Edward Es Skyeyes

Skyeyes

Edward Es

Earthset, Aug 2003, $13.99, 375 pp.

ISBN: 0972822607

He is forty-five years old and except for fulfilling his deceased son's aspiration, life is over for Marshall Thomas Holmes. Tom's life ended with the death of his beloved child Noah. His marriage to Francine also died that same day, but that demise has had no consequence on Tom because he is too numb to feel anything but achieving Noah's dream of traveling in space. Not caring if it is a one way ticket, Tom is building a rocket so that he can personally scatter Noah's ashes on the dark side of the moon. His only earthly pursuit besides his lunar venture is to help terminally-ill children.

However, Tom's activities have come to the attention of the FBI still burning under 9/11 criticism. Agents Norbert Meyerkamp and partner Sidney Knowles believes that Tom is a national security threat. The two Feds conclude that the insane Tom must be stopped, but will the Attorney General agree to end Tom's private venture into space and will the President declare him an enemy combatant with no constitutional rights?

SKYEYES is a great character study within the context of a FBI paranoia science fiction thriller. The story line grips the reader from the moment they meet an apparent crazy Tom in a dumpster looking for titanium. The tale never lets go (make time for one sitting) as the audience begins to comprehend and empathize with Tom and pray he achieves his obsession. Though the Feds seem too inane, the rest of the cast is fabulous especially Francine who struggles with moving on and having no help from fanatical Tom. Readers will appreciate the powerful journey of one man trying to obtain closure.

Harriet Klausner