Nobody's Baby

Dorothy Gentleman #2

by Olivia Waite

Becky Chambers meets Miss Marple in the second entry of this cozy sci-fi mystery series, helmed by a formidable no-nonsense auntie of a detective

Welcome to the HMS Fairweather, Her Majesty's most luxurious interstellar passenger liner! Room and board are included, new bodies are graciously provided upon request, and should you desire a rest between lifetimes, your mind shall be most carefully preserved in glass in the Library, shielded from every danger.

A wild baby appears! Dorothy Gentleman, ship detective, is put to the test once again when an infant is mysteriously left on her nephew's doorstep. Fertility is supposed to be on pause during the Fairweather’s journey across the stars—but humans have a way of breaking any rule you set them. Who produced this child, and why did they then abandon him? And as her nephew and his partner get more and more attached, how can Dorothy prevent her colleague and rival detective, Leloup, a stickler for law and order, from classifying the baby as a stowaway or a piece of luggage?

Told through Dorothy’s delightfully shrewd POV, this novella series is an ode to the cozy mystery taken to the stars with a fresh new sci-fi take. Perfect for fans of the plot-twisty narratives of Dorothy Sayers and Ann Leckie, this well-paced story will leave readers captivated and hungry for the next installment.

At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

Genres: Mystery, Science Fiction, Novella, Queer, Mystery Thriller, Fiction, LGBT

144 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication March 10, 2026

About the author

Olivia Waite writes queer historical romance, science fiction, and fantasy. She is the romance fiction columnist for the New York Times Book Review.

Reviews

[Zoë · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am begging to be put on this ship please someone

[Melanie (meltotheany)]

on my knees begging

Murder by Memory ★★★★

[Sunny Lu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great follow up !! Love the world & Ms. Gentleman

[Ruxandra Grrr]

Ummmm, yes please, gimme more of these wacky scifi Dorothy Gentleman what-even-is-death-and-life-anymore mysteries IN SPACE.

[gracie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very fun, quick read. I found this to be an equally enjoyable sequel to Murder by Memory and have grown even fonder of the characters, Dorothy most especially! I can't wait to read more from this world and author.

Thank you MacMillan Audio and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ughhhh everything about this was perfect and filled my heart with joy and warmth. Dorothy Gentleman I will follow you to the end of the galaxy.

Thanks to Netgalley for the e-arc!

[Eric · Rating 4 out of 5]

First off, it's worth noting that while this is the second novella in the Dorothy Gentleman series, it could easily be read as a stand-alone — which isn't too surprising, given the serialized nature of detective fiction. However, since the first one, Murder by Memory, was so good, I'd recommend reading both in order anyway.

The opening of this novella could be used to teach a class on exposition and hooking the reader. Here's the opening sentence:

The note from Ruthie arrived at breakfast with no preamble, flashing on the glowing face of my pocketwatch: At what age do human children grow teeth?

In this single sentence, we've set the scene — someone sitting at a breakfast table — told a great deal about the setting through the pocketwatch phrase — this is a world where a character might carry a pocketwatch, but one that glows and can convey instantaneous messages. At the same time, it also sets a great hook for the reader — why exactly is Ruthie asking this very specific question about human children growing teeth?

From here begins the latest adventure of our narrator, ship's detective Dorothy Gentleman, who discovers her nephew has had a mysterious baby delivered to his doorstep, aboard a generational spaceship where, allegedly, nobody can become pregnant. The only drawback of this setup was its lack of a singular focal point, as most detective yarns center around a dead body and only ask whodunit?, whereas this case leads to branching questions about the child's parentage, the circumstances of the birth, and the legal and ethical ramifications of who and how will a child that shouldn't exist be cared for, even occasionally brushing up on the philosophical.

While that may have made this story meander a touch more than expected, for as much as a tightly written novella can meander, it also gave it added depth to the protagonist, the supporting cast, and the list of characters suspected of hiding the pregnancy and resulting child, and to the Fairweather itself.

I've become quite attached to Dorothy, her nephew Ruthie, and the rest of the inhabitants of the Fairweather, and hope to read many, many more stories in this universe. I only hope that Olivia Waite is as excited to keep on writing them.

Full disclosure: I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a review.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lord Peter Whimsey’s adventures in space. Only queerer, gentler, and full of heart. I do love when everyone is a darling.

I did not read the first book in the series yet, but was provided this advanced listening copy through LIBRO Fm.
Rest assured I have already bought the first.

