The Domino Pattern

Quadrail #4

by Timothy Zahn

Frank Compton used to be an agent for the security forces of Earth, but that was a piece of cake compared to what he’s had to deal with working for the aliens who run the Quadrail, an interstellar transportation system connecting a dozen civilizations across the galaxy.

 He’s been trying to end the domination of an alien lifeform called the Modhri. This enormously powerful creature wants to rule the galaxy by controlling the thoughts of all its citizens. It does so by having parts of itself “infect” others on contact, and act as agents for it without them being aware they’re being manipulated. When Frank and his assistant Bayta journey to investigate a connection between the Modhri and the Filiaelians, they come up against a conspiracy on the Quadrail.

Passengers are being murdered…but something besides murder haunts the Quadrail. A plot is brewing that even the Modhri fears. And once again, Frank and Bayta may be the only ones who can stop it.

Genres: Science Fiction, Mystery, Fiction, Space Opera, Science Fiction Fantasy, Suspense, Aliens

384 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published December 30, 2009

About the author

Timothy 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.

Reviews

[H (trying to keep up with GR friends) Balikov · Rating 4 out of 5]

As with most of my resolutions (this one to put off this book until 2018), I have fallen short. You will recall that I started reading Zahn’s Quadrail series with book #3. The Domino Pattern is book #4. Having indulged myself, I have come to a greater appreciation of Frank Compton, the best trouble-shooter/private eye in the known universe.

I liked this book….even more than Odd Girl Out. (Maybe the timing was good.) Overgeneralized, this is a future version of Murder on the Orient Express---except now it is on the Quadrail.

___________________________________________________________
Skip the next several paragraphs of background if you want to cut to the chase.

There are plenty of alien species on board including the Spiders who run the Quadrail (that can take anyone at faster than light speeds around the galaxy) and the Chahwyn, Filiaelians, Juriani, Bellidos, Halkas, Shorshians, etc. Zahn has done an excellent job of “world building” and has thought out not only the physical aspects of these alien races but how their thought processes might differ and on what multiple species might collaborate.

Let me tell you about the Modhri (a coral-based hive species) that has aspirations of galactic domination. The Modhri was uncovered by Compton early in the series. Each of the books has a plot or subplot involving this species.

The transportation system itself also has been given a lot of thought by Zahn. This book gives the reader further information on: how it works, why it works; and who runs it. There are local Quadrail “trains,” express trains, and this particular train a cross-galaxy super express.
The Chahwyn created the Spider species. They also ran an experiment (I won’t spoil the details) that created the “special” human, Bayta, Compton’s associate.
__________________________________________________________

When Compton and Bayta board this special Quadrail, they are on a mission to the far side of the galaxy related to their “war” with the Modhri. The passengers are divided into three classes of service and first class is occupied by the “business moguls of the Twelve Empires.” The trip (with no stops) will take over six weeks and the facilities of the Quadrail are much like those on a cruise ship, though they are stretched out linearly. Compton and Bayta are unaware of people and projects that will result in more than one person being murdered while the Quadrail shoots ahead to its destination.

This is a classic “closed set” murder case and we go along looking over Compton’s shoulder and privy to his thoughts as events unfold. I thought that I was picking up all the clues but, even with clues, the cast of possible murderers was hard to reduce. We trail in his wake, as Compton combines diligence, insight and will to survive focused on flushing out the murderer. There are plenty of surprising twists and some things are resolved with satisfaction.

So resolutions in abeyance, I am definitely aboard the Quadrail. Can I hold off reading Quadrail #5 (Judgment at Proteus, the final chapter) until 2018?

