Deep Quarry

by John E. Stith

First published by Ace Books.

In Deep Quarry, Stith once again successfully combines mystery with hard science fiction. Ben Takent is a private eye on a hot, dusty world at the edge of the civilized galaxy. When he's asked to find out who is stealing artifacts from a 10,000-year old archaeological dig in the desert, he reluctantly takes the case. After it becomes clear that the artifacts are pointing to an ancient alien spacecraft, the stakes in the case go up -- way up. Winner of the Colorado Authors' League Top Hand Award.

Genres: Science Fiction, Humor, Mystery, Fiction

186 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1989

About the author

PUSHBACK , a mystery-suspense novel, was published in November 2018 and is a finalist for the Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery/Suspense, mainstream category.

PUSHBACK : At his ten-year high-school reunion, an investment counselor finds he doesn't know one person there, and soon realizes he must outwit an unknown antagonist who wants him dead.

"...unsettling Hitchcockian thriller...Judicious use of humor provides some relief from the dark plot line. Fans of Daniel Palmer-esque intelligent suspense will be pleased." -- Publishers Weekly

"Ordinary Hijacked by Extraordinary, With Comedy... what’s most captivating about PUSHBACK is that even with people like Dave Barlow—just an average guy doing average things—life can take a shocking turn for the worse. But the book reminds us that, also like Dave, we have the power to turn it right-side up again, with humor at the center of our inner strength." -- The Big Thrill, magazine of International Thriller Writers

Science-fiction author John E. Stith's works include REDSHIFT RENDEZVOUS (Nebula Award nominee from Ace Books), MANHATTAN TRANSFER (Hugo Award Honorable Mention from Tor Books), REUNION ON NEVEREND, and RECKONING INFINITY (on Science Fiction Chronicle's Best Science Fiction Novels list for its publication year, on the Nebula Award preliminary ballot).

His other novels are SCAPESCOPE, MEMORY BLANK, DEATH TOLLS, and DEEP QUARRY.

He's the author of ALL FOR NAUGHT, which collects "Naught for Hire," and "Naught Again" both first appearing in ANALOG. If you hear about "Naught for Hire" verbally, you might think the title is "Not for Hire" but it's not. Check out the Naught for Hire website for even more info on the upcoming webisode series starring Ben Browder.

Reviews

[G.A. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Più thriller la prima parte, più scifi la seconda. Tiene col fiato sospeso fino al finale.

[Jessica Bronder · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ben Takent is a private detective hired by Kate Dunlet. Kate is running an archeological dig and has discovered that some small artifacts are disappearing. Then a space ship is discovered at the dig. Ben and Kate now have a lot more on their hands since the space ship is still occupied by some not so friendly aliens.

This story reminds me of a classic noir detective story but with aliens mixed in. I like Ben, he was the smart mouthed detective. The opening scene where he is putting callers on hold had me cracking up. I answer phones and you have no idea how many times I have wanted to do this to people.

This was a great story and one that I recommend everyone check out. The story covers several different genera’s and was one that I couldn’t wait to see what was going to happen next.

I received Deep Quarry for free from Roger Charlie in exchange for an honest review.

[diana · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have never read any book by the author but since Deep Quarry is a mixture of sci-fi and mystery (both of which I love) I figured why not take the opportunity and start with this one?

Honestly this was an okay read for me. I liked the writing but there really wasn't anything about the book that stood out. I love the sci-fi aspect to it because come on, who wouldn't?
It was also different from what I expected. There was so much humor and I definitely didn't expect that from a book such as this one. I have to say that's probably one of the things I really liked about the book.

John Stith has written A LOT of other books so rest assured I'd check those out too.

I received an e-copy of the book to read and review.

[Tomasz · Rating 2 out of 5]

So, a crime plot which is cobbled together so poorly, the final reveal is totally unnecessary except for the terminally brain-dead readers (they might also enjoy the jokes, tbh). Then the WAY SUBTLE introduction of the scifiest element, leading to a wet firework conclusion by the way of the most boring extended chase sequence it was my misfortune to read in a long time (and it read like a very low budget movie scenario - they run, they pile up boxes, a box is chasing them, etc., etc., like a cut-rate early Doctor Who). The tidally locked planet is wasted as a location, too.

[Gustave · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved every moment of this fast moving investigative sci-fi book. Also, it was the first book I read from front to back and got me hooked on science fiction genre.

[Romancing the Book · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed by Lori
Book provided by the author

I have to admit I was worried I wouldn’t like these books because I’m not much of a sci fi reader. I agreed to read these books because they sounded intriguing when I read the blurbs and I also wanted to expand my horizons and read something new, and perhaps find a new genre I would like. I shouldn’t have worried; these books were easy to read, entertaining, and kept me on the edge of my seat.

