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Retrieval Artist #4
Buried Deep
Forensic anthropologist Aisha Costard has been summoned to Mars to examine skeletal remains recently discovered beneath a building erected by the Disty aliens. The bones belong to a human who vanished thirty years ago with her children. She is believed to have been one of the Disappeared, outlaws wanted for crimes against alien civilizations.
To investigate the mystery of the skeleton, Aisha turns to Retrieval Artist Miles Flint. Following the trail back three decades and seeking the whereabouts of the victim’s missing children, Miles discovers a deadly secret that could threaten the stability of the entire solar system…
To investigate the mystery of the skeleton, Aisha turns to Retrieval Artist Miles Flint. Following the trail back three decades and seeking the whereabouts of the victim’s missing children, Miles discovers a deadly secret that could threaten the stability of the entire solar system…
384 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
21 people are currently reading
310 people want to read
About the author
Kristine Kathryn Rusch
1,365 books721 followersKristine Kathryn Rusch is an award-winning mystery, romance, science fiction, and fantasy writer. She has written many novels under various names, including Kristine Grayson for romance, and Kris Nelscott for mystery. Her novels have made the bestseller lists –even in London– and have been published in 14 countries and 13 different languages.
Her awards range from the Ellery Queen Readers Choice Award to the John W. Campbell Award. In the past year, she has been nominated for the Hugo, the Shamus, and the Anthony Award. She is the only person in the history of the science fiction field to have won a Hugo award for editing and a Hugo award for fiction.
In addition, she's written a number of nonfiction articles over the years, with her latest being the book "A Freelancer's Survival Guide".
She has also published as:
Sandy Schofield (collaborations with husband Dean Wesley Smith)
Kristine Grayson - romances
Kathryn Wesley (collaborations with husband Dean Wesley Smith)
Kris Nelscott - mysteries
Kris Rusch - historical fiction
Kris DeLake - romances
Her awards range from the Ellery Queen Readers Choice Award to the John W. Campbell Award. In the past year, she has been nominated for the Hugo, the Shamus, and the Anthony Award. She is the only person in the history of the science fiction field to have won a Hugo award for editing and a Hugo award for fiction.
In addition, she's written a number of nonfiction articles over the years, with her latest being the book "A Freelancer's Survival Guide".
She has also published as:
Sandy Schofield (collaborations with husband Dean Wesley Smith)
Kristine Grayson - romances
Kathryn Wesley (collaborations with husband Dean Wesley Smith)
Kris Nelscott - mysteries
Kris Rusch - historical fiction
Kris DeLake - romances
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
May 2, 2020
Temporeicher SF-Krimi, dessen SF-Elemente nicht nur Fassade, sondern plot-treibend sind. Macht Spaß!
March 6, 2019
I had forgotten what a good book this was. Rusch's Retrieval Artist series really hits it's stride here. This has politics, aliens, cross culture confusion, and idiot bureaucracy. loved it
October 2, 2020
Notes:
3.5 Stars
- Best overall story out of the first four in the series.
- It still seems odd that the author has chosen to write about two main characters, and yet the series title & book blurbs make it seem like Miles Flint is the only MC.
3.5 Stars
- Best overall story out of the first four in the series.
- It still seems odd that the author has chosen to write about two main characters, and yet the series title & book blurbs make it seem like Miles Flint is the only MC.
October 19, 2015
Page-turning plot and more detail of the dominant alien culture in this series installment. I still would have liked to have had more depth and understanding there for a fuller, deeper, and more nuanced story.
Toward the end, the story of the journalist really bothered me, both as a former journalist and as a reader. I know people like this character exist, but to me, such a clearly-the-bad-guy-making-stupid-decisions comes across as weak writing (like a lot of bad TV shows). I hate that the journalist was a symbol of the "evil" media, jumping to wrong conclusions before doing any reporting, and then proceeding without regard to the harm she was causing (a tenant of the Society of Professional Journalists: do no harm). Journalists aren't perfect—they're human—but what I observed in my career was professionals working in service to the public, serving as the Fourth Estate and needed watchdogs of government (reporting on the use of taxpayer money and the government of the people, by the people). It bothers me that such an important aspect of democracy and a well-informed citizenry is often portrayed as the biased, irresponsible, glory-seeking bad guy.
Toward the end, the story of the journalist really bothered me, both as a former journalist and as a reader. I know people like this character exist, but to me, such a clearly-the-bad-guy-making-stupid-decisions comes across as weak writing (like a lot of bad TV shows). I hate that the journalist was a symbol of the "evil" media, jumping to wrong conclusions before doing any reporting, and then proceeding without regard to the harm she was causing (a tenant of the Society of Professional Journalists: do no harm). Journalists aren't perfect—they're human—but what I observed in my career was professionals working in service to the public, serving as the Fourth Estate and needed watchdogs of government (reporting on the use of taxpayer money and the government of the people, by the people). It bothers me that such an important aspect of democracy and a well-informed citizenry is often portrayed as the biased, irresponsible, glory-seeking bad guy.
