Quantum Consequence... Physics, Lust and Greed Series, Book 5 - Book Review

Author Mike Murphy is a master of a genre of his own. Quantum Consequences, A Tale of Physics, Lust and Greed, is the fifth science fiction/thriller/satire/humor drama that will send the reader reeling.  Although the fifth book in the series, Quantum Consequences, is a fascinating stand-alone, but it will entice the reader to search for book one.

Murphy credits his high school science teacher for introducing him to the powers of science and firing up his imagination. And what an imagination. His wealth of knowledge of foreign cultures, the world of recreational sailing, as well as the kinky personalities that he attributes to his characters enhance his story. Marshall, who at first appears to be a hero, is an accidental killer, 6'7" tall, but "soda straw" skinny and clumsy.  His partner, Marta, in contrast, is 5', built like a marathon runner and "mean as a mambo snake and unforgiving as a lone shark.

The narrative opens with Baptiste, a ten-year-old boy living with his mother and her abusive boyfriend. He discovers the death of his old friend, Cecil. Thus begins Marta, Marshall's, and the boy's hunt for Cecil's killer. They return to Arizona to an abandoned US science development facility that now houses the means for interdimensional time travel.  The plot integrates several characters' past, present, and future lives in different times and universes. Robots, paramilitaries, cruel villains, politicians, and Amazon higher-ups are all involved in satirical and/or allegorical conflicts as well as fist fights and standoffs.

Alliteration, numerous political and social jabs, and fast pacing keep the reader unbalanced for a page or two.  The humorous science fiction, physics, and time travel sequences add to the quirky subterfuge, sinister intrigue, and satire. Will they discover Cecil's killer? What happened to the US president?

Will AI take over the universes?  Who is Flopsy? Are Happy Home Companions in the reader's future?  The conclusion of political commentary and fantasy events will cause the reader to question the present and future.  The engrossed reader will be anxiously awaiting the next book in this mind-bending series.