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redwing's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder and Violence
Minor: Kidnapping
bhnmt61's review against another edition
5.0
This was super fun. It started slowly, but by the end, I couldn’t read fast enough. Newlyweds Tesla Crane, a wealthy heiress, and Shalmaneser Steward, a retired detective, are on a luxury space ship on their way to honeymoon on Mars when people start to die. And they die in ways that make Tesla and Shal look like murderers. What can they do but try to find the real killer?
To the reviewers who are complaining about Tesla’s obvious wealth and privilege, it might help to be aware that Kowal draws inspiration from the old Nick & Nora “Thin Man” movies made in the 1930s-40s. The whole idea was the flirtatious interplay between wealthy Nora and her retired detective husband Nick. They perpetually had a drink in their hands and a wisecrack or a smooch to share. And in their spare time they solved mysteries. My only irritation was the extremely thin line between being brave and being stupid, which Tesla manages to cross on a couple of occasions. But it all comes right in the end, because of course it does. Nick and Nora would allow nothing less. Four and a half stars rounded up.
To the reviewers who are complaining about Tesla’s obvious wealth and privilege, it might help to be aware that Kowal draws inspiration from the old Nick & Nora “Thin Man” movies made in the 1930s-40s. The whole idea was the flirtatious interplay between wealthy Nora and her retired detective husband Nick. They perpetually had a drink in their hands and a wisecrack or a smooch to share. And in their spare time they solved mysteries. My only irritation was the extremely thin line between being brave and being stupid, which Tesla manages to cross on a couple of occasions. But it all comes right in the end, because of course it does. Nick and Nora would allow nothing less. Four and a half stars rounded up.
ritabrush's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
5.0
listen_learn's review against another edition
slow-paced
3.0
Hmmm, I'm not really sure why I stuck with this. Disabled, traumatized billionaire ex-engineer goes on a honeymoon and tries to solve a string of murders on the spaceship. Not really my style at all.
Plenty of violence, loads of description of spouses touching, a plethora of side characters who are sketched but not fully developed, and eyebrow raising gender emphasis (pronouns abound).
I think what kept me going was that the spaceship was fascinating and a couple of side characters had me rooting for them.
Plenty of violence, loads of description of spouses touching, a plethora of side characters who are sketched but not fully developed, and eyebrow raising gender emphasis (pronouns abound).
I think what kept me going was that the spaceship was fascinating and a couple of side characters had me rooting for them.
misfitmoxie's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
bravaislattices's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
l_d_star's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
3.5
bailorg's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0