Colonies Lost

by Ian J. Malone

"Colonies Lost is a twisting, turning, awesome sci-fi adventure wrapped in a police procedural wrapped in a history story garnished with introspection and mystery. Ian J. Malone has crushed it out of the park with this one. Reminds me of the old-school sci-fi I loved as a kid." John G. Hartness, author of The Black Knight Chronicles

"With Colonies Lost, Ian J. Malone did one of my favorite things: He tossed half a dozen different genres in the blender. It's a Police Procedural/Thriller and a Western, mixed with Historical Mystery and Science Fiction. Something for everyone, and great fun!" NYT Bestselling Author Taylor Anderson

Trip Hackett needs a beer.

On the heels of his latest suspension, the disgraced US Marshal packs up his Stetson and returns home to Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, where he hopes to circle his wagons and find a new means of supporting his family. He knew the shooting had been justified. However, with Trip’s history plus the white-hot spotlight on cops these days, and the deceased turning out to be the son of a Washington senator, he bet his paltry retirement savings that his time in investigations was over.

Enter the enigmatic Mr. Smith, an odd-looking stranger from out of town with a proposition. If Trip will help Smith’s employers find a missing girl then the former will never want for money again. Grudgingly, Trip takes the case, expecting it will be the last of his career. He may be right, though for reasons he could’ve never possibly imagined.

Trip soon goes on a journey to escape his present, only to run straight into a past he never knew existed. Trip Hackett’s travel to the stars will bring him face-to-face with the answer to America’s greatest unsolved mystery.

Genres: Science Fiction

314 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 12, 2018

About the author

As a graduate of Florida State University, sci-fi author Ian J. Malone has written in a variety of arenas ranging from public health to news and sports. When it comes to his fictional work, however, he’s a firm believer that nothing shapes a person’s writing like experience. That’s why he credits his tenures in radio, law enforcement, and military contracting for much of his inspiration, plus the legion of family and friends who’ve stood with him along the way.

Beyond writing, Malone is an avid fan of audiobooks (he’s legally blind) and the outdoors. It’s also not uncommon to find him at a ballgame, a concert, or somewhere out by a grill.

Malone is an active member of the Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America and a resident of Durham, North Carolina — but he’ll always be a “Florida boy” at heart

Reviews

[A Voracious Reader (a.k.a. Carol) · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5

Book source ~ ARC. My review is voluntary and honest.

US Marshal Hank “Trip” Hackett III has just been suspended for a bullshit reason and Trip is fed up with the entire system. Leaving Durham, he heads home to Kitty Hawk to help his family and decide what to do next because he’s sure as shit not going to have a job soon. No sooner is he settled in when a mysterious Mr. Smith shows up offering a very lucrative job finding a missing girl. Not in a position to be picky, Trip takes it. He has no idea how much his life is going to change with this one simple decision.

First off, the main character is born in NC and is called Trip because he’s the III. My son was born in NC and called Trip for the same reason which tickled me, but not so much my son. He likes having a special nickname that isn’t all that common. LOL

This is an easy-to-read story that will have you flipping the pages as fast as possible to see what will happen next. It starts out as a type of police procedural and you think, ok Trip’s going to investigate, get a lead on this missing girl, run across bad guys and be in danger, but will succeed in the end. And that’s what happens. The difference is in the execution of all these things. This suspenseful action adventure takes a sharp left turn into sci-fi territory and, trust me when I say, it works. I love how one of our greatest mysteries, the Lost Colony of Roanoke, is woven into the story. I’m damn impressed with how well it all comes together. Great story, wonderful writing, and colorful characters make this one of my favorite reads of the year.

[Grady · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Fox, CNN, MSNBC, the New York Times…asking the same question— who is US Deputy Marshal Trip Hackett?”

North Carolina author Ian J. Malone earned his degree from Florida State University, and has worked in radio, law enforcement, and military contracting. He is a sci-fi author of four published books but has written in a variety of arenas ranging from public health to news and sports. Being legally blind Ian is an avid fan of audiobooks and the great outdoors. Malone is an active member of the Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America.

