I investigated the first of The Syndicate books because the cover featured a tortured-looking man. I found a wickedly funny story, and have enjoyed both The Syndicate: Volume 1 and The Syndicate: Volume 2. I am delighted that the team of Jones and Woolgrave can sustain the sardonic humor of the first two books as they bring us The Syndicate: Volume 3.

The book features explicit male/male scenes.

The protagonist is Allard, the computer systems specialist, as always. Volume 3 finds Allard and Vaughan, the ship's engineer and nominal captain, preparing to wed, with the rest of the Syndicate (the remaining crew members of the spaceship Mary Sue) entering whole-heartedly into the planning. Of course Allard and Vaughan do not have to tell the crew of their plans to wed, since Harry, the resident voyeur, has bugged their room and made the announcement. Allard bows to the majority wish for a conventional wedding, and does not demur when crewmember Claire states he is the bride, of course.

The wedding is set for a planet and time so that all four parents can attend. The stepson of the bride, Mark, an artificial intelligence computer that Allard built and rescued from a junk heap, in that order, is obviously a part of the new family-to-be. The bride and bridesmaids carefully and hilariously shop for the wedding.

Everything old is new again as Allard and Vaughan wed in a traditional wedding that is funny, sexy, and touching. The writing team of Jules Jones and Alex Woolgrave definitely do not need to give up this series yet.

Reviewed by Catherine H.
December 7, 2004