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Lock In (Narrated by Wil Wheaton)

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Lock In (Narrated by Wil Wheaton)

By: John Scalzi
Narrated by: Wil Wheaton
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AudioFile Best Voices - Sci Fi, Fantasy, and Audio Theater, 2014

2 editions. 2 narrators. 1 thrilling story. You can enjoy Amber Benson's narration here.

"I love working with Audible, in no small part because they’re committed to doing what’s right, both for my books, and the people who listen to those books. There's a really excellent reason for Lock In to have two entirely different versions, so when it came time to make the audiobook, Audible did an ingenious thing: they asked both Wil Wheaton and Amber Benson to record entire versions of the book. As the author, I’m impressed with Audible’s commitment to my narrative - and I’m geeking out that both Wil and Amber are reading my book. This is fantastic." (John Scalzi)

A blazingly inventive near-future thriller from the best-selling, Hugo Award-winning John Scalzi.

Not too long from today, a new, highly contagious virus makes its way across the globe. Most who get sick experience nothing worse than flu, fever, and headaches. But for the unlucky one percent - and nearly five million souls in the United States alone - the disease causes "Lock In": Victims fully awake and aware, but unable to move or respond to stimulus. The disease affects young, old, rich, poor, people of every color and creed. The world changes to meet the challenge.

A quarter of a century later, in a world shaped by what's now known as "Haden's syndrome", rookie FBI agent Chris Shane is paired with veteran agent Leslie Vann. The two of them are assigned what appears to be a Haden-related murder at the Watergate Hotel, with a suspect who is an "integrator" - someone who can let the locked in borrow their bodies for a time. If the Integrator was carrying a Haden client, then naming the suspect for the murder becomes that much more complicated.

But "complicated" doesn't begin to describe it. As Shane and Vann began to unravel the threads of the murder, it becomes clear that the real mystery - and the real crime - is bigger than anyone could have imagined.

BONUS AUDIO: Audible's audio edition of Lock In contains the bonus novella, Unlocked: An Oral History of Haden's Syndrome, written by John Scalzi and narrated by a full cast.

©2014 John Scalzi (P)2014 Audible Inc.
Fantasy Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Medical Post-Apocalyptic Science Fiction Thriller & Suspense Exciting
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Critic reviews

"Hugo-winner Scalzi successfully shifts away from space opera with this smart, thoughtful near-future thriller resonant with the themes of freedom, ethics, and corporate greed….This powerful novel will intrigue and entertain both fans and newcomers." ( Publishers Weekly)
"The novel--which contains plenty of action, great character development, vivid and believable worldbuilding and a thought-provoking examination of disability culture and politics--is definitely worth the ride." ( Kirkus)
"Another brilliant novel from a writer who has quickly become one of the genre’s most successful and intriguing practitioners." ( Booklist)
"With narrator Wil Wheaton attacking Scalzi's text with both vigor and nuance, this story tells about a silent minority being given voice, then having that voice threatened.... Thanks to Wheaton's skillful efforts, this production is an enjoyable melding of narrator and material." ( AudioFile)
All stars
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Really enjoyed this story but kept getting pulled out of it by the word "said" used way too much.

Great story but uses the word "said" too much

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...but it was great! I went in blind and was treated to a sci-fi buddy cop movie. Look forward to the next book.

Not what I was expecting...

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I loved this book. It has all the fast, edge-of-your-seat pacing of a thriller and with the addition of a Scalzi's fascinating idea - what would it be like to be in someone else's head? It is a testament to the book how frequently my mind has wandered back to this odd question since reading it.
The book uses this theme and the problems and opportunities it raises to great affect. I found myself constantly trying to guess the end, constantly trying to get in just a few more minutes of listening time hoping to hear the answer to the latest puzzle in the case.

Wil Wheaton's narration was perfect for the book. He adds realism to the emotions, in the book we are often being asked to sympathise with characters in positions it's not possible for any of us imagine but the Mr Wheaton's narration makes the feelings and thoughts feel normal and relatable.

Exciting

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I think the best words to describe this book are ‘a mystery science-fiction detective story’.
Very unusual book set in not too far future which is both realistic and terrifying at the same time.

An idea of a virus spreading across the world is not new, however John Scalzi’s style and humour turned this book into a thrilling experience. It doesn’t take much for the reader to work out where the story takes you, but it does make you stop and think...

It should be noted that the final two hours of the book are an accompanying novella read by different narrators. At first I was disappointed, but then started to enjoy the additional information which further integrated you with this future set up. This has such potential for a movie!

Narration! It’s Will Wheaton! I love Will Wheaton! Splendid! Fantastic! The best!

I hope they will turn it into a movie! Enjoyable!

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Really great story, with 2+ hrs of thought provoking "bonus" material covering the run up. The production suffered - did Wil by any chance mispronounce "Agora" during the first take? Plenty of obviously reworked sections, distractingly so.

Great story, but the production suffered

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