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Luke E.T. Hindmarsh

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Mercury's Son Kindle Edition

by Luke E.T. Hindmarsh (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

3.9 87 ratings

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Valko can see the last moments of a victim's life.

It comes at a price — a scrap of flesh cut from his brain and replaced with an implant. Bound to a drug that lets him use his insight, but brings with it the pain of synthetic emotion, he's at war with himself.

Now a killer has found a way to hide from him and two people are dead. Someone wants to keep their secrets buried. The trail leads out into the wasteland where death flies on the wind as nanotech dust.

Manipulated and betrayed, Valko must get to the truth before his time runs out.

If he only knew who to trust, maybe he'd have a chance, but a man with an artificial soul can't even trust himself …

Print length

399 pages
Language

English
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On Kindle Scribe
Publication date

November 24, 2017
File size

3131 KB
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"4.5/5 - ... a Blade Runner-esque dystopian science fiction tale about conspiracies, technology, religious fanatics, and a series of gruesome murders. In other words, it is a book that is exactly up my alley. How much did I enjoy it? I enjoyed so much I've read it twice." - BOOKNEST.EUWinner of the Best Independent Sci-Fi Book 2017 on the major blog site The United Federation of Charles - here's what he said "...it was the sci-fi book I most enjoyed this year. Independent or otherwise. What is Mercury's Son about? The story of a dark and dying Earth, a theocracy, and a cyborg with no memory. There's so much good dystopian fiction out there, it's amazing I can say this is the best right now."

From the Author

Mercury's Son was initially self-published. It's now found a home with a publishing house - Crossroad Press. Thank you to every reader who has supported me by purchasing the novel and in particular for those of you who have taken the extra effort to review the book. Every author longs to hear what their reader's think, whether it is praise or criticism. Your comments have helped get me published! Oh and you can expect to see more books in the future. A psychological horror story has just entered its second draft and I'm gearing up to write another science fiction novel. Until then, all the best to you!

Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B077QS88YP
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Crossroad Press (November 24, 2017)
Publication date ‏ : ‎ November 24, 2017
Language ‏ : ‎ English
File size ‏ : ‎ 3131 KB
Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
Print length ‏ : ‎ 399 pages

Best Sellers Rank: #1,655,113 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #3,465 in Cyberpunk Science Fiction (Kindle Store)
- #5,654 in Cyberpunk Science Fiction (Books)
- #13,076 in Post-Apocalyptic Science Fiction (Kindle Store)

Customer Reviews:
3.9 87 ratings

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Luke E.T. Hindmarsh

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Luke E.T. Hindmarsh was born in Oxford, UK before being dragged all over the world by his parents, courtesy of Royal Air Force. Before starting to write full time, he worked as a Criminal Barrister in London for ten years, which doesn't qualify him to make good coffee but did mean he had to wear a wig and gown in court. He now lives in the Scandinavian wilds of Denmark with his wife and their half-viking children. When not writing, Luke teaches Shinseido Okinawan Karate, co-hosts the YouTube channel 'In Deep Crit', and pretends he can play the guitar.

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3.9 out of 5

87 global ratings

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Theodore Koukouvitis

Clever, immersive and deeply satisfying

Reviewed in the United States on August 6, 2017

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Mercury’s Son is a long, thoroughly detailed and meticulously fleshed out crime mystery story set in a dystopian, post-apocalyptic future.
I could directly outline the book’s virtues, especially as to it’s non-stop plot twists and exceptional character development, but that would mean spoiling the story for other readers.

Instead, I will tell you what I thought and how I felt.

Setting:
The author has developed a vivid, exceptionally detailed world in which his story takes place. The setting, though exotic, is believable, and the more unusual aspects are supported by engaging descriptions and plausible sci-fi technology.

Themes:
The book deals with several heavy themes and complex moral questions, all interwoven in a thrilling crime mystery case with deep implications.
This is a dystopian story with a lot of action and gratuitous violence, which nonetheless serves a storytelling purpose. The book features several long passages of mostly philosophical discussions and analysis, which serve to further flesh out the world, deepen the story, and give readers a breather in-between the furious action.
Despite its seemingly dark theme and pervading hopelessness, this is a positive story.

