Darth Maul: Shadow Hunter by Michael Reaves Hardback, £15.99 Published by Century, 8th of February Buy from Amazon

This latest Star Wars novel covers events leading up to the blockading of the planet Naboo. The pedigree of the author, Michael Reaves, cannot be faulted, which bodes well. An Emmy Award winner, he's written for Star Trek: The Next Generation, Sliders, and co-wrote the very wonderful animated film Batman: Mask of the Phantasm.

Darth Sidious has been dealing with four Neimoidians in the run-up to the blockade. Now, suddenly, there are only three, and no good explanation can be given for where the fourth one is. Suspecting treachery, Sidious sends Darth Maul to investigate.

Actually, 'investigate' is not, perhaps, the best word to use. Maul has to find and kill the errant Neimoidian, Hath Monchar, and anyone he might have spoken to. As Monchar has headed for Coruscant, that could be a lot of people.

Add into the mix a scheming information broker, Lorn Pavan, and a Jedi Padawan, Darsha Assant, on her last mission before becoming a full Jedi Knight, and you have an explosive combination. Of course, the book will deal with loads of extra detail about Neimoidians, Coruscant and the Jedi of the Old Republic, all of which will be welcomed by RPGers.

Preview by Iain Lowson.