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)

Highly entertaining, witty, genre-bending story

I just loved this book. The mash-up of a hard bitten noir detective story with a robot protagonist built for world domination by a mad scientist in a bizarrely twisted city of the future was a fantastic idea, and it led to so many witty, enjoyable scenes and some great dialog. Even the main character's name, Mack Megaton, gives you an idea of what to expect. I would be delighted if there was another novel in this series to come, I'd buy it in a heartbeat. The narration was good too, the narrator 's voice brought that noir quality across very well. Really fun, absolutely worth the price. I'm definitely going to read/listen to more of Martinez's work.

Cliches done well

A well told story that fills the plot out well. Starts slow but drags you in and builds to a great read

Thoroughly enjoyable! A new take on the Nour genra

Loved the narrator's change of voice for each character. A very entertaining reader. Premise of the story is an familiar hat but the author keeps you interest by perfectly fitting science fiction trappings into a Sam Spade pulp thriller

Cool

Cool, cool. Take the plot line from a classic Film Noir story like the Maltese Falcon and pump it up with a science fiction edge. Not overly new, executed quite well. Have read a few of A. Lee Martinez's stories so far and I do find I like them. Keep up the good work.

Phenomenal story and amazing Narrator

I've always loved the Automatic Detective, but hearing it narrated gave it new life. I definitely recommend this book to any who loves a witty bot, beautifully paced fiction with a lovely twist.

Perfect, Perfect, Perfect

Take a GREAT book and have it read by someone who conveys not just the voices but hits the understated emotions and emotional nuances perfectly and it's just a wonderful experience. I've read the book maybe a half-dozen times, but Marc Vietor makes listening to this story even better than reading it. He's got the Continental Op / tough-guy delivery down perfectly, and when he's using it to deliver the great lines in the book the combination can't be beat. Take Sam Spade, make him a robot built to destroy mankind who refuses to follow his programming and instead becomes a cab driver with a gorilla as his best friend; now add in bunches of humor and a slightly toungue-in-cheek point of view and have all that delivered with pitch-perfect narration and that's some idea of what you're In for. I may end up listening to this more often than I've read the book.

Loved it!

A. Lee is one of the most underrated authors out there. His books are funny. kind and mind-opening without being preachy. Thank you for all the great books and laughs!! Enjoy this every time I re-read it because not only well written but expertly read. If you like Christopher Moore, Drew Hayes, or Kevin Hearne you will enjoy this author tremendously.

great book

great world building and story. loved the characters. too bad he doesnt make a series

loved it!

humor, sci-fi, mystery. It has all my favorite things. The noir flair is fun and I really enjoyed the characters. I want more of them! Narrator did a great job with the noir flair and a fine job with the female voices.

a fun twist with all of the classic elements

exactly what you would want from a book with that title and picture of the front. nothing fancy, just good old wacky sci Fi detective