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EPSILON Sci-Fi Thriller #1
Crimson Lucre
A propulsive Sci-Fi thriller with the right mix of adventure, emotional resonance, and speculative science … reads like Dean Koontz meets Andy Weir.~ Susan Furlong - Shattered Justice, A New York Times Top Crime Novel of the YearDallas Gordon and his crew crash landed on Mars. Ex-EPSILON employee Randy Porter put them there, hacking the mission on behalf of chief rival BMAC. If Dallas can traverse the seventy-five kilometers across the Red Planet to Prospector Base - can he identify and disable Porter’s traps before disaster dooms the crew 200 million miles from home?Click the BUY button and get your copy of this fast-paced Sci-Fi Thriller now!What readers are saying5 out of 5 stars Good Read, Great BookI don't know whether this is an espionage thriller or hard Sci Fi. In either genre it is top shelf. Good characters and unpredictable twists. I couldn't put it down. ~Amazon reviewer5 out of 5 stars Fast and goodI almost finished this one in one setting because it was fast paced and well written. Thanks for a good one; hope there will be more. ~Amazon reviewer5 out of 5 stars Excellent, fun and excitingCan't believe this is the authors debut novel! Seems like it is written by a well seasoned writer. Very exciting, funny and well researched. Impatiently awaiting the next installment. ~Amazon reviewer
- GenresScience Fiction
298 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 26, 2021
77 people are currently reading
81 people want to read
About the author
Brian H. Roberts
6 books186 followers Before becoming an author, BRIAN H. ROBERTS read voraciously (he still does). In doing so, he learned the principles of storytelling and plot structure from the best Sci-Fi writers in the business: Asimov, Bradbury, Clarke, Cory, Herbert, Tchaikovsky, and Weir, to name a few. He stayed abreast of advances in science and technology. And he devoured Thrillers by many of the greats: Tom Clancy, Robin Cook, Michael Crichton, Clive Cussler (and his son, Dirk), Dean Koontz, and James Patterson.
He draws on his life experience for inspiration and realism in his writing: marriage, raising a family, divorce and remarriage, working as a contractor, then as a successful civil engineer. When he could squeeze in the time, he was an avid outdoor adventurer, skier and mountain biker. Now retired, he and his wife traded big city life in Seattle to pursue outdoor adventures of Central Oregon.
He's completed his first series, the EPSILON Sci-Fi Thrillers. His latest book, Wetware, introduces his new Hard Sci-Fi Thriller series, Of Two Minds. Both are a winning combination of Hard Science Fiction and fast-paced action, available in multiple formats on Amazon.com.
Subscribe to Brian H. Roberts's newsletter – Just Over the Horizon - for regular updates including preorders, new releases, sales, cover reveals, giveaways, and more! https://brianhroberts.com/sign-up
Follow him on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/bhrauthor/
Follow him on LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-h-r...
He draws on his life experience for inspiration and realism in his writing: marriage, raising a family, divorce and remarriage, working as a contractor, then as a successful civil engineer. When he could squeeze in the time, he was an avid outdoor adventurer, skier and mountain biker. Now retired, he and his wife traded big city life in Seattle to pursue outdoor adventures of Central Oregon.
He's completed his first series, the EPSILON Sci-Fi Thrillers. His latest book, Wetware, introduces his new Hard Sci-Fi Thriller series, Of Two Minds. Both are a winning combination of Hard Science Fiction and fast-paced action, available in multiple formats on Amazon.com.
Subscribe to Brian H. Roberts's newsletter – Just Over the Horizon - for regular updates including preorders, new releases, sales, cover reveals, giveaways, and more! https://brianhroberts.com/sign-up
Follow him on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/bhrauthor/
Follow him on LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-h-r...
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
January 19, 2024
Unbelievablely well written
The writing is so good, the editing and formatting so perfect that after the first couple chapters I had to Google the author to find out how many books he had written. When I found out he was a late blooming retired engineer with just a few books out there I was pleasantly shocked. I reached out through his website with a compliment (not something that's really in my nature) and he told me that he pays to have his works put through extensive editing processes. They read BETTER than many authors I've read with 20 more books under their belt who are represented by agents and published by major publishing houses. If you are a fellow nerd or geek, be aware this is true hard sci-fi. Not on thing in here, technological or interpersonal, couldn't happen. Wisely, no dates are mentioned other than a champagne vintage of 2025, but I put it somewhere between 2030 and 2050. Nothing in this book is beyond today's technology, really, only some time and a lot of money would be needed to achieve what is expressed. The plot is solid and realistic but with plenty of excitement, you can put yourself in the shoes of any character very easily, you can tell that Roberts definitely has some real experience working with diverse teams in corporate environments and has felt the thrill of accomplishment and the pain of dealing with incompetent management. Obviously like any novel it's necessary to have a few things that are unlikely to happen, happen, because if books followed the most likely scenario they would be very short, i.e ship is launched, ship is sabotaged, everyone dies, so forgive a few unlikely but totally possible scenarios because they let you keep reading!
Kudos to this guy for getting it right. I'm on to the next one. Please support authors who take the time to actually write well, not just the to throw their next story out there as quickly as possible.
The writing is so good, the editing and formatting so perfect that after the first couple chapters I had to Google the author to find out how many books he had written. When I found out he was a late blooming retired engineer with just a few books out there I was pleasantly shocked. I reached out through his website with a compliment (not something that's really in my nature) and he told me that he pays to have his works put through extensive editing processes. They read BETTER than many authors I've read with 20 more books under their belt who are represented by agents and published by major publishing houses. If you are a fellow nerd or geek, be aware this is true hard sci-fi. Not on thing in here, technological or interpersonal, couldn't happen. Wisely, no dates are mentioned other than a champagne vintage of 2025, but I put it somewhere between 2030 and 2050. Nothing in this book is beyond today's technology, really, only some time and a lot of money would be needed to achieve what is expressed. The plot is solid and realistic but with plenty of excitement, you can put yourself in the shoes of any character very easily, you can tell that Roberts definitely has some real experience working with diverse teams in corporate environments and has felt the thrill of accomplishment and the pain of dealing with incompetent management. Obviously like any novel it's necessary to have a few things that are unlikely to happen, happen, because if books followed the most likely scenario they would be very short, i.e ship is launched, ship is sabotaged, everyone dies, so forgive a few unlikely but totally possible scenarios because they let you keep reading!
Kudos to this guy for getting it right. I'm on to the next one. Please support authors who take the time to actually write well, not just the to throw their next story out there as quickly as possible.
March 26, 2024
I had a ton of fun diving into the world(s) of Crimson Lucre. Overall, it reminded me of Andy Weir’s The Martian with an intense corporate spy thriller subplot (think David Baldacci).
It was easy to get sucked into this book because the plot is so believable. The concept of private enterprises taking over space travel with corporate profits in mind seems not only plausible, but a likely future humans can look forward to. Mining rare earth mineral deposits on Mars justifies the great expense of exploring the final frontier, and it also constitutes rival sabotage.
The characters are easy to care about. You get to see the struggles both of individuals attempting to land for the first time on the Martian surface, and the Epsilon ground control. While Dallas and the space crew fight to survive, Allie and the ground crew work with the FBI to determine who is sabotaging the space mission—and why. The simmering love interest between two people on different worlds (literally) only maximizes the tension. That being said, my favorite character is by far the walking AI helper named Robbie.
Crimson Lucre grips you and doesn’t let go. It kept me up long past my bedtime. I am looking forward to devouring the rest of the series.
It was easy to get sucked into this book because the plot is so believable. The concept of private enterprises taking over space travel with corporate profits in mind seems not only plausible, but a likely future humans can look forward to. Mining rare earth mineral deposits on Mars justifies the great expense of exploring the final frontier, and it also constitutes rival sabotage.
The characters are easy to care about. You get to see the struggles both of individuals attempting to land for the first time on the Martian surface, and the Epsilon ground control. While Dallas and the space crew fight to survive, Allie and the ground crew work with the FBI to determine who is sabotaging the space mission—and why. The simmering love interest between two people on different worlds (literally) only maximizes the tension. That being said, my favorite character is by far the walking AI helper named Robbie.
Crimson Lucre grips you and doesn’t let go. It kept me up long past my bedtime. I am looking forward to devouring the rest of the series.
March 11, 2022
Highly derivative of The Martian, though of course not the same plot but still... stranded humans (5 not 1) trekking across Mars due to a disaster (sabotage not natural disaster) to get to a base. People at mission control tracking them but unable to make contact, humans on Mars finally figure out how to establish Comms.
Multiple references to Monica's accent getting stronger under stress; and Drew's laconic Southern drawl made this very repetitive. And 4 chapters of climbing the cliff to get out of a crater. Belay on, belay off, belay ad infinitum. I got bored and quit at 49% done. The premise sounded so dang good, but the execution was lacking. I really wanted to love this.
Multiple references to Monica's accent getting stronger under stress; and Drew's laconic Southern drawl made this very repetitive. And 4 chapters of climbing the cliff to get out of a crater. Belay on, belay off, belay ad infinitum. I got bored and quit at 49% done. The premise sounded so dang good, but the execution was lacking. I really wanted to love this.
January 16, 2022
Derivative and dull
Mostly this was a moderately interesting if tedious sci-fi type thing, derivative of and nowhere near as good as THE MARTIAN. Then it devolved into nearly Dan Brown-ish levels of clownish ridiculousness with one character raped and then off on a vigilante-style quest to bring down the bad guys. Terrible. Just terrible.
Mostly this was a moderately interesting if tedious sci-fi type thing, derivative of and nowhere near as good as THE MARTIAN. Then it devolved into nearly Dan Brown-ish levels of clownish ridiculousness with one character raped and then off on a vigilante-style quest to bring down the bad guys. Terrible. Just terrible.
February 8, 2022
An excellent read!
From beginning to end Robert’s has you in his grasp. Planet exploration, intrigue, espionage, love and climbing. One of these seems out of place, but I assure you they all work seamlessly together to take you on a journey you will thoroughly enjoy taking. Well done Mr Roberts.
From beginning to end Robert’s has you in his grasp. Planet exploration, intrigue, espionage, love and climbing. One of these seems out of place, but I assure you they all work seamlessly together to take you on a journey you will thoroughly enjoy taking. Well done Mr Roberts.
November 22, 2022
Great Book
I found this book on "Fussy Librarian". I got it for free. It was EXCELLENT! I now have to purchase the rest to finish the adventure. Thank You Mr Roberts for depleting my wallet!😉
I found this book on "Fussy Librarian". I got it for free. It was EXCELLENT! I now have to purchase the rest to finish the adventure. Thank You Mr Roberts for depleting my wallet!😉
September 15, 2023
a mix of "The Martian" and a spy novel. The story starts off slow but picks up the pace. Also the robot has name that will harkens back to the fifties. Overall a good read, I plan on reading the next in the series. Recommended.
September 20, 2021
Fast moving.
Fast moving. Buckle your set belts.
The story kept me interested. I almost lost a night's sleep. Lots of action, twists and turns. Good story.
Fast moving. Buckle your set belts.
The story kept me interested. I almost lost a night's sleep. Lots of action, twists and turns. Good story.
November 21, 2021
BORING
I liked the premise of this book but it was boring and I couldn’t get past the first third of this novel. Not very exciting and very slow.
I liked the premise of this book but it was boring and I couldn’t get past the first third of this novel. Not very exciting and very slow.
December 8, 2021
An interesting Sci-Fi thriller.
Some great characters and action on both Earth and Mars.
Hoping to read more in the series.
Some great characters and action on both Earth and Mars.
Hoping to read more in the series.
December 21, 2021
Mostly a good read
Successfully blends murder, espionage and pretty good science fiction, but the abysmal ignorance of firearms displayed by the author is physically painful
Successfully blends murder, espionage and pretty good science fiction, but the abysmal ignorance of firearms displayed by the author is physically painful
January 1, 2025
Excellent Mars adventure
Well written, and exciting story. Somewhat predictable at times, but overall well worth reading! Looking forward to reading more from this author.
Well written, and exciting story. Somewhat predictable at times, but overall well worth reading! Looking forward to reading more from this author.
December 3, 2021
People are bound to make comparisons between this book and The Martian by Andy Weir. The premise is broadly similar, but Mr Weir wins hands down when it comes to story telling.
A decent plot, but it got bogged down in parts by excessive detail. For example, I found the climbing part of the story more than a little tedious.
Still, overall this was an entertaining read.
A decent plot, but it got bogged down in parts by excessive detail. For example, I found the climbing part of the story more than a little tedious.
Still, overall this was an entertaining read.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews