“The Imposition of Unnecessary Obstacles” by Malka Ann Older

I love these books. They are so cute, and so very cozy.

For those who have not yet read them, the Mossa & Pleiti books are a series of Sherlock Holmes-reimaginings by Malka Ann Older. The first book, The Mimicking of Known Successes, came out in March. The second book, The Imposition of Unnecessary Obstacles, comes out February 14th. (Valentine’s Day, appropriately).

These books are set on orbital platforms in the upper reaches of the atmosphere of “Giant” (better known to us as Jupiter), where humanity resettled after we wrecked the Earth. Mossa is an Investigator, people tasked with investigating things like murders and disappearances. Pleiti is a professor of Classics (which, in this time and place, refers to anything from before humanity left Earth) working towards repairing Earth’s ecosystem. They were a couple as college students, fell apart, and reconnect in the first book when a case of Mossa’s takes her to Pleiti’s university.

For those who like cozy mysteries, these are just the very coziest. Suspects are discussed over steaming cups of tea by crackling fires. Progress towards the solution is steady and satisfying. In the first book, we spent a fair bit of time in the head of our Sherlock analogue, Mossa; in the sequel, we are nearly entirely inside the head of Pleiti, our Watson.

And much as I enjoy the mystery, the real star here is the relationship between the two. It rekindled in the first book; in this book, they’re redefining it as they come to understand each other as adults instead of hormone-addled college students. It’s a pure delight.

Mossa, it should be noted, is certainly written as neuroatypical, and as far as my neurotypical self can judge, is very well done.

Comes out February 14, 2024. Have a blanket and hot beverage of your choice on standby.