illegible_scribble
4/9/2021
This is a mosaic novel, consisting of a framing story which contains a number of short fiction narratives about past events involving different characters. The framing story is an investigation being held into a purported mutiny by the Earth-Mars shuttle transport captain. (One of the vignettes is the novella Murder on the Aldrin Express, a murder mystery set onboard, which the captain is/was eventually able to solve.)
The science backing this novel is pretty solid, which I really appreciated. The captain is a complex, problematic character of the Gregory House, MD sort - irascible, contrary, often too harsh - but who has nevertheless inspired a loyal following of officers and staff through his own brand of integrity and his ability to save lives, get results, and thwart those with evil intentions.
Those who struggle with flashback-intensive narratives may find it less to their liking, and it's not edge-of-the-seat stuff, but it's a good story with complex characters, backed with good science, and I really enjoyed it.