Alien Minds

"Alien Minds" by E. Everett Evans is a science fiction novel written in the mid-20th century. The story follows George Hanlon, a secret serviceman armed with the ability to read minds, as he navigates an alien culture on the planet Szstruyyah—known to outsiders as Estrella—while attempting to uncover the reasons behind the growing opposition to its potential membership in the Federation of Planets. As Hanlon assumes the guise of a native, the narrative delves into his interactions with the planet's inhabitants, including a merchant and a criminal syndicate. The opening of the narrative introduces Hanlon as he poses as a native Estrellan, engaged in purchasing roches—dog-like creatures that are essential to his cover. Despite his successful disguise, Hanlon remains wary of being discovered as an outsider while he navigates the complexities of haggling and understanding local customs. The text hints at the broader societal issues ongoing within Estrella, with criminal activities on the rise and local politics becoming increasingly fraught. Hanlon's investigation into these elements is interspersed with his unique talent for reading and influencing animal minds, which he plans to leverage in order to forge connections and extract critical information about the opposition to Estrella's federation entry, setting the stage for intrigue and adventure in an alien setting.