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Option #1: A Sci-Fi Thriller with Star-Crossed Lovers and an alien called Allen
He may be the first human ever contacted by an alien
But Joe just wants to finish his breakfast in peace.
Then a huge man with a gun really spoils his day
And one of his closest friends is murdered.
Jess would know what to do but she dumped him.
He just has to get her back…
Because the world could be about to vanish into a black hole
And she’s a whole lot smarter than he is…
But Joe just wants to finish his breakfast in peace.
Then a huge man with a gun really spoils his day
And one of his closest friends is murdered.
Jess would know what to do but she dumped him.
He just has to get her back…
Because the world could be about to vanish into a black hole
And she’s a whole lot smarter than he is…
124 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 13, 2024
About the author
Jim McGhee
8 books15 followersJim McGhee’s a former award-winning environmental journalist.
Previously based in East Lothian, near Edinburgh, Scotland, he now resides in Nice in the South of France, main setting for the DI Barney Mains series.
After a full-on career as a campaigning newspaper reporter, he and late wife Jean launched their own recruitment company in central Edinburgh and for twelve fun-packed years worked closely together alongside their brilliant team - without spilling a single drop of blood.
The Alpes-Maritimes and Var departments, on the other hand, have provided a host of dramatic locations just perfect as inspiration for the odd spot of fictional gore.
Locals, blessed with settings which range from unspoilt mountain villages to the classic palms-and-marinas Mediterranean coast, claim that they can be swimming one moment and skiing a little over an hour later. It’s a claim not yet put to the test!
Besides, when not writing or travelling, Jim’s more likely to be off on a hike in the hills with his ever-ready buddy, Jack the Irish Terrier.
Previously based in East Lothian, near Edinburgh, Scotland, he now resides in Nice in the South of France, main setting for the DI Barney Mains series.
After a full-on career as a campaigning newspaper reporter, he and late wife Jean launched their own recruitment company in central Edinburgh and for twelve fun-packed years worked closely together alongside their brilliant team - without spilling a single drop of blood.
The Alpes-Maritimes and Var departments, on the other hand, have provided a host of dramatic locations just perfect as inspiration for the odd spot of fictional gore.
Locals, blessed with settings which range from unspoilt mountain villages to the classic palms-and-marinas Mediterranean coast, claim that they can be swimming one moment and skiing a little over an hour later. It’s a claim not yet put to the test!
Besides, when not writing or travelling, Jim’s more likely to be off on a hike in the hills with his ever-ready buddy, Jack the Irish Terrier.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
June 29, 2024
Do you like the TV show Resident Alien? If you do, I believe you’ll like this book. I’ve read several of the DI Barney Mains thrillers by Mr. McGhee and enjoyed those. When this book became available as an advance review copy, I thought why not try it? I’m glad I did, and here’s why.
The basic premise is that an alien being makes contact with our male protagonist Joe while he’s living in the south of France. Joe is struggling as a freelance photojournalist and his girlfriend Jess, a journalist herself, recently left him and returned to Scotland. This alien has important information for Joe, who manages to lure Jess back to France to help him figure out what the alien – whom he names Allen – really wants. IF he’s really an alien but you’ll need to read the book to find out what is going on. It’s a fast read with humor – again, if you’ve seen Resident Alien, you’ll know what I mean – and quite the twist or two included. Mr. McGhee’s talent in writing detective thrillers is helpful as he has constructed a plot full of mystery as well as science fiction.
Joe is a lovable lunk who more often than not messes things up, and Jess is bright, ambitious, and level-headed. Even better, she has a job with an expense account! Their interaction as they confront this idea that maybe they’ve made first contact drives the plot along. The story is complete, although I could see where a second book might evolve from this one. The characters are well drawn, including Allen, who provides several humorous moments. This book is written by a Scottish author so you may see some UK words and spellings throughout the book, but nothing to keep the reader from enjoying the story. All in all, whether this is just a one-off or the start of something more, Option #1 is an enjoyable way to spend a few hours of your time.
I received an Advance Review Copy of Option #1 for free. I leave this review freely and with pleasure.
