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Fugitive Telemetry
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June 2023 READER Fugitive Telemetry by Wells
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I am more than a third of the way in. Murderbot is trying to solve a murder mystery with complications, including the complication of Preservation Station security being involved in the investigation. For some reason, security seems to believe that a SecUnit doesn't know how to properly handle an investigation. They are learning otherwise. I had to laugh at some of Murderbot's education on the subject coming from the entertainment media it watches.
I finished. This was a super fast read, probably because I didn't want to put it down.
I am a bit ahead of schedule reading so I did finish this book today! Here is my review, also posted on good reads here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...The Murderbot is back! We are gifted with another episode in the series, and coming off the previous longer novel-length book, this installment is back to the novella format. Fugitive Telemetry follows the same basic formula of the earlier Murderbot Diaries, with Murderbot watching his video feed, learning about human behavior and life as he deals with the people, bots, and conflicts he encounters in this universe. However, this time, Murderbot plays the role of a detective to solve a mystery. His previous human characters are mentioned in the story, but the main focus is on a new cast of characters who are introduced throughout this book and are part of the mystery that needs to be solved. Without spoiling anything, the mystery gets resolved by this book’s end.
Unfortunately, it’s not that complex of a mystery. The author doesn’t drop clues to help the reader solve the mystery along the way, and this story doesn’t extend or contribute to a larger storyline. This book doesn’t deliver on the hopes of continuing some larger or overarching Murderbot plot and story. These books are primarily character-based and not plot-based. While some good world-building exists, it doesn’t connect the dots with the plot and setting to some more significant story. The dystopian GrayCris corporation aspect is still present, and we understand how evil they are. Murderbot’s rogue nature of disabling his governor module and his return to Dr. Mensah and his original humans is present. However, the story doesn’t move much further to setup up some meaningful end or new beginning. Still, I had hoped for a more significant overarching story, but we don’t get that, and I don’t think we ever will for this series. So instead, we get more of an episodic type of adventure, with mostly self-contained stories from book to book. You could start or stop reading each one and still get a sense of what’s going on.
In summary, Fugitive Telemetry delivers another episode of the antics of Murderbot, a likable character I can relate to. In this book, he is as sarcastic and awkward as ever and involved in a murder mystery. The book is quick and fun to read, and enjoyable. The episodic nature of the stories is starting to feel repetitive, and some of the magic that captured my attention in the first few books is beginning to fade. However, if you like Murderbot and love the novella format, and want to spend a few hours escaping back to Murderbot’s world, then I still recommend this book. I give this one three stars. I liked it, but it’s more of the same. Not bad, Not spectacular, but simply it’s a good read!
The audiobook Humble Bundle has all of the Murderbot books (plus others) for one low price until June 17th, 2023.https://www.humblebundle.com/books/ma...
The new Murderbot novel, System Collapse, appears to be scheduled for release November 2023. Waiting impatiently!
Official description:
No, I didn’t kill the dead human. If I had, I wouldn’t dump the body in the station mall.
When Murderbot discovers a dead body on Preservation Station, it knows it is going to have to assist station security to determine who the body is (was), how they were killed (that should be relatively straightforward, at least), and why (because apparently that matters to a lot of people—who knew?)
Yes, the unthinkable is about to happen: Murderbot must voluntarily speak to humans!
Again!