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Assignment Darklanding #1
Assignment Darklanding
A frontier world. One Sheriff. And all the action one Spaceport can't hold. Darklanding is the wild, wild west of known space.
Sheriff Thaddeus Fry will never completely leave the battlefields of Centauri Prime. His new assignment, the Sheriff's office of Darklanding, could be a do-nothing job, or it could get him killed.
The first thing he learns is that his predecessor's headquarters were bombed, creating the vacancy that led to his appointment. The Company Man, is not who he expected, to say the least. His new accommodations are right in the center of Darklanding's misfits. He finds one native of Ungwilook willing to talk to him and tries to make him a deputy. What really matters on Darklanding, are the mines.
Faced with a dangerous collapse that could kill hundreds of workers, he leaps into action and gets the story of Darklanding started. Fans of Firefly, Bonanza, and Tombstone will love this new series. Join us today and every 18 days, you’ll get a new episode of Darklanding.
Sheriff Thaddeus Fry will never completely leave the battlefields of Centauri Prime. His new assignment, the Sheriff's office of Darklanding, could be a do-nothing job, or it could get him killed.
The first thing he learns is that his predecessor's headquarters were bombed, creating the vacancy that led to his appointment. The Company Man, is not who he expected, to say the least. His new accommodations are right in the center of Darklanding's misfits. He finds one native of Ungwilook willing to talk to him and tries to make him a deputy. What really matters on Darklanding, are the mines.
Faced with a dangerous collapse that could kill hundreds of workers, he leaps into action and gets the story of Darklanding started. Fans of Firefly, Bonanza, and Tombstone will love this new series. Join us today and every 18 days, you’ll get a new episode of Darklanding.
- GenresScience FictionAmazon
79 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 18, 2017
153 people are currently reading
149 people want to read
About the author
Scott Moon
155 books217 followersScott Moon loves audio books, especially the works of George R.R. Martin, Patrick O'Brian, and Michael Connelly. He has been writing fantasy, science fiction, and urban fantasy thrillers most of his life and aims to read or listen to 100 books a year. Currently, he is a commissioned police officer serving in a street level counter drug and gang unit. Some of his most rewarding and heartbreaking work was as a detective in the Exploited Missing Child Unit. His favorite assignment is SWAT, primarily for the eighty pounds of tactical gear he gets to wear in the blazing summer heat. In 2005, he helped arrest a serial killer who had been at large for over thirty years.
Follow Scott Moon on Twitter @Scottmoonwriter or visit www.scottmoonwriter.com to view his author page.
Follow Scott Moon on Twitter @Scottmoonwriter or visit www.scottmoonwriter.com to view his author page.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
April 3, 2018
Wow! I’m totally hooked, very absorbing. A very realistic view of corporate control and manipulations on a far flung desert mining planet, with no law, in comes a sheriff - ex soldier - with his outlandish manners without a clue investigation wise, very far west like.
The abuse, slavery style to both humans and the Ungloks miners is horrifying. As always the fame of human conquest is well described here, an analog of our past and present history. It’s also a fun read with a great humour dialogue, enigmatic aliens, thoughtful and fast paced, action filled. I’m going to read this whole serie
The abuse, slavery style to both humans and the Ungloks miners is horrifying. As always the fame of human conquest is well described here, an analog of our past and present history. It’s also a fun read with a great humour dialogue, enigmatic aliens, thoughtful and fast paced, action filled. I’m going to read this whole serie
March 25, 2018
Assignment Darklanding - a review by Rosemary Kenny
Sheriff Thaddeus(Tad) Fry is the town of Darklanding's newest law-enforcer, brought skillfully to life by the pen of author Craig Martelle in an excellent series of Western tales.
How did the previous sheriff die? What else was destroyed in the process?
Where does Tad locate his office? When does he meet the Company Man?
What is strange about them? When does Tad learn about the cave-in?
Who does Tad appoint as his new deputy? Where is this person from?
