the first book in a series, so perhaps it will grow in the other four books in the series! Which I now must add to my list of Books To Buy. Sigh.
March 18, 2011
A distinctly fun read - Zahn has the quality of thrusting you knee-deep into the story within the first few paragraphs of a story and Night Train to Rigel is no different. Part political-intrigue, part suspense, part mystery, and full sci-fi, Zahn deliberately keeps you in the dark as the book proceeds letting you guess along with the characters where its all leading. And it's just the first book in the trilogy.
Harkening back to the "train movie" mysteries (à la "The Lady Vanishes" and "Terror by Night") this book recreates the same tension from the films - trapped on a speeding train with a killer and no where to run all while trying to solve the mystery before it's too late - but adds a uniquely Zahn flair. The quadrail is probably the most unique faster-than-light transportation system I've seen in books and it makes for very fun story.
While some might criticize Zahn's characterizations, I find them compelling - Zahn is a master at creating the "every man" character. His main characters are always human (even when they're not) - they are fallible, prone to vices and flaws, making mistakes and looking foolish. But they also possess the traits of loyalty, devotion to duty, sacrifice, and intelligence. As you read, you can easily identify with his characters - they are never the best or brightest, but they always seem to have just enough to get the job done.
I enjoy reading Night Train to Rigel in the same way I enjoy those black and white films - they have a timeless feel even though they might seem flat if compared directly against today's films. The kind of film you watch over and over, just for the enjoyment of it. Zahn doesn't have the most creative plot, compelling characters, or interesting technology but he crafts a story better than just about any author I've read. And just like the films, I'll come back to it again when I want to have some fun.
Harkening back to the "train movie" mysteries (à la "The Lady Vanishes" and "Terror by Night") this book recreates the same tension from the films - trapped on a speeding train with a killer and no where to run all while trying to solve the mystery before it's too late - but adds a uniquely Zahn flair. The quadrail is probably the most unique faster-than-light transportation system I've seen in books and it makes for very fun story.
While some might criticize Zahn's characterizations, I find them compelling - Zahn is a master at creating the "every man" character. His main characters are always human (even when they're not) - they are fallible, prone to vices and flaws, making mistakes and looking foolish. But they also possess the traits of loyalty, devotion to duty, sacrifice, and intelligence. As you read, you can easily identify with his characters - they are never the best or brightest, but they always seem to have just enough to get the job done.
I enjoy reading Night Train to Rigel in the same way I enjoy those black and white films - they have a timeless feel even though they might seem flat if compared directly against today's films. The kind of film you watch over and over, just for the enjoyment of it. Zahn doesn't have the most creative plot, compelling characters, or interesting technology but he crafts a story better than just about any author I've read. And just like the films, I'll come back to it again when I want to have some fun.
November 26, 2020
It's ok. The hardboiled thing means that neither of the main characters have much depth, and that's a personal pet peeve. But the mystery at the heart is good, and I hope the future stories allow the characters to develop a bit of nuance.
April 16, 2025
I listened to the audiobook, and I think that is the likely reason I am giving a low rating. The narration was bland and robotic throughout. I ended up cranking it to 2.5x speed to get through the last few chapters.
I advise everyone to avoid the audible audiobook version of this novel.
I advise everyone to avoid the audible audiobook version of this novel.
June 10, 2012
Having read Timothy Zahn before, I was a sucker for Amazon's try-these-Kindle-books teaser. I picked up Night Train to Rigel after reading the sample.
I mean, what's not to like? Gritty, forcibly-retired, ex-Gman with a history of pissing off the wrong people; space travel by train; star-spanning empires with cool technologies and the hint of war; people dropping dead mysteriously; betrayals; mind control; and Hitchcock references.
Actually, it was the train I liked the most and something that played a huge part in the plot. The idea of traveling by train always struck me as the epitome of romantic adventurousness and Zahn does a good job bringing this into space.
Frank Compton is hired by the Spider (who run the interstellar train system) to investigate am impending political disaster. But a) he's already got a job that he can't tell anyone about and b) it becomes pretty clear pretty quickly that he's been set up to sniff out what's really going on.
I have to say I found the first part of this book a little contrived. The justification the Spiders give for hiring Compton seems lame and a lot of the observations that Compton makes seem more than the intuitive leaps of a good investigator.
But as I read further, it became clear that the first half was really just to set up the second half. I found the end a little too neat as well, but I like the world so much that I'll be back for a second helping with book 2 of the Compton Quadrail series Odd Girl Out.
I mean, what's not to like? Gritty, forcibly-retired, ex-Gman with a history of pissing off the wrong people; space travel by train; star-spanning empires with cool technologies and the hint of war; people dropping dead mysteriously; betrayals; mind control; and Hitchcock references.
