A unique and interesting story. Not what I expected and I am still deciding if I liked it. Definitely memorable and thought-provoking.

It seems like cozy mysteries set in space are truly having a moment, and honestly, I’m here for it. This story blends sci-fi and mystery in such a charming, original way that I couldn’t help but be drawn in.

The premise is fascinating: in this future, memories can be uploaded into a digital library, allowing people to transfer into new bodies once the old ones wear out. Another unique world-building element that adds to the story was that certain drinks can trigger powerful, almost cinematic memories.

The main character is an absolute delight. She’s curious, and she knits, which adds a lovely domestic touch amid the futuristic setting. The mystery itself was satisfying, with just enough twists to keep me engaged without feeling overly complicated. I’d gladly return to this world if it becomes a series.

And I have to give a special shout out to the spaceship’s AI, they were unexpectedly hilarious and charming, and honestly, I wish we had more scenes with them.

The narrator deserves praise, too. She did a fantastic job bringing Dorothy Gentleman to life, capturing both her wit and warmth.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio for the gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.

A storyteller must be a semi genius to make an entire world in less than 150 pages. In Murder by Memory we’re on a ship traveling through space for a thousand year journey. They have a library which contains every person’s memory that are re-added every time their body falls apart. Like any society, there is death and murder. A detective is woken from her chosen sleep to solve the newest murder isn’t a murder. This murder is not of the body, it’s a permanent murder of the memories in the library. Waking up in your own body is bad enough but waking up in another body that you don’t recognize and have no control over could be a great boon to a detective but also a great hindrance to the case. This book has ups, downs, heartbreak, and everything you could possibly want in 150 pages. It’s a sci-fi mini epic that I want more of. I need more stories of the ship, of the library, of the society. That is a great short quick read for anyone.

This book is stunning. I’m not usually a mystery reader and have never gotten into cozy mysteries, but I love a good sci-fi, and I adored Waite’s Celestial Mechanics, so I jumped at the chance to read this. The worldbuilding here, for such a short read, is so solid. It reminds me of more than a couple episodes of Doctor Who mixed together in the best ways, but with enough original elements that it could be its own world within that show. Dorothy is a wonderfully compelling protagonist and I hope Waite develops this into a series, because I would love to see where her story goes from here. Blair Baker was a new narrator for me and she does an excellent job, my only wish was that she’d made Dorothy’s nephew English— it’s implied and he was already giving goofy aristocrat vibes.

Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC of this to review.

Thank you to Tordotcom and Macmillan Audio for the review copies! If you’re looking for a quick genre-hybrid novella that’s easy to follow, I would recommend this one.

Murder by Memory is the first book in a cozy sapphic sci-fi mystery series. I thought the worldbuilding was clear and tight given how short the story was.

I am a very casual mystery reader - I never solve the mystery, and truly don’t even try most of the time. So the ending was a surprise to me - you may feel differently if you are a big mystery genre reader.

I thought there was going to be a romance and while there was a hint of one, but I definitely would have liked to see more. There is a meet cute, and it does feel like there’s going to be more to this relationship as the series continues, but at this point I wouldn’t classify it as a romance.

I read this by audio and felt like I could picture the world and keep track of all of the characters - something I often struggle with with both sci-fi and mystery books at times by audio. The characters were clear and the narrator was enjoyable to listen to!

Murder by Memory*, written by Olivia Waite, offers cheerful laughs and delightful mysteries set against a captivating science fiction backdrop.

In just 100 pages, Waite takes readers into a future where humanity is on a centuries-long voyage through space aboard the HMS Fairweather, an advanced interstellar spaceship ensuring the survival of the species. The story introduces the fascinating concept of mind recordings and new bodies—allowing humans to live multiple lifetimes before reaching their destination.

This well-crafted narrative is both engaging and entertaining, blending suspense with futuristic intrigue. The mysteries of who the murderer is, who is erasing minds, and their motivations kept me on the edge of my seat, eager for answers.

