Ed Ferald is the tug pilot, used to shuttling between the planets and asteroid mines, charming enough to market the leatherwear and smart enough to keep his mouth shut when asked to ferry a passenger back to Mars. Faizah Westerhof isn't chatty and doesn't supply a reason for sneaking on board under the guise of being crew. But it's okay with Ed's boss, so this passenger will be keeping him company for the next month. That's if they survive that long. Politics concerning the space industries are hotting up on Earth and someone might not want Faizah to arrive on Mars.

Meanwhile on Mars, we see red adobe farmhouses under giant agri-domes, with Sagan Boulevard, Burroughs Street, Edgar's Rice takeout and Barsoom Cafe reminding us of the red planet's heroes. Dogs are adapted to the lighter gravity and rain mostly falls by night. Next tourist season, sign me up for the trip.

Details of interplanetary transportation and colonisation are well thought out and author Tom Chmielewski has researched thoroughly. The more I read, the more I wanted to read. Following a space disaster the story develops into a murder investigation, with many facets of the situation to be understood before blame can be assigned. The tone engagingly becomes reminiscent of a crime noir in this exotic setting. We meet a good spread of characters who grow stronger as they face crises.

While not written for young adults, this expertly-paced story could be read by adults or teens with an interest in space exploration and high tech equipment. I'm sorry that LUNAR DUST, MARTIAN SANDS is Tom Chmielewski's first book, because that means that I'll have to wait a while to read more. Write faster, Tom!

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