There is so much good stuff wrapped inside The Ark: a locked-room murder mystery, bare-knuckle action, and the kind of hard-boiled science fiction that will make your brain pop. Climb aboard.”
– Adam Rakunas, author of Windswept
“The stakes are high is this thrilling debut.”
– Kirkus Reviews
“Fast paced murder mystery and science fiction thriller, that kept me guessing until the very end.”
– Books in Brogan
“Deftly plotted, The Ark is an excellent work of science fiction. I eagerly await Trident’s Forge, the next novel in the series.”
– Mutt Cafe
“A murder on a spaceship is the ultimate locked-room mystery, and debut author Tomlinson has a lot of fun dragging his detective all over the ship as he investigates who killed Laraby.”
– Library Journal
“This book is fresh, new, clever. I loved everything about this book, it ambushed me with amazing prose, and compelling characters. I read it in one sitting. I cannot remember when a book was this captivating, this enthralling. More Mr. Tomlinson, please.”
– Book Drunkard
“The generations of isolation in the controlled society of the Ark have left them in a setting that makes this novel different.I also enjoyed the twists that were alluded to in this book that will bring some interesting turns in the anticipated future installments in this series. I give this novel a 4.4 out of 5.”
– John’s Notes
“This book has a bit of everything. Science fiction, mystery, and thrills along with some action thrown in as well. A very interesting read that kept me turning the pages up to the very end.”
– Word Gurgle
“The story was compelling and I definitely will be eagerly awaiting the next novel, Trident’s Forge. 5*”
– Brian’s Book Blog
“This is the story I wish I had written. Generation ship. Detective story. Tomlinson takes such discordant elements and weaves them into a fascinating story: a Manet painting, advanced probes, exoplanet imaging, and more. There are echoes of Robert Sawyer’s Red Planet Blues here and I’m hoping that this is the start of a new subgenre: detectives in space!”
– J. Daniel Batt
“A solid read and one that I had fun reading. I really can’t wait to see how future outings develop.”
– Falcata Times
“Is it worth the read? If you’re looking for a fusion of excellent hard sci-fi and action thriller, with a soupcon of mystery, then yes, absolutely. I’m already looking forward to seeing what the next book in the series has in store.”
– SF & F Reviews
“The Ark blends two of my favorite genres – science fiction and mystery. There are plenty of twists and turns that keep readings guessing. Mystery and sci-fi fans alike will enjoy this exciting novel.”
– Sci-Fi Chick
“Stunning world building, a plot that keeps you guessing and some totally old school in a new world case solving. Sci-fi at its best, a great read.”
– Random Redheaded Ramblings
"The Ark feels like a real place, complete with high and low society, political problems, and even a unique sport. The details felt logical and cohesive. This was a fun read and a damn solid first book.”
– Sarah Celiann
“Oh my goodness, I SO enjoyed this book! It’s got so many of the elements I look for in a good crossgenre—a nifty mystery with the ultimate locked room (can’t get any more locked room than a spaceship racing towards humanity’s hope of a new home), a man who loves his job as a detective (largely because it’s really, really easy), a dark scenario and yet some light humor and a potential end to our species.”
– Buried Under Books
“The Ark is an extremely fast page turner, to both unspool the mystery, and immerse oneself in the main character and his plight.”
– Skiffy & Fanty
“Stunning world building, a plot that keeps you guessing and some totally old school in a new world case solving. This is a great start to the series as the ending does leave you wanting more. Sci-fi at its best, a great read.”
– Heather Duff
“I really enjoyed this book. I was entertained; I was interested and involved. And I really look forward to following these people as their journey continues.”
– Looking for a Good Book
“The writing is excellent, the pace superb and it’s one of those books that feels like a quick read until you look out the window and see the sun rise, realising you’ve been reading for several hours.”
– The British Fantasy Society
“The Ark and Patrick S. Tomlinson certainly deserve more recognition and I strongly urge you to become their next supporter.”
– Team Tynga’s Reviews
"I was instantly hooked."
– Horror Delve
“Tomlinson manages to deliver a fun, thrilling story that combines an exciting police thriller with thoughtful science fiction.”
– The Mad Professah Reviews
“A classic sci-fi novel.”
– Deep Ground
11/15/2015
The case of a missing person should be unheard of on the generation ship known as the Ark. Bryan Benson, chief of security for the Avalon habitat, is determined to find out what happened to the missing lab tech, Edmond Laraby. Benson's investigation will draw him into deep waters, pitting him against the ship's elite crew, all of whom seem determined to keep their own secrets as the ship enters its final approach to Tau Ceti G, the new home for what is left of the human race. VERDICT A murder on a spaceship is the ultimate locked-room mystery, and debut author Tomlinson has a lot of fun dragging his detective all over the ship as he investigates who killed Laraby. The ending seems abruptly out of scale as the author reminds us he's writing sf and not just a tidy little mystery, but it sets up the rest of the series.—MM
