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Red Dot: Contact
An extraterrestrial craft will enter Earth’s orbit on October 16, 2022—forty-four days from now. The question is: will there be any humans left when the aliens arrive?
NASA scientist Claire Montague is a single mother in her thirties who’s leading a special team near Washington, DC, assigned to handle the approaching spaceship and report their findings to President Al Douthart.
News of the impending ET encounter spreads after a tumultuous National Security Council meeting, causing social, economic, and political upheaval around the world. Just as governments are beginning to calm the chaos of their countries, thousands of unexplained red dots appear on the ground all over the globe.
As the countdown continues, Claire and her colleagues struggle to make sense of the mysterious dots and determine what the extraterrestrials’ plan is once they arrive on Earth. But as the questions go unanswered and global tensions erupt into violence, President Douthart wonders who will be more harmful in the end—humans or aliens?
Red Dot is a thought-provoking sci-fi thriller complete with a remarkable cast of characters and an intriguing portrayal of alien life. Expect the unexpected and you’ll still be surprised.
215 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 10, 2015
82 people are currently reading
155 people want to read
About the author
Eugene Linn
2 books11 followersI graduated from Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas, with a bachelor’s degree in English literature, before I joined the US Army.
After studying Chinese Mandarin at the Defense Language Institute, I served as a Chinese language voice intercept operator. Upon leaving the armed forces, I attended the University of Kansas, earning a bachelor’s in journalism and a master’s in East Asian studies, with a focus on Chinese language and politics.
I went on to become a freelance reporter, working out of Hong Kong for UPI, Business China, Asian Business, and numerous others. Some of my specific writing assignments have included an annual report on China’s government social insurance system for Watson Wyatt Worldwide consulting and special contributor articles on China stocks for equities.com.
I now live with my wife in the Philippines, writing novels and editing academic papers.
After studying Chinese Mandarin at the Defense Language Institute, I served as a Chinese language voice intercept operator. Upon leaving the armed forces, I attended the University of Kansas, earning a bachelor’s in journalism and a master’s in East Asian studies, with a focus on Chinese language and politics.
I went on to become a freelance reporter, working out of Hong Kong for UPI, Business China, Asian Business, and numerous others. Some of my specific writing assignments have included an annual report on China’s government social insurance system for Watson Wyatt Worldwide consulting and special contributor articles on China stocks for equities.com.
I now live with my wife in the Philippines, writing novels and editing academic papers.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
March 14, 2016
What would you do if you knew aliens were real and a space craft was nearing Earth? Would you panic? Would you think they were friendly or hostile? Would you believe what your government was spinning?
That’s what this book is about. The characters portrayed come from all facets of the population. From your average Joe to the higher ups in government, all are wondering what will happen.
Scenarios range from a crumbling of society, people panicking and looting, to turning to their church for guidance, to eagerly awaiting the aliens arrival.
While keeping an eye on what they thought was a comet, it comes as a shock when the object is observed changing trajectory and speed. It leaves no doubt this object is being controlled and we now know we are not alone in the universe.
In the coming weeks, as people wait for the alien to arrive, mysterious red dots appear all over the world. They are small to medium patches of red on the ground. No harm comes from stepping on them, no dangerous emissions are detected. Their purpose is unknown.
Contact is also established. Though it’s difficult at first, people at NASA slowly establish a dialogue. This is released to the public to try to stem the rising panic.
I’ve often wondered how we’d react to contact from aliens. I’ve watched the movies. read plenty of other books about it.
While there isn’t a lot of action in this story, there is a slow build of suspense as the day of contact approaches.
If I’d connected more with the characters I would have enjoyed this story even more. I just didn’t get that little bit extra I needed for these characters to endear themselves to me.
That aside, I did enjoy this and would definitely read more if the author chose to continue with his story.
I received this book for my honest review.
That’s what this book is about. The characters portrayed come from all facets of the population. From your average Joe to the higher ups in government, all are wondering what will happen.
Scenarios range from a crumbling of society, people panicking and looting, to turning to their church for guidance, to eagerly awaiting the aliens arrival.
While keeping an eye on what they thought was a comet, it comes as a shock when the object is observed changing trajectory and speed. It leaves no doubt this object is being controlled and we now know we are not alone in the universe.
In the coming weeks, as people wait for the alien to arrive, mysterious red dots appear all over the world. They are small to medium patches of red on the ground. No harm comes from stepping on them, no dangerous emissions are detected. Their purpose is unknown.
Contact is also established. Though it’s difficult at first, people at NASA slowly establish a dialogue. This is released to the public to try to stem the rising panic.
I’ve often wondered how we’d react to contact from aliens. I’ve watched the movies. read plenty of other books about it.
While there isn’t a lot of action in this story, there is a slow build of suspense as the day of contact approaches.
If I’d connected more with the characters I would have enjoyed this story even more. I just didn’t get that little bit extra I needed for these characters to endear themselves to me.
That aside, I did enjoy this and would definitely read more if the author chose to continue with his story.
I received this book for my honest review.
September 5, 2018
Red Dot was fun story of scifi, mystery, and intrigue. I thought this would just be an alien book, but it turns out to be much more involved. I divide the book into two parts, the first part establishes all of the important mysteries going on along with the relationships with the main characters. Then about half-way, all hell breaks loose. At that point, it's really hard to put down until it's done. I found the ending to be very satisfactory. I think the author has a good grasp on how humans would act in these extraordinary situations. I recommend Red Dot for anybody interested in scifi, politics and solid storytelling.
June 25, 2016
Red Dot
Overall I thought this story was very good. It was readable and accessible, though a bit slow in places. I found the characters to be believable and entertaining. I would recommend this book for those that would like to have a different take on the ET first contact theme.
Overall I thought this story was very good. It was readable and accessible, though a bit slow in places. I found the characters to be believable and entertaining. I would recommend this book for those that would like to have a different take on the ET first contact theme.
May 11, 2019
This is a story concerning a major event that affects Earth in a future time. The Earth is being approached by what appears to be an intelligent race of aliens. This causes all kinds of problems on the Earth itself. Political, religious, philosophical, and all kinds of aggressive behavior is brought to light. There are several serious incidents that are brought to light by this story that are very close to the truth. The underlying sentiment of the story is, what will the people of Earth do when a superior and technically advanced race comes looking? A very very good story that captures and examines all the undercurrents of this question.
August 28, 2021
Pretty Dadgum Good…
For a story about ETs, perhaps the most (currently) unbelievable thing is a rational Republican Party in the White House. But suspend your disbelief, or hearken back to earlier halcyon days, whichever works best. Because it’s worth it for a well-thought-out and engaging First Contact story with characters you’ll care about, for the most part.
A couple of the ancillary characters are unfortunate cardboard cut-outs, but they don’t dominate the narrative too badly. All in all, well worth your time.
For a story about ETs, perhaps the most (currently) unbelievable thing is a rational Republican Party in the White House. But suspend your disbelief, or hearken back to earlier halcyon days, whichever works best. Because it’s worth it for a well-thought-out and engaging First Contact story with characters you’ll care about, for the most part.
A couple of the ancillary characters are unfortunate cardboard cut-outs, but they don’t dominate the narrative too badly. All in all, well worth your time.
June 26, 2017
Intriguing venture into the unknown
Red Dot is a well conceived venture into the unknown. I liked the concept of an unknown culture that comes to us and the examination of how many would react. The mystique of the red Dot has an imaginative tale of its own. Red Dot is well worth the read!
Red Dot is a well conceived venture into the unknown. I liked the concept of an unknown culture that comes to us and the examination of how many would react. The mystique of the red Dot has an imaginative tale of its own. Red Dot is well worth the read!
May 15, 2019
Red Dot
I kept reading, wanting to know what the E.T. Would look like and be like. But this book hit much closer to real life than ok was expecting. The author seems to be a very good judge of humanity. I would fully expect that we would act just as he has written, and be a danger to ourselves. I’m so sorry, but this is us.
I kept reading, wanting to know what the E.T. Would look like and be like. But this book hit much closer to real life than ok was expecting. The author seems to be a very good judge of humanity. I would fully expect that we would act just as he has written, and be a danger to ourselves. I’m so sorry, but this is us.
April 14, 2018
One of the best alien stories I've ever read.
I say, man's possible reaction and action towards alien's entry into this planet is well written in this book. I can't wait to read the next sequel, if ever there's one.
Would be a great movie too.
I say, man's possible reaction and action towards alien's entry into this planet is well written in this book. I can't wait to read the next sequel, if ever there's one.
Would be a great movie too.
May 25, 2019
Excellent page turner
I don't understand what the book was well-written with philosophic and political insights and I was eager to finish it as quickly as possible. It gave the reader many things to Under and I highly recommend it .
I don't understand what the book was well-written with philosophic and political insights and I was eager to finish it as quickly as possible. It gave the reader many things to Under and I highly recommend it .
November 17, 2017
Different take on first contact.
Characters are very likeable. Well thought out. How would the world react when facing contact from other worlds? This is a good guess for sure.
Characters are very likeable. Well thought out. How would the world react when facing contact from other worlds? This is a good guess for sure.
June 1, 2019
A good start and a good end but a little weak in the middle. I found myself flipping pages in some parts.
February 6, 2020
Thought provoking and a good read
Very engaging novel with well developed characters and concepts. Timely and perceptive of the world we find ourselves in here in 2020.
Very engaging novel with well developed characters and concepts. Timely and perceptive of the world we find ourselves in here in 2020.
December 24, 2020
Hard to put down
It may have started out slower but was the book went on, I couldn't put it down. In some ways, it was realistic
It may have started out slower but was the book went on, I couldn't put it down. In some ways, it was realistic
June 3, 2021
I enjoyed the story. A few grammatical errors. The two week period dragged a bit but I encourage others to read this.
December 23, 2015
Interesting concept. Red Dot is about the reactions of humans in the light of discovering there is a spacecraft from another planet coming to Earth. It's about what countries, governments, and people might do, from the extreme to the simple things.
The story is well written, however, the third person omniscient POV didn't do it quite well for me. It felt a bit cold and on the verge of being objective. What I mean is it lacked the closeness of the characters. I wished we would have been more in their heads. Not that we didn't get their thoughts, because we did, just not as much as I would have liked. To be honest, it was mostly at the beginning though. After a bit, it gets better. Of course, as a disclosure, I must admit to being a fan of the first person POV or third limited.
We don't get much of the ETs but we do get a glimpse of them. The author didn't leave us hanging with a 'So what or who were they after all' for which I greatly appreciated.
Over all, I'd give a five for the story, and a three for the characters. Nonetheless, this could make a great movie.
(Edited: Forgot to add that I didn't read the paperback version but rather the Kindle version, but there is no other version to choose here.)
The story is well written, however, the third person omniscient POV didn't do it quite well for me. It felt a bit cold and on the verge of being objective. What I mean is it lacked the closeness of the characters. I wished we would have been more in their heads. Not that we didn't get their thoughts, because we did, just not as much as I would have liked. To be honest, it was mostly at the beginning though. After a bit, it gets better. Of course, as a disclosure, I must admit to being a fan of the first person POV or third limited.
We don't get much of the ETs but we do get a glimpse of them. The author didn't leave us hanging with a 'So what or who were they after all' for which I greatly appreciated.
Over all, I'd give a five for the story, and a three for the characters. Nonetheless, this could make a great movie.
(Edited: Forgot to add that I didn't read the paperback version but rather the Kindle version, but there is no other version to choose here.)
March 16, 2016
I received a free ecopy of this book for an honest review.
Red Dot is not only good science fiction, but it really makes you think. What if we knew that an alien ship was headed for Earth? How would everyone around the world react? Unfortunately, Eugene Linn is probably spot on. Of course, there would be reactions from one extreme to the other, as he portrays in this story. There is no way that anyone knows whether the aliens are on a peaceful mission or intend us harm. It doesn't matter that they say they mean us no harm.
There were a lot of characters in this book and, although they weren't as developed as they could have been, I got a good sense of the varying reactions that would occur to the knowledge of aliens on their way.
I really liked the reason for the red dots as well as the ending. I won't say any more than that because I don't want to give anything away. I definitely recommend Red Dot and I hope to see more from this author.
Red Dot is not only good science fiction, but it really makes you think. What if we knew that an alien ship was headed for Earth? How would everyone around the world react? Unfortunately, Eugene Linn is probably spot on. Of course, there would be reactions from one extreme to the other, as he portrays in this story. There is no way that anyone knows whether the aliens are on a peaceful mission or intend us harm. It doesn't matter that they say they mean us no harm.
There were a lot of characters in this book and, although they weren't as developed as they could have been, I got a good sense of the varying reactions that would occur to the knowledge of aliens on their way.
I really liked the reason for the red dots as well as the ending. I won't say any more than that because I don't want to give anything away. I definitely recommend Red Dot and I hope to see more from this author.
December 5, 2015
This book was interesting. I like to imagine nice aliens sometimes. I was a big fan of Voyager! I think this book has an intriguing story line. I enjoyed the characters and I think anything is possible because there is still sooo much about space and the solar system we don't know. * I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review*
January 26, 2016
An excellent, intriguing, and I'd even go so far to say realistic look at how the world would react to the knowledge that aliens were on their way to visit, and not knowing whether that visit will be friendly or hostile.
June 29, 2016
Reaction to other world spacecraft
What happens when we realize alien spacecraft is on a path to Earth? When the red dots appear all over the planet, no one knows what the purpose of the dots. What is the reaction of the public? An interesting take on what might happen.
What happens when we realize alien spacecraft is on a path to Earth? When the red dots appear all over the planet, no one knows what the purpose of the dots. What is the reaction of the public? An interesting take on what might happen.
August 24, 2016
I really enjoyed the book. I like sci-fi related to first contact situations. The story moved along, with delightful twists and turns. There was suspense and humor too. A good read.
December 12, 2016
Not a bad story, but all tell.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews