Murder in the Skies

Murder in the Skies: A Ritchie & Fitz Sci‑Fi Murder Mystery by Kate MacLeod:

“Murder in the Skies” delivers an intriguing blend of science‑fiction world‑building and classic murder‑mystery structure. Set at the prestigious Oymyakon Foreign Service Academy, the novel places cadet Murdina Ritchie front and centre and eager to prove her worth in the face of her family’s tainted reputation and the snobbery of the academy’s elite. When a bullying upper‑class cadet dies in what is initially described as a freak training accident, the tone shifts: suddenly, this is no accident but murder, and everyone sees Murdina as the most likely suspect.

What works particularly well:

The setup is strong. Murdina’s underdog status gives the central heroine immediate sympathy, and the academy environment feels textured enough to support the suspense.
The murder‑investigation element is paced fairly well: suspicion, clues, red herrings and shifting alliances all deliver a satisfying sense of tension.
The sci‑fi framing adds freshness. Rather than a standard boarding‑school mystery, the foreign‑service academy in a futuristic or at least speculative environment adds stakes beyond the personal: institutional prestige, political implications, and cadet culture all come into play.

However, there are a few caveats worth noting:

Character depth sometimes takes a back‑seat to plot mechanics. Murdina’s motivations are clear and compelling, but some of the supporting characters feel a bit under‑cooked — their personalities and back‑stories hinted at but not always fully developed.
The mystery, while effective, doesn’t always surprise. Some readers may feel they’ve guessed key elements ahead of the reveal; the twist is solid, but not novel.
The sci‑fi world‑building is interesting but sometimes lightly sketched. The academy, the wider politics, and the technological framing are more backdrop than deeply explored; for readers who crave fully immersive speculative settings, it might feel a little thin.

In sum: if you’re looking for a lively cross‑genre read — part murder mystery, part futuristic academy drama — Murder in the Skies hits the sweet spot. It offers smart plotting, a compelling protagonist, and enough suspense to keep you turning pages. If you’re after richly textured characterization or deeply immersive sci‑fi landscapes, you may find it a little breezier than you hoped.

3.5 to 4 stars.