A review by stephaniedc
The Spare Man by Mary Robinette Kowal

4.0

Murder mystery in space? Normally sci fi isn’t for me but for Mary Robinette Kowal I will follow to space if that’s what it takes! Scientifically grounded, well researched (as far as I can tell for both the science stuff and the ‘life with chronic pain’ stuff), relatively lighthearted and a fast read. Kinda felt like a cocktail-themed culinary cozy mystery.

The world building took some getting used to, but I eventually adapted. For some reason, use of Mx, they/xe pronouns and the like didn’t bother me at all but I could not get over the use of Kuznetsova as a man’s last name. Kept picturing him as a woman though I knew he wasn’t!

The ending was satisfying.