Behavior: A Dystopian Science-Fiction Crime Thriller

by Christopher B. Owen

In the year 2084, Chloe Olivier is accused of murdering her husband, a crime she believes she did not commit. Convicted, she faces a life sentence, yet not in any prison, for in this dystopian future, there are no prisons. In the draconian world of the Incorporate States of America, every aspect of a criminal’s life is monitored and controlled by a behavior modification chip placed in their brains. So no need for prison walls; the convicted can walk the streets freely. And yet, they are never free, for a series of faceless ‘warders’ and automated AIs keep them in line. For Chloe, who had been a major celebrity prior to her husband’s murder, this new life is a nightmare. Forced down into the depths of criminal servitude, her existence seems bleak, and yet, one day hope arrives that she believes might clear her name and reveal the reality of her husband’s death. And that hope is contained in the very chip that resides within her head—a chip that she discovers is much more than she, or her oppressors, expected it to be.

412 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 22, 2023

About the author

Christopher Owen lives in Colorado with his wife and two cats. His work has appeared at Daily Science Fiction, Every Day Fiction, Mirror Dance, New Myths and other places. He is a graduate of the Odyssey Writing Workshop and the Yale Summer Writers’ Conference.

Reviews

[Gene Rowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘Behavior’ is a story about an actress in a futuristic society unjustly accused of murdering her brilliant and wealthy husband. In the aftermath of a guilty verdict, we are introduced to a dystopic version of the USA – now the ISA – in which criminals are fitted with a behavioural chip for the slightest malfeasance, while the rich and powerful live as they please. However, it turns out that our protagonist, Chloe, has a rather special chip already inserted in her brain (as most do, to access digital assistants) that makes her of interest to a group of rebels who hope to overturn the system. Thus, there is fighting, rescue, flight, and ultimately, a show-down with the evil president and various out-of-control minions… and another mysterious entity pulling strings in the wings.

I enjoyed this book greatly. To start, in spite of being independently published, this is A Proper Book by A Proper Author, and in fact, it puts to shame most of the novels I’ve recently read by the main publishing houses. It is well edited, and the writing is sharp and professional: there are barely any technical errors. The book also comes with a Dramatis Personae and a glossary of terms, and the Afterword by the author about the writing of the book is also of interest. Anyway, because of the compelling style, I was hooked. I especially liked some of the early characterisations (the lawyer Hammer, and the irritating detective Knight, for example, were especially well drawn), but I found the main heroes relatable, and the villains credible, while the plotting was clever, the dialogue mostly worked, and the action scenes were well handled.

As an aside, I notice one reviewer took off a mark because some of the characters use the F word. I mean, really? That reviewer should stick to reading children’s books, particularly for kindergarteners. The swearing isn’t egregious and is completely in fitting with the characters involved. I’m so annoyed with that dumb review that even if I weren’t going to give Mr Owen a five star, I would do now just to right that wrong.

Thank you, Mr Owen, for an enjoyable read. I’ll be looking out for your other books.

[Allart Hoekzema Nieboer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Technological nightmares and mind boggling twists

Not so long ago I read ‘Broken’ by Braxton A. Cosby, a dystopian novel not only inspired by ‘The Hunger Games’ and ‘The Vampire Diaries’ but also directly by true literary legends like Aldous Huxley and George Orwell. I remember I wrote in my review that it was dystopian literature at its best. Now, luckily, I read another work of the very same level: ‘Behavior’ by Christopher B. Owen. This time we’re talking about a dystopian science-fiction crime thriller. I know, it’s a mouthful, but it simply means that it’s an awesome book set in the near future with a great female protagonist and a breathtaking plot and pace. It’s the year 2084 (remember Orwell’s 1984!) and the story begins exactly where it should begin: at the murder scene, which is the key moment of this thriller. As a reader you’re immediately pulled into an adventure full of technological nightmares and mind boggling twists. You’ll get your fair portion of AI centered reflections, politics, sociology and philosophy. But in the end I see it essentially as an almost classic tale about good and evil. Former celebrity/actress Chloe Olivier (it echoes the name of Laurence Olivier!) fights against enormous adversities: as the main suspect in the murder of her husband she sees herself obliged to give her everything to prove her innocence and to beat phenomenal enemies in the terrifying ‘Incorporate States of America’. I say it again: dystopian literature at its best.

[Vladimir Stepanov · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fusion of dystopian science fiction, mystery, and psychological thriller

This book is a captivating fusion of dystopian science fiction, mystery, and psychological thriller. Set in the year 2084, the novel introduces Chloe Olivier, a former celebrity accused of her husband's murder. But in this unsettling future, there are no traditional prisons. Instead, criminals like Chloe have their behavior controlled by a chip implanted in their brains, allowing them to walk free—yet never truly free.

The story takes a deep dive into the dystopian world of the Incorporate States of America, where surveillance and mind control have replaced physical confinement. Chloe’s struggle to maintain her sense of self while being monitored by faceless overseers and AI warders is gripping. As she battles to uncover the truth behind her husband’s death, the plot twists and turns, revealing unexpected layers of both the world and the characters.

What sets Behavior apart is the way it combines elements of Orwellian control with the intensity of a murder mystery. Chloe’s internal conflict and the terrifying possibilities of the chip in her head make for a thrilling ride. Owen’s pacing keeps readers on edge, and the plot's twists will keep you guessing until the final pages. A must-read for fans of dystopian fiction and gripping mysteries

[Daniel Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting

In Christopher B. Owen’s inventive sci-fi thriller “Behavior,” celebrity Chloe Olivier finds her glamorous life shattered when she’s convicted of murdering her husband. With prisons abolished in a totalitarian 2084, offenders face terrifying fates: implanted behavior chips controlling their every move according to the whims of cold, omnipotent AI overlords. But as Olivier descends into forced servitude, shocking revelations about the advanced chip technology offer a sliver of hope—if she dare seize control from her captors. Owen delivers a compulsively readable high-concept premise melding taut mystery with technological dystopia vibes reminiscent of “Black Mirror.” While supporting characters occasionally veer close to one-dimensional, protagonist Olivier anchors the narrative with her sympathetic plight. Owen builds a haunting authoritarian landscape through Chloe’s eyes before igniting the powder-keg plot with profound questions about free will under AI governance run amok. A few contrived plot points stain an otherwise propulsive rollercoaster. For dystopian fans craving an accessible, cinematic page-turner, Behavior starts a binge-worthy series fueled by ominous innovation.

[T.N. Traynor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intelligent plot with unexpected twist

This is dystopian science fiction blended with murder mystery.
Interesting world building and very well written.
Having been accused of killing her husband, a crime she can't remember committing, Chloe Oliview is sentenced to a life working for ISA.
Controlled by a brain implant and guarded by robots Chloe must work out for herself what is going on behind the scenes.
Highly imaginative, unique, and exciting.
A bit too much swearing for me but I acknowledge it is part of the parcel to a modern novel. Besides that, I really enjoyed this read.

[Robert Adamson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun book. Well written.