The basic premise is that an alien being makes contact with our male protagonist Joe while he’s living in the south of France. Joe is struggling as a freelance photojournalist and his girlfriend Jess, a journalist herself, recently left him and returned to Scotland. This alien has important information for Joe, who manages to lure Jess back to France to help him figure out what the alien – whom he names Allen – really wants. IF he’s really an alien but you’ll need to read the book to find out what is going on. It’s a fast read with humor – again, if you’ve seen Resident Alien, you’ll know what I mean – and quite the twist or two included. Mr. McGhee’s talent in writing detective thrillers is helpful as he has constructed a plot full of mystery as well as science fiction.
Joe is a lovable lunk who more often than not messes things up, and Jess is bright, ambitious, and level-headed. Even better, she has a job with an expense account! Their interaction as they confront this idea that maybe they’ve made first contact drives the plot along. The story is complete, although I could see where a second book might evolve from this one. The characters are well drawn, including Allen, who provides several humorous moments. This book is written by a Scottish author so you may see some UK words and spellings throughout the book, but nothing to keep the reader from enjoying the story. All in all, whether this is just a one-off or the start of something more, Option #1 is an enjoyable way to spend a few hours of your time.
I received an Advance Review Copy of Option #1 for free. I leave this review freely and with pleasure.
September 22, 2024
"He had no illusions; when it came to maths, he'd never been the sharpest pencil in the box."
I would like to thank Book Sirens for an e-ARC. Somehow foolishly, I had had higher expectation from this book for no particular reason; whether it was an attractive cover art or the complete premise of the story, I absolutely have no idea. Probably, it was the gut feeling which let me down.
Funny in patches: I am generally a huge fan of sci-fi literature when it is mixed with humor and sometimes self-deprecating humor. Hence, I immediately started liking the main character. He seems like a loser, is an alcohol addict and I think not very good at his job. I have liked the way Mr. Jim McGhee wrote the first half of the book. However, things started to turn sour for me soon...
A lot of talk but no action: I understand that the two main characters are journalists but I expected more action in the second half. Most of the time, I felt that the information is being thrown at the reader and nothing much is happening in the story. As a result, I struggled a lot during the second half due to the perceived slow pacing of the book. I had to slog through the major part of the book even though I liked the innovative climax from the author. However, I felt that it could have been more satisfying if a couple of loose ends would have been tied.
I would like to thank Book Sirens for an e-ARC. Somehow foolishly, I had had higher expectation from this book for no particular reason; whether it was an attractive cover art or the complete premise of the story, I absolutely have no idea. Probably, it was the gut feeling which let me down.
Funny in patches: I am generally a huge fan of sci-fi literature when it is mixed with humor and sometimes self-deprecating humor. Hence, I immediately started liking the main character. He seems like a loser, is an alcohol addict and I think not very good at his job. I have liked the way Mr. Jim McGhee wrote the first half of the book. However, things started to turn sour for me soon...
"Jess gave a resigned smile. The two men in her life; an alien in a dead body and an alien mind in a live one."
A lot of talk but no action: I understand that the two main characters are journalists but I expected more action in the second half. Most of the time, I felt that the information is being thrown at the reader and nothing much is happening in the story. As a result, I struggled a lot during the second half due to the perceived slow pacing of the book. I had to slog through the major part of the book even though I liked the innovative climax from the author. However, I felt that it could have been more satisfying if a couple of loose ends would have been tied.
July 24, 2024
Foray into science fiction for author with wry sense of humour.
Not surprising this author has set the story in the south of France and made the main protagonist have a journalism background as this chimes with their own experience. The rather dark humour comes in with the alien (whose name they assign him looks like a misprint) they are collaborating with re-animating a corpse as a way of communicating more quickly. We learn this is not the first alien contact, the previous attempts having been concealed or shut down for a variety of reasons and by a variety of agencies.
There is tension in learning who can be trusted and who is behind the murder of a sometime friend. Their main mission is to stop the next experiment at a poorly disguised version of CERN as it has the potential to destroy the Earth. We learn how they get to the deep underground setting and the author lets the reader work out what happens afterwards, so I won't spoil the ending for you.
I know this author can do better at keeping the plot and sub-plots in order and being more consistent with logic and motives, so have not given full marks to this book.
I received a free advance review copy, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Not surprising this author has set the story in the south of France and made the main protagonist have a journalism background as this chimes with their own experience. The rather dark humour comes in with the alien (whose name they assign him looks like a misprint) they are collaborating with re-animating a corpse as a way of communicating more quickly. We learn this is not the first alien contact, the previous attempts having been concealed or shut down for a variety of reasons and by a variety of agencies.
