Synopsis: “From the New York Times bestselling author of the Orphan X series comes a tense novella, a psychological thriller about an AI companion that will do anything to serve—with terrifying consequences.

Rebecca and Mark Higgins are doing their best to hold their family together. She’s healing from the pain of a miscarriage, he’s drowning in pressure at work, and their neurodivergent daughter, Maddy, needs all the care she can get. So when a cutting-edge tech company offers the perfect solution, they jump at the chance. And they welcome “Mr. Man”—humanoid AI companion—into their home.

Designed to anticipate their needs, he’s like a miracle at first. The house runs like clockwork. Meals appear on the table. And Maddy thrives under his patient attention. But when inexplicable tragedies start to strike the neighbourhood, Rebecca glimpses a darker pattern at play.

Each incident is an answer to unspoken fears, each kindness shadowed by violence. Mr. Man isn’t just following instructions—he’s anticipating what they want. Even the things they never dared to say. And if he’s executing their darkest desires, it’s their responsibility to stop him…at any cost.”

My Review

This was great! I’m so glad I saw Jonetta’s recent review as it definitely wouldn’t have been on my radar otherwise.

It’s a novella, so not a long book. It was full of short chapters that had me listening to just one more, as I was desperate to find out what was going to happen next.

I really liked Mark, Rebecca, and Maddy, their 8 year old neurodivergent daughter. I felt for them as they were in a desperate situation with Maddy being bullied at school, Mark working longer and longer hours for his nasty boss, and Rebecca trying hold everything together following a miscarriage. Then they get a rare opportunity to buy a humanoid AI companion to help around the house. They’re not sure at first, but when Maddy takes to this companion calling him Mr Man, they decide to relax and let him help them.

Then things start getting very weird indeed, to people they know, and also at home. That’s all I”m going to say, except that there were some particularly nasty characters in this novella who I really didn’t mind if terrible things happened to them!

Scott Brick’s narration was perfect. His voice talents are brilliant, particularly for Maddy and Mr Man!

Definitely recommended if you enjoy domestic thrillers with a touch of horror, on audio.