February 18, 2013
Liked:
* Clash of cultures - this is more of what I had in mind when I read the premise for the series. How can cultures with vastly different ideas about behavior, laws, punishment, responsibility and ethics interact at all? Rusch's aliens are just human enough to be recognizable, but so infuriatingly alien in the way they think.
* Flint and DeRicci continue to deliver, but I like the peripheral characters as well.
* And when you're tempted to think that the aliens are the bad guys, it turns out Rusch is usually writing about how awful humans are.
Didn't Like:
* Not a particularly meaty book (or series) - though I'm thoroughly enjoying them, I'm not likely to reread them.
* There were some weird grammatical errors in the Kindle edition.
* So many different view points. I liked the peripheral characters, but at one point it seemed that every chapter was being narrated by a new voice.
A 3.5 overall, but this is my favorite so far in the series, so I pushed it to 4 stars.
* Clash of cultures - this is more of what I had in mind when I read the premise for the series. How can cultures with vastly different ideas about behavior, laws, punishment, responsibility and ethics interact at all? Rusch's aliens are just human enough to be recognizable, but so infuriatingly alien in the way they think.
* Flint and DeRicci continue to deliver, but I like the peripheral characters as well.
* And when you're tempted to think that the aliens are the bad guys, it turns out Rusch is usually writing about how awful humans are.
Didn't Like:
* Not a particularly meaty book (or series) - though I'm thoroughly enjoying them, I'm not likely to reread them.
* There were some weird grammatical errors in the Kindle edition.
* So many different view points. I liked the peripheral characters, but at one point it seemed that every chapter was being narrated by a new voice.
A 3.5 overall, but this is my favorite so far in the series, so I pushed it to 4 stars.
May 24, 2016
First of all and only slightly off topic, here's a real life example of someone who needs to Disappear, the student who tried to steal a poster in North Korea and got sentenced to 15 years in prison. It's a good example of something we here in the US would consider really alien thinking and values of what punishment fits a crime. Clearly the concept for the series isn't preposterous. If that kid's family could Disappear him, wouldn't they?
As for the book, I was glad Noelle and Miles were talking again. I worried for a while there that they would become enemies. Or that she would think so at least. Not that there weren't some tensions, that seems inevitable considering their positions.
I found it pretty horrifying that the people on Mars let the examiner from Earth come to Mars and risk ending up on the Disty hit list for a thirty year-old murder that she had nothing to do with without making it very clear to her what the risks were. The Martian human medical examiner claimed that the Earth woman went to and worked at a diverse university on Earth and should have known things, and everyone knew Mars was Disty now, if she didn't know it was her fault. That's such bull. Not everyone knew details of death rituals. And regardless, if you're a professional who is putting someone into a dangerous situation, you spell out the risks ahead of time, period. It felt like crap writing because I can't see humans who all resent the aliens' laws putting them in these horrible positions being so cavalier about this. They're all terrified for their own lives, refused throughout the book to allow anyone else to come in and help them with the new site that developed even though they badly needed the help, so why would they be so casual with the Earth specialist's life? Because it was bad writing.
On the other hand, one of the things I like about this series is that the tech and the locations feel real. It's that near-future extrapolation not done wildly, done pretty traditionally and somewhat predictably, but done very well at the same time. The author has a number of variables in the communications links each person uses or the media recording technology, all sophisticated versions of what we would expect to see, and they work and make sense for the story and feel real, and support the tale. The domed cities have so many details explained, and again, they make so much sense and seem so obvious and hold together so well and feel so real, it's almost hard to believe they aren't real. Especially after four books with the details layered on top of each other, how the ports work, how the trains between the cities on the Moon work, how traveling between the planets works, how the filters and domes function. Each thing seems simple yet the way it all functions together is a complex system. But it's easy to read, there's never any effort to plow through the science, decipher the language or formulas or confusing intricacies. She builds up the layers of the worlds the way she builds up the layers of the mysteries, so it's natural and easy and enjoyable.
What I don't like as much is that the aliens are presented as almost entirely bad. Other than that one tri-part ambassador in the last book, the aliens have been pretty awful. Where's the beauty and charm? Its all revenge and death laws and misunderstandings. And separations. They live side-by-side but apart. They don't work together or socialize. There were some aliens going to the university when Miles was working in the cafeteria there, but none of the aliens interacted with the humans. It's a very anti-Star Trek portrayal of the future. It seems like the truth would probably be somewhere in between what's being shown here. But it's her worlds.
I do think it's funny that Noelle continues to feel like the hero of the books to me even though Miles is the titular hero. The POVs are split between them and several other characters that are new in each book. But he never feels dynamic or very interesting. He does some research. Repeats a lot of things about his set-up and process that have been in every book. Noelle is the one who's changing in every book and taking action and doing a lot of things. She's the one with the temper and trying to control her temper and saying things she probably shouldn't but I'm glad she did. She has personality and she's great. But the huge crises that she's had to deal with in the last three books are feeling a bit familiar, in tone if not in detail. Everything goes all to hell and Noelle manages to save the day even though she hasn't felt at all qualified to do it. This last crisis was interplanetary, I'm afraid to see how big the next one will be. But I really liked seeing Noelle fight for herself at the end, in her own way, instead of just getting pissed and storming off like she would have done in the past. It's nice to see her not only getting some respect from others, but finding some confidence in herself as well.
As for the book, I was glad Noelle and Miles were talking again. I worried for a while there that they would become enemies. Or that she would think so at least. Not that there weren't some tensions, that seems inevitable considering their positions.
I found it pretty horrifying that the people on Mars let the examiner from Earth come to Mars and risk ending up on the Disty hit list for a thirty year-old murder that she had nothing to do with without making it very clear to her what the risks were. The Martian human medical examiner claimed that the Earth woman went to and worked at a diverse university on Earth and should have known things, and everyone knew Mars was Disty now, if she didn't know it was her fault. That's such bull. Not everyone knew details of death rituals. And regardless, if you're a professional who is putting someone into a dangerous situation, you spell out the risks ahead of time, period. It felt like crap writing because I can't see humans who all resent the aliens' laws putting them in these horrible positions being so cavalier about this. They're all terrified for their own lives, refused throughout the book to allow anyone else to come in and help them with the new site that developed even though they badly needed the help, so why would they be so casual with the Earth specialist's life? Because it was bad writing.
On the other hand, one of the things I like about this series is that the tech and the locations feel real. It's that near-future extrapolation not done wildly, done pretty traditionally and somewhat predictably, but done very well at the same time. The author has a number of variables in the communications links each person uses or the media recording technology, all sophisticated versions of what we would expect to see, and they work and make sense for the story and feel real, and support the tale. The domed cities have so many details explained, and again, they make so much sense and seem so obvious and hold together so well and feel so real, it's almost hard to believe they aren't real. Especially after four books with the details layered on top of each other, how the ports work, how the trains between the cities on the Moon work, how traveling between the planets works, how the filters and domes function. Each thing seems simple yet the way it all functions together is a complex system. But it's easy to read, there's never any effort to plow through the science, decipher the language or formulas or confusing intricacies. She builds up the layers of the worlds the way she builds up the layers of the mysteries, so it's natural and easy and enjoyable.
What I don't like as much is that the aliens are presented as almost entirely bad. Other than that one tri-part ambassador in the last book, the aliens have been pretty awful. Where's the beauty and charm? Its all revenge and death laws and misunderstandings. And separations. They live side-by-side but apart. They don't work together or socialize. There were some aliens going to the university when Miles was working in the cafeteria there, but none of the aliens interacted with the humans. It's a very anti-Star Trek portrayal of the future. It seems like the truth would probably be somewhere in between what's being shown here. But it's her worlds.
I do think it's funny that Noelle continues to feel like the hero of the books to me even though Miles is the titular hero. The POVs are split between them and several other characters that are new in each book. But he never feels dynamic or very interesting. He does some research. Repeats a lot of things about his set-up and process that have been in every book. Noelle is the one who's changing in every book and taking action and doing a lot of things. She's the one with the temper and trying to control her temper and saying things she probably shouldn't but I'm glad she did. She has personality and she's great. But the huge crises that she's had to deal with in the last three books are feeling a bit familiar, in tone if not in detail. Everything goes all to hell and Noelle manages to save the day even though she hasn't felt at all qualified to do it. This last crisis was interplanetary, I'm afraid to see how big the next one will be. But I really liked seeing Noelle fight for herself at the end, in her own way, instead of just getting pissed and storming off like she would have done in the past. It's nice to see her not only getting some respect from others, but finding some confidence in herself as well.
March 26, 2017
The cases continue for Miles Flint and Noelle DiRicci and in a circuitous way that remains interesting. This time the mystery surrounds a human gravesite (which goes from the discovery of one skeleton to mass grave from a massacre years ago) on Mars that sets off an epic freak out of the Disty that renders them incapable of rational thought to the point that they act in ways that ensure their deaths & others. It's not pretty. An Earth anthropologist, Aisha Costard, is unknowingly caught up in the "contamination" as she came to help with the investigation of a skeleton found & she brings the case of identifying the skeleton to Flint as she & the remainder of the medical examiner team are all on the hook to be exterminated for their "contamination". On the Moon, Noelle is trying to settle into her new position as the head of security of the Domes and reporter, Ki Bowles is doing her level best to hinder her at every turn.
I enjoyed reading this one quite a bit but I admit that there were some things I wished were fleshed out more. I still don't know why Ki is so very opposed to DiRicci. I thought she'd see some sort of sense when she was shown reason and evidence or when she spoke to DiRicci's detractors (who had their own credibility & ethics problems) but she didn't. And she didn't even bother to research the Disty to get anything like an explanation for their behavior. I was hoping she'd find herself & her freelance team "contaminated" for just having the conversation about the contamination because that's a thing with the Disty apparently. I suppose it's simply a matter of Ki being able to make her own name and advance herself using DiRicci and nothing more.
I also wished to have learnt more about the Disty. I felt like I lacked enough information about them and understood how daunting this was for the human characters. I liked that I learned what I did learn about the Disty as the characters did. On the other hand, it's said repeatedly that the Disty are extremely private & were so offended when asked probing questions in aid of understanding them that I wondered if they were really interested in diplomacy or transaction at all. They seemed to feel they knew everything about humans (they didn't as admitted by one near the end) but didn't want to share anything about themselves but wanted to hold everyone to their expectations and rules. I don't know why humans have agreed to this situation, as it's not clearly laid out what they're getting out of these arrangements. If I'm honest, I was completely turned off and offended by the feckless leaders the humans appointed. It wasn't even that they were too deferential to the Disty (I didn't have enough information to make that assessment) it's that they were completely ineffectual in every situation they were presented with. They were more worried about their personal position than in actually helping anyone or doing anything that might be considered work. It wasn't a surprise view of some politicians but it was a reminder of how much it irritates me. While the Disty frustrated me, I still thought there might be something I was missing with their actions and demands. There was no question about the political humans on Mars or Earth. I love a good political dig in, in my science fiction so I hope there are some worthy of their positions in future books.
As with the other books, there's a solution that works out and the case is solved by our heroes so no real surprise there but still a solid story and I still want to spend more time in this universe. So, I will do. Recommended.
I enjoyed reading this one quite a bit but I admit that there were some things I wished were fleshed out more. I still don't know why Ki is so very opposed to DiRicci. I thought she'd see some sort of sense when she was shown reason and evidence or when she spoke to DiRicci's detractors (who had their own credibility & ethics problems) but she didn't. And she didn't even bother to research the Disty to get anything like an explanation for their behavior. I was hoping she'd find herself & her freelance team "contaminated" for just having the conversation about the contamination because that's a thing with the Disty apparently. I suppose it's simply a matter of Ki being able to make her own name and advance herself using DiRicci and nothing more.
I also wished to have learnt more about the Disty. I felt like I lacked enough information about them and understood how daunting this was for the human characters. I liked that I learned what I did learn about the Disty as the characters did. On the other hand, it's said repeatedly that the Disty are extremely private & were so offended when asked probing questions in aid of understanding them that I wondered if they were really interested in diplomacy or transaction at all. They seemed to feel they knew everything about humans (they didn't as admitted by one near the end) but didn't want to share anything about themselves but wanted to hold everyone to their expectations and rules. I don't know why humans have agreed to this situation, as it's not clearly laid out what they're getting out of these arrangements. If I'm honest, I was completely turned off and offended by the feckless leaders the humans appointed. It wasn't even that they were too deferential to the Disty (I didn't have enough information to make that assessment) it's that they were completely ineffectual in every situation they were presented with. They were more worried about their personal position than in actually helping anyone or doing anything that might be considered work. It wasn't a surprise view of some politicians but it was a reminder of how much it irritates me. While the Disty frustrated me, I still thought there might be something I was missing with their actions and demands. There was no question about the political humans on Mars or Earth. I love a good political dig in, in my science fiction so I hope there are some worthy of their positions in future books.
As with the other books, there's a solution that works out and the case is solved by our heroes so no real surprise there but still a solid story and I still want to spend more time in this universe. So, I will do. Recommended.
November 25, 2017
It dragged a bit here and there but it was good. A murder mystery, a massacre, rioting, religious beliefs, politics, and aliens - Rusch tackled a lot. I wish we could have spent time in the head of one or more of the Disty (which I kept reading as Ditzy) as they were a hard race to understand and I really didn't like them. We had several different POVs but all of them were human. I did think the bit with the forensic anthropologist was hugely unfair. She was led to slaughter and not given a choice. She should have been fully informed before accepting the job. It may have set p certain events in the story but the author surely could have done that differently. But otherwise, it was an engaging story full of twists and urgency. Not a lot of action but plenty of mysteries to unravel and crises to manage. The story worked great as a stand-alone but now I want to read the earlier stories to see what I've missed out on.
February 10, 2020
Science fiction and murder mystery and couldn't put it down rates a rare 5 stars. Start with the first book for continuity. The Retrieval series.
March 25, 2018
How do we view death? Do we respect how others view death?
Those two questions give Buried Deep by Kristine Kathryn Rusch a thought-provoking theme in the fourth entry of this excellent sci-fi hybrid thriller series.
Bones have been discovered beneath the Martian soil in the main city of the alien culture, The Disty. They evacuate the city believing it to be contaminated. Forensic Anthropologist Aisha Costard finds out the bones belonged to a woman who had disappeared because she was charged with crimes against another alien culture. Also, the dead woman had children disappeared with her and are believed to be alive.
Costard hires Retrieval Artist Miles Flint to find out where these disappeared children are. Flint investigates and learns how the dead woman and her offspring could be the lynchpin to a major human-alien relations incident throughout the solar system.
What makes Buried Deep as well the other books I’ve read in the Retrieval Artist Series is the characters of Retrieval Artist Miles Flint and Moon Security Chief Noelle DeRicci. They started out as partners in The Disappeared: Book 1 of the series and now are on the opposite sides of the law. Both have learned that justice is not always black or white. Because of that reality, their beliefs and friendship have been challenged as the series has developed.
Rusch creates a credible multicultural society without being patronizing or politically correct. She shows the strengths and weaknesses of such a society and how it mirrors our current global culture. Also, the books are intricately plotted and keeps the reader guessing like the best thrillers do.
The Retrieval Artist Series has become to me like those who have a favorite TV Show (Breaking Bad, Mad Men, Lost). I have to read each book to find out what happens next. Now I understand how good entertainment can be totally addicting in a good way and the power of excellent storytelling can make you a little more open-minded. I highly recommend Buried Deep like I have with the first three books in this series.
Those two questions give Buried Deep by Kristine Kathryn Rusch a thought-provoking theme in the fourth entry of this excellent sci-fi hybrid thriller series.
Bones have been discovered beneath the Martian soil in the main city of the alien culture, The Disty. They evacuate the city believing it to be contaminated. Forensic Anthropologist Aisha Costard finds out the bones belonged to a woman who had disappeared because she was charged with crimes against another alien culture. Also, the dead woman had children disappeared with her and are believed to be alive.
Costard hires Retrieval Artist Miles Flint to find out where these disappeared children are. Flint investigates and learns how the dead woman and her offspring could be the lynchpin to a major human-alien relations incident throughout the solar system.
What makes Buried Deep as well the other books I’ve read in the Retrieval Artist Series is the characters of Retrieval Artist Miles Flint and Moon Security Chief Noelle DeRicci. They started out as partners in The Disappeared: Book 1 of the series and now are on the opposite sides of the law. Both have learned that justice is not always black or white. Because of that reality, their beliefs and friendship have been challenged as the series has developed.
Rusch creates a credible multicultural society without being patronizing or politically correct. She shows the strengths and weaknesses of such a society and how it mirrors our current global culture. Also, the books are intricately plotted and keeps the reader guessing like the best thrillers do.
The Retrieval Artist Series has become to me like those who have a favorite TV Show (Breaking Bad, Mad Men, Lost). I have to read each book to find out what happens next. Now I understand how good entertainment can be totally addicting in a good way and the power of excellent storytelling can make you a little more open-minded. I highly recommend Buried Deep like I have with the first three books in this series.
February 9, 2011
The story takes place at a time when humans have colonized the solar system and have made contact with intelligent alien species. In Sahara Dome on Mars a human skeleton has been discovered under the dwelling of the Disty - a race with intricate often brutal, rituals and a powerful aversion to death. The Disty dwellers evacuate their homes in great haste. They have suffered a major contamination. The only way to satisfy the Disty is to find family members of the human victim and convince them to take part in an alien ritual. The search to identify the body leads forensic anthropologist Aisha Costard to Armstrong Dome on the Moon where she hopes to convince Retrieval Artist Miles Flint to help her find the relatives.
The Disty hold her responsible for the contamination of their brethren. If the relatives are not found within a few days the alien will legally take their savage revenge on her.
A terrific blend of science fiction and murder mystery. Rusch tells a great story but also tackles the notion of what justice means when more than one species is involved. The answers can be unnerving for those who must make very difficult choices. Buried Deep is Book 4 in the series
The Disty hold her responsible for the contamination of their brethren. If the relatives are not found within a few days the alien will legally take their savage revenge on her.
A terrific blend of science fiction and murder mystery. Rusch tells a great story but also tackles the notion of what justice means when more than one species is involved. The answers can be unnerving for those who must make very difficult choices. Buried Deep is Book 4 in the series
March 27, 2018
A very well written book. I really liked Miles Flint and Sharyn Scott-Olson. De Ricci was OK. I really, really disliked Ki Bowles, and hated the Disty. I wish there was a little more involving Scott-Olson and less of De Ricci and Bowles. I found the murder mystery more interesting than the inter-species interactions.
This was my first Retrieval Artist novel to read. I'll likely read more since I liked the main character. But I could have done with more background of the relations between species, I was a little confused at times how people should be acting toward one another. It was a little jarring seeing an alien species claiming Mars as their own, when it's in our solar system and we settled on it first. Not having a good grasp on the inter-species relations, or what the species major beliefs are, reminded me quite a bit of an anthropologist wading into a new culture without knowing anything about them. The Disty death avoidance actually seemed a little like the Navajo death avoidance turned up to eleventy.
