The Murderbot Diaries: Illustrated Collector’s Guide
The Murderbot Diaries: A Collector's Guide
I really enjoyed Apple TV's recent adaptation of Martha Wells’ award-winning Murderbot Diaries — part sci-fi thriller, part sarcastic therapy session for introverts. (Think Marvin from Hitchhiker's Guide with better weapons and a streaming addiction.) I've adored all the books, and thought it was a great adaptation. Interest surged in the books once the eponymous sarcastic AI protagonist hit the screens, so I'm sharing some collector's details for you all before they get even harder to find!
Collector's tip: Subterranean Press editions are the gold standard: signed, limited, beautifully illustrated, and a high production value – but pretty limited and going for crazy high prices at the moment. If you're looking for signed trade editions, they're usually available from Hyperbole Bookstore in College Station, Texas.
Please note that some of the links below are affiliate links for which I may be compensated (this does not affect my reviews nor cost you any money, but helps support my site hosting costs). I deeply appreciate your support of my site if you use these links, but warmly encourage you to buy from your local Indie bookshop if you have the opportunity.
Introduction
Hardback Trade Editions (Publication Order)
You don't need to spend a fortune to enjoy some nice copies of Murderbot in physical form. Tor.com Publishing (an imprint of Tor Books) handles the standard trade editions, which are widely available in bookstores. These are the editions most readers will buy – and some are quite attractive in their own right. All feature striking cover art by Jaime Jones, depicting Murderbot in its armor amidst alien scenery.
Here’s what you need to know:
#1 All Systems Red (May 2017) kicked off the series as a Tor.com novella (approximately 150 pages). It was initially released in trade paperback and e-book – Tor’s novella line often favors a paperback original format.
#2 Artificial Condition, #3 Rogue Protocol, and #4 Exit Strategy (all 2018) – followed suit as slim paperback novellas. The US and UK covers were identical (Tor handled international distribution, so no separate UK-specific art). Later printings of these first editions are all still in print.
In October 2020, Tor released a hardcover box set of the first four Murderbot Diaries in response to fan demand for a more durable format. This set places All Systems Red through Exit Strategy in matching hardcover binding and is still available new.
#5 Network Effect (2020) is a full-length novel (~300+ pages), released in hardcover by Tor from the start.
#6 Fugitive Telemetry (2021), though novella-length, also received a hardcover first edition.
#7 System Collapse (2023) is also a full-length novel with a hardcover first edition (which does contain some spoilers for Network Effect, if you're reading out of order).
#8 Platform Decay (2026) is an upcoming full-length novel.
New Omnibus Paperbacks (2024–2025)
Coinciding with the TV adaptation, Tor released collected paperback omnibuses that group the diaries into larger volumes. In January 2025, Tor released The Murderbot Diaries Vol. 1 (collecting All Systems Red + Artificial Condition), Vol. 2 (collecting Rogue Protocol + Exit Strategy) and Vol. 3, (collecting Fugitive Telemetry + System Collapse). Each omnibus is trade paperback size with around ~320 pages and new cover art. Note that Network Effect remains a standalone volume, since it was already available in paperback. Production quality for these is pretty simple (thin paper, glued binding) but the reimagined cover art is very pretty.
When is the next Murderbot book coming out?
Martha Wells has contracted to deliver at least one more Murderbot book (#9, title TBC).
What else can I read in the Murderbot universe?
There are a few short stories available, most can even be read for free.
- Obsolescence (2020) is a not a Murderbot story per se, but it takes place during the time period of a historical drama Murderbot watches in Exit Strategy. It's about rovers, the precursors to secunits. This short story is in a free collection published by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, intended to spark conversations about a Culture of Health.
- Compulsory (2023) is a precursor short story set just after Murderbot hacks its governor module (so, before the events in All Systems Red). The only physical version of this is the Subterranean Press broadside, but you can also download it for free.
- Home: Habitat, Range, Niche, Territory (2021) is a short story from Mensah's POV, set between Exit Strategy and Fugitive Telemetry. It was published as an extra in the Subterranean Press volume, but is also available as an ebook.
- Rapport: Friendship, Solidarity, Communion, Empathy (2025) is a short story that will be available via Reactor Magazine on July 10, 2025. “Perihelion and its crew embark on a dangerous new mission at a corporate-controlled station in the throes of a hostile takeover…”
What is the chronological reading order?
Personally, I recommend reading the books in publication order. But if you're looking for the actual chronology of events, here it is!
- Obsolescence (2020) – companion short story about rovers
- Compulsory (2023) – short story
- #1 All Systems Red (2017) – Novella
- #2 Artificial Condition (2018) – Novella
- #3 Rogue Protocol (2018) – Novella
- #4 Exit Strategy (2018) – Novella
- Home: Habitat, Range, Niche, Territory (2021) – short story
- #6 Fugitive Telemetry (2021) – Novella
- #5 Network Effect (2020) – Full-length novel
- #7 System Collapse (2023) – Full-length novel
- Rapport: Friendship, Solidarity, Communion, Empathy (2025) – short story
- #8 Platform Decay (2026) – Full-length novel.
Some of the lovely artwork by Jamie Jones courtesy of Tordotcompub. Click to embiggen.
Hardback Trade Editions
Subterranean Press has produced some of the most sought-after editions of The Murderbot Diaries, known for their high-quality materials and limited print runs.
All Systems Red
Murderbot Diaries #1 [Novella].
Tor.com, 2017. 9781250214713.
Murderbot is an introverted, media-addicted security unit who accidentally becomes the most relatable antihero in space while begrudgingly saving his stupid human clients. This first novella is a thoughtful adventure story which manages to explore deep themes like identity, consent and control without sacrificing fast-paced action and genuine humor.
“As a heartless killing machine, I was a terrible failure.“ – Murderbot.
This title won both the 2018 Nebula and Hugo Awards for Best Novella, and the American Library Association's Alex Award. According to the Subterranean Press introduction, All Systems Red was originally planned as a tragic short story – the first scene written was the conversation between Mensah and Murderbot in the repair cubicle.
➤ Find it at Amazon | B&N | Blackwells | Abes | eBay
Artificial Condition
Murderbot Diaries #2 [Novella].
Tor.com, May 2018. 9781250186928.
Murderbot goes undercover with ART, a suspiciously enthusiastic transport ship, and decides hacking is easier than socializing.
“Young humans can be impulsive. The trick is keeping them around long enough to become old humans.” – Murderbot.
Winner of both the 2019 Hugo and Locus Awards.
➤ Find it at Amazon | B&N | Blackwells | Abes | eBay
Rogue Protocol
Murderbot Diaries #3 [Novella].
Tor.com, Aug 2018. 9781250191786.
Stealth mission, abandoned station, murder… and an adopted helper bot it definitely doesn’t like (probably).
“Who knew being a heartless killing machine would present so many moral dilemmas?” – Murderbot
➤ Find it at Amazon | B&N | Blackwells | Abes | eBay
Exit Strategy
Murderbot Diaries #4 [Novella].
Tor.com, Oct 2018. 9781250191854.
Murderbot stages a high-stakes corporate takedown while deeply regretting all human contact.
“I was having an emotion, and I hate that.” – Murderbot
➤ Find it at Amazon | B&N | Blackwells | Abes | eBay
Network Effect
Murderbot Diaries #5 [Novel].
Tor.com, May 2018. 9781250229861.
In its first full-length novel, Murderbot reunites with ART and gets hijacked into space drama, murder, and emotional growth – none of which it asked for, obviously.
“I’m usually alone in my head, and that’s where 90 plus percent of my problems are.” – Murderbot
Winner of the Hugo, Nebula and Locus Awards!
➤ Find it at Amazon | B&N | Blackwells | Abes | eBay
Fugitive Telemetry
Murderbot Diaries #6 [Novella].
Tor.com, Apr 2021. 9781250765376.
