Adult Reader's Advisory: "Lock In" by John Scalzi

Lock In

By John Scalzi

Synopsis: In the near future, a new virus causes a small segment of the population to "lock in" - unable to move but with perfectly functioning brains. Science allows victims of this disease, called Haden's Syndrome, to transfer their consciousness into a "threep," a machine that allows them to move through the world, or to borrow the body of an "Integrator" for a time by transferring their consciousness into the Integrator's body. In "Lock In," rookie FBI agent Chris Shane, a Haden sufferer, and Chris' more experienced partner, Leslie Vann, are assigned to investigate a Haden-related murder that could have ripple effects that they never could have imagined.

Science Fiction Elements: 

Pacing: "Lock-In" has a quick pace. There is a lot of action, and a lot of dialogue as Chris and Leslie unravel the murder mystery at the heart of the story. Even the world-building is done in a more incidental way, with the reader picking up bits and pieces about the world as Chris moves through it, although there are a few passages of "recollection" by Chris that fill in the blanks.

Frame & Setting: The world in "Lock-In" is fleshed out, interesting, and evocative. Scalzi is descriptive in his prose, making the world easy to see. He clearly has an idea of the science behind the futuristic aspects of the world, too. However, while there are scientific details that are discussed, especially relating to computer technology, they are accessible and explained in language that anybody with a basic understanding of computers can follow.

Story Line: "Lock In" is, basically, a police procedural mystery in a science fiction world. However, within that basic plotline, the book is able to explore a variety of timely issues, including economic disparity, disability culture, and gender. While the economic disparity and, especially, disability culture discussions are at the forefront of the story, the exploration of gender is much more subtle. 

Characterization: At the core, Chris and Leslie are basic characters in a police procedural mystery. Chris is a rookie, bright-eyed and a little lost, and Leslie is the more cynical seasoned veteran. Chris is the vehicle through which Scalzi is able to examine disability culture and gender, Chris is a likable person, and the relationship between Chris and Leslie is fun to watch as it builds. However, neither Chris nor Leslie are particularly notable characters on their own.

Tone & Mood: "Lock In" is straightforward and fairly upbeat. While there is murder and tragedy throughout the book, the book does not dwell on these aspects, instead continuing to move forward as Chris tries to solve the mystery. The book does, however, throw the reader into the world and fills in most of the blanks as the story progresses, so there is some light disorientation at first.

Style & Language: "Lock In" is written in a breezy, conversational style, in first-person from Chris' perspective. It is full of dialogue without a lot of description. There is jargon and slang that is unique to the book; however, slang terms make sense once they are explained, and are easy to understand.

Read-Alikes: John Scalzi's Hugo Award-winning "Redshirts" has the same easy readability, though it is darker with a more mind-bending concept. 

"Rule 34" by Charles Stross also features a near-future detective, this time monitoring the internet for illegal activity. 

"Flashback" by Dan Simmons is a near-future murder mystery, featuring a detective addicted to a drug that allows the user to re-experience moments of the past.

"Parasite" by Mira Grant is a near-future science fiction book with thriller and horror elements, about a world where genetically engineered tapeworms live inside humans and ward off disease.

"Ready Player One" by Ernest Cline is a near-future science fiction book about a young man who immerses himself in a technological utopia to escape the bleak Earth. 

Jenny's Take: I picked a perfect book for the week we read about mysteries and science fiction, because "Lock In" is both! Specifically, it's a police procedural that takes place in the near future. I enjoyed the easy-to-read, breezy style. I'm fascinated by science and I love the way a good science fiction author can bend science into an awesome concept, but sometimes I have trouble when there's too much hard science and jargon. "Lock In" is accessible but it has a lot of very interesting, notable issues that it's able to tackle in the framework of the story. This is a great genre-bender that will appeal to both science fiction fans and fans of mysteries and thrillers. It could be a great introduction into the science fiction genre, or (like it was for me) a fun, easy read for an existing sci-fi fan.