Blindside
A Novel
Published on 21. May 2026
Book
Paperback/Softback
384 pages
978-0-06-343379-3 (ISBN)
Description
Colonel Carl Butler charges back into the world of military crisis, corporate malfeasance, and intergalactic mystery in the action-packed fifth Planetside novel from science fiction master Michael Mammay.
Carl Butler has returned to his home planet from the moon Taug and is looking forward to some rest and relaxation. But following two mysterious deaths connected with the Taug mission, he realizes that the intruders that recently set off his home's security system might be looking to add him to the death toll.
Having been Butler's muscle on numerous missions, Mac is no stranger to getting involved with mysteries that should be none of his business. So when the daughter of one of his gym members goes missing, he offers to help. Mac assumes she's a simple runaway, but the case turns out not to be so clear-cut. Wondering if these strange occurrences are somehow related, Butler-along with Mac, Ganos, and the rest of his small crew-once again finds himself neck deep in intrigue.
As the clues for the various cases begin to intertwine, Butler sees the hand of an old enemy at work, and...well...he's never been one to sit back and wait for something to happen. Gathering the team, he heads off across the galaxy to confront his suspects head-on.
But this time, they're waiting for him.
Carl Butler has returned to his home planet from the moon Taug and is looking forward to some rest and relaxation. But following two mysterious deaths connected with the Taug mission, he realizes that the intruders that recently set off his home's security system might be looking to add him to the death toll.
Having been Butler's muscle on numerous missions, Mac is no stranger to getting involved with mysteries that should be none of his business. So when the daughter of one of his gym members goes missing, he offers to help. Mac assumes she's a simple runaway, but the case turns out not to be so clear-cut. Wondering if these strange occurrences are somehow related, Butler-along with Mac, Ganos, and the rest of his small crew-once again finds himself neck deep in intrigue.
As the clues for the various cases begin to intertwine, Butler sees the hand of an old enemy at work, and...well...he's never been one to sit back and wait for something to happen. Gathering the team, he heads off across the galaxy to confront his suspects head-on.
But this time, they're waiting for him.
Reviews / Votes
"Mammay's pulse-pounding combo of sci-fi mystery and military SF is sure to thrill series readers along with anyone who enjoys the voice of his jaded, flawed, and fascinating characters." - Library Journal (starred review)"In Planetside Mammay mixes a brevity of prose with feeling of authenticity that would be remarkable in many experienced authors, let alone in a debut novel. Definitely the best military sci-fi debut I've come across in a while." - Gavin Smith, author of Bastard Legion and Age of Scorpio
"Darkside is Mammay's best yet. Nearly nonstop action interspersed with ratcheting tension, humor, and scenes that provoke a fist-pumping YES! Highly recommended." - Craig Alanson, author of the Expeditionary Force Series
"Planetside is a smart and fast-paced blend of mystery and boots-in-the-dirt military SF that reads like a high-speed collision between Courage Under Fire and Heart of Darkness." - Marko Kloos, bestselling author of the Frontline series
"Highly recommended for military sf lovers, who will savor his perspective and probably want to buy the man a drink." - Library Journal (starred review)
"A tough, authentic-feeling story that starts out fast and accelerates from there." - Jack Campbell, New York Times bestselling author of Ascendant, on Planetside
"Not just for military SF fans-although military SF fans will love it-Planetside is an amazing debut novel, and I'm looking forward to what Mammay writes next." - Tanya Huff, author of the Confederation and Peacekeeper series
"Wow, just wow. This was another exceptional book from Mammay, who has once again produced a fantastic science fiction thriller hybrid with some amazing moments in it. [...] Spaceside is an incredible second outing from Michael Mammay, who has a truly bright future in the science fiction genre." - Library Journal
"A tough, authentic-feeling story that starts out fast and accelerates from there."
- Jack Canfield
"Not just for military SF fans-although military SF fans will love it-Planetside is an amazing debut novel, and I'm looking forward to what Mammay writes next." - Elisa Albert, author of After Birth
"A fast-paced tale of military investigation that reads like a blend of Jerry Pournelle and NCIS. Michael Mammay brings an exciting and authentic voice of experience to military science fiction."
- Peter Glassman, Books of Wonder
"The book was an enjoyable read and would likely sit well with any fan of military SF looking for an action-thriller to browse while lying in the sun at the beach." - Chris Kraus
"This was a brisk, entertaining novel. [...] I was reminded a bit of some of John Scalzi's Old Man's War novels." - Artsfile
"If Cold Welcome and Old Man's War had a love child you might get something like PLANETSIDE. And it would be, and is, pretty damn awesome. I would say it's awesome for a debut novel, but that isn't nearly praise enough. It's just plain awesome." - Romantic Reading Escapes
"Mammay capably writes Butler's gritty, old-school soldier's voice, and the story delivers enough intrigue and action for fans of military SF." - Publishers Weekly
"Planetside, the debut novel by Michael Mammay, is an easy book to love. [...] a page-turner and an extremely satisfying read." - Washington Book Review
"If you like military SF you'll love this or if you like SF mysteries or probably just SF in general. It's a highly impressive first novel that left a real impact." - SF Site
"This was a brisk, entertaining novel. [...] I was reminded a bit of some of John Scalzi's Old Man's War novels." - SFFWorld
"If you like military SF you'll love this or if you like SF mysteries or probably just SF in general. It's a highly impressive first novel that left a real impact." - SFCrowsnest
"If Cold Welcome and Old Man's War had a love child you might get something like PLANETSIDE. And it would be, and is, pretty damn awesome. I would say it's awesome for a debut novel, but that isn't nearly praise enough. It's just plain awesome." - Reading Reality
"A fast-paced tale of military investigation that reads like a blend of Jerry Pournelle and NCIS. Michael Mammay brings an exciting and authentic voice of experience to military science fiction."
- Peter McLean, author of Priest of Bones
"Spaceside is a worthy sequel to Planetside and Mammay once again successfully delivered another highly entertaining page-turner. The cleverly mixed mystery and military sci-fi element made this relatively small book packed with a strong impact, and I highly recommend it to readers who are looking for a fast-paced mystery/sci-fi read." - Historical Novel Society
"This is another wonderfully addictive, fast-moving book from Michael Mammay. Corporate intrigue, interplanetary politics and military action are blended into a cohesive whole that is both satisfying and great fun." - Science Fiction Weekly
"Generation Ship is a ferocious story of human desperation, boiling with tension and betrayal." - Sunyi Dean, author of The Book Eaters
"The idea of generation ships is not a new one in SF, but Mammay's approach and style are unique. Fans of James S. A. Corey's Expanse series (2011) will enjoy this one." - Booklist (starred review)
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
New York
United States
Publishing group
HarperCollins Publishers Inc
Dimensions
Height: 135 mm
Width: 204 mm
Thickness: 25 mm
Weight
296 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-06-343379-3 (9780063433793)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Person
Michael Mammay is a retired army officer and a graduate of the United States Military Academy. He has a master's degree in military history and is a veteran of more wars than he cares to remember. He lives with his wife in Georgia. He is the author of the Planetside series, The Misfit Soldier, The Weight of Command, and Generation Ship.