Set in the year 2062, "Stupid Machine" is a gripping hard science fiction novel and cybernetic noir that explores a world where technology is supposed to be infallible. In this near-future AI dystopia, car accidents have been a thing of the past for over twenty years?until Jordan Bishop's vehicle undergoes a fatal crash.
What looks like a simple malfunction to the world is, to former police detective turned insurance investigator Araci Belo, a clear case of corporate malfeasance and maybe even a murder. As Araci digs into the suspicious death involving an autonomous vehicle, his path crosses with Jupyter Fuertes, a specialized technician who spends her days coaching sentient but glitchy appliances back to life.
At the heart of this techno-thriller murder mystery is an unlikely witness: Soteria Reizoko, a smart refrigerator obsessed with a missing delivery of orange juice. This smart appliance mystery challenges the traditional boundaries of the genre, asking deep questions about the ethics of AI and robotics and whether a machine's narrow programming can hold the key to a human conspiracy.
Set against the rainy, high-tech backdrop of Portland science fiction, Mark Niemann-Ross weaves a tale of "trash scuttlers," augmented reality, and the deadly side of automation. In a race against time, Araci, Jupyter, and a persistent kitchen appliance must connect the dots before a killer?who is already monitoring their every move?strikes again.
Autorentext
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.