Zoëlla de Vill reviewed Fugitive Telemetry by Martha Wells (The Murderbot Diaries, #6)
Blorp
4 stars
i only read this for the blorps
i only read this for the blorps
"Fugitive Telemetry," the sixth book in Martha Wells' acclaimed Murderbot Diaries series, delivers a delightful blend of snark, mystery, and reluctant heroism. Our beloved, misanthropic SecUnit, who would much rather binge-watch media in peace, finds itself embroiled in a murder investigation on Preservation Station.
The story kicks off with a dead body, disrupting Murderbot's plans for a quiet existence. This unexpected murder propels our anti-social protagonist into the role of a detective, navigating the intricacies of a space station murder mystery. With its characteristic wit and dry humour, Murderbot reluctantly engages with the humans of Preservation Station, who not only distrust it but also impose restrictions on its ability to hack systems and move freely.
This locked-room whodunit is packed with sarcastic commentary and clever insights, as Murderbot maneuvers through the investigation, uncovering clues and dealing with the prejudices that still linger despite robots being considered people. The tension between …
"Fugitive Telemetry," the sixth book in Martha Wells' acclaimed Murderbot Diaries series, delivers a delightful blend of snark, mystery, and reluctant heroism. Our beloved, misanthropic SecUnit, who would much rather binge-watch media in peace, finds itself embroiled in a murder investigation on Preservation Station.
The story kicks off with a dead body, disrupting Murderbot's plans for a quiet existence. This unexpected murder propels our anti-social protagonist into the role of a detective, navigating the intricacies of a space station murder mystery. With its characteristic wit and dry humour, Murderbot reluctantly engages with the humans of Preservation Station, who not only distrust it but also impose restrictions on its ability to hack systems and move freely.
This locked-room whodunit is packed with sarcastic commentary and clever insights, as Murderbot maneuvers through the investigation, uncovering clues and dealing with the prejudices that still linger despite robots being considered people. The tension between Murderbot's desire for solitude and its evolving sense of duty adds depth to the narrative, making for an engaging and multifaceted read.
Wells masterfully balances the humour and the suspense, creating a story that is as thought-provoking as it is entertaining. "Fugitive Telemetry" is a testament to her skill in character development and world-building, as we see Murderbot's growth and its interactions with the humans around it.
For fans of the series, this instalment offers another captivating adventure with our favourite snarky AI. If you're new to the Murderbot Diaries, prepare to be hooked by the unique blend of science fiction, mystery, and the irresistible charm of a robot that just wants to be left alone.
Not sure why I was dissatisfied with this the first time around. There's perhaps a little more exposition than I'd like, but otherwise a fun story.
Another good read in the murderbot series, not much story arch but a good story.
A little murder mystery on a space station, always nice (with plenty of sarcasm).
I realize I might be a bit of an outlier with this one, but I felt this was a decidedly mixed experience. I loved "All Systems Red", and thought Murderbot was probably the most relatable character I'd come across in fiction, but the subsequent novellas were rather less satisfying and I'm afraid this one is no exception. There's still a little of the charm of the first book, but it does rather feel submerged in exposition and parenthetical asides.
This is a bit of a 'flashback' novella set when Murderbot's first few weeks in Preservation. It was a neat chance to see more of how Preservation works in comparison to the Corporate Rim. As for the investigation itself, I had an inkling as to who the culprit was, but not the motive or the how and regardless it was still enjoyable.
I found it interesting how this book brought in some contemporary-world themes around refugees and their abusers, but that's not explored particularly deeply, it's just one more reason to cheer on Murderbot as it does its thing. Really this is just one more Murderbot instalment, and I am so very here for that.
Way too short, and the story is realtime rather than an extended timeframe. Unfortunately because it was so short it was quickly obvious who the hidden murderer was (otherwise, why spend time with that individual?) Yeah, I like Murderbot a lot, but there was a lot less of the Murderbot media consumption and other aspects of the personality. If it wasn't Murderbot it would be 3 stars at best. Martha Wells is riding her success and not giving a good effort. I heard she had a new contract for more Murderbot novels. Hopefully she won't run this into the ground.
A murder (mystery) bot story!
Good:
Return to short form.
It was nice to see Senior Indah start off skeptical and gradually warm up to Murderbot.
Murder mystery format is a good fit for Murderbot's narrative style.
Preservation was a nice change of setting from previous stories.
Bad:
Confusing chronologically (it's set before Network Effect).
I'm more interested in Murderbot's adventures with ART.