"The Mimicking of Known Successes" by Malka Older

The blurb for this novella calls it “a cozy Holmesian murder mystery and sapphic romance, set on Jupiter,” and that pretty well sums it up.

Our protagonist is a researcher in “Classical Studies,” which in this context means a researcher into the ecology of Earth from before we wrecked the place and the survivors of humanity had to decamp to platforms suspended in the upper reaches of the atmosphere of Jupiter (now known as Giant). The goal of the research of Classical Studies is the ultimate repair of Earth’s environment so that humanity can return home, though they’re taking it slow and determined to get it right.

None of that is what the book is about, though. One of the protagonist’s colleagues (one she doesn’t particularly like) has gone missing, to all appearances having jumped off of a remote platform into the Giant’s depths in an apparent suicide. The person in charge of the investigator happens to be an old flame of our protagonist, from their college days.

This book was delightful to read. Most of what I loved about it was the careful re-establishment of a relationship between the two, as both of them are uncertain of where things stand and are very delicately feeling things out. The investigator, for her part, is presented (though not described explicitly) as neuroatypical, which in this case means subtle signals on both ends are a challenge to interpret. Which is where the “Holmesian” really comes into play, for better and for worse. Sherlock Holmes was a brilliant investigator, but also cold and dismissive of relationships. Here, the investigator isn’t cold and dismissive, exactly, but very focused on her work and doesn’t express emotions in way apparent to others.

The science fiction elements are a good background. Malka Older does an excellent job of presenting humanity’s existence on Jupiter as a status quo, something all the characters simply accept without really thinking about, while still informing the entire story to a large degree.

All in all, this was a delightful quick read, and strongly recommended. Comes out on March 7.