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Starship Express
Nelson Tuckey tells the best stories in Sunningdale Psychiatric.
Alien worlds. Impossible deliveries. A ship he calls The Lost Princess. Reed is just an orderly, but he listens anyway. The stories keep the old man calm. And besides, everyone knows they're not true. A space courier locked away on the fourth floor? Please.
Then the old man dies. And leaves Reed a shoebox.
Inside: pages of coded notes written on napkins and torn menus, addressed to "the boy." Suddenly, the memory games Tuckey made him play don't feel like games anymore. And buried in the mess of scribbles is a set of coordinates pointing to a clearing in the middle of nowhere. Reed should throw the box in the trash and go back to his shift. Instead, he gets in his car.
Some stories are just stories.
This one turns into the adventure of a lifetime.
Alien worlds. Impossible deliveries. A ship he calls The Lost Princess. Reed is just an orderly, but he listens anyway. The stories keep the old man calm. And besides, everyone knows they're not true. A space courier locked away on the fourth floor? Please.
Then the old man dies. And leaves Reed a shoebox.
Inside: pages of coded notes written on napkins and torn menus, addressed to "the boy." Suddenly, the memory games Tuckey made him play don't feel like games anymore. And buried in the mess of scribbles is a set of coordinates pointing to a clearing in the middle of nowhere. Reed should throw the box in the trash and go back to his shift. Instead, he gets in his car.
Some stories are just stories.
This one turns into the adventure of a lifetime.
470 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 20, 2026
About the author
John Walker
1,107 books194 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name. This profile may contain books from multiple authors of this name.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
August 25, 2026
Me too drawn out
Mr. Walker has turned a novella into a novel through shameless enddless repetition and unnecessary detail. The result is turgid prose and, yours truly, a bored reader. Not bad enough to stop reading. Not good enough to recommend.
Mr. Walker has turned a novella into a novel through shameless enddless repetition and unnecessary detail. The result is turgid prose and, yours truly, a bored reader. Not bad enough to stop reading. Not good enough to recommend.
August 23, 2026
good story atrocious editing
I don’t know if Ai is to blame but the book is full of inserted words, dropped letters and repetitive phrases. The middle third renders orderly as order. And if I have to “sit with” one more thing my head will explode.
The story is a good one. It could be made better by cutting about 50 pages.
I don’t know if Ai is to blame but the book is full of inserted words, dropped letters and repetitive phrases. The middle third renders orderly as order. And if I have to “sit with” one more thing my head will explode.
The story is a good one. It could be made better by cutting about 50 pages.
August 24, 2026
soft science
I only made it through 50% of the book before I stopped reading the story I found to be very boring and repetitive. In addition, it was highly unbelievable. There is no mention of oxygen, gravity, FTL or any other necessities for realistic science.
I only made it through 50% of the book before I stopped reading the story I found to be very boring and repetitive. In addition, it was highly unbelievable. There is no mention of oxygen, gravity, FTL or any other necessities for realistic science.
August 22, 2026
Why do authors choose to use 20 words when five will do.
This book has a great concept good characters some halfway decent world building but the author continues to use excessive and flowery language 40 to 50 words sometimes saying the same thing in a repetitive loop, which repeats the same same concept or description over and over again only rearrange what is said with different words.
This book has a great concept good characters some halfway decent world building but the author continues to use excessive and flowery language 40 to 50 words sometimes saying the same thing in a repetitive loop, which repeats the same same concept or description over and over again only rearrange what is said with different words.
September 20, 2026
Great Story Idea ... Wordy & Repetitive Execution. Not Recommended. 😣
I thought this story sounded really interesting, but I struggled to reach even the 8th chapter before giving up. There is very little dialogue in this book except the main character talking to himself in his own head CONTINUALLY about the same things over & over again; it's very repetitive. This book will actually "describe" you to death with looong detailed descriptions of everything everywhere. I wondered how it could be over 400 pages at first ... now I know.
