The solution for everything you want to remember . . . or forget. Have happy memories you want to relive and preserve forever? The Memory Palace can upload and store them for you safely. Do you long to be the person you really are and live out your fantasies? Leave your cares in a Weekend Locker while you live the life you want, guilt-free. Plagued by painful memories you’d rather forget? The Memory Dungeon can help. It’s confidential. Discreet. Until a client is murdered. Now everyone’s a suspect in a world where a forgotten memory could be the perfect alibi . . . or damning evidence.
What an engrossing and compelling urban science fiction novel of a future perhaps not too far ahead, with a Mars colony and vacation to Mars a normal if expensive excursion. In an unnamed bustling Earth city, two businesses promote memory retrieval and storage. One implants a device which records all memories, thoughts, emotions, experiences, but at what eventual cost? The other provides storage for given selected memories, temporarily or long-term, and weekends or days in which one's memory and sense of self are set aside. Action without guilt.
A major theme of this novel for me is the assault on privacy that is such a strong current, an assault not by governmental agency or by law enforcement, but by elitist corporate owners. If you worry about Big Brother coming to life, definitely read this engagingly-written and fascinating novel.
I received a free copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
I definitely have mixed feelings about this one. The premise is interesting, for sure - the concepts of memories being edited or even removed is ripe for sci-fi fun. I'm also a fan of murder mysteries, and we get no fewer than 3 (!) murders to dissect. Are they related? If so, how? If not, why do the same people and company keep coming up over and over again? Some of the answers I guessed, others were a surprise, so that aspect was pretty well done.
However, the story has a major flaw, one that permeates the author's other works, and that is her fixation on romance, especially angsty romance with love triangles or other complications. Every single character has some sort of romantic baggage that they spend pages and pages languishing over. They cheated or were cheated on, they had a childhood love they lost contact with, they're obsessed with someone who might or might not return it, their previous love interest passed away...it's a whole tangled web. If you're not interested in that sort of thing at all, this story won't be for you.
I also had an issue with one of the POV characters being killed off-screen, which, imo, is a major no-no, especially since she was one of the more likable characters and felt like she was going to be more important; she had a large presence in the beginning of the book, but as soon as she was no longer of use to the convoluted romance web, off she went. It just felt very sloppy to me.
Some of the leaps the police come to (both correct and incorrect) felt contrived at times too, to keep the plot flowing the way the author needed it to, but that's a lesser complaint.
Overall, definitely mixed feelings with this one. If you don't mind a heavy romance/angst focus, you might enjoy this still, but if you don't, steer clear.
Who would have thought there would be a genius mind willing to create the ultimate device to facilitate storing your memories for safekeeping. Our memories are what helps shape us into the unique individuals we are. Through our experiences, we can possess them for a later date. Unfortunately, deteriorating brain health could cause potential memory loss and conditions such as Alzheimer's disease.
In "Memory Dungeon," author R. T. W. Lipkin gives the story an introduction by mentioning memory storage, almost similar to something simple as using your brain as a hard drive to transfer files to a storage facility. The owner of Memory Palace, Colin Birk, describes his early childhood memory, as far back as four-years-old, and what inspired him to develop the company. The ability he had at such a young age to compartmentalize his memories in the association of different rooms in his house leads to the development of a memory storage facility. An overbearing mother, Page Sheppard, attempted to view her daughter Meg's memories on Colin's computer screen and lost her balance. Due to her cerebral memory implant causing her migraines, she fell and bumped her head on the edge of his glass desk. An investigation is underway to crack down if this was either an accident or homicide. Not wanting a scandal, Colin and his team cooperated fully with the feds.
I enjoyed reading this book and it made me wonder if there is such a facility to pay a subscription to house your memories. I highly recommend this book to everyone, it might even spark some curiosity on ways to preserve your most cherished memories.
Set in near-future, Lipkin’s outstanding latest explores the themes of memory and ethics through the lenses of science fiction and mystery thriller.
Colin Birch, owner and operator of the Memory Palace—a facility for storing and experiencing memories, finds himself in the middle of a police probe after brutal murders rock the city. As the authorities launches their investigation, shocking revelations come to surface, unraveling a web of dark secrets.
Lipkin’s smooth narrative and expert pacing and structure keep the story engrossing from beginning to end. Lipkin builds conceivable motives for the suspects while simultaneously delving into her characters’ private lives.
As bodies start piling up, the whole concept of memory storage raises questions about the ethics and ramifications of scientific advancements. Using neat, precise prose to paint awe-inspiring depictions of the futuristic world, Lipkin offers a troubling glimpse into the future of mankind with the advancement of technology.
There are real moments of anxiety to keep the pages turning as the taut, suspenseful plot barrels toward its shocking, satisfying ending.
This futuristic mystery is thoroughly addictive and unforgettable.
Normally thrillers are not books I read glad to say I found myself totally engaged in the storyline it flows well and kept me entertained throughout the pages. The characters are attention grabbers and the twists and. Turns kept clued to my seat.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Do you have memories you want to keep reliving? What about had memories? In this tale there is a place where memories can be saved and it is working well until someone is murdered. How will they find the truth? Has it been locked away? See how they get to find the killer
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Memory Dungeon by R. T. W. Lipkin is a wonderful story to read. I loved reading this story and I was so hooked on it from the very beginning till the end of this story. I highly recommend this story to everyone who loves reading about mystery, soft Sci-Fi and romantic suspense.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Allow two days for this NC17 complicated dystopian web of implicit blackmail in the form of a far-future police procedural further tangled by emotions.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.