Dead Space (novel)

Last updated

Dead Space is a 2021 science fiction murder mystery novel by Kali Wallace.

Contents

Synopsis

Scientist Hester Marley begins working for Parthenope Enterprises, a mining corporation in the asteroid belt, to pay off her medical debt after losing two of her limbs in a terrorist attack. After the death of one of her former colleagues, Hester begins investigating the murder.

Genre and themes

The novel centers around a murder mystery and deals with themes related to racism, xenophobia, corporate corruption, and worker's rights. [1] [2] [3] Publishers Weekly described it as a "locked-room mystery set on an asteroid mining colony." [3]

Laura Hubbard, in a review for BookPage, described the narrative as an exploration of grief through Hester's loss of limb. [4]

Reception

The book received mostly positive reviews from critics. [5] [2] Publishers Weekly praised the novel's fast moving action and suspense. [3] Annie Deo of Nerd Daily praised its central plot, and described its handling of themes as a "a nuanced, thought-provoking contemplation of timely issues". [1]

It received the 2022 Philip K. Dick Award. [6]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Philip K. Dick</span> American science fiction author (1928–1982)

Philip Kindred Dick, often referred to by his initials PKD, was an American science fiction writer. He wrote 44 novels and about 121 short stories, most of which appeared in science fiction magazines during his lifetime. His fiction explored varied philosophical and social questions such as the nature of reality, perception, human nature, and identity, and commonly featured characters struggling against elements such as alternate realities, illusory environments, monopolistic corporations, drug abuse, authoritarian governments, and altered states of consciousness. He is considered one of the most important figures in 20th century science fiction.

<i>A Scanner Darkly</i> 1977 novel by Philip K. Dick

A Scanner Darkly is a science fiction novel by American writer Philip K. Dick, published in 1977. The semi-autobiographical story is set in a dystopian Orange County, California, in the then-future of June 1994, and includes an extensive portrayal of drug culture and drug use. The novel is one of Dick's best-known works and served as the basis for a 2006 film of the same name, directed by Richard Linklater.

<i>The Man in the High Castle</i> 1962 novel by Philip K. Dick

The Man in the High Castle (1962), by Philip K. Dick, is an alternative history novel wherein the Axis Powers won World War II. The story occurs in 1962, fifteen years after the end of the war in 1947, and depicts the life of several characters living under Imperial Japan or Nazi Germany as they rule the partitioned United States. The titular character is the mysterious author of a novel-within-the-novel entitled The Grasshopper Lies Heavy, a subversive alternative history of the war in which the Allied Powers are victorious.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Max Allan Collins</span> American mystery writer

Max Allan Collins is an American mystery writer, noted for his graphic novels. His work has been published in several formats and his Road to Perdition series was the basis for a film of the same name. He wrote the Dick Tracy newspaper strip for many years and has produced numerous novels featuring the character as well.

<i>Murder on the Orient Express</i> 1934 novel by Agatha Christie

Murder on the Orient Express is a work of detective fiction by English writer Agatha Christie featuring the Belgian detective Hercule Poirot. It was first published in the United Kingdom by the Collins Crime Club on 1 January 1934. In the United States, it was published on 28 February 1934, under the title of Murder in the Calais Coach, by Dodd, Mead and Company. The UK edition retailed at seven shillings and sixpence (7/6) and the US edition at $2.

<i>Valis</i> (novel) 1981 novel by Philip K. Dick

Valis is a 1981 science fiction novel by American writer Philip K. Dick, intended to be the first book of a three-part series. The title is an acronym for Vast Active Living Intelligence System, Dick's gnostic vision of God. Set in California during the 1970s, the book features heavy auto-biographical elements and draws inspiration from Dick's own investigations into his unexplained religious experiences over the previous decade.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Genre fiction</span> Fictional works written with the intent of fitting into a specific literary genre

Genre fiction, also known as formula fiction or popular fiction, is a term used in the book-trade for fictional works written with the intent of fitting into a specific literary genre in order to appeal to readers and fans already familiar with that genre.

Jane Jensen is an American video game designer and author. She is mostly known as the creator of the Gabriel Knight series of adventure games, and also co-founded Oberon Media and Pinkerton Road video game development companies. Jensen also writes under the name Eli Easton.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bruce Bethke</span> American author

Bruce Bethke is an American author best known for his 1983 short story "Cyberpunk" which led to the widespread use of the term for the cyberpunk subgenre of science fiction. His novel, Headcrash, won the Philip K. Dick Award in 1995 for SF original paperback published in the US.

<i>The Arm of the Starfish</i> 1965 novel by Madeleine LEngle

The Arm of the Starfish is a young adult novel by Madeleine L'Engle, first published in 1965. It is the first novel featuring Polly O'Keefe and the O'Keefe family, a generation after the events of A Wrinkle in Time (1962). The plot concerning advanced regeneration research puts this novel in the science fiction genre, but it could also be described as a mystery thriller.

<i>The Hammer of God</i> (Clarke novel) 1993 novel by Arthur C. Clarke

The Hammer of God is a science fiction novel by Arthur C. Clarke originally published in 1993. Set in the year 2109, it deals with the discovery of an asteroid to be on course to collide with Earth and depicts the mission for deflecting the asteroid by using fusion thermal rockets.

<i>Moon Zero Two</i> 1969 British film by Roy Ward Baker

Moon Zero Two is a 1969 British science fiction film from Hammer Films, directed by Roy Ward Baker and starring James Olson, Catherine Schell, Warren Mitchell, and Adrienne Corri. The screenplay was by Michael Carreras from an original story by Gavin Lyall, Frank Hardman, and Martin Davison.

<i>Our Friends from Frolix 8</i> 1970 science fiction novel by Philip K. Dick

Our Friends from Frolix 8 is a 1970 science fiction novel by American writer Philip K. Dick. The novel is set in the 22nd century, where humanity is ruled by mutated humans, "New Men" and "Unusuals", while normal "Old Men" are discriminated against. The story follows Nick Appleton, a low-class worker who falls in love with a subversive agent, while Thors Provoni has gone deep into space to find an ally to the resistance.

<i>Typewriter in the Sky</i> 1940 science fantasy novel by L. Ron Hubbard

Typewriter in the Sky is a science fantasy novel by American writer L. Ron Hubbard. The protagonist Mike de Wolf finds himself inside the story of his friend Horace Hackett's book. He must survive conflict on the high seas in the Caribbean during the 17th century, before eventually returning to his native New York City. Each time a significant event occurs to the protagonist in the story he hears the sounds of a typewriter in the sky. At the story's conclusion, de Wolf wonders if he is still a character in someone else's story. The work was first published in a two-part serial format in 1940 in Unknown Fantasy Fiction. It was twice published as a combined book with Hubbard's work Fear. In 1995 Bridge Publications re-released the work along with an audio edition.

<i>Who Killed Aunt Maggie?</i> 1940 film

Who Killed Aunt Maggie? is a 1940 American mystery film directed by Arthur Lubin and starring John Hubbard, Wendy Barrie and Mona Barrie. It was produced and distributed by Republic Pictures.

<i>The Murderbot Diaries</i> Science fiction book series by Martha Wells

The Murderbot Diaries is a science fiction series by American author Martha Wells, published by Tor Books. The series is about a cyborg construct designed as a Security Unit (SecUnit). The SecUnit manages to override its governor module, thus enabling it to develop independence, which it primarily uses to watch soap operas. As it spends more time with a series of caring people, it starts developing friendships and emotional connections, which it finds inconvenient.

Road Out of Winter is a 2020 science fiction novel by Alison Stine.

<i>Bannerless</i> 2017 book by Carrie Vaughn

Bannerless is a 2017 post-apocalyptic novel by Carrie Vaughn. It takes place in the future, within the fictional society of the Coast Road, a network of agrarian communities that arises in California after natural disasters caused a societal collapse.

Kali Wallace is an American author of speculative fiction for children and adults.

<i>Far from the Light of Heaven</i> 2021 science fiction novel by Tade Thompson

Far from the Light of Heaven is a 2021 science fiction mystery novel by Tade Thompson. It was a finalist for the 2022 Philip K. Dick Award and 2022 Nommo Award for Best Novel.

References

  1. 1 2 read, Annie Deo·Books··4 min (2021-02-25). "Review: Dead Space by Kali Wallace". The Nerd Daily. Retrieved 2023-02-28.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  2. 1 2 Kali, Wallace. "Dead Space". Library Journal. Retrieved 2023-02-28.
  3. 1 2 3 "Dead Space by Kali Wallace". www.publishersweekly.com. Retrieved 2023-02-28.
  4. Hubbard, Laura (March 2, 2021). "Dead Space". BookPage.
  5. Dead Space, by By Kali Wallace. | Booklist Online.
  6. "2022 Philip K. Dick Award winner announced". Philip K. Dick Award. Retrieved 2023-02-28.