I didn't finish this one. There was too much mucking about without a plot coming through. Seemed to be all interviews with no prose.

I was very into this slightly futuristic police novel, with new tech ….and then it lost me at about two thirds in. Skimmed the rest, don’t know the ending. Seemed drawn out when going through the memories.

📚 #BOOKREVIEW 📚
The Memory Bank (Memory Bank Thrillers, Book 1) by Brian Shea and Raquel Byrnes
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / Pages: 416 / Genre: Techno Thriller

Detective Morgan Reed is investigating a string of strange suicides that lead him deep into the world of highly advanced and creepy technology. Imagine being able to extract memories from a person and relive them for yourself. But this tech comes at a terrible cost.

This fast-paced techno thriller is full of action, surprising twists, and interesting characters. This is the first book in a three-part series, so I’ll tell you now that it ends on a cliffhanger but you only have to wait until September to find out what happens next.

The Memory Bank is available for free with #KindleUnlimited.

Thank you, @NetGalley and @SevernRiverPublishing for my gifted copy.

In THE MEMORY BANK, by Brian Shea and Raquel Byrnes, Detective Morgan Reed, who has recently returned to duty, has been assigned a case that immediately looks fishy. Along with his new partner, Detective Natalie De La Cruz, Reed starts to peel back a larger conspiracy that is much bigger than the death he was investigating. Can Reed and De La Cruz uncover the truth before those who want those secrets to the remain secrets can end their investigation and their lives.
The book begins as a detective mystery, with complicated characters, a flawed protagonist and an perplexing case to figure out. Detective Reed is a often used trope of a protagonist: recently recovered from trauma, naturally good at his job, reticent but ultimately accepting of change, and unexplainably likable. But there is a reason this kind of character is used, the reader can't help but like Reed and want him to succeed. There are some colorful characters throughout which are fun to bump into along the way. As the story progresses, the plot takes a sci-fi turn that is believable and interesting and pleasantly adds more depth to the novel. The reasons for the evil conspiracy are murky and without a full understanding, the emotions of the antagonists felt a bit artificial. There are some unpredictable twists towards the end of the book and an exciting and rewarding ending.
Interesting book and definitely unpredictable, THE MEMORY BANK was certainly a fun read for me.

I enjoyed this book! The elements of (not too far off) futuristic tech were a fun layer to a police thriller. There were times when I felt descriptions of particular scenes were too long and slowed the pace a bit, but there was enough action to keep me reading. I longed for a bit more character development but that is just my preference as a reader. If you are more interested in the unfolding mystery / thriller aspect then I think you’ll find what you’re looking for here. First in a series and the ending certainly sets you up to want to read the next book to find out what happens next! Thanks to NetGalley and Severn River Publishing for the ARC of this fun read in exchange for my honest review.

Cowritten by Brian Shea and Raquel Byrnes, The Memory Bank (2024) is a technology-based police procedural. Seattle Detective Morgan Reed and his new partner, Detective Natalie De La Cruz are called out to a scene of a dead body. Reed is convinced there is more to the death than first seems and decides to investigate further, despite pressure to close the case down quickly. Reed is old school and yet agrees to use the Virtual Depot, a high-tech data, virtual presentation of crime scenes. The narrative is fast-paced with plenty of action, technology and a mounting body count that leads to a high-stakes dramatic climax. As they confront a ruthless killer, can they find the motive and the memory bank technology threatening lives? A first-class crime mystery with a thrilling edge and a four stars thriller read rating. Whilst more adventures seem likely, this book was too long and seemingly wouldn’t end. With thanks to Severn River Publishing and the author, for an uncorrected advanced review copy for review purposes. As always, the opinions herein are totally my own, freely given and without inducement.

The book is uneven in its pacing. There are descriptions here and there, descriptions that add nothing to the story, or the world. There's weird, world-building dialogue, but it doesn't actually build the world.
I couldn't finish the book.

Being book 1 in a new series – this really checked all of the boxes. So for fans of Blake Crouch and Dark Matter or David Baldacci– definitely check this out. Detective Morgan Reed is newly paired with a much younger, but eager, Detective Natalie De LaCruz and they are trying to expose what lies at the heart of a string of thought to be suicides. Things aren’t what they appear to be and they victims seem to be getting higher up the food chain. The characters in this story are flawed and familiar. The story line is so relatable, but the technology these detectives are able to use is mind blowingly amazing. Is there a cliffhanger at the end that will make you wanting more? Yes… yes there is. Adding another author(s) to my watch list!

New favourite detective series?

I did not have my seat belt fastened prior to starting this book and I’m paying for it now. I felt like It was an episode of a futuristic Criminal Minds with lovable characters, great banter, an engaging case and all the adventure packed in and topped with a bow. The scariest and coolest part of this novel is that all of this could be very possible.

This book had the perfect mixture of light and heavy moments spread throughout and made it an entertaining read. Each chapter left you CRAVING more with the cliffhangers and needing to know whodunit. I cannot wait to read the sequel and the only downside is waiting to find out what happens next with these incredible detectives.

I do wish there were answers to two of the minor questions I had in this book but I’m going to trust the process and assume they’re answered more throughout the series to come.

I will definitely be checking out these authors other books! Thank you to the publisher, authors and to NetGalley for giving me this opportunity to read and review.

I thought this book was decent! There were some points I felt like there were plot holes, but for the most part it was a great book that I enjoyed reading.

I was interested from the description. It started off great then slowed down. I couldn't focus and lost interest in the story.

Definitely recommend reading. There is a cliffhanger that will leave you wanting more. You will not be disappointed with this thriller.

A dark techno-thriller that feels like a splendid blend between our world and the razed world of Blade Runner, The Memory Bank is a must-read with a cliffhanger of an ending that promises bigger stories to follow.

Full review on https://www.bestthrillerbooks.com/kashif-hussain