This is basically 'High Noon' in outer space, but I really enjoyed both the movie and the novelization. Interesting take, translating this western tale into a futuristic setting. Lone sheriff takes a stand against corruption at the mining facility he is assigned to and the mine's boss hires more thugs to kill the sheriff. Nobody is willing to help the sheriff in his time of need [except for an old curmudgeon doctor], but he is still able to overcome the odds in defeating those coming to kill him.Again, this is looking back through the lens of time, so if I were to read it today I might give it a lower score.