Reviews of Timothy S. Johnston’s The Void

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RThe Void Cover with Cygnus, Clue, Epic Logoseviews:

PUBLISHERS WEEKLY:  “This engrossing and exciting SF thriller is Johnston’s third Tanner Sequence adventure (after The Freezer), but it stands well on its own … SF and mystery fans will be impressed with Johnston’s tightly written deep-space whodunit.” — Publishers Weekly STARRED review

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EBOOKANOID:  “… the tension, characters and writing was as spellbinding and gripping as one could possibly wish to find in a book … Great fun, loads of unexpected disasters and adventures, totally believable characters and a happily claustrophobic atmosphere …” — eBookAnoid

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SCIENCE-FICTION-REVIEW:  “In The Void, Timothy S. Johnston has cemented himself as the current master of the scifi dark detective story.   There is a little of Agatha Christie, a little of Isaac Asimov, and more than a little of John Campbell, but with all due respect to those luminaries, Johnston has his own voice that in some ways transcends them.  Johnston writes a taught, fast-moving, and claustrophobic story that pulls the reader in and doesn’t let go … As in the other two books, Tanner is attacked more than once and faces obstacles thrown his way at every turn.  I have to point out that the attack making use of gravity was one of the most unique methods of attempted murder I have ever read, and one I enjoyed reading about very much … I am sad that this book evidently closes the story of Kyle Tanner.  I enjoyed all three books, and I look forward to reading the next series and discovering where it will take us.” — Science-Fiction-Review

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SFCROWSNEST:  “CCF Homicide Investigator Kyle Tanner has experienced his share of untenable situations … Once again, Tanner must solve the case in order to find a way out … Under the murder mystery in space theme of all three books lays the deeper, more insidious plot of the Council. Basically, a military dictatorship, the Council strives to control every aspect of citizen’s lives, even down to the jobs they do and where they do them. Their overbearing presence makes the settled systems of the galaxy as claustrophobic as the settings of Johnston’s novels. From the beginning of the sequence, Tanner has questioned the absolute authority of the Council, but has never contravened it. He is a loyal soldier but, in ‘The Void’, his patience is pushed to the absolute limit by a Council Representative and this frustration spills of the page, ratcheting up the tension of the plot. In turn, the twists of the plot expose the seamy underbelly of a society under watch.  ‘The Void’ works well as the conclusion of ‘The Tanner Sequence’ and I enjoyed watching Tanner lose his temper and gain some temperance as he navigates the terrible twists and turns of his latest case. The biggest surprise isn’t the ending, though, it’s how he gets there.” — SFCrowsnest

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THE QWILLERY:  “The mystery this go round was the best yet … I also enjoyed the action and pacing in this story as it kept climbing towards a climatic ending that didn’t disappoint … The Void is a phenomenal ending to a fast-paced electric series … For those of you that want an exhilarating escape, look no farther. With the strong characters, outstanding world-building and blend of genres there’s something for everyone.” — The Qwillery

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CHANTICLEER BOOK REVIEWS:  “Homicide detective, Lieutenant Kyle Tanner, successfully captures the brutally sadistic serial killer known as The Reaper, whose modus operandi is to systematically dismember his victims while keeping them alive to suffer as long as possible. Tanner receives orders to transport The Reaper from Pluto, where he and his soul-mate Shaheen are stationed … Tanner, more dissatisfied than ever about the CCF contemplates a way out, a way to fall off the grid to start life anew on some distant outpost free from oppression and the totalitarian military regime of the CCF. At least, that’s the plan as soon as he and Shaheen complete their mission to deliver The Reaper … Johnston is a master at blending science fiction, mystery, and thriller genres into a captivating read. The Void is well written … The characters are well fleshed out, engaging, and believable. In deep trouble on an unfamiliar ship with the odds stacked against him, Tanner must determine who is enemy, who can be trusted, and what secrets lurk aboard the Phoenix. The Tanner Sequence by Timothy Johnston won first place in the 2015 Clue Awards in the Chanticleer Int’l Writing Competitions.”Chanticleer Book Reviews