Murderbot channels Miss Marple as it plays detective on Preservation Station in this cozy murder mystery in space.
“No, I didn't kill the dead human. If I had, I wouldn't dump the body in the station mall.” – Murderbot.
Locus Award winner, 2024.
➤ Find it at Amazon | B&N | Blackwells | Abes | eBay
System Collapse
Murderbot Diaries #7 [Novel].
Tor.com, Nov 2023. 9781250826978.
Murderbot’s got anxiety, trauma, and another civilization to accidentally save, as the Barish-Estranza corporation are back and up to no good.
“Am I making it worse? I think I'm making it worse.” – Murderbot.
➤ Find it at Amazon | B&N | Blackwells | Abes | eBay
Platform Decay
Murderbot Diaries #8 [Novel].
Tor.com, May 2026. 9781250827005.
Having volunteered to run a rescue mission, Murderbot realises that it will have to spend significant time with a bunch of humans it doesn't know. Including human children. Ugh.
“Having someone else support your bad decision feels kind of good.” – Murderbot.
➤ Find it at Amazon | B&N | Blackwells
Boxed Set #1-4
Murderbot Diaries Boxed Set (#1-4) [Novellas].
Tor.com, Oct 2020. 9781250784278.
Hardback boxed set of the first four novellas.
➤ Find it at Amazon | B&N | Blackwells | Abes | eBay
Short Stories & Companion Pieces
And a few bonus stories to check out…
Obsolescence
Murderbot Diaries #0.1 [companion short story].
RWJF, Jan 2020.
A short story available in the ebook Take Us To a Better Place. Not a Murderbot story per se, but it takes place during the time period of a historical drama Murderbot watches in Exit Strategy.
Compulsory
Murderbot Diaries #0.5 [short story].
Tor.com, Jul 2023.
“Note to self: shut up.” – Murderbot.
A short story set just after Murderbot hacks its governor module.
The only physical version of this is the Subterranean Press broadside.
Home: Habitat, Range, Niche, Territory
Murderbot Diaries #4.5 [short story].
Tor.com, Apr 2021.
“Note to self: shut up.” – Murderbot.
Originally given out as a pre-order incentive for those who ordered Network Effect, this short story is now also available on Kindle or bundled into the Subterranean Press Murderbot Diaries omnibus edition.
➤ Find it at Amazon
Rapport: Friendship, Solidarity, Communion, Empathy
Murderbot Diaries #8.5 [short story].
Reactor Magazine, Jul 2025.
Illustrated by Jaime Jones; edited by Lee Harris.
Perihelion and its crew embark on a dangerous new mission at a corporate-controlled station in the throes of a hostile takeover.
➤ Read it for free online via ReactorMag
Paperback Omnibus Editions
Tordotcom released omnibus editions of the series in paperback in 2025. Cover art is by Jaime Jones – being more colourful versions of some of the earlier cover art.
The Murderbot Diaries Vol. 1
All Systems Red & Artificial Condition
Tor.com, Jan 2025, 9781250389824.
The first two novellas (books #1 and #2). Murderbot hacks its own system, discovers the joys of soap operas, and reluctantly saves humans – twice.
➤ Find it at Amazon | B&N | Waterstones | Blackwells | Abes | eBay
The Murderbot Diaries Vol. 2
Rogue Protocol & Exit Strategy
Tor.com, Jan 2025, 9781250389831.
The third and fourth novellas (books #3 and #4). On a mission to expose corporate corruption, Murderbot inadvertently collects emotional baggage and a few more humans to protect.
➤ Find it at Amazon | B&N | Waterstones | Blackwells | Abes | eBay
The Murderbot Diaries Vol. 3
Fugitive Telemetry & System Collapse
Tor.com, Jan 2025, 9781250389848.
Books #6 and #7. Murderbot tackles a classic whodunit and faces a full-blown existential crisis – because saving the galaxy is never just about plasma cannons.
(If you're counting, you'll notice book #6 is missing – it was released as a separate paperback in 2021 and hasn't yet been reprinted.)
➤ Find it at Amazon | B&N | Waterstones | Blackwells | Abes | eBay
Subterranean Press Editions
Subterranean Press has produced some of the most sought-after editions of The Murderbot Diaries, valued for their high-quality materials (premium cloth or leather, Smyth-sewn binding) and limited print runs.
The Murderbot Diaries [Omnibus]
Subterranean Press, 2021.
This omnibus edition includes the first four novellas and the bonus short story Home: Habitat, Range, Niche, Territory. That great dust jacket and interior illustrations (one b&w for each story) are by Tommy Arnold, and it's printed in two colors (red and black), on nice thick paper (80# Finch).
Signed Lettered Edition. OOP. 26 signed leatherbound copies, custom traycase. Release price $375.
Signed Limited Edition. OOP. 400 signed numbered copies. Release price $150.
Second Printing. OOP. Signed hardcover (unstated limitation). Release price $200.
Network Effect
Subterranean Press, 2021.
Like the omnibus, this edition of the first full-length Murderbot novel includes a dust jacket and five interior illustrations by Tommy Arnold, two color printing (red and black), and thick paper (70# Finch).
Signed Lettered Edition. OOP. 26 signed leatherbound copies, custom traycase. Release price $375.
Signed Limited Edition. OOP. 400 signed numbered copies. Release price $150.
Second Printing. OOP. Signed hardcover (unstated limitation). Release price $200.
Compulsory
Subterranean Press, 2023.
A unique collectible, “Compulsory” is a Murderbot short story set before All Systems Red. Subterranean printed this story as a letterpress broadside (i.e. on a single large sheet) with artwork by Tommy Arnold. The limited edition is printed letterpress on Mohawk Superfine 80# paper, and the lettered edition is on Somerset Velvet 80# with custom hot foil stamping.
Signed Lettered Edition. OOP. 26 copies. Release price $200.
Signed Limited Edition. OOP. 400 signed numbered copies. Release price $80.
System Collapse
Subterranean Press, 2024. ISBN 9781645241775.
The seventh Murderbot book has a cover and seven interior illustrations by Jaime Jones (who also painted the Tor cover art for the series), with two color printing on 70# Opaque Bright White.
Signed Lettered Edition. OOP. 26 signed leatherbound copies, custom traycase. Release price $1500.
Signed Limited Edition. OOP. 750 signed numbered copies. Release price $175.
The Broken Binding Editions
The Broken Binding released their 3-volume Murderbot special edition set in February 2026.
- Volume 1-2: All Systems Red, Artificial Condition, Rogue Protocol and Exit Strategy.
- Novel: Network Effect
- Volume 3: Fugitive Telemetry and System Collapse.
Book 1 will be signed by Martha Wells, the cover art and sprayed page edge design is by Micah Epstein; typography and foiled design on the boards by Rachel St Claire; and illustrated endpapers by Peng Lu. They have a sewn binding, head and tail bands, and acid-free paper.
Illumicrate
Illumicrate released their Murderbot exclusive editions in February 2026.
- Volume 1: All Systems Red & Artificial Condition
- Volume 2: Rogue Protocol & Exit Strategy
- Novel: Network Effect
- Volume 3: Fugitive Telemetry & System Collapse
Book 1 is signed by Martha Wells, the cover art and hidden board design is by Guy Warley; printed edge design by Jane Tibbetts; and illustrated endpapers by Joris Halgand.
Custom Dust Jackets
Custom book jacket designer Juniper Books released a limited edition set of jackets in August 2025 (now OOP) for the Tor hardbacks. Covers were designed by their in-house team, with a flipbook-style sequence of Murderbot running, metallic red foiled accents, and an author note printed inside the cover.
Nerdy Ink have also teased a new Murderbot dust jacket set designed by Alexis Lampley. Anticipated release is November/December 2025.
Where to buy Murderbot collectibles
Official Murderbot merch is available through the non-profit Worldbuilders Market. The store includes items like Sanctuary Moon t-shirts, pins, and signed books.