It's a shame, too. This story idea is great. But the author & this book need a really good editor to cut out the numerous unnecessary & repetitive parts of every chapter and tighten everything up so it is readable. I do not recommend this book in its current form.
I thought this story sounded really interesting, but I struggled to reach even the 8th chapter before giving up. There is very little dialogue in this book except the main character talking to himself in his own head CONTINUALLY about the same things over & over again; it's very repetitive. This book will actually "describe" you to death with looong detailed descriptions of everything everywhere. I wondered how it could be over 400 pages at first ... now I know.
It's a shame, too. This story idea is great. But the author & this book need a really good editor to cut out the numerous unnecessary & repetitive parts of every chapter and tighten everything up so it is readable. I do not recommend this book in its current form.
September 14, 2026
interesting story, repetitive pros
John Walker- if you are going to let AI write your story for you, at least have the energy to proof read it before you slap your name on it.
If you’re reading this book, be prepared to hear something like this every five pages or so. “I was just an orderly. I changed the bedsheets for a living and most of the time I ate microwave burritos.” And worse every fifth or sixth paragraph, no matter what’s being talked about, there’s a summation of those five paragraphs.
It’s so repetitive and so unnecessary. The book says it’s 494 pages, it could easily have been a third that if you take out all that repetition. I didn’t give it a one star because the story itself if you take out all that repetition repetition repetition is not bad.
John Walker- if you are going to let AI write your story for you, at least have the energy to proof read it before you slap your name on it.
If you’re reading this book, be prepared to hear something like this every five pages or so. “I was just an orderly. I changed the bedsheets for a living and most of the time I ate microwave burritos.” And worse every fifth or sixth paragraph, no matter what’s being talked about, there’s a summation of those five paragraphs.
It’s so repetitive and so unnecessary. The book says it’s 494 pages, it could easily have been a third that if you take out all that repetition. I didn’t give it a one star because the story itself if you take out all that repetition repetition repetition is not bad.
September 12, 2026
I am loving this story and the secondary story, the basis for all that’s happening
The biggest problem with this story is the author’s need to repeat ad infinitum, the reason for the kid’s being in space and how he has ended up there!
Got that pretty clearly right away. It gave me verbage to skip as it repeated over and over!!! Even with this happening though, it’s a darned good story and I am excited to continue it!
I’ve been hunting for an ejoyable new read for weeks now. I count this as a very enjoyable read!
The biggest problem with this story is the author’s need to repeat ad infinitum, the reason for the kid’s being in space and how he has ended up there!
Got that pretty clearly right away. It gave me verbage to skip as it repeated over and over!!! Even with this happening though, it’s a darned good story and I am excited to continue it!
I’ve been hunting for an ejoyable new read for weeks now. I count this as a very enjoyable read!
September 19, 2026
An interesting concept stretched into a repetitive, unbelievable mess. While it was an enjoyable read overall, as others have said there were just so, so many repeated phrase and unnecessary callbacks. Most annoying for me was the shoebox that must have been manufactured by same company that made Mary Poppins’ carpet bag. How it held enough napkins, menus and miscellaneous notes to create a “manual” with level of detail that it does is nothing short of miraculous. It was also amazing that somehow the exact section they needed was conveniently decoded recently.
September 21, 2026
It’s a Tragedy
A sci-fi themed tragic drama, with a good intro and enough character development to pull the reader in at the beginning. The story develops well with bits of drama and action, a few battles and successes, but when the plot hits its stride, the tragedy takes control and we experience death and destruction which, at the event, appears unreasonable and a bit extreme for the story so far. I tried to continue but I’m simply not one who finds reading about loss and destruction to be entertaining and I left.
A sci-fi themed tragic drama, with a good intro and enough character development to pull the reader in at the beginning. The story develops well with bits of drama and action, a few battles and successes, but when the plot hits its stride, the tragedy takes control and we experience death and destruction which, at the event, appears unreasonable and a bit extreme for the story so far. I tried to continue but I’m simply not one who finds reading about loss and destruction to be entertaining and I left.
