Rating: 2.75✨
Spoilers 🚫
Unfortunately for me, Future Tense, the newest release in Kristen Painter’s Ellis McFadden Mysteries series fell very short of all the previous stories.
While those centered around life and the mysteries on the star ship Ellis and her friends were living on, Future Tense brings in a new alien species, a element which ends up being the most underwhelming and poorly conceived aspect of the story.
It didn’t help that I had just finished another science fiction series where the universe building and science was exceptional.
The idea of a multi use enormous star liner, part science vessel, part military liner and civilian transportation ship, could easily let a rarely seen species go among its quarters , ship levels and communities , toting in unique and unknown objects throughout, spreading its messages across its media channels? Without tight controls and quarantines in place prior? None of this happens and it breaks down my belief in the idea of a sound narrative foundation that any part of this is a realistic idea of a scientific or military vessel or has officers with that status on board. The author seems to have forgotten her own statement about the Athos’ mission and its command in lieu of the theme of this mystery.
And when things go wrong, as one might expect, The Captain (military mind you) goes to her daughter, the ship’s librarian (and librarians are fabulous) and her wealthy retired IT boyfriend, to solve the mystery.
I can only suspend my belief so far. And it couldn’t go that distance.
Even so many other aspects of the story were not well constructed. At any time during the serious investigation into missing persons, including a teenager, was it an official crime matter or military action? No. On a spaceship considered a main fleet vessel, carrying a number of people in cryotubes? Maybe that part of the series has been sidelined. But it’s a science and military ship so where’s that structure?
And oh by the way, given the epilogue, it appears they could have figured out who those aliens and their ship were after all with a bit of space Google.
There were a few positive things like Ellis’s decision about remaining single because she and Frank enjoy their personal spaces and privacy but that’s countered by having the fascinating IA pets like Henry be reduced to saying “I’d like to watch fish today, Mom”, instead of being a integral member of the investigating team. Such an empty role as opposed to what they have been prior.
Given all the above, this book was a disappointment. I won’t be recommending it.
Cover design: Cover design and composite cover art by Janet Holmes
Ellis McFadden Mysteries :
- Breathing Space #1
- Star Power #2
- Future Tense #3
Buy link
Future Tense: Ellis McFadden Mysteries
Blurb
Step into the enigmatic world of the Athos—a vessel that blends the luxury of a cruise ship, the intrigue of a scientific research station, and the might of a military starship. Here, amidst the stars, you’ll find Ellis McFadden, the ship’s head librarian, embarking on adventures she never anticipated this late in her career.
The plot thickens when the Athos comes to the aid of a stranded craft, taking aboard three mysterious sisters and their father. They offer a tantalizing trade: visions of the future for those eager to know their fate. The crew and guests are soon captivated by the predictions.
But Ellis senses something amiss. The price for these glimpses into tomorrow seems too steep. So she, boyfriend Frank, and her android cat investigate, uncovering dubious secrets, but her friends are already entranced by the charlatans’ charms. Can Ellis break the spell and save the ship’s crew from an ominous future?
- Publisher: Sugar Skull Books
- Accessibility: Learn more
- Publication date: May 31, 2025
- Language: English
- Print length: 299 pages
- Book 3 of 3: Ellis McFadden Mysteries
Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words 