Spin State

Spin State is proof that you don't have to be British to write great science fiction today. Chris Moriarty's book is set a few hundred years hence with Earth largely abandoned due to environmental collapse and humans being joined by genetically engineered humans and AIs on the various colonies and stations. The book initially appears to be similar to Altered Carbon, with a bio-engineered soldier attempting to solve a mystery.

While Altered Carbon became a California hardboiled mystery, Spin State is more Le Carre in space. The main character, Catherine Li, is sent by the commander of the UN military to investigate the death of the UN's leading scientist. Li is worried because the scientist died on her homeworld, a world where her secrets might cost her job. What's more, she finds the planet a hotbed of intrigue with an AI, the communitarian Syndicates, space Wobblies and mining companies all trying to win her allegiance. Much of the story involves Li going on clandestine missions or trying to negotiate with parties that may be trying to kill her. It makes for engaging reading.

While readers can probably guess the various alliances at play and who Catherine's ultimate allies will be, the final revelation of the dead scientist's plan is a surprise and it neatly ties into what we know about the world that Moriarty created. One downside to the novel is that she leaves some interesting questions unanswered. For example, the lingua franca in this future is Spanish. Ok, why? The U.S. took a shellacking in the environmental crisis, but why not Mandarin? A number of details are introduced but I suppose answers will come in future volumes.