L.E. Modesitt returns to SF with a whole new future world on the brink of destruction.

 

A brilliant scientist on the planet Devanta has created a small universe contiguous to ours --and a utopian city on one of the planets. The question becomes, though, an utopia for whom? And why is a shady entertainment mogul subsidizing the scientist? More critical than that, does this new universe require the destruction of a portion --or all -- of our universe in order to grow and stabilize?

Blaine Donne is a retired military special operative now devoted to problem-solving for hire. He investigates a series of seemingly unrelated mysteries that arise with the arrival of a woman with unlimited resources who has neither a present nor a past.

 

The more he investigates, the more questions arise, including the role of the two heiresses who are more -- and less -- than they seem, and the more Donne is pushed inexorably toward an explosive solution and a regional interstellar war.

Praise

Praise for The Elysium Commission:

“With a well-realized world, an original plot twist, and a cliff-hanger ending—space opera by a first-class librettist.” --Booklist

“Action-packed space opera-cum-hard-boiled detective story. Modesitt cleverly weaves together disparate threads of information to form a complete tapestry.” –Publishers Weekly

“Modesitt delivers a more action oriented and less philosophically based novel than some of his other works. Readers can enjoy The Elysium Commission on many levels.” –SFRevu.com

“Modesitt’s fascinating and highly readable science fiction novel has more than a dash of detective-story whimsy. Blane Donne is a wonderful narrator.” –Romantic Times BOOKreviews

About the Author(s)

L. E. Modesitt Jr.

L.E. MODESITT, JR. lives in Cedar City, Utah.

photo: PIMS Photographic, Inc.

L. E. Modesitt, Jr.'s Website

See L.E. Modesitt, Jr. talk about Wellspring of Chaos here

Excerpt

Chapter One

All cities have their shadows, as do all souls.

Under the stars of the Arm, murmurs drifted up from the promenade overlooking the Nouvelle Seine. The red tinge of the full second moon - Bergerac - lent a smokiness to the night. Voltaire had already set. The gray stone walk that bordered Les Jardins des Sorores was a favorite for poor lovers, those young and not so young.

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