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BIBLIOPHILIC BOOK BLOG:  “THE VOID is my favorite of the Tanner Sequence novels and I was impressed with how much the main characters, Kyle and Shaheen, have grown over the series. The mystery is very Agatha Christie-ish, with which I was quite impressed. THE VOID keeps you guessing until the very end. To me, the author has brought the Tanner Sequence to a satisfying conclusion. I highly recommend this trilogy!” — Bibliophilic Book Blog

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BOOKLOVER BOOK REVIEWS:  “… another well crafted and highly entertaining locked-room mystery (a story framework Agatha Christie fans will be very familiar with) the driving force of The Void is the evolution of Tanner’s philosophical struggle with the brutal rule of the Confederate Combined Forces (CCF) … In The Void I felt the prose exuded a clarity of purpose that perfectly aligned with the emotional development of his protagonist. That sense of conviction/confidence translates to the audience.  While I did say this is the final title in The Tanner Sequence (side note, bravo to Johnston for ending Tanner’s leading role on a high) the conclusion of The Void foreshadows more tales from the Terran Confederacy and hints at a few characters with the potential to star in such a spin-off.  I look forward to seeing what Johnston produces next.” — Booklover Book Reviews

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EDI’S BOOK LIGHTHOUSE:  “… classic murder mystery spiced with science taking place in a distant future. The description of the claustrophobic location – two space ships in the great blankness between the stars is excellent and breathtaking.  I admire the fact that the reader does not know more than investigator Kyle Tanner. Even when you try to avoid guessing you will fail after a short time … you have to put together the jigsaw pieces which sometimes lead you in a completely wrong direction … The more I think about the book after reading it the more I admire what  Timothy S. Johnston delivered. While reading I did not realise the real complexity of the story. In fact there passages where the difference between string puppets and puppeteers is blurred … Timothy S. Johnston did it again for the third time and I begin to discover why The Void is the last book in the Tanner Sequence for now. Each book is set in an extraordinary and unique environment without they would have delivered only half the fun.  I have had a superb, nailing and most entertaining time with Kyle Tanner and other characters and all my guesses went wrong.  The Void is the more than worthy end of the Tanner Sequence. It delivers a lot for different readers.  If one of the following expressions should ring a bell then you should have a look at The Void:  murder mysteries, science fiction, thrillers, medical mysteries, locked rooms, conspiracy, horror.”  — Edi’s Book Lighthouse

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Martha’s Bookshelf:  “This is the third Tanner Sequence novel I have read and I love the gripping intensity of these cleverly twisted mysteries … Author Timothy Johnston does a remarkable job of developing a twisted mystery with numerous suspects and lots of danger.  I was pulled into the scenario very quickly and eager to keep reading to watch Tanner struggle to stay alive so he can solve another killing! … The mystery is well developed with clever twisting … I really liked the Agatha Christie style reveal too. I highly recommend this series to readers who enjoy detailed mysteries – whether earth bound or in space.” — Martha’s Bookshelf

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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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EBOOKANOID:  “(Timothy S. Johnston) is rapidly becoming the leader in the Sci-Fi form of this genre …” — eBookAnoid on TSJ 

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DREAMWORLD BOOK REVIEWS:  “(Johnston is) an exemplary novelist.” — Dreamworld Book Reviews on TSJ 

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GNOME REVIEWS:  “The Void is the third novel in The Tanner Sequence, following The Furnace and The Freezer. Lieutenant Kyle Tanner, famous military homicide investigator, is on the case once again. This time, he is tasked with transporting a serial killer to his execution across the galaxy.  Tanner’s ship breaks down in the middle of space, but luckily for him, another ship quickly turns up to rescue him. Unfortunately for Tanner, the new ship is also broken down and drifting through space, and its crew has a few secrets of their own. Tanner is soon up against one of those most challenging cases of his career … Johnston kept the gnomes guessing with this thriller. They are usually pretty good at predicting how a whodunnit will end, but not this time. Every time they thought they had it all figured out, a new clue turned up and changed everything … While this is the third (and, it seems, final) book in The Tanner Sequence, readers don’t need to read the first two before reading this one. The book works as a standalone novel, but you will be missing out on a lot of fun if you skip the first two.” — 5 out of 5 from Gnome Reviews

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The Furnace, The 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.