The Spare Man - A Review


A good ol' fashioned murder mystery in space. We love these, don't we? Featured is a retired detective, Shal Steward, out on his honeymoon with his brilliant and famous wife. The honeymoon is a luxury cruise travelling between Luna and Mars. To help facilitate a maximum amount of privacy (and therefore sex), the newlyweds travel incognito. Except, of course, a murder occurs, and Shal is the one arrested for it.

Except Shal Steward is not the main character! His wife is.

She is Tesla Crane, an inventor and roboticist who achieved fame and wealth with her achievements and business acumen. Think of her as a sort of female Elon Musk or Mark Zuckerberg. (Except actually capable of inventing. Also not an idiot.) She is recovering from an injury that left her with a damaged spine and PTSD. But she has someone to help her with that - a little westie named Gimlet. (Gimlet will steal your heart, trust me.)

The refreshing shift from the "retired detective" cliche over to the lady scientist is only the first of many little twists that make this murder mystery interesting. The plot itself is convoluted and keeps the reader guessing up until the very last moment.

There is a real mixology element to the entire story, as Tesla is a true connoisseur of martinis. (Hence, naming her dog Gimlet.) Alcoholics who are easily triggered might want to avoid the chapter openings, because there is a cocktail recipe leading off each one. Most of them are even genuine. (Mary Robinette admitted a few were made up just for the book.) Of course, there are always zero-proof options for those who don't drink, and the plot is intoxicating enough.

Gimlet, as cute dogs will, steals the show. Well, most of it, anyway. The rest of the show is stolen by Tesla's lawyer, a crocheting and cantankerous woman who comes up with the most creative curses while humorously dealing with the ever-increasing communications lag-time between Earth and the ship.

The future depicted is an interesting one, rather familiar with the one we currently see but with a few modifications, and I don't just mean technology. Casual introductions include pronouns, and yet this depiction somehow doesn't feel forced. It feels natural - a testament to Mary Robinette's skill at realism.

In short, get set for a wild ride in this murder mystery.


Eric

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