Characters:
In my opinion, the book has exactly as many named characters as it should, and focuses enough on each of them to make the reader care. Some characters are Dickensian in their flawed charm and hopeless social condition, while others remind more of archetypical heroes pitted against hopeless odds.

Plot:
Consistent enough to be believable and dotted with creative twists to remain interesting throughout almost 400 pages, the plot was equal to many top-tier crime novels. I could not identify a single plot hole, and I’ve been looking out for them.

Writing:
A writing style that respects the reader’s intelligence and shows the author’s confidence in his writing skills.
I particularly enjoyed the creative terminology and colorful jargon. The author interweaves titles, terms and concepts from multiple cultures, which makes the story more believable.

Overall, this was one of the books I enjoyed reading most in 2017. It was unexpected, fresh, deep and ultimately satisfying.

6 people found this helpful

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eclecticCritiques

Kudos to New Author Luke E.T. Hindmarsh

Reviewed in the United States on July 30, 2017

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Overall? Luke Hindmarsh proves himself a very good writer.

First, I like his choice of words that sent me scrambling to the dictionary, i.e., apotheosis and polymath. I love that in a writer. That author isn't writing down to readers, rather encouraging us to stretch our vocabulary.

In Hindmarsh’s case, being an English author, some spellings are British, some words British slang, i.e., fug. These sent me to ole Webster.

Second, Hindmarsh engineers some very interesting phrasing. How he creatively uses words to express a concept/idea…most of us wouldn’t think of.

Examples:

Stars and planets WHEELED past him …
The two Minds … now ALLOYED…

And then there are his descriptions. Absolutely YUK! on Plenum living and a lifestyle I only hope never materializes. His ability to put my senses into his scenes is enough!

Example:

Each rain drop … a nauseating tickle … a filthy cocktail of breath, sweat and pollution. His … breath drew in bitter air that left a greasy film on his tongue and filled his mouth with the tang of bile. — Yew!

Show don’t Tell is the modern writers mantra. Readers with little time for reading are enthralled by on-the-spot technology. Show don’t Tell provides their fast paced story.

Mercury’s Son swims upstream of this cadence — but works very well. Hindmarsh's Show isn’t in dialogue/action, but in his narrative, a style most writers today avoid. He handles it well.

Chapters 1 — 3 left me puzzled by strange names, undefined terms and a slow lead into the plot. BUT, don’t let this dissuade you from reading Mercury’s Son. By chapter 4, I found my flow into the story’s rhythm and pace. After chapter 4, the story clicks, the plot thickens. With a second murder Hindmarsh is grabbing my attention, my curiosity peaks.

Set in a futuristic world where civilization has destroyed itself, the remnant living under Enclosures governed through the UN World Government; Martyr’s living outside Enclosures to bring agriculture back to a “dead earth.” Eventually, the martyr dies from radiation poisoning or nano-destroyers. Yep. nano’s. A developing technology in 2017.

Then there is the distant colony on the Moon whose scientists may or may not have instigated the catastrophic war that devastated Earth.

Within the Enclosure, society divides itself. There are chosen middle-zone breeders, upper-zone drudges and the wei-zhuce who “… prey off those who keep them safe” and are executed and recycled when discovered. And as always, the Elite who still live above any law, or speaking of the Plenum, Hindmarsh writes, “… the upper level. An attraction that led … to a spiral of excess until the former elite found themselves floating to the top of the Plenum like scum rising to the surface of dirty water.” Like I said, interesting phrasing.

Government rests in the jurisdiction of the Centra Autorita, Justeco Centro… and “fabricated charges were a kensakan [investigator’s] speciality.” “Criminal justice was not a high priority …”

And then there is the Temple, who appear to operate outside either jurisdiction, but are the indoctrination center. Hindmarsh tells us, “... people … accept the tenets of the Temple because it was pumped at them from every angle and indoctrination.” Their main teaching is that, “… humanity is a macro-virus… We destroy ourselves.”

Temple tentacles reach into the transpod stations with such messages as, “You, human — you are the problem. A miserable, short life is your just reward for your species treatment of this planet.”

