Assassins & Olympians is the second novella in Marie Howalt’s Colibri Investigations series.
It follows the investigative work of Richard, Eddie, and the newest member of their team, Alannah, who was introduced in the first book in the series.
This installment begins with an assassination attempt on Richard by a mysterious and possibly illegal personage. To get to the bottom of who wants Richard dead and why, the team must join forces with the Terran Defence Force, travel to an isolationist human planet, and endure kidnappings, fights, and infuriatingly friendly soldiers.
This novella follows a similar structure as the first one, with chapters broken up by short excerpts from guidebooks, travel document notes, and correspondence that gives context to what’s going on.
Also like the first book, it feels like a fun re-mix of the Hitchhiker’s Guide books, the Wayfarers series, and Red Dwarf, with solid world-building, interesting space history lessons, and grumpy-sunshine character dynamics (the best dynamic, let’s be honest).
This is a fun and short read with familiar characters in an enjoyable and recognisable format.
I was provided a free copy of this book by the publisher in return for an honest review.
