Fugitive Telemetry

This isn't a bad Murderbot novella, but it doesn't really move enough forward enough for me to appreciate it as anything more than an action/detective side event in between the much more emotionally impactful Exit Strategy and Network Condition. I think my favorite parts of this book are Murderbot snarkily interacting with Indah and station security, where it's trying to one up them but also do its job and also (mostly) obey the rules that they've given to it.

This novella does get some more into Mensah's trauma (and avoidance) but I'm not sure this story is doing extra on top of what Home or Network Condition is doing, and her trauma is not the thematic focus of this novella either. (Although what that focus is, I'm not sure I could really pin down. Maybe that's part of the problem.)

If Murderbot was going to stick around in Preservation space and Indah was going to become a recurring character, or we were going to have ongoing themes of Murderbot trying/failing to fit into Preservation systems and culture, then maybe this could have felt more impactful in retrospect.

I have a spoiler-y offhand comment, so I'll post that separately.

This one is pretty interesting because it jumps back before the events of the novel. It's also a completely contained story in novella length--unlike the first four that can standalone but ultimately create a single story.

Made the pacing feel a bit different, but it was still the Murderbot I know and love.

A murder mystery mixed with Murderbot’s usual existential angst. Another entertaining episode.

"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 much to say beyond the title. There's nits to pick, but you know what you're getting and you're not likely to be disappointed.

... and in this respect, how easily I can convince myself to pick up a book out of this Murderbotseries, how I look forward to it, to the fun while reading, makes this series, even if it's small, comparable in my eyes to the fun I have looking forward to picking up the next Lee Child / Jack Reacher novel, or more literaric, picking up one of the 75 books in Georges Simenon's Maigret series. Wells Murderbot might not have the status of these long series yet, for sure. But I look forward to the next part from Wells as much as I do when picking up one of those others, great series. That's quite a praise, believe me.

Although this was published after "Network Effect" it's set before the events in that book so I decided to read it first. It's a murder mystery with Muderbot investigating which sounds like a fun premise. Unfortunately, I felt it fell kind of flat. It's not as well written as the first four novellas. Some of the descriptions feel cumbersome and there's a lot of stuff in parentheses which hampers the flow of the prose. The case itself is interesting, though, and had several twists I didn't see coming. All in all, an okay read.

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.

Another home run for this utterly enjoyable sci-fi series. Looks like it's the last volume, which is a shame. This one takes on Preservation Station, where Murderbot now resides thanks to the work of his human friends. Now, it gets to solve a murder.
Why hasn't this series been picked for a series or miniseries??

Disappointedly short, especially for the 11.99

Sure I love this character but the equivalent length of a law and order episode isn’t an 11.99 release. That’s what I get for preordering I guess. Won’t make that mist take again