The story was plotted out pretty well, with lots of interlocking pieces. The story was paced well, but the last 100 pages really flew by in no time. The timelines for travel from Mars to Earth seemed really compressed though. Just a few hours, really? That's hauling butt. There was a point near the end where I questioned the physics of the trajectory, but perhaps that particular trajectory requires constant acceleration.
The book was formatted well, with no obvious spelling/grammar errors. For some reason the eBook, purchased as part of a bundle, didn't like my Nooks. I couldn't get it to load at all on the one NST. I did get it to load on my NSTG, but the page turns were exceedingly slow.
On a side note, I discovered that one of the people I used to do child seat checks with is the niece of the author and was named after her. It's a small world after all.
This was my first Retrieval Artist novel to read. I'll likely read more since I liked the main character. But I could have done with more background of the relations between species, I was a little confused at times how people should be acting toward one another. It was a little jarring seeing an alien species claiming Mars as their own, when it's in our solar system and we settled on it first. Not having a good grasp on the inter-species relations, or what the species major beliefs are, reminded me quite a bit of an anthropologist wading into a new culture without knowing anything about them. The Disty death avoidance actually seemed a little like the Navajo death avoidance turned up to eleventy.
The story was plotted out pretty well, with lots of interlocking pieces. The story was paced well, but the last 100 pages really flew by in no time. The timelines for travel from Mars to Earth seemed really compressed though. Just a few hours, really? That's hauling butt. There was a point near the end where I questioned the physics of the trajectory, but perhaps that particular trajectory requires constant acceleration.
The book was formatted well, with no obvious spelling/grammar errors. For some reason the eBook, purchased as part of a bundle, didn't like my Nooks. I couldn't get it to load at all on the one NST. I did get it to load on my NSTG, but the page turns were exceedingly slow.
On a side note, I discovered that one of the people I used to do child seat checks with is the niece of the author and was named after her. It's a small world after all.
May 3, 2021
Buried Deep is the fourth Retrieval Artist book by Kristine Kathryn Rusch and I'm still very much enjoying the series. A skeleton discovered on Mars causes an interstellar incident when the Disty, an alien race with highly complex traditions around death, blame the humans for trying to drive them off the planet.
I love the politics and societal structure of the moon, I love the intricacies of the alien laws that the humans often get tripped up by, I love the continued interactions between Flint and DeRicci, even though they don't really work together any more, and I love the ways in which their individual careers are developing in interesting ways over the course of the series.
My only criticism of the books, and this one in particular, is that there are too many POV characters, some of whom get introduced to the story way too late to invest in or keep track of. I'd much prefer it if the narrative could be split solely between Flint and DeRicci - they are the characters I'm attached to and want to spend time with. The way the books are often structured, they don't actually get all that much page time and they don't have a very big active part in the way events play out.
I will definitely carry on with this series, though, as it's eminently readable and highly enjoyable.
I love the politics and societal structure of the moon, I love the intricacies of the alien laws that the humans often get tripped up by, I love the continued interactions between Flint and DeRicci, even though they don't really work together any more, and I love the ways in which their individual careers are developing in interesting ways over the course of the series.
My only criticism of the books, and this one in particular, is that there are too many POV characters, some of whom get introduced to the story way too late to invest in or keep track of. I'd much prefer it if the narrative could be split solely between Flint and DeRicci - they are the characters I'm attached to and want to spend time with. The way the books are often structured, they don't actually get all that much page time and they don't have a very big active part in the way events play out.
I will definitely carry on with this series, though, as it's eminently readable and highly enjoyable.
March 28, 2021
Rusch, Kristine Kathryn. Buried Deep. Retrieval Artist No. 5. Roc, 2005.
One of the intriguing things about Kristine Kathryn Rusch’s Retrieval Artist novels is how much aliens, who are never precisely described, drive the action. The Disty are interstellar aliens who have recently established a large colony on Mars, displacing most of the human population. We really know only one thing about them: they have an extreme corpse phobia. Any contact with a dead body, or even being near one, is considered pollution that must be cleaned by means that may include exile or execution. When human remains are found on Mars buried beneath a Disty building, the entire interstellar alliance is threatened. If Miles Flint cannot find the killer, the Disty may pull out of the alliance and kill thousands of their own citizens in a cleansing ritual. Rusch has the knack of writing well-plotted crime novels that make their science fiction premises central elements.
One of the intriguing things about Kristine Kathryn Rusch’s Retrieval Artist novels is how much aliens, who are never precisely described, drive the action. The Disty are interstellar aliens who have recently established a large colony on Mars, displacing most of the human population. We really know only one thing about them: they have an extreme corpse phobia. Any contact with a dead body, or even being near one, is considered pollution that must be cleaned by means that may include exile or execution. When human remains are found on Mars buried beneath a Disty building, the entire interstellar alliance is threatened. If Miles Flint cannot find the killer, the Disty may pull out of the alliance and kill thousands of their own citizens in a cleansing ritual. Rusch has the knack of writing well-plotted crime novels that make their science fiction premises central elements.