I received an advanced copy of the audiobook through Libro.FM and Pop Fiction Bookstore, an independent and woman-owned bookstore in Omaha. Order books (e/audio/print) online from Pop Fiction or your local bookstore at Libro.Fm and Bookshop.org

[dobbs the dog · Rating 5 out of 5]

Received from NetGalley, thanks!

*happy sigh...*

I really love this series of far future space mysteries. And you can tell that Waite is really enjoying what she's writing, because they are just so good.

So, Dorothy Gentleman is on a spaceship on its way to a new planet, which they will reach in approximately 1000 years. So, being a spaceship with limited space, the bodies that folks are in have been modified to not create babies, because there simply isn't space for any additional passengers. So, what happens when a baby mysteriously shows up on the ship???

I won't say too much, because this is a short little book, but I really loved some of the discussions around equality and rules/laws and who gets to apply which laws at which points to which people. I also got rather misty-eyed when Dorothy was thinking about handmade baby items and what they represent and why they're important.

I absolutely cannot wait for the next book I this series!

[Leanna Streeter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love this series, and this second installment was just as good as the first. Cozy mystery in space is quickly becoming one of my favorite things, and Olivia Waite is doing it so beautifully.

The world of the Fairweather continues to completely fascinate me. A massive generational spaceship, carefully structured rules, preserved minds, modified bodies, and an entire society built to survive a thousand-year journey through space, the world-building is genuinely immaculate. Every time I step back onto this ship, it feels fully realized, thoughtful, and alive.

This time, Dorothy Gentleman is faced with an impossible mystery: a baby appears on a ship where pregnancy is supposed to be impossible. What unfolds is part mystery, part social and ethical exploration, and part deeply cozy, heartfelt story. I loved how the book leaned into questions of law, equality, responsibility, and humanity, all while still delivering a compelling, gentle mystery.

And Dorothy… I am completely obsessed with her. She’s sharp, compassionate, no-nonsense, and endlessly endearing. I love following her perspective, and I really enjoyed the way her relationship with her nephew added emotional depth and warmth to the story.

Warm, clever, and quietly emotional, this novella once again proves how special this series is. I already cannot wait for whatever comes next. Give me a hundred more Dorothy Gentleman stories, please!! I listened to the audio and I think the narrator really does a fabulous job. She brings Dorthy to life!! I highly recommend the audiobook. Thanks to Tor Publishing for the gifted ARC. Thanks to Macmillan audio for the ALC.

[anna b · Rating 5 out of 5]

oh this was even better than the first one! do I care about the mysteries being unraveled in these novellas? absolutely not. but the setting is fun, the stakes are low, and the characters (John! Ruthie!! DOROTHY!!!) are so so lovely. completely adored the interactions our main trio has throughout this story. I'll take about 10 more of these, thanks!

[M. Stevenson]

This was such a fun bite-sized mystery! I really love Olivia Waite's world in this series and how this one expanded it with some very cool and thought-provoking technology. I would happily read more of these!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc! Opinions are my own.

[Gretal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another delightful bitesized scifi mystery. I could read so many books in this series, and I hope we get many more.

[Rian *fire and books* · Rating 5 out of 5]

The perfect blend of sweet, cozy, and hopeful we all need to start the year off right.

[Christine Lucia Asha]

So much fun was the first installment of our lady detective in space.

[rachel x]

can't wait for more dorothy!

[Jessica Florian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC.

I love the Dorothy Gentleman books by Olivia Waite. Dorothy is an intelligent character with a relatable sense of humor. This story made me a little nervous because I don’t love stories that center on babies, but this one was done well. It wasn’t too focused on featuring the baby so much so that it took away from the plot. I know I’ve had a little more time with some of the characters since this is my second Dorothy Gentleman book, but I was impressed at how Waite got me to care for what happened to the characters in such a short book. I even teared up a little at the end, which I think is a testament to Waite’s writing. This book was slightly less of a typical mystery story since part of the mystery here is solved about halfway through. The rest of it is solved later and revealed in a trial. If you don’t love trial books, don’t worry, the trial part is short. Overall I found this entertaining and easy to read. I definitely recommend the Dorothy Gentleman books for anyone looking for a quick read.

[Vanessa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Olivia Waite returns us to the HMS Fairweather, and to the antics of Dorothy Gentleman and her favorite (and only) nephew, Ruthie. This time, a baby that shouldn't exist appears, and it's up to Dorothy to find out the who, the when, and most importantly, the how.

