Spaceships Passing in the Night: A Cosy Space Opera Mystery

by K. P. Kilbride

The evisceration of four space stations has left millions dead and the galaxy sick with terror. Who destroyed them, and when will they strike again?

Cue broadcaster Roz Dayne, who already thought her life had fallen apart months ago, long before she was at the centre of an interstellar investigation as the only apparent link between the disasters.

The court of public opinion has already decided her guilt, and Roz is overcome with regret. Regret for leaving her ex-girlfriend, regret for taking her dream job, regret for everything that has led up to her being on the air before the attacks. She just wants life to return to normal, but normal is a lifetime ago. With the help of one vintage detective, two spirited bounty hunters, and an anxious physics student, she embarks on a mission to clear her name, solve the mystery, and try to piece her life back together before the next space station blows.

286 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 20, 2025

Reviews

[Stacy H. · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️/0🌶️ I liked the plot line, the characters, and the setting. But there were two gaps that felt like whole missing chapters. We weren’t even told how the characters were finally reunited in the end. I was also confused on one of the fighting scenes. I couldn’t figure out what was going on. Otherwise it would have been five stars. I would definitely give this author another chance.

[Joanne Gibson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m new to sci-fi novels, but spaceships passing in the night was possibly the best introduction i could have had.

The world itself was unexpected but realistic; Humanity has settled into comfortable existence of living within space stations or on completely new planets, yet it’s very familiar. We still listen to good old fashioned radio, space travel is a normal everyday commute for some, and their law enforcement is still…well, earth-competent…

Each character has a unique charm to them, I found it difficult to even begin to pick a favourite. Getting to experience the story through the multiple perspectives among the diverse cast of characters is one of my favourite aspects of the novel.

The story is set up to engage you from the very beginning, and I shared the desperation of the characters desire to understand the chaos they all get involved in (willingly or not).

I felt the ending tied everything together nicely, and i finished the book feeling satisfied, and even a little sad that my time with the characters had come to an end.

Would highly reccomend this novel for those who want to get wrapped up in an engaging mystery, meet a cast of loveable and witty characters, and experience it all in cosy sci-fi setting.

[LavendarsBlue · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked reading this book and would read more.
I enjoyed the characters, but I did feel the lesbian character Olise was a diversity character, it was thrown in there, but she didn’t flirt with anyone.

The bounty hunters were my favorite characters.

I felt the ending really was a letdown. We didn’t get much of a found family reunion or how they get home. It was a mostly happily ever after type ending. I low-key expected to be devastated by a certain character death but then it didn’t happen and I was a little disappointed the author decided not to do that.

It was still a solid book, but could have used an extra 20-30 pages to round out the story.

[Priscilla · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid read that could get your average Tween into Sci-fi. Good representation of the queer community as well as diverse relationship types (like friendships and found family). I would give this a 4☆ only because I think there could be more development in certain scenes, more descriptions. Outside of that, such a good read and I recommend for anyone to pick it up. Special shout out to Your Paper Quest subscription box. You're no longer around as a company, but the books you helped spread around the world for authors are still hitting their mark. :)

[Ryan Haidar (YPQ) · Rating 5 out of 5]

A cozy Sci-Fi adventure that mirrors Becky Chambers in all the right ways! Loved the rag-tag crew, the intriguing storyline that left me guessing up until the end, and the world that was build subtly but intentionally throughout. Highly recommend!

[Stanley B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the plot and subplots and how they were carried through the story and came together in the end. I particularly enjoyed the characters and their development in the story.

[Claire Getchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! Very gripping from start to finish and loved following all the characters!