Counterfeit World

By Judith K. Parker

No Synopsis Available.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1933113324
• ISBN13: 9781933113326
• Release Date: July 2005
• Publisher: Intaglio Pubns
• Length: 204 Pages
• Weight: 0.59 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.5" x 0.4" x 5.5"

Customer Reviews

Midwest Book Review, July 2006 Issue

Shon Emerick, a woman with a few secrets and an enduring heartache, is the lead negotiator for Raimsee Enterprises, one of the pre-eminent multi-world corporations in this futuristic world. Many citizens of the U.S. now live in space, and huge competition exists between private companies for open space and stake in planets. Corporations basically run the government, and there's big money to be made supplying those living off-world, but it's hard to police the galaxy. So Shon is called in to investigate a space station where several suspicious deaths - perhaps murders - have occurred. Shon doesn't want to go, but she ends up being tricked into it by her mother, who wields more than motherly power and just happens to be the principal owner of Raimsee Enterprises. Little does the reticent and wise-cracking Shon know that on the Traqstar space station she'll find mystery, intrigue, danger, and maybe a new love interest. But first she has to live through it. This first-person novel moves swiftly, and Shon's narrative voice is sardonic and at times witty. "Privatizing the U.S. government ruined good old sayings like `Nothing is sure but death and taxes.' `Nothing is sure but death and fees for service' doesn't have quite the same ring" (p. 13). The writing is crisp, and for those who aren't fond of "sci-fi," you'll be happy to hear that this story is a good old-fashioned yarn replete with action, strong emotions, and plenty of good interaction between Shon and the characters on the space station. Perhaps there could be a bit more description throughout, but rest assured that you won't be overwhelmed with technical sci-fi details. This is a realistic novel - no magic - well, except for the spell the author puts on the reader using humor, reasonable pacing, and a steady accretion of clues until we come to the exciting denouement. The book's conflicts and the plotline are wrapped up at the end, but I've never seen a character or such a unique world set-up that cried out more for sequels. Shon Emerick is a character who deserves a whole string of stories, and I hope Judith K. Parker is up to the challenge. ~Lori L. Lake, Midwest Book Review

Great Book.. If You Like Science Fiction.

If you don't like science fiction of the Blade Runner variety, this isn't the book for you. However, if you like robots, renegades and fledgling romance, you might very enjoy this well-written novel by Judith Parker. Sideline... I'm almost embarassed to admit one of my favorite movies is Blade Runner (and the book on which it was based -- 'Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep'), but this book very closely resembles that story line so I thought I'd mention it. Shon is assigned to investigate several alleged murders aboard a distant space station run by a private company called Bendyne. During her investigation, she finds herself in danger from a man she once thought of as her friend. It seems her doctor friend is creating a new and improved workforce for the space station by accelerating human growth via an experimental cloning process. While investigating, she meets Brianna. Is Brianna one of the bad guys? Is she a clone? Is she just caught up in something she cannot control? I must say again that if you don't like science fiction, you probably won't enjoy this story. The romance is only a fraction of the overall book. The physical interaction between Shon and Brianna is almost nil. Great story. Mature writing. Characters with depth and dimensionality. What more can a reader want?

You won't be able to put it down

I have long been a fan of Judith K. Parker's work, and Counterfeit World is going to the top of my list of favorites. It is a skillfully written, futuristic action mystery with a bit of humor tossed in for good measure. All of the players in this intriguing, fast-paced tale are well-defined and believable. Highly Recommended.

Futuristic page turner

I couldn't put Judith K Parker's "Counterfeit World" down. Read it in 2 sittings only because I had to go out. She has created a future world populated with intrigue, murder, mystery and romance, and humor. Her characters come alive on the page. The main character, Shon, narrates the story. She's tough on the outside and soft on the inside. While solving the mystery of murder and mayhem on the artificial world of TraqStar, Shon figures out a few personal mysteries of her own with the help of Brianna. Great cover, great story, terrific writing.

Superior Writing

This is a wonderful book. It has humor, intrigue, and a bit of romance, mixed with some very interesting social commentary. I recommend it.