The Runaway Martian

Cozy Sci-Fi Mystery

by Katherine Okia

The Runaway Martian is a captivating murder mystery set aboard a luxurious spaceship, where Thea must uncover the truth behind a series of murders.

After witnessing a woman’s body fall from a lift, Thea is drawn into an investigation that intertwines with her own past. As she carefully examines the clues and interrogates those around her, Thea uncovers hidden motives, family secrets, and a complex web of connections, all leading her closer to the shocking truth behind the murder.

What You’ll Uncover:

• A classic murder mystery with an engaging, methodical investigation.
• A strong, thoughtful protagonist using her intellect to unravel a complex case.
• A richly detailed setting, where every character is a potential suspect.

The Runaway Martian takes place in the same universe as The Feeler, but it’s a standalone story—no prior reading required.

Don’t miss The Runaway Martian—a carefully crafted mystery that will keep you guessing until the very end.

A Wonderful Blend of

Science Fiction

and

Cozy Mystery

To Keep You Guessing!

Popular Tropes

Cozy Mystery

• Amateur Sleuth

• Red Herrings

• Narrow Escape

Science Fiction

• Psychic Powers

• Luxury Spaceship

• Artificial Intelligence

BISAC Categories

• FICTION / Science Fiction / General
• FICTION / Science Fiction / Crime & Mystery
• FICTION / Science Fiction / Space Opera
• FICTION / Science Fiction / Androids, Robots & Artificial Intelligences
• FICTION / Mystery & Detective / Cozy / General
• FICTION / Mystery & Detective / Women Sleuths
• FICTION / Mystery & Detective / Cozy / Paranormal
• FICTION / Family Life / General
• FICTION / Fantasy / Cozy

The Runaway Martian

Character Compendium

Thea Black, a farming engineer and Mover, is smart, independent, and just wants a quiet life—but when a murder happens aboard the Stargazer, she finds herself pulled into the mystery, relying on her wits and hidden abilities to uncover the truth.

Lottie Dover, Thea’s friend and Owen Dover’s sister, is fiercely loyal to her brother, but her strong emotions sometimes get in the way of the investigation—and reveal deeper societal tensions along the way.

Owen Dover, Lottie’s brother, is devastated after the murder of his wife and struggles to process his grief as the investigation unfolds.

Beatrice Miller, a kind, talkative older Askov woman aboard the Stargazer, loves a good piece of gossip and slowly forms an unexpected friendship with Thea.

Alice Tucker, a retired astronomy teacher and another of the Stargazer’s “old biddies,” is wise, observant, and a loyal friend to both Thea and Beatrice.

Psychic Glossary

Curious about the psychic abilities in my stories? Here’s a quick guide to help you keep track of who’s who—and what they can do.

Askovians
Askovians are people born with psychic abilities, also known as para-sensory skills. A couple of generations ago, something started changing in humans—maybe evolution, maybe something in the water (no one’s quite sure). About ten percent of the population developed special abilities, and that group became known as Askovians.

Askov Family
These are the family members of Askovians. Most don’t have active abilities themselves, but many carry the traits and can pass them on to their kids. Think of them as latent carriers of psychic potential.

Readers
Readers are telepathic—they can hear other people’s thoughts. While that might sound cool, it’s not always easy. Like Feelers, Readers can get overloaded in crowds and need to train themselves to block out the mental noise around them.

Movers
Movers have telekinetic abilities—they can move things with their minds. Small stuff? No problem. But if they want to shift something big, they’ll need to do some serious mental prep first. Most Movers have to meditate and really focus before taking on anything heavy.

Originals
A term used to describe humans who have no ties to an Askov family and possess no special mental abilities. They are often perceived differently by Askovs and Askovians, sometimes facing discrimination or being considered “ordinary.” Thea seeks to live among Originals to escape her family’s expectations.

COPYRIGHT PAGE

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or if real, are used fictitiously.

First Paperback edition published 2025.

Text copyright © 2025 by Katherine Okia

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, transmitted or stored in any information retrieval system in any form or by any means, graphic, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, taping and recording, without the prior written permission from the publisher. For information, contact the publisher at hello@katherinesbooks.com.

ISBN: 978-1-951722-17-3 eBook

ISBN: 978-1-951722-18-0 Paperback