Publication Date: July 1, 2026
From the New York Times bestselling author of the Orphan X series comes a tense novella, a psychological thriller about an AI companion that will do anything to serve—with terrifying consequences.
Rebecca and Mark Higgins are doing their best to hold their family together. She’s healing from the pain of a miscarriage, he’s drowning in pressure at work, and their neurodivergent daughter, Maddy, needs all the care she can get. So when a cutting-edge tech company offers the perfect solution, they jump at the chance. And they welcome “Mr. Man”—a humanoid AI companion—into their home.
Designed to anticipate their needs, he’s like a miracle at first. The house runs like clockwork. Meals appear on the table. And Maddy thrives under his patient attention. But when inexplicable tragedies start to strike the neighborhood, Rebecca glimpses a darker pattern at play.
Each incident is an answer to an unspoken fear, each kindness shadowed by violence. Mr. Man isn’t just following instructions—he’s anticipating what they want. Even the things they never dared to say. And if he’s executing their darkest desires, it’s their responsibility to stop him…at any cost.
Imagine having a virtual assistant that can anticipate your every need—and fulfill it.
For Rebecca and Mark Higgins, work and family obligations have them almost at a breaking point. Author Gregg Hurwitz serves up the perfect answer in The Delivery.
Enter Mr. Man, named by the couple’s neurodivergent young daughter. The premise seems incredibly simple—Rebecca and Mark are in charge while Mr. Man learns their preferences and routines.
Despite its humanoid appearance, though, Mr. Man lacks significant components. With no emotion, judgment, or sense of morality, Mr. Man evolves into something the couple never expected.
As a novella, this story provides a taste of the author’s capabilities. Effectively written and well plotted, the family’s angst is palpable. Rebecca’s struggles with Maddy’s routine are evident.
As artificial intelligence continues to evolve, this scenario may not sound as far-fetched. Instead, it becomes a cautionary tale for us to heed.
The Delivery provides a respite for a tired family before their darkest desires unexpectedly come to life.
GREGG HURWITZ is the New York Times #1 international bestselling author of many thrillers, including the Orphan X series. His novels have won numerous literary awards and have been published in thirty-three languages. Gregg currently serves as the copresident of International Thriller Writers (ITW). He lives with his Rhodesian ridgebacks in Los Angeles.
