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The Spare Man

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The Spare Man

By: Mary Robinette Kowal
Narrated by: Mary Robinette Kowal
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Hugo, Locus, and Nebula Award winner Mary Robinette Kowal blends her no-nonsense approach to life in space with her talent for creating glittering high-society in this stylish SF mystery, The Spare Man.

Tesla Crane, one of the richest women in the world, is on her honeymoon on an interplanetary space liner, cruising between Earth and Mars. She’s traveling incognito and is reveling in her anonymity. Then someone is murdered and her husband is named as the prime suspect. To save him from the frame-up, Tesla will risk exposure and face demons from her past.

Even though doing so might make her the next victim.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2022 Mary Robinette Kowal (P)2022 Audible, Inc. Hard Science Fiction Science Fiction Feel-Good

Mary Robinette Kowal and Wil Wheaton talk The Spare Man and other works

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Featured Article: Best of the Year—The 12 Best Sci-Fi Listens of 2022


This year’s sci-fi didn’t shy away from heavy, timely topics like climate change, pandemics, and social justice, but even as the subject matter hit close to home, the listening reached to new heights. Several stunning multicast productions make up this list—as well as narrators we can’t hear enough of. In a world that seems increasingly science fictional by the year, the bar is only set higher for creators in this genre—and this year’s list inches it up a little more.

Featured Article Best of the Year The 12 Best Sci-Fi Listens of 2022
Engaging Mystery • Clever Plot Twists • Distinctive Character Voices • Witty Dialogue • Detailed Worldbuilding
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Thanks to Amy (redfraggle) on the Morning Stream podcast for suggestion of this very enjoyable listen.

Really good

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Overall the story was good and kept you interested in it.Crane's lawyer verbal assaults were the best part. Where can I get one like her? Granted I can't afford a millisecond of her fees but would be nice to have.

I'm not a big fan of author reading books as tend to be better at writing then reading, but this was a good performance.

Ok detective story

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I thoroughly enjoyed this book because of the narration. It was lively and emotional. But listen to the very end; the Science and Mixology were stupendous.

Listen to the end!

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This is a book I would read again. maybe even next week. That says a lot since I almost never reread a book. Ms. Robinette does a wonderful job of recreating the mood of the thin man books and movies, including the cocktails! And of course the precious dog. Her writing is amazing. This is my first book of hers and I will definitely look for more just for the witty writing.

Nick and Nora!

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another fantastic book by Mary Robinette Kowal. What a powerhouse! this one was a bit lighter and fluffier than the Lady Astronaut of Mars series but still engaging from the get-go.

Mary knocks it out of the park yet again.

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I love Mary Robinette Kowal and expected greatness from her. So how could I resist. When this book came out. I really love her! Plus I loved the Thin Man movie series... although I watched 'em so long ago that I couldn't even remember the actors names only that, there's a white westie named Asta, and that the movies were Mysteries! This is Mary's recreation of a Thin Man movie. Taking place on a cruise ship to Mars. And I really enjoyed the book. Ohhhh and about the movie, I have an ace up my sleeve! I have a friend, she's a movie buff! She'll let me know if the book stays true to the movie...

Here's a couple of quotes that gave me a chuckle.

"Which, if Tesla knew Fontien, she sounded like she was going to reach through the cosmos and pull out their intestines and use it for macrame."

"You manmoring lobster."

What a fun mystery.

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I was skeptical but ended up liking the characters and the sweet little dog. The drink mix recipes at the begging of each chapter got to be annoying though. The story was unpredictable yet the way the main characters were treated was frustrating at times. I enjoyed it enough to recommend and may check out the authors other books.

Mostly loved it

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As a lifelong fan of the Thin Man movies and a longtime fan of Mary Robinette Kowal’s work, I couldn’t wait for this book.

The mystery element is kept fairly light-hearted, more because of the Nick & Nora tone than a lack of body count. The banter and romance of newlyweds Tesla Crane and Shal Steward is pretty damn fun, and it’s refreshing to have a disabled protagonist/main character who’s multidimensional, intriguing, and downright fun much of the time. Don’t get me wrong, Tesla’s disability and PTSD aren’t glossed over or minimized, nor are they plot points to be cured or “triumphed” over. Rather, they are chronic conditions that must be managed and accommodated.

Kowal’s narration is, as always, superb. I’m really hoping that there will be more Spare Man adventures.

Nick & Nora in SPAAAAACE

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Beautifully written murder mystery in space. Mary Robinette Kowal writes mental illness beautifully as always, and her take on the near future feels plausible and interesting. I LOVE the depiction of progressed gender perception and social norms. It was difficult not to binge the whole book over the weekend, and instead save it for my daily commute.

Another great space novel from Kowal!

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Good story. Lots of twists and turns. Interesting and fully developed characters. Thoroughly enjoyed the audible. MRK narration is superb.

Cruising

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