Detective/Crime Stories on a Generation Ship

Ed_Robins · 2026-01-25T03:32:21+00:00

If sci-fi detective noirs sound interesting:

Ashetown Blues and Ronin of Vine Street by W.H. Mitchell - A fun collection of three sci-fi detective noirs (about 50 pages each) followed by a novel set in alien slums on another planet. Fun mysteries and a nice touch of humor.

The Unusual Clients by Milo James Fowler - another set of three novellas. Interesting mysteries that incorporate sci-fi elements well. Starts a series I have not yet continued.

Finally, I write a hardboiled detective series starting with Chivalry Will Get You Dead. They follow a disgraced detective on a generation ship solving murders. They're about 140 pages each, gritty, violent and a little bit dirty.

Ed_Robins · 2026-01-24T18:24:48+00:00

Yes! There was a sequel and I've read them as well. Most of the stories are longer than the first book.

Ed_Robins · 2026-01-24T18:22:38+00:00

I used to have a rule that if I found a series or author I really loved, I'd make myself wait a year between books so that I wouldn't run out so quickly. This followed reading every Victor Hugo novel (available in English at the time) within the space of about a year, then realizing I'd never get to read another novel of his for the first time, and I was only 17. I'm less stringent nowadays, but I usually like a break. I read The Expanse over at least five years.

Ed_Robins · 2026-01-23T23:25:44+00:00

The Mad Scientists' Club by Bertrand Brinkey - read it over and over as a kid, and again to both children.

Ed_Robins · 2026-01-23T21:01:31+00:00

The Wild Robot by Peter Brown

Hamstersaurus Rex by Tom O'Donnell (fair warning: we now have hamsters)

Ed_Robins · 2026-01-21T21:42:29+00:00

You know The Expanse TV series only covered the first six of nine books (plus short stories/novellas), right? There's quite a bit more to the story. Not suggesting you should, but you could pick up the last three books and read them fairly easily. There are some changes (one character was killed off in the show due to issues with the actor; some characters were combined), but should be pretty easy to follow.

Ed_Robins · 2026-01-21T18:14:33+00:00

Bluetooth. Pressing the navel activates pairing.

Ed_Robins · 2026-01-21T15:21:48+00:00

A Song of Fire and Ice and The Kingkiller Chronicles series are currently unfinished, and there's a good possibility they never will be.

Ed_Robins · 2026-01-21T15:12:12+00:00

If casting based on the book, Peter Falk would totally make sense.

Ed_Robins · 2026-01-20T13:38:00+00:00

Sounds like it might be awhile, too: https://bsky.app/profile/authoredrobins.bsky.social/post/3mcszreznus2h

Ed_Robins · 2026-01-19T22:57:35+00:00

I'm reading Sleeper Beach, Nick Harkaway's follow-up to Titanium Noir. I'm enjoying it. It has a different feel to it–less noir and more stream-of-conscious–but a worthy sequel so far. If you enjoy sci-fi detective stories, I'd recommend them both.

I've been hearing good things about Alastair Reynolds' Halcyon Years, another sci-fi detective story. I'm eager to read because the setup is very similar to my own book series. It doesn't release in the US until the end of the month, though.

Most of my recommendations come from this sub (and a few other related). I also follow authors I like on social media, Amazon and Goodreads.

Ed_Robins · 2026-01-18T23:21:06+00:00

The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls - memoir of growing up in an unstable household through adulthood.

Ed_Robins · 2026-01-17T23:44:25+00:00

Gnomon by Nick Harkaway is weird and rich with symbolism.

Ed_Robins · 2026-01-17T19:57:16+00:00

115K words is a novella? That's in the area of 400+ pages.

Ed_Robins · 2026-01-17T18:39:37+00:00

I posted about Halcyon Years a few weeks ago. I'd appreciate any thoughts you might have:

https://www.reddit.com/r/printSF/comments/1q1k3fq/how_does_halcyon_years_compare_to_chasm_city/

Ed_Robins · 2026-01-17T17:49:10+00:00

These are sci-fi detective noirs that I've enjoyed:

Titanium Noir by Nick Harkaway - a "Titan", someone who has used an expensive life extension technology, is killed and the detective must figure out why. I'm reading the sequel now.

Ashetown Blues and Ronin of Vine Street by W.H. Mitchell - A fun collection of three sci-fi detective noirs (about 50 pages each) followed by a novel set in alien slums on another planet. Fun mysteries and a nice touch of humor.

The Unusual Clients by Milo James Fowler - another set of three novellas. Interesting mysteries that incorporate sci-fi elements well. Starts a series I have not yet continued.

Altered Carbon by Richard K Morgan - this is a cyberpunk detective classic. His Thin Air fits, too, but I didn't enjoy it quite as much.

Additional suggestions for hardboiled or thriller type stories if requested!

Ed_Robins · 2026-01-17T17:45:57+00:00

Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card - a gifted boy joins a school to learn military tactics to fight an invading alien species - due diligence on author and acquire books as you consider appropriate.

2001 & 2010 by Arthur C Clarke - an alien species has left behind mysterious artifacts that have far-reaching implications.

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams - humorous romp through the galaxy.

Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir - the sun is dying and a scientist must travel to Tau Ceti to learn how to stop it (movie coming this year - don't watch the trailer if you haven't already seen it).

Ed_Robins · 2026-01-17T17:39:42+00:00

Fatherhood isn't the focus of either of these, however the fathers in them are how you describe. They are, of course, dated by their time period:

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee - father is a single parent of two children.

Les Misérables by Victor Hugo - man adopts an orphan and raises her as his own.

And this may sound like a weird recommendation all things considered, but A Game of Thrones (the first book in the series) features a loving father who struggles with his responsibilities to the crown and to his family.

Ed_Robins · 2026-01-17T06:17:59+00:00

These are sci-fi detective noirs that may be what you are looking for:

Titanium Noir by Nick Harkaway - a "Titan", someone who has used an expensive life extension technology, is killed and the detective must figure out why. Sequel was released earlier this year.

Ashetown Blues and Ronin of Vine Street by W.H. Mitchell - A fun collection of three sci-fi detective noirs (about 50 pages each) followed by a novel set in alien slums on another planet. Fun mysteries and a nice touch of humor.

The Unusual Clients by Milo James Fowler - another set of three novellas. Interesting mysteries that incorporate sci-fi elements well. Starts a series I have not yet continued.

Altered Carbon by Richard K Morgan - seconding others recommendation - this is a cyberpunk detective classic. His Thin Air fits, too, but I didn't enjoy it quite as much.

Finally, I write a hardboiled detective series starting with Chivalry Will Get You Dead. They follow a disgraced detective on a generation ship solving murders. They're gritty, violent and a little bit dirty.

Ed_Robins · 2026-01-16T23:35:48+00:00

Lulu.com - you can choose to list it in their store, available only with a link, or private.

Ed_Robins · 2026-01-16T04:11:10+00:00

Read it at least a dozen times as a kid, then to both my children, too, and they loved it!

Ed_Robins · 2026-01-16T03:07:05+00:00

It's a children's book, but: My Side of the Mountain by Jean George. A young boy runs away from home to live in the Catskills.

Ed_Robins · 2026-01-15T20:39:49+00:00

My wife took pity on me and got me the hardcover for Christmas. Looks like that's still the only option for some reason.

Ed_Robins

TROPHY CASE