February 27, 2017
Inter planetary and inter stellar travel are common place and the Earth is just one of many worlds in an alliance. The aliens are truly strange with very weird customs, and it is these customs that form the focal point of the story. The non human inhabitants of Mars freak the hell out while humanity tries to figure out what the hell is going on.
I didn't know what to expect from this book, and I didn't realise it was part of a series until I was part way through. This was yet another pleasant surprise from a story bundle. Rusch weaves an interesting story in a universe not too different from our own.
This was an enjoyable read for me and I think I'll be looking out for earlier books in the series.
I didn't know what to expect from this book, and I didn't realise it was part of a series until I was part way through. This was yet another pleasant surprise from a story bundle. Rusch weaves an interesting story in a universe not too different from our own.
This was an enjoyable read for me and I think I'll be looking out for earlier books in the series.
September 27, 2020
Great Read
I became aware of the Retrieval Artist series when I found the Anniversary Series books set in this Universe and decided to read the series from the beginning. Buried Deep is the best of the early books in the series by far.
A mass human grave site is found on Mars which freaks out the aliens who control the planet. A mass exodus ensues, killing humans and aliens. Humans on Mars and Miles (the Retrieval Artist) work together to find a solution to the problem.
I would love to see the back story of how the Disty took control of Mars and why humans let it happen. There also needs to be an explanation of how they deal with other cultures that don’t have the same fear of being contaminated by corpses.
Aside from those nits, definitely a good read.
I became aware of the Retrieval Artist series when I found the Anniversary Series books set in this Universe and decided to read the series from the beginning. Buried Deep is the best of the early books in the series by far.
A mass human grave site is found on Mars which freaks out the aliens who control the planet. A mass exodus ensues, killing humans and aliens. Humans on Mars and Miles (the Retrieval Artist) work together to find a solution to the problem.
I would love to see the back story of how the Disty took control of Mars and why humans let it happen. There also needs to be an explanation of how they deal with other cultures that don’t have the same fear of being contaminated by corpses.
Aside from those nits, definitely a good read.
June 21, 2022
I do enjoy this author. Miles Flint, retrieval artist, gets involved in a disaster on Mars. A body is found in a Disty dome which freaks the Disty the hell out. Anyone who had contact with the body is contaminated even through second hand contact. Disty law prevails on Mars and this means cleansing which is usually fatal to humans. One person goes to the moon to find family members because tha helps with the cleansing. This is where Flint gets involved. It gets hairier from here.
July 6, 2023
Excellent, inventive sci fi mystery/thriller
But Buried is more grim than previous books in this series. The body count is extremely high. The Disty's laws and rituals are highlighted in this story of massive cultural differences and horrible human violence. There is graphic violence. I like Miles, Noelle, and the newly introduced Nyquist. As disturbing as the story is, it is also engrossing with its more detailed look at one of the non-human cultures.
But Buried is more grim than previous books in this series. The body count is extremely high. The Disty's laws and rituals are highlighted in this story of massive cultural differences and horrible human violence. There is graphic violence. I like Miles, Noelle, and the newly introduced Nyquist. As disturbing as the story is, it is also engrossing with its more detailed look at one of the non-human cultures.
February 20, 2019
An author to follow
Kristine Katherine Rusch primarily writes science fiction, but her skills take her into mystery and much more. She is a gifted writer, especially in short stories and novellas, and is able to capture one's interest even in genres that usually don't interest. Read everything you can find. This novel follows a series, but can stand alone. Excellent!
Kristine Katherine Rusch primarily writes science fiction, but her skills take her into mystery and much more. She is a gifted writer, especially in short stories and novellas, and is able to capture one's interest even in genres that usually don't interest. Read everything you can find. This novel follows a series, but can stand alone. Excellent!
March 3, 2020
A murder mystery turns into a solar-system wide catastrophe and no one has all the answers, or how to stop it before it spreads into the galaxy beyond. Gripping writing that keeps the pages turning, this is another fun Retrieval Artist novel from Kristine Kathryn Rusch. Some issues with character development that are overshadowed by a fast-paced novel that builds at every turn.
May 10, 2022
This is another 2 for 1, you get scifi with a pretty good mystery. I think it would probably be better to read the first novel in this series to understand all the players. Overall this is a pretty good read. Recomended.
September 1, 2017
Really loved this series.
November 2, 2017
Very good.
March 26, 2019
Another hit!
I'm always amazed at how well this author brings new and fascinating aspects of human behavior into a future setting that keeps us riveted to the story.
I'm always amazed at how well this author brings new and fascinating aspects of human behavior into a future setting that keeps us riveted to the story.
July 15, 2021
I really enjoy this series. So odd, and yet so very likely, when trying to get along with aliens, who are, you know, really alien.
