Nobody’s Baby by Olivia Waite (Dorothy Gentleman, #2) * * * *

I read Nobody’s Baby by Olivia Waite as my March Pick of the Month, as it was released on March 10th. This is the second instalment in the Dorothy Gentleman series and a short novella at around 144 pages. I read it in a single day.

The series is set aboard the HMS Fairweather, a generational spaceship carrying thousands of people to a new home. The central character, Dorothy “Dottie” Gentleman, works as a detective on board the ship. As in the first book, the story combines a mystery plot with science fiction elements, particularly around identity and consciousness.

The premise of this instalment is simple but immediately intriguing. A baby is found left on the doorstep of Dorothy’s nephew and his partner. This should not be possible. The inhabitants of the ship live in manufactured bodies that are not supposed to be capable of reproduction. The mystery therefore begins with a clear question: how can a baby exist in this system at all?

From there, the plot develops in two directions. One is the investigation into the baby’s origin and legal status. The other is the growing tension when someone attempts to kidnap the child. This adds urgency to the story, shifting it from a conceptual mystery into something more immediate and personal.

Dorothy remains a strong central character. She is practical, observant, and calm under pressure. The novella also continues to develop her personal life, including a subtle sapphic romantic thread that is still in progress rather than fully realised.

In terms of the mystery itself, I found this instalment slightly weaker than the first book. The central idea is strong, but the resolution feels more straightforward. The focus is less on intricate deduction and more on exploring the implications of the situation. The novella format likely contributes to this, as there is less space to build complexity.

What works well is the thematic layer. The book raises questions about personhood, parenthood, and choice. What defines a person in a system where bodies are interchangeable? What makes someone a parent? Who has the right to claim or protect a child? What rights does a child have that shouldn’t even exist? These ideas are integrated into the plot rather than presented separately, which keeps the story grounded.

The pacing is fast, which suits the length. Everything is introduced, developed, and resolved efficiently. By the end, all major questions are answered and the story is neatly wrapped up.

Overall, I gave this book four stars. It is well written, engaging, and easy to read in one sitting. While the mystery is not as strong as in the first instalment, it remains a solid continuation of the series. I would recommend reading it, especially if you enjoyed the first book.

It is a small story with a clear structure, but it still manages to raise larger questions that stay with you after you finish.