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Black Ocean #6
Retro Version
Simpler times don’t always mean simpler troubles.
With captain Carl Ramsey presumed dead, the Mobius crew heads off to a retrovert colony, among the history-loving residents and old-Earth lifestyle. With limited scanning tech and access to the omni, the crew believes no one will recognize the not-actually-dead Carl--until the galaxy's sharpest investigators show up.
But not even a utopian middle-twentieth century colony can suppress Carl's natural instincts for mischief and greed. Now the crew of the Mobius has to shake their off-world snoops, then find Carl before his antics ruin everything.
With captain Carl Ramsey presumed dead, the Mobius crew heads off to a retrovert colony, among the history-loving residents and old-Earth lifestyle. With limited scanning tech and access to the omni, the crew believes no one will recognize the not-actually-dead Carl--until the galaxy's sharpest investigators show up.
But not even a utopian middle-twentieth century colony can suppress Carl's natural instincts for mischief and greed. Now the crew of the Mobius has to shake their off-world snoops, then find Carl before his antics ruin everything.
129 pages, ebook
First published August 13, 2015
About the author
J.S. Morin
196 books634 followersI am a creator of worlds and a destroyer of words. As a fantasy writer, my works range from traditional epics to futuristic fantasy with starships. I have worked as an unpaid Little League pitcher, a cashier, a student library aide, a factory grunt, a cubicle drone, and an engineer--there is some overlap in the last two.
Through it all, though, I was always a storyteller. Eventually I started writing books based on the stray stories in my head, and people kept telling me to write more of them. Now, that's all I do for a living.
I enjoy strategy, worldbuilding, and the fantasy author's privilege to make up words. I am a gamer, a joker, and a thinker of sideways thoughts. But I don't dance, can't sing, and my best artistic efforts fall short of your average notebook doodle. When you read my books, you are seeing me at my best.
My ultimate goal is to be both clever and right at the same time. I have it on good authority that I have yet to achieve it.
Through it all, though, I was always a storyteller. Eventually I started writing books based on the stray stories in my head, and people kept telling me to write more of them. Now, that's all I do for a living.
I enjoy strategy, worldbuilding, and the fantasy author's privilege to make up words. I am a gamer, a joker, and a thinker of sideways thoughts. But I don't dance, can't sing, and my best artistic efforts fall short of your average notebook doodle. When you read my books, you are seeing me at my best.
My ultimate goal is to be both clever and right at the same time. I have it on good authority that I have yet to achieve it.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
May 19, 2020
Carl Ramsey had just won the Silde Slims race challenge and the 250,000 credits that went along with the title. Unfortunately, Carl can't spend any of it...if fact, he can't even claim the prize because... he's...dead. Well, at least that's what everyone in the Black Ocean. So, Carl is hiding out with his sister and her new significant other, and his "Wife" is attempting to free the winnings from the less than cooperative Silde Slims company. All this while... a laaku Fact Shifter is interviewing and investigating the incident... Carl goes walk about on his sister's planet... and someone has "Kidnapped" the largest member of the crew...and all of that within 153 pages!!!
But....Jeff Morin manages to deliver another exciting chapter in the BLACK OCEAN series as he takes the crew of the Morbius into even stranger waters. Morin is proving to be a master manipulator and story teller along with populating his stories and his worlds with sympathetic and enjoyable characters and giving his readers a wonderful on going thrill ride.
But....Jeff Morin manages to deliver another exciting chapter in the BLACK OCEAN series as he takes the crew of the Morbius into even stranger waters. Morin is proving to be a master manipulator and story teller along with populating his stories and his worlds with sympathetic and enjoyable characters and giving his readers a wonderful on going thrill ride.
February 14, 2019
A rather short (even for this collection of short novellas), but more consistent story has Carl Ramsay and his crew hiding out on a colony that passes itself off as a retro-version of Earth while the intergalactic police investigate the mysterious "death" of Ramsay that occurred in the previous story (Space NASCAR).
We also get introduced to Ramsay's sister, Rhiannon and her lawyer boyfriend Lloyd and we also finally rescue the Mobius' sentient space-dog.
The pacing is a little better here and the storyline a bit tighter (it's basically Ramsay et al trying to avoid detection and throw the snoops off the scent -- followed obviously by a getaway). Whether the "realistic" setting helped in that regard, I don't know, but the story felt more grounded rather than "sci-fi wackiness for its own sake."
We also get introduced to Ramsay's sister, Rhiannon and her lawyer boyfriend Lloyd and we also finally rescue the Mobius' sentient space-dog.
The pacing is a little better here and the storyline a bit tighter (it's basically Ramsay et al trying to avoid detection and throw the snoops off the scent -- followed obviously by a getaway). Whether the "realistic" setting helped in that regard, I don't know, but the story felt more grounded rather than "sci-fi wackiness for its own sake."
April 24, 2019
A lot shorter than the previous books, but full of world-building and character back-story.
Serves as a great build-up to some upcoming character arcs.
Love these characters!
3.3/5
Serves as a great build-up to some upcoming character arcs.
Love these characters!
3.3/5
August 6, 2019
Really more of a novella than a novel, but focusing on an interesting character.
April 22, 2019
Much better than the previous book, though I did find Mort's training techniques kind of creepy. But I did like Esper's storyline and her adventure with Kubu.
February 17, 2018
So with Carl technically ‘dead’, the crew need a place to lay low for a while, so they go to where Carl’s sister Rhiannon is living with her boyfriend Lloyd. This is for a multitude of reasons, it allows for Carl to see his little sister and let her know that he is alright (since it is all over the Galactic news that he is dead), and the planet she lives on, is a Human world, but it is a chance to rest and relax a bit, or so they think. Unfortunately Phabian Investigation Services come looking for them to investigate the ‘accident’, trying to determine if Carl really did die as it appears he did. Carl has to disappear so he can’t be found, leaving Tanny and Roddy to cover the ship and tell their version of events. Esper and Mord have taken a mysterious trip together. As Phabian investigations continue their investigation, the crew come and go on various missions of their own. Carl as usual ends up in trouble, and Mord, with the help of Mrly goes to rescue him. In the meantime, Esper and Tanny go on their own rescue mission, to find and free Kubu finally.
Retro-Vision is just a fantastic story, it moves a little slow to start with, building towards a spectacular ending. What is really great about this series is that the characters continue to grow and develop, each and every ‘Mission’ we learn something new about the main crew, or they grow in a measured capacity. With each Mission we not only get a brilliant story, we watch the crew of the Mobius develop and grow as well, and we become more attached to them as they become like a part of our little Sci-Fi family.
The wonderful mix of magic and tech and amazing characters make this a superb read, and with Morin’s ability to create a sensational storyline that is a cross between Firefly, Blake’s 7 and several other Epic other shows this is a must read.
Retro-Vision is just a fantastic story, it moves a little slow to start with, building towards a spectacular ending. What is really great about this series is that the characters continue to grow and develop, each and every ‘Mission’ we learn something new about the main crew, or they grow in a measured capacity. With each Mission we not only get a brilliant story, we watch the crew of the Mobius develop and grow as well, and we become more attached to them as they become like a part of our little Sci-Fi family.
The wonderful mix of magic and tech and amazing characters make this a superb read, and with Morin’s ability to create a sensational storyline that is a cross between Firefly, Blake’s 7 and several other Epic other shows this is a must read.
July 1, 2019
Another pretty quick listen, and the first that really captured my imagination. The story itself was fine, if not particularly exciting, but the world they end up struck a chord with my imagination and got me thinking a lot.
After the events in the last book, the crew ends up on a planet presumably inhabitated by nothing but retroverts, organized into their own nation's. We see only 3, but I assume there are many others and plenty of other similar worlds with other takes. Of the retroverts we see New Cali, where everyone uses technology and culture appropriate to the mid (20th) century California, New Camelot, where it's some weird medieval time period, and a non-specific ancient Asian Empire.
What got me thinking wasn't the specifics of the hijinks on the planet, but the planet itself and what would drive people to go live there. Thinking about it, though, it seems obvious. With trillions of people in ARGO, and what are likely hundreds of planets to choose from, how do decide where to live, and what to do? The answer definitely seems to be more and more extreme specialization, to the point that reenactment communities turn into entire planets.
The thing that captured my mind, though, is what this means for everyone else. Assuming that transportation is relatively easy, which it seems to be, it would mean that something like a simple job posting likely gets hundreds of thousands of applicants. You'd likely see extreme stratification, since employers could easily throw away all but the 0.1% most qualified applicants, and only talk to them. But those applicants almost certainly have hundreds of similar top tier employers after them, causing a bidding war for every employee, at least if you make it in that slot.
Really, it's a fun story, and it got me thinking just how different things would look if there were 1000x more people just around us at all time.
After the events in the last book, the crew ends up on a planet presumably inhabitated by nothing but retroverts, organized into their own nation's. We see only 3, but I assume there are many others and plenty of other similar worlds with other takes. Of the retroverts we see New Cali, where everyone uses technology and culture appropriate to the mid (20th) century California, New Camelot, where it's some weird medieval time period, and a non-specific ancient Asian Empire.
What got me thinking wasn't the specifics of the hijinks on the planet, but the planet itself and what would drive people to go live there. Thinking about it, though, it seems obvious. With trillions of people in ARGO, and what are likely hundreds of planets to choose from, how do decide where to live, and what to do? The answer definitely seems to be more and more extreme specialization, to the point that reenactment communities turn into entire planets.
The thing that captured my mind, though, is what this means for everyone else. Assuming that transportation is relatively easy, which it seems to be, it would mean that something like a simple job posting likely gets hundreds of thousands of applicants. You'd likely see extreme stratification, since employers could easily throw away all but the 0.1% most qualified applicants, and only talk to them. But those applicants almost certainly have hundreds of similar top tier employers after them, causing a bidding war for every employee, at least if you make it in that slot.
Really, it's a fun story, and it got me thinking just how different things would look if there were 1000x more people just around us at all time.
April 6, 2026
My Slightly Sarcastic But Ultimately Honest Book Rating System:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5 Stars): This book achieved legendary status in my personal library. I will likely reread it until the pages fall out (or my e-reader spontaneously combusts). Consider this my enthusiastic endorsement – you should probably read it unless you actively dislike joy.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4 Stars): A truly excellent read! I enjoyed it immensely and would heartily recommend it to fellow bookworms. You might even catch me subtly pushing it into their hands.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3 Stars): Yep, it was a book I read. I turned the pages, absorbed the words, and emerged...unchanged. It was a pleasant enough journey, like a scenic detour that you wouldn't necessarily take again, but didn't regret.
⭐️⭐️ (2 Stars): This book existed. I finished it. That's about the highest praise I can offer. If you're looking for something truly captivating, maybe keep scrolling. This one's more of an "it filled the silence" kind of experience.
⭐️ (1 Star): Oh dear. This book and I did not get along. It was a literary tumbleweed in the vast desert of good books. Consider this a strong "do not recommend," unless you're conducting research on what not to do in storytelling.
Disclaimer: My enjoyment of the narrator is based on my listening speed. I only leave 5 stars for books I've read/listened to or will read/listen to multiple times. If you like this review please consider giving it a Helpful Vote below.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5 Stars): This book achieved legendary status in my personal library. I will likely reread it until the pages fall out (or my e-reader spontaneously combusts). Consider this my enthusiastic endorsement – you should probably read it unless you actively dislike joy.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4 Stars): A truly excellent read! I enjoyed it immensely and would heartily recommend it to fellow bookworms. You might even catch me subtly pushing it into their hands.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3 Stars): Yep, it was a book I read. I turned the pages, absorbed the words, and emerged...unchanged. It was a pleasant enough journey, like a scenic detour that you wouldn't necessarily take again, but didn't regret.
⭐️⭐️ (2 Stars): This book existed. I finished it. That's about the highest praise I can offer. If you're looking for something truly captivating, maybe keep scrolling. This one's more of an "it filled the silence" kind of experience.
⭐️ (1 Star): Oh dear. This book and I did not get along. It was a literary tumbleweed in the vast desert of good books. Consider this a strong "do not recommend," unless you're conducting research on what not to do in storytelling.
Disclaimer: My enjoyment of the narrator is based on my listening speed. I only leave 5 stars for books I've read/listened to or will read/listen to multiple times. If you like this review please consider giving it a Helpful Vote below.
September 27, 2023
The crew of the Mobius find themselves stuck on a planet where everyone likes to pretend it is the 20th century with everything from the lingo to the tech. Carl needs to lay low on account of the fact that he's supposed to be dead, but he's predictably not very good at it. Esper begins her wizard training for real and gains some confidence. We meet some more of Carl's family and the crew finally rescue Kubu.
Though the stories are still episodic, they are starting to bleed into one another more smoothly as the sequels transition seamlessly from one story to the next.
Though the stories are still episodic, they are starting to bleed into one another more smoothly as the sequels transition seamlessly from one story to the next.
March 11, 2019
A solid entry
Not my favorite adventure with the crew although it was written just as well as previous entries.
Still good humor, good action, and good sci-fi. I like how Ester is progressing with her wizarding. I think the previous story was just so high stakes that it needed to settle back and advance some lingering issues like rescuing Kubu and resurrecting Carl.
This was on par with the rest of the series and I'm excited to continue forward!
Not my favorite adventure with the crew although it was written just as well as previous entries.
Still good humor, good action, and good sci-fi. I like how Ester is progressing with her wizarding. I think the previous story was just so high stakes that it needed to settle back and advance some lingering issues like rescuing Kubu and resurrecting Carl.
This was on par with the rest of the series and I'm excited to continue forward!
May 3, 2019
This is the opening of the doors to the magic user's mind, it seems. This is a big thing in the Mercy for Hire series, and I was hoping there would be more in this "world" so to speak, but I can also see the title of the next book and I might get my wish there. Anyway.. This was interesting, and the jump in character for Esper.. While understandable was too quick and we miss out on her growth as a magician ..and regression as a believer. It's a bit jarring.
December 23, 2019
Another fantastic episode in the Black Ocean series, this one is set on a retro world with people living in the past, with gas powered cars and 50's era technology. Carl and the Mobius crew are laying low after his faked death. They're hatching a plan to rescue Kobo from his kidnapper and then Carl gets in trouble and needs help as well. Lots of mayhem ensues on both fronts until all is right (or as right as it gets with this crew) in the end.
June 11, 2026
I really enjoyed this mission, every character had at least one moment to shine and some, like Esper, had some really great growth moments. I'm sad that Kubo is likely going to be leaving the ship soon, but I'm really glad they got her away from that evil wizard lady.
Karl's plot also felt like the A plot, and it was entertaining and funny, but I enjoyed the other plots more, tbh. I'm curious if his sister and 'boyfriend-in-law' are going to stick around at all.
Karl's plot also felt like the A plot, and it was entertaining and funny, but I enjoyed the other plots more, tbh. I'm curious if his sister and 'boyfriend-in-law' are going to stick around at all.
December 30, 2017
my wife asks what I'm sniggering at and my explanation doesn't do it justice. Almost Terry Pratchet at times with the subtle jokes or curious asides
April 12, 2018
Another short, but fun Black Ocean story.
Cursing just for the sake of cursing makes you look childish and dim witted.
Cursing just for the sake of cursing makes you look childish and dim witted.
May 21, 2018
Transitional book, and the hints at the reveal in book 7 weren't subtle enough.
August 16, 2018
Fun space adventure sequel.
December 5, 2018
More eh.
I don't necessarily regret buying the omnibus...but I'm not super excited to keep reading it either.
I don't necessarily regret buying the omnibus...but I'm not super excited to keep reading it either.
January 17, 2019
Another planet side adventure - this time with family.
Read
June 26, 2019That ended too soon. I wanted more Kubu. 😣
November 1, 2019
read this in the omnibus version (audible)
January 13, 2020
Carl and the team are hiding out after he faked his own death, but nothing ever goes to plan!! Another good story, as Carl continues to get into trouble.
December 31, 2020
Yay Kubu!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 4, 2021
my wife asks what I'm sniggering at and my explanation doesn't do it justice. Almost Terry Pratchet at times with the subtle jokes or curious asides
April 6, 2021
Not fully sure why 5. Need sleep. But this edition just did it for me more than others in the series.
April 20, 2021
Kubu is finally back and Esper's storyline gets some progression.
May 13, 2023
This one was a bit odd. Crew does dumb things, gets in trouble. Still, the exploration of magic was really cool, and characters are still a lot of fun.
September 13, 2023
Had a few chuckles. Best part was Espers growth, that girl be scary now.
May 3, 2024
Not my favorite storyline, it the characters are good.
May 28, 2024
Set in a colony mimicking 1960's Earth, it's time to rescue Kubu and as always, there is a twist at the end.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews