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The Cassie Tam Files #1
Addict
New Hopeland was built to be the centre of the technological age, but like everywhere else, it has its dark side. Assassins, drug dealers and crooked businessmen form a vital part of the city’s make-up, and sometimes, the police are in too deep themselves to be effective. But hey, there are always other options …
For P.I. Cassie Tam, business has been slow. So, when she’s hired to investigate the death of a local VR addict named Eddie Redwood, she thinks it’ll be easy money. All she has to do is prove to the deceased’s sister Lori that the local P.D. were right to call it an accidental overdose. The more she digs though, the more things don’t seem to sit right, and soon, Cassie finds herself knee deep in a murder investigation. But that’s just the start of her problems.
When the case forces Cassie to make contact with her drug dealing ex-girlfriend, Charlie Goldman, she’s left with a whole lot of long buried personal issues to deal with. Then there’s her client. Lori Redwood is a Tech Shifter, someone who uses a metal exoskeleton to roleplay as an animal. Cassie isn’t one to judge, but the Tech Shifting community has always left her a bit nervous. That wouldn’t be a problem if Lori wasn’t fast becoming the first person that she’s been genuinely attracted to since splitting with Charlie. Oh, and then there’s the small matter of the police wanting her to back off the case.
Easy money, huh? Yeah, right.
For P.I. Cassie Tam, business has been slow. So, when she’s hired to investigate the death of a local VR addict named Eddie Redwood, she thinks it’ll be easy money. All she has to do is prove to the deceased’s sister Lori that the local P.D. were right to call it an accidental overdose. The more she digs though, the more things don’t seem to sit right, and soon, Cassie finds herself knee deep in a murder investigation. But that’s just the start of her problems.
When the case forces Cassie to make contact with her drug dealing ex-girlfriend, Charlie Goldman, she’s left with a whole lot of long buried personal issues to deal with. Then there’s her client. Lori Redwood is a Tech Shifter, someone who uses a metal exoskeleton to roleplay as an animal. Cassie isn’t one to judge, but the Tech Shifting community has always left her a bit nervous. That wouldn’t be a problem if Lori wasn’t fast becoming the first person that she’s been genuinely attracted to since splitting with Charlie. Oh, and then there’s the small matter of the police wanting her to back off the case.
Easy money, huh? Yeah, right.
163 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 8, 2017
7 people are currently reading
306 people want to read
About the author
Matt Doyle
30 books128 followersMatt Doyle is a pansexual/nonbinary author, voice actor, and pop culture blogger from the UK. Matt specializes in horror and sci-fi fiction, sometimes in an unusual or experimental form.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
July 11, 2018
3.5 Stars. This was a pretty good read. I would put the tag of futuristic more than sci-fi on this book, but for some people the terms are interchangeable. This book takes place, on Earth, in the future. I don’t think an exact date was ever given, but it seemed it could be 20+ years ahead. No flying cars and space travel, but the modern tech we have now is ramped up.
Cass is a private investigator and is asked by a woman named Lori to look into the apparent accidental death of her brother. The police ruled it an OD, but Lori knows her brother never used drugs. Cass must use her skills and a little tech to help find out if the brother was murdered or not.
There is a lot of tech in this book. Most of the time I understood how everything worked, nothing it too out there. But I do have to admit sometimes the tech was a little too technical, luckily that didn’t happen much. What I found interesting is Lori is a Tech Shifter. What that means is she can turn into an actual sleek black panther. She has metal robotic type suit that hooks to her body and actually turns her into a werepanther. I think my other favorite tech advancement was Cass had this pet/bodyguard robot gargoyle. It would go from cawing and sitting on her shoulder to ripping something apart with its claws. It was like this funny but also badass and scary little robot.
When it comes to the main characters themselves I was a little mixed. It took me a long time to warm up to Cass. I was having trouble finding much of anything to like about her. I was happy to see that as the book went on, I started to click with her more and it caused me to enjoy the book more. When it comes to Lori I feel I’m still getting to know her character.
There is not much romance in this book. Cass still hasn’t gotten over her ex-girlfriend, so she doesn’t let anyone close. There is a little spark between Cass and Lori, but it’s still in the beginning stages. Because of this there are no sex scenes in this book. However, Lori seems to be a little kinky so if they connect in book 2, we’ll have to see how Doyle handles it.
There is a book 2 coming out shortly. I enjoyed this enough that I want to see where the characters go next. I just wanted to note that I bought this book from NineStar Press. For a publisher, their lesfic books are less expensive than the norm. Also, if you sign up for their newsletter, from their website, they send out coupons monthly. Everyone I have gotten has been between 25-50% off of their books, so it’s a big savings and worthwhile to sign-up.
Cass is a private investigator and is asked by a woman named Lori to look into the apparent accidental death of her brother. The police ruled it an OD, but Lori knows her brother never used drugs. Cass must use her skills and a little tech to help find out if the brother was murdered or not.
There is a lot of tech in this book. Most of the time I understood how everything worked, nothing it too out there. But I do have to admit sometimes the tech was a little too technical, luckily that didn’t happen much. What I found interesting is Lori is a Tech Shifter. What that means is she can turn into an actual sleek black panther. She has metal robotic type suit that hooks to her body and actually turns her into a werepanther. I think my other favorite tech advancement was Cass had this pet/bodyguard robot gargoyle. It would go from cawing and sitting on her shoulder to ripping something apart with its claws. It was like this funny but also badass and scary little robot.
When it comes to the main characters themselves I was a little mixed. It took me a long time to warm up to Cass. I was having trouble finding much of anything to like about her. I was happy to see that as the book went on, I started to click with her more and it caused me to enjoy the book more. When it comes to Lori I feel I’m still getting to know her character.
There is not much romance in this book. Cass still hasn’t gotten over her ex-girlfriend, so she doesn’t let anyone close. There is a little spark between Cass and Lori, but it’s still in the beginning stages. Because of this there are no sex scenes in this book. However, Lori seems to be a little kinky so if they connect in book 2, we’ll have to see how Doyle handles it.
There is a book 2 coming out shortly. I enjoyed this enough that I want to see where the characters go next. I just wanted to note that I bought this book from NineStar Press. For a publisher, their lesfic books are less expensive than the norm. Also, if you sign up for their newsletter, from their website, they send out coupons monthly. Everyone I have gotten has been between 25-50% off of their books, so it’s a big savings and worthwhile to sign-up.
September 10, 2018
3.75 Tech stars
A science-fiction mystery novella set in the near future where the addiction to virtual reality has become normal and tech-shifting is the way to pass the time and indulge into a little escapism.
Cassie Tam is a PI for hire and knows her ways around New Hopeland and its corrupt systems. During a slow spell, she is approached by Lori to investigate the death of her brother who is said to have died on an overdose. The police quickly call the case as another suicide by a VR junkie and therefore wrap it up like an open/close case. But Lori has her suspicions and can’t believe this is what her brother really did.
Lori is a Tech-shifter and after looking into the case initially Cassie meets her in the local scene to report to her what her initial findings were. This takes Tams and the reader into the undergrounds of Tech-shifters, where one can use a metal exoskeleton custom made to fuse with its wearer and role-play as anything one can think of.
Cassie quickly is attracted to Lori as she is a changed and an alluring animal when she uses her tech-suit. But professionalism comes before romance and together they actually make a great team as the case takes them deep into the wolf’s mouth. Just barely escaping with the answers they need, Cassie has the wit to play some high rollers in ingenious ways. The question is, will she crack the case? What will happen to the two of them romantically?
***
This was a great little novella. Albeit there was a short rocky moment after the initial beginning for me, I thought it was really well written throughout and thoroughly entertaining. The PI work that Cassie did reminds me of old fashioned detective work choreographed into a futuristic setting with ingenious twists.