[Иван Величков · Rating 5 out of 5]

Може би най-добрата книга от пенталогията за квадрелсовата железница. Тук Зан ни оставя малко да починем от междугалактическата интрига в която се забъркаха Франк и Бейта, докато работят за паяците и железницата. Това оставя автора да се развихри в криминалния сюжет. Отново имаме симпатичен поклон към голямата Агата Кристи, като "Ефектът на доминото" се явява еди н фантастичен ммм... не преразказ, защото изходът е съвсем различен, фантастична версия на "Убийство в Ориент експрес", което при квадрижелезницата и строгите мерки на сигурност при нейните собственици е доста голямо предизвикателство.

Франк и Бейта са на път към най-отдалечените от Земята станции на железницата, тези в световете на Шоршините и Филияните. Целта им е да проверят как е възможно Модри да се е разпространил там, при положение, че и двете раси са манниаци на тема генна терапия и ще засекат всеки опит за инфилтрация на мислещите полипи.
Докато са на дългото пътуване в лукса на първа класа, пасажерите започват да измират един по един от отравяне с тежки метали. Предвид, че е практически невъзможно да се качи отрова на влака, Комптън е изправен пред достойна за уменията му загадка. Загадка, чието разрешаване ще му предостави един необичаен съюзник и един нов много опасен противник.

[Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Domino Pattern is the fourth book in Zahn's Quadrail series, delightful space operas that are very clever and well-written noirish detective tales. The novel is set on a long, non-stop interstellar train trip (yes, memories of the Orient Express are unavoidable) on which Frank Compton and his assistant Bayta are forced to concede that things are never what they seem, there's always a deeper layer to unravel, and sometimes the enemy of their enemy is their friend maybe. It's got some delightful and surprising twists that are convincing in hindsight. The varied alien races and societies are quite well and interestingly designed. There's a little bit too much of a build-up that sets up a cliffhanger for the fifth and final volume but luckily I have that one at hand. I could've done without the kiss, but other than that.... All aboard!

[Tammie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars.

Probably my most anticipated read for June was The Domino Pattern by Timothy Zahn. This is the fourth book in the Quadrail Series and I've been loving it. This author has quickly become one of my favorites. I've been reading these on my Kindle, but I've also just begun buying copies for my bookshelf. This is a series that I've neglected to write any reviews for. I'm not sure how that happened, because when I'm really loving something, I usually want to write a review for it. Anyway, I really love the idea behind this space train, and this book in particular was so good that it slapped me in the face with some reveals that I did not see coming! It had a Murder on the Orient Express feel to it that I loved!

Review also posted at Writings of a Reader.

[Joe Jungers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Murder on the Orient Express.

Well, kinda sorta.

Quadrail (aka Space train).
Aliens
Still murders & mysteries though.

Laying the groundwork for the finale.

Enjoyed it.

[Courtney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yet another fantastic piece of work by Timothy Zahn!yes it’s taken me a while to get to this one. But it’s truly an incredible book! I’ve never been disappointed by any of his work.

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's very rare for me to give five stars to a book that doesn't qualify in my mind as a "classic." But this book had me engrossed from the opening to the very end. It's a perfect murder mystery, very Agatha Christie, except this train is intergalactic and lightspeed. There is a very old-fashioned feel to the way the clues appear, get obfuscated, leading to the next reveal, and more inevitable confusion, with a dramatic conclusion that is satisfying and yet a cliffhanger leading up to what is sure to be a terrific next installment in the series. And yet, there is also an enjoyable use of the science fiction setting full of Zahn's imagined future technology and aliens. Unlike some sci-fi, Zahn uses the setting to enhance the strongly constructed story, instead of relying on flashy gimmicks to advance the tale. It all feels like it really could have happened that way. The whole book just worked, beautifully. I read the entire thing in 2 sittings! It was also nice to have an episode that wasn't just Modhri (the villain in the series) focused, sort of a nice vacation from the war, and yet adding layers to the overall story arc.

My only complaint is that Bayta, one of the two main characters in the series, is still pretty boring in this book. I think this is mostly because the book is entirely from Frank's perspective. We have no idea what she is feeling or thinking throughout the vast majority of the story, so she's just a foil for Frank. In addition, the partners have been trying to avoid emotional entanglement because of an aspect of the Modhri threat, therefore there is an additional distance there. I'd like to see the next book split between their perspectives to find out what's really going on in Bayta's head.

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Domino Pattern is the fourth book in the Quadrail Series. Think Murder on the Orient Express meets aliens group mind ( the Modhran) that wants to take over the galaxy, add a host of other aliens, a detective partnership made of up a human and a half human, and you have the books in the this series. There is always the risk that a series will get stale after a few books. That is not the case with the Quadrail Series.

This time Frank and Bayta are on a non-stop super express line that cuts the travel time across the galaxy from months to 6 weeks. Events conspire to make the Modhran, Frank and Bayta allies after someone manages to get poison past the spiders detection system. Frank and Bayta must find and stop the person using the poison. People trust the safety of the Quadrail system and that trust must be maintained or the whole system could break down and the galaxy thrown into turmoil. It is up to Frank and Bayta to find and stop the person using the poison while preventing any future threat to the Quadrail.

The Domino Pattern introduces a brand new villain, one that will move the series in a new and exciting direction. Maybe the Modhran will become partners instead of enemies. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.

[Sydney · Rating 5 out of 5]

A science fiction who done it on a 'train'. Frank and Bayta are on a nonstop 6 week Quadrail ride to the Shorshian system where they get embroiled in a multiple murder mystery. With both their lives threatened and allies turning to enemies... They solve the crimes but uncover an even more sinister plot!

[Bradley · Rating 3 out of 5]

As well written as most Zahn, but I have never been a fan of mysteries -- always find it hard to keep track of the various suspects. This one fits that mould.

Still, a worthwhile read, especially as part of the series.

[Benjamin Espen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Since every entry in the Quadrail series follows the same basic pattern, we need a new plot device in each book to keep things fresh. Zahn has arranged these so that the series is building to a crescendo, each victory more desparate, every moment more fraught.

In The Domino Pattern, the escalation is someone has figured out how to smuggle weapons onto the Quadrail. Which is supposed to be impossible. The Spiders who run the interstellar train service employ a screening system that would make the Israelis jealous. It looks not only for weapons that can cut or shoot, but chemical and biological agents effective against the various species that are their clientele, and also anything that can be combined with another mechanism or substance to become something dangerous.

However, since Frank used to work for Western Alliance Intelligence, we know that Earth governments were quietly pursuing projects to find weapons that could slip past the Spiders' sensors. We also know that some of Frank's alien allies in the shadow war against the Modhri have already managed to figure out ways to create bludgeoning weapons that can be carried aboard. Frank himself has an in with the Spiders, and has access to a non-lethal weapon, the kwi, that normally would also be forbidden. We see things much more effective this time.

My favorite part of this book is the feeling that all the players are playing the game to the hilt, all the time, even when you can't see what they are doing. And the willingness to look for an edge even if the price of losing is peace and tranquility. The quiet arms race to develop weapons you can sneak on to a Quadrail train is exactly the kind of thing you would expect real governments to do, even when they benefit from the stability such a policy creates. The greater good is clearly served by the status quo, but no one can pass up the opportunity for a winner-takes-all technological breakthrough. Or can ignore the threat of their neighbors doing so first. This is an unstable equilibrium, just asking for something to come along and break the system. That thing has come. And that isn't even Frank's biggest problem on this train.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wrapped in the trappings of SF, this is simply a who-done-it mystery along the lines of Murder on the Orient Express. The Quadrail which features as the backdrop for the entire story, however improbable the physics may be, serves well enough to isolate all events thus allowing the less than charismatic protagonist to bumble about in a closed environment to an eventual solution. As always I very much like the single viewpoint throughout which to my mind allows the reader to imagine and think for themselves - at least to a degree in this instance. Divergent suspicions, mild distractions, a modicum of window dressing, almost no love interest taken together managed to keep the story-line on track and at the forefront of affairs. While I cannot say the story was compelling, nonetheless I finished the book in two days, which as the average reader that I am is testament enough to allow for 5 stars - just. The ending, well let’s just say I had wished for a bit more. All in all almost clever, still I found it interesting enough to keep my attention which is much better than can be said about some of the drivel being ground out nowadays.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a ride!

After three books, the good guys have to work with the bad guys to solve the mystery and save the world...err, the train...or the universe. Not that there is a shortage of bad guys. So many pieces, so many threads to unravel and figure out where they go...because there is not just one mystery or plot, there are several occurring at the same time. Just when you think you have it figured out, wait! There is another scheme it feeds into, and while logical and in hindsight you think “how did I miss that?” But you you did. BIG reveal at the end...GIGANTIC!

Lots of action and thrills and mystery, but I am not thrilled with how Bayta’s character is developing...or not, in this case. She is not the narrator so we do not see into her psyche as much, but she is becoming more like a tool that Compton uses (or that is used against him!). Not a fan of her being there just to be used or to be the damsel in distress. I just want to see her stick up for herself and whack the daylights out of the bad guys for a change.

[Jon]

This novel is a slight departure from the usual format of the Quadrail series by Zahn. It's a bit of a locked door mystery, with a nod towards Murder on the Orient Express. Frank Compton and Bayta are on a Quadrail express, headed to investigate the Modhri presence on the far side of the galaxy, when passengers begin to drop dead. Given that no weapons or harmful substances are allowed on the Quadrail, this poses a bit of a puzzle and Frank seems to be the only individual equipped to investigate.




The victims are all part of a group negotiating a new medical services contract between a human firm and a couple of alien races. The obvious motive for the crime is to somehow disrupt the contract negotiations, but things get a little more complex than that as the novel moves along. The ending is a little surprising, and other things that come to light during the investigation lead Frank and Bayta into what I'm guessing will be the fifth book in this series.

[James A. Butler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chaos on A Train!

Ok…it’s on a luxury cross galaxy Quadrail but it’s still a string of cars hooked together hurtling thru a hyper speed rail trip that takes six weeks to reach the next station. The surroundings are plush with enhanced meals, a shower car and a workout car for each class. All is well until members of a delegation who were visiting earth to discuss a contact to license their genetic modification technology to a pharmaceutical company start dropping dead to the bewilderment of the two doctors on board. It falls to our hero and his assistant Bayta to sort it out. He makes an uncomfortable alliance with his sworn enemy the Modri to track the killer and stop him…it is a suspense ride of epoch proportion…strap in for a wild and adventurous story…you won’t be disappointed!

[Meggie · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Domino Pattern is a closed circle like Murder on the Orient Express, as Frank & Bayta and all our suspects are stuck on an express train for six weeks. You really can't figure out all of the murder mystery until it's revealed to you, and there's also a fair bit of ramifications/setup for book 5 towards the end.

I wish that Bayta had more to do than, because she ends up being the damsel in distress way too many times. Let Frank be the damsel for once!

[Jeffrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars, but I’m tempted to bump it to 5 stars. This is a classic “trapped on a train” murder mystery, albeit with a sci-fi flair. Unlike other entries in the Quadrail series, this book’s action was limited to a single train so it had less James Bond / world hopping adventure feels and more Knives Out detective mystery vibes.

The wide cast of characters (and their very alien names) added a layer of difficulty to the reading, but it mostly all clicked for me by the end. This was a true page turner, and it ended with some significant implications for the final book in the Quadrail series. I’m excited to finish the series!

[David Griffin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 4 of the Quadrail series

I have enjoyed reading all of the Quadrail series up to this point. And I recently bought the next book in the series. But before I read it, I wanted to re-read book 4 to refresh my memory. All of the books are worth reading again because Timothy Zahn is an excellent writer.
There are few writers that are worth reading their books multiple times. And he is one of those. And this was a pleasure to read this book again. If haven't read this book, or any of the others in this series, I highly recommend it!

[Lindsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

I‘ve called this series Murder On The Orient Express’ wild spacefaring grandchild, this one makes good on that comparison. Tense, twisty, good murder plots with a wild smoking gun! Loses some points for objectifying the female lead, especially toward the end. (I am NOT here for the damsel in distress nonsense. Bayta is a strong independent character not a prop for Compton’s angst.) I do hope the icky bits are a plot device for the next one. Still icky, but I haven’t seen that in Zahn’s other writing so it seems out of place.

[Barbara Sheppard · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read the previous three books in this series and thoroughly enjoyed them. The writer's style is concise and easy to follow and understand.
This book did seem to drag a bit in the last two thirds of the story. I felt that the author spent to much time speculating as to who the culprit might be. Once he identified this person the story line picked up and the ending was quite suspenseful and somewhat of a page turner.
I look forward to reading more books in this series.

[Jadyn Saunders · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars!

Possible alternate title: Murder on the Quadrail Express!

I couldn’t put this one down! Kept me guessing all the way through. The climax had me on the edge of my seat.

Bayta was a bit better in this book. Actually stood up for herself a few times and acted on her own. Except for when she got captured at the climax, but she was still able to play a role in her own rescue through her telepathic connection with the Spiders.

[Scott Wozniak · Rating 4 out of 5]

The plot escalates

This time, on a long trip without contact off the train, murders start happening in ways that shouldn’t be possible. The characters grow and the plot escalates. It was a strong addition to the series—not just more of the same—and I’m looking forward to the final book in the series.

[Shawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

How do you catch a murderer when the is no way the could be a murder? That is the question facing Bayta and Frank asthey climb aboard the quadrail for a trip across the galaxy.
A medical and murder mystery along with the standard adventure fare. Zahn keeps you wanting to turn to the next larg page in this fourth installment of the series.

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as the last book, not as action packed. This one was more murder mystery than the action paced plots of previous books. I didn't enjoy it as much as the last book but it was still entertaining. I am curious to see what happens in the last book of the series and how things get wrapped up since this book introduced another problem for Compton and Bayta to solve. 3 out of 5 stars.

[Pygmy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Feels a bit like "Murder on the Orient Express", except on a long-haul express train for interstellar travel with aliens. But not a very interesting take on it...

On the other hand, I only just saw that it is part of a series, that perhaps that is why I feel so uninvested in the characters. Regardless, I will not be finishing...

[John R. Goyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another well written addition to this series. After 3 volumes Frank finally gets a little mushy with Bayta - I suppose it had to happen... Lots of aliens, a very good plot twist to deepen the danger the universe is in, and a cliff-hanging ending that made me go on immediately to volume 5. A most enjoyable run so far - don't let me down Timothy...

[Jacob · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is what the Quadrail series was meant to be. I really enjoyed the whole series, and loved the Mohdri as a villain, but the entire series up to this point I had been thinking that it would be at it's best as a mystery. This book is what I was looking for the whole time. I love Zahn, love the Quadrail series, and this was a great book, would highly recommend

[J. · Rating 3 out of 5]

The entire book felt a bit like a transition, actually, but was different enough from the previous books that I was still interested. Here is where I could start to see where everything was leading up to, or where I hoped it would, anyway.

[Tom Shinners · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the least gripping novel of the series so far. I realize that parts of it were setting up for the last book, and so the slightly slower pace makes sense. It was still a really good book, and a fine installment in the series, just not my favorite one.

[Eddie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great installment in our Quadrail franchise. Definitely a page-turner once the action starts and lots of great intrigue along the way. You still have to love our hero and his side kick and sherlock-ish detective skills. A fun quick read, looking forward to the exciting conclusion in book 5.