Chris Hadfield (1) (1959–)

This is a fascinating mystery, set in the 1970s. It evokes the American space program with wonderful realism. This follows Apollo 18 towards the moon. Note that in our world, Apollo 17 was the last mission to actually land there. So while I recognized many of the names - Alan Shepherd, Gene Kranz, etc., the crew for this thriller was fictional.

One little detail brought home to me how much a particular part of the world has changed since then. At one point, the subject was photos taken in space and how one had to return the film to earth to see those pictures. Photos now are transmitted digitally in a downlink. I think of the James Webb telescope, and how it wouldn't be possible to see those wonders if we'd had to send back physical, exposed film. A small detail, but a telling one. Google tells me that the first digital cameras were in 1975. We know that pictures were transmitted from the moon as Armstrong stepped on, because I watched it. But references here in the book to film, and sending photos and film to the earth with parachutes …. Just brings home how much has changed, even from then.

And yet - today, Sept 24, 2023 - a package parachuted to earth from the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft, with rubble/regolith dug up from the Bennu Asteroid. As film drops were formerly made from orbit, we are still physically returning items to earth from orbit for analysis here. The book and the event resonated in my mind.

Hadfield does a stunning job evoking what it feels like to train for, and go into, outer space. His experiences as an astronaut help him bring that front and center. He is also a skilled storyteller. Highly recommended, particularly to those who want to be immersed in the experience of spaceflight.… (mere)

Apollo Murders book #2

This top gun thriller is rich with inside details and political intrigue taken from real events and people that made the news at the time.

It opens in Israel in October 1973 when a Soviet MiG fighter pilot crashes his mythical “Foxbat” MiG-25 on landing and pleads to defect to the USA. Kaz Zemeckis, a former test pilot, is assigned to accompany him to the military’s most secret site in the US, Area 51. What happens next is a thrill on its own....and nerve- shredding rush of aerial combat till the very end. Tom Cruise step aside....

From start to finish the plot moves at full throttle and is an adrenaline laced espionage page turner at its best. This Cold War era story is drawn from the author’s combat experience. As a fighter pilot, test pilot and astronaut Chris Hadfield has a lot to say and makes his story of the Soviet-era exciting to read. We are taken to the sky in aerial combat to hunt down a high-level defector and at the same time uncover Soviets secrets what a way to get readers attention. I like the characters, they are well-defined and many represent real-life people both in the USA and Soviet Union. The narrative brings a vast knowledge in science and technology including the development of fighter jets and missiles.

Dogfight described by one that was once a fighter pilot is exciting. We are immediately placed in the cockpit; you can feel the pressure and the thinness of the air and the rotation you are subject to at high speed. Strap yourself in and enjoy the wild ride I know I did. Well said and well-done.

My thanks to Penguin Random House Canada and Netgalley for this ARC… (mere)