The Phoenix-1 has detected an unknown distress beacon while exploring deep space. Ignoring standard protocol and quarantine procedures, the discovery of a pod is brought on board without hesitation. Within the pod a human occupant along with an unknown alien substance is discovered. The occupants on the ship, including ARIC (an Artificial Robotic Intelligence Computer) has made a costly mistake and is now exiled with an unknown hostile living orgasm. The crew quickly learns survival comes with a price. Author Richard Beauchamp pilots his readers into an horrific orbit, completing one revolution of disturbing fiction. A mysterious black mass takes precedence in this flawless mixture of science fiction, fantasy and horror. Saddled with an unsuspecting crew and a homicidal Artificial Intelligent Computer that gives HAL a run for his money, Autonomous eclipses any deep space terror you may have explored before. It’s extraterrestrial parasitic state of dormancy is ready to be awaken by you, reader. Richard’s Splatterpunk Award nominated book, Black Tongue (highly recommended), brought otherworldly abnormalities to an intense level of gorific fun. He has now taken that successful writing formula and applied it towards a vessel traveling in space. Highlights for me was the running dialog between the captain of the ship and the demented AI, the constant claustrophobic sensation of a confined spaceship and of course the gorgeous cover art provided Chad Lutzke. 
Homicidal programming of advanced technology and the ruthlessness of a viscous extraterrestrial organism brutally blends together well. Autonomous is an extensive experience of anxiety, suspicion, anger, chaos and fear. Think of a story inside an E.C. Weird Fantasy comic…on steroids. Cosmic Horror is alive and well. A five star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Horror Bookworm Recommendation.
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