What do you think?
Rate this book
Star Cops #ab1
Star Cops: The Stuff of Life
A mysterious death on an underwater tour of Venice...
A deadly disease on a remote space station...
A secret so big that people are willing to kill to keep it safe...
With Nathan and Colin away on a fact-finding mission, Kenzy is on the look-out for a juicy case of her own. But the one that falls into her lap turns out to be bigger and more dangerous than anything she could have imagined. Meanwhile, Nathan's routine trip is rapidly turning into a nightmare.
Could the two investigations be linked? As the Star Cops inch closer to the explosive truth, they come to realise that they are involved in something that has far-reaching implications – not just for them, but for the whole of humanity.
The events in this story take place after Star Cops: Mother Earth and prior to Star Cops: Mars.
A deadly disease on a remote space station...
A secret so big that people are willing to kill to keep it safe...
With Nathan and Colin away on a fact-finding mission, Kenzy is on the look-out for a juicy case of her own. But the one that falls into her lap turns out to be bigger and more dangerous than anything she could have imagined. Meanwhile, Nathan's routine trip is rapidly turning into a nightmare.
Could the two investigations be linked? As the Star Cops inch closer to the explosive truth, they come to realise that they are involved in something that has far-reaching implications – not just for them, but for the whole of humanity.
The events in this story take place after Star Cops: Mother Earth and prior to Star Cops: Mars.
Audiobook
First published December 5, 2019
6 people want to read
About the author
Mike Tucker
106 books46 followersMike Tucker is a special effects expert who worked for many years at the BBC Television Visual Effects Department, and now works as an Effects Supervisor for his own company, The Model Unit. He is also the author of a number of original tv tie-in Doctor Who novels (some co-written with Robert Perry), and three books based on episodes of the television series Merlin. He co-wrote the factual books Ace! The Inside Story of the End of an Era with Sophie Aldred in 1996, and BBC VFX - The Story of the BBC Visual Effects Department with Mat Irvine in 2010.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
March 30, 2022
In 1987, Star Cops aired on British TV for nine weeks at the height of summer. It was a series that, while flawed, showed plenty of promise it was never quite able to deliver upon, thanks to the BBC electing against a second season. Star Cops was gone but not forgotten, finding new generations of fans thanks to VHS and later DVD releases. Now ressurected by Big Finish as a series of audio dramas, The Stuff of Life fits neatly in-between the company's initial Mother Earth sets and the two Mars sets.
Written by Mike Tucker, who has a track record of Doctor Who novels and audio dramas behind him, The Stuff of Life is a compelling piece of work. One of the defining things about Star Cops has been that, for all of its near-future SF trappings, was that it was fundamentally a detective series. That's something Tucker doesn't lose sight of here to his credit, crafting an intricate plot that takes in everything from the submerged canals of Venice to the Moon and the Edgar Rice Burroughs. Perhaps taking a cue from Big Finish's take on the series, Tucker introduces a number of plot threads, all seemingly standalone, that gradually come together as the novel unfolds. There's also the series mix of a more-realistic SF approach on display, involving the issues of supplying colonies with fresh water and the inherent difficulties of its taking weeks or months to get between places in our solar system. As a piece of plotting, it's a well-written piece of work and one that moves at quite the pace despite its six-plus hour running time.
There's more to this audiobook than that, of course. The Stuff of Life fits neatly into Big Finish's work on the series. There are fleeting, knowing references to the events of the two Mother Earth sets and the echoing ramifications felt throughout the novel. There are hints of where the following Mars box sets would go, something this reviewer is looking forward to picking up as part of a catch-up on the series. Tucker even tosses in references to characters from the original TV series, who, either due to their passing away or being unavailable, haven't appeared in Big Finish's revival. Along with other references and Easter eggs for fans of the series, it shows off not only Tucker's attention to detail but anchors The Stuff of Life neatly as part of Star Cops as a whole.
Tucker's knowledge of the series is also evident in the characterizations. Of the established characters, everyone sounds as they should, from the world-weary Nathan Spring to the all too chummy ladness of Colin Devis and the forthrightness of Pal Kenzy. The supporting characters are equally solid, from Doctor Harris on the Edgar Rice Burroughs to undercover officer Paul Bailey's Italian contacts and, of course, the eventual villain of the piece. All of which adds to the richness of the tale Tucker tales.
The icing on the cake is the narration from Trever Cooper. Known to fans of the series as Devis, Cooper proved an inspired choice for the reader of The Stuff of Life. Not only does he capture Devis well, as he ought to, but those of his fellow castmates with a range of accents capturing his castmates, ranging from Australian to India and the Scouse tones of Paul Bailey. His take on Nathan Spring deserves special mention, with Cooper presenting an uncanny impression of David Calder at times. The only thing that might have boosted Cooper's reading would have been the presentation, which is barebones, rather than the "enhanced audiobook" format Big Finish has employed for Doctor Who, with in-story use of sound effects and music. Even so, Cooper's reading is worth the price of admission alone.
