The Automatic Detective

By: A. Lee Martinez

Narrated by: Marc Vietor

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)

Amazing Mix of Genres With Great Narration...

Any additional comments?

As a fan of both classic detective fiction as well as sci-fi, this novel was right up my alley. But the creative mix of genres wasn't just the book's main attraction. The Automatic Detective managed to hold my attention from the very first few sentences. Had it been a physical book, I definitely would not have been able to put it down. I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone who is looking for something new and refreshing from the literary world.

9.2 / 10

A great read...

Fun, light and a quick read. This was a very enjoyable experience with a romance full of twists and turns coupled with a wonderful futuristic setting. This was my first Lee Martinez book and I will be checking him out soon.

War Bot Turns Sensitive Detective

What made the experience of listening to The Automatic Detective the most enjoyable?

The robot probationary citizen is a clever wrinkle on the standard robot sifi novel and the hard boiled detective novel. The main character's development as both a

Who was your favorite character and why?

The robot-loving wealthy patron with a very high IQ. The was a new approach to the

What does Marc Vietor bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Excellent interpretation of the robot's personality.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No. I try to extend the pleasure of books I like by listening to other things between segments of a book. Books I do not like especially, I try to finish as quickly as possible.

Any additional comments?

This should represent only the first in a series of books about this robot detective's adventures. I will get them all!

Please, Please, Please write another!

1930's Hard core detective story with space aliens and mutants. Oh, and the Dick is a robot. What more could you ask for?

This book was so much fun and refreshingly different, that I now own all A. Lee Martinez titles. Automatic Detective is still my favorite by Martinez. Mack Megaton could be the next Mickey Spillane. He deserves a sequel.

Expertly read- very fun

At its heart, this is a solid, well-done, entertaining hard boiled detective novel, except in this case the detective (Mack Megaton) is a 7-foot tall, 700 pound robot (or "automated citizen") and he lives in Empire City, a city populated with other robots, biological mutants, and biological norms. Mack is a colorful character (and not just because he's painted red), as are the other characters in this fun book. He's a robot with heart and I really enjoyed his narrative voice. I wish this was the start of a series, but alas, it is not. If you like standalone books and hard boiled detective stories, and don't mind zany characters and bizarre situations, I'd highly recommend this book. Narrator Marc Vietor does a fantastic job and really makes Mack and all the characters come to life. This is well worth the Audible credit!

Very interesting book

this is my first A Lee Martinez novel! enjoyed it tremendously! the style of writing and perspective was great to dive into. Marc Vietor did a wonderful job with the voices and portrayal of the characters and setting.

Thoroughly enjoyed it.

If you like sci-fi and Raymond Chandler, you will love this book. A great central mystery, fun characters, a heavy dose of weird. So much fun.

Nicely done.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would recommend this story to anyone that enjoys light hearted sci-fi.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Automatic Detective?

I don't like to name specifics - that can be a spoiler. In general the fusion of the old-timey detective and the robot Mac was well done.

Which scene was your favorite?

I am a sucker for a happy ending. This book ended well.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

It's hard to listen to a book all in one sitting, or standing or even moving around...I don't listen to any book in one sitting.

Any additional comments?

The narrator did a fab job.

A good fun listen.

What made the experience of listening to The Automatic Detective the most enjoyable?

In a world of literature where there are few original ideas or characters, Martinez came up with both. As the story unfolded the city and people all started to make a weird kind of sense and the mental image unfolded into a universe that was real enough to relate to and strange enough to entertain.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The gorilla cab driver does a great supporting role throughout the book

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

Although a very good narrator I thought Marc was best with the gorilla and the police detective.

Any additional comments?

This book is obviously setting up for a series, and if they continue to entertain as well as this one I will keep buying them.

Sci Fi Noir?

Would you consider the audio edition of The Automatic Detective to be better than the print version?

I haven't read the print version so I couldn't really comment

What did you like best about this story?

I just loved how the whole book had that dark 50's crime story feel but involved robots and mutants - oh and a gorilla!?

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

It didn't have any particularly extreme reactions aside for wanting to keep reading to see just what was going to happen next.