Review
From BookLife - Editor's Pick -
This tense and surprising ticking-clock thriller from Zettler (author of the Joe Bradlee series) offers a riveting blend of science fiction, environmental commentary, political intrigue, and teasing romance with a woman from Elsewhere. The action revolves around Angelica, an eco-terrorist with unconventional methods, plus "jet-black hair and haunting, black-as-coal eyes," and Harlan Stone, a high-ranking federal agent tasked with preserving humanity amidst a rapidly deteriorating ecological crisis. Angelica, known for her ruthless determination, finds herself ousted from her movement, forcing her to confront the world's leading polluters as an outcast—and to face Harlan's flirty advances when she encounters him on the train to Philly. Beguiled, Harlan at first sees no connection to his current investigation into mysterious events like the possible extinction of all beef cattle.
Everything gets more complicated when Harlan discovers the involvement of an alien race, the Perigee, who see humanity as a "disease" to eliminate and demand drastic action to curb greenhouse gas emissions. Zettler crafts a complex and thought-provoking plot with the highest possible stakes: the fate of humanity and the planet, blending swift pacing with dark humor, big revelations and just enough science to sell it all. The protagonist, an amusing hero/patsy, delivers memorable lines like "You mean all this time I've been making love to an alien?" (He gets it together eventually.) Dialogue is sharply funny but convincing, and the Perigee are uniquely portrayed, their advanced technology balanced by vulnerabilities that add intrigue, as does Harlan and Angelica's welcome complexity. What's smartest in this uncommonly bright thriller, though, is Zettler's relentless pacing and mounting tension.
The Perigee's ultimatum serves as a stark reminder of the dire consequences of unchecked climate change, blending entertainment with a powerful message. While the relentless twists and detailed alien technology demand more attention from readers than most tech thrillers, Tick... Tick... Tick... offers ample rewards to those who favor genre-crossing, provocative ideas, and the unexpected.
From the Inside Flap
"Harlan Stone is the hero we all need, and Tick...Tick...Tick... proves why!" - Jonathan Maberry, NY Times bestselling author of the Joe Ledger thrillers
"A spell-binding tale of intrigue and science fiction... Harlan Stone, is a splendid creation, a man caught in inexplicable crisis that belies the world he has known all his life." - Armin Shimerman star of 'Star Trek: Deep Space 9' and author of Illyria
"An espionage farce full of sex, spies, sci-fi, and secrets with a serious message embedded at its core-and one we'd be well-advised to wake up to before the aliens do show up... But you might have to stop laughing first." - Gregory Frost, author of the Rhymer trilogy
"Time is literally running out for humans on earth in his speculative fiction romp, masterfully weaving together aliens, geopolitics, fossil fuel gluttony and White House intrigue." - Christopher Chambers, Anthony Award-winning and Shamus-nominated author of Scavenger and Standalone
"A wild, frightening, and entertaining take on global terror, and guaranteed to be one of the craziest, most inventive romances in espionage history you will ever read." - Chris Bauer (thriller series Max Fend/Maximum Risk, Blessid Trauma Crime Scene Cleaners, and Counsel Fungo)
"A chilling read; be prepared to shiver." - Merry Jones, author of Maincrest Media Award winner The Woman in the Cupboard
"A nail-biting thriller. Warning: This is no slow burn, best to buckle-up for a sling-shot ride!" Lanny Larcinese, author of Get Bek & Fire in the Belly
From the Back Cover
Harlan Stone is at the top of his game - An unflinching federal agent who reports solely to the President. But why is this highly specialized operative poking around Pennsylvania Dutch Country, grilling a back-water doctor about a sterile bull? Questions proliferate. Within a month, the global beef market collapses, and unexplained environmental disasters and panic strike worldwide. The Earth is spiraling toward catastrophic ruin. Eco-terrorists? Ruthless extortionists? Rogue nations? Someone's after something, but who and why? It's a race against time; the future of the planet is on a stopwatch, and Harlan is the one person capable of preserving humanity. Life as we know it hangs in the balance.
About the Author
Steve Zettler is a professional writer and actor. He has authored or coauthored eighteen full-length works of fiction. He has worked extensively as an actor in New York, Los Angeles and regionally, and created a memorable role in a Pulitzer Prize winning play. He has also worked on countless television shows and feature films and is a Marine Corps combat veteran. He lives and writes in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Visit: stevezettler.com --This text refers to the paperback edition. 
