Reviews of Timothy S. Johnston’s The Furnace

 

The Furnace Cover with Clue, Cygnus, Epic Award LogosReviews:

SCIENCE FICTION REVIEW:  “Johnston understands how to truly craft a story, making each one a compelling and tense read. Fans of Michael Crichton or James Patterson will certainly love Timothy S. Johnston.” — Science-Fiction-Review

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KIRKUS:  “In the 25th century, mankind has spread throughout the solar system and beyond, living in an age of nanotechnology and convenient interstellar travel. Human nature, though, remains dark and vindictive — horrific crimes are still committed, requiring investigation by the military police of an all-encompassing authoritarian government … there are some interesting concepts here, particularly as the narrative shifts from a ‘locked-room’ mystery to a Crichtonesque thriller … Questions concerning technological advancement, moral authority and the concept of life itself are raised as Tanner realizes that his discoveries on SOLEX may threaten all of humanity.” — KIRKUS

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eBOOKANOID:  “THE FURNACE — Scary and Gripping … An enthralling Sci-Fi thriller It is a case of Agatha Christie meets Isaac Asimov with added Crichton for flavouring. Timothy has taken the well known theme of a locked room detective novel, and carried it to a total extreme, the actors in this story are in a physical situation that allows absolutely no escape … Timothy has created a cast of characters who are convincing as individual people … and a main character, the detective, who is … wracked with guilt over an event that he sees as his fault … and who struggles with what appears to be a completely intractable crime, without any sort of leads. In passing I would be intrigued to read any books that he might yet write … So if you enjoy reading detective novels, thrillers and Sci-Fi, then this is definitely a book for you to buy and enjoy.” — eBookanoid.com

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SCIENCE FICTION REVIEW:  “The Furnace … is well-written and engaging with believable characters and a logical, if surprising plot-line … The bottom line is that this is a well-crafted piece of work. The story is unique and enjoyable, the writing is excellent, and the research and effort to make this future world come together was outstanding. This is a really good book, and I heartily recommend it.” — Science-Fiction-Review.com

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SFCROWSNEST:  “I really enjoyed ‘The Furnace’ … The action was tense, the mystery convoluted and interesting and the gore properly gruesome. Johnston held no punches while delivering his tale … The Science Fiction aspect of the story is just as well done as the mystery. The world is well-constructed and interesting enough to have me reaching for the next book in the series.” — SFcrowsnest

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THE QWILLERY:  “The Furnace is a fast-paced, science-fiction/thriller that takes you for a ride from the first page to the last. I’ve never read a book that uses so many different genres in such a skillful way … a fresh approach that I thoroughly enjoyed … The mystery/crime in the story is just as fascinating as the characters … The Furnace is a great ride that keeps you entertained and wanting more, while also planting very interesting ideas in your mind about future possibilities.”  — The Qwillery

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DREAMWORLD BOOK REVIEWS:  “As a reader who is typically bored and impatient with science-fiction, I was absolutely blown away by The Furnace … non-stop suspense until the novel’s end … (Johnston is) an exemplary novelist … Seasoned mystery readers will be pleased with and challenged by The Furnace … If you enjoy the science-fiction genre, then definitely read The Furnace … If you’re a fan of suspense and detective novels, you may also enjoy The Furnace – I bet you won’t figure out the mystery.” — Dreamworld Book Reviews

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CHANTICLEER BOOK REVIEWS:  “With a premise that’s virtually Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None meets John Carpenter’s The Thing meets Danny Boyle’s Sunshine, there’s some cross-pollination that could appeal to enthusiasts of multiple genres. This is not a straight Sci-fi, and it isn’t a straight mystery … for those who crave Sci-fi/Thriller/Romance with the dial turned up to violent, this is your perfect read … Don’t lose your head – even if someone or something tries to take it! Timothy S. Johnston’s The Furnace will have you checking your spacesuit for lacerations and keep you looking over your shoulder for what goes bump in outer space.” — Chanticleer Book Reviews

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MIDWEST BOOK REVIEW:  “ ‘The Furnace’ is a science fiction novel blended with locked-room murder mystery following ace investigator Kyle Tanner as he seeks to find the murderer in SOLEX One, a station that hovers near the sun. Tracking a killer who leaves no clues to his motivations and purpose, what Kyle finds something that may be murder on a much grander scale. ‘The Furnace’ is a riveting read that will prove hard to put down.” — Midwest Book Review

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THE BIBLIOPHILIC BOOK BLOG:  “I was entranced by the mystery, the characters, and the believable science. I love locked-room mysteries … The suspense was intense and Tanner’s frustration at the elusive answers was palpable … I was pleasantly surprised by how everything wrapped up and I greatly enjoyed ‘The Furnace’. It’s a wonderful blend of mystery and hard science. I found it to be a refreshingly different from some of the science fiction I’ve read and I could see it easily translated onto the big screen!” — The Bibliophilic Book Blog

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ALLBOOKS REVIEW:  “The Furnace is an intense locked-room murder mystery that is definitely a page turner. The story is very well written … never a dull moment … always moving forward and surprising … All of the characters are well-developed and the story is written well with many turns of events that keep a reader constantly worried for Lieutenant Tanner’s life. Timothy S. Johnston definitely keeps a reader’s attention with this mystery/thriller plus it has a little romance on the side. I would highly recommend this book to anyone into upbeat mystery/thriller stories. This book is a great read and is definitely not one to be missed. I will be looking forward to more great stories from Timothy S. Johnston. Highly recommended.” Allbooks Review

