Review: Brought back memories of good early Science Fiction!
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 11 27, 2013
There is always something to be said by fans of science fiction about the need for suspense in a good story, and First Murder On Venus supplies it well. One is compelled to use an imagination that may have been dormant since childhood in order to visualize the strange and terrible work that the astronauts find themselves in, and it is only with that childhood's eye for monsters that we can conjure the creatures that threaten them.What would it be like, we must wonder, to be only moments from death due to a dwindling oxygen supply, to know that if you cannot outwit something that must have mental processes so alien that you can't even imagine them, then you are going to die. To know that something you can only think of in terms of the Bogeyman is deliberately preventing you from reaching safety? Do they know what they're doing? Are they actually trying to kill us? These and other thoughts race through our heroes' minds as they desperately try to find some way to overcome and survive.This book brought back memories to me, memories of Heinlein, Sturgeon, Campbell and Clarke. It is written in the vein of those authors of Sci-Fi's early days, and with as much psychological impact. For any fan of good science fiction, First Murder ON Venus is a worthy read!