Recovery Man: A Retrieval Artist Novel (#6) (Retrieval Artist Novels) (Paperback)

by Kristine Kathryn Rusch (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
Rusch continues her provocative interplanetary detective series with healthy doses of planet-hopping intrigue, heady legal dilemmas and well-drawn characters. On Jupiter's moon Callisto, Hadad Yu, a glorified bounty hunter known as a Recovery Man, kidnaps Rhonda Shindo for delivery to the alien Gyonnese as payback for a reneged legal settlement. Meanwhile, Shindo's preteen daughter, Talia, has just discovered that she's a clone of her mother's birth-daughter; left behind, she faces a doubly confusing world as lawyers, cops and her mother's employer fight over child-custody rights. Meanwhile, Miles Flint, series protagonist and PI-like Retrieval Artist, discovers a secret in his dead mentor's files—a secret that suggests his daughter, long thought dead, may be alive somewhere on Callisto. Rusch creates instantly sympathetic characters in a convincingly fragmented future wherein the petty mistakes of one culture translate to heinous crimes in another. Though Flint's role this time around is meager (largely following the proverbial paper trail), alternating perspectives help other characters transcend their stock types; damsel-in-distress Rhonda proves refreshingly manipulative, and even the villainous Recovery Man wrestles with his convictions. Science-fiction fans should expect to be hooked. (Sept.)
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From Booklist
After his mentor's murder, Miles Flint discovers ever more of her secrets. A recovery man (not as ethically reprehensible as a tracker nor as careful as a retrieval artist) kidnaps Rhonda Shindo and leaves daughter Talia trapped in a closet. Discoveries and felonies converge after Talia escapes and calls Armstrong's top law firm, triggering events that shake to the core the Aleyd corporation and Earth law. While Talia's protectively detained, Aleyd seeks custody of her; the recovery man delivers Rhonda to aliens; and Miles goes to Callisto and discovers more about what led him to become a retrieval artist. A nifty series cooks on. Schroeder, Regina

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Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Roc (September 4, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0451461673
• ISBN-13: 978-0451461674
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.2 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #149,104 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars superb Retrieval Artist tale, September 3, 2007

By	Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews (#1 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

On the Jovan moon Callisto, Recovery Man Hadad Yu abducts Rhonda Shindo for his client the alien Gyonnese; apparently she failed to make remittance on an agreement they had; handing over her daughter to them as payment. However, this Recovery Man demands the true daughter not the clone Talia living with Rhonda. She refuses, but he insists she broke Earth Alliance law so he will take her instead.

After learning from House that her mom was out of range Talia who assumes she is thirteen earth years, now knows of cloned "false children" and that she is one of at least five. Soon afterward, the Aleyd Corporation claims possession of Talia the clone as if she is an object while the cops search for her disappeared biochemist mom. At the same time, Retrieval Artist Miles Flint follows a clue found in a secret file of his late mentor Paloma that implies his daughter Emmeline is not dead as he thought, but lives on Callisto where he will soon find himself in the middle of the search for Rhonda Shindo.

Fascinatingly, Flint plays a relatively minor role considering he has been the hero of the previous retrieval artist tales. No one will care because from the opening scene when Hadad confronts Rhonda, readers will be hooked with strong characterization starring in a powerful science fiction thriller. The prime cast is fully developed; Talia has doubts about life now that she knows she is false child; Rhonda is Machiavelli playing poker; and Hadad actually has major pangs or regret and doubt that he is doing the right thing. Fans of the series will relish this fresh entry while newcomers will learn quickly how superb a writer Kristine Katherine Rusch is.

Harriet Klausner

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Recovery Man , October 7, 2007

By	Readsalot (Los Angeles, CA, USA) - See all my reviews

This book is the 2007 addition to the Recovery Man series. This book is not the place to start the series. It does not stand alone. It assumes familiarity with Myles, Paloma and their back story. It is well written, tense, and solves the question I never thought to ask: Why did Myles's wife leave him after the death of their infant daughter?

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Strong Story of Loss and Sacrifice, September 23, 2007

By	Lisa J. Steele (Bolton, MA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I've been a fan of the Retrieval Artist series since the second book.

For the newcomer, Rusch's latest book is not the best place to begin reading -- it assumes the reader is basically familiar with the setting and with Miles Flint, the series protagonist. (Familiarity with the prior book, Paloma, is useful but not vital to the plot.) Extremes is a better starting point.

For the fan, the events of the book and the effect on Miles are worth reading. New characters, including Miles' ex-wife, are well drawn and engrossing. I find I missed even a cameo from Miles' former partner, but it is a minor loss.

All in all, a good book, though less so for a newcomer to the series.