Indigo 5: A Science Fiction Thriller of Suspense and Discovery

by M. Redding

Johnathan Eckers did not lose his world when Earth began to die.
He lost it long before … the moment his family was taken from him.
Indigo 5 is a science-fiction novel about survival after loss, told through the eyes of a man who has already endured the worst kind of ending. Soldier. Father. Widower. Eckers is not driven by ambition or belief in humanity’s grand future. He is driven by memory… and by the quiet, unrelenting weight of grief that follows him into the stars.
As Earth’s collapse approaches… known only to a guarded few, Eckers is pulled back into service against his will. The Indigo 5 mission is presented as opportunity and progress, not desperation. Most of those chosen to leave believe they are pioneers, not remnants. Those who remain on Earth go on unaware, living ordinary lives until it is too late. Eckers carries the truth in silence. Every order he follows is shaped by loss, and every responsibility is weighted by what he knows cannot be saved.
As the Indigo 5 mission unfolds, what appears to be a lifeline for humanity reveals deeper fractures beneath the surface. Political manipulation, hidden agendas, and technology advancing without wisdom place impossible choices in the hands of leaders who are already breaking. Eckers must navigate not only an uncertain galaxy, but the emotional minefield of command … where every decision risks repeating the past he cannot escape.
Yet even in his grief, something stubborn survives. In alien soil, memories are planted alongside hope. In fragile moments of connection, Eckers is forced to confront a truth he that beginning again does not erase loss… it carries it forward.
Indigo 5 is not a story about conquering new worlds. It is about carrying love and sorrow into the unknown, and choosing whether to let grief define the future or quietly guide it.
For readers who value character-driven science fiction, emotionally grounded storytelling, and journeys that linger long after the final page, this is a story about loss and the fragile courage it takes to begin again.
This mission is humanity’s last chance.
For Johnathan Eckers, it may be his final reckoning.

408 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 27, 2025

About the author

M. Redding is a writer who lives in the Phoenix area with his wife, Lee. He is a proud Arizona transplant, and originally grew up in the Detroit area but headed west to attend Arizona State University, where he studied Communication and became a lifelong Sun Devil fan. He’s called Arizona home for over 30 years and has no plans of trading the desert sunsets for snow shovels anytime soon.
A lifelong reader, Redding developed a love for writing somewhere between raising kids, working full-time, and wondering if there would ever be a quiet moment. Now that his children are grown, he finally has time to pursue the passion he's carried all along—telling stories. He writes with the hope that readers will laugh a little, think a bit, and maybe even stay up past their bedtime to finish just one more chapter.

Reviews

[Ander · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up

[Lori Caputo-Hartford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set in a vividly imagined future, the story seamlessly blends political intrigue, deep-space exploration, and raw human emotion, creating a narrative that feels both thrilling and personal. Johnathan Eckers is a protagonist you can’t help but root for, a man scarred by tragedy, haunted by his past, and yet driven by loyalty, hope, and the lingering possibility of redemption.

What really stood out to me is the balance between grand, cinematic world-building (secret meetings in the Alps, colossal starships, galactic dangers) and the intimate human moments of romance, friendship, survivor’s guilt, and the heavy cost of service. The writing makes you feel the weight of Johnathan’s choices, and the recurring theme of fate versus free will kept me hooked the entire way through.

There are echoes of The Expanse and Foundation here, but with a more personal, emotional heartbeat. The story has plenty of action and suspense, but also lingers on the quiet, heartbreaking details that make characters feel real. By the end, I found myself deeply invested in both the fate of humanity and the fate of one man caught in the middle of it all.

If you love science fiction with depth, equal parts action, emotion, and mystery, this is a book worth picking up. I’ll definitely be looking for the next installment.

[Hans Potter · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Human story on another planet.

Indigo 5 is a Sci-Fi, adventure that captures everything I love about the genre.

Spaceship, foreign planets, some action, a little romance. But all told in a very human way. A story of a fantastic space journey that is framed by the very real and grounded experiences of Johnathan the protagonist of the story.

I was surprised by how deep and emotional the narrative ran, I thought I was going to be turning pages for an epic space adventure instead I found myself walking alongside our leading man, as I felt his traumas, celebrated his wins, and ultimately cried for his losses.

This book is not just for Sci-fi lovers, it's for anyone who has ever tried to run from loss only to have it keep finding you.

Wonderful read, would recommend to anyone looking for a beautiful story set in a Sci-fi narrative.

[Charlotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

Indigo 5 isn’t just another space exploration novel it’s a deeply human story wrapped in the beauty and danger of the cosmos. Johnathan Eckers is a character you’ll carry with you long after you close the book. The imagery is breathtaking, the emotional beats are real, and the marigolds… I’ll never forget them.

[Maureen Locke · Rating 5 out of 5]

This intriguing storyline really pulls you in. It’s a good story, a new kind of sci fi read but also has a lesson on love and loss. Really enjoyed this book. Give it a try!!

[M. Redding · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great SciFi drama. It has a lot of surprises as well as some truly emotional moments.