Red Noise

by John P. Murphy

Overview

Caught up in a space station turf war between gangs and corrupt cops, a lone asteroid miner decides to take them all down.

Broke and out of fuel, a wildcat asteroid miner comes to Station 35 looking to sell her cargo and get back to the life of solitude she craves. Instead, the cheating thieves who run the place leave her deep in debt.

Desperate to get away, she finds herself swept up in a three-way standoff between gangs and crooked cops. Faced with the decision to take sides or clean out the Augean Stables, she breaks out the flamethrower...

File Under: Science Fiction [ Jane Got a Gun | Gangster's Paradise | Debts and Deceptions | There Shall Be Blood ]

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780857668479
Publisher:	Watkins Media
Publication date:	07/14/2020
Pages:	448
Sales rank:	684,725
Product dimensions:	5.10(w) x 7.70(h) x 1.10(d)

About the Author

John is an engineer and writer living in New Hampshire with his partner and two ridiculously fluffy cats. His previous work, The Liar, was shortlisted for a Nebula Award for Best Novella in 2016. He was a SFWA Director-at-Large until 2018 and is now the Short Fiction Committee Chair. He has a PhD in Engineering and a BS in Electrical and Computer Engineering.

Editorial Reviews

03/02/2020

Murphy skillfully transports spaghetti western tropes to a lawless space station in this action-packed debut. The reclusive, unnamed heroine, an asteroid miner, docks at dilapidated Station 35 hoping to sell her ore, restock her supplies, and interact with as few people as possible. But Station 35 is a violent, unsavory place controlled by a corrupt, all-powerful corporation, and its inhabitants prove intent on cheating and exploiting her. So the Miner, a former intelligence-corps officer of mysterious, dark repute, sets about cleaning up the station by any means necessary—gathering allies, securing resources, and using the already-raging turf war between rival gangs and crooked cops to her advantage. The Miner’s a resourceful, intriguing protagonist determined to bring order back to Station 35, no matter how violent it gets. Though not all of the inhabitants of Station 35 are as well-rendered as the lead, snappy dialogue and plenty of dry humor keep the pages turning. This fast, fun space western is pure entertainment. Agent: Evan Gregory, Ethan Ellenberg Literary Agency. (June)

Publishers Weekly

"...the whole thing is just plain fun."
– Marko Kloos, author of the Frontline series

"It’s easy to find the Western that lurks beneath the surface...Red Noise clips right along."
– Locus

"John Murphy is a master of tight plots and unforgettable characters.” 
– Ken Liu, award-winning author of The Grace of Kings 

"This fast, fun space western is pure entertainment."
– Publishers Weekly

From the Publisher

06/05/2020

Seeking only the perpetual solitude of her ship and work, the Miner docks at Station 35, hoping to sell her asteroid ore and get out. When the price for her cargo is anything but fair, the Miner explores further into the confines of the station, and what she discovers forces her into the throws of an interminable and dangerous battle between rival gangs and corrupt law enforcement. When the bitter campaign between an unstable mob boss and his treacherous former second in command starts threatening the life of her only friend on the station, the Miner realizes she has a critical decision to make: leave and save herself, or use her skills with a blade to end the deadly brawl once and for all. The story that unfolds contains plenty of twists and gruesome action. The Miner's sense of vindication and her capriciousness make her an unreliable, albeit interesting protagonist; however, the lack of further character development and depth causes the plot to remain stagnant. VERDICT Libraries with well circulating sf collections may want this one; otherwise, pass.—Carmen Clark, Elkhart P.L., IN

Library Journal