This is my first John Birmingham. I don't know what his other work is like, But I had one helova good time reading Emergence. It is gritty and exciting. I couldn't put it down.

The Safety officer on an Oil Rig Dave Hooper is an aging hellraiser on the downward spiral to even warmer climes. Dave's world shifts on it's axis when he shows up to work (hungover of course) and steps into pandemonium. Except it isn't a blow out or an oil fire. "It"........ he's not sure exactly WHAT it is, but it sure aint human.

And it and several of it's friends have killed or eaten several of Dave's friends. Dave takes this personally. Being too hung over and too pissed off to realize taking on a whatever the hell this is probably doesn't do much for his life expectancy Dave takes on the monster and much to his surprise is the last one standing.

Dave Hooper isn't especially likable. It is easy to see why he is a divorced all-but-deadbeat-dad. But his transition from hellraiser to hero is so compelling it was impossible not to invest in his character. I can't wait for the next one.