A Sentinel's Guide

Zine
Title:	A Sentinel's Guide
Publisher:	Whatever You Do, Don't Press
Editor(s):
Date(s):	1997-1998
Series?:	Yes
Medium:	print
Size:
Genre:
Fandom:	The Sentinel
Language:	English
External Links:	online
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all five issues have the same cover (differentiated by volume #), by Pat Cash

A Sentinel's Guide is a gen anthology with fiction by Kristine Williams. All covers are by Pat Cash. The stories all take place in the same universe and progress chronologically. These were originally net-published and quite influential in early TS fanfic (the first were posted before 1997). They coined some fanon.

Her fiction is online here.

Issue 1

A Sentinel's Guide 1 was published in May 1997 and contains 180 pages.

• A Test ("Jim attacks Blair for no apparent reason, then has no memory of the occurrence. In the face of this mystery, he must trust himself and his partner long enough to find the source of this unexplained loss of control, before it's too late.") (1)
• Victims ("Sandburg, Darryl and the wife of another officer are taken hostage by three men determined to win their cousin's release from prison. Since the case is personal, Ellison, Captain Banks, and Detective Mike Jenkins are removed from the negotiations. Jim is forced to rely on his still- uncertain Sentinel senses, and the resourcefulness of his captive partner.") (also in Concrete Jungle) (17)
• Avalanche ("A much-needed ski vacation suddenly meets with tragedy as an avalanche traps the inhabitants of a small ski lodge in the Cascade mountains, injuring several skiers and claiming one life. But the problems don't end when the snow comes to rest...it would seem the victim was murdered before the snow began to roll, and Sandburg may be the only witness.") (also in Concrete Jungle) (35)
• Scapegoat ("When a professor is murdered, all evidence points to Sandburg as the killer. Banned from the investigation, he's forced to rely on Jim to clear his name, and save their friendship.") (also in Concrete Jungle) (67)
• Retribution ("Lee Brackett returns, having escaped from Federal custody, to seek his revenge on Jim and Blair. Kidnapped, chained to Blair, and lost ... Jim must fight to control his Sentinel abilities in order to use them against a ruthless, and cunning adversary.") (105)
• Legend ("Jim accompanies Blair to a small research station in the San Juan Islands when his partner is asked by the University to retrieve the body of one of his students who was killed in a diving accident. What he finds when he arrives suggests the young woman was murdered.") (also in Concrete Jungle) (136)

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 1

[A Test]: Good straightforward story. Interesting idea, executed with attention and fun. [Victims]: Good. It is nice to see stuff set earlier in the series, looking at how things develop, nice to see Jim wondering, hey, how much do I know about this guy, nice to see Blair being scared-but-brave. [Avalanche]: Solid adventure and character stuff. I just relax and enjoy. [Scapegoat]: Not so much a whodunit as a how-did-they-do-it. I was actually worried for Blair at some points. (smile) [Retribution]: The Return of Lee Brackett. The only thing wrong with this is, really, Lee Brackett's revenge motivation. I can see him doing game-playing (and that was well set up) but I can't quite see that character (as we saw him in the series) actually wasting his time with revenge when there is power and money to be gained by doing something else. But then again, maybe I simply don't understand revenge. Anyway, if LB were to do a revenge, the way he does it here is probably a very LB way of doing it. So it's just a little quibble. Everything else here flows nicely. I liked the thing with the white-noise generators, nifty idea. [Legend]:Solid adventure, with some nice caring bits - though one starts to wonder if Jim has spider-senses instead of hyperactive senses, since someone Jim doesn't like usually ends up as the villain. But that's story logic for you - after all, it wouldn't do for somebody nice to be wicked, would it? Though I take it all back, because I didn't figure out who was framing Blair in Scapegoat until it was pretty obvious. Another addendum: this story was nominated in the 2000 Cascade Times Awards in the "It could have been an episode" category.

Issue 2

A Sentinel's Guide 2 was published in May 1997 and contains 201 pages.

• The Game ("During a routine investigation, Jim is again confronted by his adversary - Lee Brackett. Only this time, the rogue agent is targeting Jim's friendship with Sandburg. Using the younger man as a decoy, Brackett hopes to insure Ellison's distraction, long enough to complete his own agenda.") (1)
• Steal ("Going undercover as a Safecracker has its advantages, when the suspects are drop-dead gorgeous. But when Jim's senses take control during the heists, causing him to zone-out at dangerous times, he's forced to rely completely on his new partner in crime - Blair Sandburg.") (31)
• Cypher: Missing Scene ("Fill-in scene to The Sentinel episode #105, Cypher.") (71)
• Babylon ("While investigating a suicide in a high-rise building, Jim finds evidence to suggest the millionaire victim was murdered. When he and Sandburg become trapped inside, they have to work against time, and unseen obstacles, to escape the snare they've stumbled into.") (79)
• Choices ("When Sandburg accidentally overhears Simon urging Jim to end the partnership, the uncertainty builds into something he can no longer hide. Sensing his partner's emotional stress, Jim arranges for them to take a weekend off - a weekend that forces both men to confront their fears.") (103)
• Recovery ("A "missing scene" to The Sentinel episode #212 Blind Man's Bluff. Blair recovers in the hospital after having nearly killed every cop in the precinct while overdosed on Golden.") (124)
• Shadow of a Doubt ("Lee Brackett has been caught, and put on trial. When the stress of testifying puts a strain on Sandburg, Jim assures him nothing could possibly give this jury a reason not to convict. Only he can't stop Brackett from finding the one and only loophole that secures his temporary release. Knowing he's been targeted, Blair vanishes in order to protect Jim, putting them both in deadly jeopardy.") (147)

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 2

[The Game]: Good, but, darn, is Lee Brackett an immortal? [Steal]: Good. Nice foreshadowing of Sentinel Too in the thoughts of Our Guys. Good sense stuff. Good character stuff. [Babylon]: Good standard crime mystery... though maybe the villains are a bit too obvious. The murder nicely spotted by Jim, though, as a detective. [Choices]: Good character piece - both their misgivings, I'm so glad is isn't just a "Blair has no confidence" thing. Both of them are human beings with doubts, darn it. Nice fun things there, and ends with a... (!) (smile) [Shadow of a Doubt]: This was really good. Not only a courtroom drama, but an emotional rollercoaster (and post-courtroom drama). Desperation and hopelessness and courage. And, indeed, relief (in the end). Addendum: nominated for favourite long story in the 2001 Cascade Times Awards.

Issue 3

A Sentinel's Guide 3 was published in November 1997 and contains 183 pages.

front cover of issue #3

sample page from issue #3

• Mistake ("A routine body-guard assignment becomes a nightmare when Sandburg is mistaken for the man they're protecting.") (1)
• Flashback ("An unplanned trip to Mexico ends in a plane crash that leaves Ellison and Sandburg struggling through a tangled jungle. Triggered by the similarity of the situation, Jim is haunted by memories of his crash in Peru and the deaths of his team members.") (81)
• Thanks, Jim (117)
• Target ("Jim saves Blair from a sniper's bullet, but when that bullet kills a female officer instead, both men find themselves targets in the Precinct. Someone takes that vengeance to deadly heights.") (120)
• Identity Crisis (176)

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 3

[Mistake]:Very good. (I think this author gets better as she goes along). Danger, and aftermath. Ultimatums and changing minds. And a deft and delicate touch of the psi. I like the symmetry of how, when Jim has finally realized that he does need Blair with him, Blair had decided that Jim was originally right, and Jim has to persuade him otherwise.[Flashback]: Good again! Good characterisation, good description, a satisfying bit of Jim-angst. I like how this author does a good Jim as well as a good Blair. Most people seem to concentrate on Blair. [Target]: Very interesting group dynamics - and personal dynamics. Blair gets analytical - but insufficiently introspective. Misunderstandings ensue. Very good. [Crash/Thanks Jim]: A short, indeed. Just a good helping hand. Nice (but tastefully so). [Identity Crisis]: A what-if nightmare, and some emotional reassurance. Very good.

Issue 4

A Sentinel's Guide 4 was published in March 1998 and contains 196 pages.

cover of issue #4

• China White ("Much to his embarrassment, Blair becomes victim of a robbery at the University when artifacts he is unpacking are stolen for the cocaine hidden inside them. During the investigation, Jim is dangerously exposed to the drug and loses all control of his Sentinel senses, and his mind.") (1)
• Adrift ("Desperate for some relief from the hot summer sun, Jim and Blair luck upon the weekend use of an old yacht. While relaxing in the Straits, their boat is struck and sunk by the carelessness of another, leaving them both adrift, and swimming for their lives.") (62)
• Silent Thunder ("Blair's life is falling apart. He's irritable, exhausted, angry ... and his partner couldn't care less. Taken to the edge by his anger, he sees his partnership with Jim come to an end. When the unexplained twist of emotions spills out to the other occupants of the building, Jim begins to suspect a reason for it all.") (103)
• The Hell Within ("An unexpected trip to Delhi to accompany Sandburg provides an excuse for Jim to look up and old army friend. But when that friend turns out to be a double agent, both men get more than they bargained for.") (137)
• Forest in the Sky ("When Jim falls unexpectedly ill, Blair is left doubting his ability to protect his friend and properly guide him in the use of his Sentinel senses. When his supposed allergic reaction turns out to be poisoning, they quickly find there's a murder to prevent.") (173)

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 4

[China White]:Good again. Well done showing the effect on Jim's senses - and the emotional trauma, poor fellows! [Adrift]: Gee, they can't even go boating without attracting trouble! (smile) Good again. Addendum: nominated for favourite long story in the 2001 Cascade Times Awards. [Silent Thunder]: Cracking good idea. Lovely misdirection. Is it psychological? Is it something else? And I loved how it tied in with previous events in this series. Great! (How's that for a spoiler-free review?) [The Hell Within]: Jim is a really dangerous man when he needs to be... [Forest in the Sky]: Post-"Warriors" story. Lovely. Worries and affirmation - again. (happy sigh)

Issue 5

A Sentinel's Guide 5

• Blackout ("Blair returns from a conference in Toronto just in time to help Jim with a mafia case--a case that becomes more complicated after Sandburg shoots his partner in the Station bullpen.") (1)
• A Fresh Perspective (73)
• The Dancing ("Fearing he's about to lose Sandburg to his first mentor, Jim impulsively catches a flight to Borneo to surprise his friend. What surprises them both are the things they've left unsaid.") (78)

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 5

[Blackout]: I like titles with double meanings. It was good again. And that little touch at the end, leaves you wondering. [A Fresh Perspective]: Seems like this is more of a sequel to Crash than anything. Just a nice interaction between Our Boys. (smile) [The Dancing]: And another good one. Mountains and mole-hills. And another final reassurance.