On the planet of Solaria, colonists now live in almost complete individual isolation, tended by robot servants and disgusted by the thought of human contact. And yet, one of their number has been beaten to death. Incapable of solving the crime, the authorities of the Outer Worlds seek help from renowned Earth detective Elijah Baley. Isaac Asimov continues his exploration of the relationship between humans and robots in this second book in his science fiction mystery series. Partnered once again with the near-human android R. Daneel Olivaw, Baley reluctantly travels to Solaria and uncovers a plot that could forever change the place of robots in human civilization.