When we hear the words science fiction, many of us picture futuristic technology, alien invasions, or galactic empires. But Irv Selman’s Hidden in Plain Sight is different. Yes, it borrows some science fiction motifs, cosmic signals, strange objects, and government investigations, but at its core, it belongs to the larger tradition of speculative fiction.
Speculative fiction allows authors to ask what-if questions that reach beyond genre limits. What if refugees from another world lived secretly among us? What if the stars carried signals meant only for certain people? What if grief and love were forces just as powerful as any alien technology? These questions drive the novel more than gadgets or futuristic science ever could.
A Story Rooted in Wonder and Mystery
The journey of Christopher “Chris” Copper begins with an unexplained childhood encounter: a pulsing black object in the woods. From that moment on, the story balances mystery and suspense with science. Who left the object? Why was Chris the one to see it? And how is his destiny tied to it?
This early seed grows into a narrative that blends investigative work, hidden facilities, and secret government projects. Readers who love a good mystery novel will find themselves pulled along as each layer of truth is revealed.
The Emotional Core of Speculation
Unlike traditional science fiction, which often focuses on technology or space exploration, Selman’s book puts the emotional and psychological journey at the forefront. Chris is not simply trying to solve puzzles about alien life; he is grappling with the meaning of loss, identity, and belonging.
His marriage to Emma, her tragic illness, and the grief that follows provide an emotional backbone. Readers discover that the real mysteries are not only about extraterrestrial signals but about how humans endure heartbreak and still find purpose.
Why Speculative Fiction Resonates
By blurring genre lines, Selman opens the story to a much wider audience. Mystery lovers find suspense and hidden truths. Fans of speculative fiction encounter “what if” scenarios that stretch the imagination. Readers of human drama discover characters whose struggles mirror their own.
That is why Hidden in Plain Sight should not be boxed in as simply a science fiction novel. It is a speculative tale that dares to blend the cosmic with the deeply personal, asking not only what lies beyond the stars, but also what lies within the human heart.