Kaleidocide: A Peacer Novel
The sequel to Silhouette (2012) finds Michael Ares, newly ascended head of the Bay Area Security Service (BASS), targeted for assassination by a Chinese general. Michael is not entirely sure why he’s been marked for death (that is one of the book’s central mysteries), but he is sure of one thing: it’s going to be very hard to avoid the death that’s coming at him from several directions at once. The book’s title refers to the Chinese general’s unique method of assassination (a kaleidoscope creates multiple points of light; kaleidocide, multiple points of death). Swavely’s near-future world is vividly created, and although comparisons to Blade Runner are easy (this book, like that classic movie, combines sf and mystery tropes), they’re not especially apt. Swavely’s future isn’t the dark, gloomy place of Blade Runner, and the story moves at a considerably faster pace. Familiarity with the first book in the Peacer series (BASS calls its cops peacers) is helpful but not mandatory. Swavely provides enough background and scene-setting to bring readers up to speed pretty quickly. Fans of both sf and edgy mysteries should like this one very much. --David Pitt