12 Days of Clink Street: Stars and Waves by Roberto Maiolino

Published December 9, 2022 | By Chris Parish

Laura is a student in Astronomy at the University of Cambridge. Her work on exoplanets – planets orbiting other stars – is largely unnoticed by the scientific community. However, it attracts the interest of a secluded elderly Russian astronomer, Professor Kasparov, on the basis of his own research thirty years ago. He tries to contact Laura and her supervisor, Julia, but dies in mysterious circumstances.

In the attempt to find out more about Kasparov’s old data, Laura and Julia travel across the globe. During their journey, science becomes entangled with poetry, while astronomy gets embroiled with mystery. They face a dark pattern of strange accidents and deaths. Their quest for clues gradually becomes a frantic pursuit through some of the most fascinating and deadly environments.

Will Laura and Julia uncover the truth? The whole truth? And… will they survive to tell the world?

*****

Laura is a PhD student in Astrophysics. Whilst observing some stars, she discovers something important.

However, it isn’t long before she realises that someone doesn’t want this data analysed and when she finds out someone has already mysteriously died, the more in danger she feels she’s in.

Can she get to the truth before she loses her life?

The premise for this book intrigued me and so I was happy to be invited onto the 12 Days of Clink Street to review Stars and Waves.

Laura is a strong, female character. She’s intelligent, compassionate, and easy to like.

The supporting characters are also good and add a lot to the plot. All were well rounded and believable.

The plot was developed well. Although there were no subplots to speak of, the main story kept my attention throughout and there was no point where it dragged for me. It was paced well; the information wasn’t revealed too quickly, and the tension successfully built. I didn’t see the end coming that’s for sure.

If you like stars, crime and mystery, this book is for you. It’s well written, easy to fall into and I very much enjoyed it.

About Roberto Maiolino:

Roberto Maiolino is professor of Astrophysics at the University of Cambridge. He is also Honorary Professor at University College London and Royal Society Research Professor.