Lock In by John Scalzi - 4 stars

[Jen K]

New to the FBI, Chris Shane is paired with Vann to investigate crime involving those with Haden's syndrome, either those "locked" in their bodies or integrators. The first case seems to spiral as they find dead integrators outside of the system and others that seem to not quite know what is happening. Shane adjusts to a new job, finding a new residence in DC (and roommates) as well as getting to know his new partner and find the source of the trouble and death.

It definitely took me a bit to really absorb the world building with the threeps, Hadens and integrators but it was addictive once I got it. The action is constant and I appreciated that Shane was able to quickly if not easily follow up on leads across the country with visitor threeps. Beyond the police action, it is interesting to think about the larger question of how people interact in society and on the terms of that accessibility. I enjoyed the story and characters.

[Robin P]

An element I missed was that it is deliberately written so that Chris can be male or female. I did the audio by Wil Wheaton, so I assumed male, but there is another audio with a female narrator.

[Jen K]

Oh my goodness, I completely missed that aspect!! I had a hardcover but still assumed male. Will need to think on that one. So cool!

[Theresa]

Yes, I only discovered that on reading an interview Scalzi did. I then had to go back and do a quick skim. I definitely skewed male in my thinking. Scalzi's wife is adament Chris is female.

I loved this. There's a prequel short story that was published about 6 months before this that reads like an official analysis and report on Hadens and the aftermath. I read it before I was too far into Lock In, liked it a lot and found it helpful. It's Unlocked: An Oral History of Haden's Syndrome

[Robin P]

There is a sequel also - Head On

[Sue]

I enjoyed this one too. It was the first book I read from Scalzi, and between the writing and Wil Wheaton's narration I've been hooked.

[Jgrace]

The prequel, Unlocked, is a multi-narrator extra to the audiobook of Lock In.
( I listened to Wil Wheaton read the book. )

[Jen K]

Thanks for the extra info! I may need to try the sequel in audio if I can find it.

[Karin]

I've read all of these and found them to be among the better Scalzi books I've read. Four stars for books one and two, three stars for the prequel. I leaned male.