If you loved Murderbot, try...
I'm adding a new thing – some recommendations based on other books I've loved I think will resonate with you. Please do share your recommendations in the comments too!
Ancillary Justice - Ann Leckie
The first volume in another award-winning series (Imperial Radch) with an AI protagonist once part of a starship now stuck in one body. Introspective, political, and richly built.
→ Find it at Amazon
The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet - Becky Chambers
First volume in the Wayfarers series with found family aboard a ship, quirky characters, and heartwarming space adventures. Less action, more charm.
→ Find it at Amazon
FAQ
The title ‘Murderbot' sounds like it's going to be violent. Is Murderbot a villain?
Despite the intimidating name, Murderbot isn't a killer robot villain – it's the reluctant hero of the series. Murderbot is a part-organic security android (a “SecUnit”) that has hacked its own governor module (control programming) and become self-aware. Instead of turning into a rampaging Terminator, this socially awkward overqualified bodyguard bot (who hates its job) remains duty-bound to protect a group of scientists on an alien planet, even though it would rather be left alone to binge-watch its favorite soap-opera-style TV show (‘The Rise and Fall of Sanctuary Moon‘).
The series is basically a sci-fi adventure with a streak of dark humour – Murderbot's dry, sarcastic commentary on the “idiot” humans it must safeguard provides much of the story’s comedy.
How faithful is the series to the Murderbot Diaries books?
So far, it appears the adaptation is quite faithful to the source material, especially in terms of major plot and character beats. Season 1 is based primarily on the first book, All Systems Red (2017), and it covers the events of that novella in detail. The core premise (Murderbot protecting Dr. Mensah’s survey team on a dangerous planet while hiding the fact it hacked its governor module) and the key characters are all present (Dr Mensah and her team, as well as the general scenario with the rival corporation threat). Most importantly, the show preserves Murderbot’s unique voice and tone – in the novels, we experience everything through Murderbot’s sarcastic internal narration; the series achieves this by giving Murderbot voice-over monologues and quips that narrate its true thoughts.
We do see a bit more of Murderbot's face in the show than was on display in the books, but so far they've managed that thoughtfully. Martha Wells was involved in the adaptation as a consulting producer, which I'm confident helped ensure it was respectful to the source material. The other key change is including actual scenes from the in-universe soap opera The Rise and Fall of Sanctuary Moon – this doesn't change the plot but is a fun expansion of the world.
Will the series adapt all the books in the series? How many seasons could we get?
Season 1 adapted Book 1 (All Systems Red) of the Murderbot series. Season 2 has been approved but which of the stories it will follow hasn't been announced yet, we're unlikely to see it before late 2026.
6 Comments
Karel · 29 November 2025 at 11:08 am
From what I can gather Subterrenean Press skipped over Fugitive Telemetry? I don’t understand how they have everything so far except that story.
Daisy · 29 November 2025 at 1:16 pm
Sub Press said last year that they haven’t contracted for it yet because they were waiting to see if there were more novellas coming so they could group them together. (Fingers crossed for both of these to happen!)
Gamebird · 3 November 2025 at 1:03 pm
Fantastic information! ESE linked it to me. It’s so comprehensive. I was trying to put together a list of the various editions the other day. I’m going to replace that with a link to your article. 😀
Daisy · 3 November 2025 at 11:11 pm
Oh, thanks! So glad it’s helpful 💕
Dx
ESE · 20 June 2025 at 7:59 pm
Thank you for such a comprehensive (and up to date!) list of the books and their editions. I really hope another line of system collapse illustrated comes out, i adore jaimes jones’ illustrations. or maybe a jaime jones illustrated version of platform decay or unnamed nine, so i don’t double up on copies.
Daisy · 22 June 2025 at 3:54 pm
The success of the TV show augers well for new illustrated editions, fingers crossed! There’s also a new short story with Jaime Jones illustrations coming out on July 10 called “Rapport: Friendship, Solidarity, Communion, Empathy” in Reactor Magazine (I’ve just updated the page).