Review of Tara Tyler's Pop Travel

 

Pop Travel Delivers Real World Issues in a Sci-Fi Setting

Full Disclosure—I received a copy of this novel free in exchange for an honest review.

I love science fiction. Love it. L-o-v-e i-t. Science fiction is my morning coffee. It is the place my mind goes when the day gets slow or dull. It is what I see behind my eyelids on my daily commute. When I reach into that meditative place; that nominal realm that most writers tap into for inspiration, science fiction spills from my fingertips. I’ve tried to write literary fiction, honestly I have.

I say all this to let you know that I take science fiction very seriously. It is my “wheel-house” so to speak. Having established this I can honestly tell you that the worst thing about Tara Tyler’s Pop Travel is that I didn’t write it myself. I’m jealous. It’s that good. Someone (I refuse to look it up, but it was probably Vonnegut) once said that the best fiction, the only relevant fiction, will reveal truths about humanity. Tyler has created a world in which the frightening implications corporate greed and domestic surveillance come to full reality. Best of all, she’s done it in a way that seems convincingly true to life.

J.L. Cooper is a private investigator hired to look into a recent rash of disappearances. All missing persons are linked to pop travel, a long range transportation device that dominates the travel industry of 2080. The corporate over-bosses of PTI (Pop Travel Industries) know that their device occasionally kills people, but refuse to reveal this over fear of public backlash and a reduction of the bottom-line. To make matters worse, PTI has the support of the FBI who can tap into all web enabled devices to monitor and intercept anyone who tries to uncover the truth. Suffice to say, Cooper has a difficult task to surmount.

Tara Tyler mixes hard science concepts with modern day problems (ah-hem…Snowden). Her pacing is Dan Brown-ish, which I say as a compliment. Any fan of fast-paced science fiction would enjoy this book.   

Description:

 

POP TRAVEL is the way to go!
(at your own risk!)

In 2080, technology has gone too far for J. L. Cooper. He is happily hidden in his simple, secluded life as a private detective in a small town, far from any pop travel laser teleportation stations. Until he takes on a client who insists pop travel made his fiancé disappear.

When Cooper investigates, he finds evidence of pop travel’s deadly flaw, sparking a series of murders, attempts on his life, and threats to his brother. He’d like to pass off the evidence but knows he’s being watched and can’t trust anyone. And who would believe him?

The only way he can save his brother is to fool his observers while looking for a way to expose the problem. He decides to go to the source and confront the Creator of pop travel. On his way, Cooper meets Southern siren, Geri Harper (an undercover FBI agent) who tags along despite his protests. When they reach the Creator, he has plans of his own and leads them on a wild detour.