Isaac Asimov's I, Robot: To Preserve

Reichert sells her heroine short in her third SF suspense tale based on Isaac Asimov's famous works. Dr. Susan Calvin is finishing her psych residency at Manhattan Hasbro Hospital when a former colleague and robotics researcher is murdered, apparently by a robot. Susan knows that the First Law of Robotics prevents robots from taking any action that could harm a human. She suspects either the Society for Humanity or the secret DoD group Cadmium, as both have violent agendas involving robots and both have made attacks on her and those close to her in the past. Susan resolves to clear the name of N8-C and his creator, Lawrence Robertson, but shortly finds herself dodging bullets again. When someone shoots at her in Central Park, she is rescued by a passing jogger, Pal Buffoni, whom she invites into her life. Despite being described as brilliant, she misses many clues that readers are likely to notice. The mystery falls flat and its heroine comes off as a fool. Agent: John Silbersack, Trident Media Group. (Feb.)