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The Quadrail Series Books 1–3: Night Train to Rigel, The Third Lynx, and Odd Girl Out
All aboard the Quadrail for three tales of nonstop action from the #1 New York Times–bestselling and Hugo Award–winning author of
Star Thrawn
.
It is the Quadrail—a miracle of design that connects all twelve of the galaxy’s inhabited empires, allowing diverse alien species and cultures to exchange ideas, inspire imaginations, build bridges of understanding . . . and orchestrate the subjugation of all living things.
Night Train to Rigel: Frank Compton used to be an operative for Western Allied Intelligence. Then he blew the whistle on some shady dealings and got himself fired. Nowadays he just wants to lay low and let someone else do the galaxy’s dirty work. Unfortunately, no one does dirty work quite like Frank. And the robotic alien Spiders who maintain the Quadrail know it—which is why he’s going to work for them whether he likes it or not.
The Third Lynx: After barely surviving his last mission, Compton just wants to relax with his gorgeous half-human partner, Bayta. But their reverie aboard the Quadrail is broken by a persistent human going on about alien artifacts. Then someone shuts him up permanently, and what begins as a murder leads Compton to uncover a conspiracy that threatens to engulf the entire galaxy.
Odd Girl Out: Finally back on Earth, Compton is confronted in his apartment by a woman demanding that he rescue her ten-year-old sister. He brusquely shows her the door, only to be accused of her murder the next day. Determined to make things right, he heads to the world of New Tigris to find the little girl. But his adversaries, the mind-enslaving Mohdri, are waiting for him there.
Together in a single volume, here are the first three books in the Quadrail series from a writer New York Times–bestselling author Kevin J. Anderson calls “a master of tactics [who] puts his own edge on complex hard-SF thrillers.”
It is the Quadrail—a miracle of design that connects all twelve of the galaxy’s inhabited empires, allowing diverse alien species and cultures to exchange ideas, inspire imaginations, build bridges of understanding . . . and orchestrate the subjugation of all living things.
Night Train to Rigel: Frank Compton used to be an operative for Western Allied Intelligence. Then he blew the whistle on some shady dealings and got himself fired. Nowadays he just wants to lay low and let someone else do the galaxy’s dirty work. Unfortunately, no one does dirty work quite like Frank. And the robotic alien Spiders who maintain the Quadrail know it—which is why he’s going to work for them whether he likes it or not.
The Third Lynx: After barely surviving his last mission, Compton just wants to relax with his gorgeous half-human partner, Bayta. But their reverie aboard the Quadrail is broken by a persistent human going on about alien artifacts. Then someone shuts him up permanently, and what begins as a murder leads Compton to uncover a conspiracy that threatens to engulf the entire galaxy.
Odd Girl Out: Finally back on Earth, Compton is confronted in his apartment by a woman demanding that he rescue her ten-year-old sister. He brusquely shows her the door, only to be accused of her murder the next day. Determined to make things right, he heads to the world of New Tigris to find the little girl. But his adversaries, the mind-enslaving Mohdri, are waiting for him there.
Together in a single volume, here are the first three books in the Quadrail series from a writer New York Times–bestselling author Kevin J. Anderson calls “a master of tactics [who] puts his own edge on complex hard-SF thrillers.”
957 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 28, 2017
319 people are currently reading
207 people want to read
About the author
Timothy Zahn
481 books8,515 followersTimothy Zahn attended Michigan State University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in physics in 1973. He then moved to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and achieved an M.S. degree in physics in 1975. While he was pursuing a doctorate in physics, his adviser became ill and died. Zahn never completed the doctorate. In 1975 he had begun writing science fiction as a hobby, and he became a professional writer. He and his wife Anna live in Bandon, Oregon. They have a son, Corwin Zahn.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
November 17, 2019
Space based mystery
Join Frank Compton, human special agent and problem solver extraordinaire as he embarks on a mission across the galaxy to determine who or what is behind a plot to upset 1000 years of peace. The Quadrail is the transportation means that all species use to travel the galaxy and it, along with it's owners, figure large in this intriguing set of books. Unique settings, great characters and a cunning villain all make for a very good read. Well worth a look!
Join Frank Compton, human special agent and problem solver extraordinaire as he embarks on a mission across the galaxy to determine who or what is behind a plot to upset 1000 years of peace. The Quadrail is the transportation means that all species use to travel the galaxy and it, along with it's owners, figure large in this intriguing set of books. Unique settings, great characters and a cunning villain all make for a very good read. Well worth a look!
November 12, 2019
I enjoyed all three books, but the first was the best, second was second best, and third my least favorite.
Pro: I love the characters, the universe he creates, and how he has Compton figuring things out along the way.
Con: The storyline got a bit repetitive by about mid-way through the third book. I was ready for it to evolve a little more.
Pro: I love the characters, the universe he creates, and how he has Compton figuring things out along the way.
Con: The storyline got a bit repetitive by about mid-way through the third book. I was ready for it to evolve a little more.
March 7, 2018
I bought this a a kindle 3 book series. I very much enjoyed the first book. A universe well built and story that moved along and made sense and kept me engaged. Second book not so much. If I didn’t already h@ve the third book I would have given up after the second. It was the first book repeated with a useless McGuffin inserted. A useless plot device that did nothing for moving the overall series story.
Luckily the third book came back on track with some twists and turns that fit well with the elements of book one and moved the story forward. Enough so that I did buy book 4. You can skip book 2 and never miss it in the series.
Luckily the third book came back on track with some twists and turns that fit well with the elements of book one and moved the story forward. Enough so that I did buy book 4. You can skip book 2 and never miss it in the series.
May 12, 2018
Adventures on a Space Railway
Puppetmasters meets Murder on the Orient Express in Space.
A action packed set of adventure books. I honestly expected something with a slightly different flavor from Zahn, but am not complaining.
Frank Compton is quick with his wits and his fists, and even though he has a female partner, this is an adventure series, not a romance. If you like the writings of Gribbin or Patterson but want a more sci-fi flavor you will enjoy this series.
Puppetmasters meets Murder on the Orient Express in Space.
A action packed set of adventure books. I honestly expected something with a slightly different flavor from Zahn, but am not complaining.
Frank Compton is quick with his wits and his fists, and even though he has a female partner, this is an adventure series, not a romance. If you like the writings of Gribbin or Patterson but want a more sci-fi flavor you will enjoy this series.
April 3, 2018
Books 2-3 Night Train to Rigel
The next 2 books in the series do not disappoint. Mr. Zahn does an excellent job continuing his first book. The story line will keep you guessing and wanting more. Can not wait to read the forth book.
The next 2 books in the series do not disappoint. Mr. Zahn does an excellent job continuing his first book. The story line will keep you guessing and wanting more. Can not wait to read the forth book.
March 30, 2018
Something
The series started up great, but in the third book I got the feeling that the author just wanted to make the series longer and had the characters do illogical things to this effect.
The series started up great, but in the third book I got the feeling that the author just wanted to make the series longer and had the characters do illogical things to this effect.
August 29, 2018
Love this series. This was my second time reading it. Book 1 is a bit slow at the beginning and I know understand why my daughter didn't finish it, but the rest of the books really move along and give a good feel of a space opera.
June 12, 2021
Seven alien civilizations, a genius of a detective hero engaged to prevent the takeover of the universe by an evil species, and train (!) travels across light years of space, kept me engaged through unexpected plot twists too numerous to count.
December 18, 2021
A fascinating though scary read
Loved the books and I think it would make a good series of movie. It was fast-paced and fascinating. The characters were so interesting and detailed and fired the imagination.
Loved the books and I think it would make a good series of movie. It was fast-paced and fascinating. The characters were so interesting and detailed and fired the imagination.
January 22, 2022
Excellent fun!
Frank Compton is a man who thinks a few steps ahead at all times. You'll likely spot the endgame reveals for each book earlier than you might like, but the twists, turns and intrigue will keep you reading avidly.
Frank Compton is a man who thinks a few steps ahead at all times. You'll likely spot the endgame reveals for each book earlier than you might like, but the twists, turns and intrigue will keep you reading avidly.
September 25, 2022
Mute alien spiders run an interstellar network of trains that somehow zoom from system to system. Full of mystery and intrigue and alien murders and kick ass detective space noir protagonists. Sounds cheesey but it absolutely slaps!