Definitely one for lovers of Westerns with a sci-fi twist! Craig Martelle clearly knows both genres like the back of his sharp-shooting hand, in this all-action, rootin' tootin' great story - more please!
Sheriff Thaddeus(Tad) Fry is the town of Darklanding's newest law-enforcer, brought skillfully to life by the pen of author Craig Martelle in an excellent series of Western tales.
How did the previous sheriff die? What else was destroyed in the process?
Where does Tad locate his office? When does he meet the Company Man?
What is strange about them? When does Tad learn about the cave-in?
Who does Tad appoint as his new deputy? Where is this person from?
Definitely one for lovers of Westerns with a sci-fi twist! Craig Martelle clearly knows both genres like the back of his sharp-shooting hand, in this all-action, rootin' tootin' great story - more please!
December 23, 2019
Pretty good, the characters were solid, in the way that they were quite different from each other, for a first episode on what i can only assume are a collection of short stories it was pretty good, i caught myself thinking that i was watching a series on tv, so if you like that this is a plus, the setting is quite interesting as well you follow Thaddeus Fry, an ex-soldier, that comes to be sheriff in this place that is a mixture of desert and artic and apparently people are not very fond of the sheriff, so the interactions are quite a treat, especially with the natives, a nice and quick read, go for it.
July 13, 2018
Familiar Fun
When I made time to read this it went quick and I thoroughly enjoyed every minute! The characters and setting is familiar and intriguing so that it’s making me want more. Good thing there is more!
When I made time to read this it went quick and I thoroughly enjoyed every minute! The characters and setting is familiar and intriguing so that it’s making me want more. Good thing there is more!
February 2, 2022
This beginning reminded me a little of the Firefly characters. I enjoyed getting to know Thaddeus a little, and can't wait to see how he's going to sort out the problems of the mine, and the murdered previous Sheriff.
A great start so far.
A great start so far.
April 26, 2018
Brilliant. Thoroughly enjoyed it.
Really liked the native Ungloks (aliens to you and I) Mast Jotham was especially delightful and often unintentionally amusing. Sheriff Thaddeus Fry is a polite, reserved, no-nonsense ex-military man whose first day in his new job is certainly packed with action. Great humour. Can't wait for more of these episodes.
Definitely reminiscent of Firefly, despite the fact the characters aren't buzzing around the universe in a spaceship.
I usually avoid reading episodic stories because I'm not patient enough to wait for the next one but this was so darn enjoyable I'm really glad I made an exception. It also doesn't end on a cliffhanger.
Really liked the native Ungloks (aliens to you and I) Mast Jotham was especially delightful and often unintentionally amusing. Sheriff Thaddeus Fry is a polite, reserved, no-nonsense ex-military man whose first day in his new job is certainly packed with action. Great humour. Can't wait for more of these episodes.
Definitely reminiscent of Firefly, despite the fact the characters aren't buzzing around the universe in a spaceship.
I usually avoid reading episodic stories because I'm not patient enough to wait for the next one but this was so darn enjoyable I'm really glad I made an exception. It also doesn't end on a cliffhanger.
August 18, 2018
THE NEW 'LAW MAN' HAS A ROCKY START AT 'DARKLANDING' ON UNGWILOOK
December 29, 2017
Four and a half ABSORBING Stars. “Assignment Darklanding: Episode 1” is by talented author Craig Martelle and it is the beginning of related tales in which another author, Scott Moon, will also write some of the stories. This series of 12 stories about “Darklanding” is based on the plot concepts of Dianne Velasquez, Doreen Johnson, and Kat Lind. In the entertaining storyline, newly-minted Sheriff Thaddeus Fry arrives at “Darklanding” on the planet Ungwilook for a hitch. In this desolate mining environment, he meets the locals, gets some bad news, and soon faces the first of several challenges. The authors issued the following 11 parts of the series every 18 days. Highly Recommended. Four and an half COMPELLING Stars. (Amazon Digital Services LLC. 68 pages.Text-to-Speech, Word Wise, Screen Reader, Enhanced Typesetting, and Page Flip are enabled/supported; X-Ray and Lending are not.)
