I’m not sure exactly how it would stand up as a stand-alone read, but book 4 of The Expanse series, Cibola Burn, is very much like this. Despite being in the middle of a long series it is pretty small scope, like a bottle/filler episode of a tv series.

What about it strayed from that perfect description and ruined it for you?

so so good… until the ending

The Moon is a Harsh Mistress is still fantastic. You’ve made me nervous about my planned upcoming SiaSL reread though… it’s been a solid 10 years.