Shuttle Rising; Rendezvous with a Rumor

 Author's Summary

In a stealthy space rendezvous, astronaut Adam MacGregor captures a mysterious derelict rumored to be a tomb. His mission hopes to refute the claim that no cosmonaut ever died in orbit, thus emphasizing that Communists lie, routinely, even about their heroes. At stake are wavering votes for "Open Lands," a UN treaty to inspect for weapons of mass destruction. Russia, returned to Communism, denounces the plan, saying: "Our integrity makes inspection unnecessary."  
 
Moscow detects Adam's mission and warns him to retreat. But he presses on and opens the derelict, discovering Ylena and what the Communists have really been hiding: the tragic failure of an intended spectacular propaganda mission in the early days of space flight. As the Communists attack, Adam fights for his life and for a chance at undying love with his aroused enemy. Gravity will kill this revenant if she returns to Earth. After the battle, both nations, wanting her survival secret, prepare forces to capture the couple who, defying orders to land, desperately seek options for an off-Earth future together.

MWSA Review

An exciting, fast moving mission to rescue a living relic!

CDR Adam MacGregor lost his wife and children many years ago, and to cope, he threw himself into his work.  Years later, he found himself as mission commander on the new space shuttle OLYMPIA, sent up on a dangerous mission to intercept a Russian spacecraft from the early portion of the space race. It may contain the bodies of dead cosmonauts, and the political clout of being able to refute the Russian claims that they never lost anyone in space is deemed worth the risk. The Russians don't like being shown up, however, and will do what they can to stop the mission. What ensues is full of excitement, action, and a whole lot of surprises for all involved.

The author spent 32 years working for NASA, and puts that experience to great use in painting a very believable story, both from the technical and human aspect. I especially enjoyed how Boyle used a backdrop of established technology as a base for an occasional reach into what could be deemed science fiction. The end result is a fast moving, action packed, thoroughly enjoyable book that space enthusiasts, action enthusiasts, and even sci-fi readers will enjoy.

Reviewed by: Rob Ballister (2010)