The Zero Code: Volume 3 (Max Mars) Paperback – 15 Sept. 2017

I wasn't sold on the "Max Mars" series. The name alone was a bit hokey, and I wasn't expecting to enjoy it. I was mostly wrong though. The books are quite enjoyable, although they're "light" compared to Ellis' other military Sci-fi works. They're loosely set around the universe of his other books, and features some of the same terminology and so on. As such, they're nice little adjuncts to the other books.

Winston, the robot Max Mars befriended in her debut, breaks Asimov's laws of robotics or at least is accused of doing so. And Max is hot on the tail of a lead that will finally give her a clue as to the whereabouts of the scofflaw who killed her mentor. But, and this is a big clue to a personality flaw, Max is a softie. She cares for Winston. She's a retired operative and efficient killer, but she's got heart. She doesn't leave anybody behind. Winston is arrested and charged. Open an shut. He's villified, but he has no memory of what he's been charged with. And that's the start of "The Zero Code," the third in the Max Mars series by author Tripp Ellis. I launched into this and kept going. Ellis didn't let me go. The story is really well plotted and delves deeper into noir/gumshoe territory than the first two. And it's my favorite so far. Max tracks one clue after another, trying to clear her friend. She gets a little help from an attorney. But she's essentially on her own until she gets a little help from a wacky character who is certainly not in her league. Ellis develops his characters nicely. And the dialogue is superb, especially the give and take between Max and whoever she's engaging in conversation. Even the thugs and criminal masterminds. OK, one thing bothers me. Everytime I look at the cover of one of the books in this series, it makes me think of Pat Benatar on her "Get Nervous" album. Benatar's in a straight jacket, but her hair looks exactly like Max's.

Love it!

Great story with action galore. Max Mars is continually injured and traumatized throughout the book but still manages to save the federation. Lots of fun to read and hard to put down once you start reading it. Well written.

Once again our hero is in the wrong place at the right time. As the story summary says, Max's faithful robot Winston is framed for murder, and while proving his innocents she also stops another galactic threat. There is less travelling in this book, everything takes place on one planet, and Mr. Ellis does a good job fleshing the city scape out. And once again everything can be solved by a plasma bolt or two.This was a quick read, just two sittings. Not that the page count was low, just that the story moved fast, was engaging, and was easy to read. Mr. Ellis's style for this series; is a hard boiled noire P.I. tail. And in that regard the minimum dialog works well.

Always a fun read