The Redline Heist by Michael Mersault

The Redline Heist by Michael Mersault is a techno-thriller space opera featuring cars from a bygone era and an abandoned alien asteroid base that holds many secrets. Think Death Race 2000 meets Forbidden Planet. And while you’re conjuring images from the ’50s and ’70s, picture one of those grand space adventure novels of the ’70s and ’80s, complete with a retro feel. Now add muscle cars, a fast-talking con man with a fixation for old Earth nostalgia, a beautiful war criminal who’s as tough as she is attractive, and a mega-rich schemer looking to one-up his older brother, and you have The Redline Heist.

The Redline Heist is billed as a fast-paced thriller, and while this novel has the potential, most of its time is spent setting up for high-octane action. But when it finally gets there, we get an outer space demolition derby. The dialogue can feel a bit clunky at times, yet the characters are straightforward and easily relatable. All in all, The Redline Heist has that irresistible dime-store sci-fi charm of a classic from the 1970s or ’80s. Even the cover art evokes the same emotions as those beloved classics.