Customer Reviews

Buried Deep (Retrieval Artist Novels, No. 4)

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I, like another reviewer, had this book for several months before reading it due to other books on my to-do list but once I read it, enjoyed it immenseley. I'm a little puzzled by the negative reviews as they seemed to be based on either the fact that the reviewer has not read the entire series and thus, doesn't understand the characters' motivations (there's a rational reason for Miles Flint's coldness and objectivity - it was part of his tutelage from his mentor in order to survive in the RA business).

The other negative reviews appear to be based on the belief that humans will always be the dominant species in the universe. This latter premise isn't a requirement in the sci-fi genre and frankly, doesn't fly even in the Star Trek universe where species liked the Romulans, the Borg and the Klingons kicked humanity's ass on occasion. To believe that we as humans would not play in a game where the rules are draconian to us assumes that we have the option of (a) thriving in said universe without cooperating or (b) that we are not vastly outnumbered and overwhelmed by other species. I happen to think Rusch's universe is closer to what might become our reality; after all, suppose extraterresterial contact arrives on our planet first (rather than us arriving on their planet), thus demonstrating their technological superiority?

Regardless, for those readers who have read the other books in the series and are wondering about a let-down - have no fear. This installment, like others, is rich in plot, suspense, and characters and Rusch continues to paint a vivid picture as to interspecies conflict. If you haven't read any of the RA books, read the series in order - they are not standalone books. Highly recommended for the sci-fi enthusiast.

This series continues with a book in which we deal with the Disty and Humans, with only momentary glances at other species in Rusch's universe. This makes it easier to concentrate in detail on some fine points of the alien culture. It is also easier because the previous novels have established background; for that reason, I would tell someone just discovering Rusch that this is a series best read mostly in order, so go ahead and get all the books, not just this one first. Especially, one needs some background from the novel immediately preceding this one; if you can't pick them all up right away, at least get "Consequences."

That said, let's consider the part of the plot that is this volume's alone. Mainly, it centers on the death taboos and customs of the Disty, the alien race who control Mars. These customs are extensive and nearly incomprehensible to humans, and quite complex. Some reviewers have found that point hard to swallow, complaining that it's not believable. However, two points: one, even among humans alone, we have a rule that "ignorance of the law is no excuse" and we punish people for accidentally breaking laws they didn't know existed and that no one thought to tell them. This is true across any spread of human cultures you choose to contrast. And breaking customs of another country or culture that one wasn't informed about is also quite common among humans in the real world, to the extent that people attempt to write guides to such things and all of them are inevitably described as incomplete.

Point two, the complexity and variation of the Disty death taboos and customs and rituals is not unbelievable; for an analogy, just look at the complex of laws we have surrounding marriage: thousands and thousands of different ceremonies and customs around the planet, millions of small details regarding what is expected of married couples, varying widely from religion to religion, and in the breakup of any marriage, every case varies enough to need individual adjudication, including dividing of property specific to the couple, child custody arrangements ditto, and so on. In other words, while the rituals themselves may not be comprehensible to us, and we may not agree with the Disty beliefs covering them, the number of strange, complex rituals the Disty have is quite believable, and that fact that one doesn't find out about them until a particular case occurs is something we already have experience of in human culture. (Let's try showing the Disty a Jewish wedding and a Mormon wedding, shall we, and explaining that both have to do with the same basic concept of two humans living together and probably producing offspring...)

For those new to the series, probably the level of pickiness I went into above indicates the complexity of the series, and the fullness of Rusch's universe. These are real people, with personality quirks, interactions with other fully realized people, and so on. Perhaps the selfish reporter is a bit of a stereotype, but even she has her moments, where some insight is given into the legitimate motives that might have propelled her to become the kind of reporter she is.

The development over time of the various domes on the Moon and on Mars, and how the various domes differ based on when they were built and what their original purposes were, are fascinating details of the "history" of this universe, and make for some fun speculation as to the stories behind those stories.

And, alas, as I write this just after Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita, the details of government officials not cooperating with each other, not deciding who has authority over what, the lack of funding for Noelle's security position despite its importance, and the politicians not making decisions both for lack of authority and for fear of being blamed later, all ring far too true for comfort. As do the thousands of deaths that occur because one dome had no evacuation plan in place...

I have only one complaint to make about this book: "search perimeters." Miles, among others, is described as setting "search perimeters" for his computer searches. Perhaps, if we take a rather stretchy meaning of perimeter to mean limits or boundaries, that's what the author meant. Or maybe she misused perimeters, thinking that she was using the word "parameter." Or, more likely, she wrote "search *parameters*," a common enough phrase, and some automatic copy editing quirk somewhere changed it. No matter which of these it was, it makes for an uncomfortable pause as one tries to decipher: did she do this on purpose, or by accident, or is it the publisher's fault, and if she did it on purpose, why? So I have a suggestion for Ms. Rusch: so that we don't have to wonder about that, and can concentrate on your stories, please: if you mean search "terms" or "conditions" go ahead and use those words, and if you mean search "limits" use that word; avoid parameter altogether and don't use perimeter unless you really mean the edge of a physical area that someone is patrolling. That way, people can concentrate on the story.