What more reason do you need to give this a listen?
Written by Mike Tucker, who has a track record of Doctor Who novels and audio dramas behind him, The Stuff of Life is a compelling piece of work. One of the defining things about Star Cops has been that, for all of its near-future SF trappings, was that it was fundamentally a detective series. That's something Tucker doesn't lose sight of here to his credit, crafting an intricate plot that takes in everything from the submerged canals of Venice to the Moon and the Edgar Rice Burroughs. Perhaps taking a cue from Big Finish's take on the series, Tucker introduces a number of plot threads, all seemingly standalone, that gradually come together as the novel unfolds. There's also the series mix of a more-realistic SF approach on display, involving the issues of supplying colonies with fresh water and the inherent difficulties of its taking weeks or months to get between places in our solar system. As a piece of plotting, it's a well-written piece of work and one that moves at quite the pace despite its six-plus hour running time.
There's more to this audiobook than that, of course. The Stuff of Life fits neatly into Big Finish's work on the series. There are fleeting, knowing references to the events of the two Mother Earth sets and the echoing ramifications felt throughout the novel. There are hints of where the following Mars box sets would go, something this reviewer is looking forward to picking up as part of a catch-up on the series. Tucker even tosses in references to characters from the original TV series, who, either due to their passing away or being unavailable, haven't appeared in Big Finish's revival. Along with other references and Easter eggs for fans of the series, it shows off not only Tucker's attention to detail but anchors The Stuff of Life neatly as part of Star Cops as a whole.
Tucker's knowledge of the series is also evident in the characterizations. Of the established characters, everyone sounds as they should, from the world-weary Nathan Spring to the all too chummy ladness of Colin Devis and the forthrightness of Pal Kenzy. The supporting characters are equally solid, from Doctor Harris on the Edgar Rice Burroughs to undercover officer Paul Bailey's Italian contacts and, of course, the eventual villain of the piece. All of which adds to the richness of the tale Tucker tales.
The icing on the cake is the narration from Trever Cooper. Known to fans of the series as Devis, Cooper proved an inspired choice for the reader of The Stuff of Life. Not only does he capture Devis well, as he ought to, but those of his fellow castmates with a range of accents capturing his castmates, ranging from Australian to India and the Scouse tones of Paul Bailey. His take on Nathan Spring deserves special mention, with Cooper presenting an uncanny impression of David Calder at times. The only thing that might have boosted Cooper's reading would have been the presentation, which is barebones, rather than the "enhanced audiobook" format Big Finish has employed for Doctor Who, with in-story use of sound effects and music. Even so, Cooper's reading is worth the price of admission alone.
What more reason do you need to give this a listen?
August 12, 2024
This is an audiobook, rather than an audio drama, I've listened to readings of Hitchhikers Guide and Red Dwarf, and enjoy them.
I loved Star Cops, I recorded it on video, and got the dvd when it came out. I listened to the first BF series, andal though only three of the original cast are in it: its still good.
The Stuff of Life takes place between the first and second series of audios, so it contains characters from the Big Finish series and makes references to Mother Earth (the first audio series). With a colony on Mars setting up, Nathan and Devis travel to take a look at things, leaving Kenzy (with the help of Priya) on moonbase with a crime to investigate, not to mention Paul Bailey having return to earth on a connected matter.
There are nods to the past, name checks for David and Anna, mentions of the tv series, so its nice and ties it all in well. The fact that this is a book means it can take its time, and it reminds me of how much I enjoy books and should make the time to read more.
Each chapter is about 15-20 minutes long, and are good stopping places. But with 25 chapters its nearly 6:30 hours long so can takes some time to get through. Trevor Cooper does a good job of reading the novel, I don't think he quite captures the established characters, but he does get the accents and it's very minor quibble.
Star cops leans more towards science fact rather the science fantasy, and some elements remind me of reading Aurther Clarke (issues with space travel). With crime you get murder and mystery (who did it?, whose behind it? etc) so its stuff I enjoy. There are some dramatic moments, but I was never really on the edge of my seat. Half way through and it still felt as if it was getting going, and then seems to be heading towards the end. I remember reading Enid Blyton when I was a child, and these days Terry Pratchett, and a lot seems to happen, so maybe not as engrossing as it could be. Priya seems to diassapear well before the end and not even referred to again. The resolution wasn't particularly satisfying after the lead up, it more sort of 'oh so thats it'.
But the fact is I enjoyed it, It was on sale when I bought it and, glad I did, when I get round to the second series, I will get Sins of the Father, which looks to be more of the same.
I listened to tht Q&A with Trevor Cooper at the end - usually I don't bother, and though brief I found it interesting.
All in all if you like Star Cops and the audio series, I'd reccommend it.
I loved Star Cops, I recorded it on video, and got the dvd when it came out. I listened to the first BF series, andal though only three of the original cast are in it: its still good.
The Stuff of Life takes place between the first and second series of audios, so it contains characters from the Big Finish series and makes references to Mother Earth (the first audio series). With a colony on Mars setting up, Nathan and Devis travel to take a look at things, leaving Kenzy (with the help of Priya) on moonbase with a crime to investigate, not to mention Paul Bailey having return to earth on a connected matter.
There are nods to the past, name checks for David and Anna, mentions of the tv series, so its nice and ties it all in well. The fact that this is a book means it can take its time, and it reminds me of how much I enjoy books and should make the time to read more.
Each chapter is about 15-20 minutes long, and are good stopping places. But with 25 chapters its nearly 6:30 hours long so can takes some time to get through. Trevor Cooper does a good job of reading the novel, I don't think he quite captures the established characters, but he does get the accents and it's very minor quibble.
Star cops leans more towards science fact rather the science fantasy, and some elements remind me of reading Aurther Clarke (issues with space travel). With crime you get murder and mystery (who did it?, whose behind it? etc) so its stuff I enjoy. There are some dramatic moments, but I was never really on the edge of my seat. Half way through and it still felt as if it was getting going, and then seems to be heading towards the end. I remember reading Enid Blyton when I was a child, and these days Terry Pratchett, and a lot seems to happen, so maybe not as engrossing as it could be. Priya seems to diassapear well before the end and not even referred to again. The resolution wasn't particularly satisfying after the lead up, it more sort of 'oh so thats it'.
But the fact is I enjoyed it, It was on sale when I bought it and, glad I did, when I get round to the second series, I will get Sins of the Father, which looks to be more of the same.
I listened to tht Q&A with Trevor Cooper at the end - usually I don't bother, and though brief I found it interesting.
All in all if you like Star Cops and the audio series, I'd reccommend it.
December 13, 2022
An excellent audiobook set between the first two of Big Finish's Star Cops audio series. I mean, the title, Star Cops sounds ridiculously cheesy, but turns out to be a really good series. What we have here is a standard police procedural set in the near future when humanity has established orbital space stations, moon bases, and even a series of colonies on Mars. And along with humanity comes crime. You've got the hazards of living and working in space, combined with keeping law and order, and a group of "Star Cops," as the International Space Police Force are colloquially known, are our viewpoint characters.
This audiobook (not a full-cast production like the rest of the series) involves Nathan Spring and Colin Devis heading off to Mars to possibly establish an ISPF presence there. Trouble pops up at a midpoint station where two crew members fall ill with a mysterious illness. There's also a submarine accident in Venice, and faked shuttle flight records from a moon-based facility. It's up to Spring and Devis on their way to Mars, and Paul Bailey and Pal Kenzy back on the moon to find the connection between these incidents.
There's some great stuff here that, for me, evoked the same atmosphere as Leviathan Wakes. I appreciated the attempts to really make this realistic: nobody just hops off to Mars on a day trip. It's a six-month journey, and that distance complicates matters. Just heading "outside" to pick up some ice samples is dangerous. And there are a few reminders that violent deaths in zero-G are not pretty.
Trevor Cooper who plays Colin Devis does an excellent job with the narration, which for me is a make-or-break with audiobooks.
I'm just starting in on Series 2 of the full-cast audios which begins with Spring and Devis (finally) arriving on Mars, and I'm not sure if there are plot points from this book that will pop up, but I'm glad I paused and listened to this audiobook first.
This audiobook (not a full-cast production like the rest of the series) involves Nathan Spring and Colin Devis heading off to Mars to possibly establish an ISPF presence there. Trouble pops up at a midpoint station where two crew members fall ill with a mysterious illness. There's also a submarine accident in Venice, and faked shuttle flight records from a moon-based facility. It's up to Spring and Devis on their way to Mars, and Paul Bailey and Pal Kenzy back on the moon to find the connection between these incidents.
There's some great stuff here that, for me, evoked the same atmosphere as Leviathan Wakes. I appreciated the attempts to really make this realistic: nobody just hops off to Mars on a day trip. It's a six-month journey, and that distance complicates matters. Just heading "outside" to pick up some ice samples is dangerous. And there are a few reminders that violent deaths in zero-G are not pretty.
Trevor Cooper who plays Colin Devis does an excellent job with the narration, which for me is a make-or-break with audiobooks.
I'm just starting in on Series 2 of the full-cast audios which begins with Spring and Devis (finally) arriving on Mars, and I'm not sure if there are plot points from this book that will pop up, but I'm glad I paused and listened to this audiobook first.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews