Flybot

by Dennis E. Taylor, Ray Porter (Narrator)

Mysterious tech, a devious AI and a couple of scientists in over their heads collide in the latest sci-fi adventure from the number one best-selling author of the Bobiverse series.

Physicist Philip Moray is having a good day. He’s chipping away at his big work project. The lunch in the cafeteria is at least edible. And he’s looking forward to his end-of-the-day drink and a soak in the hot tub.

Then, a strange device turns up in his office. A piece of technology he has never seen before–and shouldn’t even exist.

Suddenly, corpses start turning up, eco-activists go on the attack, random people suffer bizarre symptoms. And every time the authorities get a lead, it traces right back to Philip and his colleague, Celia Hunt.

Then, a mysterious caller contacts Philip–and, suddenly, staying out of jail is the very least of his problems.

Apparently, that hot tub’s going to have to wait.

Genres: Science Fiction, Audiobook, Fiction, Mystery, Thriller, Artificial Intelligence, Science Fiction Fantasy

Audible Audio

Published June 26, 2025

About the author

I am a retired computer programmer, an enthusiastic snowboarder, and an inveterate science fiction reader.

And, apparently, an author now. Did not see that coming.

Reviews

[Ash · Rating 2 out of 5]

Kind of terrible. Really fun.
I would read a sequel.

[JamesGB · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well that was disappointing...

Perhaps it's because I so thoroughly enjoy the author's other work and, as a consequence, my expectations were high, but I found the plot of Flybot to be lacking. There was a kernel of a great idea in there, but we seemed to follow characters that were far removed from a more exciting story happening in the background. We never got to explore the more compelling philosophical questions, which were only given a cursory nod in passing rather than any meaningful exploration.

Worse, I just didn’t buy the characters' motivations for the string of decisions they made, which stretched my suspension of disbelief well past breaking.

I started reading with high hopes, but by the midpoint I was deflated, and I’d already guessed the ending “twists,” which were telegraphed with the subtlety of a freight train.

That said, Ray Porter’s narration was excellent, as always.

A very sad two stars, not recommended.

[Whitney (SecretSauceofStorycraft) · Rating 3 out of 5]

High action, fun candy read escapsim!

Physicist Phil and his lifelong friend Celia get entangled in a rogue AI’s plots, as strange mumified bodies rack up and terrorism is at its height— its time for them to take action…. Or at least thats what they keep telling themselves. Until Phil get a phone call… with the AI on the other line.

[Andy F · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the 6th? 8th? Dennis Taylor book I’ve read and by now it’s starting to feel formulaic. Nice, easy to cheer for science people find something strange and assemble a competent team to solve the problems. Quirky charm and sci-fi shenanigans ensue with a nicely wrapped up conclusion. I’ll be there for the next one.
3.5 ⭐️

[Brandon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fantastic narration by Ray Porter! And another gripping story as more of a murder mystery style!

My biggest disappointment in this one is a lack of aliens, but we do get sentient ai which was handled well.

I thought this book would be quite predictable and predictability is quite a significant theme of this book. That was true but there were many twists, some unexpected, that kept things quite interesting and surprising.

The pacing was good and I love how Dennis E. Taylor handles chapters for all of his books. They are always a really good length and clearly separated, giving a good structure to the story.

Looking forward to his next book, hopefully another Bobiverse installment!

[M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely amazing and hilarious too.

[Karen’s Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this one. It’s my dream team of Taylor and Porter after all.

Is it a favorite? Well, no… Nothing will live up to the Bobiverse. Nothing! But it was a fun audiobook to bide my time with until the next Bobiverse book comes out.

[Shinke · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I wasn't a huge fan of the characters, which is what I love about the Bobiverse, I enjoyed the story and was intrigued to continue.

[Mathew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall I'm not a huge fan of Tylor's work, which I've found to be mostly good hard science ideas with mediocre characters and all covered with a pop-culture candy shell. I couldn't take the Bob-o-verse stuff, even if I can personally relate to the idea of being a goofy dude lost in space.

This book was different for me, and although there are still the distinctive Taylor hallmarks from above, I feel that this work shows that he's matured as a writer and can deliver with "just enough" of something, without getting sucked down into a blackhole of his own gimmicks.

I thought that his near future setting to be well thought out and believable, and that the themes of existentialism and environmentalism were handled with creative thought and care. My only real critique is that his characters don't really exist beyond their own jobs or routines, but as a whole, each one acted like a component to build the great sleuthing machine that eventually saves the day.

I was also able to guess one of the big reveals at the end of the book, which normally annoys me, but in this case, once again, ended up being handled with care. I'm actually excited to see what Tylor will write next and if he will continue on this similar quality and vector of writing.

[Chip · Rating 2 out of 5]

1.5 stars. Really terrible - DNF at approx 1/3. Not like his other books were literary masterpieces, but good lord. This was like a Robert J Sawyer book (he comes up with an interesting concept and then writes fairly generic cardboard characters around them) dumbed down 4x. Completely unrealistic and silly in every respect, with no characters acting at all realistically much less having an iota of depth.

[Brittney · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun good read to stick in between my huge fantasy series.

[AJRXII · Rating 2 out of 5]

The most disappointing book from DET for me. Just not interesting enough and often boring. All around quite terrible. Gutted.

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy the way the author's mind works and the things he comes up with. This is a near-ish future mystery/corporate espionage. I hope some of his ideas come to be but there are others that I hope we don't experience.

[Sean Randall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous, all the way through. Of course I'd had my suspicions and by Chapter 53 everything was confirmed, but the whole work just oozed Scalzi vibes. The SPI idea is clever, the regulation of AGI totally plausible, the police procedural stuff executed neatly and all the virus work top quality. An absolutely brilliant few hours of entertainment and no mistake. What a rush!

[AnnSophia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Flybot was a solid little novel. It didn’t hook me quite as hard as some of Dennis Taylor’s other work, but it kept me interested enough to finish it in two sittings. And let’s be honest, if Ray Porter’s narrating, I’m going to listen to it. He does a phenomenal job as always.

I enjoyed the snark and the little nods to Taylor’s other books. It didn’t blow me away, but it was exactly the kind of quick, fun listen that works well on a lazy Friday. If there’s a sequel (not sure if there is), I’d definitely pick it up.

[Leo W. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Always entertaining

[Dan Demas · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5!

[Blake Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh you’re looking for a Sci-Fi adventure with a fresh take on man vs A.I.? Look no further! A MUST read if you’re a sci-fi geek. Multiple perspectives, twist and turns and excitement the whole way. Highly recommend, I will be checking out this author more.

[Jeff Moreau · Rating 4 out of 5]

That was fun! Not too deep, but a great story involving AI and lots of interesting twists and turns. I had only done Bobiverse books from Dennis Taylor, and while I could see some small similarities, it was a great Sci fi book on its own.

[Konrad Okoński · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very fun techno-thriller in a cyberpunk world of a near future. Cool ideas, fun characters, police drama, scientists.

[Thomas Ravenscroft · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really fun book, on par with the bobiverse series!.

[Andy Klein · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not in the Bobiverse but a really really fun read.

[Cliff Armstrong · Rating 5 out of 5]

terrific read that moved quickly and kept you going

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good, as Dennis E. Taylor usually is. I got a chuckle at the reference to the Bob-iverse.

[Dustin Clayton · Rating 2 out of 5]

it ok, but not quite what it wants to be

[Stephen Richter · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the mind of my favorite science fiction writer, Dennis E. Taylor, comes a story that’s part techno-thriller, part mystery, and a whole lot of fun. It carries that Douglas Adams vibe that makes his books an absolute joy to read. The story starts when a young physicist swats a fly that land with a thud. and off we go on. The "always a pleasure to listen to" Ray Porter is the narrator, who delivers a great performance of all the characters.

[Wayne Fielding · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a new author to me and I’m glad I found him. Flybot is an amazing book, really enjoyed it.

[Clyde · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dennis E. Taylor's Flybot is quite a good thriller with lots of near-future tech speculation. A fun read—I powered right through it. The characters are perhaps a bit woody (YMMV), but the story has good well-developed plot with some nice twists.
As usual, Ray Porter provides a quality narration.
4+ stars.

[Dana Nourie]

I didn’t finish this book. It started out great, and I thought since this was the author of the Bobverse novels that I was in for some great AI and technology. But it’s mostly just a mystery. The mystery subject was interesting, but it was all done through the investigators and I completely lost interest. If you are a fan of mysteries you might like it. It wasn’t what I expected from this author.

[Jenny Santiano · Rating 5 out of 5]

This author is such a brilliant Sci-Fi writer! I love everything about his stories! This did NOT disappoint.