This subgenre blends the investigative focus of detective fiction with the imaginative settings and scientific concepts of science fiction. Imagine a hard-boiled detective navigating a Martian metropolis, or a psychic investigator solving crimes in a cyberpunk dystopia. These narratives often explore themes of artificial intelligence, genetic engineering, virtual reality, and space exploration, all while following the familiar structure of a whodunit.
Such narratives offer a unique lens through which to examine complex societal issues. By placing familiar crime-solving tropes within futuristic or otherwise altered contexts, these stories can explore the potential consequences of technological advancements, social inequalities, and ethical dilemmas in engaging and thought-provoking ways. Furthermore, the fusion of these two genres has a rich history, dating back to the pulp era with authors like Isaac Asimov and continuing to evolve with contemporary writers pushing the boundaries of both detective fiction and science fiction.