April 26, 2018
If you enjoy SciFi and detective novels then these are the books for you.
November 15, 2018
The stories move a little slowly and the "magical" interventions are a bit convenient, but I stayed interested and read the trilogy completely.
August 3, 2019
An enjoyable read most of the time. This collection doesn’t include the complete series, but my local library had the last two books available via Hoopla.
February 9, 2022
Outstanding author. Was introduced to Zahn with Starwars and wanted to see if his talents were as good with another team. I was not disappointed.
December 18, 2025
Pacing like a square wave (of the sound of a train).
January 21, 2020
Night Train to Rigel: 3 out of 5 stars. I liked the setting and found the concept of the quadrail and the trains really interesting. I like Compton just fine as a character although he was a little bit one-dimensional. I didn't really like Bayta at all until everything was explained in the end of the book. I liked all the different aliens and seeing all the different cultures that ride the train. I especially liked the thrilling run through a train full of baddies, it was very exciting.
The story was interesting and then quickly got confusing toward the middle. When the plot went from investigating who would want to start an intergalactic war to lets chase down some coral, I was very confused until it was explained later. I was having a hard time seeing what one had to do with the other and it left me confused for too long. It felt like the author got tired of one plot and immediately started another one in the middle of the book, regardless of how it was explained.
The Third Lynx: 3 out of 5 stars. I found this book a bit boring compared to the last one. There is just a lot of running around from place to place and talking. There is very little action and character development. Compton and Bayta are still the same, there is no real growth to their characters and Fayr is barely in it. I didn't really like any of the other characters, they were very one dimensional and I didn't really care what happened to them. We get to see more of the universe but not nearly as much as the first book. We are slowly learning more about the aliens behind the quadrail trains and that is interesting.
Odd Girl Out: I really enjoyed this book of the series, it was the most action packed one of the series so far. There was less of the boring cop talk and lots of fire fights, fist fights and general action. We learn a few more things about the Chahwyn that was surprising and hopefully comes up in the last couple of books. I still like Compton and even like Bayta, however, no Fayr :( I am looking forward to the next book in the series and hope it will be just as exciting as this one. 4 out of 5 stars.
Overall, the series is at about a 3.5 out of 5 stars. The first and third books were exciting and had plenty of action and the second book was borderline boring. I feel like there could be a bit more character development as far as Compton and Bayta, but the series is still entertaining without the characters being complicated with issues.
The story was interesting and then quickly got confusing toward the middle. When the plot went from investigating who would want to start an intergalactic war to lets chase down some coral, I was very confused until it was explained later. I was having a hard time seeing what one had to do with the other and it left me confused for too long. It felt like the author got tired of one plot and immediately started another one in the middle of the book, regardless of how it was explained.
The Third Lynx: 3 out of 5 stars. I found this book a bit boring compared to the last one. There is just a lot of running around from place to place and talking. There is very little action and character development. Compton and Bayta are still the same, there is no real growth to their characters and Fayr is barely in it. I didn't really like any of the other characters, they were very one dimensional and I didn't really care what happened to them. We get to see more of the universe but not nearly as much as the first book. We are slowly learning more about the aliens behind the quadrail trains and that is interesting.
Odd Girl Out: I really enjoyed this book of the series, it was the most action packed one of the series so far. There was less of the boring cop talk and lots of fire fights, fist fights and general action. We learn a few more things about the Chahwyn that was surprising and hopefully comes up in the last couple of books. I still like Compton and even like Bayta, however, no Fayr :( I am looking forward to the next book in the series and hope it will be just as exciting as this one. 4 out of 5 stars.
Overall, the series is at about a 3.5 out of 5 stars. The first and third books were exciting and had plenty of action and the second book was borderline boring. I feel like there could be a bit more character development as far as Compton and Bayta, but the series is still entertaining without the characters being complicated with issues.
October 12, 2019
I read this one for free on KU and enjoyed the trilogy so much I went on to buy the last two books. Sometimes you just like a good escapist space opera and these books certainly deliver. The conceit about "trains in space" was nicely done and interesting, as was the villain "Modhri" character. All in all it was very entertaining and enjoyable. Will look for more by this author.
March 17, 2018
love these books!
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews