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The Crying of Ross 128
The year is 2085...
America has splintered into various independent republics after a brutal civil war. Against this backdrop, space exploration is on the cusp of new technological breakthroughs. Jim Atteberry, a mid-30s English professor at City College in San Francisco, spends his free time listening for alien signals on the amateur radio astronomy bands. His life as a single parent to his precocious daughter is turned upside-down when he hears an intelligent cry for help from the Ross 128 system and realizes we are not alone. This signal unleashes a chain of events pitting Jim and his brilliant, mysterious colleague Kate against a power-hungry scientist with his own secret agenda. Jim must learn the truth about the signal, the strange disappearance of his wife Janet, and the meaning of true love before it’s too late in this first contact thriller.
America has splintered into various independent republics after a brutal civil war. Against this backdrop, space exploration is on the cusp of new technological breakthroughs. Jim Atteberry, a mid-30s English professor at City College in San Francisco, spends his free time listening for alien signals on the amateur radio astronomy bands. His life as a single parent to his precocious daughter is turned upside-down when he hears an intelligent cry for help from the Ross 128 system and realizes we are not alone. This signal unleashes a chain of events pitting Jim and his brilliant, mysterious colleague Kate against a power-hungry scientist with his own secret agenda. Jim must learn the truth about the signal, the strange disappearance of his wife Janet, and the meaning of true love before it’s too late in this first contact thriller.
- GenresScience Fiction
342 pages, Paperback
Published June 1, 2018
367 people are currently reading
192 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
September 27, 2018
Science fiction is not usually a genre I read but this was a thoroughly accessible story and an enjoyable read. The characters are likeable, the imagery is vivid and the writing is tight. I am reminded of the time I read the then newly-released Jurassic Park and thought it would make a great movie. So would The Crying of Ross 128.
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November 7, 2018The last few books I started, I didn't finish but I couldn't put this one down! It grabs you right from the start. Clever prediction of what life could look like in the future with unnerving realism and well thought out characters. It is easy to visualize it as a movie - a fun read. There must be a sequel coming...
April 17, 2021
Alien contact
Jim Atteberry is an amateur astronomer and through a special device is found an alien message. The characters are very good in this book and the plot is also good. This is book number one of a sure The biggest question is that when we find it only in life should we leave it alone or should we try to communicate with her. I recommend this book for all science-fiction fans.
Jim Atteberry is an amateur astronomer and through a special device is found an alien message. The characters are very good in this book and the plot is also good. This is book number one of a sure The biggest question is that when we find it only in life should we leave it alone or should we try to communicate with her. I recommend this book for all science-fiction fans.
April 19, 2021
This is a first contact SF book that relies equally on character-driven plot elements, mystery/thriller devices, and a liberal smattering of invented "hard" SF. The action is set in the not so far future USA, divided by 2 civil wars (North and South), without really stating the political agendas of each faction. Plus, there is a separate California, which could have been a sorely missed source of humor, which is otherwise absent from this book. The science posits FTL transmission of radio signals as a given fact. The characters include the modern day necessity of a single parent, the ages-old device of an evil militaristic dictator wannabe, the obligatory professionally ignored (tip the hat to the feminist brigade to stay relevant) female scientist who is, of course, despite the PC crowd, semi-hot and slightly horny and a colleague of Mr. Evil, and a scientific genius who was physically altered and neutered as a child by said evil militarist guy. Anyway, we see the plot unfold from the POV of these characters. I prefer a single POV narrative, but it works out well, and we DO get invested in the lives of the single dad (a literary prof with a precocious daughter and an enigmatic ex wife ) and the semi-hot lady scientist. All of this centers around a received WOW message, a cover-up, a kidnapping, and, well the prof never does seem to grade the mid-term exams...maybe in the next book in the series. Worth the read. Not Clarke, Not Heinlein, but hey, it's on Kindle Unlimited, so take advantage and enjoy
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 24, 2021
Outstanding!
Great story! Stumbled across this from an ad somewhere and decided to give it a go. Good move on my part. Excellent premise/story idea with lots of possibilities that I was unsure of where they would go but the author does not disappoint! Thought provoking, exciting read throughout. Check it out. You will not be disappointed. Onward to book two right now!
Great story! Stumbled across this from an ad somewhere and decided to give it a go. Good move on my part. Excellent premise/story idea with lots of possibilities that I was unsure of where they would go but the author does not disappoint! Thought provoking, exciting read throughout. Check it out. You will not be disappointed. Onward to book two right now!
