This was definitely an all-vibes audiobook that came into my life at the perfect time. I was so invested in the high-tech near future world that Pinter created. I fully believed that our society's obsession with true crime and virtual reality could culminate into true crime simulations. This setting allowed for intriguing questions surrounding the price tag of one's life and, more on the nose, one's life story. The opening events immediately drew me in; The Blight and our protagonist's connection to it, as well as her need to clear her husband's name or come to terms with what he did. I really liked Cassie, and I think she had the perfect POV position for this narrative. She straddled the two "sides" of this world, starting off as an active participant in putting a price on families' tragedies and then suddenly becoming a victim or target, being exploited herself.

The biggest element that is holding Past Crimes back is its marketing label as a thriller. Yes, there are twists...in fact, there was a major twist that totally took me off guard! And that rarely happens these days. However, I would describe this as more of a mystery/suspense. There was a great balance of science fiction and mystery/suspense elements. At this point, one of my favorite genre blends this year has been the sci-fi mystery, and I have already recommended this book to numerous people. Highly recommended for those fascinated by humanity's historical obsession with true crime, social commentary on corruption, and depictions of societal progress in the wrong direction,

Actual Rating: 5 stars
Original Pub Date: 6 Feb 2024
Reading Format: audio

Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for an audio-ARC copy in exchange for this honest review!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a audio ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This book is a really good balance of the scifi and thriller genres. The pacing is very well executed- nothing felt rushed or lagging and the story progressed at a pace that felt in line with the plot progression. I flew threw this book and finished in about a day
The are a few things that did feel unrealistic or required me to suspend my disbelief (some of the technological advancements that are supposedly less than a decade away, for example) but a lot of that is built into the story very seamlessly. So even if I don't think people's interest in true crime would manifest and develop into what it is this book, I am able to look past that because its handled in a way that is both recognizing of the extreme nature while not going full camp.
The narration was very good though I did find some of the narration "in times of distress" to be a drop over the top.

Unable to give feedback as title didn't want to downland to the netgalley shelf app. I'm not sure if this is an error in my part or if the app is just not the best working app.

Enter a future where true crime podcasts have inspired a Disneyland-like park and there are plenty of people hungry for content along with plenty of lives to be harmed by these crimes. This book delightfully stabs its listeners right in their true crime obsessions with an overall enjoyable story.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

This was an interesting thriller. The concept was very different and made the story so gripping.

Absolutely loved it! It had a fantastic plot and it contained plenty of twists. The characters were well-developed and there were cool breadcrumbs that were dropped even though I didn't catch them at the time. It was impossible to put it down, to the point that I even had my monotoned smart device read it to me so I could do the dishes! Gripping, twisty, and definitely my type of science fiction!

I enjoyed this book. And have read similar Sci fi types where peoples consciousness can occupy an Earth Plus scenario. Although the protagonist kept making daft decisions and promises, which had me telling her off, it still kept my attention til the end.

Thank you @netgalley and @dreamscape_media for the ALC in exchange for an honest review.

I don't mean to be harsh, but honestly this book was a reminder of why I don't like science fiction.

I loved the concept of this book, but the execution was not really my style.
The book started off strong, but once the world building was complete, it felt like a chore to read this book.

This book takes itself too seriously. The characters are one dimensional and Cassie was just so annoying. The ending was too drawn out for my taste. The only thing I can honestly say I liked, apart from the world building, was the epilogue, though I do have some problems with that as well.

Past Crimes is set in the future where life has become isolated and people live much of their life in the virtual world. True crime is one of the biggest forms of entertainment as individuals reenact or just observe notorious crimes. Cassie West works as an agent responsible for approaching grieving families and obtaining the rights to their tragedies.

Unfortunately, she becomes one of the grief-stricken people herself as her beloved husband is blamed for inspiring a huge mass murder/suicide event that is called The Blight. She doesn't believe he could have been the leader of this movement and spends a decade trying to convince others that he was innocent.

Now, the virtual world of Past Crimes is set to release a new playable simulation of The Blight and Cassie and others who suspect they haven't been told the whole truth about the mass extinction, travel to Past Crimes' headquarters to uncover answers.

I liked this book but didn't love it. It's not a long book (less than 300 pages/10 hours) but it felt long to me.

I don't read a lot of dystopian fiction so I may not have been the best reader for this one. I will recommend it to readers who like futurist books with strong female characters.

Earlier this week, I finally got around to listening to Jason Pinter’s newest novel: Past Crimes.

In a world so consumed by true crime and the virtual world comes Cassie West, a crime licensor for one such agency making money from past crimes. When her world is rocked and she is connected to a horrible crime it also comes with her becomes a target herself. Trying to survive, Cassie works to discover and unveil the truth in a race against time.

“Action-packed, satirical and beyond compelling, Past Crimes examines our obsession with true crime and how the pain of others has become a multi-billion-dollar industry, while also exploring the sinister possibilities of the virtual world.”
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I received this audiobook in advance of the initial publication release.
As someone who was SUPER into sci-fi growing up and is just getting back into it, this was a great read. There was character development, a solid plot, and a fast pace. I would recommend this to anyone who is interested in an easy sci-fi read and wants a storyline that is semi realistic.

+ Found Family
+ Fast Pace
+ Low Barrier to Entry for Understanding
+ Easy listen, some thought required but not a lot

- Political commentary was strong
- Room for greater character development on “bad guy”
- Big moment was pretty predictable
- Seemed to leave off with room for more…not sure if there is a second but could be good.

“There weren’t enough 1s and 0s to replicate what was in front of them.”

Happy reading!

I knew I would love this from the first mention and it did not disappoint! From the futuristic portrayal of the evolution of true crime to the immersion in people’s fascination with criminals, Past Crimes reads like a fever dream and I wish I could read it again for the first time!

The first half of this was fabulous; the second half was like average YA fare.

Review copy provided by publisher.

A dystopian future where reality blurs and virtual obsessions reign supreme....…..

Book Information

Past Crimes by Jason Pinter is a 288-page speculative thriller published on February 6, 2024. The audio version is narrated by Ellen Quay and spans 10 hours and 25 minutes. Thank you to Dreamscape Media for providing me an Advance Readers Copy for review.

Summary

In 2037, human interactions shift to virtual reality, where true-crime buffs solve cases through hyper-realistic simulations. Past Crimes leads this lucrative industry, dubbed the Disneyland of Death. Cassie West, who secures crime licenses for V.I.C.E, persuades grieving families to sell their tragedies. Despite financial strain, Cassie and her husband Harris anticipate parenthood. However, tragedy strikes one night, triggering a crisis as emergency drones swarm their home. Cassie faces a dangerous battle, navigating threats in both real and virtual worlds, to uncover the truth and prevent more harm.

My Thoughts

Past Crimes by Jason Pinter presents a unique blend of genres, seamlessly weaving together elements of satire, sci-fi, thriller, mystery, dystopia, and speculative fiction. The novel introduces a fascinating premise set in a bleak near future, drawing parallels to the tone of Ready Player One but with a darker twist. Pinter's novel serves as a poignant social commentary, exploring a world where humanity's obsession with the virtual realm eclipses reality, while deftly incorporating references to current events and issues to lend credibility to the created world. With echoes of Orwellian warnings and a dash of Gibson-esque cyberpunk flair, Past Crimes is a pulse-pounding story that will leave you thinking.

The story unfolds as a fast-paced sci-fi thriller. Pinter's adept world-building and well-executed plot contribute to the book's flow. Moreover, the characters are thoughtfully crafted, adding depth and complexity to the narrative. It’s a white-knuckle ride through a world where the digital shadows hold more secrets than reality itself.

While the book excels in many aspects, it occasionally veers towards telling rather than showing, and some instances of dialogue may appear stilted. However, these minor flaws are overshadowed by the overall strength of the writing.

In the audiobook format, Ellen Quay's narration shines, providing a seamless experience that enhances the story's action and renders the protagonist relatable and personable.

Recommendation

Past Crimes offers an intriguing and thought-provoking exploration of a dystopian future. A chilling glimpse into a future where the line between truth and simulation blurs beyond recognition. It boasts well-developed characters and an intricate plot that will appeal to fans of speculative fiction and sci-fi thrillers alike. Recommended.

Rating

4 Virtual Stars

In the year 2037, true crime has become a commodity. In our own year of 2023, the victims of true crime are being increasingly exploited, and the author explores a future in which people clamor to experience the true crimes they have read about firsthand in a virtual reality. They can talk to a murderer, witness their crimes, and investigate the crime scenes for clues they think the detectives missed. All for a subscription fee, of course….and those involved have to sign away the rights to their stories, usually as a result of great manipulation and desperation.

The beginning of the book was slightly disjointed, and I wasn’t initially engaged as I waited for the story to come together. I debated not finishing this one. Luckily, after the first few chapters, the introduction came together and the story moved forward, so I decided to stick with it. I’m glad I did!

Though I’m skeptical that the industry will ever get THIS bad, it is an interesting idea to explore. As someone with an interest in true crime, I do have a lot of concerns about the ethics of the industry lately and have become much more selective about what I consume. Unfortunately, in this future world, most people have no qualms about being as gross and exploitative as possible.

The mysteries that main character Cassie West works to uncover are interesting and surprising. Also, the bonds she forms with her found family are really sweet and I was glad there was a note of hope at the end.

My only other complaint was some slightly clunky exposition here and there. At times, a character would explain some aspect of this future world to another character as if they didn’t already know all about it. For example - I assume everyone who uses a visor and goes into Earth Plus knows about hyponeutremia. I would think the narrator could just tell us about it instead of two characters explaining to to each other for no clear reason. The lady at the orphanage also gave a TON of background and explanation and, while I can appreciate that we needed some context for why Allie didn’t want to be there or go back, most of the detail we got was not relevant to the rest of the book. It seemed like it was just the author trying to work in all the cool ideas he had.

Other than those small notes, this book was great. I highly recommend even if you don’t read a lot of science fiction. It’s a really interesting dive into a possible future world, and a good reminder to remain thoughtful about the “entertainment” we consume and who it is really serving.

This was an entertaining, fast paced sci fi thriller that will likely appeal to readers of both genres. This one would be very accessible to sci fi newbies because it doesn't dive into the science elements. Instead it explores situations that feel like they could become possible in the near future. I found the ethical dilemmas to be particularly interesting.

Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

It surprised me how much I loved this book. There was dystopia. There was a mystery to solve. There were twists and turns, There was a message in the story like most of the great science fiction out there.
I really enjoyed the narrator. She really breathed life into the story, especially the protagonist.
This is a book I am already telling my friends about.
Thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for the ARC.

4.5 ⭐️

I loved this audiobook! The narrator did an excellent job of bringing the characters to life.

Some of the twists I felt were predictable, some not. The take on dystopia was unique. I thought the way the author portrayed true crime fanatics in his world was disturbing in that I could see it being accurate.

Overall I had a good time with this book and would definitely recommend to anyone who enjoys technology heavy science fiction and dystopia.

I received an advanced copy of this book from Netgalley and Dreamscape Media in exchange for a review.

Okay, so this was a surprise. I was drawn to this book for its premise about true crime. Basically, in this world crime is monetised, and VR tours of murders are the number one thing in entertainment.
Honestly amazing premise and not something really far from the possible future. Loved how we got more pieces of the world as we got along with the story, there were so many cool touches, like the real world having all of its construction abandon because of Earth +, the cool firefighting system., etc.

So yeah, one of the things I liked the most was the world but also the plot. The beginning was amazing, it hocked in right from the start, and I finish this in two days since I found myself wanting to come back to it all the time. I do have to say that the ending was not my favourite, but the ride was super good, so I will let it slide.
You’ll really like the characters since they are easy to empathize with, especially our main characters. They were not the most flesh out characters, but they were great, nonetheless.

Since it is a thriller, I don’t really feel like doing a huge review for it, so take the most important take and that is just read it. It’s extremely enjoyable and feels like it’s the future that is right around the corner, which is honestly quite terrifying. Highly recommend it if you are looking for a good sci-fi thriller. The real rating is 4.5 stars.

immerse yourself in a captivating world with "Past Crimes!"

This speculative dystopian novel takes you on a thrilling journey through a unique future filled with intriguing parallels to real-world issues. The initial chapters draw you in with a captivating blend of Cyberpunk and Metaverse vibes, exploring the fascinating concept of interacting with historical figures within a virtual realm.

While the mystery itself might lean towards familiar tropes for some readers, the world-building is truly exceptional. Author's clever callbacks to current concerns create a setting that feels both recognizable and chillingly dystopian. It's a testament to the author's creativity that the setting remains engaging even when the plot takes a more predictable turn.

Highlights:
Unique and Creative World: Dive into a future brimming with innovative technology and thought-provoking social commentary.
Excellent Audiobook Performance: Ellen Quay's narration brings the characters and action to life, making the audiobook particularly enjoyable.
Intriguing Premise: Explore the ethical and emotional implications of interacting with virtual representations of historical figures.
Overall:

"Past Crimes" is a compelling read with a captivating world and a thought-provoking premise. While the plot might not surprise seasoned readers of the genre, the engaging setting and excellent narration make it a worthwhile experience. This book is perfect for anyone who enjoys exploring dystopian futures and pondering the potential consequences of technological advancements.

I’m fairly new to science fiction, but I found the plot to this novel intriguing from the start. I think it’s interesting to contemplate ways that the commodification of crime impacts our society, which is exactly this book.

I would definitely read another book by Jason Pinter in the future!