Code of Conduct, a science-fiction mystery/thriller by Kristine Smith, is altogether enjoyable and interesting, if a bit rough in places. As Smith's first novel, it shows she has considerable promise in the field.

In true spy fiction style, Code of Conduct has a long, involved, and intriguing backstory that constantly threatens to rise up and bury our protagonist, Jani Kilian. Indeed, Jani spends at least as much time fretting about her past as worrying about her present and future.

Interesting aliens, a human protagonist

And there is quite a bit of weaving involved. In addition to the background story, Code of Conduct features the idomeni, an alien race, whose culture adds several significant plot wrinkles.

While this is not the sort of alien characterization which will be forever remembered in the annals of science fiction -- nor really interesting enough to hang an entire novel on -- Smith's use of the idomeni works well as one hook of many, capturing the reader's interest but not overpowering the rest of the story.

Furthermore, Jani Kilian herself is a very refreshing character. We see the great majority of the action from her perspective, and so it is important that the reader can empathize with her. Embittered without becoming emotionless, fallible without being ridiculous, she feels very human.

Like many heroes of spy stories, she is also impressively competent, but Smith avoids the ridiculous extreme which reduces the protagonist from a person to an omnipotent plot device. In Kilian, we have a character who is competent enough to survive, but human enough to like.

Receding into the background

This is not to say that Code of Conduct is without flaws. Most notably, the rich background material eventually overwhelms the book's ostensible main mystery and plot.

It's not precisely that the Smith's plot is boring, it's just that the relatively ordinary political intrigue and crime pale in comparison to the epic events she used to set the stage.

In the same vein, the setting was a bit over-full -- we get lots of interesting technical gee-whiz exposition about the "paper system," for example, but then its actual use as a plot point end up buried in a few quick sentences. Likewise, Kilian's relationship with the aliens, while potentially very interesting, never really goes anywhere.

The writing is also a bit uneven. While Smith largely succeeds in portraying a rich, complex world, she sometimes tries a little too hard, and the detail goes from interesting (the idomeni's customs about food) to overwhelming (the livery colors of the Families).

Still, Code of Conduct is an achievement to be proud of. It's involving and original, and shows technical prowess at writing that belies its status as a first novel.

While not a cliffhanger in the exact sense, Smith's ending leaves open a strong possibility of a sequel. Perhaps the most telling praise I can give this book is that I'd be excited and eager to read the sequel if it appears.