Title attributed to Andre Norton

Search for the Star Stones

& Omnibus for the Zero Stone series (aka) Murdoc Jern

Contains ~

v The Zero Stone (1968) * Published by Viking, HC, LCCN 68016065, 286pg ~ cover by Robin Jacques

v Uncharted Stars (1969) * Published by Viking, HC, LCCN 69013080, 253pg ~ cover by Robin Jacques

Bibliography ~

¯ (2008) * Published by Baen, HC, 1-416-55599-4, $24.00, 400pg ~ cover by Bob Eggleton

¯ (2010) * Published by Baen, PB, 978-1-4391-3337-8, LCCN 2008027067, $7.99, 432pg ~ cover by Bob Eggleton

Synopsis ~

“The Zero Stone” Murdoc is the son of Hywel Jern, a former prime assessor to a sector boss of the Thieves' Guild who bought out when his patron was assassinated. Hywel migrated to Angkor and married the daughter of a local hock-lock operator. Shortly after the marriage his in-laws and many others in the vicinity of the port, died from disease brought by a plague ship, but Hywel and his wife survived and even performed some of the necessary governmental functions during the emergency. Some five years later, Angkor became a hub for interstellar trade in that sector and the Jern business thrived through Hywel's many off-world contacts, both legal and illegal, but he maintained a low profile, operating from the same modest hock-lock. One day, the first officer of a spaceliner brought in a ring with a dull stone that was found in interstellar space, far from any star, on the finger of a spacesuited corpse. The crude stone is plain and cloudy, but has a remarkable hardness. The stone gives an impression of great power to Hywel and Murdoc, but not to the rest of the family. Hywel is obsessed with the stone and arranges an apprenticeship for Murdoc with Vondar Ustle, a master gemologist who searches for new sources of precious stones, so that Murdoc can search for more information on the ring and stone. Hywel is well satisfied with his life as apprentice to Vondar and, when he returns for a visit, finds that he no longer fits into his family. One evening, Hywel stays home to conduct some business while the rest of the family goes to a party. Leaving the party earlier, Murdoc returns home to find his father tied to his chair, bloody and dead. Murdoc takes the ring and stone from its hiding place and leaves his home forever.

“Uncharted Stars” Murdock Jern and his mutated cat-companion Eet journey all the way to dread Waystar. Planetary stronghold of the Thieves’ Guild. For to find the secret of the Zero Stone - and Eet’s origin - they must recover the legendary star map. Pillaged from the tomb of a long-dead civilization, and key to the treasures of an awesome empire.

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