A special thanks to McMillian Audio for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Another cozy mystery series I actually like! I love that they are going more mainstream, and becoming less formulaic and more creative as the genre expands. This one is set in space! Our main character is Dorothy Gentleman, ship's detective. She is awoken from a two year "sleep" (characters on this ship have their memories stored in books so when they die they can be reawakened in new bodies). This is a fun alternative to characters being in cryosleep or something similar while their ship journeys a thousand years to a new planet. It's also a great set-up for a murder mystery, where the victims don't always remain dead and can be murdered more than once.

This is a pretty short little book, even for a novella, but it packs a lot in there! Dorothy has to figure out who has destroyed her (and others') memory books, what the dead woman in her room has to do with it all, and makes full use of her new body, who turns out to be very much involved in the events of the plot. What better disguise?

Absolutely will be reading further books in this series, and I actually liked this a lot better than Waite's romance novels! Definitely recommend for mystery fans, sci-fans, and particularly for fans of cozy sci-fi mysteries. This hit the spot for sure.

[4.5 stars]

Audio narration was excellent, the narrator perfectly captured the cosy, lighthearted whimsy of the novella.

Interesting concept of a cosy mystery set in a sci-fi setting of a space ship on its way to a new planet that does not fully rise to its potential. I really enjoyed the ideas of the memory books, new bodies, and how a permanent murder entails destroying a person's memories rather than just their body. However, I found that instead of exploring the concept of memory with how much importance is placed on it (creations of food and drink, significance of a person's book, etc.) the narrative glanced over these aspects of the world.

The mystery itself is essentially solved very early, with more snooping than investigation happening to support the initial suspicion.

Thanks to Netgalley and Tor Publishing Group for the audio ARC.

Murder by Memory is an incredible bite-sized murder mystery that any sci-fi fan would enjoy! Blair Baker also did a phenomenal job as narrator; with a main character POV that's quite mature, Baker nailed the tone and expressions of an older woman.

Murder by Memory tells the story of a detective being suddenly and unceremoniously awakened in a body that does not belong to her, which is unusual even in a world where death is not permanent and bodies are sometimes considered disposable. I always enjoy SFF stories that play with themes of transcending mortality, and Waite does not disappoint with her take on the concept. I found the boundaries of the setting, a ship transporting the passengers through space to their new home planet, worked well for the book's shorter length. The mystery ended up being on the shallow side in terms of motive and method, but I enjoyed the journey more than the destination so this is largely forgiven on my part. For readers who are most invested in these aspects, however, you may be disappointed. I was more invested in the players involved and our detective, a character I came to love quickly. In terms of loose ends, Waite left a thread that could be picked up for a future installment; this had nothing to do with the main plot in a way that could be interpreted as "open-ended" but more with a particular character that was present while not playing a major role. I would be excited to read another book set on the Fairweather, even if Detective Gentleman is not our POV.

4.5 stars, rounded up to 5!

Ahoy there me mateys!  This is a new series with some big comparisons - "Becky Chambers meets Miss Marple in this sci-fi ode to the cozy mystery" and "Perfect for fans of the plot-twisty narratives of Dorothy Sayers and Ann Leckie."  I wanted to read it because it is a cozy mystery set on a generation ship where memories can be stored in the library.  This book is a novella and was just okay.  It is not like Chambers or Leckie's work though it does have a cozy vibe.

I think that the short length (112 pgs) was the biggest issue for me.  I did like the main detective character who is an older protagonist whose consciousness is pushed into the body of a younger person.  What was fascinating was the idea of the ship and the library storing the memories of the passengers.  The personal problem for me is that I wanted more world building, more exploration of the ship, more explanation for why the ship runs as it does, and more character development.  Basically every aspect felt sketched in and rushed.  I really wish this had been a novel.  

The solution to the mystery wasn't very surprising and the motive was uninteresting.  That said I wouldn't be adverse to trying the next in the series to see what the detective gets up to next given that I still love the concepts.  I would love to explore more of the world.  I listened to this on audio and really enjoyed Blair Baker's narration.  This seems like a negative review but honestly I liked enough of what I read.  I just wanted more.  Arrrrr!

➤ 𝚂𝚈𝙽𝙾𝙿𝚂𝙸𝚂

Onboard the HMS Fairweather, a luxurious interstellar ship where minds are stored between lives and new bodies are issued on request, murder is supposed to be impossible. But when ship detective Dorothy Gentleman wakes up in someone else's body and a passenger turns up dead for good, she knows something has gone terribly wrong.

As Dorothy investigates, she discovers that someone is not just killing bodies but permanently erasing minds from the ship's Library. With a mischievous nephew, a suspicious ex girlfriend, and secrets three centuries deep, Dorothy must unravel the mystery before more minds are lost forever. Cozy mystery meets sci fi in this sharp, witty whodunit with a no nonsense auntie at the helm.

➤ 𝚃𝙷𝙾𝚄𝙶𝙷𝚃𝚂

I'm really enjoying this newer wave of sci fi that blends cozy adjacent murder mysteries with life in space, whether it is on space ships, space hotels, or space habitats. This novella hits all the right notes. We're introduced to Dorothy Gentleman, a sharp and capable detective who wakes up in a body that is not her own, only to find herself in the middle of a murder investigation. On this space habitat, minds are stored in a grand library and transferred into new bodies, which opens the door for all sorts of clever worldbuilding and social dynamics.

Though it is a short read, it packs in a surprising amount. As Dorothy unravels the mystery, we get a fascinating look into how life works aboard the habitat, the people who live there, and the systems that keep it all running. There is even a yarn shop that everyone seems to love, and honestly, I get the hype. The tone stays warm and charming, even with murder on the table, and the comparisons to Miss Marple feel spot on. I really hope this turns into a series. I would love to follow Dorothy through more cases.

I listened to this as an audiobook and I had a good time listening to it! I'd say this is like a sci-fi cozy murder mystery, and it definitely fit all the vibes you would think that would fit! Plus, it's sapphic and the main character is an older woman who loves to knit and solve crimes! At just over 100 pages it's a very short novella so I don't want to talk about the plot and spoil anything, but I loved the idea of a library that holds all your memories and the way this plays with immortality/reincarnation. I actually kind of wish this were a bit longer to give more twists and turns to the mystery, but overall I enjoyed it and I'm looking forward to continuing the series!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A very fun cozy sci-fi mystery. Set on a futuristic ship where minds are stored in libraries, and humans live nearly forever. But when a rare murder occurs, where memory books and a body are destroyed, the detective must solve the case to save the day!

I really hope this becomes a series! Quick, fun, & thought-provoking read!

This novella is told in first person by Dorothy Gentleman, a detective aboard the HMS Fairweather, the luxury passenger spaceship, who wakes up in the middle of a murder mystery in the wrong body. I enjoyed the character of Dorothy as she follows up on leads often distracted by her attraction to witnesses and suspects all while catching up with her errant nephew and prying information from “Ferry” the enthusiastic ship AI.

I found the setting delightful and the characters fun and entertaining. I look forward to more mysteries and colorful characters in the future books for this series. I listened to the audiobook for this one. It was narrated by Blair Baker. I enjoyed the narrator’s voice for the most part, especially with regards to Dorothy and “Ferry”, although I found the male character voices lacking in tone. I will probably reread this in an ebook format.

Recommended to murder mystery fans who are looking for a short foray into science fiction.

Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for a copy provided for an honest review.

I received this audiobook from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this novella. I am interested in seeing where the story continues. I liked the idea that people never really died, and they could get new bodies. I enjoyed the fun murder mystery, and I didn't guess it right away, which is nice.

I do wish this novella was a full-length novel. I want to know more about the society they have developed on this ship. I need more details: how big is the ship, how many people are on it, how does everyone not know everyone after 300 years!? Oh and there's an AI. I need more of them. They get "drunk" during storms?.. I need more drunk AI.

Honestly, this is a really fun sci fi mystery that takes everything at a rapid pace, does some neat things with accidental mind overwriting of bodies, a murder mystery, and the kinds of crimes that can take place on a generation ship. There's definitely a few things that aim for "cozy" vibes (tea, knitting), but it stands on its own as a well done murder mystery, and there's enough threads dangled throughout that I get the sense that if this does well enough, we'll maybe get a bit more of Dorothy. Also a really neat sapphic subthread throughout. The narrator for the audiobook does fantastically with the humor and the material and the audiobook is about two hours total, as this is a pretty quick read. Definitely worth your time this spring.

It’s no secret that I am deep in my novella era. By their nature they are fast paced with little dead space. Murder by Memory is no exception. I was fully invested the entire listen.
Plot - 4

Waite wrote a world that feels accessible to imagine, while still providing a fresh experience. I was particularly captivated by the unique look at the weight of death.
Writing and Editing - 5

The portion of the characters that are explored is the ideal investment entry point for a series. I can’t wait to see how they develop with future books.
Character Development - 5

Blair Baker’s performance was flawless.
Narration - 5

The Dorothy Gentleman series has made it to my auto buy list.
Personal Bias - 5

Final Score - 4.8

🔎 For my friends short on time who want a fully developed detective story on a spaceship.

MURDER BY MEMORY by Olivia Waite (Blair Baker, Narrator)

🎧 Thanks, @Macmillan.audio, for the audiobook review copy. #macaudio2025 (Available now) 2 hours 21 minutes

On the HMS Fairweather, a luxurious interstellar passenger liner on a centuries-long mission, passengers don’t have to worry about death. If the body dies, the consciousness has a backup in the “library,” which can be loaded into a freshly created body.

But what happens if the person’s “library book” is erased?

I tore through this sci-fi ode to the cozy mystery and am itching for more books in the series! At just over two hours long, this novella gives you mystery, a fascinating “auntie” ship’s detective, her brilliant but scattered nephew, and a sentient ship who acts drunk when passing through magnetic storms.

What a pleasant little cozy sci-fi! Completely accessible writing to those new to the genre, and also a breath of fresh air.

The audiobook narration is smooth like butter and pairs elegantly with the writing.

Dorothy is an old detective who was quite tired of living for a bit and wanted to be retired… until called back by the ship’s (drunken) AI who had promptly propped Dorothy in another body shortly after a murder occurred. It’s such a quick little read you really don’t need to know more except that it’s a delight.

In Murder by Memory, Dorothy Gentleman is awakened from being shelved into a body that isn’t hers, and without warning, and must investigate what caused that all to happen. This is a cozy mystery where the learning about the world Dorothy lives in provides the stakes. Dorothy is one of 10,000 people on a generation ship sailing through space on their way to a new home. It’s been three centuries already and instead of staying in cryo-sleep people live and age and when it’s time to die they are provided a new body, and their consciousness and genotype are loaded in from the saved files in the Library when they are ready. This means that residents of the Fairweather have changed their relationship with death.

In addition to introducing us to the world of the Fairweather is the mystery of how Dorothy ended up in the body she’s in, how her book in the Library containing her self was deleted, why her nephew had backups created of the Detectives (of which Dorothy is one), and what is going on with weird financial transactions and deaths. It was highly enjoyable to spend time with Dorothy as her professional nosiness is used to solve the mysteries and the narration by Blair Baker was so well delivered that I didn’t listen to this at 1.25 like I usually do and instead luxuriated in it at 1.0 speed. Highly recommend this couple hour audiobook if you are in the mood for a quick hit of sci-fi mystery. Waite has a way with writing feisty queer women who are about their jobs and love their family and friends and it was just what I needed.