There is tension in learning who can be trusted and who is behind the murder of a sometime friend. Their main mission is to stop the next experiment at a poorly disguised version of CERN as it has the potential to destroy the Earth. We learn how they get to the deep underground setting and the author lets the reader work out what happens afterwards, so I won't spoil the ending for you.
I know this author can do better at keeping the plot and sub-plots in order and being more consistent with logic and motives, so have not given full marks to this book.
I received a free advance review copy, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
July 24, 2024
I’m a big fan of Jim McGhee’s DI Baines so maybe I had a too high expectation on this book.
This is a totally different story, even if it takes place in the same country and has a male main character. The similarities ends there though. This is a kind of science fiction with a twist. It’s smart and has an anti hero, which I think is great, but I can’t with a clear conscience give more than three stars.
It’s an interesting and fun storyline, but it never really took off for me. I think mostly due to the fact that I never got interested enough in the characters.
This book has new to me characters of course and sometimes it takes time to ”get” the characters in a book, but unfortunately I never felt any connection to any of them. Joe felt bland and Jess came across as a bit unpleasant. Allen was plain weird, which I guess comes with the territory, and Marvin, who’s Marvin?
This is MY take on the book, I think there will be others who will appreciate it more.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This is a totally different story, even if it takes place in the same country and has a male main character. The similarities ends there though. This is a kind of science fiction with a twist. It’s smart and has an anti hero, which I think is great, but I can’t with a clear conscience give more than three stars.
It’s an interesting and fun storyline, but it never really took off for me. I think mostly due to the fact that I never got interested enough in the characters.
This book has new to me characters of course and sometimes it takes time to ”get” the characters in a book, but unfortunately I never felt any connection to any of them. Joe felt bland and Jess came across as a bit unpleasant. Allen was plain weird, which I guess comes with the territory, and Marvin, who’s Marvin?
This is MY take on the book, I think there will be others who will appreciate it more.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 20, 2024
And there was me thinking that Jim McGhee was only really good at one particular genre. He is known for his detective thriller novels based in the south of France, a series that follows the cases and adventures of Scottish D.I. Barney Mains. If you haven't already done so I recommend you check them out. But, aside from the locations, Option #1 is something else again.
I've zipped through it a couple of times and it's difficult to get a handle on how to describe this thing. Sci-fi thriller echoing with laughter in the dark? Comic fantasy? Dystopian nightmare loaded with irreverent one-liners? Take your pick.
Whatever label you want to stick on this latest offering from a very talented writer, you can be confident you'll be reading something a LONG way from anything you've read before. The end of the world is potentially nigh and our future is in the hands of a squabbling young couple and an alien who is inhabiting the body of a recently deceased friend. Love it and so will you.
The copy I read was a free advance. This is my own, freely given review.
I've zipped through it a couple of times and it's difficult to get a handle on how to describe this thing. Sci-fi thriller echoing with laughter in the dark? Comic fantasy? Dystopian nightmare loaded with irreverent one-liners? Take your pick.
Whatever label you want to stick on this latest offering from a very talented writer, you can be confident you'll be reading something a LONG way from anything you've read before. The end of the world is potentially nigh and our future is in the hands of a squabbling young couple and an alien who is inhabiting the body of a recently deceased friend. Love it and so will you.
The copy I read was a free advance. This is my own, freely given review.
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June 29, 2024Option #1 has an intriguing premise with an unusual way for first contact. The heavy use of dialect went on longer than I cared for, particularly since Apple Books failed to decode some of the slang. As an interesting twist the main character has to rely on his ex to solve the initial mystery.
Unfortunately, after that the story turns into talking heads throwing out information without much else happening. That Jim did so little with the Côte d'Azur setting particularly disappointed me.
The story does redeem itself in the last third where it finally lives up to its thriller billing with an unexpected twist on the alien trope and a lot of action to save the world, or my rating would have been lower.
I received a review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Unfortunately, after that the story turns into talking heads throwing out information without much else happening. That Jim did so little with the Côte d'Azur setting particularly disappointed me.
The story does redeem itself in the last third where it finally lives up to its thriller billing with an unexpected twist on the alien trope and a lot of action to save the world, or my rating would have been lower.
I received a review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
July 8, 2024
I'm a big fan of the D.I. Barney Mains books by Jim McGhee. This book is quite different. It is science fiction. And the alien they call Allen is interesting but not as interesting as Barney.
A star-crossed couple is at the heart of the story, and their relationship's foibles are amusing. And Allen is very interesting. But the other characters in the story did nothing for me.
There is quite a bit of suspense and it is a thriller. Will Joe and Jess escape the people who are after them? Will Earth be destroyed if Joe and Jess fail in their mission? These questions kept me reading. For the answers, read the book. But expect a twist or two before the end.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
A star-crossed couple is at the heart of the story, and their relationship's foibles are amusing. And Allen is very interesting. But the other characters in the story did nothing for me.
There is quite a bit of suspense and it is a thriller. Will Joe and Jess escape the people who are after them? Will Earth be destroyed if Joe and Jess fail in their mission? These questions kept me reading. For the answers, read the book. But expect a twist or two before the end.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
July 26, 2024
Option #! is a clever tale by Jim McGhee with an interesting take on many different thoughts regarding time, space, the Universe, aliens, the government, and more. I enjoyed the characters and storyline; some fun little twists in there. I would however recommend the reader be fluent in British slang. It also helps to understand the impression many Brits have of the Scottish. I like the book but felt it was almost a set of ideas woven together that individually could have made for much deeper stories. Worth the read! I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
July 3, 2024
This seemed like a hodgepodge of Mars Attacks, Men in Black and other dark humor with a sci-fi angle. Joe and Jess are journalists and a former romantic couple, but why they were ever in a personal relationship made no sense to me. Allen’s explanations of what was happening went on for too long.
The ending was very abrupt, maybe because Jim Ghee is planning a follow-up.
I enjoy the plots and humor of his Barney Mains books and hope he’ll continue that series. One of these is enough for me.
I received an advance review copy from BookSirens and am leaving this review voluntarily.
The ending was very abrupt, maybe because Jim Ghee is planning a follow-up.
I enjoy the plots and humor of his Barney Mains books and hope he’ll continue that series. One of these is enough for me.
I received an advance review copy from BookSirens and am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 3, 2024
Option #1 by Jim McGhee was such a quick easy read with a plot that sucked you in. It is a slow build but comes together in the end. The MC was not my favourite but I loved the supporting characters as I feel like they had a more defined personalities. I wished there were more details throughout the book to assist some of the loose ends within the story but overall I enjoyed the plot, the characters, the humor and Jim McGhee’s distinct writing style.
…..
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
…..
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 23, 2024
What is happening to Joe? He keeps getting texts that are just bunches of prime numbers. When he show his ex-girlfriend, Jess, she notices some of the numbers can be converted into telephone numbers. Joe calls the number and finds himself talking to an alien whom he dubs Allen. So begins a race to try to save the earth from self destruction. Can Joe, Jess and Allen stop the experiment using a particle collider before it is too late?
July 1, 2024
3.5 stars
The first third of the book was a bit slow, and I didn't really care for the main character. However the book picked up and I was enjoying the story until the very end.
The premise was good and there was quite a twist at the end. Most of the characters were cartoonish - I can see this being made into a silly movie.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The first third of the book was a bit slow, and I didn't really care for the main character. However the book picked up and I was enjoying the story until the very end.
The premise was good and there was quite a twist at the end. Most of the characters were cartoonish - I can see this being made into a silly movie.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 9, 2024
Enjoyable alien visit plot twister. Main character subplot gives some reality balance and subtle humor to the catastrophic potential explained in Option #1.
But the interesting ending has more of a reincarnation flavor than an alien culture to me. Thanks to BOOK SIRENS for this free copy of the book. I am submitting an honest voluntary review.
But the interesting ending has more of a reincarnation flavor than an alien culture to me. Thanks to BOOK SIRENS for this free copy of the book. I am submitting an honest voluntary review.
April 23, 2025
Do we need extraterrestrial assistance to prevent the destruction of our world? Jim McGhee tells the story of Joe and Jess in a fast-paced and somewhat quirky way, but with plenty of humour and an incredible sense of social and scientific criticism
July 6, 2024
This is a comedy with serious undertones. Loved the concept and the alien. They are on a mission but it takes them some time to realise it. Loved the ending which is also the summary. Nice one Jim.
August 1, 2024
Thanks to BookSirens for the ARC. This book was silly, funny, weird - and wholeheartedly entertaining. The characters were fun and the book did not take itself too seriously. A good, short, laugh.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews