Rating: 
Summary: Slow build-up, but a great ending
Review: Infinity Beach is a really, really interesting book. McDevitt has successfully melded a mystery, a love story, and some very good social and sci-fi commentary in a way that is both surprising and rewarding.The first half of the book sets up the mystery. The main character, Kimberly Brandywine, becomes increasingly involved with the 25 year old disappearance of her sister, Emily. Emily had gone on one of the few interstellar missions at that time still looking for first contact. The mission had returned early and unsuccessfully because of engine trouble. Emily ended up missing just a few days later after a still-unexplained explosion ripped the side of a mountain off, decimating the city she was visiting. There are considerable overtones of possible first contact in this part of the story. But McDevitt lets us chew quite a while on the possibility that life on earth might be unique; a question not often considered in this genre. McDevitt does not stress this question overly much. Instead, he spends significant time inspecting the societal impact on humans in a future where, after considerable effort, no contact has been made with any type of lifeform other than from earth. Every world humans have visited have so far proved completely sterile. In Infinity Beach, humans have given up on finding other life, at least within their lifespan. The society he describes has slowly relaxed into a world of virtual pleasures and work-free luxury. The only negative I had with Infinity Beach was that at this point, about mid-book, the story has slowed down quite a bit; if you feel like quitting here, keep going (it will be worth it!)! The second half of the book builds the suspense as Kim gets closer to answers. A love story and more scifi elements get involved when she follows the path of Emily's last voyage. Quite a ways from the end of the book, McDevitt starts providing some answers to the mystery and all its threads. These last hundred pages produce a number of great plot twists, and are fun (in a couple different ways) and depressing (in a couple other ways!) all at the same time. Infinity Beach is one of those rare books that does not just "stop" on you. The conclusion to the story winds down at a very nice pace, giving plenty of time for the reader to consider the consequences of the characters actions, evaluate the state of the human race, tie-up various hanging threads in the story line, and to "detach" from the story. The slow buildup at the beginning of the book seemed finally worthwhile, as the end reciprocated in a similar and very rewarding fashion. Infinity Beach is a great sci-fi book, with a lot of elements and pacing that are rare in the genre. Highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: Slow build-up, but a great ending
Review: Infinity Beach is a really, really interesting book. McDevitt has successfully melded a mystery, a love story, and some very good social and sci-fi commentary in a way that is both surprising and rewarding. The first half of the book sets up the mystery. The main character, Kimberly Brandywine, becomes increasingly involved with the 25 year old disappearance of her sister, Emily. Emily had gone on one of the few interstellar missions at that time still looking for first contact. The mission had returned early and unsuccessfully because of engine trouble. Emily ended up missing just a few days later after a still-unexplained explosion ripped the side of a mountain off, decimating the city she was visiting. There are considerable overtones of possible first contact in this part of the story. But McDevitt lets us chew quite a while on the possibility that life on earth might be unique; a question not often considered in this genre. McDevitt does not stress this question overly much. Instead, he spends significant time inspecting the societal impact on humans in a future where, after considerable effort, no contact has been made with any type of lifeform other than from earth. Every world humans have visited have so far proved completely sterile. In Infinity Beach, humans have given up on finding other life, at least within their lifespan. The society he describes has slowly relaxed into a world of virtual pleasures and work-free luxury. The only negative I had with Infinity Beach was that at this point, about mid-book, the story has slowed down quite a bit; if you feel like quitting here, keep going (it will be worth it!)! The second half of the book builds the suspense as Kim gets closer to answers. A love story and more scifi elements get involved when she follows the path of Emily's last voyage. Quite a ways from the end of the book, McDevitt starts providing some answers to the mystery and all its threads. These last hundred pages produce a number of great plot twists, and are fun (in a couple different ways) and depressing (in a couple other ways!) all at the same time. Infinity Beach is one of those rare books that does not just "stop" on you. The conclusion to the story winds down at a very nice pace, giving plenty of time for the reader to consider the consequences of the characters actions, evaluate the state of the human race, tie-up various hanging threads in the story line, and to "detach" from the story. The slow buildup at the beginning of the book seemed finally worthwhile, as the end reciprocated in a similar and very rewarding fashion. Infinity Beach is a great sci-fi book, with a lot of elements and pacing that are rare in the genre. Highly recommended.
Rating: 
Summary: more of a whodunnit, than a sci-fi book
Review: Infinity beach started great, but by the middle of the book it has transformed itself from greatness to below mediocre. The ideas of meeting a new alien race and what happens with humans first contact with another species just seem to get left behind. The book turns into a giant space mystery, there's too much detective work going on and not enough science fiction. I also had trouble believing the technology presented in the book, I believe humans would have alot more advanced technology then is presented. I do like how the AI aspect of things are presented. I also believe the further our technology progresses, the easier it will become to use. The characters are fairly good. You actually feel for this woman and her problems. I found myself wanting to find out what the conclusion to the story was, no matter how boring it was to find that out. There are other side characters that you meet and while they're not as interesting as her, they do add something to the book. Overall this book is good if you want something that is more of a mystery novel with a little bit of sci-fi tossed in for good measure.
Rating: 
Summary: Compelling reading
Review: Jack McDevitt's books are as much mystery as science-fiction, and this time, the mystery is a doozy. Is humanity really alone in the universe? If it isn't - where are the aliens?
Infinity Beach follows the quest of Kim Brandywine to discover the truth about her clone-sister Emily's disappearance. Uncovering all sorts of clues and attracting all sorts of danger once she begins, Kim comes to realise that Emily's disappearance is connected to a devastating secret. That secret links mysterious events on her home planet Greenway and a mission sent out in search of aliens twenty-odd years ago.
One of the things I like best about McDevitt's books is how real his characters are. You may cringe at the way they behave, but you know that's exactly how people can be. Shocking things happen, but McDevitt does not dwell on them gratuitously, and there is always a satisfactory resolution, with all loose threads tied up.
Infinity Beach has all these elements, plus some exciting action sequences and McDevitt's usual imaginative plotting. It was definitely compelling reading. The one complaint I have is something picked up by other reviewers: that Kim's motivation for engaging in actions so radically out of character is never really made clear. But it was a minor flaw in an otherwise wonderful book.
Rating:
Summary: An interesting character led first contact book
Review: Jack McDevitts books often have a cosyness about them which charms the readers along. This is no exception. Released as 'Slow Lightning' in the UK, it is another good quality book by an author who can spark his readers interests in chess, ancient history or contemporary literature. Not quite as good as Standard Candles, but on a par with A Talent for War and Engines of God. I would by more on the strength of this book alone.
Rating: 
Summary: Interesting Plot, Unlikable Characters
Review: Man has looked to the stars since walking on two legs, and wondered what or who is out there. This novel is set hundreds of years in the future and man has explored countless planetary systems and never found life. A woman investigates the mysterious incident of her clone sister who disappears after returning from an unsuccessful SETI mission.
McDevitt once again writes a novel with an interesting plot. The problem is that the characters are some of the most self-centered, bland people I've ever read in a story, except for maybe some of his other novels. The main character continually makes the most selfish, self-serving decisions that are supposed to be uplifting and based on high ideals and yet they seem to endanger all of humanity. Luckily however the main character clears up her personal demons.
McDevitt can wrote good plots but the characters are completely unlikable and I not sure that this is intentional.
Rating:
Summary: Mystery and Science-Fiction
Review: Many of Jack McDevitt's novels revolve one way or another around mystery, and 'Infinity Beach' probably more than the others plays like a detective story, and a good one this is. The usual strong points of McDevitt's writing are clearly present here: clean prose and an magnificent control of the plot: Every chapter reveals just the necessary elements to maintain or build the tension. I particularly liked the pace of the novel, being quite patient and slow moving but never dragging, my interest was always kept high. Also, as with other McDevitt stories, alien artifacts are present but not in the common forms or ways. Old ideas appear but in a fresh and attractive way. One of the aspects I would have liked to see more developed was the future where the story occurs. We get to see some glimpses of that society but not its inner workings, what was really driving humankind in this imagined future?; It would not have bothered me to read some more detail but well, one cannot have everything. All in all, 'Infinity Beach' is such a good mystery novel that when I read one of the blurbs of the novel written by Stephen King it seemed to me quite appropriate.
Rating: 
Summary: Great idea, poor execution
Review: McDevitt is a master of creating a mystery of cosmological proportions. When he is on, as for "Engines of God", the result is a poignant expoloration of the human condition within the context of the universe. Unfortunately, Infinity Beach falls quite short of these expectations. The beginning is wonderful, but then the execution of the idea fails. Character development is pedantic, and more time is spent on the actual footwork of solving the mystery, rather than developing the main theme of the novel. In short, the characters were un-memorable and it was a struggle to finish the book. If you want to experience the author at his best, my opinion is that you should read Engines of God.
Rating:
Summary: The Siren Call of the Unknown
Review: McDevitt, as is his habit, has written one of his best stories yet about First Contact, an area in which he excels and not for the usual reasons. There are few face to face confrontations, no big battle scenes or cases of alien-human love stories. No, these are tales of scientists and explorers trying to come to grips with perhaps the most important question yet - are we alone? And once that's answered the next question arises - Where do we go from here?
Like his other books, a strong female is the lead. Kim reminds one a humorous and somewhat naughty "Hutch". But despite the occasional flippancy this is a very serious work, one that moves slowly like the latter organ symphonies of Widor that build upon previous themes all toward a majestic conclusion. BEACHES is, without a doubt, his most philosophical work in both questions asked and answers given. For once, he does not introduce too many minor characters but close to the subject. The genius of the novel is the way it expands from an almost insignificant event that recalls an unsolved disappearance. The story expands to not only a search for alien life but to a broad examination of human actions. The scene where the sister is recovered is second only to the last glimpse of Solly as he prepares to sacrifice himself for the woman he loves. The writing is intelligent, almost poetical at times. McDevitt has outdone himself with this almost perfect mystery which uses science fiction only as one element to further the tale. Highly recommended!!
Rating:
Summary: The Siren Call of the Unknown
Review: McDevitt, as is his habit, has written one of his best stories yet about First Contact, an area in which he excels and not for the usual reasons. There are few face to face confrontations, no big battle scenes or cases of alien-human love stories. No, these are tales of scientists and explorers trying to come to grips with perhaps the most important question yet - are we alone? And once that's answered the next question arises - Where do we go from here?
Like his other books, a strong female is the lead. Kim reminds one a humorous and somewhat naughty "Hutch". But despite the occasional flippancy this is a very serious work, one that moves slowly like the latter organ symphonies of Widor that build upon previous themes all toward a majestic conclusion. BEACHES is, without a doubt, his most philosophical work in both questions asked and answers given. For once, he does not introduce too many minor characters but close to the subject. The genius of the novel is the way it expands from an almost insignificant event that recalls an unsolved disappearance. The story expands to not only a search for alien life but to a broad examination of human actions. The scene where the sister is recovered is second only to the last glimpse of Solly as he prepares to sacrifice himself for the woman he loves. The writing is intelligent, almost poetical at times. McDevitt has outdone himself with this almost perfect mystery which uses science fiction only as one element to further the tale. Highly recommended!!
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