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The Fornax Assassin Hardcover – June 30, 2023

by J.C. Gemmell (Author)
4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 33 ratings
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2038: a devastating pandemic sweeps across the world. Two decades later, Britain remains the epicentre for the fornax variant, annexed by a terrified global community.

David Malik is as careful as any man to avoid contact with the virus. But when his sister tests positive as an asymptomatic carrier, she must relocate to Fornax Island to join the isolated population of contagious-untreatables.

Fortunately, the British prime minister’s latest manifesto includes reintegrating the islanders with the nation. Yet, he does not survive a visit to Fornax Island to unveil his new policies.

The military suspects one of its junior officers is responsible for his death. Malik seizes his chance to represent the possible assassin, allowing him to protect his sister. Yet within days of taking on the case, he finds himself accused of masterminding the assassination.

When Malik discovers that a foreign corporation is manipulating events on Fornax Island, it forces him to choose between self-preservation, his sister’s welfare, and the future of seven hundred thousand residents.
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  1. Print length
    271 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    June 30, 2023
  4. Dimensions
    6.14 x 0.87 x 9.21 inches
  5. ISBN-10
    173976174X
  6. ISBN-13
    978-1739761745
  7. See all details
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Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ J.C. Gemmell (June 30, 2023)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 271 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 173976174X
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1739761745
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.09 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.14 x 0.87 x 9.21 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 33 ratings

About the author

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J.C. Gemmell

J.C. Gemmell

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J.C. Gemmell was born in Falkirk, Scotland, and received his B.A. in Computer Studies and a Master’s Degree in Applied Science from the University of Portsmouth. Before becoming an independent author of future fiction, he worked as an engineer for several multinational organisations. He lives with his partner and two cats on the south coast of England.

The Fornax Assassin is J.C.’s newest novel, a mystery-thriller set forty years in the future in a less-familiar Britain.

J.C. published his Tion series (Tionsphere, The Uprisers, Demiurge) in 2020-22, and it is accompanied by The Visionary, available for free on Kindle.

Visit J.C. online at jcgemmell.com

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
4.3 out of 5
33 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Timothy Dorr
4.0 out of 5 stars Great Contagion Story
Reviewed in the United States on October 22, 2023
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In the Fornax Assassination, author JC Gemmel, uses the protagonist, lawyer, David Malik, to solve the assassination of British Prime minister. Malik was born last to a family of five, the only son, the son his father always wanted, also called Davy by many people. After him and his wife had a child together, he loses both the spouse and child from the Fornax disease. Living within the guise of a somewhat double life, Davy, does both lawyer duties and a military lieutenant. On Fornax Island during the illness spread (would have been interesting if the 2020 pandemic would have used this idea), the sick ones are sent to this place for recovery, but everyone questions when they will return, and if there some type of political coverup within the government.

I loved these characters—Rachael, who was sister to David, and starts out on the bad end by testing positive to the Fornax variant, and it sent to Fornax Island, where many never return to normal civilian life, but her brother tries in vain to find the solutions of the hallowed island of lost, sick souls. Jueves, a Chief Petty Officer, who would knock back a drink of Rum at any moment, wasn’t afraid to speak his mind, pushing his theories of the Prime Minister’s demise and other local and worldly political viewpoints. Edward Takahashi, a big trade dealer, always well dressed, and the one with eyes on the prize hoping the ones he interrogates will confess. And behind the big picture, he was the disrupter of all and maybe the big player in the assassination. Or was he? Then, there is Gresik, a captain with a stern military approach and discipline, but also, a woman with a drone like voice, who was in close with Takahashi and kept odd pictures of ships upon office walls. She also holds the lost dream of son that was put upon Fornax Island, which pinches upon her personality with some loss that may occur in the story.

A good piece of work and idea, very current, especially with all the viruses and full-out pandemics that have trans ponded the earth in the last few years. I adored both, the name of the novel, with its mysteries involved with the Amazons and Constellation in the sky, and the mystical Wight peoples. The author does a nice job of leading the reader through many diversions as the plot continues on the pace on the unfortunate lives and circumstances occurring on the ill-fated island. A good read for any book lover of science fiction, drama, military and espionage or just plain fan of great twists and turns to find the final answers.
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Tlalane Manciya
5.0 out of 5 stars An interesting story that we all can relate to....
Reviewed in the United States on December 29, 2023
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Any other time or era, I don't think I would have enjoyed this book, but because we have been through the COVID era, it was easy to relate and enjoy this book as I could also resonate with the main characters frustration and everything he went through.

Mystery, political thriller, drama, science fiction and all else is what you find in this book, as we follow David Malik, who discovers that his sister has contracted the disease and him wanting to help her is the start of a rollercoaster of a read where corruption places him in the middle of a murder. The country finds itself infected by the Fornax virus and anyone infected sent into isolation in Fornax Island.

Things are not at all as they seem, as David discovers while on the quest to help his sister. A gripping thriller that makes it difficult for anyone to trust anyone as twists and turns emerge. What I also enjoyed about the book is from the beginning you are taken into the world of mystery. This book is really gripping because it is everything, we experience in the world today from corruption, murders, secrets, lies and social plight of the disease itself.

This book needs to be read with an open mind as it needs to be absorbed well and touches on sensitive issues that some readers might find a trigger or offensive.
The book is well written and as I searched up on the author, I realised he has written other books, and this book shows that.

If you are into sci-fi, mystery and drama, this is definitely the book for you!
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D.M.
4.0 out of 5 stars Twisty and inventive
Reviewed in the United States on December 14, 2023
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This book aims high and mostly hits the mark. It plays notes of whodunit mystery, political thriller, apocalyptic conspiracy, dystopia survival, science fiction – the mix is unique. The writing and polish of this book is stellar. For a smaller release, I was very pleasantly surprised by the all-around production quality. The prose is solid, painting a vivid picture but not leaking into purple prose territory. The editing, pace, and construction of the story are all superb, which makes this a very readable book.

The plot builds several overlapping layers of mystery – what’s happening (or already happened, since this takes place in the mid-21st century) in the world, the conspiracy involving Davy and Rachael, and where conflicting motivations of the supporting characters will lead. I don’t want to spoil any key elements, so I’ll say it’s the kind of mystery that twists and turns with each new revelation. It kept me engaged, wanting to discover more and forge on to the next chapter as I read. The characters feel real, with human motivations and reactions to each other.

A couple of very minor critiques: First, there’s a lot of information to wade through early on. I would have liked a bit more excitement in the first quarter of the book. Once it gets going the story is strong. Second, at times I found the conspiracy at the center of the story a bit over-complicated. It seemed unlikely to ever really succeed in the way the “villain(s)” intended, and they allowed other characters way too much freedom to influence outcomes. Though there are plenty of intelligent people in the real world who are over-confident and make terrible decisions, so, I suppose it may be more realistic than it first appears.

All in all, it’s a strong offering with a good, readable flow, and a unique plotline. Recommended.
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Top reviews from other countries

Ocean Bloom
4.0 out of 5 stars Gripping and Thought-Provoking Dystopian Thriller
Reviewed in Canada on October 5, 2023
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"The Fornax Assassin" plunges readers into a harrowing vision of a post-pandemic world, crafting a complex and compelling narrative that keeps you on the edge of your seat until the very last page.

One of the strengths of "The Fornax Assassin" lies in its vivid and evocative descriptive language. The author skillfully captures the atmosphere of a country in turmoil. The multitude of characters adds depth to the narrative, though at times, the abundance of perspectives and subplots can be overwhelming. The constant twists and turns in the plot make it a challenging read, demanding the reader's full attention to piece together the puzzle. However, this complexity serves to heighten the suspense, keeping you guessing about the true motivations of the characters until the very end.

This book is a thought-provoking and well-crafted dystopian political thriller. Its intricate plot, rich characters, and exploration of societal dynamics in the aftermath of a pandemic make it a must-read for fans of the genre. While the complexity of the narrative may pose a challenge, it ultimately contributes to the novel's ability to captivate and surprise.
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Leonie
4.0 out of 5 stars ‘There was duplicity everywhere …
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 30, 2023
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… not only deceitfulness but also the dual nature of everyone involved.’

The above quote from The Fornax Assassin neatly sums up this clever, compelling and complex book set in the late 2050s. Corporate greed and political skulduggery abound in a dystopian vision of a post-Brexit, post-Covid rump of a Britain shorn of Scotland, Cornwall, NI and the monarchy. A ferociously contagious and deadly variant of a Covid-like virus swept the world twenty years earlier. A Britain which has become isolated and inconsequential on the international stage struggles to manage the Fornax Variant. Some of those infected are identified as ‘contagious-and-untreatable’ carriers and transported to join other CUs for indefinite exile on Fornax Island.

In parallel narratives the two main characters navigate their respective roles as a lawyer who acts for disaffected Republic Navy staff and his sister, a detective inspector. Both become embroiled in the fallout from the assassination of the Prime Minister, who had planned to reintegrate the CUs with the mainland population. The action unfolds at a breakneck pace over a mere few days, with deftly interwoven flashbacks and interior monologue unobtrusively fleshing out the background. There is a dizzying cast of characters but is anyone who they seem?

A list of the dramatis personae would have been helpful (as would a map or two), but admittedly hard to pull off given so many cloaks and daggers. The writing is assured and crisp. And while I found the ending a slight let down, I accept I might have missed some essential insights in the swirling crescendo of twists and reveals. Overall an addictive read with an original and daring premise.
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Susan Day
5.0 out of 5 stars A Relevant Subject Told Well
Reviewed in Australia on December 14, 2023
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Political intrigue at its best. The Fornax Assassin weaves an intriguing tale of corruption and redemption, set in an all too familiar world where a virus has spread and those who have it are deemed unfit and whose human rights are quickly withdrawn.

The issues and controversies created by the Fornax virus will not go unappreciated by the reader in light of the recent pandemic. The author’s ability to create realistic scenarios and believable characters is a testament to his skill as a writer.

I was really taken by the protagonist David’s sense of duty and his obligation to discovering the truth in a world full of lies and dishonest people. He is tasked with the responsibility to discover who assassinated the prime minister, but perhaps the most interesting question is why. A hero of sorts, he has his flaws like those we have come to recognise.

I was really moved by his dedication to his sister’s plight, when she was sent to Fornax Island after contracting the disease. His compassion and concerns for her future are moving and I related to his anger and frustration.

The other characters in the book are equally believable. Jueves, Takahashi and Gresik, for example, seem to harbor a sense of anxiety and mistrust that is evident in chaotic societies. Something we have witnessed in today’s world.

The story weaves around its readers and draws them into its carefully constructed world. If you love a well-written and crafted sci-fi thriller, then this is the book for you. It will certainly draw you in and keep you turning the pages.
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Ian Richard Gill
5.0 out of 5 stars A Deliciouly Written Literary Layer Cake
Reviewed in Canada on August 27, 2023
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The Fornax Assassin, by J.C. Gemmell is a multilayered indulgence that weaves a tale of political and commercial intrigue, from the first page to the very last. The story is set in a near future dystopian Great Britain, decades after a self-inflicted pandemic has isolated that country economically and politically from the rest of the world, its future hanging precariously. In a desperate effort to contain those who carry the Fornax virus, but are not themselves sick, (CU)s, the Isle of Wight has long become a prison of isolation. While attempting to change this status quo, the British Prime Minister has been assassinated on Fornax Island, and Solicitor David Malik, a lawyer who serves as council to the Military is tasked with defending the accused, Chief Petty Officer Sam Jeuves. Meanwhile, Malik’s sister, a Police Detective Inspector, has been found to be a CU (Contageous Untreatable) and is slated to be sent into exile on Fornax Island. Malik heads to the Island, on a dual mission to represent Jeuves and to save his sister, and almost at once becomes entangled in a web of lies and subterfuge which place him at the heart of the Military’s convoluted schemes, as the chief suspect in the PM’s murder. Layer by layer, the story becomes more and more convoluted, and I found that I could not put the book down, its twisting plot and well written characters drawing me in, deeper by the page. No spoilers here, but suffice it to say that the ending came as a complete surprise to me.
Highly recommended for anyone who loves intrigue and plot twists that come one after the other, pulling the reader along for the ride.
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Anita Dow, The Martian Diaries sequel to The War Of The Worlds
5.0 out of 5 stars Unsettling and plausible near future thriller
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 3, 2023
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This is top notch, quality writing and I knew, within the first four pages, that it would be a gripping, intelligent plot. Author J.C Gemmell suggests a scarily believable scenario, following on a few decades after a certain well documented global pandemic. There are little details smoothly and authentically inserted into the prose, harking back to a way of living recently experienced in our Covid era, which have now become the new 'normal'. Gemmell introduces us to a cast of characters large enough to give plenty of 'what if' moments, but not so many I lost track of them. The opening and early chapters quickly build a chilling and unsettling situation that highlights how individuals and organisations can manipulate governments, who in turn shape and control our lives. There's a truly disturbing realism to this dystopian mystery thriller, especially as two siblings, each working for the UK government in some way, are deliberately used to trap the other.

Reading this book called to mind Patrick McGoohan's 1960s TV series 'The Prisoner' as it has a similar feeling of suspicion, worrying conspiracy theories and controlled lives. The pace grew to an exciting and satisfying resolution, with an unexpected ending and all suspects accounted for. J.C Gemmell has managed to convey a near future so real it could have you bringing your face masks and hand sanitiser out of the cupboard as a precaution against the next big threat to our future global health. Superb writing and editing makes this novel a pleasure to read, and If you enjoy intelligent thrillers, I highly recommend The Fornax Assassin.
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