Book review: Fractured Lives by Russ Colchamiro
A Blackthorn Book Tour port of call.
Fractured Lives by Russ Colchamiro
Published by Crazy 8 Press
I received this book with a request for an honest review, which I’m more than happy to provide. I feel like I haven’t read science fiction for ages and I’m not sure why that is… too many books to read and not enough time, I guess. I’m sure glad I broached that little wall with Russ Colchamiro’s, Fractured Lives.
Official blurb:
In the cosmic realm of Eternity,
there’s only one private eye to hire when your world gets turned inside out
—Angela Hardwicke.
Darla Fyne, a college freshman and galaxy design savant,
is suffering from a nervous breakdown
—or is she the victim of an urban legend known as the Scarlet Raj?
As Hardwicke follows the intersecting worlds of art galleries,
college dorms, and a semi-secret clan that patches up tears in the Universe,
her investigation will either uncover a hoax gone wrong
or a plot that could shift the balance of power across the entire realm.
If only she can fight through her own paranoia to tell the difference.
In Russ Colchamiro’s new Sci-Fi Mystery Fractured Lives,
Angela Hardwicke is confronted by a PI’s worst nightmare
—dark secrets from her past that will irrevocably change her future.
My thoughts:
I’m agog at the level of detail, plot, and pure sci-fi-ness (I know that’s not a word) that Colchamiro was able to pack between the covers of Fractured Lives and keep the story flowing , action well-timed, characters developing, and location or world-building on track. Great story! I haven’t read the first in this series yet! It didn’t matter, I caught up quickly.
I love the Angela Hardwicke character. She’s a great protagonist, well-written with a depth of personality not always seen in crime fiction. The characters living in her circle of influence, good and bad, are equally well-written.
The mystery side of the story is just as well done. The unravelling of clues and pulling back of layers is constant and consistent and matches the sensitively handled revealing of Angela’s backstory. The interplay between characters adds even more layers to the story, not to mention the actual crime being investigated!
I particularly like the futuristic art and art-scene and the relationship between maker and seller (and the slightly shady links between the two). But this is not just an art world story, Hardwicke uncovers far more than stolen art and a corrupt system. She must pull on every ounce of strength she has, physically and mentally, to get through this investigation and put her own demons to rest.
If you like a good mystery, I highly recommend reading this one.
Helpful info:
· Genre: Science Fiction / Mystery
· Print length: 270 pages
· Age range: This is an adult book but suitable for mature teenagers age 16+
· Trigger warnings: None
About the Author:
Russ Colchamiro is author of the Sci-Fi mystery Crackle and Fire the first novel in his ongoing series featuring intergalactic private eye Angela Hardwicke. Russ is also the author of the rollicking time travel/space adventure, Crossline, the SF/F backpacking comedy series Finders Keepers: The Definitive Edition, Genius de Milo, and Astropalooza, is editor of the scifi mystery anthology Love, Murder & Mayhem, and co-author of the noir anthology Murder in Montague Falls.
Russ has also contributed to several other anthologies, including Tales of the Crimson Keep, Pangaea, Altered States of the Union, Agents of the Abyss, Camelot 13, TV Gods 2, They Keep Killing Glenn, Thrilling Adventure Yarns, Camelot 13, Footprints in the Stars, Devilish and Divine, Badass Moms, and Brave New Girls.
Russ is a member of the Mystery Writers Association and Crazy 8 Press, and hosts Russ’s Rockin’ Rollercoaster podcast, where he interviews best-selling and up-and-coming Sci-Fi, fantasy, crime, mystery, and horror authors.
He lives in New Jersey with his wife, two ninjas, a black lab, Jinx.
