Martha Wells

The New York Times bestselling security droid with a heart (though it wouldn't admit it!) is back! Having captured the hearts of readers across the globe (Annalee Newitz says it's "one of the most humane portraits of a nonhuman I've ever read") Murderbot has also established Martha Wells as one of the great SF writers of today. 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! A new standalone adventure in the New York Times-bestselling, Hugo and Nebula Award winning series!

Fugitive Telemetry

The New York Times bestselling security droid with a heart (though it wouldn't admit it!) is back in Fugitive Telemetry! Having captured the hearts of readers across the globe (Annalee Newitz says it's "one of the most humane portraits of a nonhuman I've ever read") Murderbot has also established Martha Wells as one of the great SF writers of today. 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! A new standalone adventure in the New York Times-bestselling, Hugo and Nebula Award winning series! At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

network effect was a hard book to follow but i don't think it's fair to compare since it was a full novel and not the more episodic ones like this

that being said i still enjoyed this one as a quick fun read as usual

This felt like a return to what I liked about this series, especially the first two books. It was fun, intriguing, and I really love Murderbot. I love being in their head and all their sassy thoughts & interactions with the other characters, humans and bots alike. 

Ari Rose

somewhat straightforward classic murder mystery with our favourite murder(investigation)bot, but full of all the same lovely SecUnit humour and sarcasm

Jiji

I loved how this novella deviated from the others in that it focused on a murder mystery and was low-action. It broke away from the established formula and I appreciated that. I also found it interesting that it deviated from chronological order, which I think is more accurate of diaries anyway when you share them with people. Same humor and squishy Murderbot we’ve all come to know and love!

Katie Allard

This novella takes place chronologically before the previous book, Network Effect. Murderbot is new at Preservation Station and is as uncomfortable with everyone there as they are with them. Suddenly a body turns up and station security does not deal with many murders. But this definitely seems very murdery. Plus, Murderbot is paraniod about Dr. Mensa being attacked by corporation agents. Actually, that is a very reasonable concern. So, they agree to work with the Station Security to do the investigation. Ughh. No time for Sanctuary Moon episodes on the feed. Another solid novella in the series. I am here for the social anxiety, snark, and character interactions. Plus, a nice who-dun-it and some action. Just as bingeable as Murderbot's favorite dramas.

Cheryl Hedlund

This one was pretty fun ! But still not so memorable like the others 😅 

Amira BEN

An interesting change of pace from the other murderbot books. This one broke away from the main plotline with GrayCris to focus on a murder. Still included the lovely awkward moments I adore murderbot for, and plenty of fast paced action scenes. 

Paige Carter 

Gillian Rose

I sound like a broken record, but another fun adventure with Murderbot! I love how much it hates having relationships with this group of people, but still feels bad saying goodbye! The best.

dija

so this was pre book 5....and i got used to ART but murderbot is still my baby with implacable humor

Juliana Matias

Let’s start with the basics: Fugitive Telemetry is a novella (yay!), works as a standalone adventure, and takes place chronologically before the events of Network Effect.

I want to point this out because it’s the one thing that slightly disappointed me. After the end of Network Effect, I was expecting Murderbot to go off on numerous adventures with ART (because I might love ART even more than I love Murderbot), but that does not happen.

Murderbot is still in Preservation station, protecting Dr. Mensah from GrayCris operatives that become more and more unlikely to come with every passing day when something very strange happens: someone is murdered. So in a move that displeases both parties immensely, Murderbot is hired as a consultant to solve this mysterious event.

As you can expect, sarcasm, passive aggressiveness and shenanigans ensue. I mean, it’s everything I have come to expect from these novellas and more. I look forward to the next one.

Shona Tiger

Jeff

While Network Effect was heavy on the alien thriller angle — and I do enjoy all the alien remnant stuff — Fugitive Telemetry was more of an almost noir whodunnit, and it really worked for me. There’s also a shift from SecUnit as avatar of neurodivergence to SecUnit as subject of casual prejudice/racism, underscoring the story’s focus on slavery practices in the CorporationRim. 

While it didn’t have the same emotional impact/ personal growth of the previous book, it’s no less exciting or fast-paced (maybe more so since it’s shorter) and I can’t wait to find out what’s in store for SecUnit next!

Ryan LaFerney

A body is discovered on the uber peaceful Preservation Station and the local security types are clearly out of their depth.
A SecUnit (our pal Murderbot) reluctantly agrees to help the authorities who reluctantly ( at first) let him help.

Martha Wells' newest entry in her award-winning, nerd-charming, trope-bending Murderbot series, Fugitive Telemetry, is a fun entry into an amazing series but it is also the weakest of the bunch. Sure it’s a fun, classic locked-room murder mystery set in space, with our pal Murderbot acting as Hercule Poirot. But, Fugitive Telemetry is a curious entry into the overall series. For starters, it is set between the last two books, so there are no new revelations to be had. Whereas in previous stories, the story happens over numerous days the story here happens over the single course of a day - which robs us of what makes Murderbot so charming. In Fugitive Telemetry, there is no time for Murderbot’s media consumption and snarky commentary on the human condition. He has got a murder to solve on the rather peaceful Preservation Station. Sure the novella ends with a cool showdown, some explosions, a badass robot fight (Murderbot gonna murderbot). And it briefly focuses on Murderbot’s ethical struggle being called into question once again (can a Murderbot not resort to violence?). Murderbot even states: “ All I wanted to do was watch media and not exist. You know I don’t like fun.” It’s just that this entry into the series feels a bit inconsequential after Network Effect.

Still, to be able to spend any time in the Murderbot universe is always a pleasure, even if the story is a little underwhelming compared to the previous entries.

Janice Hopper

Murderbot solves a mystery, and we see old friends too. 

Perfect to listen to while sitting on the front porch and spinning today.

I love Murderbot.

Fraser Simons

I was warned that this was situated strangely chronologically, so I actually had a much better time with this than if I’d not known it takes place before the 5th. Although, I wish I’d known that before so I could just actually read it before the novel. 

Either way, Murderbot solving a murder in a fast-paced novella is a good time, inspiringly. It’s less philosophical, which is typically what I’m drawn to here, but I picked this up when I was in the mood for specifically what it was offering and that worked out well.

Ken Yuen

Back to a 4ish hour adventure. This midquel takes place before the last novel. This is Murderbot crossing genres and doing a detective/police procedural investigating a murder on a space station. It's still a fun time hanging out with Murderbot, but it's a bit drier and just a little bit less fun since there aren't really any new standout characters for Murderbot to interact with this time

Cindy Lieberman

I love this snarky murderbot who would rather stream shows about humans than talk to any in person. This expertly voiced audiobook series combines hard science fiction and murder mysteries, my two favorite genres. I only wish the books were longer!

Sheila

I LOVE MURDERBOT AND I LOVE MURDERBOT'S NOT!FRIEND (view spoiler)[JOLLYBABY (hide spoiler)]

Sahi K

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.

Megan Cooper

4.25
Another great entry into the Murderbot series. After reading the last one, a full length novel, it was a bit of a let down that this more of a longish novella; because, you can never have enough Murderbot. If you've enjoyed the series so far, you won't be disappointed - but definitely don't start the series with this one. Overall - a fantastic and funny series.

B. K.

I love Murderbot. Even when the story is slightly underwhelming, I just really enjoy spending time in its head.

I highly recommend the audiobooks for this series. Kevin R. Free's narration is terrific.

Anastaciya

I thought we were going to get ART here... 😕

Judy Hudgins

I love me some Murderbot!

I need more snarky SecUnit saving humans while he would rather be binge watching shows. Disliking humans in general is a plus too.

Lynn Braden

When Murderbot discovers a human who has been murdered on Preservation Station, it becomes involved in the investigation to find out who committed the murder. Even though it has saved the life of Mensah more than once, the security team is leary of having Murderbot participate in the investigation, but it isn't long before they realize that its presence is necessary.

Fugitive Telemetry is another good entry in The Murderbot Diaries series. The only real disappointment is that this book isn't full length as the last one was, but the mystery story was fully developed and Murderbot once again displays its usual sarcasm and snark as it tries to solve the crime while making sure Mensah is safe from GrayCris and making her proud of its efforts. Overall, Fugitive Telemetry provides another look into the world of Murderbot, which is always a joy.

Fugitive Telemetry

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