Flybot

By: Dennis E. Taylor

Narrated by: Ray Porter

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.

©2025 Dennis E. Taylor, LLC (P)2025 Audible Originals, LLC.

This is a long opinion article disguised in a book

The plot is irrelevant, it's just a wrapper to the author monologs about AI and other issues. I like his ideas but the book was so unbelievable and full with plot holes.
Narrator sometimes adds accent to his female character and sometimes forgets it, and it threw me off multiple times.

Chilling ideas of the future with AI on a fun ride

I'm always happy to listen to a Dennis E. Taylor novel because there always seems to be a relentless optimism despite the dire and seemingly overwhelming problems the characters find themselves plunged into. As I started listening to the novel a world where AI is heavily regulated makes clear the absolute dangers presented by AI in a way I hadn't considered and it definitely put a chill through me. Showing me a future that seems plausible with dangers I hadn't considered made it a page turner for me. What's going on? What's going to happen next? I thought I knew what was going to happen but I was wrong. It was great. Echoes of the Bobiverse, a couple of references and nods for us Bobiverse fans it was appreciated. Another look into the future, another look into what constitutes consciousness, humanity, morality. Dennis E. Taylor writes two kinds of science fiction at the same time. He writes the science fiction where you know our hero will overcome enemies, circumstances and insurmountable scientific based problems with a equal helping of hard science to make it believable. It's magnificent.

Hit and miss

The plot and story telling were unwieldy and the philosophy was self indulgent.

However, the philosophy did make valid points and it's nice to see Taylor return to it. Philosophy was always strong in his early novels.

Despite the plot being overly convoluted, the near future world building was entirely believable.

And as always, Ray Porter gave us another phenomenal performance.

Another great story.

Dennis Taylor is by far my favorite author, this is another great example of why.

a fun summer read

Not his greatest book by any means but it is a fun read. I listened it while on a 10-hour car ride and it kept my attention. The overall concept was interesting but I did find the story to be a little unbelievable at times. if you liked some of his previous books I'm pretty certain you will like this one as well.