I felt like Waite really leans into the cozy aspect of this novella, and a little less so into the mystery aspect. I will say that this novella features less of a mystery to solve, and more of a search for a legal loophole. As a result, this felt a little low-stakes to me, so while the humor and coziness was entertaining and the characters were pleasant to revisit, I did feel that substance and plot in this were a little lacking and the pacing a tad abrupt.

Sadly, after this addition, I probably won't continue reading this series. Thankfully, I do think that folks who enjoyed the vibes of Murder by Memory perhaps more than I did (I liked it, but wasn't wowed), will still seek out this sequel.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advance copy from the publisher via Netgalley for review purposes; this in no way influences my review.

I’ve really enjoyed Olivia Waite’s historical romances, but the Dorothy Gentleman series truly shines in her catalogue. I really love how well paced the novella is and the nuanced relationships shown. I love Dorothy and Ruthie’s relationship, and I am so curious about John and Violet and really hope there’s going to be more books because the world and set up are all so fascinating. This was a fascinating mystery because it seems it’s just about where the baby came from, but it gets more complicated as things come to light. I especially love how centrally this is a story of chosen family and parenthood as a choice and how it isn’t for everyone, at every point. All in all, I really enjoyed this book and cannot wait for more of Dorothy’s adventures.

[Erin Larson-Burnett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I actually read this one before Murder by Memory without any issues, so for anyone wondering, it does stand well on its own! There are references to MbM, but nothing spoilery and nothing that tangles the plot.

That said, my oh my, I ADORED this book. It was exactly what the doctor ordered: cozy and quirky, with some fun soft sci-fi elements, a unique mystery, and lovable characters, and wholly bingeable at a sweet ~150 pages.

(Note on the comp author: I started Becky Chambers's The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet when I was hankering for the above adjectives, and it did not fit the bill in my opinion, but this one utterly satisfied me.)

I have nothing bad to say about this book. It's a delightful little romp set in a fascinating space-bound world with a protagonist who is curious and sassy and knits, and it's full of marvelous turns of phrase that make for a buttery reading experience. Suffice it to say, I am a huge new fan of Olivia Waite!

[Me, My Shelf, & I]

4/5

I enjoyed this audiobook and think it was really well narrated (extra props given to the voice for the love interest, a few points taken away for the voice of the rules lawyer type dude). The plot makes for a more interesting ethical question than it does mystery, but is a fun time with an original concept.

Personally the first book made me laugh a few times, but this entry didn't. Most of the humor in this one derives from the over the top premise, and less so from any one scene/person/line.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for granting me an ALC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Kami]

Talk about a crazy genre blending kooky little book! Part cozy mystery, part sci-fi, and all fun, this was a refreshing quick read unlike anything I’ve read in recent past. I was able to finish in one setting and want to thank the publisher for the gifted advanced copy. will definitely look for more of the other novellas in the series.

[Stefan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good cosy mystery novella. I think the first in the series was better (has novelty going for it), but this one is still very good and sure to please fans of the first (and genre in general). The setting remains great, the characters are well-drawn. The mystery was maybe secondary to some of the scene-setting/world-building, at times — my preference would have been to flip this emphasis.

There really needs to be more SF crime/mystery series… (Feel free to drop recommendations/favourites in the comments.)

Maybe 3.5*?

Full review here: https://civilianreader.com/2025/09/29...

[piper monarchsandmyths · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was fun, and i’m definitely down for endless mysteries with detective dorothy gentleman!! very sweet and i love the queer normative nature of it all!! thank you to tordotcom for sending me an arc!

[Aiyesha]

** THE VERSION OF THIS BOOK THAT I READ WAS AN ARC **

[Adri · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 Stars

[Isabella Basile · Rating 5 out of 5]

100 more of these please and thank you

[Jes (jesonemorepage) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy this cozy, mysterious, scifi series!

[Caitlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I ADORE this novella series!! Highly recommend if you want a short and sweet pick-me-up cozy sci-fi mystery that even bite-sized is set in a delightfully realized world you just want to pull around you like a blanket 🥰

[Cassanova33 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely an enjoyable read, but not wholly satisfying when it came to the mystery. This series has the foundation to do some fun, funky things with memory, but it’s not using that to its full potential just yet. I’d be interested to see if the next installment does more with that element.