Reviewed by: The Goose

Today, we are going to visit the works of Isaac Asimov–Father of modern Science Fiction. Most neophytes and dilettantes know him only for his Foundation series. The fact is that he was one of the most prolific writers of the modern era. I don’t have the exact numbers but it’s a lot. Dear old Isaac wrote about everything from science fiction to religion. He wrote about chemistry and biology and physics.

Asimov’s Science Fiction is not profound like Herbert or Dick. It is more driven by character interaction and plot. In a lot of cases his stories are intrigue and detective-like in style and form. Which brings us to this review. Last week BM was mouthing about another ‘Theme Week’ or whatever. This time the topic was to be international intrigue. As in Tom Clancy and the like. Well I don’t read much in that direction, but what about interstellar intrigue, and a murder mystery all wrapped into one? THAT I can do.

Some few hundred years after the first wave of Interstellar colonization Earth is the poor, red-headed, and left-handed stepchild of it’s children–The Spacers.

Earth is infested with Cities, overgrown and enclosed metroplexes. Earthborn Humans have an engrained agoraphobia from living in their encapsulated buildings.

Spacers are humans living on the 50 planets of the colonization, the most powerful of these is Aurora–the first planet colonized. The Spacers live aseptic lives. Having no naturally occurring natural disease or microorganisms they have an irrational fear of infection, especially from Earth. They live long lives, nearly 400 years. They have a city on Earth from which they control the Earth government.

Where Spacers are increasingly dependent on robots Earth is rejecting, often times violently, their electronic counterparts.

Elijah Bailey is a detective for New York City. He is long in the face and morose in character. He is a good detective whose superiors cannot see his worth.

Then it happens! There is a murder in Space Town! Someone has killed one of their most respected scientists.

Bailey is assigned the case, and a partner. The Spacers have required that the Earth-detective take on a Spacer Partner–R.

Daneel Olivaw. Elijah’s boss and his bosses have made it clear that Bailey is NOT to mess it up. If he does not find the murderer Earth will lose a whole lot to the Spacers. Daneel is the typical Spacer, well over six-foot, blond, incredibly calm and condescending.

He is also a robot. The first humaniform robot.

So, go along with Bailey and Olivaw on some wild rides on the ‘the belts’ of NYC and out into the horrifying open. Find out who killed the Spacer Scientist, and Why! Say Je-hose-e-fat (jehosephat) to yourself a hundred times so you don’t stumble over it when you read it on the page.

Paperback Reprint edition (December 1, 1991) Bantam Spectra; ISBN: 0553293400 ; Dimensions (in inches): 0.79 x 6.84 x 4.16