Double Contact

A doctor must find a diagnosis to save an alien species from extinction in this “splendid series” of science fiction adventures ( Kirkus Reviews ). The empathic insectoid surgeon Dr. Prilicla, a veteran of the galaxy’s top-tier hospital for years, is put in command of an expedition answering three distress beacons. What he finds is two hitherto-unknown intelligent species, one of which has nearly wiped out the other. And he also finds evidence of a botched first contact—along with a rare opportu