In some ways, Lock In by John Scalzi is two different things lurking inside one book. On the one hand, it is a sketch of a fascinating possible future where an epidemic has left millions of people fully conscious in fully paralyzed bodies, yet where technology exists that allow them to project their consciousness into androids or (more rarely) specially gifted human beings. On the other, it’s a page-turner of a police procedural, strong on the not-quite-buddy cop dynamic.
I was deeply intrigued by the former, then entertained by the latter. But I believe the world Scalzi created deserves further exploration: he sketches the possible technology, the political and social implications, and the impact of the presence of such a sizable population of lock-in’s (as they’re called) in a way that cries out for more. Wikipedia claims a sequel is in the mix, but given there is a decade of latitude in its publication date, I’ll believe (and buy) it when I see it.
Once the police procedural kicks in, the story moves very quickly, and the obligatory twists at the end are satisfying and believable within the world and characters he has created. So, well done, there.
#WhatIWishICouldDo
As the kids these days would say, I wish I could genre. Scalzi does, impeccably: he is writing within an established form and he stays faithful to its limits, its rhythm, and its tone. Doing that well–and he does–is one way to build and maintain a faithful audience of enthused readers.