Car accidents don't happen. The last one was fifty-some years ago, somewhere around 2050. Which makes Jordan Bishop's fatal crash in a self-driving vehicle unusual. Maybe even a murder. Araci Belo doesn't know cars, but he suspects it wasn't a simple malfunction. Jupyter works with appliances-rice cookers, ovens, whatever calls for help-coaching them back to proper operation. She's being hounded by a refrigerator with an impossible question. It's unfortunate Belo doesn't know Jupyter. It's unfortunate that Jupyter doesn't know about the murder. It's unfortunate a refrigerator only cares about orange juice when it knows who killed jordan. Can a refrigerator solve a murder?

Mark Niemann-Ross is a Portland, Oregon-based author whose work spans the futuristic landscapes of science fiction and the deeply personal terrain of family memoirs. Known for his eclectic interests and analytical mind, Mark balances a professional background in R programming and Raspberry Pi tinkering with a narrative voice that is both witty and profoundly human.His writing portfolio is as varied as his hobbies. From the self-driving car murder mystery "Stupid Machine" and the tech-positive collection "Humanity by Proxy" to the juvenile western "Patches Catches the Sargo County Cattle Rustler," Mark explores complex themes with clarity and heart. In his latest work, "My Favorite Mother-In-Law", he applies this same curiosity to the realities of "aging", "assisted living", and "memory care".A hallmark of Mark's writing is his use of structured frameworks to understand human connection. In his memoirs, he famously utilizes tools like "Johari's Window" to navigate the "unknowns" of communication during stressful life transitions, such as moving a loved one into "dementia care."Beyond the keyboard, Mark is a firm believer in the power of a kind word and is known for his habit of giving compliments to strangers. An avid paddler of boats, he draws inspiration from the waters of the Pacific Northwest and the vibrant community of "angels" and characters he encounters in daily life. Whether he is decoding the high-stakes rules of Nickel Bingo or navigating the complexities of family dynamics, Mark captures life's transitions with a unique blend of humor, tolerance, and technical insight.You can follow his latest projects and insights at https://niemannross.com or connect with him on LinkedIn, GitHub, Bluesky, and Mastodon.