September 22, 2026
Better than expected! Need more!
When I started this book I wasn't exactly expecting something that I couldn't put down. But after reading just a couple of chapters I kept reading and kept reading and kept reading. At the end of the book there is a prequel and I downloaded that and read it as well. I want a second and even a third book. It drew me in just want to know where it all goes. The ending wasn't totally satisfactory for me. I want to know what Tyler and Kai do and how they resolve the deliveries.
When I started this book I wasn't exactly expecting something that I couldn't put down. But after reading just a couple of chapters I kept reading and kept reading and kept reading. At the end of the book there is a prequel and I downloaded that and read it as well. I want a second and even a third book. It drew me in just want to know where it all goes. The ending wasn't totally satisfactory for me. I want to know what Tyler and Kai do and how they resolve the deliveries.
September 2, 2026
Quick read with a protagonist who is an ordinary person who does not turn into an extraordinary hero just because he is the focus of a story. John Carter, Kip Morgan, Dard Nordis, Michael Murphy, Tyler Bowen, Jr., etc. all are ordinary people who become larger than life in their stories. Tyler Reed stays ordinary, he knows right and wrong and keeps his word. He is also willing to learn and adapt. Refreshing!
September 4, 2026
An interesting take on an old theme
I really enjoyed this. The main character is the typical anti hero, but with a slight twist. He is introspective and honest in his self evaluation.
The story is also unusual. There are three main characters, all seen through one set of eyes.
The story doesn’t revolve around smuggling or the over throw of established government (so far?).
Couriers are a legitimate business.
But some mail shouldn’t be delivered, I guess.
I really enjoyed this. The main character is the typical anti hero, but with a slight twist. He is introspective and honest in his self evaluation.
The story is also unusual. There are three main characters, all seen through one set of eyes.
The story doesn’t revolve around smuggling or the over throw of established government (so far?).
Couriers are a legitimate business.
But some mail shouldn’t be delivered, I guess.
September 24, 2026
super premise for a story
Great story premise with almost endless potential for interesting sequels.. a neophyte courier with a hold full of overdue items to deliver all over the galaxy. The plot on this first episode is well developed as are most of the characters. The problem is the narrative flow is bloated with repetitive filler and too much navel gazing. That having been said, I still want to see what happens in book 2.
Great story premise with almost endless potential for interesting sequels.. a neophyte courier with a hold full of overdue items to deliver all over the galaxy. The plot on this first episode is well developed as are most of the characters. The problem is the narrative flow is bloated with repetitive filler and too much navel gazing. That having been said, I still want to see what happens in book 2.
September 25, 2026
Emotional!
Sometimes you find a book that is just what you need at that moment, something to break the reading slump, remind you why books are so important. This...This did it for me! No swearing, no gratuitous violence, no sex, just raw emotions, a character to identify with and a cracking story! Believable sci-fi, and I hope there is a sequel. I will be looking out for more by John Walker/Ethan Kramer.
Sometimes you find a book that is just what you need at that moment, something to break the reading slump, remind you why books are so important. This...This did it for me! No swearing, no gratuitous violence, no sex, just raw emotions, a character to identify with and a cracking story! Believable sci-fi, and I hope there is a sequel. I will be looking out for more by John Walker/Ethan Kramer.
September 8, 2026
interesting but too much emotion
For an orderly he is too emotional, too introspective, and reflective about everything. Too emotional and whiny. How did he become a hero, I saw him as a liability.
For an orderly he is too emotional, too introspective, and reflective about everything. Too emotional and whiny. How did he become a hero, I saw him as a liability.
September 10, 2026
The plot was OK, I guess. It would have been much better if the book were much shorter. Far too much repetition of the same details over & over. It was often boring and I nearly quit reading it a couple of times. I will not be reading the follow on book(s).
September 17, 2026
Just like our Post Office Couriers must deliver!
