Although it doesn't live up to the praise lavished on it by such sci-fi masters as Arthur C. Clarke and Greg Bear, Mars Underground is a serviceable tale of life, work, and mystery on a near-future Mars. The year is 2031, and biologist Alwyn Stafford has disappeared during one of his unusual solo excursions into the desert. On his trail are Carter Jahns, reporter Annie Pohaku, and Phillipe Brach, Mars's artist-in-residence. Jahns learns that Stafford hasn't met a tragic end at all; rather, he has deliberately vanished. As the mystery unfolds--and the sexual tension between Jahns, Pohaku, and Brach peaks--it becomes clear that humans aren't the first visitors to the Red Planet.


From Library Journal
In his first novel, astronomer and planetary scientist Hartmann writes about human and alien civilizations on Mars in 2031. After biologist Dr. Alwyn Stafford goes off alone to explore the Martian landscape and disappears, the ensuing search discovers an alien artifact. This good character study explores relationships among humans and the planet Mars in the tradition of Clarke's 2001: A Space Odyssey. Recommended for sf collections.Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Booklist
A scientist vanishes into the Martian desert. Did he simply get lost? Or has he stumbled upon something he was not supposed to see--something that will forever change the way we think of the Red Planet? Mars Underground is a science-fiction mystery, but readers expecting something like Isaac Asimov's Elijah Baley novels--police procedurals set in the future--will be in for a surprise. Hartmann, a scientist involved in the planning of two NASA missions set to explore Mars, has created a mystery that is more science than fiction. Unlike many novels by scientists, however, this one does not feel like a scientific treatise posing as fiction. Hartmann is an excellent storyteller, and his well-developed characters, intriguing mystery, and seamless incorporation of important scientific information all contribute to a rich and satisfying adventure. Recommend the novel to fans of both science fiction and mysteries and to anyone caught up in the current interest in Mars. David Pitt


From Kirkus Reviews
First novel from the Mars astronomer and author of textbooks and popularizations. In 2031, biologist Alwyn Stafford, the Grand Old Man of Mars, takes a dune buggy into the desert to examine an artifact that turns out to be an old Russian probe, Mars-2; soon afterward, he disappears. Organizing the search for Stafford is troubleshooter Carter Jahns; also tagging along are artist-in- residence Philippe Brach (he's built a Martian replica Stonehenge) and leggy journalist Annie Pohaku. Carter determines that Stafford must have been picked up and flown to the South Polar Research Station. But why the faked disappearance and cover-up? Well, when Carter, Philippe, and Annie arrive at the pole to inquire, they're stonewalled and held incommunicado by neo-cold-warrior Doug Sturgis. Stafford--he's alive, of course--and company have discovered an alien artifact, 3.2 billion years old, buried at the pole. The artifact activates itself, causing tremors, then firing a projectile into space. Facts and philosophizing by the ton, but tepid dramatics, a wispy plot, and no suspense at all: a ponderous workhorse of a yarn. -- Copyright ©1997, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.


Analog, Tom Easton
Hartmann's great strength is his portrayal of Mars, the setting and atmosphere. He's not bad at pacing and he's clever in his alien mystery.


Review
An exciting depiction of the coming decades on Mars--and some of the surprises that might await us."--Buzz Aldrin

"Handsomely written."--Ray Bradbury

"Hartman brings Mars to life in a way few others have."--Greg Bear



Book Description
2032. The human race has established colonies on Mars. For years Dr. Alwyn Stafford researched its biggest mystery: Did life evolve on the Red Planet? The answer, except for simple, long-dead microorganisms, was no.

Now retired, Stafford stubbornly continues his quest. Rumors say he's been going farther than ever before into the Martian deserts.

Then he goes out and doesn't return. As the search for him grow, it becomes apparent that the old man found something that will forever change humanity's place in the cosmos...



From the Publisher
"Given Bill Hartmann's gifts as a writer and artist on astronomy, it's no surprise that his first novel, Mars Underground, conveys such a realistic and exciting view of the future presence of humans on Mars." --Arthur C. Clarke "Hartmann brings Mars to life in a way few others have." --Greg Bear "Handsomely written." --Ray Bradbury "An exciting depiction of the coming decades on Mars--and some of the surprises that might await us." --Buzz Aldrin


About the Author
William K. Hartmann, first winner of the Carl Sagan Medal, is the author of the novel Mars Underground and many highly regarded popular and academic scientific works; his photo-essay book, Desert Heart, is a hauntingly beautiful testament to the Southwest he loves. A planetary scientist, he lives in Tucson, Arizona.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

2032. The human race has established colonies on Mars. For years Dr. Alwyn Stafford researched its biggest mystery: Did life evolve on the Red Planet? The answer, excpet for simple, long-dead microorganisms, was no.

Now retired, Stafford stubbornly continues his quest. Rumors say he's been going farther than ever before into the Martian deserts.

Then he goes out and doesn't return. As the search for him grows, it becomes apparent that the old man found something that will forever change humanity's place in the cosmos....

FROM THE CRITICS

Denver Post

[Hartmann's] description of the Martian landscape is expert. He doesn't stop with science. An intriguing mystery and the struggles of love and jeaalousy make a well-rounded novel.

Kirkus Reviews

First novel from the Mars astronomer and author of textbooks and popularizations. In 2031, biologist Alwyn Stafford, the Grand Old Man of Mars, takes a dune buggy into the desert to examine an artifact that turns out to be an old Russian probe, Mars-2; soon afterward, he disappears. Organizing the search for Stafford is troubleshooter Carter Jahns; also tagging along are artist-in- residence Philippe Brach (he's built a Martian replica Stonehenge) and leggy journalist Annie Pohaku. Carter determines that Stafford must have been picked up and flown to the South Polar Research Station. But why the faked disappearance and cover-up? Well, when Carter, Philippe, and Annie arrive at the pole to inquire, they're stonewalled and held incommunicado by neo-cold-warrior Doug Sturgis. Stafford—he's alive, of course—and company have discovered an alien artifact, 3.2 billion years old, buried at the pole. The artifact activates itself, causing tremors, then firing a projectile into space.

Facts and philosophizing by the ton, but tepid dramatics, a wispy plot, and no suspense at all: a ponderous workhorse of a yarn.

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING

Hartmann brings Mars to life in a way few others have. — Greg Bear

Given Bill Hartmann's gifts as a writer and artist on astronomy, it's no surprise that his first novel, Mars Underground, conveys such a realistic and exciting view of the future presence of humans on Mars. — Arthur C. Clarke

Handsomely written. — Ray Bradbury