Science Fiction Writer
ROBERT J. SAWYER
Hugo and Nebula Winner

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$21.95 ($30.95 CAN)
ISBN 0-441-00476-8

"Science fiction fans take note of this name: Robert J. Sawyer. He's one of the brightest newcomers to the field, with a fresh and engaging storytelling style." — The Toronto Star

Nebula Award-winning author Robert J. Sawyer has always been on the cutting edge of science fiction, breaking new ground and building unforgettable new worlds. Now, in this timely and compelling novel, Sawyer combines the excitement of extraterrestrial contact with the suspense of a courtroom drama. He gives readers a front-row seat at a murder trial with universal implications, because the one who stands accused isn't even from our planet . . .

When a disabled starship enters the Earth's atmosphere, fear is quickly replaced with awe. The first contact ever between humans and aliens is made. Seven incredibly intelligent members of the advanced Tosok race are welcomed by the world with open arms. In exchange for the resources and help to repair their ship, they offer to share their knowledge and technology.

But as the people of Earth put their best faces forward, the growing sense of trust is shattered. A popular scientist, part of the aliens' traveling entourage, is found dead — mutilated and dismembered by a mysterious weapon. All evidence points to one of the Tosoks. Scrambling to avoid a planetary incident, the United States government acquires the country's leading civil rights lawyer to defend the alien. In the unprecedented trial, human and alien cultures clash. And when the search for justice threatens to overshadow the truth, there may be more at stake than accounting for one human life . . .

ROBERT J. SAWYER is Canada's only native-born full-time science fiction writer. He is the author of eight previous novels, including the Nebula Award winner The Terminal Experiment, the Quintaglio trilogy — Far-Seer), Fossil Hunter, and Foreigner — plus End of an Era and Starplex. He is the winner of five Aurora Awards (Canada's top honor in science fiction writing), as well as an Arthur Ellis Award from the Crime Writers of Canada. He lives in Thornhill, Ontario, with Carolyn Clink, his wife of thirteen years.

Jacket paining by Danilo Ducak
Jacket design by David S. Reinhardt
Author photo by Carolyn Clink

The Berkley Publishing Group
200 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10016

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