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Fox Meridian #2
Inescapable
Starting a new job is never easy, but taking up her new role as head of Palladium Security Solutions’ investigative department, Fox Meridian is left wondering whether she is really cut out for this one. Board meetings are boring, politics sets her teeth on edge, and there’s no sign of a need for a detective anywhere.
But there’s a serial killer working the elite set in Manhattan and one of Fox’s few friends, Helen Dillan, is in Internal Affairs’ sights for leaking sensitive crime scene information. They think she caught the wrong man, a man who claims he committed multiple murders because he was possessed by a demon, and that the original killer is at work again. It falls to Fox, Kit, and Dillan to uncover the truth, which is almost as strange as any demon possession could be.
But there’s a serial killer working the elite set in Manhattan and one of Fox’s few friends, Helen Dillan, is in Internal Affairs’ sights for leaking sensitive crime scene information. They think she caught the wrong man, a man who claims he committed multiple murders because he was possessed by a demon, and that the original killer is at work again. It falls to Fox, Kit, and Dillan to uncover the truth, which is almost as strange as any demon possession could be.
235 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 1, 2015
27 people are currently reading
17 people want to read
About the author
Niall Teasdale
73 books292 followersI was born in the vicinity of Hadrian's Wall so perhaps a bit of history rubbed off. Ancient history obviously, and border history, right on the edge of the Empire. I always preferred the Dark Ages anyway; there’s so much more room for imagination when people aren’t writing down every last detail. So my idea of a good fantasy novel involved dirt and leather, not shining plate armour and Hollywood-medieval manners. The same applies to my sci-fi, really; I prefer gritty over shiny.
Oddly, then, one of the first fantasy novels I remember reading was The Dark Is Rising, by Susan Cooper (later made into a terrible juvenile movie). These days we would call Cooper’s series Young Adult Contemporary Fantasy and looking back on it, it influenced me a lot. It has that mix of modern day life, hidden history, and magic which failed to hit popular culture until the early days of Buffy and Anne Rice. Of course, Cooper’s characters spend their time around places I could actually visit in Cornwall, and South East England, and mid-Wales. In fact, when I went to university in Aberystwyth, it was partially because some of Cooper’s books were set a few miles to the north around Tywyn.
I got into writing through roleplaying, however, so my early work was related to the kind of roleplaying game I was interested in. I wrote “high fantasy” when I was playing Dungeons & Dragons. I wrote a lot of superhero fiction when I was playing City of Heroes. I still loved the idea of a modern world with magic in it and I’ve been trying to write a novel based on this for a long time. As with any form of expression, practice is the key and I can look back on all the aborted attempts at books, and the more successful short stories, as steps along the path to the Thaumatology Series.
As of 2015, I have thrown in my lot with writing. After thirty years of being a computer programmer I am making enough money to quit the day job and write full time. Dreams, occasionally, come true. My favourite authors are Terry Pratchett, Susan Cooper, and (recently) Kim Harrison. Kim’s Hollows books were what finally spurred me to publish something, even if the trail to here came by way of Susan, back in school, several decades ago.
Oddly, then, one of the first fantasy novels I remember reading was The Dark Is Rising, by Susan Cooper (later made into a terrible juvenile movie). These days we would call Cooper’s series Young Adult Contemporary Fantasy and looking back on it, it influenced me a lot. It has that mix of modern day life, hidden history, and magic which failed to hit popular culture until the early days of Buffy and Anne Rice. Of course, Cooper’s characters spend their time around places I could actually visit in Cornwall, and South East England, and mid-Wales. In fact, when I went to university in Aberystwyth, it was partially because some of Cooper’s books were set a few miles to the north around Tywyn.
I got into writing through roleplaying, however, so my early work was related to the kind of roleplaying game I was interested in. I wrote “high fantasy” when I was playing Dungeons & Dragons. I wrote a lot of superhero fiction when I was playing City of Heroes. I still loved the idea of a modern world with magic in it and I’ve been trying to write a novel based on this for a long time. As with any form of expression, practice is the key and I can look back on all the aborted attempts at books, and the more successful short stories, as steps along the path to the Thaumatology Series.
