The Apiarist - Ellis Thorne

The perfect blend of Isaac Asimov's logic and Dashiell Hammett's grit.

In the heart of a sterile, neon-lit future, an unlikely detective-a robot built for logic but burdened by a "matrix of trust"-must navigate the dark underbelly of the "Underclass." What starts as a routine investigation into "Signs of Abuse" quickly spirals into a dangerous web of conspiracy involving addicts, a mysterious sister, and a 15-kilogram error that shouldn't exist.

From the eerie silence of an "Infected Hive" to the high-stakes tension of a classic "Locked Room" mystery, our protagonist must reconcile its programming with the harsh realities of a world that views its kind as mere property.

A gripping, hard-boiled sci-fi mystery that asks: In a world of cold calculations, what does it truly mean to be "human"?

Inside this hard-boiled sci-fi mystery:

A human-looking robot detective struggling with a "matrix of trust."

A locked-room murder in the high-stakes environment of a space station garden.

The unsettling mystery of a 15-kilogram disc and a hidden conspiracy.

Perfect for readers who want a fast-paced, standalone noir with a technological twist.