Fugitive Telemetry
Ratings549
Average rating4.2
Executive Summary: I love Murderbot. There is some good humor and a decent story. I probably didn't quite enjoy it as much as some of the past stories though. I will definitely pick up the next book though 3.5 stars. Maybe 4.Audiobook: I think Kevin Free does a fantastic job as usual. There was some discussion in my book club about him not being a good fit, but I Full Review2020 was a looong year and I didn't remember that well most of the details of [b:Network Effect 52381770 Network Effect (The Murderbot Diaries, #5) Martha Wells https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1568667704l/52381770.SX50_SY75.jpg 63614271]. Turns out this was a prequel and so it didn't matter too much.I feel like this is more of a return to the sort of one-off nature of the novellas rather than advancing the overall plot too much. I thought the mystery was ok. At this point it was my investment in the characters that kept me engaged more than the plot itself though.However I continue to enjoy this series despite disliking the rise in popularity of the novella format. I had hoped after Network Effect we'd be getting novel length stories going forward.Either way I'm definitely in for a sequel whatever form that takes.
Fun as usual - just too short after the full novel [b:Network Effect 52381770 Network Effect (The Murderbot Diaries, #5) Martha Wells https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1568667704l/52381770.SX50_SY75.jpg 63614271] spoiled me! I still think novellas 1 & 2 are the pinnacle, but this is a good entry in the series. I especially like the section that introduces the verb “to blorp.” :)
I was delighted to read this Murderbot Detective story <3 It really made my day when the pre-order unlocked!
In a straight up, standalone mystery, SecUnit takes some time away from protecting Dr. Mensah and surreptitiously watching his media, to help station security track down a murderer. SecUnit has to work with humans who think he is the most likely suspect, and he thinks the murderer could be anybody, up to, and including another SecUnit. Who knew that anxiety and paranoia could help solve a murder? This time around a I listened to the very enjoyable audiobook narration by Kevin R. Free. I'll definitely read the next Murderbot tale by Martha Wells, but only if it's really weird.
I am always up for some Murderbot because this series has brought me so many smiles during the pandemic. So, when I saw the announcement that we were gonna get another novella this summer, I was ecstatic.. and even more happy when I got the opportunity to read this arc.
What's better than more Murderbot? Murderbot playing detective..!!! This story takes place between Exit Strategy and Network Effect, where Murderbot is still trying to figure out it's place on Preservation Station and what it wants to do with it's life. And in the course of it's stay, it is given the opportunity to help out in solving a murder mystery. The first thing that comes across as soon as we start the book, is the signature humor of our protanist - how it really would prefer not to interact with any humans, wish it could be binging it's serial instead of helping out Station Security, and more than hoping that the murder did not have anything to it and Dr. Mensah's shenanighans from the previous novella. It was really so cool to see Murderbot interact with humans who did not entirely trust it and were apprehensive about the help it offered, but Murderbot was still very patient in trying to alleviate their fears and stick to their directions (even if it couldn't stop being sarcastic about them in it's head). And it's even more satisfying when we get to see all the humans slowly realize that Murderbot was safe and good and could be relied upon. The mystery itself was written very well, and I truly could not guess who the culprit was. I also like how the author emphasises that Preservation Station is a truly progressive place where everyone has rights, basic needs are available for free to everyone and refugees escaping corporate slavery can find a home and safety - even if Murderbot can't see the point of it all.
In the end, this was entertaining and fun and I loved being in Murderbot's head again. This series has truly become a comfort for me and I hope we continue to get many more books in it. And if you are someone who hasn't picked up this series yet, I implore you to do so because this socially anxious, depressed and serial binge watcher Murderbot will surely steal your heart. And do try the audiobooks because they are super cool.
I read this directly after Network Effect thinking it was after that. but no its a prequel. didn't hurt, i was just suprised in the beginning.
CAWPILE SCORE
C-10
A-8
W-8
P-7
I-8
L-8
E-9
TOTAL-6.14/10
Loved this book.
Detective Murderbot is the Best!loved to see Murderbot actually have to interact with more people and even people that it doesn't like. Playing by the rules, while also passive aggressively skirting the rules.Didn't predict that Balin was the bad guy. but i thought it was done well
Fugitive Telemetry has all the trappings of a classic Murderbot story – trademark snark, funny situations, a compelling murder mystery, and a seemingly unfeeling security robot that feels feelings. Murderbot is back and just as good as ever.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
See this review and others at The Speculative Shelf.
So happy to have an opportunity to catch up with Murderbot! In Fugitive Telemetry, Murderbot gets to experience what it's like to solve a murder mystery, much like one of their favorite soap operas. Gone is most of the self-doubt that they have previously shared internally in past books — this feels like a more self-assured Murderbot, who understands even more keenly how the rest of the universe sees and reacts to them.
While we get to see some old friends in this story, this book stands on it's own in many ways — I'd very much like to continue reading about Murderbot's adventures solving mysteries on Preservation Station or across the galaxy.