Reynolds, Alastair -- Pushing Ice

Stand-alone novel about engineers. An Alien Artifact Enters the System and only our hero comet-drillers can reach it. They then have arguments. Reynolds makes a creditable (but not very convincing) attempt at having the backbone of his story be the rivalry between two women, both of whom (being engineers) are sure they know how to deal with everything. The coolness of the alien artifact covers the cracks.

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