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The Detainee Trilogy #3
In Constant Fear
Over a year has passed since Clancy and the gang managed to escape from the hell that was the City. Pursued by the ruthless leader of Infinity – the corporation behind the mass murders of thousands of ‘lower class’ citizens – they’ve been on the run ever since; constantly looking over their shoulders.
Despite this, they have forged a new life working the land on an abandoned smallholding on the other side of the mountains. Hidden there, they are as close to happy as they can be.
Until strange things start to happen in the valley: too many unlucky coincidences convince them that another power is rising against them, and there are many questions to be answered: what is the shadow maker? And who – or what – has begun to howl in the night?
Despite this, they have forged a new life working the land on an abandoned smallholding on the other side of the mountains. Hidden there, they are as close to happy as they can be.
Until strange things start to happen in the valley: too many unlucky coincidences convince them that another power is rising against them, and there are many questions to be answered: what is the shadow maker? And who – or what – has begun to howl in the night?
- GenresDystopiaScience Fiction
352 pages, Paperback
First published December 22, 2015
2 people are currently reading
123 people want to read
About the author
Peter Liney
9 books24 followersI've been writing for a long time - twenty-thirty years. From poetry, through sit-coms, to novels. I've had work produced on German, Australian and Brit TV, and on Brit and South African radio. What you might call, the long scenic route to where I am today. And I have to confess that there were many times when I thought I just wasn't going to make it. In fact, I think I'd kind of come to that conclusion. But something has taken a firm grip, is dragging me along, and though it might be bumpy at times, though I might sustain the odd bruise, I think I've paid my dues enough to take this ride...
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
January 22, 2016
This is book #3 in "The Detainee" trilogy. Book #1 introduces the reader to the people of the Island, those who are considered to be a drain on society and are treated as outcasts. Those same characters continue and develop in books 2 and 3. I don't want to say too much about the storylines because it will give answers to the previous novels' outcomes. I was glad to see that author Peter Liney did provide a very good ending to the trilogy. Definitely a series to be read in order. Recommend to those who enjoy a dystopian environment (and yes, this is a believable future setting).
March 26, 2018
Even when you get away, you really do not. That is the point of In Constant Fear by Peter Liney. This is the last of the trilogy and it comes full circle. Peter Liney writes about obsession and destroying anything that gets in your way. He also explores what is human and the price for losing that humanity. In many ways, this is an anti technology book with the horrors unleashed and the swath of destruction caused to the environment.
In Constant Fear is an easy read squarely in the genre. Good guys are good guys and bad guys are very bad. Nothing new here, but not a worn out path either. An enjoyable read, but not a spectacular read either.
In Constant Fear is an easy read squarely in the genre. Good guys are good guys and bad guys are very bad. Nothing new here, but not a worn out path either. An enjoyable read, but not a spectacular read either.
September 12, 2024
I can say this was a slightly satisfying conclusion to the trilogy. I can't say I loved it. Book one in the series had an edge to it, where you felt the danger and tension faced by the main characters. This book, despite there being dangers along the way, all felt too easy.
And I don't understand the motivation of the villain to show restraint. It's like watching a movie where the villain has superior weaponry and could easily wipe out everybody else but they decide to take it slow or chat a while, and the hero saves the day. Sure there are a few little tweaks in the plot of this book to provide a weak explanation for what happens, but I'm not buying it.
What I do like about this is that the story has a huge human side. And it needed something else other than the dystopian sci-fi, because that had issues since book one. You boil this down and it's a story of find your tribe and your purpose. Don't give up. And take happiness, joy, and love where you can find it. The characters, excluding the villains, are great.
But now to the narrative voice, which I grew to love in the first book. By book three, I was a little over some of the repetition in the voice. "I gotta say" "I'll tell ya" are jut two phrases repeated throughout the story. It's to give flavour to the narrative voice, but it felt overdone by this book.
There's still some inventive things going on in this book, but some left me wondering if they lifted the world building or were a tad ridiculous. Behind it all is the message that technology in the wrong hands can be dangerous, but I'd buy into the message more if the villains weren't so comically written.
If dystopian sci-if is your thing then you'd probably like this series.
And I don't understand the motivation of the villain to show restraint. It's like watching a movie where the villain has superior weaponry and could easily wipe out everybody else but they decide to take it slow or chat a while, and the hero saves the day. Sure there are a few little tweaks in the plot of this book to provide a weak explanation for what happens, but I'm not buying it.
What I do like about this is that the story has a huge human side. And it needed something else other than the dystopian sci-fi, because that had issues since book one. You boil this down and it's a story of find your tribe and your purpose. Don't give up. And take happiness, joy, and love where you can find it. The characters, excluding the villains, are great.
But now to the narrative voice, which I grew to love in the first book. By book three, I was a little over some of the repetition in the voice. "I gotta say" "I'll tell ya" are jut two phrases repeated throughout the story. It's to give flavour to the narrative voice, but it felt overdone by this book.
There's still some inventive things going on in this book, but some left me wondering if they lifted the world building or were a tad ridiculous. Behind it all is the message that technology in the wrong hands can be dangerous, but I'd buy into the message more if the villains weren't so comically written.
