What do you think?
Rate this book
Empire's Corps #9
The Thin Blue Line
Earth has fallen ... and humanity is holding its breath, waiting for the next blow to fall.
On Terra Nova, Earth’s oldest colony world, chaos and anarchy are threatening to break out, with total collapse only one disaster away. In a desperate attempt to save the rest of the Empire, the planet’s Governor has summoned the leaders of the Core Worlds to Terra Nova, in hopes of sharing power and preventing civil war. But dark forces are on the move, intent on ensuring that the conference fails.
As the first strands of a deadly plot are uncovered, Imperial Marshal Glen Cheal finds himself fighting to uncover the plot before it is too late. Meanwhile, on her own mission to save the last best hope for peace, Specialist Belinda Lawson of the Terran Marine Corps is plunged into a nightmare where she can no longer trust her own mind, while her decisions will save or damn the Empire ...
Failure isn't an option. But success may not be an option either ...
On Terra Nova, Earth’s oldest colony world, chaos and anarchy are threatening to break out, with total collapse only one disaster away. In a desperate attempt to save the rest of the Empire, the planet’s Governor has summoned the leaders of the Core Worlds to Terra Nova, in hopes of sharing power and preventing civil war. But dark forces are on the move, intent on ensuring that the conference fails.
As the first strands of a deadly plot are uncovered, Imperial Marshal Glen Cheal finds himself fighting to uncover the plot before it is too late. Meanwhile, on her own mission to save the last best hope for peace, Specialist Belinda Lawson of the Terran Marine Corps is plunged into a nightmare where she can no longer trust her own mind, while her decisions will save or damn the Empire ...
Failure isn't an option. But success may not be an option either ...
463 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 23, 2014
145 people are currently reading
200 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
December 23, 2014
Yet another departure from the main thrust of the series, quite good.
January 19, 2015
This is another departure from the main story about Avalon and he Marines there. I was actually expecting not to like the book as much as I usually do with books from Christopher Nuttall since it is a departure from the main story and these society falling down, political scheming and dirty backstabbing stories is not really my cup of tea.
I have to say that I did like it a lot more than I expected. The book is more of a detective/crime story than real military science fiction. As such it is also paced somewhat differently (slower) compared to the more true military action based books in the series.
Belinda Lawson is back and this is a good thing. Unfortunately she is in a bit of a down mood and doubting herself every so often which I was not that thrilled about. Marshal Glen Cheal is a new acquaintance and I quite liked him. Naturally the paths of Glen and Belinda crosses with interesting although not entirely unpredictable results.
As usual the world building and the characters are great which is what makes this such a good reading. My main gripe with this book is that it is yet another rather depressing story about yet another part of the corrupt, bureaucratic empire and its oversized government (I am sure that Nuttall is getting inspiration from the worthless bureaucratic wonkers in EU here) going down and taking billions of clueless people with it. If it was not for the good writing which really compels you to follow the main characters I would have rated this book quite a bit lower. As it stands now, I quite liked it even though it is not on my top ten list of Christopher Nuttall’s works.
I have to say that I did like it a lot more than I expected. The book is more of a detective/crime story than real military science fiction. As such it is also paced somewhat differently (slower) compared to the more true military action based books in the series.
Belinda Lawson is back and this is a good thing. Unfortunately she is in a bit of a down mood and doubting herself every so often which I was not that thrilled about. Marshal Glen Cheal is a new acquaintance and I quite liked him. Naturally the paths of Glen and Belinda crosses with interesting although not entirely unpredictable results.
As usual the world building and the characters are great which is what makes this such a good reading. My main gripe with this book is that it is yet another rather depressing story about yet another part of the corrupt, bureaucratic empire and its oversized government (I am sure that Nuttall is getting inspiration from the worthless bureaucratic wonkers in EU here) going down and taking billions of clueless people with it. If it was not for the good writing which really compels you to follow the main characters I would have rated this book quite a bit lower. As it stands now, I quite liked it even though it is not on my top ten list of Christopher Nuttall’s works.
August 15, 2015
This is book nine in the Empire series. This one goes back to the heroine, Terran Marine Belinda Lawson, of book three “When the Bough Breaks”. Belinda has been tasked to insure security of a conference of leaders of the core worlds. Glen Cheal an Imperial Marshal, has been assigned to head the security for the conference and Belinda is assigned to him.
The first part of the book takes place on Terra Nova with both Belinda and Glen are arresting the rioters. Glen’s partner is killed but Belinda was able to save the rest of the team. Glen is taken off his case looking for the nihilist and is sent to Island One to take command of security for the conference. The second part of the book deals with the conference security.
The story is about political intrigue and espionage. The book is well written and held my interest. I wish there was less repetition in the book. I am looking forward to episode number ten. I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. Jeffrey Kafer has done a good job narrating this series.
The first part of the book takes place on Terra Nova with both Belinda and Glen are arresting the rioters. Glen’s partner is killed but Belinda was able to save the rest of the team. Glen is taken off his case looking for the nihilist and is sent to Island One to take command of security for the conference. The second part of the book deals with the conference security.
The story is about political intrigue and espionage. The book is well written and held my interest. I wish there was less repetition in the book. I am looking forward to episode number ten. I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. Jeffrey Kafer has done a good job narrating this series.
August 29, 2020
I'd like to say I've enjoyed this series but the constant lecturing tone rubbed me raw. The repetition which exceeded even Edgar Rice .Burroughs is intolerable. I felt like I was being indoctrinated into a cult.
I really enjoyed the action moments but the constant, lecturing, sociological diatribes wore me out. How many times can I read the same thing. Without being bored. And giving up? I'm halfway through book 3 and I set it down because the repetition made me feel like I was being indoctrinated. Stop indulging in politics and write a story!
I really enjoyed the action moments but the constant, lecturing, sociological diatribes wore me out. How many times can I read the same thing. Without being bored. And giving up? I'm halfway through book 3 and I set it down because the repetition made me feel like I was being indoctrinated. Stop indulging in politics and write a story!
February 15, 2024
3.5 stars
Well-written, with good character development and a believable and interesting plot. But this book, and this sub-series as a whole, are so relentlessly grim and depressing that I can't really say it was an enjoyable read.
That said, it looks like several of the previously independent plotlines might finally be coming together, and there's enough meat on each of them that I have some hope for the future.
Which is entirely antithetical to the series, it must be said.
Well-written, with good character development and a believable and interesting plot. But this book, and this sub-series as a whole, are so relentlessly grim and depressing that I can't really say it was an enjoyable read.
That said, it looks like several of the previously independent plotlines might finally be coming together, and there's enough meat on each of them that I have some hope for the future.
Which is entirely antithetical to the series, it must be said.
December 28, 2018
Sci Fi Realistic Police
Well done police story / mystery with an eye opening afterword. Chris Nuttal is a true renaissance man. His stories are often based on history. Exciting story with lot Las of action and unexpected twists. Great read!
Well done police story / mystery with an eye opening afterword. Chris Nuttal is a true renaissance man. His stories are often based on history. Exciting story with lot Las of action and unexpected twists. Great read!
June 27, 2020
When a cop is a cop but can't be a cop
Well written with good story line and interesting plot - with some interesting twists and surprises. Well worth the read, as is the rest of the series.
Well written with good story line and interesting plot - with some interesting twists and surprises. Well worth the read, as is the rest of the series.
February 27, 2022
Interesting Story, Strange Breast Obsession
Loved the characters, the world he's built, the fascinating outlook on education and technology. The libertarian musings mixed with an unhealthy obsession with describing every female characters' breasts; not so much.
Loved the characters, the world he's built, the fascinating outlook on education and technology. The libertarian musings mixed with an unhealthy obsession with describing every female characters' breasts; not so much.
October 21, 2017
I was excited to read this book of the return of Belinda Lawson to the series. Just too obvious of a plot twist. Ugh.
September 22, 2023
Super story
Spoiler alert, do not get sucked in by a little girl. Well written with plenty of plot twists. Good to see Belinda back and doing well.
Spoiler alert, do not get sucked in by a little girl. Well written with plenty of plot twists. Good to see Belinda back and doing well.
December 14, 2023
Story plot
Decent plot but good guys always making dumb mistakes trying to save one person while bad guys always kill billions .please write a story that makes sense .
Decent plot but good guys always making dumb mistakes trying to save one person while bad guys always kill billions .please write a story that makes sense .
December 8, 2024
Opinions
I enjoyed this book a great deal. The protagonists were admirable and smart and the troubles they got into were not due to their stupidity. It was a fun read.
I enjoyed this book a great deal. The protagonists were admirable and smart and the troubles they got into were not due to their stupidity. It was a fun read.
May 10, 2015
Badass Belinda Lawson, the powerfully enhanced specialist on the Terran Marine Corps, was last seen making a man out of the child emperor and saving him from plots that eventually led to the collapse of earth and the Empire. She was truly a character worth reading about. Author Christopher Nuttall brings her back with "The Thin Blue Line," the ninth in the Empire's Corps series. And I'm glad. She is a worthy lead for these books. She inhabits her own plotline so don't expect anything from Col. Stalker and his marines. But she's likely to make a return appearance. She's sent to Terra Nova, one of the first planets to be colonized and also crumbling from the inside from a bloated bureaucracy and plots of destruction at every angle. Lawson is dispatched despite being nearly killed in the last episode with the mission of trying to save a summit at which the remaining worlds of the Empire try to form a loose alliance. She does a valiant job, meeting an equally interesting character in that of Imperial Marshal Glenn Cheal. Together they try to derail a plot to destroy the planet and send the rest of the Empire into anarchy.
April 8, 2015
Another stand-alone (well, mostly) book that is separate from the main story line of the series. In this one, we catch up with Belinda Lawson (last seen in book #3), and we move to one of the Core Worlds, to see what's happening after the Fall of Earth.
A lot less military & political than the rest of the series. Instead, this one is a mystery of sorts, with the two protagonists racing against the clock to prevent a major disaster.
As I read it, I had a pretty good idea where the danger was going to come from, although not the exact nature of the threat. (Yes, that's vague but I'm trying to avoid spoilers.) And I'll admit that for a couple of bright individuals, the two people at the center of the story didn't exactly think through all the possible implications of what they'd seen. Then again, it made the story better.
A lot less military & political than the rest of the series. Instead, this one is a mystery of sorts, with the two protagonists racing against the clock to prevent a major disaster.
As I read it, I had a pretty good idea where the danger was going to come from, although not the exact nature of the threat. (Yes, that's vague but I'm trying to avoid spoilers.) And I'll admit that for a couple of bright individuals, the two people at the center of the story didn't exactly think through all the possible implications of what they'd seen. Then again, it made the story better.
September 2, 2014
It was nice to see Belinda in a story that focusses on the remains of the Empire after the fall. This was a much slower paced story than Nuttall's usual works. Maybe it reflects the steadfast pacing of police work in contrast to the sprints of life or death military action.
This story could stand on its own, but without the history of the rest of the series, it would be a little flat. The depth that Nuttall has created with his 'Empire' make for a very interesting universe with limitless possibilities. Belinda; despite having super-human enhancements, is surprisingly human (I think she is one of the better characters that populate this universe.) A very good, but not great read.
This story could stand on its own, but without the history of the rest of the series, it would be a little flat. The depth that Nuttall has created with his 'Empire' make for a very interesting universe with limitless possibilities. Belinda; despite having super-human enhancements, is surprisingly human (I think she is one of the better characters that populate this universe.) A very good, but not great read.
May 9, 2015
Solid continuation
Enjoyable but not as creative as the other books in the series. Some of the inconsistencies in this society are harder to ignore in this book. Still plan to read the next book though. Too many loose ends....
Enjoyable but not as creative as the other books in the series. Some of the inconsistencies in this society are harder to ignore in this book. Still plan to read the next book though. Too many loose ends....
January 23, 2015
Waiting for the next one.
Read
February 12, 2018Good book, I like the series overall.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews