Title: Hal Spacejock: Second Course
Author: Simon Haynes
Publisher: Fremantle Arts Center
Date: March, 2006
Format: Paperback, 365 pages
ISBN-10: 1921064668
ISBN-13: 978-1921064661

Book two in the Hal Spacejock series by Simon Haynes is as good as the first. Maybe better.

I know what you're thinking: "No way! Even better?"

Indeed. As much as I loved the first book, I couldn't help but notice its complete lack of carnivorous apes. I mean really, what's a sci-fi pulp-fiction spoof romp without a hulking, hairy, orange, carnivorous ape?

And what about the hyper-cheerful, Douglas-Adams-esque laptop? Or the lecherous evil gadget genius? Not to mention the "down on her luck, tough as nails but sweet on the inside" girl...

Apparently, Haynes was just saving them for book two. It's like he read my mind.

In Hal Spacejock: Second Course, Hal's luck is finally taking a turn for the better. He's picked up a bona fide job with an actual paying client. If he can bring the cargo in on time, a whole new world of opportunity will open up to the crew of the Volante.

But serious jobs come with serious enemies, and the CEO of cargo competitor Curtis Freightlines is out to sabotage the delivery.

Enter the tough but desperate Sonya Polarov, less than twenty-four hours away from being deported from Union space. CEO Rex Curtis promises to protect her from her immigration problems if she can delay team Spacejock by just a few precious hours.

The job sounds simple enough, but Sonya isn't counting on carnivorous apes, or cheerfully obsequious laptop computers, or the indomitable Clunk—Hal's sidekick robot with enough brains for two and an unflagging loyalty that would put even Lassie to shame.

Get ready for one hilarious ride as Spacejock applies his own special flare to the task at hand: deliver the cargo and win the girl, by any means necessary.

Hal Spacejock: Second Course and the rest of the Hal Spacejock series is readily available throughout Australia and can be purchased in the U.S. at Powells Books.