Conscience of the Beagle [Paperback]

Patricia Anthony (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 1995

Traveling to the planet Tennyson to confront a terrorist, tough Earth cop Major Dyle Holloway realizes that the ghosts of his past are threatening his mission as he is thrust into a vortex of paranoia and betrayal. Reprint. K. LJ.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

After 150 years as a tranquil, staunchly religious colony of Earth, the planet Tennyson is rocked by a series of deadly terrorist bombings, among the victims of which are several people who are later identified as revolutionaries. Called in especially from the Home Forces on Earth because of his stalwart reputation, Maj. Dyle Holloway leads a crack team of detectives that includes the mind of a dead investigative genius downloaded into the body of an android, a shaky demolitions expert, and a police officer who may be a spy from headquarters. As Holloway wrestles with his own paranoia and nightmarish flashbacks to the only case he never solved--the murder of his wife--the evidence begins to indicate that the culprit behind the bombings is a high-level member of Tennyson's own government--in fact, the man who hired the investigators. Combining quick, deft characterization with sharp, suspenseful first-person narration (Holloway's), Anthony's third and shortest novel is easily her best. Carl Hays --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Kirkus Reviews

Interstellar detective yarn from the author of two excellent novels involving aliens (Cold Allies, 1992; Brother Termite, p. 896). Major Dyle Holloway and his team--Szabo the psychic, demolitions expert Arne, and the humanoid robot Beagle--are sent by Home Force of Earth to planet Tennyson, a religious dictatorship now enduring a series of terrorist bombings in which prominent scientists and dissidents have been killed. Handicapped by guilt over his failure to solve the murder of his wife, Lila, Holloway is further inhibited by knowing that one of his team is a spy; neither does he trust Vanderslice, Tennyson's Minister for Science. Holloway questions Tal Hendrix, wife of one of the dead dissidents, and initiates a sexual relationship with her; Tal tells him that Vanderslice is the head of the secret police. Arne is killed by a bomb; Szabo, having lost his psychic powers, confesses to being the spy, and commits suicide--but who is causing the explosions, and why? Beagle's investigations will prove crucial, as Holloway discovers why, and by whom, his wife was murdered. Told in a creamy-smooth first-person, present tense: an altogether satisfyingly complex if occasionally overwrought puzzler. Anthony's meteoric rise to the novelistic front ranks is thoroughly deserved. -- Copyright ©1993, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 1 pages
• Publisher: Ace (October 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0441002625
• ISBN-13: 978-0441002627
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 4.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,071,057 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Rich character driven novel, August 13, 2003

By 

WTDK "If at first the idea is not absurd, the... (My Little Blue Window, USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Conscience of the Beagle (Paperback)

Patricia Anthony is science fiction's best kept secret. It's really rather sad because she's probably one of the best contemporary novelist and short story writers around. Her novel Brother Termite managed to subvert a genre that had become little better than cliche. In the process she also managed to satirize politics, our view of aliens and our obssessive/compulsive media.

Essentially, isn't quite what he seems and neither is this richly plotted mystery sf novel. I'm not going to recap the plot here as it's been done quite well in the amazon.com review but suffice to say that Anthony, like Phil Dick, takes science fiction (and other genre)conventions and likes to turn them inside out/upside down. Then she procedes to wrap a characters around the skeleton of the plot and finally top it off by wrapping her novels (and short stories)in a narrative skin that keeps your attention regardless of the length of the story.

I'd also recommend Anthony's Flaunders. It redefines the literary war novel. A pity she hasn't written anything new in some time.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sit Beagle. Sit. Now stay., April 28, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Conscience of the Beagle (Paperback)

Chapter One. Break out the Likastones.

This book was originally out in hard cover and may still be available from First Books.

Beagle is a nifty police procedural set against an alien backdrop. Holloway is haunted and sad. Beagle - an enigma to all but himself. Who killed Holloway's wife? What force is behind the revolution on Tennyson? The answer is linked in the mind of a dead detective bound to the body of an android. But Beagle may have ghosts of his own to contend with.

One of Anthony's best. Check it out.

5.0 out of 5 stars Wow!! This is it!!, March 26, 2007

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B5Anteros (New England) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Conscience of the Beagle (Paperback)

I have now read all of Patricia Anthony's novels, griping about the way she apparently can't seem to close a book. I don't know the chronological order of printing but this just happens to be the one I read last. And apparently I saved the best for last. Finally, an earth-shattering climax!

This book contains everything that makes her other novels such compelling material. Interesting, unique characters. Pathos, unique writing style, compelling plot. Everything. This one also has the kind of ending I've been waiting for. Unexpected, leave my mouth hanging to the floor shocking.

Based on her other books I can understand why her books sell for a penny everywhere. My complaint about the endings is a valid one, I think, and may be a huge contributing factor to their lack of popularity.

Still it's a shame that she hasn't written anymore. This book proves that she can do it, and do it big.