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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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About this listen

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 Medical Post-Apocalyptic Science Fiction Thriller & Suspense Exciting

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
Most relevant  
I said, he said, she said, he asked, I exclaimed, she said, I said. There were so many saids. Also, I felt there were too many characters. There must have been a hundred names in this book. And characters sometimes referred to by their first name, sometimes by their last.

Worth finishing for the interesting story, but it wasn't easy.

Great plot, average writing

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I love sci fi and really don’t read the genre as much as I should. I picked up Lock In via Audible on a whim, knowing only a little about the plot but probably tempted by the fact Wil Wheaton was its narrator. I’m so happy I did, I loved this book.

In the near future a virus (eventually called Haden’s Syndrome after America’s First Lady who becomes the most famous victim of the virus) sweeps across the world, killing many with flu like symptoms and causing many others to be ‘locked in’ their bodies. Being locked in means your mind still functions but you cannot move your body. Science’s answer to this becomes the invention of a network which is implanted into the brains of Hadens. With this network, victims can communicate and leave their inert bodies. The two popular choices to become mobile are sharing the body of selected humans (called Integrators) or, more commonly, utilising robot bodies called Threeps.

Our hero, Chris Shane, is a sufferer of Haden’s and, apart from the First Lady, the most well known sufferer. The son of a famous basketball player, Chris became the poster child for the successful introduction of Threeps into society and showing everyone that it was possible for Hadens to live a full and worthwhile life. His celebrity status is kind of fascinating, especially when, in reality, no one but his parents are probably familiar with what he truly looks like.

Now an adult, Chris joins the FBI and, partnered with a tough female agent, Leslie Vann, is assigned to a unit specialising in solving crimes involving Hadens. Vann and Chris have great chemistry. Their wit, especially during interrogations, is great fun. Although Chris cannot really convey facial expressions and Vann is a walking cliche of police procedural leading ladies, both show a surprising amount of depth and both shine during their more poignant scenes. Shane especially with the family members of one of the book’s victims and Vann when she reveals her sad backstory. They're definitely likeable leads.

If you’re not a fan of scifi, I think you could still enjoy the book. It reads more like a mystery/thriller. The major crime plot involves Hadens and Integrators committing crimes, including terrorist acts. As the story progresses there are lots of social and political themes that gets the reader thinking.

I will admit I was kind of confused with the technical babble in the first part of the book but, pretty quickly, you get the idea of what is going on.

If you do think the scifi aspect will get the better of you though, I’d recommend you read Lock In like me, via audible. Wil Wheaton’s narration was excellent. He does nothing here that will harm his iconic status. I’ve immediately started listening to the prequel novella and the sequel (Head On) will be next on my list.

5 out of 5

Absolute 5 out of 5

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This is great speculative fiction. A cool story wrapped around an engaging premise. I struggled to not just listen to it constantly.

Another Great Story From A Great Author

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It was an unusual story. Very creative and 'out there' I guess. I struggled at first because some descriptions were a bit vague so I didn't quite understand what was happening and didn't know what a "Threep" (no idea how to spell it) was for a long time. Or even that the main character was in one for a long time.
Maybe that's just me and I zoned out for those parts? It was a good story in the end and it's fun to think of what it would be like to live in a world like that.
Like other reviews say: It says 'He said' 'she said' way too much! Like I KNOW who's talking, you don't need to tell me every time! But I got use to it so it was fine in the end.

Good.

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Highly entertaining novel. The premise is very plausible and the police drama moves along with good pace. Never a dull moment. Liked the characters, liked the history.
The novella was a great wrap up and helped clarify the main story. Wil Wheaton again does a great job in bringing the whole thing alive and rocketing along.

Lock in - John Scalzi (Will Wheaton)

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I thought that this is a well executed story.

After reading the introduction, I wasn't able to put it down.

The only thing that bugged me was the over use of 'he said', 'she said', etc. Although it didn't detract from a great story

Loved the book, it drew me in from the the start

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Have only just discovered Scalzi. Combines humour and creative sci-fi. Just love him. He has set a detective story in a unique universe. Particularly enjoyed the extra novella at the end

Creative and funny

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This. This is good storytelling! Get it, I promise you won't regret it. Download it now.

Outstanding techno thriller!

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great creativity and story, complex and rich at times, perhaps a little simple and obvious at times, but always engrossing.

A crime procedural thriller for a new age.

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Near future pandemic leads to robots, leads to conspiracy, leads to crime thriller cop story turned sci-fi.
So utterly addictive I couldn't stop listening every chance I could!
Will does a solid job narrating, story is wildly fun and engaging and the bonus novella..well that was icing on the cake. Think world war z style documentary on the backstory. Loved it!

Amazing

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