The Clockwork Traitor

Family d'Alembert #3

by E.E. "Doc" Smith, Stephen Goldin

TIME BOMB

Jules and Yvette d'Alembert had faced challenges before - but rarely one as daunting as this. To them fell the perilous task of infiltrating a vicious conspiracy which threatened to destroy the Stanley dynasty and throw the whole of interstellar civilisation into chaos.

Now, as rival candidates from all corners of the galaxy gather for the Progress, the two most daring space super-agents of all time go into action. For among the suitors competing to be consort to the royal heiress of the Empire of Earth, there is a traitor. And somewhere close to the Princess, a time bomb is ticking...

Genres: Science Fiction, Fiction, Space Opera, Espionage, Action, Science Fiction Fantasy

157 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1977

About the author

Edward Elmer Smith (also E.E. Smith, E.E. Smith, Ph.D., E.E. “Doc” Smith, Doc Smith, “Skylark” Smith, or—to his family—Ted), was an American food engineer (specializing in doughnut and pastry mixes) and an early science fiction author, best known for the Lensman and Skylark series. He is sometimes called the father of space opera.

Reviews

[Kevin O'Brien · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the Third in a 10 novel series which was mostly written by Stephen Goldin. Doc Smith wrote a novella called Imperial Stars which Goldin expanded into the first novel, and then Goldin wrote another 9 novels in a long story arc. But Smith is the famous one, so his name appears in large letters everywhere and Goldin is barely mentioned.

The setting is a universe where a Russian Feudal system has somehow become the dominant mode of government and of the language, so we see Russian words sprinkled throughout the conversations. Humanity has spread to a number of planets with varying characteristics. One of these is DesPlaines, a high gravity planet whose inhabitants have adapted by becoming shorter and stockier, and which has developed a unique attraction, The Circus of the Galaxy. What people don't know is that this circus is also a key part of the secret service SOTE, the Service Of The Empire. This allows for an interesting twist for space opera, a series where the heroes do not have secret weapons or super powers, merely acrobatic training.

In this novel the threat they deal with is an android robot that looks perfectly human. It was developed specifically to appeal to the Crown Princess, who is going around the Empire to meet and assess possible consorts, and the idea is that this robot will capture her heart and be the enemy within when she ascends to the throne. Jules and Yvette d'Alembert, top agents of SOTE, must find out which of the suitors is the robot and stop this plot. The book is fast-paced and a good combination of space opera with spy thriller. But since this a 10-novel story arc, each novel builds on what went before, so do not read them out of order.

[Robert D · Rating 2 out of 5]

Brother and sister Jules and Yvette d'Alembert are two of the best agents of SOTE (Service of the Empire). There's the faintest bit of evidence that some sort of plot is afoot that would endanger the imperial princess on her lastest social event of finding a suitable husband. Jules and Yvette are assigned to the grouping to provide protection. Meanwhile the rest of the d'Alembert family, in the guise of the greatest traveling circus known. Hunts up more information on what sort of threat is involved.

Not one of the better books in the series so far. It's really pretty easy to guess the what part of the threat. The who part was a bit harder. I thought there was too much going on with the circus finding out information, rather than focusing the story on Jules and Yvette.

[Frank Carver · Rating 4 out of 5]

Following my feelings of disappointment on reading the previous book in the series, I was reassured by the way the overall story and background developed in this third instalment. The threat is once again significant to the whole empire, and requires all the skills of the two D'Alembert siblings, assisted in this story by many of their relatives.

Still not really up to the galaxy-spanning space-opera of the lensman and Skylark series, but at least it has some potential.

[Peter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely a good read but a little obvious with it's plot points. Took a bit to get started too.

[Pandit · Rating 4 out of 5]

What the heck! Nonsense, but nostalgic if you read the books in the 70's, and terrific fun.

[Matthew Custer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Robots, space chases, a princess to be saved, what is not to love.

[Pam Hoffman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great action and loving the series this is part of.

[Peter · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good old fashioned SF

[ricky]

Very good

The d'Alemberts find out that it is not only humans that they are up against and that they are very hard to spot. I am really enjoying reading this series again.