Tesla Crane and her brand new husband Shal are on honeymoon, a cruise to Mars on the ISS Lindgren. Tesla is incredibly wealthy and quite handicapped from the horrible accident that ended her stellar career in cyber engineering. They have paid the premium to be incognito and have been enjoying being able to act like regular people. That is until someone in a neighbouring suite is murdered. Shal, a retired detective, pursues the murderer and ends up framed for the crime. Tesla is not going to allow this injustice to stand.
First, let me say that this is set in the future, but it is definitely not a Star Trek kind of universe, as great disparities in income are glaringly obvious. This world isn't past money yet. There are staff who admit to being forced by poverty to take serving jobs aboard the cruise liner, much like today. As with present day cruise companies, staff must be careful of their words and actions. Nor is this society past misogyny as Tesla must contend with a belligerent Chief of Security who couldn't reason his way out of a paper bag.
Frankly, the action flows quickly and I quickly gave up trying to finger the murderer and just enjoyed the ride. I alternated between being a bit annoyed at Tesla for capitalizing on her fame and money to get everyone to dance to her tune, and absolutely adoring her shark-like lawyer, Fantine, who crochets wildly during the time lapses in their conversations and spews the best insults ever. I was particularly fond of “mammering lobsters.” Tesla was saved for me because of her adorable service dog, wee Gimlet, and the fact that Shal actually is being railroaded by an incompetent bully in a position of power. Tesla and Shal exude charm enough to make up for some imperiousness and, truly, being rich shouldn't mean that you have to accept shoddy investigation.
I kind of wish that I had read The Thin Man before this novel. I have it on good authority that Tesla and Shal are a future-timeline Nick and Nora. The general vibe is very reminiscent of the crime fiction of the 1930s.
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