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Creature Feature #6
Mechanical Error
MECHANICAL ERROR is a thrilling, introspective Post-Cyberpunk Detective story, set in a sprawling, dystopian near future. A string of bizarre murders across New Cyber For Earth Corps agent Charlotte McCain that should have been just another day at the office. But this case felt different. It wasn't just people inexplicably exploding; Weird was her business. This one was hitting nerves she'd worked hard to numb. That irritated her almost as much as partnering up with brilliant but troubled agent Tom Murdoch to solve the mystery, before more victims went up in flames. Meanwhile, a rogue android with a dark history took to the stage, delighting audiences, who never guessed the terrifying Mission he pursued, in the shadows beyond the spotlight... Also BLANK CHECK, a Cyberpunk novelette which follows eccentric genius John Rutledge on a tropical adventure he never asked for.
167 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 24, 2018
3 people are currently reading
6 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
April 20, 2019
This review first appeared on scifiandscary.com. I received a copy of this book for review consideration.
‘Mechanical Error’ plays out like a reasonably well-budgeted mid-90s sci fi movie. It has some pretty fun ideas, a fair bit of action and whizzy tech stuff, but too many of its deeper themes feel reminiscent of other things. If I was to say that it advertises itself as a post-cyberpunk detective story and that it features a string of murders and an intelligent, rogue android and you might be able to guess one of its influences. That said, the book is part of the 'Creature Feature' series from publisher J. Ellington Ashton Press, which pays homage to classic sci fi and horror movies, so maybe a slight lack of originality is forgivable.
Despite that lack of originality it’s an entertaining read. Heroine Charlotte McCain is an agent with a hoverbike and loads of other neato gadgets who is investigating a number of mysterious deaths where the victims have exploded. I’m a huge fan of detective fiction and enjoyed the investigatory detail included in the book. It’s reasonably convincing and gripping and the cop banter between Charlotte and her colleagues was fun.
The plot moves on at a good pace and there are some interesting side characters along the way. The rogue android is fun, although the attempts to make him deep and meaningful don’t always work. Despite that failing, it’s an engaging and mix of fast-paced SF thriller and something a little more thoughtful.
The book advertises itself as having three authors, how the writing was split up between them isn’t clear at all, but there certainly weren’t any noticeable changes in tone or writing style.
The book has a bonus short story, ‘Blank Check’, included at the end which has similar strengths and weaknesses. Again, it’s an entertaining SF tale with some exciting scenes and some clever concepts. Like the main story, it’s possibly not quite as clever as it thinks it is, but that doesn’t really detract from things.
I listened to the Audible version, which was fine for the most part. The narrator did a pretty good job (although he did sound a bit embarrassed at some performance poetry sections) and the audio was okay if a little tinny. It kept me entertained on the walk to and from work a couple of days running and I’d recommend it if the synopsis appeals.
‘Mechanical Error’ plays out like a reasonably well-budgeted mid-90s sci fi movie. It has some pretty fun ideas, a fair bit of action and whizzy tech stuff, but too many of its deeper themes feel reminiscent of other things. If I was to say that it advertises itself as a post-cyberpunk detective story and that it features a string of murders and an intelligent, rogue android and you might be able to guess one of its influences. That said, the book is part of the 'Creature Feature' series from publisher J. Ellington Ashton Press, which pays homage to classic sci fi and horror movies, so maybe a slight lack of originality is forgivable.
Despite that lack of originality it’s an entertaining read. Heroine Charlotte McCain is an agent with a hoverbike and loads of other neato gadgets who is investigating a number of mysterious deaths where the victims have exploded. I’m a huge fan of detective fiction and enjoyed the investigatory detail included in the book. It’s reasonably convincing and gripping and the cop banter between Charlotte and her colleagues was fun.
The plot moves on at a good pace and there are some interesting side characters along the way. The rogue android is fun, although the attempts to make him deep and meaningful don’t always work. Despite that failing, it’s an engaging and mix of fast-paced SF thriller and something a little more thoughtful.