As of 2015, I have thrown in my lot with writing. After thirty years of being a computer programmer I am making enough money to quit the day job and write full time. Dreams, occasionally, come true. My favourite authors are Terry Pratchett, Susan Cooper, and (recently) Kim Harrison. Kim’s Hollows books were what finally spurred me to publish something, even if the trail to here came by way of Susan, back in school, several decades ago.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
October 29, 2016
Wow, good book. I did kinda guess what would happen, but it left on a cliffhanger that didn't satisfy me. Ok let's pass to the next book!
November 29, 2015
Better than the first
This is TekWar, but better, and with a bit more VR.5 thrown in.
Honestly, it's much easier in some way to compare the book and its series to others. It's not actually derivative so much as using common themes — blending them into an interesting new way. I read this in the same day I bought it, which I think is a strong recommendation.
The story continues to follow in the life of Terri ‘Fox’ Meridian, and her A.I. partner, Kit. Yes, the jokes write themselves.
Plots, skulduggery, and murder combine, with a very strong main plot assisted by several side stories. The cast is small, and focused. Almost everyone in this novel was introduced in the previous novel, which heightens the serial, connected feel. I do not recommend reading this alone — start with the first book, things will make more sense.
These aren't really gumshoe novels, or even police procedurals. They are fantastic adventure stories set against a backdrop of privatized law and order in a technological near future, and I highly recommend them.
This review will be crossposted to Smashwords.
September 22, 2018
Pulp SF action adventure. 3.5 stars
Fox meridian is back for er second novel and I must say it was quite good. Having made a career change after the fallout of her last investigation, Fox is now head of the investigative division of a Mega-corporation. A corporation that just happens to be run by her "Genius billionaire benefactor" and his daughter. In this novel Fox slowly feels her way around this new job while tackling her first few investigations in her new position.
In all, I really enjoyed this second novel. Fox flits around the world and while doing this we get to see quite an inserting world. And overall I though Inescapable as an improvement over the first novel. The world gets a bit more settled and previously established characters get a few more moments to grow and expand.
In short: A fun pulpy SF novel with plenty of action.
Fox meridian is back for er second novel and I must say it was quite good. Having made a career change after the fallout of her last investigation, Fox is now head of the investigative division of a Mega-corporation. A corporation that just happens to be run by her "Genius billionaire benefactor" and his daughter. In this novel Fox slowly feels her way around this new job while tackling her first few investigations in her new position.
In all, I really enjoyed this second novel. Fox flits around the world and while doing this we get to see quite an inserting world. And overall I though Inescapable as an improvement over the first novel. The world gets a bit more settled and previously established characters get a few more moments to grow and expand.
In short: A fun pulpy SF novel with plenty of action.
June 11, 2017
I enjoyed this more than the first book in the series. The story flowed better, Fox has developed more personality and there are some interesting relationships developing. Finally Kit has become much more than a glorified ipad.
The series has moved from being a simple High Tech police investigation to something that also includes corporate espionage, intrusion from government agencies and raging artificial intelligences. I would probably given this book 5 stars until reading the last chapter. I expected the investigations to be wrapped up in this book and a something new for the next book in the series, not finding I have to buy the next book if I want to complete this story.
The series has moved from being a simple High Tech police investigation to something that also includes corporate espionage, intrusion from government agencies and raging artificial intelligences. I would probably given this book 5 stars until reading the last chapter. I expected the investigations to be wrapped up in this book and a something new for the next book in the series, not finding I have to buy the next book if I want to complete this story.
November 2, 2015
Might just be the best one yet
I've enjoyed all of his books, but this one has to be one of the best I've read from his multiple of series. I can see why he says he is really getting sucked into this world he has created and will just be working on it for awhile as it has certainly been fun to read them.
I can't wait for the third book.
I've enjoyed all of his books, but this one has to be one of the best I've read from his multiple of series. I can see why he says he is really getting sucked into this world he has created and will just be working on it for awhile as it has certainly been fun to read them.
I can't wait for the third book.
December 24, 2015
Another fascinating book, I am finding myself liking Fox as much as I do Aneka.
December 7, 2015
Good series
I like the futuristic aspects of this series. It is a interesting story and I like the characters. Fox and Sam are the kind of friends that everyone needs.
I like the futuristic aspects of this series. It is a interesting story and I like the characters. Fox and Sam are the kind of friends that everyone needs.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews