"Leviathan Wakes," the first book in the Expanse series by James S.A. Corey, unfolds in a future where humanity has colonized the solar system. It follows Detective Miller, who seeks a missing woman, and Jim Holden, the captain of a transport ship. Their paths intertwine when they uncover a conspiracy involving a powerful alien substance known as the protomolecule, which has the potential to alter life drastically.
The narrative alternates between Miller's gritty investigation on Ceres Station and Holden's efforts to navigate the political tensions between Earth, Mars, and the Belt. As both characters delve deeper into the mystery, they face challenges from factions vying for control over the protomolecule and its implications for humanity.