Police Your Planet

by Lester Del Rey

"Police Your Planet" by Eric Van Lhin is a science fiction novel written in the mid-20th century. The story follows the main character, Bruce Gordon, as he navigates the gritty landscape of Marsport, a city rife with crime, corruption, and social decay. Gordon finds himself sent to Mars as part of a dubious assignment, where he has to adapt to the harsh realities of life on the planet while grappling with his past and the expectations of the Solar Security office. The opening of the novel introduces Bruce Gordon during his journey to Mars, where he is marked as a "traitor" for exposing governmental scandals. As he disembarks, he quickly assesses his new environment—a slum-like area filled with poverty. Gordon's immediate goal is survival, but he carries the weight of his troubled past and Ministry orders to act as an informant. Events unfold that make it clear he will need to rely on his wits and experience in law enforcement to navigate the treacherous dynamics of Marsport’s criminal underbelly. The rich world-building is reinforced by vivid descriptions of the desolate Martian landscape and the interactions with various characters, setting the stage for Gordon's journey toward a deeper involvement in policing the chaotic world he has entered.