What do you think?
The Case of the Notorious Roboticist
Based on the international award-winning screenplay and set in a future where matriarchy has toppled patriarchy, Moroz is a flawed, old-fashioned gumshoe fighting for equality in a society where human-form androids have become the norm.
Notorious roboticist and artificial intelligence whiz Isadora is his greatest adversary yet his only hope to restore justice between the sexes. Yet her own plans are to keep men under her thumb.
When Isadora is charged with murder, Moroz must consider the cost of trying to solve the case: something that could cost him his family, any chance of true equality and his very life. Additionally, footage of Isadora committing the crime makes the task seem a fool’s errand.
In a world where the lines between human and robot love are blurred, Moroz must also find a way to stop a pending contract that threatens to enable a new rise of the robots, one where their bias seeks to erode men’s rights further and put them on the road to extinction.
Notorious roboticist and artificial intelligence whiz Isadora is his greatest adversary yet his only hope to restore justice between the sexes. Yet her own plans are to keep men under her thumb.
When Isadora is charged with murder, Moroz must consider the cost of trying to solve the case: something that could cost him his family, any chance of true equality and his very life. Additionally, footage of Isadora committing the crime makes the task seem a fool’s errand.
In a world where the lines between human and robot love are blurred, Moroz must also find a way to stop a pending contract that threatens to enable a new rise of the robots, one where their bias seeks to erode men’s rights further and put them on the road to extinction.
172 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 19, 2019
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
May 17, 2020
I received an ecopy from Reedsy Discovery in exchange for an honest review.
Based on the international award-winning screenplay and set in a future where matriarchy has toppled patriarchy, Moroz is a flawed, old-fashioned gumshoe fighting for equality in a society where human-form androids have become the norm. Notorious roboticist and artificial intelligence whiz Isadora is his greatest adversary yet his only hope is to restore justice between the sexes. Yet her own plans are to keep men under her thumb. When Isadora is charged with murder, Moroz must consider the cost of trying to solve the case: something that could cost him is family, any chance of true equality and his very life. Additionally, footage of Isadora committing the crime makes the task seem like a fool’s errand. In a world where the lines between human and robot love are blurred, Moroz must also find a way to stop a pending contract that threatens to enable a new rise of the robots, one where their bias seeks to erode men’s rights further and put them on the road to extinction.
The Case of the Notorious Roboticist by David Hearne sounded like it would have been exactly my cup of tea. The concept behind it is brilliant and there is so much potential, but it never quite worked for me or lived up to my expectations. I must admit that I’m total sucker for anything noir or noir adjacent and if there are elements of science fiction or cyberpunk involved that’s all the better in my opinion. Since this short novel includes all of those, I absolutely expected that this would be a total shoo-in for me, but like I said it just never quite worked for me as well as I would have liked.
My favorite aspect of The Case of the Notorious Roboticist is its world-building. The novel is a short and quite fast-paced read, but we do get a decent amount of world-building. That said, though, the world-building fairly spare. We get what we need to know before moving on, but I wish we got to see a little more when it comes to experiencing a wider-angle view of the world Moroz and company inhabit. The world-building could be described as much more functional rather than anything else. That also makes it a bit of a weak link in my eyes. With this story, I didn’t feel like I could walk into world these characters inhabit. Regarding the characters, our lead Moroz is the figure I had my eye on. He’s the private eye of the story and I could appreciate his determination. Overall, though, I wasn’t very invested in anyone we met in the story. The way the story is told, there’s an extra buffer between the reader, the cast of characters, and their world. I didn’t feel like I was meeting the characters or visiting their world but seeing it all through a small window from behind a glass wall.
According to the description of this novel, the author actually adapted this novel from his own award-winning screenplay. Even though the novel format didn’t really work for me, I’d still like to see a filmed version of the story or perhaps even the screenplay itself. Honestly, I think that a good deal of my issues with David Hearne’s The Case of the Notorious Roboticist is one of format. The missing links may easily be filled in with the noirish cyberpunk visuals and actually seeing actors breathe life into Hearne’s characters. Overall, if you’re interested in noir, cyberpunk, or AI, you may want to try this novel because it does have a lot of potential to be built up into something great. Perhaps one day, we’ll have the opportunity to see it on the big screen.
