In his debut novel KOP, Warren Hammond combines two genres that work so well together: science fiction and hard-boiled noir. For the record, it feels like 70 percent noir, with 30 percent being sci-fi terms and setting. However you split it up, it’s well-crafted, and that’s all you should need to know.

Detective Juno is a crooked and dirty cop, and makes no bones about it, since all the cops on the force on the planet Lagarto are. It’s a way of life for them to survive on their meager pay. He’s not the type who won’t solve a case if he is bought off, but he does take his cut to look the other way.

Juno works the vice squad until a high-profile homicide is dropped into his lap. Along with the murder, he is saddled with a new partner: a woman named Maggie Orzo who’s brand-new to the force.

His former partner – now the chief of police – explains what’s going on with their case: that it might add up to something a lot more than they expected. So Juno and Maggie visit all areas of the planet to find out why an Army officer was killed.

But that’s only part of the greater tale, as Hammond weaves tales of Juno’s rookie days into the story, showing how simple one can be changed by the lure of easy money. This section has a great shock in store for the reader, and insight into other characters.

On his first shot, Hammond has crafted such a great story in KOP, never tipping his hand of what’s to come, and throwing in some great suspense-filled moments and surprise to keep the reader guessing. Sure, there are those “only in science fiction” moments, but that only paints a clearer picture of this planet: once a thriving world of exporters, now a rundown excuse for “offworlders” to get their jollies.

It feels like every time our cops get one step ahead, they move two back, and Hammond leaves the novel open for more installments, although most loose ends are tied up. If you want a change of pace from the typical police procedure novel that’s losing your interest by the page – or if you’re a sci-fi fan who can’t deal with the same tired galactic warrior out to save the world – then KOP will give you a hit of fresh air. –Bruce Grossman

Buy it at Amazon.