When one is like me and in the position of having emails with online reader links attached, you can read a lot of different things. Most of which you probably asked for, but once in a while you get one that was just free-sent. Or you forgot you requested it. Model Five Murder: a sci-fi noir by Tan Juan Gee was one of those either free-sent or I forgot I requested.
As said, I read it via an online reader copy. And I can read it a few more times (if so choose) before it is due later in June 2025. However, I might just have to get a finished copy. Not because this was my all time favorite book, but because I was not really sure what was happening some of the time. This could be due to the fact that the black and white illustrations were cramped, stereotypical of a 1970s comic and manga mixture, I was in the wrong headspace, or I was just not the right audience for the story.
However, it is an interesting science fiction noir mystery and more. It is short, but not simple or sweet. A lot is going on. And the main thing going on is a Sam Spade murder mystery. The 1940s-like gumshoe is on the case only to have one hell of a twist happen. He is found by the cyborg Io, dead. And to try and solve the murder of a man our main character sees just floating in space, Io gets in deep with secrets that probably should not be found out. And one of those secrets is why does the man have the same exact face as Io. The adventure begins, the lies add up and there is a potential romance. Things do unfold quickly, therefore, take your time and enjoy the book.
I’m not sure I will continue with Tan Juan Gee’s other works (when/if has others) or with this character, but I know that this is going to be a huge hit with the right reader.