This was such a delightful, cozy little mystery. It reminded me very much of Becky Chambers (in the hopeful, yet flawed future of humanity) but also P. Djèlí Clark’s series with Fatma el-Sha’arawi , the intrepid inspector from an alternative Cairo. Basically, there were really greater Characters in the form of Mossa, an Inspector, and Pleiti, a researcher at a university. They were just delightful to tag along for the mystery.

What I also really enjoyed was the setting. It takes place on a colony around Jupiter. Earth is no longer habitable and some of the researchers like Pleiti are working towards a potential future when what ever humans did to make the world inhabitable can be fixed. All of the little touches like atmoscarfs and the worn-in-feel of the setting all made it that much more compelling as a story.

The plot unfolded around Mossa and Pleiti rediscovering their affection for each other, which was really adorable. I enjoyed following the leads through familiar-yet-unfamiliar territories. For example, classics now being a study of earth ecology rather than Greeks and Romans.

Anyway, it was a really quick read, like less than 150 pages. I read it in an afternoon and would have really liked another cosy novella to slip into. Do recommend.