Pandora's Gun

Pandora's Gun is the perfect book when you want to read a solid science fiction story that isn't a 500 page installment of a 12 book series. The characters could be your next door neighbors, things are real-life messy, and the pacing is almost perfect (I would have preferred about 5 more pages of post-climax wrapping up). Van Pelt did a great job exploring the mystery of the titular gun without dragging the plot which is a difficult balancing act for any author. Overall, a good science fiction story with realistic characters that wraps up nicely.