March 1, 2022
I still love this series. Very science fictiony however. 80 percent complex customs of alien species.
March 25, 2023
Second reading of one of my favorite SF series.
August 23, 2023
Gripping Story
Plot was well executed. The shades of gray through the main plot were great. I liked learning more about the Disty.
Plot was well executed. The shades of gray through the main plot were great. I liked learning more about the Disty.
September 9, 2015
Buried Deep is the fourth book in Rusch’s science fiction mystery series, the Retrieval Artist novels. The first is The Disappeared, but you could likely read Buried Deep as a stand alone if you wished. Each novel contains a separate mystery, although all are set in the same world and involve two of the same characters – Miles Flint and Noelle DeRicci.
In Buried Deep, a forensic anthropologist is summoned to Mars to inspect a human skeleton found under a section of the city belonging to the Ditsy, an alien species which practically rules Mars. The Ditsy have strong cultural taboos surrounding death, believing that all who come into contact with a body are contaminated. The forensic anthropologist soon learns that unless she can find living relatives of the dead woman to preform a ritual cleansing ceremony, she and the other investigators will be killed to cleanse the contamination. Desperate, she turns to retrieval artist Miles Flint.
Here I need to explain a bit of the background of the world. The future universe imagined by Rusch contains many different alien species and cultures, which come together for trading and diplomatic purposes under the Alliance. To allow all these species to interact, the laws state that someone who commits a crime against an alien species will be subject to that species laws, which are often far more severe than human punishments and sometimes extend to the relatives of the perceived criminals. Services called “Disappearance” companies arose, which professionally hid people from alien justice systems. Trackers are bounty hunters who go after the disappeared. The flip side of the coin is retrieval artists, who look for disappeared to notify them of important information such as an inheritance or an acquittal but who also strive to keep the disappeared safe. Miles Flint is one of these such investigators.
While the situation on Mars is developing, detective Noelle DeRicci of the Moon’s Armstrong Dome must decide whether she takes a promotion to a political position that would nominally give her authority over the entire Moon. She and Miles Flint are on opposite sides of the law even if they often agree about what the right thing is.
I find this to be the best entry to the series since the first book, largely because it finally gets back to the ideas involving the aliens which drew me in so much. Buried Deep is fast paced and almost more of a thriller than a mystery. It shows a wide range of POV to depict the ongoing chaos caused by the situation on Mars. This means that while Miles Flint is the protagonist, he has less than fifty percent of the page time. While this could have weakened the novel, I think it actually worked very well by giving a clearer picture of the developments and the relations between the humans and the Ditsy.
The Retrieval Artist series has been one of the most enjoyable and fun science fiction series I’ve come across, and it’s a pity that they are so little known. I’d highly recommend Buried Deep to anyone looking for a fast paced science fiction story involving aliens.
Originally posted on The Illustrated Page.
In Buried Deep, a forensic anthropologist is summoned to Mars to inspect a human skeleton found under a section of the city belonging to the Ditsy, an alien species which practically rules Mars. The Ditsy have strong cultural taboos surrounding death, believing that all who come into contact with a body are contaminated. The forensic anthropologist soon learns that unless she can find living relatives of the dead woman to preform a ritual cleansing ceremony, she and the other investigators will be killed to cleanse the contamination. Desperate, she turns to retrieval artist Miles Flint.
Here I need to explain a bit of the background of the world. The future universe imagined by Rusch contains many different alien species and cultures, which come together for trading and diplomatic purposes under the Alliance. To allow all these species to interact, the laws state that someone who commits a crime against an alien species will be subject to that species laws, which are often far more severe than human punishments and sometimes extend to the relatives of the perceived criminals. Services called “Disappearance” companies arose, which professionally hid people from alien justice systems. Trackers are bounty hunters who go after the disappeared. The flip side of the coin is retrieval artists, who look for disappeared to notify them of important information such as an inheritance or an acquittal but who also strive to keep the disappeared safe. Miles Flint is one of these such investigators.
While the situation on Mars is developing, detective Noelle DeRicci of the Moon’s Armstrong Dome must decide whether she takes a promotion to a political position that would nominally give her authority over the entire Moon. She and Miles Flint are on opposite sides of the law even if they often agree about what the right thing is.
I find this to be the best entry to the series since the first book, largely because it finally gets back to the ideas involving the aliens which drew me in so much. Buried Deep is fast paced and almost more of a thriller than a mystery. It shows a wide range of POV to depict the ongoing chaos caused by the situation on Mars. This means that while Miles Flint is the protagonist, he has less than fifty percent of the page time. While this could have weakened the novel, I think it actually worked very well by giving a clearer picture of the developments and the relations between the humans and the Ditsy.
The Retrieval Artist series has been one of the most enjoyable and fun science fiction series I’ve come across, and it’s a pity that they are so little known. I’d highly recommend Buried Deep to anyone looking for a fast paced science fiction story involving aliens.
Originally posted on The Illustrated Page.
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