by Adrian Tchaikovsky

Gehenia are the back bone of the solar cities. These little helpers are genetically engineered animals, working quietly in the shadows , doing the jobs that the humans once did. Not seen or heard and never breaking the rules, especially never rule one-Don’t bother the humans.

Skotch the Raccoon is a freelance Private Investigator and for the right price he can do just about anything. That is except break rule one. However, when his former employer reaches out to him, to find a Gehenia of interest- a mouse named Mees. Skotch takes the job, without knowing fully knowing who this mouse is and why he’s looking for him. However, he was made an offer he couldn’t refuse.

As he starts looking for Mees, he becomes increasingly more interested in figuring out what Mees knows, and why are so many people after him. If ignorance is bliss, then why is Skotch so stressed?

From the very start I was immersed into this world. It has a dark gritty noir vibe. The world building happens continuously through the story as Skotch moves place to place and meets the other factions/guilds. The different guilds almost act as large mafia like families, the alliances are strong and the hate between the guilds is even stronger.

This is a stand alone story that would really lead way to being able to create other stories within the other Solar Cities.

Its an interesting way to not only look at class differences but also look at how science and technology continues to change the world. However even with advancement there is almost always still the class differences. Also, how the ones in power and at the top will do pretty much anything to retain that status quo.

I had the honor of getting to read and listen to this story advance of release. I switched between audio while working and doing home chores and read while I had time to wind down and relax, The audio defiantly was done so well, and I’m glad that i was able to read and listen as I was able to get the proper pronunciation of some words i was slightly iffy on if i was pronouncing them correctly (something we often find in sci-fi or fantasy). The narrator did well embodying Skotch as well making it discernable by voice, cadence, and overall tone when switching characters in conversations.

If your a fan of old school noir movies i highly recommend this book. It has the same vibe but elevated with a futuristic city setting,

Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy for review.