Techno-Thrillers discussion

We nominated, polled, and voted. 3 novellas tied for August 2024 Novella of the Month. There just novellas, so why not bang out all 3. Sure.

Exit Strategy by Martha Wells


Publisher's Summary
Murderbot wasn’t programmed to care. So, its decision to help the only human who ever showed it respect must be a system glitch, right?

Having traveled the width of the galaxy to unearth details of its own murderous transgressions, as well as those of the GrayCris Corporation, Murderbot is heading home to help Dr. Mensah―its former owner (protector? friend?)―submit evidence that could prevent GrayCris from destroying more colonists in its never-ending quest for profit.

But who’s going to believe a SecUnit gone rogue?

And what will become of it when it’s caught?

Don't just jump right into Murderbot #4. Start from the beginning: Murderbot #1. You could even geek out and start with Murderbot #0.5 (8 pages, free) here: https://www.wired.com/story/future-of...

Exit Strategy has some fairly intense laying the lumber for about the second half of it. New and more capable and more aggressive foes stand in his way.

Apple TV+ acquired film adaptation rights to the Murderbot Diaries series and started filming in 2024. Rumors are 10-episode series for each book. Hard to imagine stretching it out that much, without very liberally fluffing each book up with many new scenes--i.e., losing the very pacing that keeps it interesting. In any case, ... it'll probably start streaming some time in 2025.

Steve wrote: "
Apple TV+ acquired film adaptation rights to the Murderbot Diaries series and started filming in 2024. Rumors are 10..."

I'm tentatively excited for this. You're right, 10 episodes per book seems way too much for the shorter books. I wonder if Martha Wells is involved? Maybe she could keep it on the rails.

I like the Murderbot books. But, I’m thinking these are not proper technothrillers. They are set in space, traveling through worm holes and such. At least there’s no lasers. I like the hacking business, but … this is too much science fiction. Where’s Earth? That’s not a technothriller. I need to stop pushing this on this group.