Frankie - Book Review

"Frankie" by Bruce Deitrick Price is a captivating story about an AI-enhanced robot named Frankie, designed to resemble a beautiful woman. Her arrival brings both delightful chaos and poignant heartbreak to a small town in New Jersey, as she inquisitively engages with the local residents. Professor Raymond Mason, the ingenious mind behind this lifelike creation, is enormously proud of his achievement. Eager to flaunt his success, he brings Frankie home to introduce her to his wife, Julia. However, Julia quickly perceives not only his pride but also a disturbing hint of lust in his eyes for the robot, igniting a surge of jealousy.

Julia conceals her reservations about Raymond's creation and joins him in celebrating his success. However, things go quickly awry, leading to Raymond's untimely death. Frankie leaves Raymond's house and ventures into the college town, aiming to observe and assimilate human behavior and thought. Meanwhile, Julia awakens from her drunken stupor, only to be jolted by the terrible changes to her life.

Once the college discovers that Professor Mason and his robot are missing, they contact the police for assistance in locating him. Julia is also unaccounted for—has she met a tragic end? Did she, in her jealousy and drunken stupor, kill Raymond, or was she murdered and her body hidden? Was Frankie involved in Raymond's death and Julia's disappearance? These questions remain unanswered as the investigation unfolds.

As news of Professor Mason's disappearance and Julia's possible involvement spreads, students and colleagues are shocked and worried. They remember him as a kind, intelligent professor whose passion for robotics and AI was infectious.

A tip reveals that a stunningly beautiful and highly intelligent woman had visited a local bar, captivating patrons with her looks and insightful observations. Her presence was like a magnet, drawing all eyes and ears toward her. Whispers circulate about her peculiar conversations and the strange questions she asks.

Could she have found a protector among the bar's patrons who is hiding her out? The police and the town are shaken by the situation, growing increasingly frustrated with their inability to locate her. They scour the town, questioning everyone who might have seen or spoken to her, but she remains an enigma, a ghost slipping through their fingers.

Frankie forms a positive connection with one man, Simon, who genuinely wants to help her. While he feels a deep affection for her, he is puzzled by her lack of basic human needs like eating, drinking, or using the bathroom. Simon assists her in evading the authorities and the university, both of which are eager to retrieve her. Since the government-funded her creation, their concern is also her safe return.

Price delves into the complex relationship between humans and technology through this gripping tale with a bit of tongue-in-cheek humor. He raises thought-provoking questions about the potential consequences of creating AI-powered beings that closely resemble humans. Can machines ever truly replicate human emotions, or is it simply an illusion? Will advancements in technology lead to the downfall of humanity, or will it enhance our lives in ways we can't imagine?

As the world progresses towards a more technologically advanced future, "Frankie" serves as a cautionary tale, urging us to consider the ethical implications of creating artificial beings with human-like qualities. It reminds us to tread carefully and thoughtfully as we journey towards this uncharted territory.