Book Review: The Jigsaw Assassin by Catherine Asaro

The Jigsaw Assassin
Author: Catherine Asaro
Series: Major Bhaajan (Book 4)
Publication: Baen Books; 1st edition (July 5, 2022)

Description: Selei City is the capital of the Imerialte and one of the most desired locales in all of the Skolian Empire. But its thin veneer of civilization is cracked when a series of brutal crimes implicates those in political power in a vast conspiracy. Three prominent scientists have lost their lives to a serial killer—and notes at the scenes of the crimes lead to a connection to the Royalist political party.

Major Bhaajan, former military officer turned private detective, is called back to Selei City to solve the crime. Bhaaj and her crew of Undercity Dust Knights plunge into the Byzantine world of Imperial politics—a jigsaw world where none of the pieces seem to fit. As the assassination plot becomes more and more convoluted, Bhaaj is kidnapped, threatened with death, and must fight for her life against the growing number of people threatened by her investigation. Bhaaj has faced all this and more, but now she must deal with something far deadlier—interstellar politics.

My Thoughts: Major Bhaajan is called to Selei City to investigate three very mysterious murders. There are no clues, and there seems to be no reason these people would be targeted. The case becomes political really fast...and Bhaaj hates politics.

With five major political parties, fingers are pointed at each and tensions between them threaten the stability of the government. Bhaaj calls in two of her Undercity Dust Knights to help her with her very complex case. 

Bhaaj herself was born in the Undercity and used her intelligence and determination to find her way out via the military. When she left the military, she became a private eye who works for the very powerful Majda family. But Bhaaj has never forgotten her Undercity roots and is determined to help her people improve their lives. 

The story is filled with action as Bhaaj survives a bombing and is kidnapped. But the strength of the story is the great worldbuilding which includes Evolving Intelligences who assist people and other unusual technologies. Bhaaj has all sorts of body mods that give her abilities that helped her as a soldier and still help her as a private investigator. 

I really enjoyed this story.

Favorite Quote:

I swam to consciousness like a sea dragon in an ocean of molasses. Or something. My thoughts, never poetic, were even more blunted today.

I bought this one. You can buy your copy here.