The Visitor - Tony Harmsworth

The Visitor - hard, near-future science fiction for the reader who likes realism.Specialist astronaut Evelyn Slater encounters a small, ancient, badly damaged, alien artefact (UK spelling) on the first ever space-junk elimination mission. Where was it from? Who sent it?
International governments impose a security clampdown. Evelyn leads a team of hand-picked scientists who make amazing discoveries within the alien device. Secrecy becomes impossible to maintain. When the news is finally released, she becomes embroiled in international politics, worldwide xenophobic hatred and violence.
This is book one of Tony Harmsworth's First Contact series of novels. If you like realistic near-future stories which compel you to imagine yourself as the protagonist, The Visitor is the book for you.
The Visitor - a cracking science fiction story for the 'thinking' reader. Buy it now and be transported into orbit.
Recent review"This is unquestionably the finest first contact novel I have ever read.
"All of the activity that takes place in outer space is realistic, well-informed yet easygoing. It is a completely plausible milieu and this adds considerably to the gravitas and integrity of the plot and its theme.
"The whole first contact scenario is depicted in a fresh, innovative way. By this I mean the technological side of the process of discovery and analysis of the object; and also the nature, integrity and motivations of several pivotal characters. The behavior of other characters, of course, is sadly predictable, because this cannot be changed in any story one expects people to actually believe.
"The way that conflict plays out is enormously satisfying to me."I recommend this book very highly."