That said, I'm sure it will be fixed in the next edition of this volume, and hope it will be fixed in the next book in the series, which I am looking forward to and will definitely buy, because this continues to be a fascinating series.

In science fiction I look for original premise, good story, believable science (within the universe described) and interesting characters. I want to be entertained but not confused by inconsistencies. KKR does an outstanding job of entertaining me. The world she has created and its characters are consistent, sensible to that world, and unique. I have read all four books and this is one of the best. The reactions of the Disty is both unfathomable and logical--just as some human cultures are to me.

I have had this book for a few weeks and had put off reading it because of the poor reviews. Hoping that Rusch hadn't finally let me down, I read it last night. The book is as good as the rest of the series. I'm just not sure that the other reviewers have read the rest of the series. Personally, I like the Retrieval Artist books because humans aren't the biggest bad in the galaxy. Humans in these books have to try to get along and work around the cultural hang-ups located in alien cultures while trying to maintain our own nature and culture. Humans in these books work with (or around- hence the need for the Retrieval Artist) the alien cultures and try to respect them (within reason- therein lays the conflict or narrative hook necessary for a good book) and not just saying the universe is wrong and humans are always right (or we will blow you up).

The story takes place at a time when humans have colonized the solar system and have made contact with intelligent alien species. In Sahara Dome on Mars a human skeleton has been discovered under the dwelling of the Disty - a race with intricate often brutal, rituals and a powerful aversion to death. The Disty dwellers evacuate their homes in great haste. They have suffered a major contamination. The only way to satisfy the Disty is to find family members of the human victim and convince them to take part in an alien ritual. The search to identify the body leads forensic anthropologist Aisha Costard to Armstrong Dome on the Moon where she hopes to convince Retrieval Artist Miles Flint to help her find the relatives.
The Disty hold her responsible for the contamination of their brethren. If the relatives are not found within a few days the alien will legally take their savage revenge on her.

A terrific blend of science fiction and murder mystery. I have read one other book in the Retrieval Artist series - The Disappeared (Roc, 2002) and enjoyed every word of it. Rusch tells a great story but also tackles the notion of what justice means when more than one species is involved. The answers can be unnerving for those who must make very difficult choices. Buried Deep is Book 4 in the series

Like some of the other reviewers, I do have some problems with a universe where humanity is part of an alliance with aliens who have extremely strange and barbaric laws. Before dismissing this concept completely though, I should point out that no one has yet met any aliens, so we have no idea of alien culture and know absolutely nothing about their laws. This might make the premise of the novels slightly easier to swallow.

Having got that objection out of the way, I think that Rusch does an extremely good job in creating a realistic future world although I was somewhat bothered with the hero on the moon speaking to someone on Mars in apparent real time. The character development is very well done and the police work a believable future extrapolation.

I didn't think this book was quite as good as some of the previous ones but it was still a very enjoyable read. I hope the series continues.

Flint and DiRicci are at the top of their game again. This entry sees them working hard to keep Disty civilization from imploding in on itself. More of a psychological read than the others I've read, it was still enjoyable because of the author's style and characterization.

Buried Deep (2005) is the fourth SF novel in the Retrieval Artist series, following Consequences. In the previous volume, the Etae conference and its protesters escalated into riots. Then someone set off a bomb, cracking and spalling the Armstrong Dome. Yet the structure did not break and continued to hold pressure.

In this novel, Miles Flint is a Retrieval Artist living in Armstrong Dome on the Moon. A former computer tech and police officer, he had finally reached the breaking point on arresting humans convicted of crimes by alien governments. The crimes are sometimes ridiculous and the punishments are often horrid.

Noelle DeRicci is Assistant Chief of Detectives for Armstrong Dome. She partnered Flint during his time as an Armstrong Dome detective. After the virus and dome incidents, she had been promoted to her present position.

Sharyn Scott-Olson is a medical examiner at Sahara Dome on Mars.

Aisha Costard is a Forensic Anthropologist. She had started out as a historian, but later switched to anthropology. She is wellknown on Earth, but knows little about alien societies.

In this story, DeRicci accepts a promotion to Chief of Moon Security. This is a new office that has been under study for some time. The attacks on Armstrong Dome have convinced the politicians to fill the position. Naturally, the job has not yet been fully defined, but Noelle starts making her own rules.

On Mars, Sharyn is called by the Sahara Dome Human Police Department to the site of an excavation. There she finds a female skeleton buried in the sand. The skeletal state had to be deliberate, since humans become mummies under the dome.

The area is evacuated by the Disty families living near the excavation. Under Disty law, the area becomes contaminated as soon as the body is discovered. Since the Disty control Mars and distrust humans, the SDHPD is under considerable pressure to identify the victim, her family and the killer so that the aliens can ritually cleanse the area.

The local Disty Death Squad is demanding answers. The SDHPD really needs to solve the murder as soon as possible or they may be subject to Disty punishment. They contact Aisha to examine the bones.

Aisha is soon terrified by the Disty. But she discovers the identity of the victim and tries to hire Retrieval Artists on Mars to find the victim's children. All six decline for various reasons.

So she comes to the Moon and tries to hire Flint. He also declines, but Aisha perseveres. She definitely doesn't want to go to Earth to find a Retrieval Artist.

Flint tentatively takes the case, but he first investigates Aisha. Then he searches for the backstory of the skeleton and discovers many more identities. At that point, he again tries to drop the case, but Aisha convinces him to continue. He eventually finds the probable reason for the death.

Then the SDHPD discovers a hundred or more mummified bodies buried deep under the skeleton site. The Disty panic and flee Sahara Dome. The flight is so frantic that many Disty are trampled.

The Disty even cling to the exterior of the bullet trains and die from the thin and toxic atmosphere. This panic is repeated wherever the contaminated Disties go. Some Disty are fleeing the planet.

This tale illustrates the difficulties of the Alliance deferment to local laws. It also shows the ignorance of such laws among the human governments, even on Disty controlled Mars. It almost results in war between the humans and Disty.

The Disty panic becomes the first crisis for the new Moon Security office. The fleeing Disty ships are heading toward the Moon, where they will create even more panic. DeRicci immediately exceeds her authority and persuades the United Domes to follow her lead.

This novel provides more knowledge of the Alliance and the alien governments admitted within this human organization. The next volume in this series -- Paloma -- involves another alien culture. Read and enjoy!

Highly recommended for Rusch fans and for anyone else who enjoys tales of murder investigations, alien customs, and human courage. If anyone has not previously read this series, the initial volume is The Disappeared.

-Arthur W. Jordin

I'm enjoying this series. These aliens are so truely alien. They really don't feel like humans in costume. Rusch is really trying to give us a sense of sentient beings that think other, and don't rate humans too much either...

More explorations of how the laws and cultures clash, and more problems for Miles Flint and his friend and ex partner Noelle DiRicci. This time a mass grave is found on Mars and this drives the Disty (which I persist as reading ditsy!) mad, and a total panic ensues.

Flint works to save the day but watching how the various politicians interact is even more interesting. I'm hunting up more of her books!

Dead bodies terrify the aliens called Disty, who have settled the domed cities of Mars so thoroughly that they now control what used to be a strictly human colony planet. When a human skeleton turns up in a Disty area of Sahara Dome, the residents of that area flee. A forensic anthropologist brought from Earth to help the local (human) medical examiner investigate can't believe it when she's told that if she and the local team fail to identify the deceased's killer, they will have to take the blame and pay the penalty for "contaminating" that part of the city. Disty purification rituals never end well for humans forced to undergo them - the humans invariably die. So Aisha Costard decides to locate the dead woman's descendants, getting special permission from the Disty to travel from Mars to the Moon so she can interview Retrieval Artists. Once there, she persuades a reluctant Miles Flint - hero of other Rusch Retrieval Artist novels - to take the case. This isn't a usual Retrieval Artist's job, because the "disappeared" person is already dead.

Soon, so is Aisha Costard. That should be the end of Flint's case, but the former police detective can't leave it alone because the Disty on Mars have apparently gone insane. Underneath the single skeleton that's already caused so much uproar, and cost one human her life, the Sahara Dome police have discovered at least a hundred more bodies. The panicked Disty are fleeing their Martian homes any way they can, and "contaminating" everywhere they go in the process. Which is why Miles Flint's former partner from his detective days, who's now the newly appointed head of security for the entire Moon, realizes she must close every dome's ports to the swarming Disty refugee ships - to the consternation of her politician superiors, and to the delight of a muckraking reporter who believes she can make her career by bringing Noelle DeRicci down.

Rusch spins a terrifyingly plausible tale of cultures colliding in a future where humans and aliens attempt to share worlds without grasping fully the cost this can entail. In Miles Flint she creates a classic reluctant hero, a man whom life has battered into outward cynicism; but whose fundamental decency won't allow him to walk away from a wrong he has the power to right. Not even when letting himself become involved puts him at mortal risk. Despite some editing embarrassments not typical of Roc, this one's almost as great a read as the book preceding it (Consequences) in the Retrieval Artist series. The extent to which humans bow to the Disty stretched credibility almost to the breaking point for me, is the only reason I say that it's "almost" as good. Otherwise it's another winner through and through.