Burnout is an SF mystery about a Space Shuttle disaster that turns out to be no accident.

As the true scope of the conspiracy is gradually uncovered by the principal investigators, "Crash" Murphy and Dr. Mike Anders, they find themselves running for their lives, as lovers, friends and coworkers involved in the investigation perish around them. What happened to the Shuttle? Who is responsible for the disaster and why? Why is the government calling it an accident? Why is someone willing to kill to keep it a secret? And how big is the conspiracy? An exciting action techno-thriller, Burnout will leave you on the edge of your seat, not wanting to put it down.

REVIEW

"...I’d say Osborn’s debut novel, Burnout, is a must for hard SF fans, conspiracy theorists, Area-51 fans, anyone who simply likes a good murder and chase story and those paranoid types who think the government is always watching and after you. You know I’m talking to you… sitting right there and reading this while looking out your window every time you hear a bump or scratching sound. I see you looking. Sneak out, now, while they are changing shifts and go buy this book for clues on how to remodel the inside of your house to keep them from listening in on your conversations."

Reviewed by: Ethan Nahte
www.popsyndicate.com

EXCERPT

"Look! There it is!" Sally cried excitedly, pointing into the western sky, and all but jumping up and down. "Crash! Isn't that it?" she asked her brother-in-law.

"Yeah, Sally, I--" Crash did a double-take and looked carefully at the blazing spark as it shot through the black velvet sky, then gave an equally-quick glance at Hamilton Carter. "Ham, have they got a re-entry DTO on this flight?"

"No, Crash--I see it, too," Ham replied tightly, forehead creasing with worry. "Listen... can I use--"

"Cell phone here," Crash scooped the instrument off the corner of the picnic table and shoved it into Carter's hands as he looked back up. "Damn, Jet, get it in gear, buddy!" he exclaimed with increasing concern.

"What's wrong, Crash? What's happening?" Jimmy asked his worried brother, as the flaming speck, growing larger and larger, flew almost directly overhead. Smaller sparks could now be seen peeling off the main object.

"Dammit! Jet, flare out! Break it out! NOW!!" Crash began shouting into the sky. Tracy, the "fourth team" relief FAO, was frozen, staring upward in shock, and Ham stood stiffly, head tilted back, listening silently to the cell phone he held to his ear. They all watched dumbly as the white-hot streak shot by overhead and disappeared behind the house, trailing flaming sparks in its wake.

Crash ran around the house to the front, trying to keep the airborne conflagration in view, and the others followed. "Damn, Jimmy, she's comin' in hot," he belatedly answered his little brother. "Jet's not bleeding off velocity in the roll reversals like he's supposed to..." Crash paused, horrified. "Not that it looks like it would do much good, anyway..."

The gathered celebrants watched in stunned disbelief as the fireball plunged toward the southeastern horizon, flickered, and burned out.