Breathing Space

Ellis McFadden Mysteries

By: Kristen Painter

Narrated by: Robyn Maryke

Step into the enigmatic world of the Athos—a vessel that blends the luxury of a cruise ship, the intrigue of a scientific research station, and the might of a military starship. Here, amidst the stars, you'll find Ellis McFadden, the ship’s head librarian, embarking on adventures she never anticipated this late in her career.

Even better that she gets to experience it all while in proximity to her daughter, who just happens to be the vice admiral. But life aboard the ship takes a darker turn when a library patron is found dead, and Ellis falls under suspicion.

With her reputation on the line, Ellis must navigate a labyrinth of secrets and lies. Armed with her wits, the loyalty of her eclectic friends, and her trusty android cat, she dives into a mystery that's as thrilling as the unexplored galaxies around her. Can she find the critical evidence to clear her name before the next jump into the unknown?

©2024 Kristen Painter (P)2025 Kristen Painter

No science in this SF

This story is nice but contains very little science. I liked it well enough and will go on with the series.

Spaced out excellence

This was a delightful and unique story. I love Kristen Painter's work and always love to see a new series from her. The characters were wonderful. At first, I wasn't crazy about Ellis's daughter, Hazel. She didn't seem to be very supportive of her mother's predicament. But then I warmed up to her and loved her. My favorite part is the talking cat Harry and his accent. That is so awesome. The mystery was also great and I never dreamed about the solution. Too cool!

The narration was great. She talks a little fast but I think it's because I live in the south and everyone is SO country and slow talking. She really brought the characters alive. Can't wait to see what happens next.

A Wonderfully Unique Story

Kristen Painter has done it again! As a longtime fan of her work, I was intrigued when I discovered this new series—so different from anything she’s written before. And let me tell you, I was hooked! This story is rich with detail and draws you in as you explore its unique world aboard the Starliner,Athos, a fascinating blend of luxury cruise ship and military vessel.

At the heart of the story is Ellis, the ship’s head librarian—an incredibly sharp and knowledgeable woman who seems to have the answers for everything. She’s surrounded by an intriguing cast of characters, including her close-knit friends, her daughter (who just happens to be the Vice Admiral), and a charming new love interest, Frank. But when a murder happens to a library patron, Ellis becomes a suspect, Ellis and Frank takes it upon themselves to unravel the mystery. Their teamwork, quick wit, and natural chemistry make for a fun and engaging read.

What brought the book to life for me were the descriptions of new planets, wonderful new cuisines, and, of course, the ship itself. The Botanical Gardens restaurant? I’d book a table in a heartbeat! And let’s not forget one of my favorite surprises—Ellis’s android cat. At first, I wasn’t sure what to make of him, but by the end, I was completely smitten.

If you love cozy mysteries with a sci-fi twist, this book is a must-read. Imagine Star Trek: The Next Generation meets a high-end interstellar cruise—packed with entertainment, adventure, food, and, of course, a mystery that will keep you turning the pages. I can’t wait to see where this series goes next!

Very Enjoyable

This new series of Kristen Painters’ is a refreshing change from my normal genre. I’ll admit at the first it took me a little bit to understand the chat line but once I got into the story, I enjoyed that part of it too. In fact, I enjoyed this so much. I went back and listened to it again before reviewing it. I just wasn’t ready for it to be over yet.A very good story and very likable characters.

A Little Different, and A Fantastic Read!

I loved this! It was different from her other series, which I love (Nocturne Falls, Shadowvale, Jayne Frost/Frost & Crowe). It still had the same feel, but definitely different. The world and community were beautifully developed and the story and characters were engaging! There was a lot of description of science fiction/starship-type things, but not so much jargon that you couldn't relate to it or follow what was happening. I've read other science fiction books that were so filled with jargon and made up words, I couldn't tell whether I was reading a story or if their keyboard blew up. This was not that. It was easy to follow and interesting, like a murder mystery on the Starship Enterprise. (Captain Picard era, of course!) I can't wait for the next two to drop.

Word Pronunciation!

There is no such thing as a LIE-Bary. The word is pronounced with three syllables. Lie–brar-E !! I realize this performer is not the only one who does it, but it was the most prevalent due to the storyline. Storyline and performer were very good just a small annoyance.

Good start

Really enjoyed this book. A bit of a departure for her other books and it really works well. The narrator was a bit stiff, hopefully she will loosen up in the next book.

Breathing Space

Breathing Space by Kristen Painter
Ellis McFadden Mysteries series #1. Cozy mystery, science fiction style.
The Athos is a starship on a twenty year round trip. Primary a military mission, and also carrying passengers in a luxury style as well as a portion of the ship for scientific research.
Ellis McFadden is the ship’s head librarian, late in her career. She joined the ship primarily because her daughter is the Vice Admiral and enjoys a fairly high level of authority including choosing the television shows streaming on the ship. When she delivers a printed book to a coworker’s cabin, who later is found dead, Ellis is the primary suspect. Knowing she didn’t kill him, she embarks on an investigation of her own to prove her innocence. She certainly doesn’t want to spend the twenty year journey in lockup.

🎧 I alternated between an ecopy and audiobook. The lively performance was done by Robyn Maryke who did a great job with several different voices and keeping my attention. I love doing both formats at the same time since I get more of the details from reading and more of the emotions and intensity from the audiobook.

Interesting first sci-fi cozy, setting up the world from the entertainment the passengers can view on TV or read, to jobs like laundry and unique products from mysterious worlds throughout the galaxy. The detail on the material from the Sha’rossi rug is rich and intriguing. I especially enjoyed the historical television shows and books mentioned. Characters have to eat and the mentioned food is often very detailed and delicious sounding.
Loved the android talking cat too.

I was gifted a copy of this from the author. Opinions are my own.

“Murder, Mystery, and an Android Cat: A Stellar Sci-Fi Whodunit!”

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ | A Thrilling Mystery Among the Stars

Kristen Painter’s Breathing Space is a refreshing genre-blend that seamlessly merges science fiction, mystery, and a touch of cozy charm. Set aboard the Athos—a ship that’s equal parts luxury cruiser, research hub, and military stronghold—this novel introduces readers to Ellis McFadden, a head librarian whose quiet career takes a dramatic turn when a library patron turns up dead. Suddenly a suspect, Ellis must untangle a web of deception, relying on her intellect, a diverse circle of allies, and her ever-loyal android cat to clear her name.

Painter crafts an immersive setting with rich world-building, giving readers a perfect mix of high-tech intrigue and classic whodunit tension. Ellis is a standout protagonist—mature, intelligent, and engaging—proving that adventure doesn’t have an age limit. The relationship between Ellis and her daughter, the vice admiral, adds depth to the story, balancing the high-stakes mystery with a touching personal dynamic.

With sharp storytelling, well-paced suspense, and a cast of compelling characters, Breathing Space is an entertaining read that will appeal to both sci-fi enthusiasts and mystery lovers. The audiobook is also highly recommended, as it brings the intricate world and characters to life with engaging narration. Whether you listen or read, this is a stellar choice for anyone seeking an intelligent and immersive space mystery.