When I started this book I did not know what surprises were in store! A sleeping king, a semi a crazy old man full of unbelievable tales and a unsuspecting orderly who learns it was all true!
When I started this book I did not know what surprises were in store! A sleeping king, a semi a crazy old man full of unbelievable tales and a unsuspecting orderly who learns it was all true!
September 19, 2026
This book is so repetitive in phrase and content that I put it down at 62%. It's boring. I do not need to know 100 times that the protagonist is a 26 year old orderly in a space ship. The authors treat their audience as though they have the atten span of gnats. It's just boring, trite, trash.
September 22, 2026
Very entertaining story and of course I will have to read any subsequent books as far as I'm concerned it's a can't put it down book.
The characters are believable and the story pulls you along so you just want to see what happens next
I enjoyed it very much and look forward to the next book.
The characters are believable and the story pulls you along so you just want to see what happens next
I enjoyed it very much and look forward to the next book.
September 24, 2026
Wird
First five star rating but only because I couldn't do four in a half that said it was a outstanding book to read. The story was unbelievably good the character development was outstanding. Would highly recommend this book to readers of Sifi out into space people @!@
First five star rating but only because I couldn't do four in a half that said it was a outstanding book to read. The story was unbelievably good the character development was outstanding. Would highly recommend this book to readers of Sifi out into space people @!@
September 27, 2026
Not perfect, but good where it counts.
This book is not perfect. There are grammar errors galore, and occasional spelling errors. But the character development is strong and the plot kept me reading. And that's what counts.
This book is not perfect. There are grammar errors galore, and occasional spelling errors. But the character development is strong and the plot kept me reading. And that's what counts.
October 2, 2026
Great story.
Very well written book. I felt the book was a little short changed as in many events never got solved. Definitely would recommend it was a great storyline one i've never heard of before.
Eric Tiesi
Very well written book. I felt the book was a little short changed as in many events never got solved. Definitely would recommend it was a great storyline one i've never heard of before.
Eric Tiesi
August 27, 2026
Hurting
Great book. Exciting beginning. Kid learning secrets and flying a secret spaceship. A secret companion shows up. But joy and pain are dead ahead.
Great book. Exciting beginning. Kid learning secrets and flying a secret spaceship. A secret companion shows up. But joy and pain are dead ahead.
August 28, 2026
Good story and played out well but I did find some parts over drawn out in tedious monologue.
September 1, 2026
Good Read
Enjoyed the book. Writers tell a good story. My opinion a little wordy descriptions of emotions could be said better with less. Enjoyed reading kept my attention.
Enjoyed the book. Writers tell a good story. My opinion a little wordy descriptions of emotions could be said better with less. Enjoyed reading kept my attention.
September 2, 2026
Courier
Outstanding book. The writers descriptions are so good that you believe that you are living them with the characters. Thanks for the story.
Outstanding book. The writers descriptions are so good that you believe that you are living them with the characters. Thanks for the story.
September 14, 2026
Believable
I thought it might have been a little bit the same as other stories. Not this time it was pretty fulfilling and kept me reading to see what was going to happen.
I thought it might have been a little bit the same as other stories. Not this time it was pretty fulfilling and kept me reading to see what was going to happen.
September 15, 2026
Shiny
On the same level as Firefly, Killjoys, this book is a page turner. Well written with enough authority it belongs in NASA.
On the same level as Firefly, Killjoys, this book is a page turner. Well written with enough authority it belongs in NASA.
September 15, 2026
Longwinded
Longwinded and kinda hokey telling of an interesting tale. Mostly enjoyed it but I did skim rather than read a lot of it.
Longwinded and kinda hokey telling of an interesting tale. Mostly enjoyed it but I did skim rather than read a lot of it.
September 21, 2026
A good read.
Good plot. Good character development. A bit too much AI assisted descriptive material IMHO but worth the time to read it.
Good plot. Good character development. A bit too much AI assisted descriptive material IMHO but worth the time to read it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews