Review: The Jigsaw Assassin by Catherine Asaro
Asaro expands her vast world even further
Summary
After a series of politically motived murders leave the law enforcement of Selei City stymied, Major Bhaajan is called to investigate. If there’s one thing the former military officer turned private eye hates it’s politics, but given certain commitments she can’t refuse. Soon Bhaajan finds herself an unwilling pawn in a high stakes game and with a target on her back.
The Story
While Major Bhaajan could have continued living in the opulent Selei City after retiring from the military, she chose to return the Undercity where she grew up and try to make it a better place. But when three prominent scientists are murdered, she’s brought in to investigate. Unfortunately, her cover is blown almost immediately and soon her life is also in danger. Or is it? It certainly seems so when her apartment building is bombed. She and her EI, Max (a sort of virtual assistant), can’t be sure if she’s the target or just in the wrong place at the wrong time.
To aid in her investigation she brings in Ruzik and Angel, two of her “Dust Knight” martial art students who know how to handle themselves in an Undercity brawl but are clueless in refined society. Bhaajan’s search takes her to the outskirts of Selei City, to the offices of those who hold the most power, the labs of other scientists, and back to the site of the bombing. There’s another mystery involving a potentially dangerous EI, leaving Bhaajan and Max wondering if they have two puzzles in one box, or if it’s all part of a much bigger picture.
While the exposition and jargon can be difficult to sift through, Asaro weaves together a compelling mystery with humor and heart. It would be easy for The Jigsaw Assassin to be downer, but its infused with enough optimism both in the characters’ worldviews and the story arc to avoid becoming dour. When there’s action, it’s cinematic and extremely entertaining, which is what kept me coming back for more.
The Characters
The story is told in first person by Bhaajan, a woman was born into poverty, fought her way up the ranks of the military, and now moves between two worlds. She can function in high society or the Undercity, but will always face discrimation because of her roots. Life has left her jaded, yet she still works against all odds to bring her worlds together, and perhaps a better place.
Even though Max is an EI, he’s as much a character akin to Harry Dresdon’s Bob the Skull. Because Bhaajan is enhanced with biometric and biochemical upgrades, Max is able to communicate with her telepathically and manage her systems. As the story goes on, it seems he may have a big role to play not just in Bhaajan’s life, but in that of humanity.
Ruzik and Angel have never been outside of the Undercity, but don’t hesitate to come when Bhaajan needs help. Bigger and rougher than the residents of Selei City, they stand out like gorillas at a ballet and barely speak in complete sentences (an Undercity shorthand dialect), which means everyone underestimates their intelligence. Ruzik accidentally finds some celebrity when he rescues a child, and Angel may have started, and ended, a barfight to defend her husband’s honor.
The World
This is an extremely complex world and part of a much larger series, which I have not read. So I hope fans will forgive me if I get anything wrong. Selei City is part of the Skolian Empire, a matriarchal society. For the most part women run the major operations, forcing their husbands to live in seclusion or indulge in artistic pursuits. Bhaajan’s husband owns and operates a casino, but it seems they’re a progressive(?) couple.
Selei City, where the majority of the book is set, in an alien paradise with beautiful parks and majestic skyscrapers. Asaro does an excellent job of detailing her world with descriptions of all the vegetation and insects, both natural and manufactured. Many people like Bhaajan have received physical augmentations, some subtle and some overt. For example, at one point she meets someone with cycle wheels instead of legs.
It’s also a world populated by EIs that qualify for the Turing Test. In a previous novel, an ancient EI nearly brought down the entire empire and they’re still dealing with the consequences. As the EIs continue to evolve, the world will only become more complicated.
The Politics
So many politics. All the politics. The whole story revolves around politics. Thankfully, they’re only the politics of Asaro’s world and not our own. It’s messy and complicated, but organic to the complex society she’s imagined and don’t seem designed to be analogous to our own.
Content Warning
There’s some language and sex jokes, but nothing terribly shocking.
Who is it for?
This far into the series (The Jigsaw Assassin is the fourth book in the Major Bhaajan series, itself an offshoot of a massive assemblage of novels and short stories set in this world), it’s first and foremost for the fans. But even as someone unfamiliar with Asaro’s work, I enjoyed the plot, characters, and world. Anyone looking for science fiction with worldbuilding as vast as space and deeper than the core of Mars will find plenty to love here, even if it’s their first encounter with the Skolian Empire.
Why read it?
Read The Jigsaw Assassin for the characters and world. The plot is complex and jargon is dense, but those are features and not bugs. It allows the story to be as immersive or escapist as the reader desires. Asaro excels at writing visceral, realistic action that plays better than that new Matrix movie. The story also serves as a good reminder that while technology can improve life, it never makes it any less complex. In fact, the opposite is usually the case.