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TREKWEB:  “The Furnace is an enjoyable, fantastic science fiction book. A great sci-fi locked station mystery … highly recommended … The suspense will keep you guessing as the story unfolds. A refreshing science fiction tale brought to life with good pace by author Timothy S. Johnston. The characters are interesting and the setting, a bit claustrophobic, brings a bit of terror to the story.” — TrekWeb

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KAYE TROUT’S BOOK REVIEWS:  “The Furnace is beautifully written and well edited … definitely a page turner. Timothy Johnston is a gifted writer and has created a suspense-filled, SF mystery thriller with a little romance at the edge …The opening will grab you and hold you to the finish. Yes, I can recommend The Furnace.” — Kaye Trout’s Book Reviews

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SF SITE:  “… fun … enjoyable … plenty of action … entertaining …” — SF Site

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BOOKLOVER BOOK REVIEWS:  “In The Furnace Timothy S Johnston has developed a compelling plot merging science and sleuthing that is accessible to non traditional sci-fi readers … Homicide Investigator Lieutenant Kyle Tanner is a well developed hero with an endearing never say die attitude with all the odds stacked against him … I was thoroughly entertained by this novel … the writing is tight and the story compelling.” — Booklover Book Reviews

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RAMBLINGS FROM THIS CHICK:  “Channeling the dame of the locked-room mystery, Agatha Christie, and the father of the modern technothriller, Michael Crichton—and throwing in a bit of The Bodysnatchers and some Isaac Asimov—Mr. Johnston delivers a tautly-paced high-stakes whodunit with a great (but small) cast of characters… and even manages to throw in some romance!  … the tension ratchets up as the body count increases and everyone is a suspect … Mr. Johnston fosters that intense, isolated feeling so well that I found myself needing to put the book down briefly to take a breather before diving back into the story … Overall, THE FURNACE was a gripping page-turner that captured my interest from page one and didn’t let up until the end … fans of Crichton or Patterson or science-inspired technothrillers looking for a well-written, fast-paced read should definitely pick this one up. Mr. Johnston does a great job creating the futuristic human world ruled by the Terran Confederacy and making Kyle Tanner an engaging character we want more of. I’m already looking forward to the next two books in The Tanner Sequence series, THE FREEZER and THE VOID.” — Ramblings from this Chick

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MOONRISE BOOK BLOG:  “This futuristic story holds a great mystery, with a love story intertwined. The suspense is high, and it keeps you guessing! … I recommend this book to any reader who loves an edge-of-your-seat page turner!”Moonrise Book Blog

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MARTHA’S BOOKSHELF:  “This sci fi mystery grabs you from the opening … The conspiracy plot is wonderfully diabolical and frightening … The story is well written and engaging … this is definitely a twisted mystery … I highly recommend this to those who love a good homicide investigation story.”  Martha’s Bookshelf

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AUTHOR DAVID FEINTUCH:  “(His) dialogue and exposition has a snap and impetus that makes me want to read more.” — David Feintuch (THE SEAFORT SAGA)

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AMAZON REVIEW:  “THE FURNACE … manages to perfectly capture the feeling of dread and paranoia of THE THING but in a much richer and multilayered plot fabric.” — Amazon review

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EDI’s BOOK LIGHTHOUSE:  “What starts as an usual investigation at an unusual place turns into much more. Revenge, treason, conspiracy, scientific invention, a pinch of love, action, fleshed characters which develop and whom you will eagerly follow are the ingredients of The Furnace which took me by storm. I have had a great and entertaining time with Kyle Tanner and other characters and all my guesses went wrong.  Looking for a scifi crime which is more than a scifi crime then give The Furnace a try.  I would like to see this story on a big screen.” — Edi’s Book Lighthouse

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AUTHOR ARDATH MAYHAR:  “Great tension, powerful characterization, and gripping action … The Furnace is an old-style locked-room mystery, updated as horror SF. Completely original and compelling. A must-read.” — Ardath Mayhar, SF Author of sixty novels including THE WORLD ENDS IN HICKORY HOLLOW

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ALTERNATIVE-WORLDS:  “This is a great science fiction locked station mystery … The key to the exciting thriller is the futuristic world of Timothy S. Johnston … feels real whether it is the tunnels of Mercury or an isolated energy gathering station. Tanner is terrific as a caring yet kick butt protagonist. With a delightful late twist, readers will appreciate this early twenty-fifth century whodunit and why.” — alternative-worlds.com

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AUTHOR ARDATH MAYHAR:  “This book begins with a BANG! The narrative hook works big-time … Not only is Timothy S. Johnston a fine storyteller, he manages to make the science in his books both accurate and interesting, which is a quality often lacking in science fiction. In The Furnace he has created a fascinating and dangerous context, a station perilously near a sun, possessing an interesting mix of crew members and a strong protagonist. The principal plot element is one of vital importance, which justifies a decision to die in order to resolve the situation. The writing is clean, tense, and compelling. The story is one that involves the reader with immediacy and impact. Kyle Tanner finds himself faced with a mounting series of deaths and the gradual discovery of a danger that may involve the entire human race. This is a book of great tension, powerful characterization, and gripping action. Great action, excellent writing, and solid internalizations … the entire story moves like a skyrocket … a gripping, unusual, and involving story.” — Full review by Ardath Mayhar, author of THE WORLD ENDS IN HICKORY HOLLOW

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The FurnaceThe Freezer and The Void from Timothy S. Johnston and Carina Press are available wherever eBooks are sold.  Each book in Tanner’s journey — The Tanner Sequence — is a standalone novel.