This was the first novel in ‘The Cassie Tam Files’ and I’d like to thank the author for providing me with a digital copy in exchange of an honest review.
Thank you.
More of my reviews: https://scarlettreadzandrunz.com/
A science-fiction mystery novella set in the near future where the addiction to virtual reality has become normal and tech-shifting is the way to pass the time and indulge into a little escapism.
Cassie Tam is a PI for hire and knows her ways around New Hopeland and its corrupt systems. During a slow spell, she is approached by Lori to investigate the death of her brother who is said to have died on an overdose. The police quickly call the case as another suicide by a VR junkie and therefore wrap it up like an open/close case. But Lori has her suspicions and can’t believe this is what her brother really did.
Lori is a Tech-shifter and after looking into the case initially Cassie meets her in the local scene to report to her what her initial findings were. This takes Tams and the reader into the undergrounds of Tech-shifters, where one can use a metal exoskeleton custom made to fuse with its wearer and role-play as anything one can think of.
Cassie quickly is attracted to Lori as she is a changed and an alluring animal when she uses her tech-suit. But professionalism comes before romance and together they actually make a great team as the case takes them deep into the wolf’s mouth. Just barely escaping with the answers they need, Cassie has the wit to play some high rollers in ingenious ways. The question is, will she crack the case? What will happen to the two of them romantically?
***
This was a great little novella. Albeit there was a short rocky moment after the initial beginning for me, I thought it was really well written throughout and thoroughly entertaining. The PI work that Cassie did reminds me of old fashioned detective work choreographed into a futuristic setting with ingenious twists.
This was the first novel in ‘The Cassie Tam Files’ and I’d like to thank the author for providing me with a digital copy in exchange of an honest review.
Thank you.
More of my reviews: https://scarlettreadzandrunz.com/
August 17, 2018
Far be it from author Matt Doyle to color within the lines of genre definitions! ADDICT is a futuristic tale of murder and mayhem in an age of high technology and where there is advancement and success, there is a dark side. That is the side that Private Investigator Cassie Tam works.
Set in the city of New Hopeland, virtual junkies, tech shifters, assassins and drug dealers run amok, often as the local PD turns the other way. Cassie has been hired to investigate the murder of a VR Junkie, because even though the police say it is an open and shut case of suicide, his sister believes otherwise. Cassie didn’t expect to find herself face to face with her ex-girlfriend, or to be attracted to her client, all while slamming headlong into old personal issues and a police department that is tell her to back off. Yep, all in a day’s work.
Dark and gritty with the heavy feel of old-fashioned PI sagas, Cassie’s life is anything but circa 1950 as science fiction, sexual diversity, and high tech addictions are front and center for this tough-on-the-outside PI with a tarnished heart of gold. As the case progresses, Cassie will wonder, who is in more danger, herself or her heart?
While the lesbian aspect is so lowkey, I wondered why it was inserted, I do think it helps define Cassie as the person she is. Lots of attitude, plenty of smarts and a nose to solve the unsolvable, Cassie Tam is a character to watch and this series is looking pretty good for some deep dark mysteries that are being swept under the proverbial rug!
I received a complimentary copy from Matt Doyle!
Series: The Cassie Tam Files - Book 1
Publisher: NineStar Press (May 8, 2017)
Publication Date: May 8, 2017
Genre: Murder Mystery | Futuristic
Print Length: 163 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews, Giveaways, Fabulous Book News, follow: http://tometender.blogspot.com
Set in the city of New Hopeland, virtual junkies, tech shifters, assassins and drug dealers run amok, often as the local PD turns the other way. Cassie has been hired to investigate the murder of a VR Junkie, because even though the police say it is an open and shut case of suicide, his sister believes otherwise. Cassie didn’t expect to find herself face to face with her ex-girlfriend, or to be attracted to her client, all while slamming headlong into old personal issues and a police department that is tell her to back off. Yep, all in a day’s work.
Dark and gritty with the heavy feel of old-fashioned PI sagas, Cassie’s life is anything but circa 1950 as science fiction, sexual diversity, and high tech addictions are front and center for this tough-on-the-outside PI with a tarnished heart of gold. As the case progresses, Cassie will wonder, who is in more danger, herself or her heart?
While the lesbian aspect is so lowkey, I wondered why it was inserted, I do think it helps define Cassie as the person she is. Lots of attitude, plenty of smarts and a nose to solve the unsolvable, Cassie Tam is a character to watch and this series is looking pretty good for some deep dark mysteries that are being swept under the proverbial rug!
I received a complimentary copy from Matt Doyle!
Series: The Cassie Tam Files - Book 1
Publisher: NineStar Press (May 8, 2017)
Publication Date: May 8, 2017
Genre: Murder Mystery | Futuristic
Print Length: 163 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews, Giveaways, Fabulous Book News, follow: http://tometender.blogspot.com
November 30, 2018
What a fabulous sci-fi thriller with a murder mystery to boot. Color me happy if you will. This book warmed the cockles of my heart, I haven’t been able to let go of my kindle. I am diving into book 2 as soon as I finish this review. I like reading different books, different genres, mixing it up. This was absolutely the perfect time for me read this cracker of a book.
My first book by Matt Doyle, I am so excited about the second book too, I hope it is as good or better than this one. The story starts with Cassandra Tam, a.k.a Caz, a P.I, who is entrusted with the case of the death of Lori’s brother, to get to the bottom of it, if it was a suicide or a murder.
I love the way Caz is etched in this book, she is bright, bold, an absolute kickass heroine with daredevilattitude and just a hint of vulnerability with regards to her exand her present attraction. Can you not make out how much I love her?
Oh let me tell you about her wonderful sidekick, Bert the metallic gargoyle, an A.I, who cawed his way into my heart. He protects Caz to the point of ripping through a man’s head. My vengeant heart loved it!!
The story is fast paced, with the world of sci-fi ranging from Tech Shifter to Virtual Reality to Pros and Addicts. They build up the tech atmosphere slowly pervading it into the mystery, giving it the right tinge of a thriller. The murder mystery still required Caz’s brain to solve it, the techs could only do so much as the hand that ordered it.
The only niggle I had in the entire book was that the worldbuildingslightly confused me, I had to re-read to understand certain bits. But nonetheless it captured my imagination totally.
Now what I really want is a pendriveor a memory stick which is fingerprint locked as written in the book. That would be a cool birthday gift for me. Anyone listening?!!
My first book by Matt Doyle, I am so excited about the second book too, I hope it is as good or better than this one. The story starts with Cassandra Tam, a.k.a Caz, a P.I, who is entrusted with the case of the death of Lori’s brother, to get to the bottom of it, if it was a suicide or a murder.
I love the way Caz is etched in this book, she is bright, bold, an absolute kickass heroine with daredevilattitude and just a hint of vulnerability with regards to her exand her present attraction. Can you not make out how much I love her?
Oh let me tell you about her wonderful sidekick, Bert the metallic gargoyle, an A.I, who cawed his way into my heart. He protects Caz to the point of ripping through a man’s head. My vengeant heart loved it!!
The story is fast paced, with the world of sci-fi ranging from Tech Shifter to Virtual Reality to Pros and Addicts. They build up the tech atmosphere slowly pervading it into the mystery, giving it the right tinge of a thriller. The murder mystery still required Caz’s brain to solve it, the techs could only do so much as the hand that ordered it.
The only niggle I had in the entire book was that the worldbuildingslightly confused me, I had to re-read to understand certain bits. But nonetheless it captured my imagination totally.
Now what I really want is a pendriveor a memory stick which is fingerprint locked as written in the book. That would be a cool birthday gift for me. Anyone listening?!!
