''Memory Prime'' is a ''

Star Trek: The Original Series ''Star Trek'' is an American science fiction television series created by Gene Roddenberry that follows the adventures of the starship and its crew. It later acquired the retronym of ''Star Trek: The Original Series'' (''TOS'') to distinguis ...

'' novel written by

Judith and Garfield Reeves-Stevens Judith and Garfield Reeves-Stevens are a ''The New York Times, New York Times''-bestselling husband-and-wife writing/producing team. In June, 2013, at the Constellation Awards ceremony in Toronto, the writing couple were honored with the Constell ...

. It was their first work in the ''Star Trek'' universe.

Plot

'Memory Prime' is the name of a planet home to artificial intelligences called 'Pathfinders'. These beings help Federation personnel, including Commander

Montgomery Scott Montgomery "Scotty" Scott is a fictional character in the science fiction franchise ''Star Trek''. First portrayed by James Doohan in the original ''Star Trek'' series, Scotty also appears in the animated ''Star Trek'' series, 10 ''Star Trek' ...

's old flame, Lt. Mira Romaine, sort the information coming from all over Federation territory. This is intended for the project, Memory Prime, an attempt to undo and avoid a repeat of the fate of the previous archive, Memory Alpha, which was profoundly damaged by malevolent incorporeal beings (in the episode, "

The Lights of Zetar "The Lights of Zetar" is the eighteenth episode of the Star Trek: The Original Series (season 3), third season of the American science fiction television series ''Star Trek: The Original Series, Star Trek''. Written by Jeremy Tarcher and his wi ...

"). The planet is also the host to a current series of scientific award ceremonies. Unfortunately the visitors are being stalked by a killer and

Spock Spock is a Character (arts), fictional character in the ''Star Trek'' media franchise. He first appeared in the Star Trek: The Original Series, original ''Star Trek'' series serving aboard the starship USS Enterprise (NCC-1701), USS ''Enterprise ...

is being accused of being part of a Vulcan terrorist cell, the Adepts of T'Pel.

Production

The book was written by

, a married writing couple who had worked together on a series of science and technology textbooks in Canada prior to ''Memory Prime''. They had decided that they no longer wanted to write textbooks. After watching '' Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home'' in a cinema in New York they wondered if there were ''Star Trek'' novels, and they got in touch with

Pocket Books Pocket Books is a division of Simon & Schuster that primarily publishes paperback books. History Pocket Books produced the first mass-market, pocket-sized paperback books in the United States in early 1939 and revolutionized the publishing in ...

. The duo submitted a series of story ideas, and the publishers selected ''Memory Prime''. The entire correspondence between the authors and the publishers was conducted by post, with no in-person meetings. It was their first work in the ''Star Trek'' universe, and they would go on to write behind-the-scenes book, a collaboration with

William Shatner William Shatner (born March 22, 1931) is a Canadian actor. In a career spanning seven decades, he is best known for his portrayal of James T. Kirk in the ''Star Trek'' franchise, from his 1965 debut as the captain of the starship USS Enterpri ...

and eventually write episodes for ''

Star Trek: Enterprise ''Star Trek: Enterprise'', titled simply ''Enterprise'' for its first two seasons, is an American science fiction television series created by Rick Berman and Brannon Braga. It originally aired from September 26, 2001, to May 13, 2005 on Uni ...

''.

Reception

The novel reached the ''New York Times'' Best-Seller list in 1988. Mary P. Taylor, in her book ''Star Trek: Adventures in Time and Space'', described ''Memory Prime'' as "an exciting mystery and satisfyingly complex story with a lot of action and strong character development." Taylor (1999): p. 349

Notes

References

External links

{{Memory Alpha, Memory Prime Novels based on Star Trek: The Original Series 1988 American novels American science fiction novels