The patchwork girl

About “The patchwork girl”

The Patchwork Girl is a science fiction novel by Larry Niven, part of his Known Space series. It is the fourth of five Gil Hamilton detective stories and the first to be published as a stand-alone novel in 1980. The story follows Hamilton, an acting U.N. Delegate on the moon, who investigates the attempted murder of the Belt Delegate, Chris Penzler. The shot was fired from outside the delegate’s quarters, and the only person seen outside at the time is Naomi Mitchison, a tourist and former lover of Hamilton’s. Though he believes her innocent of the shooting, he suspects she is hiding a more serious crime. Naomi is condemned to be "broken up" for spare parts, a severe punishment for minor crimes on the moon. Using his remote-sensing ability, gained after losing an arm, Hamilton uncovers the truth and saves Naomi, though she is left disfigured. Her real crime involves violating Earth’s strict population laws, forcing her to leave the planet.