August 5, 2017
3.5 Stars
Addict is a pretty decent first book in a series. It has an interesting storyline and an interesting female lead. It also contains intriguing types of tech people - the shifters - and tech creatures - hi, Burt. The last third of this book picked up the action too, and Cassie kicked some butt. I'd love to see more of that. I'm also hoping for extra depth and dimension in Cassie Tam Files #2. More character connection and development and world building amongst the tech elements and crime-solving would be good. Recommended for people who like a plot driven UF/ spec-tech/sci-fi/cyberpunkish noir feel to their books and don't mind female leads and a (kind of/sort of) lesbian romance as part of the overall plot. Something different with more of a promise of things yet to come.
Addict is a pretty decent first book in a series. It has an interesting storyline and an interesting female lead. It also contains intriguing types of tech people - the shifters - and tech creatures - hi, Burt. The last third of this book picked up the action too, and Cassie kicked some butt. I'd love to see more of that. I'm also hoping for extra depth and dimension in Cassie Tam Files #2. More character connection and development and world building amongst the tech elements and crime-solving would be good. Recommended for people who like a plot driven UF/ spec-tech/sci-fi/cyberpunkish noir feel to their books and don't mind female leads and a (kind of/sort of) lesbian romance as part of the overall plot. Something different with more of a promise of things yet to come.
August 13, 2017
4.5*
Addict is a futuristic murder/mystery/thriller with a side of lesbian romance. BONUS!!!!
Cassie Tam is hired by Lori Redwood to find out exactly what happened with her brother Ben. Lori found his dead body and the cops ruled it as a suicide. Lori knows her brother was a virtual reality junkie, but she doesn't believe for one moment that he killed himself. Cassie takes the case believing it to be quick; open and shut. The the more clues she found regarding the death of Ben; the more things didn't add up.
You can see my full review on my website: http://christinasbookshelf.net/2017/0...
Addict is a futuristic murder/mystery/thriller with a side of lesbian romance. BONUS!!!!
Cassie Tam is hired by Lori Redwood to find out exactly what happened with her brother Ben. Lori found his dead body and the cops ruled it as a suicide. Lori knows her brother was a virtual reality junkie, but she doesn't believe for one moment that he killed himself. Cassie takes the case believing it to be quick; open and shut. The the more clues she found regarding the death of Ben; the more things didn't add up.
You can see my full review on my website: http://christinasbookshelf.net/2017/0...
July 29, 2018
I received an ARC copy of this book from NetGalley
Overall this was a decent story but there were definitely some bits I didn't really care for. I like Cassie as a protagonist and the cyber-punk setting is really cool and well-developed. There was not a lot of romance in this first book but I thought it was handled well because Cassie was still getting over her ex while dealing with a possible new attraction to someone else so it make sense for her to move slow. The mystery aspect was pretty fun and I definitely didn't guess who did it so I suppose that's good as well.
The part I could have done without, well ...this is clearly a case of 'my bad' because I apparently did not even read the entire book summary [I mean you had me at lesbian cyber-punk detective] and totally missed the part where her new love interest / client is a 'tech shifter' which is [and I'm definitely simplifying here but] basically a fancy way to say 'sci-fi furry' and I am just so not here for that. I mean one of the big parts of the book is how you should be more open and accepting and not judge people for stuff like that but still ...when you've got a woman who is running around in a giant cat exo-skeleton and eating / drinking from a bowl on the floor then that is the point where I'm officially out.
I know there's a second book out or coming out soon but I'm kind of torn on whether or not to continue with it. I like the world and the main character but I definitely am not into the tech shifting stuff and if Cassie and Lori are going to be together I'm guessing that's going to be a large part of it. If you're into that sort of thing you will probably love this though.
Overall this was a decent story but there were definitely some bits I didn't really care for. I like Cassie as a protagonist and the cyber-punk setting is really cool and well-developed. There was not a lot of romance in this first book but I thought it was handled well because Cassie was still getting over her ex while dealing with a possible new attraction to someone else so it make sense for her to move slow. The mystery aspect was pretty fun and I definitely didn't guess who did it so I suppose that's good as well.
