As NASA released this image of a Martian sunset from the Curiosity rover, it reminded me of a scene in my sci-fi novel Mariner Valley when the main character Ben O’Ryan views a Mars sunset from a place north of Vallis Marineris. Read the excerpt below –

“It has been said, and generally agreed upon by those who know, that the loneliest thing known to man is a Martian sunset. Until the first landing on the Red Planet, no one had ever seen a sunset from another world. But from the earliest days of Martian exploration travelers have written of the feelings of utter despair and desolation that occurred when viewing the sun going down from a ship or camp or settlement on the surface. The pinks and reds and oranges retreat in beams to the west and as the darkness moves in to reclaim the land one is reminded of the remoteness of one’s proximity; a darkening, alien world far, far away from Earth and people and home. For Ben, the feeling intensified as he watched the two rovers heading west, into the fading sunlight, trails of dust rising behind them. He watched them through the cold glass until they were beyond the rise, then he watched the dust trails until they, too, were no longer visible.” – from Mariner Valley by James Crawford

Mariner Valley by James Crawford (Amazon description) –

Combining the very best elements of hard science fiction with a suspenseful, action filled manhunt, this novel is an exotic adventure set in a future colonial Mars. Following a trail of destruction across the remote outposts of the Martian wastelands, police vigilantes are eager to exact revenge on a gang of hardened criminals who are desperate to flee justice or fight to the death if cornered. Explore an alien world of breathtaking beauty where death is only a mistake away and love may be found in the most unexpected places. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0141N9UXO

Mariner Valley by James Crawford (Back cover description) –

A gang of desperate outlaws fleeing justice…

An armed posse eager for revenge…

A thrilling chase across the high desert wastelands…of Mars!

This is the setting of James Crawford’s Mariner Valley.

The space-faring nations of Earth have established settlements on the surface of Mars, some separated by hundreds of miles, where advances in science and industry are the order of the day. But technologically advanced societies still have dirty jobs to be done, and the growing ranks of bored and restless workers breeds a growing crime problem.

A high profile murder draws police officer Ben O’Ryan into the adventure of a lifetime. The killers have fled the American settlement at Chryse Planitia in a stolen military vehicle bound for the Russian base at Sinai Planum where they can get a flight back to Earth and safety. Ben’s mission is to catch them before they get there and bring them to justice. With a handpicked team in five similar military vehicles, he sets off into a howling perihelic dust storm to pick up their trail.

Compounding the difficulties of weather, terrain, and isolation, Ben must check a swelling tide of revenge among the officers, including his new love Beth Dailey, who seek vigilante justice for the killers, and threaten to expose a dark secret from Ben’s past.

Full of action, danger, and “makes-you-feel-like you’ve-been-there” details of Mars, the story drives hard to an explosive climax on the floor of the canyon system known as Mariner Valley.

Indulge yourself in exotic adventure! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0141N9UXO

Novels by James Crawford –

Mariner Valley – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0141N9UXO

Seed of Aldebaran – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08SHXTRMP

AlCent Sagas Book One: Formation – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CQ5C3TQT

AlCent Sagas Book Two: Revelation – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D2FRH6Q8

AlCent Sagas Book Three: Investigation – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D5SBFYMW

AlCent Sagas Book Four: Desperation – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D8767LHL

AlCent Sagas Book Five: Confrontation – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D9PPTX6G

A Noble Paradise – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00QG6LZ10

Cover artist Wojtek Kapusta – https://www.artstation.com/kapucha76

Audible narrator Lyle Blaker – https://www.acx.com/narrator?p=AXZPXFQRN07M3