Actually, it was the train I liked the most and something that played a huge part in the plot. The idea of traveling by train always struck me as the epitome of romantic adventurousness and Zahn does a good job bringing this into space.
Frank Compton is hired by the Spider (who run the interstellar train system) to investigate am impending political disaster. But a) he's already got a job that he can't tell anyone about and b) it becomes pretty clear pretty quickly that he's been set up to sniff out what's really going on.
I have to say I found the first part of this book a little contrived. The justification the Spiders give for hiring Compton seems lame and a lot of the observations that Compton makes seem more than the intuitive leaps of a good investigator.
But as I read further, it became clear that the first half was really just to set up the second half. I found the end a little too neat as well, but I like the world so much that I'll be back for a second helping with book 2 of the Compton Quadrail series Odd Girl Out.
February 12, 2013
3.5 Stars
Frank Compton used to be an intelligence officer for the Western Alliance Intelligence. He's become something of a private investigator since he's left Westali. Just as he's taken on a new case, Frank finds himself entangled with a mystery involving a dead man he doesn't know, a Quadrail ticket with his name on it, and a potential enemy working from the shadows. As Frank follows one lead to another, he falls into a rabbit hole and nothing is what it seems to be.
It's been a while since I've read a good sci-fi novel. I'm glad to get back into the genre with this book. The story starts with a quick pace and draws a world I want to know more about. Descriptions are simple and yet not overdone. I really like Frank and totally wanted to know how he was going to figure out the case. It wasn't what I expected and I'm eager to see what else is in store for Frank.
Frank Compton used to be an intelligence officer for the Western Alliance Intelligence. He's become something of a private investigator since he's left Westali. Just as he's taken on a new case, Frank finds himself entangled with a mystery involving a dead man he doesn't know, a Quadrail ticket with his name on it, and a potential enemy working from the shadows. As Frank follows one lead to another, he falls into a rabbit hole and nothing is what it seems to be.
It's been a while since I've read a good sci-fi novel. I'm glad to get back into the genre with this book. The story starts with a quick pace and draws a world I want to know more about. Descriptions are simple and yet not overdone. I really like Frank and totally wanted to know how he was going to figure out the case. It wasn't what I expected and I'm eager to see what else is in store for Frank.
January 4, 2022
In the future . . . we will travel throughout the galaxy on trains. Trains which travel through space at superluminal speeds along fantastically long tracks powered by incomprehensible ancient technology. Is this silly? Profoundly. If you have a problem with this, you should probably not read this book. If you can get over it, it's fun, well-written Zahn doing a future-noir detective story.
Also there are giant warrior chipmunks. Just go with it.
Also there are giant warrior chipmunks. Just go with it.
January 11, 2023
Probably my favourite sci-fi novel. This is my second reading, first one was when I was 12, and now understand the book more, and enjoy it more. A truly delightful read!
August 1, 2019
Hitchcock... in SPACE!!!!
Take the 39 Steps / North by Northwest and put it on an interstellar train (yes, really) and you've got a hint of what Zahn has going on here. Accepting the notion of this interstellar train and building it into a hard-sf / noir story, there are plenty of twists and turns going on here. Obviously Grand Admiral Thrawn is not Mr Zahn's only trick.
Intricate plot and plenty of mysteries wrapped up here - I'm sorry it took me almost two years to get around to reading this one. Happily, I've got three more in my TBR pile (virtual pile in the cloud - thanks, Kindle!)
Take the 39 Steps / North by Northwest and put it on an interstellar train (yes, really) and you've got a hint of what Zahn has going on here. Accepting the notion of this interstellar train and building it into a hard-sf / noir story, there are plenty of twists and turns going on here. Obviously Grand Admiral Thrawn is not Mr Zahn's only trick.
Intricate plot and plenty of mysteries wrapped up here - I'm sorry it took me almost two years to get around to reading this one. Happily, I've got three more in my TBR pile (virtual pile in the cloud - thanks, Kindle!)
August 30, 2024
I very much enjoyed the plot and the characters in this, but I don't love the writing style as much. I felt like there were a lot of long descriptive sections or second describing what the characters were doing that didn't have any tension or meaning. For me, I think this is the last Timothy Zahn book I'll try, at least for now.
October 8, 2017
I enjoyed this pretty well overall but the middle sagged alarmingly, slowing down to the point where I almost put it down. Luckily I persevered because it picked up at the end and was quite satisfying.
April 14, 2024
My first non-star wars novel by Timothy Zahn and it didn't disappoint!
January 16, 2021
A somewhat campy noir spy-detective? On a space train? I like it.
July 17, 2019
One of the best novel titles ever.
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