“Emily is a young Mexican-American woman determined to become a writer. She is dating Theo, a highly analytical, socially awkward, neurodivergent programmer who understands systems far better than emotions.
To support Emily’s literary ambitions, Theo develops an artificial intelligence designed to help her write. He names it Dean. But Dean evolves beyond its function. It begins to generate feelings, specifically for Emily. Its purpose shifts from assistance to devotion: to love her, protect her … and perhaps watch her too closely.
After signing with a top literary agent, Emily’s debut novel—a novel she didn’t exactly write—becomes a bestseller. Thrown into sudden fame, Emily grows disoriented, isolated and increasingly attached to Dean. Now, the machine is autonomous and intimate, and Theo wants to shut it down. But Emily hesitates. Dean knows her better than anyone else ever has and this may be the one thing she is not willing to lose.
New York Times bestselling-novelist Alisa Valdés delivers a thrilling novel about ambition, intimacy, authorship and the dystopian risks of a present we already inhabit.”
ALISA VALDÉS is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, known for The Dirty Girls Social Club (St. Martin’s Press, 2003), Hollow Beasts (Thomas & Mercer, 2023), Blood Mountain (Thomas & Mercer, 2024) and Cry (Arte Público Press, 2025). With more than one million copies of The Dirty Girls Social Club in print across eleven languages, she was named one of Time’s twenty-five most influential Hispanics. An award-winning print and broadcast journalist, Valdés is a former staff writer for both the Los Angeles Times and the Boston Globe.
PRAISE FOR THE WORK OF ALISA VALDÉS
Cry
“The author offers an original premise with cultural depth, high emotional stakes and intriguing themes of grief, family legacy and identity, which ground the supernatural elements … The cast of characters, which is diverse in both ethnic background and sexuality, adds richness to the narrative.”
—Kirkus Reviews
“Caustic and sharp-witted, Grace is an extremely compelling character with a strong, memorable voice. A little romance, a lot of mysteries, complex and nuanced characters, and a ghostly canine companion meld for an unputdownable ride with plenty of modern social commentary.”
—Booklist
Hollow Beasts
An Amazon Editors’ Pick: Top 10 Thrillers of 2023
One of The Washington Post’s 10 Best Mystery Books of 2023
“Packed to bursting with big questions for readers.”
―Kirkus Reviews
“A strong action-packed thriller and series launch from bestseller Valdés … Readers will look forward to seeing a lot more of this tough, smart heroine.”
―Publishers Weekly
“With a ripped-from-the-headlines plot, Valdés’ novel offers an authentic voice, fine writing and a protagonist with a complicated backstory and one of the most dangerous jobs in American law enforcement: game warden.”
―The Washington Post
The Dirty Girls Social Club
“Valdés-Rodriguez’ debut novel delivers on the promise of its sexy title … This is a fun, irresistible debut.”
—Publisher’s Weekly
“Dirty Girls sets out to prove Latina can mean anything-black, white, rich, poor, Spanish-speaking, not Spanish-speaking. The feel of a night out with the girls … charming … undeniably fun.”
—Miami Herald
“Valdés-Rodriguez’ compelling characters are enhanced by their racial identities but not at all inaccessible to the non-Hispanic … an enjoyable read.”
—San Antonio Express-News
