The Reading Bud

Book Details:

Author: E.F. Nordmed
Release Date: July 14, 2025
Series:
Genre: Cozy Mystery, Science-Fiction
Format: E-book 
Pages: 184 pages
Publisher: –
Blurb:
Stout works as a tech by day, saving up money to achieve his dream of leaving the planet. His plans are thrown in disarray when he’s asked to look for a missing college student, Andrew, and he quickly finds himself over his head while looking for answers. He reaches out to his old flame, Yasmeen, who works on the police force for help.
Yasmeen is unhappy with the corruption she sees in her job, but is trying to change the force from the inside. When Stout asks her for aid, she’s hesitant to assist his amateur investigation, but when he’s falsely framed for murder and kidnapping knows she has to get involved.

Can they navigate Corporate Security agents, industrial spies, and the criminal underground to rescue the student and clear Stout’s name before it’s too late? Will they be able to stay true to their values in a world that rewards corruption? And will they let their feelings for each other reignite, or will the world get in their way?

Review

E.F. Nordmed’s Market of the Never Setting Sun is a refreshing entry in the sci-fi mystery space. It’s a novel that blends the grit of corporate corruption and industrial espionage with the charm of a cozy mystery’s slower, character-driven heart. At its center is Stout, a weary but determined tech worker saving every penny for his dream of leaving the planet. That dream is derailed when he’s asked to track down a missing college student, Andrew, a seemingly simple favor that spirals into a dangerous web of intrigue.

One of the novel’s greatest strengths is its atmosphere. The titular market feels vibrant and lived-in, a place where technology, trade, and corruption intersect beneath the glow of a sun that never sets. Nordmed balances worldbuilding with accessibility, never bogging the reader down in jargon but giving enough detail for the setting to feel tangible.

The character dynamics are equally engaging. Stout is a reluctant hero, stumbling into danger out of obligation rather than ambition, which makes his growth believable. His rekindled connection with Yasmeen, the police officer caught between her moral compass and a corrupt system, adds depth both to the plot and to the emotional stakes. Their relationship feels authentic and the tension between their personal bond and the larger mystery keeps the narrative engaging.

Thematically, the novel resonates. Questions of justice, integrity, and survival in a system built on exploitation underpin the mystery. The story doesn’t shy away from pointing out how corruption seeps into institutions meant to protect, but it does so with a cozy tone that makes the critique approachable rather than bleak.

The prose itself is straightforward and effective, but at times leans on exposition when showing would have been more immersive. Still, Nordmed’s clean writing style makes the book highly readable, and the lighter touch aligns well with the cozy sci-fi niche it occupies.

Market of the Never Setting Sun is a thoughtful, atmospheric sci-fi mystery that stands out for its grounded characters, morally resonant themes, and cozy but suspenseful tone. It’s a satisfying, engaging read that will appeal to fans of sci-fi with heart, mystery with conscience, and stories that ask what it means to hold onto your values in a world that rewards corruption.

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