‘Fugitive Telemetry’ by Martha Wells is another delightful installment in the beloved Murderbot series.

Life on Preservation for Murderbot is going well. Dr. Mensah is close and can be watched and GrayCris is seemingly out of the picture. When Murderbot discovers a dead body, it realizes it will need to assist the humans to solve the crime, which means having to speak to humans. A lack of physical evidence and a serious amount of distrust of the lurking SecBot sleuth make solving this one thorny. Add ini the suspicion that it might tie back to GrayCris after all, and you have a decent mystery.

These books are always enjoyable and it’s interesting to see some character growth in Murderbot. There are multiple books in the series and they are all pleasant diversions.

I'm not kidding when I say that Murderbot is one of the most charming characters in literature today. Wells just keeps knocking it out of the park, and Fugitive Telemetry is no exception.

I love the Murderbot Diaries! I have all of them as both ebooks and audiobooks and pre-ordered the audio version of System Collapse before I even got to read the advance copy. This is one of the series I re-listen to as a companion when doing chores or running errands or when I feel like I can’t concentrate on something new: it’s the equivalent of comfort food. I can relate so much with SecUnit: I’m awkward around people, even in regular situations; experience anxiety about things other people treat as normal; have my favorite books and favorite movies and favorite episodes of my favorite serials that I re-read and re-watch repeatedly, again, partly as comfort, partly because they’re just really that good.

That being said, System Collapse isn’t my favorite installment in the series. I read it twice to make sure and while there are some interesting things that happen - especially how SecUnit proposes to get a message to the colonists - and while, as with all the Diaries, there are quotes that crack me up and quotes that highlight societal quirks and quotes that hit home emotionally, it just seemed to me like not a lot happens in this one, especially when compared with Network Effect, which was jam-packed with stuff happening.

I’m still a fan and will continue reading the series because SecUnit and those around it are wonderful characters whom I have grown to care about. Yes, I know I care about fictional characters maybe a little too much, but I'm comfortable with that.

This is a perfectly enjoyable addition to the Murderbot series, it just didn't stand out for me.

Partly because the author edged up to Murderbot facing humans that disliked it and are prejudiced toward it, but then backed down from that possible conflict as soon as Murderbot showed that they knew what they were doing. Most humans in this series are either pretty enlightened and reasonable or evil corporate drones, not a lot between them. Of course, these issues do need to be wrapped up by the end of the novella just like conflicts need to be wrapped up by the end of the episode in Murderbot's favorite "The Rise and Fall of Sanctuary Moon." Murderbot's socialization continues.

This one is a murder mystery. Murderbot is concerned about a station murder because they can't rule out that it's related to Graycorp, which could mean that Dr. Mensa could be in danger. Murderbot has difficulty in pursuing their investigation because the station security, while out of their depth in dealing with murder, very much distrust Murderbot because they've seen too many media programs in which a security unit goes on a murderous rampage.

Once again, a suspect is overlooked because of assumptions and prejudice, even by Murderbot. Once again, Murderbot's ability to speak with other machines is invaluable to solving a problem. There wasn't as much technojargon in this one, which I did appreciate.

I always love Murderbot. I enjoyed the fact that this continued on from the other novellas rather than from Network Effect.

Some years back my son and I listened to the first Murderbot Diaries book while on a cross-country roadtrip. I liked it quite a bit but just lost track of the rest as they came out. But with a little lull between final papers and final grades, I decided to jump back to that first book and see where the rest took me. Well, three days later I’m done with the series to this point, so that should give some idea. The awards and high praise are well deserved, and Fugitive Telemetry nestles quite smoothly into the joy that is the entire series.

The book opens with a classic murder-mystery line — “the dead human was lying on the deck, on their side, half curled around” — though the little addition of “human” tells us we’re not in a classic whodunit world, even if the story falls happily into that genre. Turns out Preservation Station (I’m assuming at this point you’ve read prior Murderbots so won’t be explain what should be familiar) has experienced a highly rare murder. Luckily, Murderbot is on the job, having “seen a lot of dead humans (I mean, a lot), even if the local security forces led by Senior Officer Indah aren’t so thrilled to be working with the SecUnit.

The ensuing story is a blend of a locked-room mystery and police procedural, along with a continuing coming-of-age tale as Murderbot slowly (often grudgingly) learns to navigate relationships with humans and other bots as well as learning more about its own self and the dreaded “feelings” as it tries to become the best version of whatever it is in the midst of becoming. This is made more complicated because for the first time, Murderbot is working the entire time within an actual team and a bureaucratic structure, as opposed to starting off with a group and then winging things on its own to save said group when the humans do “stupid things” as they always do. The restrictions also allow the mystery to have both an elongated time frame before it is resolved and some heightened suspense, since Murderbot has to slow itself down to human time and has also promised not to use a lot of its normal tricks, such as hacking into every system it runs across (Preservation Security is absolutely not comfortable with that).

The murder mystery itself is interesting and, as noted, suspenseful, even if I’d argue as a minor quibble that the murderer is a little too clearly foreshadowed. The story also meshes nicely into the ongoing themes of corporate dystopia and individual freedom that run throughout the series. But as always, the star of the story is Murderbot and particularly its wry, unique voice, that offers up gems like. “That plan was easier plus 100 percent less murdery” and:

“I would have disposed of the body so it was never found.”
Indah frowned . . . Eyeing me, Indah said, “How would you dispose of a body so it wouldn’t be found?”
I’m not the public library feed, Senior Officer, go do your own research. I said, “If I told you, then you might find all the bodies I’ve already disposed of.”

I lost track of the times I interrupted my wife’s TV viewing with laughing out loud. Though of course, Murderbot is much more than comic relief. There’s true pain and angst and loneliness and vulnerability that shines through in sometimes aching fashion, as when it responds to a personal attack by thinking, “Oh wow. But it wasn’t like it hurt my feelings or anything. Not at all. I was used to this. Completely used to it.”

Fugitive Telemetry is a fun, fast-read with some brief but sharp social commentary and, as aways, a pitch-perfect narrative voice. Highly recommended, as is the entire series.

Humorous murder mystery with robots, what more could you want. The world building is extraordinary and the main character is loaded with personality and sarcasm. Quick read and a great addition to the series.

Another installment in the fantastic Murderbot series. Without giving away too much, this is an intriguing crime story set in the Murderbot world. Good character building, classic Murderbot quips, and a solid sci-fi scene. It was a new viewpoint. Totally had me captivated for all six stories. Makes me wish there were more stories to come. Wells did an excellent job on a new kind protagonist character.
Full review on YouTube.

Am I only just now writing a review for this one after reading it three times??? Yeah... my review writing has become so lazy~~~
Chronologically, it takes place before book 5, so I was a little confused at first. This one is more of a murder mystery than the other books, plus a different location, so it has a different feel to it, but I still really enjoyed it. I love murderbot and all his relationships-- even if they don't think they are relationships haha.

Very much looking forward to the next book!!

This is my favorite Murderbot book yet! It was FANTASTIC to see more of ART and its relationship with Murderbot gave me so many feelings. Murderbot helping another SecUnit hack its governor module was also extremely satisfying. I also loved the crew having Murderbot's back! Its relationship with Ameena, the teenager, was especially nice. I loved her trying to get ART and Murderbot to make up after ART kidnaps Murderbot. I listened to a fair bit of this on audio, too, and I absolutely adore the narrator. His ART voice is particularly good. My one note is that the summary lies and this is NOT a standalone. Like you could probably follow the plot okay without reading 1-4 but the character stuff would not land half as well, and that's the best part of the book. But this was absolutely excellent as an installment in the series.

Is there anything better than a new Murderbot book? No, the answer is no.

Fugitive Telemetry takes place before Network Effect and has Murderbot having to solve a murder with Station Security, who aren’t exactly happy about having a SecUnit on Preservation Station. No matter who is vouching for it.

Martha Wells continues to deliver with Murderbot’s hilarious inner monologue while also pulling on my heartstrings and as with all the other books in the series, this was difficult to put down once I started it. So, if you’re like me and are continuing to love Murderbot and its grumpy ways, then you won’t be disappointed. This is another fantastic installment for the series!

This is not my first Martha Wells book, but it is my first foray into The Murderbot Diaries, despite this being book number six.

A quick background ... "Murderbot" is the name a self-aware robot has given itself, though it doesn't refer to itself that way out loud for fear of scaring off the humans who are already pretty wary of the destructive power of the machines. Being self-aware (I'm not sure how this happened), Murderbot hacked into its own programming and is searching for the meaning of life. To that end, it just wants to be left alone to search for the answer.

In Fugitive Telemetry, Murderbot is on Preservation Station where it discovers a dead body. It must now work, voluntarily, with the station humans to discover what happened.

I'm really torn on what to make of this novella. It's really little more than a locked room mystery set in the future, with a robot as detective. The big appeal is not so much the mystery as it is the character(s). Coming in to this as my first read in the series I definitely feel as though I'm behind, not knowing enough about Murderbot to appreciate what's happening to it here.

I found the concept interesting and the character fun. I definitely want to go back and read the earlier books to learn more about (and hopefully appreciate) Murderbot and its situation.

I know that the series is extremely popular (Hugo winner, Nebula winner, Locus Award) and I sure don't want to miss out on something that so many are enjoying, but as I read I couldn't help but make comparisons to another series that I really enjoyed (the Ray Electromatic Mysteries by Adam Christopher). (***links to reviews of Adam Christopher books inserted here on blog***) And as I couldn't help but make the comparison, I also couldn't help but enjoy the Ray Electromatic books more.

This is a quick and easy read - probably a one-day vacation read - and I enjoyed it. I'm very interested in reading more, but this probably wasn't a good place to start.

Looking for a good book? Fugitive Telemetry by Martha Wells is a novella, the sixth book in the Murderbot Diaries series. Fans of the series won't want to miss this novella, but new fans to the series probably should start at the beginning and not here.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.

A murder mystery set on a space station—Murderbot’s summoned to the investigation! Do I need to say anything more?

If you don't know Murderbot, the SecurityUnit cyborg who has, by dint of tremendous determination and not a little crankiness, become autonomous, you're in for a treat! Run out and get the previous novellas and novel right away! And clear your calendar, because Murderbot is addictive.

Murderbot is back - excepts that this book is set before the Murderbot novel, Network Effect. If I hadn't known, I might have stumbled over that. This novella has a bit less action that one is used to with Murderbot, but the same dry humor, the same commentary about us stupid humans and Murderbot's lovely social awkwardness. Everyone loves Murderbot!

Murderbot is the best. I was a bit confused at first, because even though this is book 6 in the series, the events take place before the novel (book 5). I missed ART, but this was a great chapter in the Murderbot diaries nonetheless. One of my favorite series currently being published! This belongs in any public library collection, Wells is fantastic and the snarky, relatable Murderbot is the hero we all need and deserve. Now back to watching media content.

Murderbot investigates a muder!

In this sixth book in the Murderbot Diaries, Wells’s fantastic creation finds itself investigating the suspicious death of a human on Preservation Station. It’s a great new direction for the series and character, and one I hope continues in future instalments. Probably unsurprisingly, I really enjoyed this novella.

Six books in, and Martha Wells still keeps this series fresh. Murderbot is feeling a bit more at home on Preservation Station (as much as it can, at any rate), despite suspicion from law enforcement and others who can’t get past its nature and original purpose. In Fugitive Telemetry, we get to see a little bit more of how that’s manifesting in a day-to-day manner, and also the ways in which Murderbot is able to confound expectations and predictions. It’s not easy, though, as it continues to not particularly like or trust humans.

"[I] could use the name Rin. I liked it, and there were some humans outside the Corporation Rim who thought it was actually my name. I could use it, and the humans on the Station wouldn’t have to think about what I was, a construct made of cloned human tissue, augments, anxiety, depression, and unfocused rage, a killing machine for whichever humans rented me, until I made a mistake and got my brain destroyed by my governor module."

Fiercely loyal to Dr. Mensah, her family, and a (slowly) growing cast of friends and acquaintances, Murderbot is always on the look-out for potential threats. When a dead body is discovered on Preservation Station, it worries that it is connected to the lingering threat posed to Dr. Mensah by various corporate entities (see the previous novellas for why). Asked to participate in the investigation — after first proving that it was not the killer — Murderbot engages in some competition with Preservation Security. It’s held at arms-length to begin with, but given its unique capabilities and mind, it makes more rapid headway than its human counterparts. The detective story quality of the novella was a very welcome development and shift in approach. Murderbot does lend itself to the genre very well, and the way it interacts with the world — not only humans, but also bots and technology — allows for some interesting and original approaches to an investigation.

"This junction, and Preservation Station in general, were also weird places for humans to get killed; the threat assessment for both transients and station residents was low anyway, and mostly involved accidents and cases of intoxication-related stupidity/aggression in the port area. In this specific junction, threat assessment for accidental death was even lower, close to null. There was nothing here except the lights in the high ceiling and the standard silver-blue textured wall panels, marked with some old graffiti and drawings that were actually being preserved as part of a station-wide history exhibit. I guess if you were really determined, you could find a way to get yourself killed by exposing the power connectors under the panels and shielding and, I don’t know, licking them or something, but this dead human clearly hadn’t."

The story is laced through with the gentle humour that has come to define Murderbot’s character and its impressions of the universe and its interactions with humans. The pacing is excellent, and Wells continues to expand our understanding of how this universe works. Some of the best interactions are between Murderbot and other (less intelligent) constructs, but also with the humans who have come to inhabit its orbit.

If you’re already familiar with Murderbot, then you should absolutely read this (I’d be surprised if you haven’t already, though…). If you have yet to try the series, I can’t recommend it highly enough. Each book adds something new to the setting and character, and it contains great action, interesting plots, endearing characters, and a one of the best protagonists ever written.

“Fugitive Telemetry” has all the elements that made the previous works in the series wildly popular: a wisecracking Security Unit (aka Murderbot) and … Actually that’s pretty much all you need. This title might be tough to follow if you aren’t familiar with the Murderbot universe. If you’re already a devotee, you’ll be satisfied. Wells has once again included all the delicious bits of the crowd-pleasing recipe: dangerous space stations, a system-hacking, energy weapon-toting, sleuthing hero, bad guys going after Murderbot’s humans, and Murderbot’s inevitable impatience with how slow the humans are to realize it. This time, however, the target isn’t Dr. Mensah, and Murderbot will need to cooperate with an adversary to solve the mystery. Another entertaining adventure awaits the reader.

And here I am at last, caught up! And it didn’t even take me as long this time (I think)! It turned out that Murderbot was the ideal (mostly) bite-size companion for the stressful month of November, and the novellas in particular were eaten up in the space of a day in most cases. Fugitive Telemetry took me a bit longer, but it wasn’t the book’s fault. It’s a very fun detective story, with Murderbot getting to use its skills in ways much more like it was designed for, and it gives us a glimpse of how Preservation works, how people (and free bots) behave there, and how Murderbot is beginning to find its place.

It is set before Network Effect, and I think for some people that made it a touch disappointing, since Network Effect was a step up in scope. For me, though, I was relieved to sink back into a monster-of-the-week type adventure — I couldn’t take a season finale in every book! And I think Murderbot shines here, grumpy and yet unable to help caring, and unable to help forming attachments despite its best efforts.

There is also a great line where Murderbot calls Ratthi and Gurathin when it needs witnesses/accomplices, on the grounds that Ratthi will help them do a thing and Gurathin will come along in order to tell them they’re doing it wrong. (This is a paraphrase so as not to ruin the context or the moment, but those who’ve read the book will know.) I’d happily read a lot more of Murderbot hanging out with Ratthi and Gurathin!

Actually, there are a bunch of great lines, of course, but that one really struck me.

Murderbot solving a (very well written) murder mystery while not allowed to punch anything was...not what I expected, but it really worked. Fun to see it having to interact with humans as a colleague, and to see the world around it on Preservation Station in more detail and depth. Definitely not bored of Murderbot, even after blasting through all of the books in order over the last week or so. One of my favourite sci fi series.

So, I asked this one after Reading the First in the series And planning on Reading the others (I have them ALL) but life happened And I hate to see this book withoit feedback.

O can't wait to read them all, the First one was amazing.