This one started out strong and I had high expectations based on previous books by Heather Graham. But despite the great sounding plot, this one fell a little flat for me. It is not a terrible read (and bonus points for a dog) but I was expecting more of the AI parts and less of them running around and the relationship between the two agents. The parts where the AI kills (or almost kills) people is glossed over pretty quickly and not super graphic.

The dialogue was also a bit clunky. Lots of exclamation points, some wrong names used in paces and explaining stuff that doesn't need to be explained while it seems to jump over other stuff. It is an uncorrected proof copy so maybe the editor does some heavy lifting but I don't remember finding the same issue in previous books from the author. The pacing also seems off. They manage to catch someone every law enforcement agency has been after in a few hours and get him to confess to multiple crimes but spend days over nothing and going to get smoothies etc.

Then there are things like you are worried enough about AI to change to classic cars etc but walk around with cell phones that could be hacked to listen to your every word and track your location?

The prologue tells you who is behind a lot of it as Marci talks walking into her smart home that will quickly kill her and then you move on to more of a police procedural. But still a question of whether that person was behind her death or if others are involved. I had a feeling during the scene with the warrants that "X" would also be involved. Not any major clues, but a feeling.

Thanks to Netgalley and Harlequin for the advance copy for review.

I hate to give a bad review - but this is not great. I will start with the things that I did like - I was drawn to this because of the premise of a tech smart house killing the inhabitant. That sounds like a really compelling story. I also love the main setting of St Augustine. It's somewhere I am really familiar with and I love reading books that are in areas that I know. Some of the landmarks and descriptions were familiar and well done.
Unfortunately, that is where it ends. On the side of things I did not like - there are issues with the dialogue. It isn't realistic. There were pages with multiple exclamations that weren't necessary. The story pacing was really slow with elements necessary to solve the crime coming in almost coincidentally vs through story or policework in a natural way. While I loved the setting elements were brought in to describe some of the history in a textbook manner vs creatively woven in as part of the story. It was the same with other elements - essentially any type of explanation for something was handled in such a "here is the definition" or "here is the line from the textbook" to describe. These things just weren't handled in a way that was easy to read.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

"Artificial intelligence meets genuine murderous intent.

This state-of-the-art smart home has everything: a next-generation entertainment system, an ultramodern kitchen where every appliance is online and even a personal AI to control it all. Standing above its owner's lifeless body, FBI agent Jude Mackenzie is faced with the daunting task of discovering how the woman was killed by her own home. How do you catch a murderer that doesn't leave any fingerprints?

Enter Special Agent Victoria Tennant, whose familiarity with cybercrime reveals the stark truth: a machine can only do what it's been directed to. As the number of grisly "accidents" begins to rise, the pair must race to uncover the perpetrator even as they find themselves caught in their digital crosshairs! There's nowhere to hide when danger may be as close as the very phones in their pockets."

Not so much rise of the machines as programmers revolt.

I DNF at 50%. I really struggled with this one. The book started off strong but, went down rather quickly. I thought I could finish it but, I dreaded picking it up every time I went to read it. There’s too much fluff and random conversation that had nothing to do with the storyline.

Title: The Murder Machine
Author: Heather Graham         
Genre: Thriller, Mystery  
Rating: 3 out of 3

 Artificial intelligence meets genuine murderous intent.

This state-of-the-art smart home has a next-generation entertainment system, an ultramodern kitchen where every appliance is online and even a personal AI to control it all. Standing above its owner's lifeless body, FBI agent Jude Mackenzie is faced with the daunting task of discovering how the woman was killed by her own home. How do you catch a murderer that doesn't leave any fingerprints?

Enter Special Agent Victoria Tennant, whose familiarity with cybercrime reveals the stark a machine can only do what it's been directed to. As the number of grisly "accidents" begins to rise, the pair must race to uncover the perpetrator even as they find themselves caught in their digital crosshairs! There's nowhere to hide when danger may be as close as the very phones in their pockets.

This was…not as good a read as I expect from Heather Graham. I knew who the murderer was about 2/3rds of the way through the book, which was fine, but no one else seemed to suspect them.

My real problem, though, was the “relationship” between Jude and Vicky happened so fast—overnight—and with barely even any hints of attraction to each other before they were both thinking they were in love. All the relationships in the book felt superficial and glossed over, and I almost put the book down halfway through, but decided to keep reading in the hopes it would improve. It didn’t.

Heather Graham is a bestselling author. The Murder Machine is her newest novel.

(Galley courtesy of Harlequin/MIRA in exchange for an honest review.)

(Blog link live 4/30).

Release: April 29, 2025
Author: Heather Graham
Publisher: Harlequin Trade Publishing

Rating: 3.25 ★ 

The Murder Machine by Heather Graham is a fast-paced thriller that blends AI technology with a classic murder mystery.

When Marci Warden, a receptionist at a prestigious law firm, is found dead in her high-tech smart home, all signs point to her AI system as the killer. But was it a tragic malfunction, a deliberate hack, or something far more sinister? FBI agent Jude Mackenzie, who has little experience with cybercrime, is paired with tech-savvy Special Agent Victoria “Vicky” Tennant to uncover the truth. As more deaths occur under eerily similar circumstances, the agents must race against time to find the mastermind behind the digital mayhem—before they become the next targets.

