Night Train to Rigel

By Timothy Zahn

It all starts when a man comes to deliver a message to Frank Compton--only to fall dead at his feet. What follows is a suspenseful thriller that only Timothy Zahn, a master of hard SF adventure, could have written.

More than two hundred years from now, the Quadrail transportation system run by the enigmatic Spiders connects civilizations throughout the galaxy. But someone is threatening the entire system and the worlds it serves with a military force that could wreak interstellar havoc. Worse yet, a more subtle and sinister threat lurks: the Modhri, whose unique coral is prized throughout the galaxy, but which has properties that may create addiction--or worse. Compton, a sharp investigator, lost his job with Earth's security forces when he exposed a corrupt scheme that had roots in high places. Enlisted by the Spiders to find out who's trying to take over the Quadrail, he's got his hands full, because he's got beings of many races gunning for him to keep him from discovering a far-flung conspiracy that could destroy every civilization in the galaxy.

The result is one of Zahn's most memorable and compelling novels in years.

At the publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management software (DRM) applied.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Macmillan Publishers
• Release date: Sep 15, 2005
• ISBN: 9781429915731

Timothy Zahn

Timothy Zahn is the author of more than forty science fiction novels. He has also written many short stories, as well as Cascade Point, which won the Hugo Award for best novella. His other works include the Dragonback series, of which Dragon and Thief was an ALA Best Book for Young Adults, and the bestselling Star Wars™ novel, Heir to the Empire. Zahn lives in Oregon.

Reviews for Night Train to Rigel

[alexezell · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Passable detective in space stuff.

[gregandlarry · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Interesting world. Lots of action.

[aarondesk · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I liked this book. A sci-fi thriller/detective novel. It was a little too smooth; the protagonist just happened to connect all the dots at the right moments. The ending also sped up a little too much and stretched a little. But overall good.

[snownsew · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I just re-read this book in preparation for reading the final book in the series. I have a very hard time writing a book review on a re-read as I think having had the anticipation removed hinders (at least to some degree) the enjoyment of a novel. And, based on my set criteria, I rarely cannot put a book down when I know how it ends. That being said, I originally read this book when it first came out and enjoyed it enough to read each succeeding book. The final book in the series came out late enough that I wanted to remember the entire series more vividly before I finished it. (Is that enough qualifiers?)

I really like Timothy Zahn, though I refuse to read the Star Wars books. I really liked this book. And, I still liked it - even on re-read. I remember the first *gotcha* upon reading the very first clue. I totally forgot the 2nd gotcha - which is, I assume, where the next book goes. I have read it as well, but I do not remember it. (A short memory is a blessing when reading books . . . makes re-reads more interesting!) I am reading this series in a buddy read into which I dragged others along for the ride, so I am not continuing until March.

And let it be said . . the first book was published in 2006 - not so very long ago - and LOOK! 6 years later (and 5 books) the series is complete. It CAN be done.

[barlow304 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Interesting blend of noir and sic fi. This book begins a series by prolific author Timothy Zahn and features a futuristic private eye and his adventures on the "train" that transportsl people at faster than light speeds. A light read, but good enough to continue reading the series.

[cabri_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The beginning of a nice little SF mystery series, Night Train to Rigel starts us off with a stranger dying right into ex-spy Frank Compton's arms. Pretty soon he's off on an interstellar adventure searching for a force capable -- and apparently set on -- destroying the Quadrail, an FTL train system operated by "Spiders". But who really controls the spiders? And who's that chick that keeps following him? I enjoyed this a lot. Zahn is good at inventing aliens with their own tics and languages and he follows mystery conventions faithfully too. Like any series it starts to drag a bit later on, but this first book in the series does a great job setting it all in motion.

[jerkhouse · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The author develops the two main characters very well and the story grabs you instantly. It's a fast paced book and keeps you guessing...up to a certain point. Once you get passed this 'whodunit' aspect in the beginning, the book just loses momentum. I did like how everything fell into place for the most part I just had higher expectations since the beginning was so tantalizing.

[drneutron_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Zahn's Night Train To Rigel combines classic alien encounter science fiction with noir detective atmosphere and spy thriller for a good read. The plot is twisty enough to make your head spin, and the setting is well conceived. I liked the interplay between the characters. So with all these good things happening, why did I rate the book at 3.5 stars? Mostly because I never felt that the main characters were in too much danger or that the galaxy was truly threatened by the bad guys. Having said that, I did enjoy the book, will recommend it to others and will eagerly look for the sequel.

[ficusfan · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A fun, quick read. My first book by Zahn. It was a real old fashioned SF romp, with a quasi military sf feel. Very much in the vein of CJ Cherryh. Like Cherryh's books, it was meaty as well as quick and compelling. I liked the characters, the tension between the 2 partners, the layers of mystery on top of mystery. The many twists and changes that kept the story changing. I also liked all the aliens, and how the civilizations were explained. Enough detail to make sense, and make you want more, but woven into the story, not an info-dump. I think this could be a start of a really good series.

[everythingsroses · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book bowled be over like a speeding locamotive, I so want a sequel!