Much like 1984, citizens in Hindmarsh’s world are restricted: “… told where to live, where to work, when to sleep, when to eat and how much to drink.”

Technology has peaked. Synthorganics is common. Human implants give feared Moderator’s insight into citizens’ minds and the ability to ‘read’ a mind after death.

UNWG retrogene former veterans as today’s soldier’s who are considered lucky if they don’t go “kill-crazy” from their “overload of flashbacks.”

The Naukara is more machine than human, a fate worse than death.

Everywhere, citizens plug headset-hub’s fitting the “grey metal band round [their] foreheads” and eyes pasted on datapads. And as Hindmarsh’s main character, Valko looks around the pod, he notices that, “Everyone was as good as blind … their eyes see but their attention was … shutting the world out with the screen of a datapad or … direct connection of a headset-hub.” Think subway and i-Everything.

Some great twists I never saw coming. Hindmarsh’s clues are so intellectual so subtle, that I missed them and I’m good at figuring out plots.

I hadn't thought too much about the title, Mercury’s Son. Where did that come from? And why Mercury? Readers must pay attention to the subtleties this author uses in his work that require us to participate in his story to fully understand Mercury’s Son.

Read shallow or read deep. Either way, Mercury's Son is worth your time and money.

I can see a Trilogy here — at least, a sequel. Hindmarsh leaves readers with questions allowing for the possibility of another book.

Kudos to Hindmarsh on his first published novel and I hope to see more forthcoming.

Recommended

Mercury's Son

Helpful

S. Williams

The main charecters seemed scattered and I just could not get into it.

Reviewed in the United States on December 5, 2018

I felt there was too much scattered discussion going on and not enough substance in the story. I really tried to like the story but I just could not get past my dislike for the characters, their personalities and or age. The first chapter the two main characters, who seemed shallow and slow are discussing the suicide of a friend, while retrieving him from his demise and the drug that they thought was the cause. It certainly may be someone else's cupa. I do wish the author much success to me they are my gods.

One person found this helpful

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M Jaimes-Serrano

Are They Hallucinations or Reality?

Reviewed in the United States on August 5, 2019

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Mercury's Son is an intriguing look into the future. The Earth as we know it is dead, or so the creator of this utopian world Eugene Fisher would have us believe. Follow Moderator Valko and his Sergeant Satoshi through the mechanical world that has been created to save humanity from the destruction of Earth. Winding through the mind of Valko you take a journey through the thoughts, feelings, and fears of others as he reads the last thoughts of the deceased to find what has happened to them. Until one of these connections leads him to a short circuit and a new view on life.

I was not sure I was going to like this book when I started, however, I found myself drawn in further and further. With the amazingly descriptive scenes and feelings Hindmarsh wrote, I found myself imagining exactly what would be happening to Valko and his team. The suspense that is built through shifts and changes, had me believing several people at fault and innocent all at the same time. This is definitely a book to read for any sci-fi lovers. I am not normally a sci-fi fan and I was hooked.

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Top reviews from other countries

Mister B

Minority Report meets Blade Runner

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 18, 2017

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Firstly the cover drew me in, but the well-developed sci-fi world kept there. This is no mean feat so full credit to the author for creating a new world. Hopefully the author will continue to explore this in other works.

Some aspects did remind me a bit of Minority Report and some Blade Runner at times, which is awesome company to keep in a sci-fi world.

Valko is a multi-faceted character, that is imaginatively written and keeps the story going. Great twists throughout make you read to the dramatic climax. I also thought the quotes used for the section breaks were very clever markers.

A great read.

Elara

Dystopic Directives, Deceit and Double-Crosses.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 3, 2017

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“You human, you are the problem. A miserable, short life is your just reward for your species treatment of this planet.”

The world has died, murdered by humanity and the Temple never lets those who still live on the Mother, crushed physically and psychologically into the crowded Plena to forget that and forget the guilt debt they owe to Her. Valko Gangleri is a Moderator, a sort of policeman but more along the lines of Judge Dredd, harsh, callous and uncaring - unless he is under the influence of the NOTT drug that unlocks his empathy. When a sequence of murders and the subsequent investigations lead Valko to some disturbing discoveries about himself, the phrase ‘all is not what it seems’ springs to mind in huge neon letters.

