Network Effect by Martha Wells

Murderbot is adjusting to the unusual circumstances of being free and accepted among people who know exactly who and what they are. A simple escort operation turns bad when the crew are kidnapped, Murderbot along with them. Murderbot now has to find out who the kidnappers are, what they want and how to resolve the situation without getting their new human friends killed.

Network Effect is the fifth instalment in the Murderbot Diaries and is the first full-length novel in the series, clocking in at more than twice the length of any of the previous novellas. We start in media res with Murderbot already in a tricky situation, which it extricates itself from James Bond-style, before we get into the main story.

Martha Wells handles the transition of the series from the shorter form to a longer one quite well. Many of the previous novellas have felt like they ended just as they were getting going, or a little on the rushed size to fit in so many big ideas into so few pages, so Wells takes advantage of the longer length here to focus on more characterisation, more worldbuilding and more of a balance between action and Murderbot planning their next move. The story breathes more and benefits for it.

There's also some nice subplots as Murderbot befriends the daughter of her main client and helps her adjust to being in a dangerous situation, as well as Murderbot being put in the position of having to help other AIs become as independent as it has, and working out if that is a good idea or not.

That said, the ending feels a bit under-developed. Potentially big ideas (like alien technology interfacing with humans) that just kind of peter out without much closure (in this book, anyway). This is a shame as Wells sets up the mystery of what's going on superbly, so the resolution being lacking is a disappointment.

Still, those who've enjoyed Murderbot so far should still enjoy this one. The writing is fun, the characterisation sharp, there's a welcome return for one fan-favourite older character and Wells also delivers some great action sequences. Network Effect (****) handles the transition to the novel format well, despite the abruptness of the conclusion. The novel is available now in the US and on import in other territories.

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