Murder by Other Means (by John Scalzi)
I don’t know if you can relate, but I have a tendency to read the first book in a series, or discover an author I love, and have every intention of reading the next book. However, months or even years pass before I fulfill this intention. I’m genuinely trying to improve this habit, but there are simply so many books that I want to read! In an effort to stay committed to my intention, I decided to read the next book in John Scalzi’s The Dispatcher series. I genuinely believed I had read book one, The Dispatcher, not too long ago, but it turns out I read it back in 2022! Fortunately, I thoroughly enjoyed it and remembered the main plot points quite well.
Murder by Other Means, the second installment of the The Dispatcher series, begins with Tony Valdez being offered a dispatch job. In Scalzi’s world, the concept of murder has undergone a significant transformation. In an astonishing 999 out of 1000 instances, when someone is murdered, they miraculously return to life. Licensed dispatchers have access to both legitimate and illegal employment opportunities. Tony Valdez, currently legally unemployed, carefully evaluates offers that may seem a bit questionable.
The story is intricate, with multiple layers and captivating characters. It revolves around a variety of crimes, including murder, and the pursuit of justice. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and have already made plans to read the next and final book, Travel by Bullet, in the series soon.
Murder by Other Means is a short story available exclusively on Audible. With a listening time of three and a half hours, Zachary Quinto narrates the story, and I can’t help but imagine him in the role of Tony Valdez. His narration is exceptionally good, making the story a pleasure to listen to.
You’re welcome to read my review of The Dispatcher, which is linked below.
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