This is a dystopian sci-fi set in a post-apocalyptic world - but one in which there seem to have been numerous causes of the final apocalyptic event. It has all the classic hallmarks of the genre - enclosed humanity, uninhabitable world, oppression by a faceless elite that dominate all aspects of life. It also has something unique which only clicks in half-way through the book and from then on expands into strange and unpredictable pathways. Imagine Terry Gilliam’s ‘Brazil’ meeting ‘Logan’s Run’ and you have a good idea of what to expect.

‘The wind had become Death’s steed: on it rode humanity’s suicide machines, now registering at one part per billion.’

The strength of this book is in its worldbuilding. You get the impression that the author walked the streets and breathed the polluted air himself, making notes and mapping as he went. It is that good. However, sometimes it is also a bit overwhelming and it slows the opening of the book to a very turgid pace. There are frequent digressions to explain how something came about, which are usually handled well, but occasionally the reader is left with a sense of being lectured by an unseen authorial voice.

The characters are very well drawn and engaging, especially Valko and the transformation of his personality is crafted impeccably. The supporting cast is well written too, though I did feel Davidson in his deeds did not live up to what we were continually being told about the man. The pace is never really full on action speed, even in the tensest moment and sometimes slipped to slow.

“Oshi, there have been too many lies - too much manipulation of both our minds.”

For me, the book was too long - and it is a long book. The story doesn’t really get into ‘meaningful’ until the half-way mark. Before that, there is an excessive - possibly obsessive - amount of set-up and world-building IMO. The story itself could have been better told in fewer words, IMO. Although I enjoyed the reading, I will admit to wanting to skip forwards quite often and undoubtedly I wound up skimming over parts where the plot was not being progressed, excessive flashbacks, which added nothing much I could find of value, for example.

Overall I enjoyed this book a lot and would recommend it to anyone who loves detailed world-building and a different twist to the dystopian sci-fi genre.

Storycastrob

A murder mystery across a fascinating dystopia.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 31, 2017

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Valko is a Moderator, a cold passionless investigator who was technology which lets him enter others’ minds to draw out information, including the recently deceased. He and his team are called in to investigate a double murder, an investigation which will take Valko to all levels of his society, planet, and beyond.
In this book, Hindmarsh builds a hugely detailed dystopia, and uses the Moderator’s investigation to show off its tech, history, politics, religion and metaphysics. It’s an impressive feat, and Valko is a fascinating protagonist, his journey leaves him very much changed as he comes to terms with a world that is not at all what he believed.
Mercury’s Son is a great read, but I do offer one caveat. The writing is dense, there are a whole lot of words on display, and on occasion this can lead to a few wobbles in pacing.
That aside, this is a cracking read, and I’m happy to give it five stars.

Angry Cumbrian

A fusion of Bladerunner and Altered Carbon

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 3, 2018

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4.5 stars.

A fluid and polished work that begins like Bladerunner, meanders through Fallout (Oblivion for non-gamers) and arrives at a semblance of Altered Carbon. Two interesting characters and a third enigma make for an enjoyable yarn, with a few interesting twists and several questions. I’d happily read more from the author and wish him well with his future works.

I’ve read Woken Furies, Player of Games and Mercury’s Son in quick succession having had a binge away from Fantasy and this book stood out for me. POG bored me, WF has an enjoyable style, yet MS stood out for me with story, pace and character.

Personally I’d prefer a smidge more description and a slightly longer finale, but that is nit picking. Like Sci-Fi and Apocalyptia - go buy it.

One person found this helpful

The.Student.

A transporting weekend read.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 21, 2017

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I have to admit that the picture on this book is what first caught my eye. I don't normally go in for science fiction but I really enjoyed this. It's got a detective story at its heart, so maybe that's why, but it also has a lot of other things to recommend itself - including interesting characters and some really quirky details, like the moss! If you liked Klas Ostegren's The Hurricane Party, there's a good chance you'll enjoy this. I thought it was a really gripping weekend read, and will definitely look out for more in this vein now!

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