Official Review: The Death Detail by Anthony Maldonado

Kappy · Post by **Kappy** » 19 Feb 2015, 18:30

[Following is the official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The Death Detail" by Anthony Maldonado.]

4 out of 4 stars

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The Death Detail (The Securus Trilogy, Vol. 1) (2013), by Anthony Maldonado, is an enthralling and believable science-fiction murder mystery that focuses on friendship, trust, and betrayal, while also examining free will, slavery, truth, and the danger of allowing unbridled power to governments and corporations. This suspenseful 350-page tale, set during an unspecified date in the 22nd century, is also a timely warning of what might be in store for us from know-it-all genetic engineers.

The story is narrated in the first person by Kagen Meldon, a Healer in the infirmary. He tells us that after a biological weapon contaminated the earth's surface, a few thousand people survive by living in "Securus," an underground facility that had been built as a shelter to protect people from an attack by nuclear weapons. They are not aware of any other human survivors. The inhabitants use deep thermal vents and above-ground solar panels for energy production; maintenance of the solar panels is nicknamed the "Death Detail" because of its 17% mortality rate.

During an outing with some friends in an uncontaminated cavern system adjacent to Securus, Kagen secretly witnesses the murder of a close friend during an earthquake. To protect his own life and the lives of his friends, he convinces them to flee immediately and send back a rescue party.

That's the easy part. He also must commence a murder investigation on his own. Why must he investigate? Because of a self-imposed moral obligation to his dead friend. Why must he do it alone? Because there is strong evidence that the community's leadership is complicit in the murder, and he might endanger his friends and family by seeking their help, or by telling them what he is doing.

However, Kagen soon realizes he must recruit help. But he must be careful about who can be trusted; an incorrect choice will mean his own death and an end to the investigation. Kagen's old friend, the daughter of the official leader of Securus, can be his most powerful ally ... if she can be trusted.

This book has easily earned 4 out of 4 stars. The gripping story leads to a rousing and satisfying climax, leading to the next book in the trilogy. The author writes clearly and concisely. Grammatical errors are infrequent and minor. When describing scientific details, Mr. Maldonado wisely sticks to his fields of expertise (he is an American MD). The author also refrains from unnecessary vulgarities (e.g., foul language and explicit sex) commonly found in modern novels. This winning combination of a murder mystery within a science fiction tale should appeal to a wide variety of readers.

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The Death Detail
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zeldas_lullaby · Post by **zeldas_lullaby** » 21 Feb 2015, 17:55

Great review!
Is this book as suspenseful as it sounds?

Kappy · Post by **Kappy** » 21 Feb 2015, 18:37

zeldas_lullaby wrote:Great review!
Is this book as suspenseful as it sounds?

Yes; the story moved along quickly from beginning to end. I've read nearly all the SF novels written by Heinlein and Asimov, so I'm hard to please. I was quite impressed by this book.

BVos25 · Post by **BVos25** » 01 Mar 2015, 19:08

This sounds exciting! I want to try this out now. Thanks for sharing this.

debo9967 · Post by **debo9967** » 06 Mar 2015, 02:59

Sounds really gripping. Nice review.

Margjohns51 · Post by **Margjohns51** » 06 Mar 2015, 23:27

What a story line! Your review sets it up all very nicely, and I am definitely going to have to add this to my list of books to read. It actually sounds like a blockbuster movie. I am envisioning Nolte or someone as the protagonist, just by reading your review. Good going!

Kappy · Post by **Kappy** » 07 Mar 2015, 20:23

Margjohns51 wrote: ... It actually sounds like a blockbuster movie. I am envisioning Nolte or someone as the protagonist, just by reading your review. Good going!

Thanks! I'm glad you liked the review. But Kagen is 26 years old, so Nolte would not be suitable to portray him.