The Automatic Detective

By: A. Lee Martinez

Narrated by: Marc Vietor

Length: 8 hrs and 57 mins

Publisher's summary

Even in Empire City, a town where weird science is the hope for tomorrow, it's hard for a robot to make his way. It's even harder for a robot named Mack Megaton, a hulking machine designed to bring mankind to its knees. But Mack's not interested in world domination. He's just a bot trying to get by, trying to demonstrate that he isn't just an automated smashing machine, and to earn his citizenship in the process. It should be as easy as crushing a tank for Mack, but some bots just can't catch a break.

When Mack's neighbors are kidnapped, Mack sets off on a journey through the dark alleys and gleaming skyscrapers of Empire City. Along the way, he runs afoul of a talking gorilla, a brainy dame, a mutant lowlife, a little green mob boss, and the secret conspiracy at the heart of Empire's founders - not to mention more trouble than he bargained for. What started out as one missing family becomes a battle for the future of Empire and every citizen that calls her home.

©2008 A. Lee Martinez (P)2011 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Martinez tickles the funny bone in this delightful, fast-paced mishmash of SF and hard-boiled detective story.... Eccentric characters, all of whom are clever twists on stereotypes, populate a smart, rocket-fast read with a clever, twisty plot that comes to a satisfying conclusion." (Publishers Weekly)

“This combination sci-fi/hard-boiled detective story is a hoot….Narrator Marc Vietor approaches the story with a classic noir tone that is hilarious.” (AudioFile)

Stayed in genre

Some of Martinez books can be just silly. But this one is pretty good, nice job of keeping everything in style. Pretty nice world building, the descriptions of the city and it’s state allow for great visualizations. Yes, the whole story is over the top, but it’s good fun.

Reads like a four-colour cartoon

The story feels like the script for a comic book, and, while somewhat charming from time to time, doublessly would have worked better in that format. While a standalone story, it appears to lay the groundwork for a series - one that I have no interest in following.

Droll. At times charming. Not really worth it though.

Not what I was expecting.

Where does The Automatic Detective rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Probably in the bottom half, it was ok but I wouldn't listen to it a second time, I think. I can hardly remember it now.

Have you listened to any of Marc Vietor’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

The reader was very good, I have to admit. I had not heard anything by him before.

Make sure to scan this with your opticals.

A fun book, exactly what you think it will be but quite satisfying. the narrator is great too!

Humor, Sci-fi, and Crime - great listen

I've listened to this one a few times and it never gets old. The tongue in cheek film noir is spot on. The narrator is perfect and the story is fast paced, funny and interesting.

The Automatic Detective, the book that got me into audible

Absolutely love this book. The voice actor is absolutely superb. The book that made me think I could do voice acting myself.

Fun Sam Spade-Like Reading

Where does The Automatic Detective rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

For sheer '40s style entertainment, right up there with Heinlein.

What did you like best about this story?

The entire ambiance and style it was written in, and read perfectly.

Which character – as performed by Marc Vietor – was your favorite?

The lead character...

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Definitel made me laugh...lots of humanity in the story.

Any additional comments?

Highly recommended for an easy romp through a good sci-fi story.

Not my favorite genre, but interesting nonetheless

I'm not into sci-fi at all, really, but this sounded interesting and cheap (it was one of those $4.95 specials). It was actually pretty cool - I found myself totally able to picture the scenes described in the book, and didn't even mind the weirdness of the characters (robots, mutants, etc.) As the style of the cover suggests, the book combines that old "film noir" detective mystery with futuristic sci-fi. I always thought I'd find science fiction just ridiculous and unbelievable, but this was surprisingly plausible. The only thing that I found difficult to accept was the relationship between the hero and heroine (can I really call them that? not sure). The "relationship" made me feel a little sad for both of them because there was certainly something missing (which, to be fair, neither one could help). I'd recommend this for someone who doesn't like sci-fi. I don't know if regular sci-fi lovers would like this or not, since I am not one of them.

A Metal Sam Spade

This book was excellent all the way through it has the grit of the classic gumshoe movies of the 30's and 40's but with an updated twist. Marc did a great job performing as Mac and I could see in my mind a world with the combination of 1940s New York or San Francisco with a bit of Blade Runner thrown in. Mac made me laugh as he learned more and more about himself and us biologicals. I would love to hear more from the author.

Surprisingly Engaging

I was almost always engaged in the story. the narration is wonderful. The hero defines what is best about human beings. Some of the technical details about the hard-boiled detective fights were over the top, but all in all this is a fun listen.