Narrated by Steve Crossley, The Warden by Jon Richter delivers a psychological thriller that will keep you on edge from the science fiction to the dystopian world. Grab an iced coffee and see why I enjoy Richter’s writing.
by Jon Richter
Narrator: Steven Crossley
Length: 8 hours and 52 minutes
Genres: Psychological Thriller
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate
Narration: 5 cups Speed: 1.4x
Can you be free if you can't go outside?
The year is 2024, and the residents of the Tower, a virus-proof apartment building, live in a state of permanent lockdown. The building is controlled by James, who keeps the residents safe but incarcerated. Behind bricked-up front doors, their every need is serviced; they are pampered but remain prisoners. This suits Eugene just fine. Ravaged by the traumas of his past, the agoraphobic ex-detective has no intention of ever setting foot outside again. But when he finds the Tower’s building manager brutally dismembered, his investigator’s instincts won’t allow him to ignore the vicious crime. What Eugene finds beyond the comfort of his apartment’s walls will turn his sheltered existence upside down. To unravel the Tower’s mysteries, he must confront James... and James takes his role as the Warden very, very seriously.
Jon Richter is also the critically-acclaimed author of the psychological thrillers Rabbit Hole and Never Rest. The Warden is a mind-blowing crime thriller perfect for our times and a book that will appeal to fans of Black Mirror.
Richter’s newest tale takes place in the year 2024 where we head to the Tower, a virus-proof apartment building where residents’ needs are completely taken care of, but they can never leave. In this gripping murder mystery, the author explores the concept of living entirely confined.
I am a homebody, but even I felt the constraints of staying home during the pandemic, so this exploration intrigued me. In some aspects, we are moving closer to the world that lies within this story, from having food delivered, to virtual doctor’s appointments and online shopping.
Eugene, an agoraphobic ex-detective who is perfectly content living in the Tower, steps out of his comfort zone when the building’s manager is discovered brutally dismembered.
Two-threads unfold as. The first is Eugene, who enjoys the building’s security and amenities from bots who deliver food to the protection against the virus outside as he investigates. The second thread takes us back in time where we meet Felicity, a woman working her way up the corporate ladder of a company profiting off the pandemic as they compete against other companies in producing lifelike artificial intelligence. Each thread pulled me and the deeper I went, the more I questioned everything.
Thought provoking as well as chilling, Ritcher explores the technology, potential outcomes and a society living and depending on virtual reality in a virus contaminated planet. A clever whodunit, this techno thriller felt relevant and fresh.
Steve Crossley narrates and was well matched to the story, particularly for the voice of Eugene and the AI. His tone, pacing and inflection helped set the tone and enhanced the story.
The Warden by Jon Richter delivered a locked building murder mystery set against a dystopian world that will have you questioning technology and possible futures. #audiobook #bookreview #JuneIsAudiobookMonth Share on XAbout Jon Richter
Jon Richter is a writer of dark fiction, including his two gripping crime novels, Deadly Burial and Never Rest, two collections of short horror fiction (Jon Richter's Disturbing Works, Volumes One & Two) and his latest book, cyberpunk noir thriller Auxiliary: London 2039. Jon lives in London where he tries to blend in with the human population by posing as an accountant called Dave. When he isn't pretending to count beans, he's a self-confessed nerd who loves books, films and video games - basically any way to tell a great story. Jon writes whenever he can, and hopes to be able to bring you more twisted tales in the very near future.
About Steven Crossley
Steven Crossley is one of a select group of narrators who have recorded over two hundred audiobooks. He has won multiple AudioFile Earphones Awards, including for The Ground Beneath Her Feet by Salman Rushdie and Sharpe's Fury by Bernard Cornwell. He graduated from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London and has established an acting career on both sides of the Atlantic in theater, television, film, and radio drama, performing with distinguished theater companies in New York and London. He is a member of the internationally acclaimed company Complicite. His audiobook performances cover an eclectic range of subjects in both fiction and nonfiction, from thrillers, mysteries, classics, and histories to children's fantasy and biographies.These include works by such writers as Pat Barker, Joseph Conrad, Oscar Wilde, Sebastian Faulkes, Zadie Smith, Ian McKewan, and Tana French.
Stay Caffeinated!
Never miss a post by adding Caffeinated to your Inbox
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
Katherine
Oh this sounds creepy! Especially since it’s so much easier to visualize now. I will have to look for this one. Eugene sounds like an interesting character.
Berls
Oh wow if that doesn’t scream COVID inspired story, huh? That said, it also makes me think a little of Hitchcock’s Rear Window – a fantastic movie! I think Eugene’s POV would be interesting like that with the isolation. Great review.
Anne - Books of My Heart
Excellent review! Feels creepy but I think I would enjoy it.
Wendy
I like the locked room vibe. Now that we’ve been through a pandemic, I can see this happening for real some day in the future.
Sophia Rose
After the pandemic, this would feel somewhat familiar and maybe more chilling. 🙂
Melliane
Oh it looks quite interesting there and I didn’t know about this one!