The Astronaut's Son

A Novel

by Tom Seigel

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Pub Date Sep 01 2018 | Archive Date Nov 30 2018

Woodhall Press

Literary Fiction | Mystery & Thrillers

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Description

Thriller and suspense Foreword Indies Winner! 2019 Connecticut Book Awards Finalist! ? On the eve of the 50th Anniversary of the Moon Landing comes a novel in which a Jewish astronaut must reassess his moral compass when forced to confront NASA’s early collaboration with Nazis and the role it may have played in his father’s death. Jonathan Stein, the CEO of Apollo Aeronautics, is an ambitious polymath who has spent a lifetime determined to accomplish two tasks: First, to complete his father’s unfulfilled mission to reach the moon, and second, to forge a relationship with the reclusive Neil Armstrong. Despite a heart condition, he’s on the verge of his first goal, but has gotten nowhere with the second. Armstrong has never responded to any of Jonathan’s dozens of letters. Avi Stein was an Israeli pilot specially chosen to command Apollo 18 in 1974, but suffered a fatal heart attack before launch. Now, months from being able to realize his father’s dream, Jonathan discovers a “lunar hoax” conspiracy website offering a disturbing reason for Armstrong’s silence: He knows Jonathan’s father didn’t die of natural causes. While researching his father’s last days in the National Archives, Jonathan expects to confirm the official cause of death, but what he uncovers instead is a motive for murder. To get to the truth, Jonathan must confront Dale Lunden, his father’s best friend and the last man on the moon.

Thriller and suspense Foreword Indies Winner! 2019 Connecticut Book Awards Finalist! ? On the eve of the 50th Anniversary of the Moon Landing comes a novel in which a Jewish astronaut must...

A Note From the Publisher

Also available as an eBook (ISBN: 978-0-9975437-9-7).

Advance Praise

“Seigel’s solid debut provides an intriguing and plausible variant on moon landing conspiracy theories…Equally strong on plotting and characterization, Seigel does better than many other thriller writers in making his lead’s pain and uncertainty about the past palpable.” - Publishers Weekly

Available Editions

EDITION	Other Format
ISBN	9780997543780
PRICE	$25.95 (USD)

Additional Information

Average rating from 26 members

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Featured Reviews

Rekha R, Reviewer

Blurb:
Jonathan learns about his heart condition. His dad, Avi Stein suffered a fatal heart attack just before the launch of Apollo 18, the mission in which Avi was chosen to command. Thirty years later, Jonathan reveals his moon mission to the press and the public.

After his father's death, Jonathan tries to keep in touch with Neil Armstrong, the first man to walk on the moon. But Neil never replies to any of Jonathan's letters. Jonathan has two tasks in his mind - one, to complete his father's unfulfilled moon mission and two, to meet Neil Armstrong.

Jonathan and his wife, Susana learn about a conspiracy theory involving Avi Stein. They learn of a website - eclipsedtruth.com - where the nemesis Cassandra promises to unveil the truth behind the moon landing of 1969. Jonathan is disturbed after reading about the 'alleged truth' behind his father's death.

With the help of his friend ZuDu, Susana, Dale Lunden (his father's best friend) and Helmut, Jonathan decides to solve the mystery behind Neil Armstrong's quiet life and Avi Stein's death.

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My Opinion :

From finding Neil Armstrong to National Archives to the German scientists working in NASA, this fast-paced fiction is one of the best books that I have ever read.

Hatred towards the Semitics was prevalent during the World War. Jews were tortured in the concentration camps. How were the Nazi scientists helpful to the NASA? What was their role in the moon mission?

Conspirators make a valid point. And Jonathan wants closure. Will the secrets of friends and families be revealed? Or, will the secrets be taken to their grave?

Each and every character in the book play an important role in unraveling the truth. From best friends to secret affairs to guilt, I liked the way the characters are portrayed in this book. Susana is a loving wife, who does anything and everything to support her husband, emotionally and otherwise. Dale Lunden plays the role of a good friend, who is ready to do anything to help his friend. Also, Dale has always been there for Jonathan, as a guide, and as a father figure. Jonathan, a good husband, and a loving son reminiscing about the times he spent with his father among other things.
The ending is excellent. The element of twist and surprise, in the end, is the best part of this book. This book has everything in it - conspiracy theory, mystery, science, and technology. Highly recommended to all those who love a good read!