Manna Francis Boeken

Every silver lining has a cloud After the revolution, stability returns for most of the citizens of the European Administration. Revolution has delivered a little more freedom, if not as much as its architects hoped. Some, however, are finding that change also brings more complications and fresh dangers. For Para-investigator Val Toreth, the Investigation and Interrogation Division isn't quite the home it used to be. With a reduced investigation team, fractured relationships, and political uncertainly about the future, the last thing he needs is trouble from someone else's family, or unexpected news from his own. Keir Warrick has enough to deal with, too, as financial uncertainty threatens his virtual reality corporation. SimTech might turn out to be the least of his worries, though, as a family reconciliation turns into a fight for survival. Someone is tying up loose ends, and if Warrick digs too deep for the truth, could he become one of them? The personal becomes political and professional, as family history delivers present danger. And even a socioanalyst can learn something new about family values--for certain values of family. The seventh book in the Administration series contains the novel Family Values and two further short stories set in the near-future dystopia of New London.

In a near-future dystopia, socioanalysts wield immense power, capable of manipulating actions and careers. Val Toreth, a para-investigator, is assigned to work with Carnac, a socioanalyst tasked with uncovering anti-Administration sentiments, complicating his relationships with allies. As tensions rise, the narrative explores themes of manipulation, loyalty, and the complexities of personal connections. This installment includes the novella "Game" and nine short stories featuring Warrick and Toreth navigating new challenges in their precarious world.

In a world where corporate intrigue reigns, Val Toreth, a para-investigator, takes on a seemingly straightforward favor for his friend Liz Carey, only to uncover a web of fraud, sabotage, and murder. As he navigates the treacherous landscape of powerful corporations, Toreth faces not just dangerous secrets but also the complexities of his relationship with Keir Warrick. This sequel to Mind Fuck expands on their dynamic through a novella and five short stories, set against a dystopian backdrop that explores justice in a corrupt society.

There are no bad guys or good guys. There are only better guys and worse guys.One of the worse guys is Val Toreth. In a world in which torture is a legitimate part of the investigative process, he works for the Investigation and Interrogation Division, where his colleagues can be more dangerous than the criminals he investigates.One of the better guys is Keir Warrick. His small corporation, SimTech, is developing a "sim" system that places users in a fully immersive virtual reality. A minnow in a murky and dangerous pond, he is only beginning to discover how many compromises may be required for success.Their home is the dark future dystopia of New London. A totalitarian bureaucracy controls the European Administration, sharing political power with the corporations. The government uses violence and the many divisions of the feared Department of Internal Security to maintain control and crush resistance. The corporations fight among themselves, using lethal force under the euphemism of "corporate sabotage," uniting only to resist attempts by the Administration to extend its influence over them.Toreth and Warrick are more natural enemies than allies. But mutual attraction and the fight for survival can create unlikely bonds.

Both Resourceful and Decorative. It's set to be a busy autumn in New London and beyond. With the ripples of the revolt still running through the European Administration, Val Toreth is slowly settling into the new flat he shares with Keir Warrick. But on orders from the very highest levels of the Administration, Toreth finds himself leaving his regular beat far behind and heading over the Atlantic to Washington D.C. Without his usual team or his authority as a Para-investigator to back him up, Toreth is caught up in a world of politics, diplomacy, and religion far outside his experience. Worst of all, he's stuck with an unexpected and very unwanted companion on his trip. Can he keep his cool and win through when international reputations are on the line? Back in New London, Investigator Barret-Connor is called on to deal with a case that lies outside the traditional areas of interest of the Investigation and Interrogation Division-the unexpectedly dangerous world of Europe's music corporations. With dark secrets hidden behind the PR-groomed public facade, both his professional skills and conscience will be tested. The eighth book in the Administration series contains the novellas Innocent Blood and For Your Entertainment, and continues the lives of now partially domesticated Para-investigator Val Toreth and somewhat harried corporate director Keir Warrick."