The part I could have done without, well ...this is clearly a case of 'my bad' because I apparently did not even read the entire book summary [I mean you had me at lesbian cyber-punk detective] and totally missed the part where her new love interest / client is a 'tech shifter' which is [and I'm definitely simplifying here but] basically a fancy way to say 'sci-fi furry' and I am just so not here for that. I mean one of the big parts of the book is how you should be more open and accepting and not judge people for stuff like that but still ...when you've got a woman who is running around in a giant cat exo-skeleton and eating / drinking from a bowl on the floor then that is the point where I'm officially out.
I know there's a second book out or coming out soon but I'm kind of torn on whether or not to continue with it. I like the world and the main character but I definitely am not into the tech shifting stuff and if Cassie and Lori are going to be together I'm guessing that's going to be a large part of it. If you're into that sort of thing you will probably love this though.
August 4, 2017
Addict is a science fiction story about Cassie Tam. This is the first book of the Cassie Tam Files. The setting of the story is in New Hopeland. Everything is in the future with things like tech shifters and virtual junkies. Cassie is a private investigator and takes on the side jobs which police do not want to get involved with. As she gets into one particular case, what appears to be a very easy situation then becomes complicated. Cassie gets involved and discovers more than what she bargained for. Cassie’s past also catches up with her and that is when the story becomes really interesting.
I found the plot to be suspenseful and the content to be action packed with a hint of a thrilling aspect of intrigue, embedded within the work. The pace was steady for a futuristic sci-fi saga and the character development, being a lead woman was refreshing to read.
Having read this book, I can see how the story has a strong base for additional sequel stories. The other important factor in this book is its world setting. It is technologically advanced and describes an interesting form of visualization. Especially, the part where the techno shifters change into animals. The world is just superbly described and I think that is what makes the book different than others.
I recommend this book to science fiction lovers and techno-savvy readers.
I found the plot to be suspenseful and the content to be action packed with a hint of a thrilling aspect of intrigue, embedded within the work. The pace was steady for a futuristic sci-fi saga and the character development, being a lead woman was refreshing to read.
Having read this book, I can see how the story has a strong base for additional sequel stories. The other important factor in this book is its world setting. It is technologically advanced and describes an interesting form of visualization. Especially, the part where the techno shifters change into animals. The world is just superbly described and I think that is what makes the book different than others.
I recommend this book to science fiction lovers and techno-savvy readers.
October 13, 2017
This is the fourth book I’ve read by Matt Doyle. And also the fourth time he has delivered beyond my expectations! I absolutely love Science Fiction but I have to admit, Addict belongs in a new category; Sci-fi just doesn’t do the words within his pages justice. The best I can do for a review is say “If you don’t read his books, you haven’t read Sci-fi yet.”
Addict, by Matt Doyle, is a huge 5 Boundless Star Book. I highly recommend this, and all, of his books!
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Addict, by Matt Doyle, is a huge 5 Boundless Star Book. I highly recommend this, and all, of his books!
http://www.boundlessbookreviews.com
https://www.facebook.com/BBReviews
July 5, 2017
New Hopeland is a new world. Cassie Tam takes a case for what she think is an easy case. The case turns out to be more than meets the eye. What an exciting Cyberpunk world the author has created! Murder and mystery are fun to read for me and I enjoyed this book. There was lots of good detail in this book for me on this new world and some great new creature/characters. * I received this book from the author and this is my honest review*
May 13, 2017
So, I've been a fan of Matt Doyle since I read his debut, Wick, and I haven't been disappointed yet. I'm glad to say that that trend continued with his latest outing, Addict. I loved the Spark Form Chronicles for their engaging characters, the great action and the world that Doyle had created. Addict is more of the same. Well, there aren't any flashy battles, or tournaments, or living machines (and I use machine loosely because Carnival was so much more than that), but I digress. Addict boasts the staples of a Matt Doyle project: A detailed and sprawling world, coupled with complex characters, that learning more about is just as interesting as the immersive world they live in.
