THE OXYGEN FARMER
by
Colin Holmes
Science Fiction / Space Mystery
Publisher: CamCat Books
Date of Publication: December 5, 2023
Number of Pages: 338 pages
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After 35 years of living on the Moon, cranky old oxygen farmer Millennium Harrison has stumbled onto a hidden facility in the shadows of the Slayton Ridge Exclusion Zone with a radiation leak and a deadly secret. Mil's discovery leads to the death of a young astronaut, sabotage, murder, and cover-ups that may go all the way to the Chief Administrator of the space agency. Unfortunately, she happens to be Mil's estranged daughter, busy trying to secure her own legacy—the first international mission to Mars.
With time ticking down to a limited launch window, enemies, friends, and even family may do anything to ensure the truth doesn't come out. Or will history finally catch up with a deadly scheme that has the potential to destroy the moon and eradicate all life on Earth? It seems the planet’s only hope is a cantankerous guy who never really liked those people in the first place.
PRAISE FOR THE OXYGEN FARMER:
“An action-packed thriller perfect for fans of Andy Weir and Jack McDevitt.” —Kirkus Reviews
“This space mystery is a page-turner rooted in its convincing and compelling protagonists and their well-written relationships . . . SF fans will enjoy this rich novel full of good world building, mysterious space intrigue, and dry humor.” —Booklist
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My Rating: 4/5
A science fiction story about a man living on the moon as an oxygen farmer? Yes please! I'm not normally a huge science fiction fan unless it's science fiction fantasy, but I thoroughly enjoyed this book! What was neat about it was all the history that was woven into the story. I thought this was clever and it kept me very engaged through out the story.
The novel follows Mil Harrison. I love how Mil is short for Millennium, the first person born in the year 2000! He's been an oxygen farmer on the moon for 35 years! He ends up finding something that could destroy the moon, and have drastic and fatal effects on the Earth. I loved learning about his life as an oxygen farmer, it was fascinating! I also love how he's a bit of a rule breaker, but it's because of this that is why he stumbles upon the radioactive hotbed in a crater and the whole mystery of the story begins.
I really enjoyed the pacing of this story, and how Holmes weaves so much to love into this science fiction story. I love the family dynamic between himself and his daughter and granddaughter. I loved the bit of history that was woven into it. I thoroughly enjoyed the mystery of the story as it unfolded. I think Holmes created some loveable and memorable characters and their relationships with each other were such a great glue to the scientific foundation of this well crafted story!
Family drama, mystery, science fiction, history.... Like I said, science fiction tends to be hit or miss for me, but I feel like Holmes told this story perfectly, it was just the right combination of each writing ingredient for it to grip me and pull me in.
Definitely one to add to your TBR list!
Before the pandemic, Colin Holmes toiled in a beige cubical as a mid-level marketing and advertising manager for an international electronics firm. A recovering advertising creative director, he spent far too long at ad agencies and freelancing as a hired gun in the war for capitalism.
As an adman, Holmes has written newspaper classifieds, TV commercials, radio spots, trade journal articles and tweets. His ads have sold cowboy boots and cheeseburgers, 72-ounce steaks, and hazardous waste site clean-up services. He’s encountered fascinating characters at every turn.
Now he writes novels, short stories and screenplays in an effort to stay out of the way and not drive his far-too-patient wife completely crazy. He is an honors graduate of the UCLA Writers Program, a former board member of the DFW Writers Workshop and serves on the steering committee of the DFW Writers Conference. He’s a fan of baseball, barbeque, fine automobiles and unpretentious scotch.
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I like what you said about the characterization being the glue to holding the story together. I just started listening to this one and am loving it! Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
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