The premise is undeniably intriguing, touching on modern fears of AI and technology’s ever-growing presence in our lives. The tension builds as the investigation unfolds, with action-packed sequences and a final twist that delivers a satisfying payoff. However, the book struggles with character development and dialogue, making it difficult to fully connect with the protagonists. The romance subplot between Jude and Vicky feels more distracting than compelling, and some of the technical aspects—particularly the blending of AI and hacking—lack realism.

That said, the book moves at a quick pace, keeping readers engaged with its high-stakes investigation. The presence of Clover, a lovable dog, adds a bit of charm amidst the suspense. While The Murder Machine may not fully deliver on its potential, fans of techno-thrillers and crime fiction may still find it an entertaining ride.

Favorite Quote:
"the murder machine didn't just kill; it made people believe in the unbelievable."

I usually love Heather Graham, but this was I just could not get into. The book was really hard to get into and follow. The way the conversations went was hard to follow and I swear 80% of the sentences in this end with an exclamation! Which drove me nuts. The storyline could have been very good but this just wasn’t it for me.

What a whirlwind. And. How creepy is the first chapter. . Such a great book. Couldn't stop reading it.

I hate to do it but I have to DNF this book at 50%. This book started off really strong and I loved the idea but somewhere shortly after that it gets caught up in the mundane. I wanted this to be a gripping, tech thriller and I wasn't getting that at all and I didn't really care for the main characters. This book also had a lot of clunky dialogue that I just wasn't feeling.

Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing | MIRA for access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

When I first read the synopsis for this book, I was excited to dive in. AI gone rogue? Smart homes committing murder? A killer behind the curtain? Grab the popcorn and count me in! But... now that I've finished it, I have mixed feelings.

Marci Warden, receptionist at the Wharton, Dixon & Smith law firm, is found dead in her home seemingly murdered by the AI system installed in her home. Or was someone behind the curtain, controlling it all? That's the magic question our protagonists, federal agents Jude Mackenzie and Victoria "Vicky" Tennant, need to answer.

The concept was intriguing and I thoroughly enjoyed the prologue and the first few chapters. But as the story progressed, I found it difficult to stay engaged. The dialogue between characters didn't feel natural which made it difficult to connect with them and the blossoming romance between Jude and and Vicky was just distracting at times. That said, the book had its strong points, particularly the twist at the end! I also adored Clover. What can I say, I'm a sucker for a cute dog side character. Unfortunately, several parts of the book were overshadowed by issues with character depth and dialogue.

I'm glad I finished it as an introduction to this author. I see that she has many titles under her belt and I'd be eager to give her writing another chance to see if there is another story I may connect with more.

I received an ARC from Netgalley via Harlequin Trade Publishing. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.

Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
Expected publication date: Apr. 29, 2025
When a woman’s body is found in her home, all angles seem to point to the fact that her AI-controlled home was hacked, causing the appliances and electronics in her home to kill her through seemingly random accidents. FBI agent Jude Mackenzie is baffled, trying to figure out how to find the person responsible when they, quite literally, leave no physical trace. Other similar “accidents” happen throughout the community, when two separate vehicles are hacked and all of the passengers are subsequently killed. With the help of Special Agent Victoria Tennant, Jude and his team set out to find the mastermind behind the technology- before it's too late.
I’ll admit, the cover of this novel pulled me in and, although I’ve never read the author, I did recognize her name. The premise, too, was intriguing so I thought I’d go out on a limb and try out Heather Graham for the first time, with her new novel, “The Murder Machine”. Sadly, I was disappointed.
The synopsis of the novel is a modern and relevant one, with machines taking over and wreaking havoc, and it would have served as a great starting off point for Graham’s novel, but it somehow fell flat. The novel was narrated by Jude and, to a lesser extent, Victoria. The characters themselves weren’t unlikable and I connected enough with them to want to see how their storylines played out.
My biggest hurdle with this novel was the language. Being unfamiliar with Graham, I’m not sure if this is her usual style but it was awkward and, in some cases, damn uncomfortable. Graham was trying to create a romance between Jude and Victoria, but it bordered on sexual harassment. Jude, after knowing Victoria less than a week, is calling her “pretty lady” and encouraging her to “flirt” with potential suspects by using her “gorgeous” looks. Even if he was the best-looking guy out there, Victoria must have been pretty desperate to fall for that act. It was completely cringe-worthy, and it’s made worse by the fact that they were partners (professionally). They would’ve worked well together if they had formed a romance more organically, but I felt like I wanted to rush in and save Victoria from the creepy old uncle at the birthday party.
The conversations were choppy, making the characters appear naïve and unintelligent (not who I would want investigating murder). The ending was predictable and it, too, seemed forced and obvious.
“The Murder Machine” had an interesting premise, but that’s about where my enjoyment stopped. I’m still undecided on whether or not I’ll read Graham again, but I hope that her next novel has a little more polish.

