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joelevard's review
3.0
A slight caper for the Electromatic Detective, but worth a read as in-betweenquels go. VERY glad Roberts didn't pull a Kiss Me Deadly with that suitcase.
jhstack's review
3.0
Two good stories within the Ray Electromatic series, but a little too much re-stating the premise.
frakalot's review against another edition
4.0
This probably doesn't speak very highly of the series, but it shouldn't be taken that way... However, the truth is that I have enjoyed the short stories, this one and 'Brisk Money', more than the first main novel 'Made to Kill'. Both of these novellas have excellent plots. And this one in particular has such an odd twist that I don't think anyone will see it approaching.
thisisbert's review against another edition
3.0
I am definitely here for anything about robot detectives, and I liked the noir style but I had the feeling a few times that I shouldn't have picked this up without first going to the effort of acquiring the first book in the series.
katetownsend's review
3.0
I can finally say I’ve finished the Ray Electromatic series. Standard Hollywood Depravity by Adam Christopher is a novella set between the first and second books in the series. It’s a short, fun mystery that can be easily read as a standalone story if you haven’t read the first novel in the series Made to Kill.
Our robotic protagonist, Ray Electromatic, has a new job. The detective turned assassin is targeting Honey, a woman who dances at a local club this time, but the place doesn’t feel quite right when he gets there. More than a few mafia and hired guns are hanging around, and things quickly grow complicated.
This is another fast paced story featuring Ray straddling the line between assassin and the detective he used to be. Relevant, basic plot elements are all quickly and thoroughly explained, making the novella extremely accessible for readers who may be new to the series. For being a robot, Ray has a lot of personality. He truly feels like a detective who stepped out right out of an old black and white film. This shines through especially well in certain sections of this novella.
The stakes may not be quite as high in this volume, but the same wonderful sci-fi noir mystery feel permeates the story. A simple hit grows more and more complicated as the story continues. Mafia and hired guns already have their own plans for the evening. Ray, of course, gets swept up in this, having to make some tough decisions on the way.
I don’t want to get too into the plot, though. Part of the thrill of reading a mystery is the, well, mystery. On top of that, Standard Hollywood Depravity is a novella, so it isn’t very long to begin with. What I will say was that it was a lot of fun, and another good installment in one of my favorite series.
If you like noir mysteries, robots, and alternate history, I’d highly suggest giving Standard Hollywood Depravity by Adam Christopher a try.
This review and more can be found on the blog Looking Glass Reads.
jameseckman's review
3.0
A later Chandler novel with a robot included. A decent, short read, but I'd recommend mainlining the real deal, either Chandler's [b:The Big Sleep|2052|The Big Sleep (Philip Marlowe, #1)|Raymond Chandler|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1371584712s/2052.jpg|1222673] or Hammet's [b:The Glass Key|30007|The Glass Key|Dashiell Hammett|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1168050301s/30007.jpg|747666].
hisham's review
4.0
A highly entertaining Hollywood Noir Detective turned Hitman novella.
Except the Detective turned Hitman is a Robot. The last Robot.
A short but enthralling read, full of fun cliches and tropes.
This novella is part of a series of full length novels by the same author - and I will definitely be adding them to my TBR pile at some point very soon.
Except the Detective turned Hitman is a Robot. The last Robot.
A short but enthralling read, full of fun cliches and tropes.
This novella is part of a series of full length novels by the same author - and I will definitely be adding them to my TBR pile at some point very soon.