The spare man by Mary Robinette Kowal

Ideal for fans who enjoy a light mystery combined with a little science fiction The spare man is an enjoyable story from the award winning author of The calculating Stars (Hugo Award 2019, Nebula Award 2019,  Locus Award 2019). Tesla Crane is on her honeymoon on a space liner. An heiress and clever inventor, she is travelling anonymously with her new husband and tiny service dog. When her husband is accused of murder, she is determined to solve the case and return to enjoying the trip.

This is a very light-hearted murder mystery with enough red herrings and twists to keep the reader engrossed. Tesla is a very likeable main character, as is her husband, but Gimlet her little dog steals the limelight and is so loveable. The setting aboard the space cruiser lifts the story out of the ordinary and the cocktail recipes at the beginning of chapters further emphasise the fun of the novel.

A Hugo Award for Best Novel shortlist (2023), and Locus Award Nominee for Science Fiction (2023), the novel’s suspense and humour make it a very enjoyable read, especially for readers who enjoy cosy mysteries.

Themes: Mystery, Science fiction, Service dogs.

Pat Pledger