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  • Lock In (Narrated by Wil Wheaton)

  • Written by: John Scalzi
  • Narrated by: Wil Wheaton
  • Length: 9 hrs and 56 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (371 ratings)

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Lock In (Narrated by Wil Wheaton)

Written by: John Scalzi
Narrated by: Wil Wheaton
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Publisher's Summary

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.

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)

Average Customer Ratings
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  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

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

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

Said said said said

My god. How did this pass an editor? He said.
Apparently nobody bothered actually reading the book! She said.
What a maddeningly frustrating writing style. I said.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Meh

I was glad to finish this book and wouldn’t recommend it. It’s kind of clunky. The author also says ‘he said’ or ‘she said’ sooooo often! It’s basically the only way they get a conversation going and it gets under your skin after a chapter.
Wil Wheaton did a great job though.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

Interesting concept, poor characters and plot

Although the story was written within a very compelling world I found the story and characters quite dull. Beyond the characters being one dimensional the plot seemed to be full of ridiculously convenient plot devices and tropes.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Witty and fun

I purchased this title not sure whether I would like it or not, and after 5 minutes I was hooked. Wil Wheaton's performance is excellent. The story reinvents the genre. So overall, a good choice!

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1 person found this helpful

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

Excellent book

The story starts off with a murder. Throughout the book we learn about a disease and how it impacts individuals and society. It's a layered world with realistic conflicts and motivations. Narration is excellent. I enjoyedthe novella at the end... clever depth and world building.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Great mystery/dystopian book!

An entertaining and action filled book. It can be a bit slow and difficult to understand at the beginning but once you understand what is really going on, you will be hooked. Mystery is a new genre to me (having only read Agatha Christie’s murder on the orient express) and it’s easily becoming one of my favorites thanks to this book.
Will Wheaton makes an awesome performance, really giving the character a very natural voice overall. Once you get over the “he said, she said” everything falls into place.
I had a distaste with the ending, that left me wanting more! But overall, it’s a great science fiction dystopian view of the future.
Cannot wait to begin Head On.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Good but not great

I had a hard time getting behind the concept of this one and a harder time getting behind the narration. While I don’t dislike Wil Wheaton I just don’t find his voice suiting to this story. Maybe he was trying to be a bit flatter to play off emotionless robot idea? But overall I feel like his narration hurt the story for me.
#Audible1

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

what a boring, short audiobook!

All buildup and no pay out. I've listened to hundreds of auditions and I don't think I've ever been more disappointed. In order to make the book seem longer, they added a random "novella" at the end, which doesn't translate well to audiobook at all. I won't be moving on with this series.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Feels like ready player one but not really?

It kindy feels like ready player one because of the Agora/Oasis similarities but other than being in the same genre that's pretty much all they have in common. Would have liked a deeper description of the characters and environment. Also the "I said" "she said" happens a looot. short back and forth dialogues go down badly when they're interrupted by descriptors all the time. The characters felt a little cliche and the protagonist didn't have as much actual character development as I would have liked (I liked how he showed his rich-boiness with frivolous purchases and off hand remarks, more of that).
Also the antagonist seemed pretty weak, the motivations were good but the execution felt a little convenient.

If you're looking for a decent sci-fi cop novel with an interesting take on legislature and disability this book is pretty good.

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1 person found this helpful