PAGER

by Gerry Garibaldi

As a pager, Peter Mandrin’s job is to track things down – criminals, shipments, missing transports, anything that turns a profit – and he’s just sacked the catch of a lifetime, infamous embezzler Roger Finlay. As a reward Mandrin wins Finlay’s vintage 1960’s four bedroom, ranch-style house on the most expensive planet in the universe, Earth. From low-life pager, he’s hit the sweet, sweet big-time. Up to now, it’s just been Peter and his insouciant, sexy Wally, Debris, the replicant woman of his dreams. That is, until he meets the real woman who lives next door, the mysterious Wendy Roseland. Suddenly, Peter’s world is upended when he falls head over heels in love with one of his own kind. His big worry is that she'll find out what he really is. But Wendy isn't what she appears to be, either...

224 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 2013

About the author

Born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, Gerry Garibaldi's first move was to New York City where he pursued a writing career. Gerry's essays on his personal experiences teaching have been featured or reprinted in Playboy, City Journal, the Hartford Courant, the Los Angeles Times, the Chicago Sun Times, Dallas News, USAToday, and Men's Health, among others. One essay was awarded the high distinction of being chosen for publication in the Longman Reader, 9th Edition, a popular university textbook used to teach essay writing, and sits between pieces written by Anna Quindlen and Michael Kimmel. Moving to Los Angeles with his family, he took up a career as a screenplay writer, doing assignments for Disney, Interscope Pictures, Paramount, and Universal Studios. He and his family now live happily in the small town of Essex, Connecticut.

Reviews

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Pager" which I won from Goodreads Giveaways is a fast-paced science fiction- fantasy that unfolds on the most expensive planet in the universe - Earth. After killing the notorious embezzler Roger Finlay, Peter Mandrin and his sexy, humanoid partner Debris take over his dated ranch- style home next door to the mysterious and secretive human female - Wendy Roseland. Peter suddenly finds himself falling in love and wanting to marry the attractive and self-assured woman who shoots him in the stomach when she discovers he's a pager; a tracker who hunts down criminals and missing shipments for money. After being healed and given a second chance at life, Peter begins to search for the assassin and becomes implicated in the hunt for a missing zinc shipment.

Gerry Garibaldi has created a world of advanced technology, genetic manipulation and hi-tech drugs, where humanoid robots (Wallys) seem to outnumber humans and big name corporations harvest the resources of other planets. In a future where sexes are in conflict, marriage is non-existent and a quasi religious /political order struggles to bring mankind back to a divine natural state, men travel throughout the galaxy and into deep space in high-powered ships. With vivid imagination he has fashioned a prison where cells honeycomb Jupiter below ground, men travel by a vehicle called the "mooda", crime coins hold bio-information, and the weapon of choice is a "melodian". The plot which is intriguing and action-packed progresses quickly and smoothly from one challenge to the next, keeping the reader riveted from the first page to the last.

Because the narrative was centered on the action and storyline, the personalities of many of the characters were not fully developed. But, of the core characters Peter Mandrin a tough, no-nonsense pager is quick-witted and clever while Debris, his female mirror image is a strong and loyal humanoid with heightened senses. Wendy Roseland alias Susan Lightman, an assassin, thief and extortionist is secretive, angry and elusive; a human woman who falls for Peter's charm and wit.

The story is fascinating, a must read for all those who love an inventive science fiction-fantasy novel. I have given it a 4 rating although I would suspect it's closer to a 3.5.

[Sarah Payne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would like to thank the author for the chance to read this great book for free. This is one of the best and imaginative sci-fi books I have read in a long time. Set in the future where the universe is a completely different place with hints of similarity. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys adventure and a great read. Just make sure you have a few hours because you won't be able to put this book down!

[Lori Mitchell Myers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! A great book! It's about our world in the future. A lot of sci-fi and fantasy in the story. Gerry uses the names of some of today's big companies which is really interesting. There are hitmen, robots and a lot of other cool stuff in this story! Definitely a must-read!