Illegal Alien

by Robert J. Sawyer

Book Overview

When a disabled spaceship enters Earth's atmosphere, seven members of the advanced Tosok race are welcomed by the world. Then a popular scientist is murdered, and all evidence points to one of the Tosoks. Now, an alien is tried in a court of law-and there may be far more at stake than accounting for one human life.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0441005926
• ISBN13: 9780441005925
• Release Date: January 1999
• Publisher: Ace Books
• Length: 304 Pages
• Weight: 0.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 4.2" x 6.8"

Customer Reviews

Excellent Science Fiction!

This just happens to be the first Sawyer book I read; and I can say without a doubt it will not be the last. _Illegal Alien_ moves along at a tightly written pace that keeps you turning the pages and guessing where the plot will turn next. I'm not a crime or mystery reader per se, I tend to stick with straight SF; but I love a good mystery and this certainly was one. The utlimately satisfying ending left me smiling. I must admit I had a little trouble getting past some of the gruesome details portrayed, but I'm glad I stuck with it. Without giving anything away it all makes sense in the end. Keep at it Mr. Sawyer, you can definitely write!

Two genres collide wonderfully

If you're reading this review, you probably like science-fiction. But do you like mystery and court room drama too? Then you will very much enjoy "Illegal Alien." Sawyer takes a science-fiction concept and mingles it with a courtroom case. This Canadian author has done his research on the US Justice system. I felt that I was reading the transcripts from any one of the thousands of US court cases that occurs every day. The book holds your interest and twists just enough at the end to satisfy your desire for a good whodunnit. Highly recomemnded for both sci-fi and mystery fans.

Another SF/mystery mix from Sawyer, and 1st rate it is too

I liked Sawyer's GOLDEN FLEECE a lot and I liked this one too. He seems to be a specialist at the sci-fi/mystery crossover, and does it better than anyone since {and maybe including} Asimov. Gripping read.

Best SF/legal book ever. Period.

Met Sawyer in Melbourne at the World Science Fiction Convention. Liked his wit on panels, so bought two of his books, and loved both. Illegal Alien is the best SF/legal book I've ever read. Sawyer understands the law (which is complex enough!) but also astrophysics, extraterrestrial biology, and (lo and behold!) human beings. First rate, and lots of fun. Also recommended (but much different): his Starplex.

Suceeds both as SF *and* mystery.

Sawyer gave a reading at our local library, and I was intrigued, so I bought the book. It's great! The kind of SF I used to enjoy, with social comment and real issues. I liked crafty lawyer Dale Rice much better than the attornies in recent Grisham works, and the aliens really are the best since Niven's Puppeteers (as one of the reviews on the book says). Great SF, and (from someone who reads a lot of mystery, too) great mystery, as well. Five stars.