Based on the international award-winning screenplay and set in a future where matriarchy has toppled patriarchy, Moroz is a flawed, old-fashioned gumshoe fighting for equality in a society where human-form androids have become the norm. Notorious roboticist and artificial intelligence whiz Isadora is his greatest adversary yet his only hope is to restore justice between the sexes. Yet her own plans are to keep men under her thumb. When Isadora is charged with murder, Moroz must consider the cost of trying to solve the case: something that could cost him is family, any chance of true equality and his very life. Additionally, footage of Isadora committing the crime makes the task seem like a fool’s errand. In a world where the lines between human and robot love are blurred, Moroz must also find a way to stop a pending contract that threatens to enable a new rise of the robots, one where their bias seeks to erode men’s rights further and put them on the road to extinction.
The Case of the Notorious Roboticist by David Hearne sounded like it would have been exactly my cup of tea. The concept behind it is brilliant and there is so much potential, but it never quite worked for me or lived up to my expectations. I must admit that I’m total sucker for anything noir or noir adjacent and if there are elements of science fiction or cyberpunk involved that’s all the better in my opinion. Since this short novel includes all of those, I absolutely expected that this would be a total shoo-in for me, but like I said it just never quite worked for me as well as I would have liked.
My favorite aspect of The Case of the Notorious Roboticist is its world-building. The novel is a short and quite fast-paced read, but we do get a decent amount of world-building. That said, though, the world-building fairly spare. We get what we need to know before moving on, but I wish we got to see a little more when it comes to experiencing a wider-angle view of the world Moroz and company inhabit. The world-building could be described as much more functional rather than anything else. That also makes it a bit of a weak link in my eyes. With this story, I didn’t feel like I could walk into world these characters inhabit. Regarding the characters, our lead Moroz is the figure I had my eye on. He’s the private eye of the story and I could appreciate his determination. Overall, though, I wasn’t very invested in anyone we met in the story. The way the story is told, there’s an extra buffer between the reader, the cast of characters, and their world. I didn’t feel like I was meeting the characters or visiting their world but seeing it all through a small window from behind a glass wall.
According to the description of this novel, the author actually adapted this novel from his own award-winning screenplay. Even though the novel format didn’t really work for me, I’d still like to see a filmed version of the story or perhaps even the screenplay itself. Honestly, I think that a good deal of my issues with David Hearne’s The Case of the Notorious Roboticist is one of format. The missing links may easily be filled in with the noirish cyberpunk visuals and actually seeing actors breathe life into Hearne’s characters. Overall, if you’re interested in noir, cyberpunk, or AI, you may want to try this novel because it does have a lot of potential to be built up into something great. Perhaps one day, we’ll have the opportunity to see it on the big screen.
August 17, 2020
Futuristic, astonishing.... yet believable. The characters deal with the same life problems as you and I as they co-exist with robots. Is this a glimpse of life in a robotic future? Have a read and decide for yourself....
October 28, 2020
Smashing story set in a bleak, dystopian future. Moroz is a likeable detective who bumbles his way to the surprising truth. Russians and robots lead the charge in this gem of a tale set all over the globe and beyond. Characters like cunning Isadora (a brilliant programmer and flawed genius) depraved Petrov (he sells companion
robots and the sex doesn't get any safer is his slogan) and comedic robot Benson (his jokes are so bad his owner plans to scrap him) are memorable as the story unfolds. With more twists and turns than I thought possible in such a short book, I was entertained from the first chapter to the end. A sequel if you please.
robots and the sex doesn't get any safer is his slogan) and comedic robot Benson (his jokes are so bad his owner plans to scrap him) are memorable as the story unfolds. With more twists and turns than I thought possible in such a short book, I was entertained from the first chapter to the end. A sequel if you please.
August 19, 2020
Starts off slow, but just keeps building. It’s a bit frightening how the story just continues a trend I can see now - right into a dystopian world. I keep looking for signs that we’re heading towards that world after reading the book - wish there was a sequel!
March 21, 2022
Adapted from a screenplay, "The Case of the Notorious Roboticist" has a title that sounds more campy than it really is. This story is for real, it takes itself seriously, and it's honestly well written. Enter a future world where women have all the power. Tired of millennia of male oppression and ego, women have found their golden era but have pushed way beyond true equality; they are now the oppressors of men and actively pushing for more. But this backdrop is just the setting for this story, for a high profile murder has happened, and the Russian private detective called in to solve it, is perhaps not the most likely candidate to take the job.
David Hearne clearly knows how to write a story because it's well plotted and well executed. You can tell in the opening pages that this story was adapted from a screen play as it's not the smoothest of character introductions across the board, and the biggest miss in this story is that it wasn't longer. There's so much room to take a little more time with the characters and the world Hearne has created, and savour a few of the more dramatic moments including the case itself which is being solved, and I think that all comes from the origin of this story. But this is high level critique and shouldn't dissuade any reader from picking this story up because it's definitely been an enjoyable story to get involved with. It also has some great little Easter Eggs, read too fast, and you'll miss them. Like mention of the Christian rapture? Love it.
David Hearne clearly knows how to write a story because it's well plotted and well executed. You can tell in the opening pages that this story was adapted from a screen play as it's not the smoothest of character introductions across the board, and the biggest miss in this story is that it wasn't longer. There's so much room to take a little more time with the characters and the world Hearne has created, and savour a few of the more dramatic moments including the case itself which is being solved, and I think that all comes from the origin of this story. But this is high level critique and shouldn't dissuade any reader from picking this story up because it's definitely been an enjoyable story to get involved with. It also has some great little Easter Eggs, read too fast, and you'll miss them. Like mention of the Christian rapture? Love it.
November 19, 2020
Yes! I read this in two sittings on the same day when I read the screenplay of it won at the AFIN International Film Festival recently. I was so hooked it was hard to put my kindle down! The story centres around Moroz the detective in a world of robots with their own agenda (like the adorable Benson) or often doing the bidding of their master, Isadora. There's much going on with meninism versus misogyny, with misguided Isadora taking on Petrov, Moroz's evil brother as they both race to be the number one bot provider. The whole matriarchal society this is set in (makes a nice change from patriarchy let's be honest) is frankly awesome. In this society there are no crimes against women any more, men would not dare as robots have become their protectors. If you like fast sci-fi detective stories and thrillers mixed with robots and artificial intelligence this is the book for you. It would translate beautifully to film and I hope I get to see these memorable characters in a cinema one day.
November 14, 2019
Sublime. So fresh and original! I've never read anything like this. It's sharp, surprising, savvy and snappy, being based on the writer's award winning screenplay (it has won contests or been a finalist in Australia). So many twists and turns that I didn't see coming, I mean come off it a seer wouldn't see them coming but they never read like blind luck and I loved that. I felt like I stepped onto a roller-coaster, transported to an amazing future land with androids and quirky Russians and bold Americans, where women now rule and men are in trouble. Almost all of the story is set on a future Earth.
Moroz (the star) is not your typical private eye, he is suspicious of androids and doesn't want trouble but it will find him. He ends up working with another woman, the real mastermind, to fight for equality. Isadora (the villain) is his nemesis and what a piece of work she is yet I came to understand why and how she became this way. In her eyes, she is the good one - she wants to make a better world and Moroz is just a pawn in her game of Chess.
I liked that Moroz is quirky but easy to get a grip on. I know what he wants. He is done with trouble and just wants to spend time on the beach relaxing. No such luck. His little Russian sayings through the book are fun to read. He is reluctant but well motivated and very determined, despite how he sometimes bumbles through scenes. He is not good with women and hasn't had any luck with them. He tries to stand by his brother but it starts to unravel the deeper we get into the story.
To me it seemed the writer understood all the ingredients needed to tell a very gripping story and put everything in the right order to suck me in. It's out there being so unique, it is intense and I think it would translate like a dream to the screen. I hope one day I get to watch the movie because this is a story that needs to be told - one where despite so much being wrong in the world, there is good out there as well. Not that I am saying Moroz is perfect, he is not and one of his betrayals did surprise me.
Sometimes I do wish the writer took more time to paint a picture rather than moving on so quickly but in saying that I am not sure I would have been so hooked if it was not so racy. After the first couple of chapters it's time to buckle up. Not because it has wall to wall action either but because the story is so well crafted. You see occasional long descriptions but most are functional - the writing takes a back seat to the story and that is the writers style. In this case it works. So very well.
I do think this is aimed at adults - there's swearing through the book, some of it in Russian. There are also some confronting scenes and adult situations. It all works though and I can see how much polish and care has gone into the book. Despite being self-published I did not find any typos and I have read many published books that you cannot compare to this one. This writer has not forgotten that as readers, we need to be entertained and find characters we can root for.
Buy it and enjoy it, I think it will become an classic tale in the realm of dystopian science fiction.
