Detour by Jeff Rake and Rob Hart ~ a Review

by MK French

When Ryan Crane saves John Ward, a billionaire with presidential aspirations, from an assassination attempt, he is invited to join a manned mission to Saturn’s moon Titan. He would be part of a group of civilians accompanying three professional astronauts on the two-year expedition. His wife's encouragement and an exorbitant paycheck to cover his disabled son's care send him into space. The journey will forever change his life and the lives of his crewmates. 

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

January 2026; Random House Worlds; 978-0593871379
audio, ebook, print (320 pages); science fiction mystery

The book begins before the expedition is even announced, so we see Ryan in action, caring for his wife and children, his belief in doing a job properly, even if it makes fellow police officers dislike him. We meet the rest of the team as well, and get a sense of their personal lives before the expedition in space. There are three astronauts and three civilians, and all must undergo five weeks of training before an advanced launch date. The billionaire is also running as a third-party candidate for president of the United States. Whispers of hidden agendas lurk, but it doesn't stop the launch.

The book is enthralling, more because of the interpersonal tensions. Each of the six members of the team has their history and problems, and Ward's POV sections show us a different perspective to the mission. The six on the ship have a mission to see if colonizing Titan is possible, and there's the faint undercurrent of something more they don't know about. That carries the reader forward, as well as the fear that something terrible will happen. As the first book of a series, the final third sets up more questions than answers, as well as what will be the start of the next book. I can't wait to see what happens in it.

Buy Detour at Amazon

Born and raised in New York City, M.K. French started writing stories when very young, dreaming of different worlds and places to visit. She always had an interest in folklore, fairy tales, and the macabre, which has definitely influenced her work. She currently lives in the Midwest with her husband, three young children, and a golden retriever.

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