December 29, 2017
Four and a half ABSORBING Stars. “Assignment Darklanding: Episode 1” is by talented author Craig Martelle and it is the beginning of related tales in which another author, Scott Moon, will also write some of the stories. This series of 12 stories about “Darklanding” is based on the plot concepts of Dianne Velasquez, Doreen Johnson, and Kat Lind. In the entertaining storyline, newly-minted Sheriff Thaddeus Fry arrives at “Darklanding” on the planet Ungwilook for a hitch. In this desolate mining environment, he meets the locals, gets some bad news, and soon faces the first of several challenges. The authors issued the following 11 parts of the series every 18 days. Highly Recommended. Four and an half COMPELLING Stars. (Amazon Digital Services LLC. 68 pages.Text-to-Speech, Word Wise, Screen Reader, Enhanced Typesetting, and Page Flip are enabled/supported; X-Ray and Lending are not.)
September 26, 2021
Short story
It has potential to be something, but it's more concerned with setting up the world. People that grew up in a mining or mill town know all about the company stores. How everything was geared to pay you as little as possible, but to keep you in debt as well. It wasn't like the nickel and dime games companies play today where it seems like a deal. Because of the isolation factor and the monopoly you'd get paid a quarter and end up in debt a nickel. Many families had subsistence farms with chickens and vegetables to defer depending on the stores. And if you were a good enough farmer then you could sell enough where you supplied the miners rather than go in the ground. I don't understand why when people come up with these frontier towns they don't think about how humans learn to adapt.
It has potential to be something, but it's more concerned with setting up the world. People that grew up in a mining or mill town know all about the company stores. How everything was geared to pay you as little as possible, but to keep you in debt as well. It wasn't like the nickel and dime games companies play today where it seems like a deal. Because of the isolation factor and the monopoly you'd get paid a quarter and end up in debt a nickel. Many families had subsistence farms with chickens and vegetables to defer depending on the stores. And if you were a good enough farmer then you could sell enough where you supplied the miners rather than go in the ground. I don't understand why when people come up with these frontier towns they don't think about how humans learn to adapt.
January 28, 2018
Short, but REALLY interesting
Although there was not any obvious cliffhanger, I can't wait it to get the next one to see how this goes. I have never read any of Scott Moons stuff, but I have read Martelle and he does not do junk..The story seems so simplistic as to almost be a joke and a couple of the characters are laughable...BUT...you get the feeling that this is like an Iceburg, the deeper you read the more there is. I am hoping that to be the case..if not, I will be sure and tell in the next review........let's keep our fingers crossed, this could be the start of something special, very special.
Although there was not any obvious cliffhanger, I can't wait it to get the next one to see how this goes. I have never read any of Scott Moons stuff, but I have read Martelle and he does not do junk..The story seems so simplistic as to almost be a joke and a couple of the characters are laughable...BUT...you get the feeling that this is like an Iceburg, the deeper you read the more there is. I am hoping that to be the case..if not, I will be sure and tell in the next review........let's keep our fingers crossed, this could be the start of something special, very special.
May 12, 2018
High praise - I'll buy the next volume
So many new authors; so many mediocre books. Predictable plots, unrelated events, poor dialog, bad grammer and atrocious spelling abound in the new digital publishing world. But not here! I have many Volume 1's, but few Volume 2's.
These are new authors to me, but they delivered an unexpectedly good read. The Sheriff will seem realistic to ex-military (for a change.) The dialogue flows smoothly and the descriptions have an almost visual quality. I actually look forward to buying, and reading, the next volume. It's been a while since I said that.
So many new authors; so many mediocre books. Predictable plots, unrelated events, poor dialog, bad grammer and atrocious spelling abound in the new digital publishing world. But not here! I have many Volume 1's, but few Volume 2's.
These are new authors to me, but they delivered an unexpectedly good read. The Sheriff will seem realistic to ex-military (for a change.) The dialogue flows smoothly and the descriptions have an almost visual quality. I actually look forward to buying, and reading, the next volume. It's been a while since I said that.
January 24, 2018
Postage ain’t cheap
One benefit of being on a this mining ⛏ place is that it is faaaar faaaar away. After a military stint & with 3 ex-wives not now in tow it was less stressful until da mine collapse. With da exes not splurging on expensive calls maybe he can devote some time to his job as Da sheriff. Finding out whom & why they bombed the old one out would help his health mucho, don’cha 🤔 think?
One benefit of being on a this mining ⛏ place is that it is faaaar faaaar away. After a military stint & with 3 ex-wives not now in tow it was less stressful until da mine collapse. With da exes not splurging on expensive calls maybe he can devote some time to his job as Da sheriff. Finding out whom & why they bombed the old one out would help his health mucho, don’cha 🤔 think?
May 27, 2018
This was a good short story about a military man moving to the very edge of the galactic frontier to become the new sheriff. It follows his first 2 days as he begins to learn about the people and his new job. The indigenous people on this planet are well thought out. It is not a world I would want to inhabit, but it is a very interesting world. I do recommend this to anyone that enjoys a good science fiction story.
January 5, 2018
An enjoyable "wild west" sci fi book. The story caught me and kept me reading. It will be interesting to see how the storyline develops.
Note that this is not a complete novel, this was day (episode) 1. I was unaware of this until the end if the story, so I probably won't read further until more episodes are complete or the whole story is finalized.
Note that this is not a complete novel, this was day (episode) 1. I was unaware of this until the end if the story, so I probably won't read further until more episodes are complete or the whole story is finalized.
January 30, 2018
Assignment Darklanding is an Awesome story.
The story starts with Thaddeus Fry, a former Captain
who retired after the Battle of Centauri Prime,
stepping off the transport shuttle at Darklanding,
to begin his two year contract as Sheriff of Darklanding.
A MUST READ LIST ADDITION.
Available on kindleunlimited.
The story starts with Thaddeus Fry, a former Captain
who retired after the Battle of Centauri Prime,
stepping off the transport shuttle at Darklanding,
to begin his two year contract as Sheriff of Darklanding.
A MUST READ LIST ADDITION.
Available on kindleunlimited.
May 19, 2018
Amazing!
Great job setting up the characters for future books! A sheriff that is unsure wether or not he should be in this planet. A Company Man that wants to succeed. They are immediately thrown into a tough situation and must decide their role in helping. I will definitely be reading the rest of the series.
Great job setting up the characters for future books! A sheriff that is unsure wether or not he should be in this planet. A Company Man that wants to succeed. They are immediately thrown into a tough situation and must decide their role in helping. I will definitely be reading the rest of the series.
May 28, 2018
A Space Western
I once had a film teacher say that Scifi and westerns have a lot in common. He must have been talking about Darklanding, the first in a series about a sheriff whose job it is to police a space mining town. This book reads like a one of my favorite oldies westerns. If you love space operas and old westerns, then this book is right up your alley.
I once had a film teacher say that Scifi and westerns have a lot in common. He must have been talking about Darklanding, the first in a series about a sheriff whose job it is to police a space mining town. This book reads like a one of my favorite oldies westerns. If you love space operas and old westerns, then this book is right up your alley.
July 17, 2018
Assignment Darklanding by Craig Martelle was a quick read with an interesting premise that spiced the old cowboy vibe with deep space. Though I did start to enjoy the characters being developed in this first installment of the series, I was less than impressed for the overall story arc. I am curious to find out if the second book fleshes out this issue.
December 10, 2019
The Fryman is Interesting
"What are you doing here? You're supposed to be watching my chair!" Thaddeus Fry is proving to be an interesting man of action. He manages to accomplish a lot on his first day on the job as Darklanding's new sheriff but still knows his priorities. What will he do on Day 2?
"What are you doing here? You're supposed to be watching my chair!" Thaddeus Fry is proving to be an interesting man of action. He manages to accomplish a lot on his first day on the job as Darklanding's new sheriff but still knows his priorities. What will he do on Day 2?
September 21, 2021
Wild West in Space
I liked the new sheriff immediately. He's been through a hell of a lot and not much can shake him up. His new posting is in the back of beyond and as rough as could be. This episode is all about his first day and a lot happens. I expect great things from Sheriff Thad in future episodes.
I liked the new sheriff immediately. He's been through a hell of a lot and not much can shake him up. His new posting is in the back of beyond and as rough as could be. This episode is all about his first day and a lot happens. I expect great things from Sheriff Thad in future episodes.
December 21, 2017
Great read
Looking forward to the next book .
This was an entertaining and fast read. I enjoyed reading as the Sheriff learned his way around and his role. Good character development.
Looking forward to the next book .
This was an entertaining and fast read. I enjoyed reading as the Sheriff learned his way around and his role. Good character development.
January 18, 2018
Pleasant reading
Although the book was well written, it was way too short and was more a short story without an end or an incomplete novella. It was definitely good reading just too short. Are authors getting lazy, or is the pressure to release a new book every week too heavy?
Although the book was well written, it was way too short and was more a short story without an end or an incomplete novella. It was definitely good reading just too short. Are authors getting lazy, or is the pressure to release a new book every week too heavy?
January 23, 2018
Blazing Trails
Company versus the miners with the Sheriff in the middle and twists and turns galore. How is Thaddeus Fry going to sort it all out??? Don't forget the enigmatic natives in the mix as well...
Company versus the miners with the Sheriff in the middle and twists and turns galore. How is Thaddeus Fry going to sort it all out??? Don't forget the enigmatic natives in the mix as well...
January 27, 2018
📚📚📚📗
I have never read a space opera western before and I have to say that I enjoyed it quite a bit. It is strange, with characters that have odd quirks. I will be reading the next book.
I have never read a space opera western before and I have to say that I enjoyed it quite a bit. It is strange, with characters that have odd quirks. I will be reading the next book.
January 28, 2018
Great start!
Kind of like a Clint Eastwood, loner type new man in town, bad corporate mining barons, Tennessee Earnie Williams song , ..'But I can't go.....I owe my soul to the Company store.'
Kind of like a Clint Eastwood, loner type new man in town, bad corporate mining barons, Tennessee Earnie Williams song , ..'But I can't go.....I owe my soul to the Company store.'
February 6, 2018
A good short read
This was Avery interesting book. Not once did I think of putting it down after the first paragraph. Anyone who likes space stories or westerns will like this book.
This was Avery interesting book. Not once did I think of putting it down after the first paragraph. Anyone who likes space stories or westerns will like this book.
February 18, 2018
A great opener to this series
I really enjoyed the characters and look forward to finding out more about their lives and troubles on the frontier of human space. I'm wondering if there will be cows at any point. ;)
I really enjoyed the characters and look forward to finding out more about their lives and troubles on the frontier of human space. I'm wondering if there will be cows at any point. ;)
March 18, 2018
This is the first book in the series. This can be read as a standalone though it is clear that the tale isn't done. There is violence. The book is very short. It tells the start of the story but don't expect much due to the length.
June 6, 2019
Introduction to a new series, following a new sheriff in a mining town, on a remote colony world. Short story, which will have regular updates like a TV show. Good start, with some interesting characters.
January 5, 2020
It seems like a solid start to a series
I had to acquaint myself with the writing style and point of view. I took a few chapters to really start enjoying the book but it was worth the grind .
I had to acquaint myself with the writing style and point of view. I took a few chapters to really start enjoying the book but it was worth the grind .
December 20, 2017
I liked it
Short but very entertaining. Very much interested in where this story is going. Like that you provided just enough to set my appetite
Short but very entertaining. Very much interested in where this story is going. Like that you provided just enough to set my appetite
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews