Lion Loose

by James H. Schmitz

"Lion Loose" by James H. Schmitz is a science fiction novel written in the early 1960s. The story unfolds in a futuristic setting aboard the Seventh Star Hotel, a space hotel dealing with a decrease in guests and a looming crisis. The main characters include Quillan, a rugged young man with a mysterious past, and Reetal Destone, a resourceful woman with expertise in industrial espionage, who find themselves amid danger as they uncover plots involving a powerful criminal organization and a deadly creature known as a Hlat. At the start of the novel, the Seventh Star Hotel appears to be on the verge of collapse, with rumors of an impending disaster as guests become increasingly aware of hidden dangers. Quillan and Reetal’s rendezvous brings tension as they discuss urgent matters, including a criminal scheme involving the hotel, the arrival of the luxury liner "Camelot", and the destruction planned by the Brotherhood of Beldon. As they navigate alliances and impending threats, they uncover a convoluted plot involving rest wardens, suspicious characters, and a creature with the ability to manipulate its surroundings. The opening sets a suspenseful tone as the characters strategize to thwart disaster before it's too late.