Clare O'Beara
Kindle Edition
Book 4 in the Dining
Out Around the Solar System Series
· ASIN: B074Y53JMX
Please see the
reviews for book 1, book 2, and book 3 as this is the fourth and final book in
the Dining Out Around the Solar System books.
Donal becomes an
interpreter for the police in book four as knows the language of people from
planet Mercury. A Mercurian girl, Surrune, is suspected of murder, and Donal is
there to help, wearing trousers with solar panels to be able to charge his
electronic gadgets. Myon, the Jafraican journalist, also helps as he and Donal
are a team for London’s Eye. Donal works on his writing
for publication in this book. The
food scenes in restaurants are wonderfully described as Donal still writes
restaurant reviews. The pair ride the tube and walk to their
destinations.
At Surrune’s, they
find off-world workers are being exploited as there are too many people crammed
into the rented spaces inside mansions. The landlord does not have proper permits.
The building could not have passed health or safety inspections for many
reasons. Doors are blocked, some tenants have no escape routes, and poor air
quality are just some of the code violations. Similar mansions are standing
empty or unoccupied -- inviting other troubles.
There
is a British Parliamentary election, and the police need to keep public fears
to a minimum. One of the election issues is the rising sea, and another is the
health issues of the space miners. Donal’s mother had radiation sickness from working
for BSM (British Space Mines) and died. His concerns are understandable. The
off-worlders may not vote, so they can’t help themselves through politics.
An
interesting micro-business set-up is that people are using the former red
telephone boxes for small businesses such as mending, sewing, dog-walking
services, or other small shops. There is even a directory of red box businesses
in London.
Climate
change is affecting life in London with cut flowers being less popular due to
their carbon footprint. With the sea level rise, the water table is saltier.
Care must be taken with trees and plantings. Only cremation is permitted as
London has no more space for burials. We learn about how climate change has
affected other areas of the world, as well, such as Australia.
A
case of jealousy almost causes Donal a terrible problem, but he insists it is a
misunderstanding. His attitude again reveals he is a nice person.
The
overcrowding issue is resolved in a most off-world manner, both on and off
Earth. Oh, best of all, Donal and Myron have girlfriends by the end of the book,
which is a satisfying ending after reading all four books.
Winter
is approaching, and it is time to think about getting shuttle-flu jabs before
Christmas!
Clare
O’Beara reads extensively and reviews books for Fresh Fiction.com.
Check
out her books and sign up to her quarterly newsletter on:
Thank you for reading,
Carolyn Wilhelm
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