January 13, 2024
Pretty decent - but in fairness it is an obvious first part to a trilogy, so the character development and interactions are slow sometimes. We’ve experience this lots in the past.
Otherwise, it is a great read, cool concepts and solid starting point for the series. I’m certainly looking forward to getting into the story more in the next two novels.
Otherwise, it is a great read, cool concepts and solid starting point for the series. I’m certainly looking forward to getting into the story more in the next two novels.
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October 30, 2019This is the first in a series of what I call soft science fiction. I don't even know if that's a term, but I'm not normally a science fiction fan and I really enjoyed this well-written novel. The author focuses on relationships in a sci-fi setting. The human element drew me in and kept me reading. A page turner I would highly recommend.
May 10, 2022
The protagonist and his love interest are not written well. So badly I quit reading.
I put the book into science fiction since it explores the theme of faster than light communication allowing us to contact aliens. The debate rages around if this is a good idea.
The plot hinges around two technological breakthroughs. "Subspace" allows you to listen to radio from seemingly anywhere, without the light speed delay, and maybe some other things later (DNF).
A super hacker invents a method of extracting signals even when swamped by noise. Neither of which is possible, except when you throw in the magic word "AI." I ignored those problems in the interest of reading a story.
I was annoyed when the protagonist meets the love interest and they're instantly attracted to each other. The attraction is shallow, out of character, and rushed.
I was infuriated when the protagonist did something so massively stupid it was completely unbelievable. At that point I quit reading.
Jim hears an alien broadcast. He allows the antagonist at the TSA (WTF?) to
talk him into keeping it secret (Of course so he can steal it). Jim's super hacker friend warns
this bad guy was complicit in a war time program that weaponized children. Jim gets whiny
about it and the antagonist sends thugs to his home. They take his equipment then threaten him,
and his young daughter, at gun point. Jim does not call the police though everyone, even his super
black hat paranoid hacker tell him to. The good guy decides to keep his mouth shut to protect
his daughter. Meanwhile the love interest, who works with the bad guy, knows all about it
and does nothing.
The bad guy is going to steal the secret and defect. He somehow can't find anyone else
on the planet qualified to understand alien so he offers Jim a job. Working on his
own discovery, in a white collar prison supervised by the military of a foreign country,
working for the guy who just had him robbed him at gun point. Of course Jim will voluntarily
bring his daughter into this environment...
**What?***
This stupid to the point of insanity. The book is written in deep point of view so I
know exactly what the good guy is thinking. He mindlessly wants to do this stupid thing (since
the author thinks he should).
Dear author, here's my editorial advice:
* Your characters are too shallow. Their actions don't make sense, and stupid doesn't make me like them.
* Look up "insta-romance."
* Your world building is too shallow. Why is the TSA doing astronomy? The antagonist should not be able to take the actions he does without multiple governments taking notice and acting to shut him down.
* AI isn't a magic sauce that fixes impossible. It can interpolate what is obscured by noise by replacing missing information based on understanding what the input should look like. Alien signals, are by definition alien. You can't guess what they sent with any degree of accuracy. Please avoid magic sauce to write your way around a problem.
* Thank you for your careful attention to spelling and grammar. Good work there.
I put the book into science fiction since it explores the theme of faster than light communication allowing us to contact aliens. The debate rages around if this is a good idea.
The plot hinges around two technological breakthroughs. "Subspace" allows you to listen to radio from seemingly anywhere, without the light speed delay, and maybe some other things later (DNF).
A super hacker invents a method of extracting signals even when swamped by noise. Neither of which is possible, except when you throw in the magic word "AI." I ignored those problems in the interest of reading a story.
I was annoyed when the protagonist meets the love interest and they're instantly attracted to each other. The attraction is shallow, out of character, and rushed.
I was infuriated when the protagonist did something so massively stupid it was completely unbelievable. At that point I quit reading.
Jim hears an alien broadcast. He allows the antagonist at the TSA (WTF?) to
talk him into keeping it secret (Of course so he can steal it). Jim's super hacker friend warns
this bad guy was complicit in a war time program that weaponized children. Jim gets whiny
about it and the antagonist sends thugs to his home. They take his equipment then threaten him,
and his young daughter, at gun point. Jim does not call the police though everyone, even his super
black hat paranoid hacker tell him to. The good guy decides to keep his mouth shut to protect
his daughter. Meanwhile the love interest, who works with the bad guy, knows all about it
and does nothing.
The bad guy is going to steal the secret and defect. He somehow can't find anyone else
on the planet qualified to understand alien so he offers Jim a job. Working on his
own discovery, in a white collar prison supervised by the military of a foreign country,
working for the guy who just had him robbed him at gun point. Of course Jim will voluntarily
bring his daughter into this environment...
**What?***
This stupid to the point of insanity. The book is written in deep point of view so I
know exactly what the good guy is thinking. He mindlessly wants to do this stupid thing (since
the author thinks he should).
Dear author, here's my editorial advice:
* Your characters are too shallow. Their actions don't make sense, and stupid doesn't make me like them.
* Look up "insta-romance."
* Your world building is too shallow. Why is the TSA doing astronomy? The antagonist should not be able to take the actions he does without multiple governments taking notice and acting to shut him down.
* AI isn't a magic sauce that fixes impossible. It can interpolate what is obscured by noise by replacing missing information based on understanding what the input should look like. Alien signals, are by definition alien. You can't guess what they sent with any degree of accuracy. Please avoid magic sauce to write your way around a problem.
* Thank you for your careful attention to spelling and grammar. Good work there.
August 3, 2018
The Crying of Ross 128 by David Allan Hamilton is a good mix of sci-fi adventure and hard science technology. The story is about a hobbyist radio enthusiast named Jim Atteberry who receives an alien transmission. He tries to do the right thing and share his discovery with the scientific community, but his good intentions backfire. Soon, shadowy organizations come out of the woodwork to find out how he made his discovery, including one power crazy scientist who steals his claim to the signal. Mild-mannered Jim Atteberry and his ten-year-old daughter are soon running for their lives, all the while trying to figure out who or what is sending that strange alien signal into space.
I enjoyed The Crying of Ross 128. Author David Allan Hamilton did an excellent job of bringing his characters to life with strengths, flaws, and idiosyncrasies. The science behind the story sounds authentic, along with the political reactions that result from the science. The story had a sincere sense of realism, from the opening scene where Atteberry hears the first signal to the last pages of the harrowing conclusion. The story is told mostly through the conversations of the main characters as they struggle to do the right thing while so many forces pull on them to do the wrong thing. But, the character interactions were well done and realistic. Overall, The Crying of Ross 128 is a great read for anyone who likes a science fiction tale told through the lens of real science.
I enjoyed The Crying of Ross 128. Author David Allan Hamilton did an excellent job of bringing his characters to life with strengths, flaws, and idiosyncrasies. The science behind the story sounds authentic, along with the political reactions that result from the science. The story had a sincere sense of realism, from the opening scene where Atteberry hears the first signal to the last pages of the harrowing conclusion. The story is told mostly through the conversations of the main characters as they struggle to do the right thing while so many forces pull on them to do the wrong thing. But, the character interactions were well done and realistic. Overall, The Crying of Ross 128 is a great read for anyone who likes a science fiction tale told through the lens of real science.
September 16, 2018
I don’t read too much Science Fiction anymore although it used to be one of my favorite genres. Then I looked at this book and saw it was over 300 pages on my e-book and I wondered if I could get it read in the time I had allotted and then…I couldn’t put the thing down. I read it in two days.
This is a great page turner mystery and although its genre is listed as Science Fiction, many of the discoveries in this storyline could be very realistic today. Its setting is a college town with normal everyday people and a group of amateur radio astronomers. One member, a sort of single father, thinks his instrumentation and software has detected a possible alien cry for help. There are plenty of your normal naysayers but there are a certain amount of people making it sound believable for plenty of other reasons.
It’s well written, well edited, and its characters are as interesting and as human as can be. This is an easy read but I think I am saying that because it flows so well. It does have intricate twists and turns, and you need to pay attention. That’s what makes it an even greater read.
***This book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are definitely my own.
This is a great page turner mystery and although its genre is listed as Science Fiction, many of the discoveries in this storyline could be very realistic today. Its setting is a college town with normal everyday people and a group of amateur radio astronomers. One member, a sort of single father, thinks his instrumentation and software has detected a possible alien cry for help. There are plenty of your normal naysayers but there are a certain amount of people making it sound believable for plenty of other reasons.
It’s well written, well edited, and its characters are as interesting and as human as can be. This is an easy read but I think I am saying that because it flows so well. It does have intricate twists and turns, and you need to pay attention. That’s what makes it an even greater read.
***This book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are definitely my own.
July 10, 2023
Definitely NOT MUCH of a SciFi Story
I’d HOPED for lots of SciFi in this book, but instead the first 2/3 of these pages is just a bunch of political infighting with little science or even much of an interesting plot. In fact, The Author seems to focus on just about everything about life in the future EXCEPT the contact of an alien civilization.
A job offer is later introduced into the story line … but, come on — how serious does The Author want The Reader to believe in this fable, if the job offer is predicated upon working for a person that is neither liked nor trusted?!? There’s a real simple answer here, that doesn’t take much thought — let alone be a major discussion point in this story.
The tale end of this book is OK, whether or not you want to believe in good vs evil (or if, indeed, there is any evil in this story?) I’m planning to at least start reading the 2nd book of this Trilogy, but if it doesn’t get into a SciFi aspect very quickly — I expect to quit and shove the series away, looking for something better.
I’d HOPED for lots of SciFi in this book, but instead the first 2/3 of these pages is just a bunch of political infighting with little science or even much of an interesting plot. In fact, The Author seems to focus on just about everything about life in the future EXCEPT the contact of an alien civilization.
A job offer is later introduced into the story line … but, come on — how serious does The Author want The Reader to believe in this fable, if the job offer is predicated upon working for a person that is neither liked nor trusted?!? There’s a real simple answer here, that doesn’t take much thought — let alone be a major discussion point in this story.
The tale end of this book is OK, whether or not you want to believe in good vs evil (or if, indeed, there is any evil in this story?) I’m planning to at least start reading the 2nd book of this Trilogy, but if it doesn’t get into a SciFi aspect very quickly — I expect to quit and shove the series away, looking for something better.
July 5, 2021
I Liked This, But
Loved the premise of the story - mysterious alien signal, a mad scientist type bent on hogging all the first contact glory for himself and with a secondary nefarious plan.
Didn’t like the characters at all, well, except for the mad scientist - he was the only one who made sense. Jim was too naive and Ester waffled way too much. Kate was okay but a bit more torn, I think, between her past and the situation at hand.
If you can get past these iffy characters, it’s not a bad book to read.
Loved the premise of the story - mysterious alien signal, a mad scientist type bent on hogging all the first contact glory for himself and with a secondary nefarious plan.
Didn’t like the characters at all, well, except for the mad scientist - he was the only one who made sense. Jim was too naive and Ester waffled way too much. Kate was okay but a bit more torn, I think, between her past and the situation at hand.
If you can get past these iffy characters, it’s not a bad book to read.
June 10, 2021
Fast paced, interesting
The plot grabs you and keeps you moving. Very fast, easy, interesting read. Dialogue left something to be desired… Hard to explain exactly what. Seemed superficial? Sometimes characters said some things explicitly that you wouldn’t necessarily say in real life. Some of the characters were too one-dimensional, The main character is fairly and idealistic.
Overall a good read and I will likely continue the series.
The plot grabs you and keeps you moving. Very fast, easy, interesting read. Dialogue left something to be desired… Hard to explain exactly what. Seemed superficial? Sometimes characters said some things explicitly that you wouldn’t necessarily say in real life. Some of the characters were too one-dimensional, The main character is fairly and idealistic.
Overall a good read and I will likely continue the series.
November 30, 2025
Contact is inevitable
The Universe is a very large thing. We do not even know how many galaxies exist and each has billions of stars with planets. It is extremely unlikely that intelligent sentient beings only live here on Earth in the Milky Way. If anything this series points out some of the many possibilities about how first contact may occur. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
The Universe is a very large thing. We do not even know how many galaxies exist and each has billions of stars with planets. It is extremely unlikely that intelligent sentient beings only live here on Earth in the Milky Way. If anything this series points out some of the many possibilities about how first contact may occur. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
July 21, 2019
A good summer read about first contact in the not too distant future. Using a proprietary communications filter,Jim Atteberry picks up a signal from deep space that sounds like more than just galactic noise. Jim finds himself, and his family at the center of a series of politically charged maneuverings that keep the pages turning.
May 16, 2021
New Worlds and Persons
How do you make first contact? Who makes it? Who speaks for the Earth? There must be some sort of power that comes with being the person who talks to the UFO? Is it done by a government? Or just one person?
This is a nice introduction to how first contact might be done? What is right and what could be wrong. I am looking forward to the next book.
How do you make first contact? Who makes it? Who speaks for the Earth? There must be some sort of power that comes with being the person who talks to the UFO? Is it done by a government? Or just one person?
This is a nice introduction to how first contact might be done? What is right and what could be wrong. I am looking forward to the next book.
May 26, 2021
We are not alone. Maybe we should be left alone.
Science is a tricky business with no room for amateurs until now. A simple signal is overlooked amongst the static, and everything is changed forever. And so it begins… Great storytelling, solid characters, and heavy intrigue. Great read.
Science is a tricky business with no room for amateurs until now. A simple signal is overlooked amongst the static, and everything is changed forever. And so it begins… Great storytelling, solid characters, and heavy intrigue. Great read.
June 15, 2021
Great story
A great story populated by intriguing characters. Intelligent life is certainly out among the stars, what will happen when first contact comes? This book is about the ensuing earth politics when it happens. It’s a good read and I recommend this book.
However there are a lot of formatting errors in the kindle version the author or editor should fix.
A great story populated by intriguing characters. Intelligent life is certainly out among the stars, what will happen when first contact comes? This book is about the ensuing earth politics when it happens. It’s a good read and I recommend this book.
However there are a lot of formatting errors in the kindle version the author or editor should fix.
May 15, 2022
Gave up at 12% of the book
In my opinion a amateurish attempt at writing,with dialog that did not make sense ,especially for characters that were supposed to be academics .Don't know much about where the book was heading because I have up on it so early,but from the dialog I could tell nowhere good.
In my opinion a amateurish attempt at writing,with dialog that did not make sense ,especially for characters that were supposed to be academics .Don't know much about where the book was heading because I have up on it so early,but from the dialog I could tell nowhere good.
August 24, 2021
Quick read. Slow build-up.
Quick read. Slow build-up. Good characterization. Plot ok. Could use more realistic characters, better dialogue, and more descriptive settings. Overall, an interesting SF read.
Quick read. Slow build-up. Good characterization. Plot ok. Could use more realistic characters, better dialogue, and more descriptive settings. Overall, an interesting SF read.
October 7, 2021
A good read can't wait for book two
Wow, a fun reading romp, some good science, some intrigue, some interesting political projection -all surrounded by a great plot and fun cast of well written players.
Wow, a fun reading romp, some good science, some intrigue, some interesting political projection -all surrounded by a great plot and fun cast of well written players.
October 19, 2021
Good story
The alien signal and political factions were good. The love story took a bit to get rolling but I was happy for Jim at the end. Mary is a great girl but want to learn more about Kate.
The alien signal and political factions were good. The love story took a bit to get rolling but I was happy for Jim at the end. Mary is a great girl but want to learn more about Kate.
August 6, 2025
Was pleasantly surprised
I was not expecting this book to be as good as it was. Once I started reading it I couldn't put it down. The story had great twists, some you expected some you didn't. I really really enjoyed it.
I was not expecting this book to be as good as it was. Once I started reading it I couldn't put it down. The story had great twists, some you expected some you didn't. I really really enjoyed it.
August 15, 2021
Excellent Read
As good a sci-fy read as any. Doesn’t rival star teak of course, but would make an excellent movie or tv series.
As good a sci-fy read as any. Doesn’t rival star teak of course, but would make an excellent movie or tv series.
September 12, 2021
Loved it. Real page turner.
May 4, 2022
Interesting read.
I thought there would be more alien stuff but the book moved at a fast pace and kept me going.
I thought there would be more alien stuff but the book moved at a fast pace and kept me going.
May 5, 2022
Interesting premise. Mysterious signal from space.
March 5, 2023
not enough science in the fiction.
If you’re into repeated political dirty deals, then this is the book for you. Admittedly, I did not get behind the 60% point in the book.
If you’re into repeated political dirty deals, then this is the book for you. Admittedly, I did not get behind the 60% point in the book.
August 1, 2025
loved this book
Really good. It should be a movie or series. I envision John Krasinski as Atteberry. Kept me going. Looking forward to the next book
Really good. It should be a movie or series. I envision John Krasinski as Atteberry. Kept me going. Looking forward to the next book
August 15, 2025
Riveting.
I was glued to the book like I was watching a great movie. The story moved along at a fast pace and my interest never wavered.
I was glued to the book like I was watching a great movie. The story moved along at a fast pace and my interest never wavered.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews