Rating: 
Summary: Start of a Very Good Trilogy
Review: The three books in Peter F. Hamilton's Greg Mandel series were written before his "Night's Dawn" series. I'm not certain of this, but they seem to occur in the same universe as that series, just at a MUCH earlier time. Regardless, this series is excellent. What's especially nice, is that, for the most part, each of these books stands alone. You still need to read them in order, but none of them ends in a cliff-hanger requiring your reading of the next. Unfortunately, each of these books has a few fairly explicit sexual situations described in them. The amount of sex increases as you move from book to book. If it weren't for that, I'd recommend these books for everyone.
"Mindstar Rising" is the first book in the series. It's a very good, fast-paced sci-fi action thriller. The book introduces all the important characters and the "universe" used throughout the series. For the most part, the character development is good. I have a few qualms about a character or two suddenly being more capable than they are during the majority of the book, but that's mostly inconsequential. The plot, too, is very good. However, the transition between the first, introductory, situation in the book and the primary situation could have been worked better: it seems contrived. But, I might be seeing that solely because I've read the book four times now.
"A Quantum Murder" is the second book in the series. This book takes place about three years after "Mindstar Rising." Instead of being the science-fiction action thriller that the first book is, it's more of a science fiction mystery. It's a close call, but I think this book is slightly better than "Mindstar Rising." Once again, there's good character development, but this time, the plot is somewhat more tightly put together. I've only got a couple of quibbles: first, in one scene, Mandel's psi powers inexplicably include actual telepathy instead of just the empathy described in "Mindstar Rising." And, second, after the characters find out who the murderer is, instead of sending the police out immediately, they close up shop for the night and say they'll do it in the morning. Other than that, this is an excellent book which shows the origins of a lot of the technology in the "Night's Dawn" series.
"The Nano Flower" is the third, and final, book in the series. The various dates specified in the book don't quite agree, but, in general, it seems to takes place about 16 years after "A Quantum Murder." Like "Mindstar Rising," it's a sci-fi action thriller. Like "A Quantum Murder," it further develops technologies that Hamilton uses in his "Night's Dawn" series. Also, as in "A Quantum Murder," Mandel's psi-powers have once again expanded. Of the three books, this is probably the best. It's a hard comparison to make since the second book is more of a mystery and this book more of an action-thriller. But, in general, I'd say there's an incremental improvement in these books as you move through the series (all of them are very good, though).
Rating: 
Summary: Marvellous, one of the best I've read for a very long time
Review: This book is the debut novel by Hamilton, and it definitely kick starts the career of what seems to be one of SF's hottest new writers right now. The place is 21st Century England, in the days after the Global Warming, the Credit Crash, and the People's Socialistic Party (PSP). The protagonist is Greg Mandel, an ex-Army veteran of the Mindstar Battalion, a special force of people infused with a gland that enables them to "see" what other people feels (or alternatively, see into the future). He is hired by the company Event Horizon, to clear up a mysterious leak in the company. This investigation takes him to many places, and to the final confrontation with the villain, Kendric di Girolamo.This book has it all: good characterization, a very thorough world-building, a good scientific base, and lots of suspense.
Rating: 
Summary: So-So
Review: This book started out strongly, but ended weakly. The vision of the future is interesting, typically dark. The characters are unbelieveable at times. One woman, for all practical purposes was a former Amish woman later becomes extremely sophisticated in the ways of the world. This seems highly unlikely. Overall a average read. I don't think I'll read any more in the series. Mostly a detective series in the far future.
Rating:
Summary: Don't be put off by the slow start
Review: This book starts off slowly, with a LOT of detail about world of the future -- its energy sources, climate, economy, etc. As a result, the narrative does not advance quickly in the first 100 pages. But stick with it, because the story becomes quite good as it goes along. The characters in the book are very good, the dialogue is excellent, and the pace really begins to move about mid-way thru the book. The climax is particularly good as all the plot threads and characters fall into place. One warning -- Hamilton is VERY pro-capitalist in this book -- big business is great, corporations will be the saviors of the future, etc. It's somewhat reminiscent of Heinlein; socialism comes in for a real beating in the story. If this would put you off, you'd probably not enjoy the book.
Rating:
Summary: James Bond Plus Biotech in Cyberspace
Review: This is the first volume of the Greg Mandell Techno-Merc Trilogy (followed by "A Quantum Murder" and "The Nano Flower"; all three of which are great reads. Set in 21st Century Great Britian, all three books are every- thing that fans of Biotech, Cyberspace, International and Inter- commercial Espionage could ask for. With excellent plot lines and well detailed characters, One could ask for little else in a high tech, edge-of-your-chair, can't put it down tome!
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