Ian’s facile style of writing makes reading his stories a pleasure on many levels: he manages to take us places we’ve never even imagined (the sci-fi element) and places we thought we understood (history, law enforcement, government) and blends these in a manner that results in his pouring out gold form his pen.

In fine contemporary style he opens the door on his main characters background: ‘Trip Hackett halted at the door to his boss’s office and took a breath. Concise and direct. Those had been the words of advice from his union rep prior to this meeting. That’s how you answer their questions. No more, no less. If you don’t have an answer, don’t give one. No conjecture, no statements of clarity, no theories. Just answer then shut your mouth. Trip exhaled, briefly second-guessing his decision to leave his rep out of this. Once more unto the breach. He knocked on the door. “Ah, Hackett. Come in.” The heavyset man in the Walmart power tie rose from his seat, came out from behind his desk, and extended his hand in greeting. “Thank you so much for coming. Can I get you anything? Coffee, maybe?” Trip shook the proffered hand. “No, thanks. I’m fine.” Trip had entered the room to find his boss— Chief Deputy US Marshal Walton A. Gold of the Durham, North Carolina, field office— joined by a second man of Indian descent. He, too, wore a suit, and Trip recognized him at once. “Hackett, you remember Niles Bedi.” Gold gestured to his colleague. “Our liaison to the Assistant US Attorney’s Office?” Trip acknowledged the man with a nod. “Good,” Gold said. “Don’t mind him. He’s just here to observe this conversation and keep things on the up and up. Pretend he’s not even in the room.” Trip chewed his lip. He of all people understood the gravity of having a witness present, especially today.’ And into the story as the plot outline supplies:

‘Trip Hackett needs a beer. On the heels of his latest suspension, the disgraced US Marshal packs up his Stetson and returns home to Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, where he hopes to circle his wagons and find a new means of supporting his family. He knew the shooting had been justified. However, with Trip’s history plus the white-hot spotlight on cops these days, and the deceased turning out to be the son of a Washington senator, he bet his paltry retirement savings that his time in investigations was over. Enter the enigmatic Mr. Smith, an odd-looking stranger from out of town with a proposition. If Trip will help Smith’s employers find a missing girl then the former will never want for money again. Grudgingly, Trip takes the case, expecting it will be the last of his career. He may be right, though for reasons he could’ve never possibly imagined. Trip soon goes on a journey to escape his present, only to run straight into a past he never knew existed. Trip Hackett’s travel to the stars will bring him face-to-face with the answer to America’s greatest unsolved mystery.’
Imaginative, funny, frightening, tense, and a very fine journey into the unknown – these are just some of the elements to be enjoyed from COLONIES LOST. Ian J. Malone sits well on the stage of emerging artists!

[Bruce · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall I really enjoyed the book, it's fast-paced and enjoyable, and well worth your time. Why only 3 stars then?

I found that the lack of weakness in the protagonist removes some sense of frisson in most situations. There is a whole hunting side plot which is needless and seems only to serve to reinforce the strengths of the protagonist and maybe is only there to lay down some future plot hooks for what may be a series, but do nothing to benefit the book as a whole. In and of itself it is still enjoyable, it just seemed unnecessary and counter to the time constraints already in place within the plot.

In another section, there is a true deus et mechina moment where there is no possible escape, a McGuyver moment happens and they are saved. Given the sheer vastness of space, I felt like it just undermined the story rather than enhancing it.

Maybe I am being nitpicky, the rest of the book gallops along and is well worth your time, and it's just the above moments where I found it stumbles. I'll be looking for other work from the author though.

I was offered a free copy to review this book.

[Join the Penguin Resistance! · Rating 5 out of 5]

A reader starts out thinking this novel is one thing; then it becomes another thing, and another and another. Thankfully, it's all good: engrossing and entertaining and thought-provoking. Trip Hackett, native son of Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, is a U.S. Deputy Marshal and dedicated to it. Until he participates in a righteous shooting and discovers that sometimes law enforcement is all about politics and whose side you're really on (and who is really on your side or not), and loses his position and pension. Fortunately, a new offer comes in immediately: to solve a missing persons case, the sooner the better. Oh boy: Trip is off and running, straight into the unbelievable but true. What a ride! What a Trip!

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

COLONIES LOST starts off as an interesting and highly original take on the famed lost colony of Roanoke ((the cover image of a sharpened fence post into which is carved Croatan is a dead give-away). US Marshal Trip Beckett from Kitty Hawk, NC gets suspended for (justifiably) killing the drug-dealing son of a US senator in a bust gone bad. Meanwhile, he is the main secondary financial support for his widowed mother and siblings, and after his boss, his union rep and his lawyer all fail to get him justice, he finds himself out of a job and without his pension. Having a beer in his favorite home town bar Trip is approached by an very odd stranger who knows far too much about him and offers him a very high-paying gig to find a missing girl. Having no recourse and with his mother in dire straits with the bank, Trip accepts.

So begins this enjoyable soft sci-fi romp that is a genre mashup of old time Westerns, alien abduction, far-reaching galactic civilizations, genetic engineering, artificial intelligence and space travel. Trip finds himself millions of light years away on a planet of English-speaking bona fide human being who are the descendants of the alien-abducted Roanoke colony. There is little or no science in the sci-fi, but author Malone takes this tale in a different direction as Trip (who for some reason speaks and acts much like a pastiche of a late 19th century cowboy (complete with boots and a Stetson) plays detective and searches for the missing girl in a methodical way that belies his dumb hick western drawl. He becomes embroiled in a complex whodunnit that also leads to his involvement in trying to stop an all out genocidal race war.

Trip is a well-formed character, and there are more than a few twists and turns involving other secondary characters who are also drawn with enough depth to make them seem like real people. The writing is OK, as long as one is not expecting highbrow literature. Similarly, the sci-fi aspects are interesting, albeit not if one is looking for an detailed explanation of physics or biology.

All in all, an interesting and enjoyable easy read for sci-fi fans. Recommended.

JM Tepper

[Fiat Knox · Rating 5 out of 5]

A skilful blending of multiple genres of fiction - police procedural, Western, hard-boiled detective mystery, and one other genre.

US Marshall Hank "Trip" Hackett, facing the sack due to egregious political shenanigans after he'd killed a Senator's monstrous, psychopathic son, accepts a job from a bizarre MIB, "John Smith."

The drawback of this job is that it requires immediate relocation, because the job - tracking down a missing girl - takes place a long way away.

Off-world, in fact, requiring transportation aboard an alien starship.

The main ingredient of Colonies Lost is science fiction. The other genres are blended seamlessly in with this main ingredient to make for a most enjoyable read.

From the first page, this book drew me in and hooked me. The moment Smith entered the bar and offered Trip a job, my interest was piqued relentlessly by the narrative twists and turns, which kept me reading to the end.

If, like any readers of the British comic 2000 AD, you like your science fiction to come with a side order of hard-boiled police procedural, noir private eye and Western, this is just the novel for you.

[Angie Boyter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely a 3+
Fun SF tale with a historic twist
Trip Hackett is a Deputy U S Marshal in present-day Durham, NC, carrying on a family tradition of law enforcement, complete with the Stetson hat. His dedication lands him (once more) in trouble with his bosses, though, and he has to look elsewhere for work to help support his widowed mother and younger siblings. When a mysterious stranger offers him a lot of money to help locate a missing young woman, he agrees, even though the job is out of town. He just doesn’t realize quite HOW FAR out of town his new friend Art will take him!
I do not want to spoil the fun with more details, and Colonies Lost is, indeed, a fun well-done tale with SF adventure, police procedural elements, and a tie-in to history. I was reminded in a positive way of Eric Flint’s 1632 series; if you are a fan of that series you will probably enjoy this also.
The characters are likable and for the most part sympathetic. Of note for readers who are sensitive to some of the language in today’s books, especially if they are considering it for a younger reader, the language is rather “clean”. It is fun to hear the occasional mixup when Trip’s slang is misunderstood by the Cenorans he meets, and their swear words are not what we would say, although it is clear what they are saying!
It looks like Trip Hackett and author Malone are gearing up for further adventures, and I will be riding along!

[Ladyjovi Stone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Colonies Lost is an interesting twist of modern day police work mixed with history and science fiction. Sci-Fi is not my first choice for books but this one definitely pulled me in and kept my attention. It has just the right amount of science fiction mixed with mystery and suspense that makes for a fantastic ride.

The story follows US Marshall Trip Hackett who at the beginning of the story is having a very bad day that leads to him questioning his future. Heading to his home town to get away for a bit while he figures things out he meets a strange man in his hometown bar who has an interesting job offer to help find a missing girl. As Trip will soon discover, this is no ordinary missing person case as it is will take Trip on the adventure of a lifetime that will introduce him to new worlds and new creatures some of which are not as alien as he would have thought.

Colonies Lost has lot of intrigue and plot twists that will keep you wondering to the end. It is a fun, fantastic story that you will not be sorry you read. I highly recommend you pick this one up. Even if you are not a Sci-Fi fan, this one really is worth it. Ian Malone does a great job of painting a picture with his words that makes the story come to life. This is my first book from this author but it probably won’t be my last.

[Keith Shaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extremely Enjoyable Sci-fi Adventure

If you enjoy a fast paced sci-fi novel with a great detective story woven in then this is the book for you. Highly recommend.

[Jason · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent, fun read! Lots of witty dialogue and plenty of Sci-Fi adventure action. Also a fun twist on a historic mystery. The author also manages to touch on a few current events. The novel is nicely paced and kept me interested from beginning to end. I highly recommend!

[Jean · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did stay up late reading "just one more chapter" of this book. I have some mixed feelings about it, though. It was an interesting police procedural. I liked the characters and the tie-in to the Lost Colony. However, some things were jarring, primarily in the dialogue. There are characters who are supposed to be speaking in Elizabethan cadences, but then suddenly sound nearly modern. Our hero wanders in and out of a nearly Western pattern of speaking.

The science of the world was also off. How did there come to be the following? "There were fruit orchards, fig and olive trees, lavender, and wild thyme. Chestnut trees lined the landscape for as far as the eye could see, along with poplars, birches, and oaks, some of which topped more than two hundred and fifty feet tall." I suppose, perhaps, the colonists could have brought seeds or their captors. However, it doesn't explain the encounter with kudzu that wasn't introduced to the United States until much later. Arghhh!!!

However, if I ignore that, it was a good story. There were some unexpected twists and turns. And it did keep me turning the figurative pages.

If you like police procedurals, you might like this book. If you like science fiction and don't overthink things, you might like this book. If you like both, you should certainly try this book.

[Vic Falconer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story

Meet Trip Hacket from Roanoke. He's a Marshall who saved his partner's life but takes the fall because the perp's daddy is a political heavyweight. While he is contemplating his future he is offered a job to help find a missing girl. He needs the money so he agrees to go ... and go he does ... far across space to a world where the missing community of Roanoke were taken as slaves 400 years ago. Join Trip as he solves the mystery and reconnects with his very distant past. This is really well told with great characters and an interesting twist on an historical mystery.

[Martin Pingree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gotta Say this was the most fun I’ve had reading a book in a long time ! A suspended US Marshall travels to a galaxy far far away to earn money by solving a missing persons case. This inter galactic tale is full of awesome characters and the action is pretty much non stop. The story line will keep you reading non stop because you simply can’t put it down !

[Renee Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this ARC for an honest review. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was very well written and kept you intrigued throughout. The characters were well developed and for those who enjoy stories based on North Carolina history and the mystery of The Lost Colony, you will enjoy this sci-fi, mystery story.

[Lin Hicks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hold on for the ride!

Colonies Lost is a fast paced story with characters full of character, quirks, passion, faults and the ability to grow. The action-packed plot never failed to twist and turn. It's a wild ride you will totally enjoy!

[Doug Triplett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book for lost Roanoke fans.

A great start for what could be a huge sci-fi series. Good setup nice characters. Well worth the read. Be sure and pick this one up.