If dystopian sci-if is your thing then you'd probably like this series.
March 23, 2018
I did find it enjoyable, it hooked me about a quarter of the way through. Haven't read either of the two books that came before but that was no problem, the author gave information pertaining to the previous novels that was easy to follow and understand.
It's one old guys story about surviving the aftermath of a social purge where anyone deemed not useful was either eradicated or sent to live in a prison camp.
This story takes place after all of that. Where survivors and escapees have made it out of the city and have banded together to survive the best they can.
However, there are things in the city that are not done with them just yet...
It was all from the perspective of one character, it lacked depth because of that.
I still found it enjoyable but kind of rushed through the end.
It's one old guys story about surviving the aftermath of a social purge where anyone deemed not useful was either eradicated or sent to live in a prison camp.
This story takes place after all of that. Where survivors and escapees have made it out of the city and have banded together to survive the best they can.
However, there are things in the city that are not done with them just yet...
It was all from the perspective of one character, it lacked depth because of that.
I still found it enjoyable but kind of rushed through the end.
March 24, 2018
l liked the first 2 books in the series but by the time l read number 3 l was over certain discriptive words like "old big guy" and the debate with the main character if he were dumb or not..... let me tell you old big guy you were frustratingly dumb that you became annoying.
September 3, 2020
A decent story about a future society which disposes its unwanted people (the sick, elderly, the young & the poor) by placing them on an island which also serves the a large city's rubbish dump. It's a story of humanity prevailing though connections & love despite it's self-destructive tendencies.
August 27, 2018
Good ending to the series but a little too Sci/Fi for me.
April 18, 2019
ugh ugh
February 9, 2024
A conspiracy theorist's wet dream. Unfortunately my least favourite of the trilogy.
July 15, 2016
It's always difficult when the first book in a trilogy that you read is the last but Liney throws in enough clues (without being heavy handed) to bring the reader up to date with some of the characters and events which brought them together a few hundred pages ago.
Here we are in an unidentified land going through its own version of dystopia – it's an interesting comment on the world in which we live that Utopias don't get a look in. Whatever their involvement, and however hard and long they might have fought in the past, the little group of varying ages that we are introduced to are now running away from the City, to try to get some respite from that battle. As it stands at the moment they have lost, they want a rest but they still know it's only a matter of time before those who have won will seek them out to destroy the rebels completely. Wars are only ever really 'won' when the enemy has either been physically eliminated or have been so beaten down they have lost the will to continue fighting.
Those who have taken to the hills think that they are safe until the City physically comes into the countryside but the City has used innovations in nano-technology to do its dirty work, and even to get the enemy to destroy itself – if only they can control their minds.
When I say the City I mean the one woman who dominates that City, through fear and cunning. She has turned herself into an evil super-woman, with killer prosthesis in place of her arms and legs as well as using bio-technology to 'improve' the trunk on to which they are attached.
In an age when we are being told that the world would be a better place if only women were in control (a facetious argument if other factors, principally class, are not taken into account) it's interesting that Liney chose a woman to be the representative of all that is evil in the society.
Like all rebel groups in such fictional situations (not necessarily in reality) they scrape through by making life changing weapons from vinegar and brown paper but then we are not talking about a manual for revolution here. Only with a very long stretch of the imagination would such a hotch potch group survive more than a few minutes in the real world of economics and politics.
I do have a few caveats, nonetheless. It seems that the first in the trilogy is in development for a film (a process that could take a long time) but if it ever came to that and they got to this volume I think there are certain scenes depicted in the book where it would be difficult for the audience to suspend disbelief.
With my experience of travelling quite extensively in mountains I don't think a tandem bike would be my vehicle of choice along goat paths, especially when being chased by someone with Seven League Boots (or more accurately, legs) and the idea of someone being pushed around on a wheeled bed would be difficult to take on the big screen – I considered it ludicrous on the page.
Finally, again when stubbing your toe hurts like hell in the mountains, I thought the fight at the very end when people are rolling down hillsides and being constantly being thrown against cliff faces was asking too much of the reader – it also went on a bit too long.
Those caveats aside I found this a good and easy read.
Here we are in an unidentified land going through its own version of dystopia – it's an interesting comment on the world in which we live that Utopias don't get a look in. Whatever their involvement, and however hard and long they might have fought in the past, the little group of varying ages that we are introduced to are now running away from the City, to try to get some respite from that battle. As it stands at the moment they have lost, they want a rest but they still know it's only a matter of time before those who have won will seek them out to destroy the rebels completely. Wars are only ever really 'won' when the enemy has either been physically eliminated or have been so beaten down they have lost the will to continue fighting.
Those who have taken to the hills think that they are safe until the City physically comes into the countryside but the City has used innovations in nano-technology to do its dirty work, and even to get the enemy to destroy itself – if only they can control their minds.
When I say the City I mean the one woman who dominates that City, through fear and cunning. She has turned herself into an evil super-woman, with killer prosthesis in place of her arms and legs as well as using bio-technology to 'improve' the trunk on to which they are attached.
In an age when we are being told that the world would be a better place if only women were in control (a facetious argument if other factors, principally class, are not taken into account) it's interesting that Liney chose a woman to be the representative of all that is evil in the society.
Like all rebel groups in such fictional situations (not necessarily in reality) they scrape through by making life changing weapons from vinegar and brown paper but then we are not talking about a manual for revolution here. Only with a very long stretch of the imagination would such a hotch potch group survive more than a few minutes in the real world of economics and politics.
I do have a few caveats, nonetheless. It seems that the first in the trilogy is in development for a film (a process that could take a long time) but if it ever came to that and they got to this volume I think there are certain scenes depicted in the book where it would be difficult for the audience to suspend disbelief.
With my experience of travelling quite extensively in mountains I don't think a tandem bike would be my vehicle of choice along goat paths, especially when being chased by someone with Seven League Boots (or more accurately, legs) and the idea of someone being pushed around on a wheeled bed would be difficult to take on the big screen – I considered it ludicrous on the page.
Finally, again when stubbing your toe hurts like hell in the mountains, I thought the fight at the very end when people are rolling down hillsides and being constantly being thrown against cliff faces was asking too much of the reader – it also went on a bit too long.
Those caveats aside I found this a good and easy read.
March 10, 2016
“On the brightest of days, you’ll find the darkest of shadows”
In Constant Fear is the final installment of The Detainee trilogy by acclaimed British author, Peter Liney.
Just a bit of news: The Detainee is in the process of being made into a major Hollywood movie and an Oscar-nominated director has been signed on. The casting is pending but promises to be stellar, surprising and exciting! The second book: Into the Fire is under option, as is In Constant Fear.
And here is a glimpse of what is in store:
Big Guy Clancy and his ragged band of survivors have managed to escape the constant attacks of the ruthless arch villain and leader of Infinity, Nora Jagger and her rebel-seeking Dragonflies. They are living far away from the city, over the mountains, in a pastoral setting, where fish are jumping and the living is easy. Lena and Clancy have everything they ever wished for. (Sorry folks, no spoiler here, you’ll just have to read the novel!). Jimmy the Inventor and Delilah his faithful companion are living blissfully. The kids -Hannah, Gordie and Gigi- ever grateful and helpful, are making the most of their new home even if the girls keep on feuding over the boy’s attentions.
As the novel opens, Clancy and Lena hear the most blood-curdling scream, only to find in the morning the body of the poor tortured animal, a nearby farmer’s dog who has been burned from the inside.
In Constant Fear will keep you guessing from page 1. Where does that new threat come from? Is Nora Jagger involved? And when a second plagues falls upon them like locusts on Egypt, you will fear for our hero and his ragged bunch of friends’ lives.
In Constant Fear is one heck of a ride and once it hits the big screen as the third film of the Franchise, I bet you Hollywood will wish that Mr. Liney quickly gets back to the drawing board.
By Daniaile
In Constant Fear is the final installment of The Detainee trilogy by acclaimed British author, Peter Liney.
Just a bit of news: The Detainee is in the process of being made into a major Hollywood movie and an Oscar-nominated director has been signed on. The casting is pending but promises to be stellar, surprising and exciting! The second book: Into the Fire is under option, as is In Constant Fear.
And here is a glimpse of what is in store:
Big Guy Clancy and his ragged band of survivors have managed to escape the constant attacks of the ruthless arch villain and leader of Infinity, Nora Jagger and her rebel-seeking Dragonflies. They are living far away from the city, over the mountains, in a pastoral setting, where fish are jumping and the living is easy. Lena and Clancy have everything they ever wished for. (Sorry folks, no spoiler here, you’ll just have to read the novel!). Jimmy the Inventor and Delilah his faithful companion are living blissfully. The kids -Hannah, Gordie and Gigi- ever grateful and helpful, are making the most of their new home even if the girls keep on feuding over the boy’s attentions.
As the novel opens, Clancy and Lena hear the most blood-curdling scream, only to find in the morning the body of the poor tortured animal, a nearby farmer’s dog who has been burned from the inside.
In Constant Fear will keep you guessing from page 1. Where does that new threat come from? Is Nora Jagger involved? And when a second plagues falls upon them like locusts on Egypt, you will fear for our hero and his ragged bunch of friends’ lives.
In Constant Fear is one heck of a ride and once it hits the big screen as the third film of the Franchise, I bet you Hollywood will wish that Mr. Liney quickly gets back to the drawing board.
By Daniaile
February 11, 2016
Ok the first one was good. The second one I was invested. The third one exposed all the writing flaws. Awful conceits using colloquialisms. Yuccky. I'm with "ya" " big guy" " little guy". I'm "goin', " I gotta admit" lordie. The dialogue was like a bad sly stalone movie. Yo Adrianne. Ok story. Really bad writing IMO. For two minutes I thought the ending would save the book. But nope. Still a cliche. Needs a rewrite before a movie gets made.
September 24, 2023
This was a brilliant finale to The Detainee series. Gripping, exciting and emotional, this trilogy is one of my all time favourites. I didn't want it to end.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews