The Last Good Man

Nebula-winner Nagata (Going Dark) explores incredible AI weaponry in a thrilling novel that lays bare the imminent future of warfare. Seattle-based Requisite Operations, a private military company, agrees to rescue captive doctor Fatima Atwan from the gangster El-Hashem. ReqOp’s director of operations, True Brighton, is stunned when the mission unexpectedly uncovers connections to her soldier son Diego’s death by torture eight years before. True is soon at odds with ReqOp’s owner, Lincoln Han, over how to bring the culprits to justice, but both want the truth. Meanwhile, True’s husband struggles to believe that anything they learn from further investigation will ease the pain of Diego’s death. Autonomous helicopters, animal-shaped biomimetic robots, and True’s insectile “origami army” are integral to her quest and provide a mesmerizing glimpse of the probable forthcoming roles—or obsolescence—of human soldiers. Readers will be left questioning the possibility of achieving a peaceful future. Agent: Howard Morhaim, Howard Morhaim Literary Agency. (June)