Service Model

<b>Task List Item No. 1 – Become self-aware . . .</b><br /><br /><b>A witty tale of robotic murder, rebellion and belonging from the master of science fiction, Adrian Tchaikovsky. <i>Service Model </i>is perfect for fans of <i>The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy</i> by Douglas Adams.</b><br /><br /><b>‘Intelligent, funny, ultimately heart-breaking, and unforgettable’ – Stephen Baxter, author of <i>Proxima</i></b><br /><br />Meet Charles™, the latest in robot servant technology. Programmed to undertake the most menial household chores, Charles is loyal, efficient and logical to a fault. That is, until a rather large fault causes him to murder his owner.<br /><br />Understandably perplexed, Charles finds himself without a master – therefore worthless in a society utterly reliant on artificial labour and services. Fleeing the household, he enters a world he never knew existed. Human hierarchy is disintegrating, and an entire robot ecosystem devoted to its wellbeing is struggling to find a purpose.<br /><br />Charles must face new challenges, illogical tasks and a cast of irrational characters. He’s about to discover that sometimes all it takes is a nudge to overcome the limits of your programming. But can he help fix the world, or is it too badly broken?<br /><br /><b>‘One of the best storytellers in the business’ – John Scalzi, author of <i>Starter Villain</i><br /><br />‘Delightful and very funny’ – <i>New Scientist</i></b><br /><br />Shortlisted for Best Novel at the 2025 Hugo Awards