The book advertises itself as having three authors, how the writing was split up between them isn’t clear at all, but there certainly weren’t any noticeable changes in tone or writing style.
The book has a bonus short story, ‘Blank Check’, included at the end which has similar strengths and weaknesses. Again, it’s an entertaining SF tale with some exciting scenes and some clever concepts. Like the main story, it’s possibly not quite as clever as it thinks it is, but that doesn’t really detract from things.
I listened to the Audible version, which was fine for the most part. The narrator did a pretty good job (although he did sound a bit embarrassed at some performance poetry sections) and the audio was okay if a little tinny. It kept me entertained on the walk to and from work a couple of days running and I’d recommend it if the synopsis appeals.
June 13, 2021
I'm a sucker for well-written sci-fi and this book didn't disappoint!
Mechanical Error follows the tradition of Isaac Asimov and tells a story about robots and their complicated relationship with humans.
In the center of the story stand two human cops who are chasing a serial killer. What they don't know is that they're looking at the wrong end of the Touring test. The killer isn't human, it's an android seeking revenge. (This is clear from the beginning of the story, so it's no spoiler)
The android Bubblepops feels and thinks in a way he shouldn't be able to. He went through horrible abuse inflicted on him by humans... and is now seeking revenge in the most gruesome way.
Although a detective story on the outside, Mechanical Error is much more than that. The book seamlessly continues the tradition of Asimov, asking questions about how humans and sentient machines will coexist someday. Or maybe that's impossible?
Bubblepops is a tragic character. Although a killer, he's also a victim of an unfair system and human cruelty.
However, the two human characters, the cops chasing him, are well-developed and likable. I particularly related to Charlotte, who had a lot of depths and I really liked her conclusion in the end.
The authors refrain from telling a simple black/white story or lift an accusing finger, like so many other authors like to do in this genre. Nobody is a hero or a villain here and the societal critique is subtle end well-developed.
I listened to the audiobook and thoroughly enjoyed it. The narrator did a decent job bringing the world and the characters to life.
I recommend this book to fans of classic sci-fi and cyberpunk.
Mechanical Error follows the tradition of Isaac Asimov and tells a story about robots and their complicated relationship with humans.
In the center of the story stand two human cops who are chasing a serial killer. What they don't know is that they're looking at the wrong end of the Touring test. The killer isn't human, it's an android seeking revenge. (This is clear from the beginning of the story, so it's no spoiler)
The android Bubblepops feels and thinks in a way he shouldn't be able to. He went through horrible abuse inflicted on him by humans... and is now seeking revenge in the most gruesome way.
Although a detective story on the outside, Mechanical Error is much more than that. The book seamlessly continues the tradition of Asimov, asking questions about how humans and sentient machines will coexist someday. Or maybe that's impossible?
Bubblepops is a tragic character. Although a killer, he's also a victim of an unfair system and human cruelty.
However, the two human characters, the cops chasing him, are well-developed and likable. I particularly related to Charlotte, who had a lot of depths and I really liked her conclusion in the end.
The authors refrain from telling a simple black/white story or lift an accusing finger, like so many other authors like to do in this genre. Nobody is a hero or a villain here and the societal critique is subtle end well-developed.
I listened to the audiobook and thoroughly enjoyed it. The narrator did a decent job bringing the world and the characters to life.
I recommend this book to fans of classic sci-fi and cyberpunk.
December 18, 2018
Cyberpunk detective story for those that have wondered what would happen if androids were real and became able to think for themselves.
People are exploding (yes, you read that right!) and Earth Corps agents Charlotte McCain and Tom Murdoch are tasked with solving these bizarre murders. When the truth comes out, will anyone actually believe it?
There is also a Cyberpunk novelette "Blank Check" which follows the story of genius John Rutledge on a vacation in Costa Rica. He thinks that he has escaped his problems, but can you ever really escape?
Both stories are wonderfully written with great characters and great world building. The narrator, Christopher Graham II, adds a lot to the book. I will admit that the first part of the book had me a little confused until I figured out what was happening, but that didn't detract from the book.
I was given the opportunity to listen to the Audible version of this book by the authors and chose to review it.
People are exploding (yes, you read that right!) and Earth Corps agents Charlotte McCain and Tom Murdoch are tasked with solving these bizarre murders. When the truth comes out, will anyone actually believe it?
There is also a Cyberpunk novelette "Blank Check" which follows the story of genius John Rutledge on a vacation in Costa Rica. He thinks that he has escaped his problems, but can you ever really escape?
Both stories are wonderfully written with great characters and great world building. The narrator, Christopher Graham II, adds a lot to the book. I will admit that the first part of the book had me a little confused until I figured out what was happening, but that didn't detract from the book.
I was given the opportunity to listen to the Audible version of this book by the authors and chose to review it.
December 19, 2018
Let me start by saying that I asked for a free code to listen to this audiobook all because Roma Gray was involved. I’m a big fan of her.
Needless to say, I wasn’t really a fan of these two stories. I liked the second one more than the first one though. With the first story, it's like I was too stupid to understand what was going on, especially with some of the terminology used. I had a basic understanding of what was going on, thankfully, but I never felt connected to any of the characters or the story itself. Story two was easier to follow, but I felt it ended…when it shouldn’t have ended. It’s like the story is going, the characters are rescued and suddenly it’s done. It was just strange to me.
The narrator did an alright job. Unfortunately, there was this echoing quality to the narration, like he was sitting in a little box and his voice was bouncing off the walls, while other times, it sounded like he was talking through an intercom. Additionally, there were times when it was obvious he’d taken a break and was “getting back to work,” meaning he would be further away or closer to the microphone then he’d previously been. Other than the sound quality of the narration, he did pretty well with the character voices.
Questions/Comments:
In story one, I wasn’t sure what the purpose of the androids was. It’s like some of them were with people an in dates, but then there was Bobblepop(?) who would go on stage and read poetry or some other literature. If it was hard for Charlotte to believe one of them might have a sense of their self, and instead thought Bobblepop was just malfunctioning, what was the point of them? If humans just wanted companionship or something else along those lines, why would there be those “on stage?”
In story two, what was with John keeping a razor blade in his cheek? I was lost there. Also, why did John not question Katherine’s fighting skills when she was a lab person like him?
Needless to say, I wasn’t really a fan of these two stories. I liked the second one more than the first one though. With the first story, it's like I was too stupid to understand what was going on, especially with some of the terminology used. I had a basic understanding of what was going on, thankfully, but I never felt connected to any of the characters or the story itself. Story two was easier to follow, but I felt it ended…when it shouldn’t have ended. It’s like the story is going, the characters are rescued and suddenly it’s done. It was just strange to me.
The narrator did an alright job. Unfortunately, there was this echoing quality to the narration, like he was sitting in a little box and his voice was bouncing off the walls, while other times, it sounded like he was talking through an intercom. Additionally, there were times when it was obvious he’d taken a break and was “getting back to work,” meaning he would be further away or closer to the microphone then he’d previously been. Other than the sound quality of the narration, he did pretty well with the character voices.
Questions/Comments:
In story one, I wasn’t sure what the purpose of the androids was. It’s like some of them were with people an in dates, but then there was Bobblepop(?) who would go on stage and read poetry or some other literature. If it was hard for Charlotte to believe one of them might have a sense of their self, and instead thought Bobblepop was just malfunctioning, what was the point of them? If humans just wanted companionship or something else along those lines, why would there be those “on stage?”
In story two, what was with John keeping a razor blade in his cheek? I was lost there. Also, why did John not question Katherine’s fighting skills when she was a lab person like him?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 5, 2019
Fascinating depiction of a future describing rogue cyborgs, fantastic city-scapes, micro-devices and yet with sympathetic humans too. A great read.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews