Peter Grant has started a new series set in the same universe as his excellent Maxwell Saga, called “Cochrane’s Company”.  Its first book, The Stones of Silence, is a great read.

The secret is out – the Mycenae system is the hottest new mineral find in the spiral arm. Now it’s about to become ground zero in a gold rush by every crooked company and asteroid thief in the galaxy.

Andrew Cochrane, with his crew of the finest veterans and cunning rogues, have an even better scheme. They’ve conned the owner into hiring them as a mercenary security company to defend the system. With no oversight but their own, Cochrane’s Company plans to seize the richest pickings for themselves.

But nothing ever comes easy. If they want to keep their loot, they’re going to have to outwit and outfight every smuggler, bandit and renegade after the same prize – and their boss, too!

Stones of Silence spins the tale of how a group of people come together to create a new space-based security enterprise, and the conflicts that arise as they work to secure their first contract and make their fortunes.

Grant is a consumate storyteller.  If you’ve enjoyed his Maxwell and Laredo series, you’ll love this one.  He takes his time to flesh out his characters and their world, while at the same time weaving a story full of intrigue.

I’m definitely looking forward to reading the rest of the series.