Mindstar Rising (Greg Mandel) (ISBN 0312859554)

Start of a Very Good Trilogy:
The three books in Peter F. Hamilton's Greg Mandel series were written before his "Night's Dawn" series. I'm not certain of this, but they seem to occur in the same universe as that series, just at a MUCH earlier time. Regardless, this series is excellent. What's especially nice, is that, for the most part, each of these books stands alone. You still need to read them in order, but none of them ends in a cliff-hanger requiring your reading of the next. Unfortunately, each of these books has a few fairly explicit sexual situations described in them. The amount of sex increases as you move from book to book. If it weren't for that, I'd recommend these books for everyone. "Mindstar Rising" is the first book in the series. It's a very good, fast-paced sci-fi action thriller. The book introduces all the important characters and the "universe" used throughout the series. For the most part, the character development is good. I have a few qualms about a character or two suddenly being more capable than they are during the majority of the book, but that's mostly inconsequential. The plot, too, is very good. However, the transition between the first, introductory, situation in the book and the primary situation could have been worked better: it seems contrived. But, I might be seeing that solely because I've read the book four times now. "A Quantum Murder" is the second book in the series. This book takes place about three years after "Mindstar Rising." Instead of being the science-fiction action thriller that the first book is, it's more of a science fiction mystery. It's a close call, but I think this book is slightly better than "Mindstar Rising." Once again, there's good character development, but this time, the plot is somewhat more tightly put together. I've only got a couple of quibbles: first, in one scene, Mandel's psi powers inexplicably include actual telepathy instead of just the empathy described in "Mindstar Rising." And, second, after the characters find out who the murderer is, instead of sending the police out immediately, they close up shop for the night and say they'll do it in the morning. Other than that, this is an excellent book which shows the origins of a lot of the technology in the "Night's Dawn" series. "The Nano Flower" is the third, and final, book in the series. The various dates specified in the book don't quite agree, but, in general, it seems to takes place about 16 years after "A Quantum Murder." Like "Mindstar Rising," it's a sci-fi action thriller. Like "A Quantum Murder," it further develops technologies that Hamilton uses in his "Night's Dawn" series. Also, as in "A Quantum Murder," Mandel's psi-powers have once again expanded. Of the three books, this is probably the best. It's a hard comparison to make since the second book is more of a mystery and this book more of an action-thriller. But, in general, I'd say there's an incremental improvement in these books as you move through the series (all of them are very good, though).

Terrific blend of sci-fi and detective fiction.:
Mindstar Rising is a pleasant and addictive read which combines the best of the noir detective genre with the best of science fiction. Greg, Eleanor, and Julia are characters that John D. MacDonald would have introduced in some of his better works. At the same time, the future world introduced here is credible, with exciting new technologies and political complications. The combination between the two genres is skillfully done. It allows Hamilton to play with reader expectations in a manner that raises the suspense and keeps the pages turning. Readers of the Night's Dawn trilogy may find this book a mixed blessing. Mindstar Rising is much more self-contained as a book, much lighter and less epic. I found that a pleasant surprise, but that reaction will obviously depend on the taste of the reader. Recommended for fans of combined science fiction/detective novels such as Altered Carbon by Richard Morgan. This may also be a good book for someone who is just starting to read science fiction but who does not want to stray too far from more traditional comfort zones.

Not Free SF Reader:
Psychic corporate sleuthing. Greg Mandel is literally a psychic detective, an ability given to him via technology and a stint in the military. So not a psychic detective in the ghost busting sense, at all. This very nasty far left government has since collapsed, leaving old pommieland in a semi-parlous rebuilding situation. Mandel is hired to look into both thefts, and attacks on a digital personality, via that personalities granddaughter. 4 out of 5

I couldn't finish it:
Feeble characterisation, lots of clichés and above all a doubtful extreme right wing ideology.

Great debut of a great author:
Mindstar Rising, published in 1993, is the debut novel of Peter F. Hamilton, and the first book in the Greg Mandel trilogy. The book is set in a high-tech Britain in what appears to be the mid-21st century, although a firm date is never given. Britain has been ravaged by global warming and is struggling to recover from the social and economic devastation left by a decade of socialist dictatorship that has only recently come to an end. I thought Mindstar Rising was an excellent book and a great combination of mostly-realistic science fiction and action/espionage. It's got an interesting setting, some neat technology, and lots of action. It's got memorable characters too; once you meet Mandel's friend Royan, you won't forget him for quite a while. Hamilton does a nice job of portraying a ravaged nation just pulling itself out of ruin- slums, crumbling highways, former coastal towns half-submerged by the rising oceans. He does a nice job of creating a feeling of both bleakness and a bit of hope. It's a type of setting you don't seem to see that much- a recovering former dystopia. I highly recommend Mindstar Rising to anyone who likes a lot of action in their science fiction, people who like near-future speculation, and fans of Hamilton's later works. Check this one out.