Seeker

Having read almost everything McDevitt has ever written, I must say one of his major weaknesses is his ending: he always ties the story together, but he is so good at the buildup that the ending usually comes as an anti-climax, it's never as dramatic as I hope it will be. Seeker absolutely does not suffer from this. This story follows McDevitt's Alex Benedict character and is told from the point of view of his assistant, Chase Kolpath. The chapters that follow Chase through Mute territory and back to Earth make this book into a great adventure spanning most of this universe's galaxy, but (thankfully) don't drag into onerous side plots. While the major conflict strains credibility slightly (although much less than in other books), the ending is absolutely epic in proportion - beautifully crafted and wildly imaginative - far moreso than any of McDevitt's other works. You know it's coming but that doesn't make it any less fantastic. This book is well worth the read for the world created in the Epilogue alone, but a great space mystery/adventure at the same time. The little tidbits thrown in almost in passing that allude to Kolpath's personal life are a nice polishing touch that makes the book flow much smoother as well.

I really enjoyed this book. It satisfies various "itches" that I try to "scratch", by reading good mature science fiction. One thing I appreciate about his writing in this novel (and its predecessor) is his use sometimes of fairly realistic first-person narrative, by a woman character. Male authors often don't get their female characters quite right (my wife made me especially aware of this). McDevitt has carved out a sort of unique niche for himself, with this and some (not all) of his other novels, perhaps you might call it "future archaeology"? For the most satisfying experience, before reading this novel you should read the two earlier, equally good novels, that take place in the same world, with the same main characters (Alex Benedict and Chase Kolpath): "A Talent For War" (don't be put off by the awful title) and "Polaris". And for "A Talent For War", you can get it by itself, or you can also get it in a book called "Hello Out There", that combines it with a rewritten earlier novel of his ("The Hercules Text"). McDevitt's other, equally good series, of "future archaeology" novels, features a different world and different main character (Priscilla "Hutch" Hutchinson". That series starts with "The Engines of God" and continues through "DeepSix", "Chindi", and "Omega".

I am a huge fan of Jack McDevitt. I have at least enjoyed every one of his books. However, for the past few years, I think he's slipped a bit. Deepsix, Chindi, and Omega all were a bit over the top when it came to the huge adventure scene. McDevitt is at his best when the mystery drives the entire story. I think his top two books are Engines of God, and Infinity Beach. Seeker steps right in at number 3. I'd recommend it to anyone who has enjoyed any of his books.

Alex Benedict and Chase Kolpath, of "A Talent for War" and "Polaris" fame, are at it again solving ancient mysteries, avoiding persistent assassins, and makin' money hand over fist in their morally ambiguous profession as acquirers of and dealers in historically relevant "antiquties". Mr. McDevitt is in top form doing what he does best creating an intriguing S-F mystery, and taking us for a very satisfying ride. I am somewhat curious as to how a human civilization set ten thousand years in the future could still resemble our own, except with better appliances. It reminds me of "Forbidden Planet" set hundreds of years in the future with their 50's hairstyles, and 50's attitudes toward women and everything else ("We Still Like Ike!"). Well, there were numerous "dark ages"... Jack McDevitt rarely disappoints, and "Seeker" is one of his best! Highly recommended!