The Regular

by Ken Liu
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Description

The Regular seamlessly blends futuristic technology into detective noir. It shares the tropes of the typical pulpish P.I. novel; the main character has a shattered family and a contentious relationship with law enforcement. It's also got one of the most interesting speculative elements in the book; while most of the stories deal with replaced limbs and body systems and such—what we tend to visualize when we think "cyborg"—one of several available "upgrades" in this story is a Regulator, which stabilizes adrenaline, dopamine, and serotonin for optimal emotional performance. It's dependence on this device that puts a twist on the typical P.I. addiction narrative, and it's the ocean of grief that threatens to overwhelm detective Ruth that gives her the wisdom to overcome desperate odds when all the electronic advancements on Earth can't help her.

What it’s like

ViolenceStandard
CombatIncidental
HorrorCreepy
SpiceFade-to-Black
ProfanityMild

Details

First published
2014
Format
Novella
Audience
Adult

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