Transient City by Al Onia

With its moving city, psychotic villains, conspiracy around every corner and a likeable hero, Transient City by Al Onia has a bit of everything.  While definitely a science fiction novel, being set on the planet of Lodan, it has an atmosphere more reminiscent of an old Humphrey Bogart or James Cagney film noir.

Cursed or blessed (depending on how things are going at any given time) with a perfect memory for everything he sees, hears and smells, Victor Stromboli is a crime scene Witness for the Lodan Security department.  He lives on the fringes of society in an aerial sub-city of tarpaulin chambers, barely scraping by on infrequent work.

That all changes when he gets involved in a new investigation which brings Victor back into contact with his first love, Kathy, who is trying to find her husband.  What follows is a thrilling ride that builds well thanks to a very competent piece of writing.  It is difficult to say much without giving away various parts of the plot but with several murders, assassins out to silence Victor and Kathy, big business lurking in the background and the odd act of sabotage here and there, it really is a rollercoaster.

The world building is very good and so descriptive that you can almost feel the city moving or the ache that comes from wrestling with the Grapplers all day - a favourite aspect for me were these tenacious plants that become a menace whenever the city stops. The way the inhabitants move from one city to another was also ingenious.

All in all an enjoyable read - not too long and easily accessible to anyone who feels like giving it a try, be they out for a good science fiction novel, a gripping crime story or just something a little different.  One I would definitely recommend.