You've Got Murder

As a longtime computer geek (since the 70s), I usually have to wince (sometimes a LOT - don't read Dan Brown's Digital Fortress if you're even the slightest bit geeky) at most of the fiction-with-computers-in I run across. Finally, I can relax and enjoy a well-drawn and really damn plausible AIP. Ahhh.... Can't wait to read the rest of the series!

"You've Got Murder" by Donna Andrews introduces us to Turing Hopper, a mainframe computer with AIP (Articial Intelligence Personality). Her creator, Zack, has programmed not only a "personality" for Turing - but has also downloaded thousands of mystery novels into her data base. There is a self-improvement feature built into the standard AIP programming and Turing becomes "all that she can be."When Zack's friend, David, is killed in an automobile accident, Turing starts to notice that Zack begins to change the way he does routine tasks on the computer. When Zack doesn't report to work for several days, Turing becomes concerned and enlists the aid of his co-workers, Maude and Tim, to help discover if he is in any danger.Although this could have been marketed under "science fiction," this novel fits perfectly under "mysteries." Donna Andrews does an excellent job in her characterization of Turing. By the end of the book, I longed to have a computer with some "personality." I definitely feel that within the next 20 years, computers with this feature will be available for the general public. Until then, I'll keep reading all the great sleuthing works starring, Turing: Computer Dectective Extraordinaire.

When Zack doesn't show up at work for several days in a row, Turing is concerned. She does what she can to find him, but her resources are a little limited. While she can find any bit of information, she can't actually investigate in person because she's an Artificial Intelligence Personality, or AIP for short. Asking the aid of human friends Maude and Tim, Turing begins to get a picture that causes her to worry more. Zack seems to have stumbled on something huge. But was he killed or is he hiding out? And can Turing protect her friends, human and AIP, when the danger continues to build?I've enjoyed Ms. Andrews' other series, but was a bit skeptical when it came to this book. An AIP as the main character? This just sounded too far fetched for me. Yet she pulled it off with no trouble what-so-ever. All three of the main characters come off as fully developed. Most interesting was Turing, who reminded me of similar characters in the various Star Trek series. She has true strengths and weaknesses and grows the most as a character because of the story. The plot is a little slow getting off the ground, but the time is used to establish Turing and her environment. Once the story takes off, it moves at lightning speed. I was often turning pages to find out what would happen next. The point of view switches from Turing to Maude and Tim, making the best dramatic use of the story. The ending seemed a bit rushed, but only a little.I'm looking forward to seeing what Ms. Andrews has up her sleeves next for Turing and her friends. This is a fascinating world I look forward to visiting many more times to come.

If you are in the mood for some chuckles and a terrific mystery, be sure and pick up a copy of You've Got Murder. The protagonist is unique and charming. Since I adore the Meg series, I expected a LOT for this book. It was even better than I imagined. Turing is now near the top of my favorite charcter list.:)

I have been reading a whole string of mysteries with unusual detectives and You've Got Murder is no exception. When Turing Hopper notices that her friend, Zach has missed work for several days, she becomes curious. After investigating, she discovers that Zach's files are slowly being erased from their company computer and she becomes concerned. Since Turing is the first sentient artificial intelligence personality (AIP) she cannot investigate outside of the company and so she recruits Maude Graham and Tim Pincoski to help her with the investigation. The three soon uncover a plot that has them racing is on to save Zach, Turing and all of the other AIP's from death or worse. I totally bought into Turing as a detective and enjoyed this mystery very much. Highly Recommended.