Haven [Paperback]

Don D'Ammassa (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 2006

Wes Avery came to the planet Meadow to recuperate from a serious illness. The pastoral town of Haven seemed like just the quiet place he needed to get his strength back. That all changed when he stumbled across a body while walking in a field, a body that was mysteriously gone when he returned with a police official. Avery teams up with Dona Tharmody, a computer technician, and the two attempt to discover what happened to the dead man, and why the local authorities seem intent on concealing the truth. Their investigation leads them into danger. When Avery refuses to drop the issue even in the face of veiled threats, he and Tharmody find themselves running for their lives. They also discover that the man they believed to be an ally is actually their enemy. In a world where no one is who they seem, and alliances and betrayals can have galaxy-spanning consequences, Avery and Dona will have to use all of their wits and skill to unravel a mystery that reaches far beyond the quiet world of Meadow.

Don D'Ammassa resides in Rhode Island. (20021201)

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"From a darkly humorous tale of the power of words (Death and the Librarian) to a never-before-published response to events of September 11 (Ilion), Friesner's 12 stories illustrate the author's acutely sensitive vision of wonder in the everyday world... Known primarily for his 'Star Wars' novels... Zahn's short stories also deliver strong plots and memorable characters... Zebrowski's many novels (e.g. Macrolife) mark him as a visionary as well as a master of hard sf. The ten short stories collected in In the Distance provide a benchmark of his creativity... the author expands his concept of the human condition to embrace the stars. Part of Five Star's continuing commitment to showcasing the short fiction of the genre's most prominent author's, these three volumes belong in most libraries where short sf is popular."
-- Library Journal (December 2002) (Library Journal 20020615)

"...Part of Five Star's continuing commitment to showcasing the short fiction of the genre's most prominent authors, these three volumes (Death and the Librarian and Other Stories/ Star Song and Other Stories/ In the Distance, and Ahead in Time) belong in most libraries where short sf is popular."
-- Library Journal (December 2002) (Library Journal 20041201)

"Four more titles in Five Star's new series (God Is an Iron and Other Stories/ Generation Gap and Other Stories/ The Lady Vanishes and Other Oddities of Nature/ Suppose They Gave a Peace and Other Stories) of short fiction by noteworthy sf authors offer a variety of tales that illustrate the depth and staying power of the genre...Most of the stories in these volumes have only appeared in periodicals. Libraries wishing to augment their sf or short fiction collections should consider any of them."
-- Library Journal (June 2002) (Library Journal )

"An intriguing mystery with a science-fiction backdrop..entertaining and engrossing ..I really enjoyed Haven by Don D'Ammassa and plan on hunting for his backlist. If you like intelligent science-fiction with a whodunit atmosphere, then this is the book for you!"
--Romance Reviews Today (December 2004) (Romance Reviews Today ) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 293 pages
• Publisher: Five Star Trade (February 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1410402509
• ISBN-13: 978-1410402509
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,511,342 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Don D'Ammassa was born in 1946 and was reading adult fiction by age six. He has been accumulating books ever since and his library is now approaching 60,000 volumes. He began reviewing science fiction and fantasy in the 1960s and sold his first novel, Blood Beast, in 1988. Since then he has sold well over one hundred stories, six more novels, and three reference books. He currrently lives in Rhode Island.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent science fiction, October 31, 2004

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Five Star Science Fiction/Fantasy - Haven (Hardcover)

During the Lysandrian war, a virus with no known cure was released that caused hallucinations. After the Lysandrians were repelled, an infected Wes Avery had implants embedded in his brain that releases medicine whenever his stress levels seem on the verge of causing a hallucination. Wes applies for citizenship on Caliban while renting a cabin in the town of Haven on the planet Meadow.

While walking a nature trail Wes finds a corpse. Once he is convinced that he is not hallucinating, he reports his discovery to security. Police Officer Lydia Hanifer accompanies Wes to the spot, but the body is no longer there. Wes teams up with off-worlder computer guru Dona Tharmody to help him figure out what is happening in pastoral Haven. Dona agrees to help Avery because she is bored and besides she likes her new partner. The investigation proves quite dangerous as someone tries to kill the duo while the natives close ranks against the two outsiders.

Taking place in a far distant future in which mankind has colonized over a thousand planets; HAVEN on its surface seems like an ideal vacation oasis for frazzled execs and world weary souls; however underneath the serene veneer is a deadlier world. The amateur sleuth in futuristic outer space is a strong combination of mystery within a science fiction backdrop that makes Haven seem real. Terrific world builder Don D'Amarassa provides a delightful tale smoothly connecting the two genres to the elation of fans of both.

Harriet Klausner