What We Owe the Dead

by Stefano Gualeni

In a desperate attempt to lower the temperature of Earth’s atmosphere, humanity has built cooling mega-siphons. These colossal structures now hold the last remnants of civilization. High above the scorching plains of Antarctica, in one of these vertical habitats, Security Captain Elevii A. Tarkka is tasked with a seemingly unremarkable investigation.

What We Owe the Dead is a gripping detective novel set in a dystopian surveillance society. It is a philosophical fiction that explores the themes of personhood, the cultural significance of games, and our duties to the dead.

200 pages, Hardcover

First published March 28, 2025

Reviews

[Bob Jacobs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heerlijke leeservaring: fantastische sfeer, compleet zijn eigen ding, goeie story-telling.

Erg aanbevolen!

(Meteen ook gekeken voor een andere novelle van de auteur, die hij in zijn nawoord noemt. Kost blijkbaar 200+ euro 🙃🙃🙃🙃)

[Joe · Rating 5 out of 5]

At first glance, this is just a detective novel where the detective investigates another detective. Except, it's not at all.

It's a cleverly-disguised vehicle inviting the reader to consider a central philosophical premise: what *do* we owe the dead?

This novella reads, as another reviewer has said, like an ancient Greek play set in a believable near-future setting. I hope Gualeni turns his talents to full-length novels, perhaps even a follow-up to this book. I'd be very interested to see what he can do in longer form!

[Anhell · Rating 3 out of 5]

The worldbuilding aspect is incredible and the narrating style was so refreshing to read, but where this novel lacks is unfortunately the main story. As with most detective novels, my main issue usually lies in having an interesting case but failing to properly wrap it up or having it be significantly less satisfying than everything prior.

I'm also not a fan of the author having to justify why they wrote the book the way they did and why the story was the way it was; it makes me come away feeling like they knew they could've done something better but ultimately chose not to.

[Billy Currid · Rating 4 out of 5]

it makes me think about the right time to throw away things my nanny left, and if there ever is a right time. I'm gonna struggle to get rid of this book.... quite meta

[Kelsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Dystopian detective story to feed your inner philosopher"

This book combines philosophy and fiction by telling a philosophical story that's wearing a detective's trench coat and post-apocalyptic hat. If you're 1) craving a philosophical read and 2) hiding from plain and dry philosophical theories, then I'd highly recommend that you give this book a go.
Alternatively, if you'd just like to feel as though you've broken into a locked cabinet to steal some case notes you weren't supposed to see, this one's got you covered.

[Ali Motisi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved everything about this book. The universe the author creates is set in the future, but not so far off that you can't relate to it. I really enjoyed the original format, the small size of the book and the way the story is told. It blends philosophical ideas with a playful touch. It's one of those books that you keep thinking about even after you've finished it. The characters and the key philosophical concept will stay with you for a long time.

[Alessandra Newton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think I wanted more from the ending of the story. While everything was wrapped up fully, the plot itself felt incomplete in some ways. That said, parts 2 and 3 definitely made me feel more comfortable with the concluding message that we were supposed to receive from this story. This book was very interesting, perceptive, and thought-provoking

[Aphrodite Andreou · Rating 5 out of 5]

What We Owe to the Dead feels like an ancient Greek play set in a sci-fi universe, telling the story of a character who feels almost irrelevant, revealing that the true tragedy lies not in grand heroic arcs but in the mundane/everyday connections we often overlook.

It’s like catching glimpses of fleeting moments through a window... Scenes that make you wonder: What kind of realities have we normalised?
How have we desensitised ourselves to the point where such futures become possible?
The author makes the reader a bystander, forced to witness but unable to act.

What makes this book truly special for me is how the characters become casually familiar like old friends you didn’t expect to miss so much. Even when the story gets heavy, it is filled with bittersweet moments and unexpected humour, making it both heartfelt and thought-provoking.

The snappy dialogues and the unique illustrations add even more personality to the story!
It is a lovely mix of deep ideas and relatable moments, leaving you both questioning and oddly comforted. I strongly recommend ^^