Take the Star Trek transporter/beaming device (and call it "Popping"), toss in a missing person, and add the creator/inventor of the 'popper' and you get the thrilling sci-fi/mystery book, <em>Pop Travel</em>, by Tara Tyler.

A transporter-like device allows for convenient, near-instantaneous travel from one location to another by 'popping.' But just as with any other mode of transportation, there are some dangers, with some problems unique to popping - including a traveler potentially being turned to a pile of ash.

J.L. Cooper is a private investigator who isn't a fan of pop travel, but when he discovers a video of a traveler dying due to a malfunction, he wants to raise awareness of the issue. But pop travel is big business and big business doesn't want word to get out of the dangers. While Cooper investigates, the FBI sends agent Geri Harper to keep an eye on Cooper. Cooper heads to the source, the inventor of pop travel, to try to learn the inherent dangers, but the inventor is the stereotypical, quirky, scatter-brained genius. Who would believe him?

This is a fun book and just right for a quick diversion for those who look for some fast-paced sci-fi/mystery for beach or travel reading. The book has some solid mystery, interesting characters, and science fiction that is probably already familiar to most sci-fi readers, and just a dash of romance to keep things interesting.

I had a lot of fun here, though this isn't the sort of book that will necessarily stay with me for a long time, but not every book needs to be like that. Entertaining is sometimes just the right thing. I look forward to reading more in this series and more by Tara Tyler.

Looking for a good book? <em>Pop Travel</em> is a good science fiction mystery by Tara Tyler and the perfect beach read.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.