Mr. Stith is a lover of science fiction and his work has won numerous awards. After reading his books, I can see why. He captures the reader within the first few paragraphs of his book and he won’t let them go until the end.

I loved the humor that he puts into his books, its dry and sarcastic and just plain funny.

My first review is for Deep Quarry and my initial thoughts when I was reading this was that the planet Dallad where the story took place reminded me of Luke Skywalker’s home planet from Star Wars. Dallad was hot and desert like and so was Luke’s planet as well. I wouldn’t want to live there, I have fair skin.

I really enjoyed the protagonist Ben, he was a good guy, he’s smart, and perceptive. I wasn’t sure if I was going to like him, it seems that in fiction, private detectives are usually portrayed as not nice people. Luckily for me, Ben was a good guy.

I also liked Kate. She was smart, and funny, and was the perfect counterpoint for Ben.

Any romantic endeavors within this book are glossed over as the main focus is on the sci fi element. This isn’t a complaint, as I really liked the story, I’m just reiterating the fact that this is not romance.

I loved the fact that even in a ski fi book on a planet that’s not earth; there are still archaeologists that are studying non- human people. I think that’s so cool. What’s even cooler is that someday, this might actually happen.

I know that this is a romance blog, and I know that this is not romance, but I have to say that any readers out there that liked Star Wars, or Star Trek, would like this book. Give it a chance, the reader may like it.

[Kevin Phyland · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ben Takent is a private eye called to an archeological dig by a beautiful digger called Kate. Somebody (human, Womper or Venton - the three intelligent species on the Dallad site) has been pilfering Womper artefacts and selling them, despite security being employed at the dig. After a few seeming red herrings and a couple of unfortunate deaths, Ben suspects it is an inside job. Before any suspects emerge however, an astonishing find hidden inside a butte recasts the whole problem and leads to a 10000 year old Womper catastrophe… that may not have ended yet. More shamus shenanigans from John E. Stith, and it is an enjoyable but uncomplicated read (apart from the convoluted plot!)

[Karl Stark di Grande Inverno · Rating 2 out of 5]

Prima parte molto gradevole, un giallo con ambientazione SF avente un protagonista scanzonato e una spruzzata di humour.
La seconda metà invece cambia registro, diventando una specie di "The Cube" molto meno claustrofobico, misterioso ed avvincente.
Ho fatto fatica a finirlo per due motivi: il giallo si risolve in modo banale e, appunto, la seconda parte decisamente noiosa.
Peccato perchè era partito bene.

[Solim · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5 had a good mystery aspect for 40% of the book, then went int an underground spaceship/labyrinth section for the next 40% of the book with a reveal in the last 20%. I like the banter/dialogue but I wish it had a bit more mystery all the way throughout.

[Riccardo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sci-fi investigativo, abbastanza scorrevole e con una storia interessante. Un genere che non avevo mai letto prima.

[Harper Valentine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book years ago and thought it was great, but decided to re-read it.
How I thought this was so great I don't know.
John Stith is a great writer, I can only assume this was his first attempt at writing or I have a odd copy or something! The whole book uses the same words over and over and over and over...., the words are like the same words, the story was very spherical, like a sphere, the sphere of the story, was like walking in a sphere, you know how a sphere is very spherical, this story was like a spherical sphere. Going around and around, not getting anywhere and saying the same thing that it just said and not even in a different way, it says the same thing, the same way, using the same words, in the same order, like the same, do you know what I mean?!
I am curious to re read Manhattan Transfer now to see if he wrote the same words over and over in that book too!
As for the story itself, well it's a bit of a slow starter, the idea is there, but it starts off on a hunt for a thief and ends up in a maze, searching for a way out (trying to keep that vague in case this review actually makes you want to read the book). The problem is that the second half of the book is more intriguing than the first half, but he should have picked one half and made the whole story about that, not switch half way through.
Read it and you'll see some great ideas, a great imagination and a writer with a true talent for Sci-Fi.
So if you have a boring journey and need a bit of fodder to pass the time Deep Quarry will pass the time and time will pass, time is a journey and the journey through time is just a journey, time will pass and soon the journey will be over, unless the passages of this book that continue to loop around and around!

[Kallierose · Rating 2 out of 5]

Seemed like a standard sci-fi adventure with a touch of mystery. But there was nothing about it that really grabbed me.

[Aimee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is listed as a Sci-Fi book, but it's really a mystery thats set on another planet.

[Bev · Rating 2 out of 5]

Wouldn't call this a really successful blend of science fiction and mystery. I like both, And there are others who do it better (Asimov). This is okay.

[Scribal · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is one of my least favorite Stith books. Whatever interest the story might have is drained by the tedium of the writing and plotting.