Review: The Mistress by Tim Vee | Tech-Noir Science Fiction
Some worlds are built on secrets. On Planet B, those secrets are buried beneath slave labor, corporate control, and a truth powerful enough to shake an interstellar empire.
In this review of The Mistress by Tim Vee, I explore a tech-noir story of espionage, corporate power, and dangerous secrets hidden on a distant mining planet.
Science fiction often asks us to imagine distant worlds, but the most unsettling stories are those that reflect uncomfortable truths about our own. In The Mistress, Tim Vee blends espionage, corporate control, and the shadow of interstellar power into a tech-noir tale set on a remote mining planet in the Proxima Centauri system. When the mistress of a powerful Milpol commander becomes entangled in secrets surrounding a hidden slave colony, survival may depend on uncovering a truth that powerful forces are determined to keep buried.
About The Mistress by Tim Vee
The Mistress By Tim Vee
Published by Tim Vee on 02/14/2026
Genres: Dark Science Fiction
Formats: eBook
Pages: 92
The mistress of an important military police (Milpol) commander is pulled into a world of espionage, corporate tyranny, and danger.
The story is set at a former penal colony on Planet B in the Proxima Centauri system, where the descendants of inmates live as slave quarry workers to the powerful Kantary Corporation, under Milpol control, extracting the valuable ore Gravitite that powers interstellar travel.
Powerful forces are working simultaneously to hide and expose the existence of the slave planet, with the commander's mistress caught in the middle.
Reader resources:
Curious to learn more or see what other readers think? Explore the book below.
View The Mistress on Goodreads
Review at a Glance
| Genre | Tech-Noir Science Fiction | Dystopian Thriller |
| Setting | Planet B, a mining colony in the Proxima Centauri system |
| Length | 144 pages |
| Content Rating | Adult themes |
| My Rating | 4 of 5 stars |
| Quick Take | A gritty tech-noir story of espionage, corporate power, and hidden truths on a distant mining world. |
Content Considerations: This novel contains mature science-fiction themes including corporate oppression, slavery, violence, sexual situations, and political intrigue. The story explores dark elements of power, exploitation, and moral ambiguity within a dystopian interstellar setting.
Here's what separates this book from others in the genre.
My Thoughts
Tim Vee does not soften the harsh realities of life on Planet B. The Mistress is a gritty dystopian science fiction story where slavery, exploitation, and stark power imbalances shape nearly every aspect of daily life. Some scenes are graphic, particularly in their depiction of the sexual dynamics and brutal conditions within the mining colony, which is why I would recommend this novel for adult readers.
Despite the darker tone, the intensity serves the story rather than overwhelming it. The novel leans heavily into the divide between the powerful and the powerless, creating a bleak but believable setting where survival often depends on difficult choices. Although the book is relatively short, it manages to convey themes of despair, hope, and humanity in equal measure. In a setting where power is enforced through fear and secrecy, even small acts of resistance carry enormous weight.
At just 144 pages, The Mistress delivers a short but intense journey into a harsh dystopian world shaped by power, exploitation, and survival. Readers who appreciate darker science fiction and tech-noir stories will likely find this one compelling. In true Tim Vee fashion, the ending leaves some threads open to interpretation, allowing readers to decide for themselves what the future might hold for the characters caught in the shadows of Planet B.
I've read and reviewed several Tim Vee tales. You can find them here.
Before we wrap up, let's learn a little more about the author behind the story.
About the Author
About Tim Vee
Tim Vee works in digital marketing in Toronto and is well-traveled, having visited over 80 countries. When he is not working or writing, he likes to spend time with his family and German Shepherd and go cycling.
He has written fifteen other books, The Secret Policemen and The Secret Service, both dystopian dark comedies, and eight science fiction novels: Extinction, Annabelle, The Three Lives of Mr. Amazing, Fission, The Children of the Third Reich, The Child of Mars, The Children of Andaalwaald, Angel, and Janus.
Tim has also written Magpie - a dark and intense journey into the world of international espionage and terrorism. The Killer Who Loves Me, a suspenseful, thrilling detective story about the hunt for a serial killer; Golden Blood, a dark, gothic vampire story; and Christmas Inc., an anarchic, subversive, and satirical Christmas story.
Thanks for reading - if this tech-noir tale intrigues you, you'll find more info below.
Reader note: The Mistress is also currently available as a free download on Smashwords.
Discover more from Gina Rae Mitchell
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
[…] Review: The Mistress by Tim Vee […]