Title: The Murder Machine
Author: Heather Graham
Rating: 🌕🌕🌗
Genre: 🔪 Thriller
Violence: 🪓🪓🪓
Spice: 🔥🔥
Triggers: rogue technology, car wreck, elevator accident

Premise: A woman is killed by her state-of-the-art, AI enabled home. FBI agent Jude Mackenzie wonders: how do you catch a killer who leaves no fingerprints? Enter agent Vicky Tennant, cybercrimes expert. As “accidents” mount, they race to uncover the perpetrator before they’re caught in the digital crosshairs.

Thoughts: The premise gives this book high potential. But that’s where it ended for me: potential. It would be a DNF if it didn’t require a review. Most authors are either planners or “pantsers,” i.e. they write by the seat of their pants. But successful “pantsers” have method to their madness & the power of a good editor behind them. The Murder Machine reads like stream-of-consciousness pantsing that never saw an editor’s pen. The repetition, continuity issues, & excessive exclamation points alone were enough to drive me up the wall. But I can overlook these issues in a book with innovative plot & great characters. The plot concept is engaging & topical. But the author does not seem to understand the difference between hacking & AI, using the terms interchangeably. Nor do law enforcement or lawyers read as plausible. And the characters read like caricatures spouting unrealistic dialog. The general outlines of the main characters—Jude & Vicky—created the opportunity to play against stereotype: he’s tech ignorant but highly intuitive, she’s young but already has impressive cybercrime credentials. But both fall flat with a “tell, not show” chemistry. It is a fast read, though would benefit from significant tightening. Readers interested in the broad strokes of plot—rather than character development or verisimilitude—might enjoy this book.

Thanks to Harlequin & NetGalley for this book in exchange for an honest review.

I've read and enjoyed many books by this author, but this one missed the mark for me. The premise was very interesting, but it fell short in the execution. I struggled to stay engaged. The dialogue felt unnatural, so it was hard to fully connect with characters. There were numerous subplots, and many of them were unnecessary. As a result, some portions of the book just seemed confusing. The premise made me think this would be a gripping thriller, but that wasn't what I found. There was a lot of repetition, and the overuse of exclamation points was distracting. Some scenes, including the ending, felt rushed and anticlimactic. Sadly, I figured out who the killer was before the big reveal.

The Murder Machine by Heather Graham starts out with an interesting plot line.A smart home owner is killed by her home.With so much Artificial Intelligence in our tech tools and homes we all wonder about it but can it be used for murder?This stand-alone thriller mystery is told in dual point of view..It takes place in St. Augustine,Florida.The main characters are Special agent Victories Tennant and FBIAgent Jude Mackenzie.Their characters were not very well developed and the dialogue was not exciting.I felt the story was rather easy to figure out.I enjoy police procedural and will be looking forward to her next book.Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing MIRA for allowing me to read this ARC.

It’s everywhere, it’s everywhere! What else but AI. So Heather Graham’s latest standalone novel plot is perfect. Why did a smart home go heywire and kill its owner? When there are no clues how do you solve the murder? Bring in FBI Agent Jude MacKenzie, cybercrime specialist Special Agent Victoria Tennant and add in to highly talented local techies and you have the team that must figure it all out. As more incidents occur and attempts are even made on the team the big questions is who is behind it all because a human has to be directing. At some point you want to tell the team turn off all your tech before it’s your turn, but in these days and times communication and research makes that hard to do. Part of the story is the development of a relationship between the agents, Maybe not so essential but together they solve who is behind the bad AI. Entertaining but a bit different than the normal Graham novel. Thank you to Harlequin Trade/MIRA and NetGalley for the ARC.

1/5 stars: This is Graham's Police Procedural Mystery Thriller stand-alone that takes place in St Augustine, Florida and follows two FBI agents, a field agent and a cybercrime specialist, as they investigate several grisly "accidents" that are actually murder cases all linked by hacked computer systems. In Tennessee: a harsh judge's car crash and in Florida: the wreck of a drug dealer's yacht and a law firm receptionist's electrocution via her glitching smart home. The pair must race to uncover the perpetrator even as they find themselves caught in their digital crosshairs. Written in dual POV, Graham's writing and character work are well done. Unfortunately, I lost interest in this book; leading me to DNF it at 43%.

I received this eARC thanks to Harlequin Trade Publishing | MIRA in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.

I was excited to receive this ARC and looked forward to the modern, intriguing concept. The stilted dialogue, sentences out of nowhere not connected to the topic at hand, and the odd repetitions made it a struggle for me. Felt like I was reading a story written by the state-of-the-art-home!

Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the opportunity to read this ARC.

Classic Heather Graham mystery. In this instance it is a male and female FBI agents investigating what may be someone using artificial intelligence to kill other people. The big question is what is the connection between the different people that have been murdered and who is the evil genius behind it all.

This story is about AI going haywire, being hacked and killing people. The FBI has to find out what’s going on before more lives are lost. There is plenty of suspense along with AI and murder. On the whole I enjoyed the book but there was a part of the plot that could have been left out, it was distracting and didn’t contribute to the story. Thank you to net galley for an advanced readers copy.

I had never read this author before, but the premise drew me in. However, I was bored by this book and ultimately dnfd