EMPTY CASKETS: Terran Patrol Book One

by Lewis Dually

An inquiry into the death of Specialist Granger Shelton has concluded and Skipper Allen Paul is officially cleared of culpability in the Spaceman’s death. He is also promoted to Commander and placed back in command of the Navy’s oldest, and in his opinion, finest space cruiser, the United Earth Ship, Dawn Rising. Now, as he wrestles with his grief over the loss of Granger Shelton, he is also troubled by a discovery made while escorting Granger’s body home to Texas. While transferring shuttles in Houston, Paul observes three caskets returning from the asteroid belt’s mining colonies. That ,in itself, is not unusual as working in the asteroid belt is inherently dangerous, but his curiosity peaks when he realizes the caskets contain no bodies! Before he can investigate farther, the Navy sends him on a secret mission for the Planetary Defense Agency who tasks him with locating members of an alien species thought to be hiding in the asteroid belt. Never one to let sleeping dogs lie, Paul uses his mission as an excuse to open three of the mining company's unoccupied caskets and discovers a direct link between the contents of the caskets and the alien species he is tasked with finding. A conspiracy is now afoot, and the search broadens as he teams up with a veteran Texas lawman, a Navy Seals team, and his protege, the newly minted Skipper of the Navy’s newest ship, Lieutenant Commander, Gail Ann Schmidt of the Crimson Moon. Together, they uncover a decades-old conspiracy whose fruition is at hand.

Genres: Science Fiction

353 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 17, 2017

About the author

Lewis Dually is a former long-haul truck driver and son of a West Virginia coal miner. He currently lives in Chattanooga Tn, where he pursues his passions for writing and fishing.

Quote "When I was a young lad, I was prone to telling tall tales. Now that I'm older and wiser, I no longer tell them, I write them!"

Reviews

[Marcus · Rating 4 out of 5]

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review

This book starts out as an investigative space novel with an emphasis on "empty caskets" belonging to dead astronauts. It takes off very quickly from this point because every new revelation leads to several other questions. It is science fiction with police procedures on top of high octane action/drama. There are several plot twists that will keep the reader engrossed and entertained. The characters are three dimensional with a very developed back story which grips the reader by the throat.

[Cheryl Medley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed the story

Now the interminable wait for the next in the series. I picked up the audible version as well as the kindle. The narrator did a great job.

[Louis C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one is pretty cool. The main character is a Navy Commander in the Space Fleet, but he finds himself playing detective and butting heads with other agencies as he tracks down missing people from the empty caskets. He also teams up with a Texas Ranger who is a pretty cool character as well. The story moves back and forth from Earth to space a couple times and has two impressive space battles but it also has a lot of mystery as they chase down leads to the missing miners and the alien connections with the CIA and PDA. While the story has a definite ending, it also leaves you hanging as the Commander has an option to leave the Navy and become a Space Ranger or continue on and, I would assume, be promoted to Captian in the next book. Either way, I can't wait to see which way he goes. I really like Commander Paul. He's not the typical brash hard-nosed infallible hero you typically see in these kinds of stories and I thoroughly enjoyed his exploits and occasional humorous retorts.

[S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Three species

This exciting novel takes a way into our future. It is full of interesting twists and the age old issue of parents and youth disagreeing. Good plot line and an interesting hillbilly space hero make for an enjoyable read.

[brian edward galloway · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun read

It's a great book with a story line that takes it from today's world and into the future with a cast of characters that makes it believable and shows that this may happen at some point in time if we pull our finger out and sort it

[Craig Sweeney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good action

I really enjoyed this book. Immediate and nonstop action with great characters. Fascinating interaction with three alien species and not the usual ‘they’re trying to kill us all!’ Well, some of that! More, please!

[Edward Zulko · Rating 5 out of 5]

Get this one soon.

Very well written, composed and thought out. Editing was excellent characters are strong and interesting. Narration is top notch and the story definitely leaves you wanting more. And for me it was free!

[Bill · Rating 5 out of 5]

great read. Future war sci fi.

[Marleen Leviton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome story line

With each twist and turn you find the angle is askew. Good fun.
story of other questions are answered. What fun!

[Len Futterman · Rating 5 out of 5]

?

[Eric Prater · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where's the sequel?

Great book, well written, but now I want more, so where the he'll is the sequel, I need it now!