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EarthCent Ambassador #4
Spy Night on Union Station
Humanity needs a galactic intelligence agency, but where to start? The story picks up less than a year after the events of High Priest on Union Station, with Kelly coming to the conclusion that EarthCent needs an intelligence service. Of course, EarthCent has no institutional knowledge of what spies do, or how they work, so the new agency gets off to a slow start. Then Kelly and the Union Station crew come up with a brilliant idea.
240 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 15, 2015
340 people are currently reading
81 people want to read
About the author
E.M. Foner
59 books247 followersI wrote Date Night on Union Station while taking a break from work on a science fiction epic I've been struggling with for years. The goal was to cheer myself up and to find out if there is still an audience for a science fiction comedy that gets its laughs from dialogue and funny situations rather than from gross-outs and shocks. As many readers have pointed out, the EarthCent series could be rated PG under the old fashioned system, no bloodshed, no graphic sex, no four letter words. And after years of imagining a galaxy for my epic in which multiple human civilizations are at war with each other, it did me a world of good to write about a galaxy where most people are just trying to make a living and find some joy in life. I received so many requests to extend the Date Night universe into a series that I put aside my epic for an extended period to write a sequel, Alien Night on Union Station. The events take place five years after the conclusion of Date Night, and the plot involves a mix of business, diplomacy, gaming and family relations. As a bonus, we finally get to meet Kelly's mother. After the positive response to Alien Night, I wrote a third book for the series, High Priest of Union Station, which is currently in the editing stage and due out in mid-October. I just started a book that extends the EarthCent galaxy with a different mission and cast of characters, though they may intersect at some point.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
June 12, 2023
Another installment of the EarthCent Series. This one introduces another redhead woman into the main character roster. Lynx is a trader with few roots, her own ship, and aspirations of carving out her place in the galaxy. She is recruited into the newly forming intelligence agency of EarthCent. Paired with her Artificial Person and partner, they quickly depart on their first spy mission with only old Earth spy novels and movies as their primary training materials.
This installment is a fun read, riddled with puns (yeah I know what I did there) and guided by the everpresent Stryx pulling strings in the background.
This installment is a fun read, riddled with puns (yeah I know what I did there) and guided by the everpresent Stryx pulling strings in the background.
August 3, 2016
What if spying was low stakes? What if it was just another job, just another part of business and commerce, with no torture or killings? Everyone happy to share information?
The 4th in this sci-fi series is comedy version of the Bourne movies, a G-rated version of the Bond films, all of the spy troupes happily torn up and tossed into the air as confetti.
The humans realize they are a little behind the rest of the universe in the galactic spying arena and set out to set up their agency and spies. Hilarity ensues, since most of the characters have no idea what they are doing – but at least they are willing to admit as much, and ask for help.
The solution? Host a trade show for spies and put out a sign: “now hiring double agents.” No – seriously! Alien tech meets spy tech leads to some interesting ideas of how spying could take place in this universe. Personal favorite was when the ambassador just threw in the towel about her office being bugged and begins singing nursery rhymes to annoy the spies. :-D
Another hilarious set of adventures in and around Union Station. I will be happy if this series never ends!
Side note: In my head, the first agency director was played by Harrison Ford. :-)
February 21, 2018
I really enjoy these books. They are clean and really well written. In reading them, you an clearly see that Foner has a great grasp or science, socio political circumstances, psychology and a lot more. There is a lot of humor and wit in these books. I've read four of his books this year and E.M. Loner has yet to disappoint. This was a really interesting. This is not your basic science fiction but it hits in all the right places. Can't wait to crack open the fifth book.
December 9, 2017
Another fun EarthCent book
Foner continues to deliver his short, sweet stories of Union Station. Though I didn't enjoy this one quite as much as the last, it was still a lot of fun and he managed to wrap up all his various plot threads concisely at the end (as he usually does). I really do enjoy Foner's slightly zany sense of humor which lends a sort of fun chaos to his stories.
If you like the series, you'll enjoy this book, if you haven't read any of them, is highly encourage you to start with the first one. The characters are fun and well done, but you really can't appreciate it enjoy them adequately without the previous books.
Foner continues to deliver his short, sweet stories of Union Station. Though I didn't enjoy this one quite as much as the last, it was still a lot of fun and he managed to wrap up all his various plot threads concisely at the end (as he usually does). I really do enjoy Foner's slightly zany sense of humor which lends a sort of fun chaos to his stories.
If you like the series, you'll enjoy this book, if you haven't read any of them, is highly encourage you to start with the first one. The characters are fun and well done, but you really can't appreciate it enjoy them adequately without the previous books.
May 22, 2016
Interesting new characters
I like this series. I like the new characters introduced in this book. However, I thought the ending a little flat. Still an enjoyable read, but I did not like it as much as the preceding volumes. Probably just a matter of taste.
I like this series. I like the new characters introduced in this book. However, I thought the ending a little flat. Still an enjoyable read, but I did not like it as much as the preceding volumes. Probably just a matter of taste.
February 8, 2019
As always, an enjoyable book in this series. It took me some time to get into the Lynx story and I kept wanting to get back to Kelly and her colleagues but once she had joined the team it became fun again.
September 15, 2017
Wasn't too bad
Out of all of the books in this series, I have read, this one isn't my favorite. It was still cute and funny.
Out of all of the books in this series, I have read, this one isn't my favorite. It was still cute and funny.
September 16, 2019
Not quite as strong an entry as the previous books in the series, but still plenty of fun. Kelly and the original gang didn't show up until chapter 4 due mostly to the author introducing and developing new characters. But once he got them going, I enjoyed the new additions nearly as much as the originals. Foner also matured one of my least favorite characters from the earlier books, so that I really enjoyed reading about her, too. Really looking forward to the next installment, as always. This series is always very happy and feel-good, and I plan on sticking with it for a good long while.
January 24, 2021
Stepping Up the Story
We go new places in this ‘chapter’ of our EarthCent family of friends. There are new characters and a whole new (and highly educating) enterprise for our favourite characters to become experts in. I won’t give it away but E. M. Foner seems to be setting us up for much more to come in future stories. Great jokes throughout as always. And some astute quotes on reality.
These stories remind me of reading a graphic novel series... only Foner draws the pictures with words. I find them engaging entertainment.
We go new places in this ‘chapter’ of our EarthCent family of friends. There are new characters and a whole new (and highly educating) enterprise for our favourite characters to become experts in. I won’t give it away but E. M. Foner seems to be setting us up for much more to come in future stories. Great jokes throughout as always. And some astute quotes on reality.
These stories remind me of reading a graphic novel series... only Foner draws the pictures with words. I find them engaging entertainment.
March 16, 2018
The story introduces three new characters – two of them APs (artificial persons), which makes for a rather flat start compared to the previous books. As the EarthCent ambassador to Union Station, Kelly is trying to sell the idea of setting up a spy service. The fledgling organization gets off with a bang by setting up an espionage trade show and it is at this point that the story becomes as hilarious as any in the series.
May 9, 2019
This one is almost a complete yawn. It's hard to believe the Earth government would be that inept and that Blythe, the kid, would be that brilliant. Then the plot really goes nowhere. The only saving grace is that some of the characters are developing and evolving and Foner does have a good turn of a sentence. It seems he was churning these things out and should have spent a bit more time on them.
February 15, 2020
Another in the series which continues the saga
This is a continuation of the story of the EarthCent universe. It has many of the existing characters and some interesting new ones. EarthEn devices to start a security service. In the normal haphazard EarthCent way. But despite an almost complete lack of any real idea of how spying works, the service starts to give results even better than expected. I'll stop at this point to make sure I don't give too much away.
This is a continuation of the story of the EarthCent universe. It has many of the existing characters and some interesting new ones. EarthEn devices to start a security service. In the normal haphazard EarthCent way. But despite an almost complete lack of any real idea of how spying works, the service starts to give results even better than expected. I'll stop at this point to make sure I don't give too much away.
June 24, 2022
Foner, E. M. Spy Night on Union Station. EarthCent Ambassador No. 4. Paradise Pond Press, 2015.
On the multispecies hub that is Union Station, every species spies on every other species. Despite their far-future alien tech, most of their efforts at espionage are ineffective. The fun of the story is watching aliens and humans who think they are the reincarnation of James Bond manage to trip over their electronic shoelaces. 3.5 stars.
On the multispecies hub that is Union Station, every species spies on every other species. Despite their far-future alien tech, most of their efforts at espionage are ineffective. The fun of the story is watching aliens and humans who think they are the reincarnation of James Bond manage to trip over their electronic shoelaces. 3.5 stars.
August 6, 2020
Watching Kelly and the gang get deep into the world of espionage is a lot of fun. Especially when they realize that everyone already knows exactly what they're up to. A lot of our old favorites are back and a few new characters are introduced and, all in all, it's another great tale from Union Station.
October 13, 2021
another great alien human story from the writer of Date Night on Union Station
Really enjoyed spy night as it introduced new characters like Lynx Edgehouse; as always, fun, clever “humans learning how to deal with aliens story” from EM Foner. I’m gobbling up this series and highly recommend it if you like your stories funny, relaxed and with some science added in
Really enjoyed spy night as it introduced new characters like Lynx Edgehouse; as always, fun, clever “humans learning how to deal with aliens story” from EM Foner. I’m gobbling up this series and highly recommend it if you like your stories funny, relaxed and with some science added in
February 5, 2017
I love this series but I wish the books flowed together better. While it is very important to read the books in order, I feel as if there is too large of a gap between books.
The characters are wonderful and easy to relate to. The plot lines are always engaging and funny.
The characters are wonderful and easy to relate to. The plot lines are always engaging and funny.
August 15, 2017
These books are very lightweight in so many ways, and that is exactly why I love them. Sort of like a delightful sitcom in space. I'm certain to be diverted without being grossed out or angered and that is a nice change of pace from all the too serious stuff I can't avoid.
March 14, 2020
Fun
I've enjoyed all the books in the series so far. They are clean and highly entertaining. What will they get up to next on union station (and other secret places?) Move over 007, there's a whole new spy game in the stryx part of the universe!
I've enjoyed all the books in the series so far. They are clean and highly entertaining. What will they get up to next on union station (and other secret places?) Move over 007, there's a whole new spy game in the stryx part of the universe!
November 30, 2020
EarthCent intelligence service
EarthCent starts an intelligence operation. It seems that the other species don’t trust the humans because we don’t spy on them so they have no way to know what we are doing. The first problem is to recruit and train agents. A great story.
EarthCent starts an intelligence operation. It seems that the other species don’t trust the humans because we don’t spy on them so they have no way to know what we are doing. The first problem is to recruit and train agents. A great story.
June 5, 2021
Best One Yet
Yes, I know he's written a ton of these, but then so did Sue Grafton and Nora Roberts is still publishing the In Death series. At least these are inexpensive. Some quite clever concepts are introduced along with some bullshit philosophy.
Yes, I know he's written a ton of these, but then so did Sue Grafton and Nora Roberts is still publishing the In Death series. At least these are inexpensive. Some quite clever concepts are introduced along with some bullshit philosophy.
January 25, 2022
Union Station always interesting
The fourth entry to thus series did not disappoint. There are new characters and new things happening all the time. I loved getting some time away from embassy staff in this one.
The fourth entry to thus series did not disappoint. There are new characters and new things happening all the time. I loved getting some time away from embassy staff in this one.
April 3, 2022
A Fun Read
Includes a cast of fascinating fun characters. Sometimes I lose track of who is who or what, but it is not a serious problem. I would rate this book suitable for all ages, that does not mean it is boring, because certainly is not.
Includes a cast of fascinating fun characters. Sometimes I lose track of who is who or what, but it is not a serious problem. I would rate this book suitable for all ages, that does not mean it is boring, because certainly is not.
May 26, 2022
My fav book so far
I really enjoyed book 4 of the EarthCent Ambassador series, best book yet. The whole spy story of the book was alot of fun, and with the usual great cast of characters plus some new additions included u get a wonderful read
I really enjoyed book 4 of the EarthCent Ambassador series, best book yet. The whole spy story of the book was alot of fun, and with the usual great cast of characters plus some new additions included u get a wonderful read
April 1, 2023
Enjoying it just as much.
The second time through.
I’m not a book reviewer, that’s a professional position and reserved for somebody. Who knows what he’s talking about I on the other hand, I am just a reader who enjoys the story.
The second time through.
I’m not a book reviewer, that’s a professional position and reserved for somebody. Who knows what he’s talking about I on the other hand, I am just a reader who enjoys the story.
June 2, 2017
Fun series to read
The bureaucracy of space is an interesting setting for a sci-fi series that is well done. Nothing Nobel worthy but a fun read.
The bureaucracy of space is an interesting setting for a sci-fi series that is well done. Nothing Nobel worthy but a fun read.
August 11, 2017
pretty light on plot even for these books.
January 8, 2018
Continues to be a fantastic series -- though it occured to me late in the book that Kelly and Joe could truthfully claim to be part of a Eugenics program organized by an Alien superintelligence. 8)
January 22, 2018
Quick, funny reads
These are great books for when you need a light-hearted, entertaining escape. I usually devour a book or two in one sitting when I read them.
These are great books for when you need a light-hearted, entertaining escape. I usually devour a book or two in one sitting when I read them.
April 18, 2018
I never new starting a spy agency could be so funny.
May 9, 2019
It can use a lot of fattening up where characters no longer become two dimensional. It is a fun reading but I wish I can feel into how the characters are thinking and feeling.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews