Murder by Memory, by Olivia Waite, is a quick, fun science-fiction mystery. The novella is set on a sort of generation ship, with a big twist: Instead of having children take their place on the long voyage through the stars, the passengers extend their lives by uploading their memories into fresh clone-bodies when they die. The novella starts when Dorothy Gentleman wakes up and discovers she’s been uploaded off schedule and into the wrong body, and she finds out soon that someone else is dead. As one of the ship’s detectives, she shelves her personal feelings (that’s my little in-joke) and immediately starts investigating.

It turns out that during or possibly just before a magnetic storm, someone erased some of the memory-books in the ship’s Library. One of those books was Dorothy’s, but luckily, she’s one of the few people who had a backup. But why the erasures, why the death, and what’s been going on in the complicated life of the person whose body she’s temporarily inhabiting? She’s determined to find out.

On the ship, where passengers decided on rules for a new culture before embarking 307 years ago, passion and money still appear to be the two most common motives for crimes, although with some differences. For instance, one of the ways people express their love is to arrange for their memory-books to be shelved next to each other in the Library while they’re between bodies. For another instance, although some essentials are provided to everyone on the ship, people still earn money with jobs, such as creating clothing or art, or banking, or bartending — but the drinks are infused with vivid sensual memories of life back home.

I found the worldbuilding intriguing in this book. The ship is a planned society that has been relatively stable for three centuries, and will need to stay stable for centuries more. Incidental statements from the narrator, Dorothy (the book is written in first person past tense), make clear that she’s writing for someone far in the future when the ship will be just a memory.

There’s a certain generosity in this society; for instance, once debts are repaid, they’re erased from public records. And there is enough housing available that people can move around fairly freely. But some things are more scarce, such as space in the Library; only the Council and a few special cases like Dorothy have backups for their main memory books, since those were supposed to be nigh invulnerable. And since nobody can think of everything, loopholes in the rules are discovered once in a while, which turn out to matter.

The book isn’t overburdened with infodumps, aside from a few explanations such as how the Library works; most of the worldbuilding is sprinkled through with little parenthetical asides by Dorothy. But that leaves plenty of room for more explanations and revelations as this series continues, as Waite plans to write more. I’ll be curious to find out other things; why exactly did this group set out to create a new society and eventually a new world together? Are they fleeing catastrophe or oppression? Are there no children, or did Dorothy just not run into any during this investigation? (If not, will people resume having children again when they make planetfall, or are they planning to keep cloning themselves and downloading themselves throughout eternity?) I did have a few quibbles with how things might work, but on the whole I was happy to be riding along on the ship with Dorothy.

Dorothy is an interesting character; she says she joined this venture so that her nephew wouldn’t be traveling alone, but it appears she needs connections too. She’s recovering from a deep personal loss but she’s beginning to be interested in other possibilities again. She’s observant, as a detective needs to be, and questions other people’s motives (except for those of her nephew, who’s a brilliant programmer but rather naive). She takes great pleasure in having a capable young body again, although she’s unsettled by the differences from her own body. I’m uneasy over some of her decisions, but I hope to read more from her viewpoint in the future.

Waite is mostly known for her romance novels and columns for the New York Times Book Review. However, those who follow Waite to this book from romancelandia may find that it comes up a bit short on that aspect; there are plot-relevant relationships and passions, but most of them are observed during the investigation rather than experienced, except for Dorothy mourning her lost love, and the seeds of a future possibility. This novella feels more like a cozy mystery in space — one of the characters even runs a yarn shop! It also feels more like space opera than serious science fiction, but that’s no drawback for providing an entertaining read.

I enjoyed Murder by Memory. Sure, there’s a little darkness in the hearts of some characters, given the nature of the story, but it doesn’t dwell on that. Instead, it’s a breezy space mystery with enough interesting worldbuilding, descriptions, characterizations, and plot to hold my attention and make me want to visit the setting, Dorothy, and her connections again. More of this, please!

This is an absolutely charming book. I could have read it in one sitting if I wanted to but I wanted to savor it. I love the concept of the memory books and the setting in space. It was cozy and curious and I can't wait to see what else this author writes in the future.

Murder by Memory is a delightful space mystery. There is a lot packed into this short 100+ page story. I'm always impressed by authors who can build a whole new world in a short story.

Waite does a great job balancing broad strong and fine detail when building her world on the space vessel Fairweather. She draws on some technology that science fiction fans will recognize like the retromat and autochef - they are like the replicators in Star Trek. But she spends a little more time on those aspects that are unique to this world.

A big question that often comes up in space travel books is how to account for the time it takes to travel anywhere. Waite envisions a world where people can upload their memories and then when their physical bodies die they can have those memories downloaded into a newly made body. I guess everyone is synthetic. It begs the question is there more to a person than their memories.

Some of the broader strokes of the world-building have to do with why they are traveling through space. We know they left Earth centuries ago, but we don't know why nor do we know where they're heading.

I liked the few characters we met. There isn't much in the way of character-building. We get to know the personalities of two of the characters, Dorothy and Ruthie but the other characters are just their actions.

Even the murder is a means to show how the world is. As this is listed as book 1 in the Dorothy Gentleman series, I assume we will get more character development in future books and this one was more for setting up the world.

If you want an entertaining afternoon read, this would be a good one to get.

My review is published at Girl Who Reads - https://www.girl-who-reads.com/2025/03/can-you-solve-these-murder-mysteries.html

Thank you to NetGalley and Tor for the free e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I love a cozy mystery as much as the next guy but what I love ever more is a GAY cozy mystery set IN SPACE with a main character older (way older) than 25! This fast-paced novella introduces a cast of characters I'm looking forward to learning more about in future books but still works great as a standalone mystery. The main character, Dorothy Gentlemen, immediately endeared me to her with her sharp mind, sticktoitiveness, and snark. Each person she interacts with also comes to life on the page. Waite manages to pack a lot into a thin volume and this story had me thinking long after I closed it about human nature, immortality, love, betrayal, and more. I highly recommend this book!

Murder by Memory could have been a disaster to pack the intricacies of a new science fiction world and a murder investigation in just under 150 pages. But instead Waite delivers a story that whets the appetite. The world within Murder by Memory is intriguing and concise. The same goes for the investigation elements which have this bread crumb style to the clues where I like to think if I was just a little bit more perceptive, I could have figured it out. But I have nothing on Dorothy. These are the kind of mysteries I love and this queer sci-fi novella hit the spot.

This follows in the footsteps of a few books in the past few years that I've enjoyed, most notably The Spare Man by Mary Robinette Kowal and Station Eternity by Mur Lafferty. I think the comp to A Memory Called Empire is probably doing this a bit of a disservice (I see it, with the moving bodies thing, but that book is so complex and filled with political intrigue that a cozy mystery feels like a letdown). This is, I think, most similar to The Mimicking of Known Successes by Malka Older, in that there is a science fiction/space backdrop, and the logistics of it are explored briefly in an interesting way (I LOVED the economic set up? very interesting), but it is never the focus on the novel. Instead, Murder by Memory is essentially a locked room/ship mystery where the reader never knows enough about the setup or circumstances to be able to make any kind of educated guess as to who the murder is and instead is just along for the ride. It's very cozy, even more so than the typical cozy mystery because most of the murder potentials are not permanent. I liked the main character and I would definitely read more set in this same world.

A short, sharp novella with a tightly woven mystery, set onboard a generation ship where death isn't permanent, murder victims can testify against their murderers, and the preservation of memory is essential. The lead character is terrific, and since this is apparently the start of a series, it's great to know that there's more to come.

I enjoyed this quick little futuristic murder mystery! Despite the length, I felt like I was truly immersed in the ship's world. I would absolutely read additional stories set in this ship. I loved the idea of memories being stored in a library and being able to live continuously because of it. It brings up some interesting philosophical points. The plot itself was pretty basic, but the characters and the setting made up for it. I would definitely recommend this book to my followers!

On a quasi-generational starship bound for distant space, Dorothy wakes up in a body that is not her own. This is unusual. Aboard the ship Fairweather, she’s lived multiple lifetimes as a detective, reborn from her memory stored in the Library. But not only is Dorothy in the wrong body, someone has been deleting minds from the Library. And Dorothy is the only one who can solve the mystery.

This is described as a cozy space mystery akin to A Memory Called Empire meets Miss Marple. It definitely has some key cozy indicators, like a yarn shop, an invitingly queernorm world, and a formidable auntie (Dorothy herself). It’s altogether charming, even though the mystery itself (and its resolution) seemed lightweight, even for a novella. I’d happily read more though!

Thank you @tordotcompub #partner for the gifted copies of this book!

Oh this was such a great cozy mystery set in space! Ahhh, with the best characters too!! A knitting investigator and the most wonderful setting in a spaceship…what else can someone possibly ask for?! What a unique idea to have memories be destroyed and to live in someone else’s body! I liked the concept of this and the older MC was smart and quick witted. I am excited that this book is the first in a series because I can’t wait to read more in this world!

A delightful cozy mystery set on an interstellar passenger liner, where human lives are as long as their consciousness can be digitally stored. Dorothy Gentleman, the ship's detective, is forcibly "installed" into a body that is not hers, to solve two murders-- a physical one and a digital one. This was brief, but lovely. Exactly what I hoped to experience when I was pitched "Agatha Christie but in space!"

Book Summary:

Dorothy Gentleman is a detective on board the HMS Fairweather, an interstellar passenger ship making a very long journey across the galaxy. As such, the people aboard have grown accustomed to life, death, and rebirth. That is to say, they’re used to the ship putting their consciousnesses into new bodies as needed.

The plan was for Dorothy to spend a few years in deep slumber. But it seems that her skills are needed, as there has been a murder. What’s worse, the victim will not be waking up in a new body to explain it all away. So she’s going to have to do this the hard way.

My Review:

Where has this book been all my life?! No, seriously. I adored Murder By Memory. It’s basically Agatha Christie in space, and I cannot get enough of it. So imagine my delight to learn that this is the first in a series (Dorothy Gentleman). Yes, please!

If you’ve been looking for a cozy mystery series with many unique twists, Murder By Memory is the book for you. It adds loads of sci-fi elements, from traveling through space to body-swapping and pretty much everything in between.

As for the mystery itself, that was quite compelling. We have a world where murders may occur, but they don’t usually stick. So, coming across something more…permanent is raw and strange. Given that it had to be resolved within the timeframe of a novella, it’s not the longest-running mystery, but I still greatly enjoyed it.

Long story short, Murder By Memory is one of my new favorite stories, and I can’t wait for more. I’ll be following Olivia Waite on all bookish sites to ensure I don’t miss out.

Highlights:
Cozy Murder Mystery
Science Fiction
Agatha Christie in Space
LGBTQ+

Trigger Warnings:
Memory Loss

Murder by Memory is a charming blend of cozy mystery and soft sci-fi, introducing readers to the formidable and delightfully shrewd Dorothy Gentleman. Waking up in an unfamiliar body just as a murder shakes the HMS Fairweather, Dorothy—one of the ship’s seasoned detectives—soon realizes the crime is more than just a simple case of bodily harm. Someone is permanently deleting minds from the ship’s Library, a seemingly impossible act in a world where identities are stored like data backups. With three centuries of possible motives and suspects, Dorothy must unravel a conspiracy that threatens the very foundation of their interstellar society.

The novel leans heavily into its mystery elements, keeping the sci-fi aspects light and accessible. While the Fairweather’s world is intriguing, the focus remains on the investigation, with technology and futuristic details woven in as needed rather than dominating the story. Dorothy’s perspective is a refreshing departure from the typical young, brash detective; her no-nonsense attitude, sharp wit, and years of experience make her an engaging lead. The supporting cast, from her feckless but brilliant nephew to the mysterious ex-girlfriend of her body’s previous owner, adds layers of intrigue and charm.

While the mystery itself is compelling, it’s the book’s clever world-building and unique premise—immortality through stored consciousness—that make it stand out. The idea of swapping bodies and preserving minds offers a fascinating backdrop for future stories, and I sincerely hope this becomes an ongoing series. If you enjoy Agatha Christie-style detective work with a dash of sci-fi, Murder by Memory is a must-read.

Thank you to Tor Publishing and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book.

I struggled to get into this at first because I just kept thinking about wall-e. The idea was really interesting; but just like most novellas, it left me wanting more? I felt like everything wrapped up but it should have been longer.

"Becky Chambers meets Miss Marple in this sci-fi ode to the cozy mystery, helmed by a formidable no-nonsense auntie of a detective.

A mind is a terrible thing to erase...

Welcome to the HMS Fairweather, Her Majesty's most luxurious interstellar passenger liner! Room and board are included, new bodies are graciously provided upon request, and should you desire a rest between lifetimes, your mind shall be most carefully preserved in glass in the Library, shielded from every danger.

Near the topmost deck of an interstellar generation ship, Dorothy Gentleman wakes up in a body that isn't hers - just as someone else is found murdered. As one of the ship's detectives, Dorothy usually delights in unraveling the schemes on board the Fairweather, but when she finds that someone is not only killing bodies but purposefully deleting minds from the Library, she realizes something even more sinister is afoot.

Dorothy suspects her misfortune is partly the fault of her feckless nephew Ruthie who, despite his brilliance as a programmer, leaves chaos in his cheerful wake. Or perhaps the sultry yarn store proprietor - and ex-girlfriend of the body Dorothy is currently inhabiting - knows more than she's letting on. Whatever it is, Dorothy intends to solve this case. Because someone has done the impossible and found a way to make murder on the Fairweather a very permanent state indeed. A mastermind may be at work - and if so, they've had three hundred years to perfect their schemes...

Told through Dorothy's delightfully shrewd POV, this novella is an ode to the cozy mystery taken to the stars with a fresh new sci-fi take. Perfect for fans of the plot-twisty narratives of Dorothy Sayers and Ann Leckie, this well-paced story will leave readers captivated and hungry for the series's next installment."

Stuart Turton does Altered Carbon.

4.5/5
Prior to reading this, I had enjoyed Olivia Waite's historical romances. I'm happy to report that she is just as good at writing sci-fi mysteries and am happy this looks like it'll be a series.

Detective Dorothy knows something is fishy when she wakes up in the wrong body. With the help of a sentient ship, her irresponsible nephew, & the ex-girlfriend of the woman whose body she's currently in, Dorothy investigates a string of murders. Highly recommend for intriguing world-building, a quick read, and a promising start to a sci-fi series!

I hadn't realized just how short this one was until I Started but I was amazing at how much heavy lifting Olivia Waite did in such a short time without it FEELING like heavy lifting. The whole ship and community were all explained well without being heavy handed. The mystery was engaging and I loved the MC. I'm definitely looking forward to more of these novellas!

This was such a fun, cozy read. The characters were exceptional and the premise was so original. This renewed my love for cozy murder mysteries!

This science fiction novella introduces Dorothy Gentleman who is a detective on the HMS Fairweather - a spaceship on a 1000-year mission. When Dorothy wakes unexpectedly in a body not her own, she finds herself solving a murder case and a financial conspiracy.

I enjoyed the characters in this story and loved the worldbuilding. A thousand-year voyage, minds stored in libraries, and new bodies on demand were all interesting concepts. So was the idea that man's crimes carried into space with the passengers on the ship.

Dorothy was an interesting character who discovered her career as a detective late in life. It is a great fit with her nosy nature. I enjoyed watching her unravel this twisty plot.

4.5 stars - Love the premise, love the characters, and very excited that this is going to be a series! This is just my kind of cozy. You know, in spaaacceee with memory bending sapphic lady detectives who knit