The Mimicking of Known Successes by Malka Older
On a remote, gas-wreathed outpost of a human colony on Jupiter, a man goes missing. The enigmatic Investigator Mossa follows his trail to Valdegeld, home to the colony’s erudite university — and Mossa’s former girlfriend, a scholar of Earth’s pre-collapse ecosystems.
Pleiti has dedicated her research and her career to aiding the larger effort towards a possible return to Earth. When Mossa unexpectedly arrives and requests Pleiti’s assistance in her latest investigation, the two of them embark on a twisting path in which the future of life on Earth is at stake — and, perhaps, their futures, together.
by Iris
At this point, I feel like we all know that I can never resist a sci-fi novella. This one is no exception (I mean, just look at that beautiful cover!). The story is set on Jupiter—or rather, the complex network of rings, rails and stations built around the gas giant to support human life. Main character Mossa is an investigator sent to look into a disappearance and it just so happens that this particular investigation leads her to reunite with Pleiti, a former college friend… who may have been a little bit more than that.
The case quickly turns into something much more complicated than Mossa anticipated, and she finds herself drawn into this mystery together with Pleiti. The steampunk-y feel of the Jupiter settlements, the cozy academia vibes, and the absolutely perfect dynamic between Mossa and Pleiti all make this a delightful read for a rainy evening. Grab yourself a pot of tea and some treats, and dive in.
(If you like The Mimicking of Known Successes, goods news: the sequel, The Imposition of Unnecessary Obstacles, is also great—and there are three more coming in the series!)
