Notwithstanding and acknowledging the author's indecencies during his life time, I found it hard to stay away from his works since they could be really, really good. His crisp, plot-driven, non-flowery delivery suits me really well. His books, like this one, are enjoyable thought exercise.

The story is about a murder investigation so you could expect there are lots of questionings and speculating. Yet, each tête-à-tête was riveting, kept me glued for more than 400 pages of them. I might have some issues on some of the ways the female characters were represented (they're almost too broken and could use a little more agency, especially Gladia). Yet, the whodunnit plot and its encompassing world, evolving around the relationship between humans in different worlds, between humans and robots, and last but not least, the use of humaniform robots to colonize new worlds, were just mind-blowing.

I'd love to see how Baley and Daneel would turn out if they're living together. Baley's attitude had completely changed compared to when he first met Daneel in [b:The Caves of Steel|41811|The Caves of Steel (Robot #1)|Isaac Asimov|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1335782224l/41811._SY75_.jpg|140376]. I just had to laugh reading Baley's thoughts and outward declaration about Daneel in this book.

Anyway, while I feel a bit guilty for liking it, I do plan to continue to the next book. The ending itself, that ultimate conversation, might have made decide to reread [b:Foundation|29579|Foundation (Foundation, #1)|Isaac Asimov|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1417900846l/29579._SX50_.jpg|1783981].