Avon, 1998, $3.99 ISBN 0-380-78914-0, 312 pgs.

For a second book, Matthews has done very well. She gets you involved in the main character, Andrej Ulexeievitch Koscuisko, an Inquisitor for the Bench federation of worlds, as he seeks the truth through inquiry and torture. Yes, the Bench allows torture to get at the truth, and Koscuisko's troubles begin as he heads to Port Rudistal penal colony and continues to press his investigation into alleged wrongdoing.

The trail of bodies lengthens as his security detail attempts to protect him from the authorities. How he goes about unraveling the mystery of war crimes makes for captivating reading.

Although there are no epic space battles or land campaigns, Prisoner of Conscience moves along the back waters of a military-oriented federation. It's not often that you read about sci-fi prisons. This book's a keeper.

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