Written in the early 1990s, the book is a bit technically dated-there is no Internet and the characters have to look things up in an almanac-but that doesn't detract from the story. In the process, they discover what appears to be an interstellar threat to mankind. Those people-a deep black special ops soldier, an alcoholic geologist, a psychologically unstable prodigy, and a government analyst of future trends-are brought to 'the rock,' as it's called, to solve the mystery of the transmissions. Analysis of the transmission reveals a message echoing the recorded greetings the space probe Voyager took on its interplanetary journey, and a set of names. The detonation of a nuclear device stolen by terrorists triggers a mysterious radio transmission that emanates from Ayres Rock in Australia and jams American satellite transmissions. Well, the real author is Bob Mayer, and The Rock-originally written under his Doherty penname-is, so far, my favorite book of his. Which was which? Doherty's Amazon page says he lives in Seattle, Mayer's says Tennessee. I mention this because when I first became aware of Doherty/Mayer I was confused. And both.well, they're both the same man. Both are also West Point graduates and former U.S. That's quite a coincidence, because both are New York Times best- selling authors of the genre. When you talk about military science fiction, two of the names you frequently hear mentioned are Robert Doherty and Bob Mayer. It 's about the last few days they have to save us all.

But first, they must figure out who is the message coming from? What are they trying to tell mankind? And can it be deciphered in time before Armageddon overtakes the world?It 's about a bomb, it 's about a world about to be shattered. Air Force computer operator receives a terrifying radio transmission out of Ayers Rock that knocks out the world's communications.In New Mexico.a boozy college engineering professor is suddenly escorted into a waiting car by two armed military men.In New York.a tall, slender woman leaves her husband a note on the refrigerator saying that she's leaving - but can't tell him where she's going.In Colombia.a Special Forces officer breaks into a drug kinpin's bedroom and puts a bullet into a woman's brain before running to a waiting helicopter.And in England.a beautiful twenty-three-year-old mathematician prepares for a journey that will change her life forever.The team assembles in Australia on a mission that can save the world.

The best combination of science fiction and technothriller this year. Kirkus Reviews A crackling science thriller in the vein of Crichton that mixes action with science fiction.

Fascinating, imaginative and nerve-wracking.

Area 51 by Robert Doherty