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Lock In (Narrated by Wil Wheaton)

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Lock In (Narrated by Wil Wheaton)

Written by: John Scalzi
Narrated by: Wil Wheaton
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About this listen

AudioFile Best Voices - Sci Fi, Fantasy, and Audio Theater, 2014

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 & Forensic Post-Apocalyptic Science Fiction
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What the critics say

"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)

What listeners say about Lock In (Narrated by Wil Wheaton)

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Fun, ok but nothing too deep or special

It was OK. Felt like the film Surrogates meets World War Z. Wheaton was on point, and the world building was great. I found the story a little convoluted and the dialog was just so cliche. If you have any cliche criminal/lawyer/cop banter in mind while reading this review, I bet you it's verbatim in the book.

I think I preferred the afterword novella a little more (Unlocked) though it also screamed World War Z lite at me. If I can pick up Head On on sale I'll give the series another go.

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good read

loved this book very believeable..very authentic. interesting aspect as to the future of mechanical replacements

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  • Overall
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Great new series to try

Excellent book! The crime drama was as fascinating as as the world-building. I look forward to reading more in the series.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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compelling story

Scalzi writes in an entertaining style. He incorporates many pop culture references in his stories. Locked In is a combination of sci-fi and murder mystery in one. #Audible1

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  • Overall
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Freakishly prescient and incredibly interesting

When I first picked this title up, I was certain it was written during or after the pandemic. It was not. It's basically a carbon copy of what happened, just with the idea of what could have been if even more money and tech were brought to bear on the problem.

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Unexpectedly Good

I’m a Star Trek:Next Gen nut. I admit it. I bought this book because of the narrator. It took me a few tries to really sink into the story but once I got about an hour in, I was hooked.

#Audible1 There is so much to be appreciated about this book, beyond the story. How we treat the differently-abled, how we fund initiatives that allow them to fully participate in society and even the resentment of having to fund those initiatives. It’s presented in a fabulous story that made me really question who’s side I would be on.

I think this would make an excellent book club selection. I’m also considering buying the other narrator’s version and wonder how that would change the story.

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Great book

Really enjoyed this book. Wil Wheaton always does a great job at narrating. The story line was very interesting and really seems like something that could happen in our own world, which as always makes the whole book more intriguing.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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A Pandemic of a Different Colour

The death toll in the US had just hit 100,000 from a Covid-19 when I started this book. We haven’t seen the second wave yet but I hope the nations of the world will rise to the occasion to care and put the health of our neighbours first as done in this fictional world.
Also, it’s a damn fine who-dunnit tale with a great narrator. Good book. Good performance.

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One of my favourites

Wil Wheaton is an amazing narrator and he really brings Chris and their story alive. John Scalzi wrote an amazing story in a very interesting world. Fantastic listen!

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I have a new Author I really like!

This is my first novel by this author. It had a great story line which included material nothing close to anything I have ever read before. How refreshing!

The story was very original and the time went by like that. I couldn't believe it was the end of the book. I actually looked to see if I had a faulty audio version. Nope I didn't.

My only complaint is as time I got confused as to who was who. No big deal, I just had to go back a few times. Still 5 star worthy in my opinion. I presume there is another book in this series and will use a credit to get it!

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4 people found this helpful