A Plague in Paradise by Robert E. Vardeman (
ISFDB,
Wikipedia,
SFE), a 1972 Hugo Award finalist for Best Fan Writer, in addition to being an author in his own right, is the 3rd novel in his Masters of Space trilogy of science fiction space adventure thrillers apparently starring a man on the run after having been framed for thwarting a nefarious plan, and the wealthy socialite who aids and abets him, this installment seeing previous plot points come to a head, as a lingering part of the nefarious plan which involves a virus that could destroy all alien life, as well as a robotics master assassin on their trail, need to be thwarted, too, free for a limited time courtesy of publisher Endeavour Press' Venture imprint.
This was originally published in 1987 by Avon. SFE says these were originally advertised as being in the vein of old school E. E. Smith (of Lensman series fame; which in turn apparently inspired DC Comics' Green Lantern Corps) space operas.
Currently free @
Amazon (available to Canadians & in the UK and pretty much everywhere else Amazon sells worldwide, since this is being done via their KDP Select exclusive-or-else program)
Description
Barton Kinsolving and Lark Veralles are desperately jumping to a random planet to escape the chase of both the Lorr and robotics master and assassin Cameron.
Lark, a weathly socialite, suggests Paradise, a planet that caters to whatever its visitors desire. Kinsolving makes the jump hoping to lay low for a while and evade recapture after escaping imprisonment for the frame-job he was submitted to after smashing Interstellar Materials’ deadly Brain-Burner Plan.
The Plan is a way to eliminate all alien life from the universe. The aliens have been starfaring much longer than humans and human technology and culture is looked down upon as being slow and stupid.
Hell is brewing in Paradise as part of the Plan. The nightmare creation of a DNA-unravelling virus which could destroy all alien life is under way.
Barton Kinsolving has unwittingly chosen the one planet for his escape that holds the next cog in the IM plan.
Cameron and Kinsolving will meet to battle it out yet again. Cameron’s mastery of robotics and cold-hearted strategy will face off against Kinsolving’s sheer will and quick ability to think on his feet.
Will Barton be able to stop the virus? Will the Plan be foiled?