Moroz (the star) is not your typical private eye, he is suspicious of androids and doesn't want trouble but it will find him. He ends up working with another woman, the real mastermind, to fight for equality. Isadora (the villain) is his nemesis and what a piece of work she is yet I came to understand why and how she became this way. In her eyes, she is the good one - she wants to make a better world and Moroz is just a pawn in her game of Chess.
I liked that Moroz is quirky but easy to get a grip on. I know what he wants. He is done with trouble and just wants to spend time on the beach relaxing. No such luck. His little Russian sayings through the book are fun to read. He is reluctant but well motivated and very determined, despite how he sometimes bumbles through scenes. He is not good with women and hasn't had any luck with them. He tries to stand by his brother but it starts to unravel the deeper we get into the story.
To me it seemed the writer understood all the ingredients needed to tell a very gripping story and put everything in the right order to suck me in. It's out there being so unique, it is intense and I think it would translate like a dream to the screen. I hope one day I get to watch the movie because this is a story that needs to be told - one where despite so much being wrong in the world, there is good out there as well. Not that I am saying Moroz is perfect, he is not and one of his betrayals did surprise me.
Sometimes I do wish the writer took more time to paint a picture rather than moving on so quickly but in saying that I am not sure I would have been so hooked if it was not so racy. After the first couple of chapters it's time to buckle up. Not because it has wall to wall action either but because the story is so well crafted. You see occasional long descriptions but most are functional - the writing takes a back seat to the story and that is the writers style. In this case it works. So very well.
I do think this is aimed at adults - there's swearing through the book, some of it in Russian. There are also some confronting scenes and adult situations. It all works though and I can see how much polish and care has gone into the book. Despite being self-published I did not find any typos and I have read many published books that you cannot compare to this one. This writer has not forgotten that as readers, we need to be entertained and find characters we can root for.
Buy it and enjoy it, I think it will become an classic tale in the realm of dystopian science fiction.
October 13, 2021
The future is now!
This is already the second book I read by the author David Hearne and I enjoyed it even more than the first one.
The story is happening in a future and robotic world, however, many issues the characters are facing are very similar to problems we are dealing with today.
There are many twists that kept me reading until the last page. I’d be very excited to read a sequel to this book!
This is already the second book I read by the author David Hearne and I enjoyed it even more than the first one.
The story is happening in a future and robotic world, however, many issues the characters are facing are very similar to problems we are dealing with today.
There are many twists that kept me reading until the last page. I’d be very excited to read a sequel to this book!
January 17, 2020
As somebody who is only at the basic level of tech literacy, I have always wondered what the big deal is with Artificial Intelligence (“AI”). Why do luminaries like Stephen Hawking and Yuval Noah Harari argue that AI could spell the end of the human species? I mean, really? This is the issue that screenwriter, David Hearne, has researched and illuminated in The Case of the Notorious Roboticist. Originally an acclaimed screenplay, the author has now published a prose version. Set in a future age when the pendulum has swung and Feminism now rules supreme, teetering on the edge of murderous misandry, the protagonist is a good-natured Russian man whose moral compass is strained by the primal forces of kinship, loyalty, revenge and power. This scenario is complicated by the fact that many of the principal characters are not human at all but programmed robots in human form. The author paints a skillful picture of a future justice system where the dispensers of justice are robots. Is their justice pure or tainted by agenda-driven human programmers lurking in the shadows? The plot contains many twists and turns only possible in a world of AI. The author has a gift for strong dialogue and The Case of the Notorious Roboticist screams out for a film version that would certainly fascinate the audience and demonstrate why Stephen Hawking was worried about where AI might lead us. A must read for all futurists. This may be the world we are unwittingly heading into.
October 22, 2019
Moroz is a private detective in a futuristic earth, where women rule and men are not much more than slaves. Men are kept in this suppression by the women who created advanced AI and use the robots to enforce their rule. This novel sees Moroz accept a case that could lead to the start of equality between the sexes.
I highly recommend this novel, it has some truly amazing world building. It is fast paced and well written with plot twists and turns the whole way through. A truly awesome read!
I highly recommend this novel, it has some truly amazing world building. It is fast paced and well written with plot twists and turns the whole way through. A truly awesome read!
November 7, 2019
I really enjoyed this book with a mixture of fantasy and science fiction. Well it may not be fantasy in the future so beware. It had so many twists that really forced you to read on and on. I am reading it again so that I can get the adrenal pumping.
November 23, 2019
I like the concept of the story, and this book had been interested from the first page. This is not a genre that I typically go for, but I am glad I read this one.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews