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Snapshot

Brandon Sanderson

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Similar in characterization + relationships

These books are ranked using the characterization + relationships labels extracted for Snapshot. Books rank higher when they are close on every selected axis.

Characterization labels used: flawed protagonist, cop protagonist, detective duo, washed-up cops, outcast officers, relatable leads, bantering partners, older detective, younger partner, morally compromised authority

Relationships labels used: partner dynamics, work partnership, cop partnership, banter, trust, authority conflict, secrets, betrayal, collaboration, male duo

This does not mean the books share the same plot, setting, quality, or difficulty. It means their characterization + relationships embeddings are close.

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The Disappeared

Kristine Kathryn Rusch · 2002 · Retrieval Artist

On the Moon, a new detective is pulled into cases where alien law demands brutal justice for human missteps.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: detective protagonist · rookie detective · experienced partner · private investigator · law enforcement · burned-out investigator · morally conflicted · sympathetic cop · imperfect characters · compassionate hero

Relationships labels: partner dynamic · professional partnership · cops vs fugitives · parents and children · power imbalance · alien-human tension · institutional conflict · betrayal

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1267

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The Wolfen

Whitley Strieber · 1992

Two NYPD detectives investigate brutal cop murders and uncover a hidden, intelligent predator species stalking the city.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: detectives · female detective · male detective · cop partners · homicide detectives · flawed protagonists · intelligent monsters · sapient predators · pack leader · noble monsters · older partner · younger partner · competent investigators · police boss · museum expert

Relationships labels: partner chemistry · work partnership · romantic tension · love-hate dynamic · antagonistic relationships · professional tension · male-female partnership · pack loyalty · pack hierarchy

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1463

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Powers, Vol. 1: Who Killed Retro Girl?

Brian Michael Bendis · 2006 · Powers (2000)

A homicide detective and his new partner investigate the murder of a beloved superhero in a city full of powers.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: detective protagonist · rookie partner · brooding lead · abrasive partner · powerful detective · secretive protagonist · child companion · beloved victim

Relationships labels: cop partnership · mentor-rival dynamic · protective bond · work partnership · trust issues · parental surrogate · professional tension

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1491

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The Beauty, Vol. 1

Jeremy Haun, Jason A. Hurley · 2016 · The Beauty Series

In a beauty-obsessed world, an STD grants perfection to those infected—until deadly consequences spark a conspiracy chase.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: detectives · female detective · hardboiled detectives · police task force · infected protagonists · corrupt officials · pharmaceutical executive · mercenary · antiheroic figures · brave heroine · flawed characters

Relationships labels: detective partnership · romantic relationship · wife relationship · married couple · working partnership · alliances of convenience · factional conflict · betrayal · government vs public · citizen vs corporation

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1565

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Die App: Sie kennen dich. Sie wissen wo du wohnst

Arno Strobel · 2020

A smart home turns ominous when Hendrik’s fiancée vanishes and the house’s connected systems stop feeling safe.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: archetypal protagonist · investigative protagonist · doctor protagonist · fiancee · police investigator · assistant ally · psychology student · hacker · suspect ambiguity · naive protagonist · trusting protagonist · undercut police · dueling cops

Relationships labels: engaged couple · fiance relationship · romantic partnership · missing partner · protagonist and police · ally network · trust and betrayal · helping outsider

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1602

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Chien 51

Laurent Gaudé · 2022

In a corporate-run near future, a declassed police “dog” investigates a murder that drags his buried past back up.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: disillusioned detective · declassed policeman · female inspector · antihero · traumatized protagonist · tortured character · cynical protagonist · morally compromised

Relationships labels: forced partnership · unequal partnership · romance · professional tension · gendered power dynamics · mentor-protege · class divide · collaboration under pressure

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1603

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The Caves of Steel

Isaac Asimov · 1997 · Robot, chronological order

A skeptical Earth detective is forced to solve a murder with a humanoid robot partner in a crowded, far-future city.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: human detective · robot detective · skeptical protagonist · competent robot · uneasy allies · philosophical detective · prejudiced protagonist · open-minded arc

Relationships labels: partnership · work partnership · uneasy alliance · friendship · mutual distrust · intergroup tension · marriage · spousal conflict

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1684

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The Dispatcher

John Scalzi · 2016 · The Dispatcher

In a world where murder victims usually return, a licensed killer is drawn into a missing-person case and a deadly loophole.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: licensed professional · government sanctioned · morally gray · smart aleck protagonist · calm protagonist · barely legal dispatcher · detective · cop consultant · fellow dispatcher · mob-connected characters · licensed killer

Relationships labels: professional partnership · cop and consultant · friendship · former friend · co-worker · blackmail · reluctant alliance · institutional authority · power imbalance · organized crime ties

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1714

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Holiday in Death

J.D. Robb · 1998 · In Death

A holiday-season serial killer targeting dating-service clients forces Eve Dallas to hunt fast while facing her own past.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: tough detective · prickly heroine · overworked investigator · emotionally guarded · traumatized protagonist · capable cop · protective partner · devoted husband · supportive allies · secondary-character banter · antagonistic heroine · flawed but caring

Relationships labels: marriage · romantic partnership · slow burn · power couple · friendship · coworker tension · mentor-mentee · rivalry · frenemy dynamic · teamwork · family-like bonds · undercover partnership

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1718

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Purity in Death

J.D. Robb · 2005 · In Death

A near-future homicide detective hunts a computer-virus vigilante killing predators while innocent lives also fall at risk.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: female detective · competent cop · badass protagonist · billionaire helper · tech specialist · young prodigy · supporting ensemble · damaged cop · morally conflicted

Relationships labels: romantic partners · professional partnership · found family · mentor-protégé · team loyalty · friendship · work spouse dynamic · couple banter

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1759

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The X-Files: Whirlwind

Charles L. Grant · 1995 · The X-Files

Mulder and Scully investigate a string of grisly desert deaths tied to an unnatural force in New Mexico.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: FBI agents · maverick detective · straight-laced partner · investigative duo · recognizable characterization · shallow characterization · off-character portrayal · flat supporting cast · suspicious locals · uncooperative sheriff · ex-con suspect · limited character development

Relationships labels: partner dynamic · banter · professional partnership · chemistry · balancing act · investigator-local tension · bureau versus locals · group suspicion

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1772

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Machine Vendetta

Alastair Reynolds · 2024 · Prefect Dreyfus Emergency

A space cop investigates a colleague’s mysterious death and uncovers a rogue-AI conspiracy threatening a far-future democracy.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: seasoned detective · stoic protagonist · overworked cop · idealistic law enforcer · mentoring · dedicated officer · rogue AI antagonist · complex antagonist · loyal colleague · female prefect · uplifted character · hyperpig

Relationships labels: mentor-mentee · colleague teamwork · marital devotion · family duty · found family · work family · rivalry · uneasy alliance · betrayal · institution vs citizenry

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1816

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