In the first book of The Cassie Tam Files, the future of the good ole US of A has brought about technological advances that don't seem too farfetched to me, if I'm being honest. AI capable of performing most, if not all functions a computer can for you, including searching the internet for whatever you need, or really anything digital that's available to the public. I haven't even mentioned the community of people known as Tech Shifters who like to role-play as animals using technologically advanced exoskeletons (which sounds pretty fun), or the mechanical pets families have, that double as combat machines/security systems...at least for Cassie. I wish I could live in this world. Though, with all the advances that have been made, not everything has progressed as much. New Hopeland harbors a darkness: Shady businessmen, corrupt law enforcement and government officials, and assassins. Also, there's drug addicts, or Virtual Junkies, who use stimulants to get "high." You know, the usual.
Cassie, our smart-mouthed sleuth who makes a living digging into the lives of others in this city plagued by corruption, drugs and death. Am I the only one getting Jessica Jones vibes here? Oh, I am? Never mind then. When Caz is approached by a desperate young woman, looking to uncover the truth about her brother dying from an OD, she assumes all she has to do is prove the brother actually was a Virtual Junkie, and indeed overdosed on stimulants like the police said, and boom! Case closed. But things are never that neat in life, especially for the haunted Cassie Tam.
Cassie is taken for a ride that climbs up into possible corruption, loops through possible cover-ups and dips into possible conspiracies. And I must say, it was one hell of a ride! The case has our snarky PI having to confront her drug-dealing ex in order to get information to give her client, Lori, closure. Though, there's more to Lori than meets the eye, and I'm not just referring to the fact that she's one of the aforementioned Tech Shifters. Did I mention that I want...no need to live in this world?
As the mystery unravels, secrets are exposed, past traumas revealed, and lives changed. I don't remember the last time I devoured a book in one sitting like I did this one, but Addict was one of the best reads of the year so far for me. I'll be impatiently...I mean eagerly waiting to see what comes next for Caz and co.
In the first book of The Cassie Tam Files, the future of the good ole US of A has brought about technological advances that don't seem too farfetched to me, if I'm being honest. AI capable of performing most, if not all functions a computer can for you, including searching the internet for whatever you need, or really anything digital that's available to the public. I haven't even mentioned the community of people known as Tech Shifters who like to role-play as animals using technologically advanced exoskeletons (which sounds pretty fun), or the mechanical pets families have, that double as combat machines/security systems...at least for Cassie. I wish I could live in this world. Though, with all the advances that have been made, not everything has progressed as much. New Hopeland harbors a darkness: Shady businessmen, corrupt law enforcement and government officials, and assassins. Also, there's drug addicts, or Virtual Junkies, who use stimulants to get "high." You know, the usual.
Cassie, our smart-mouthed sleuth who makes a living digging into the lives of others in this city plagued by corruption, drugs and death. Am I the only one getting Jessica Jones vibes here? Oh, I am? Never mind then. When Caz is approached by a desperate young woman, looking to uncover the truth about her brother dying from an OD, she assumes all she has to do is prove the brother actually was a Virtual Junkie, and indeed overdosed on stimulants like the police said, and boom! Case closed. But things are never that neat in life, especially for the haunted Cassie Tam.
Cassie is taken for a ride that climbs up into possible corruption, loops through possible cover-ups and dips into possible conspiracies. And I must say, it was one hell of a ride! The case has our snarky PI having to confront her drug-dealing ex in order to get information to give her client, Lori, closure. Though, there's more to Lori than meets the eye, and I'm not just referring to the fact that she's one of the aforementioned Tech Shifters. Did I mention that I want...no need to live in this world?
As the mystery unravels, secrets are exposed, past traumas revealed, and lives changed. I don't remember the last time I devoured a book in one sitting like I did this one, but Addict was one of the best reads of the year so far for me. I'll be impatiently...I mean eagerly waiting to see what comes next for Caz and co.
July 9, 2017
Full disclosure, I was provided an advanced copy of this book by the author however I have voluntarily chosen to write a review. All opinions are my own.
Welcome to New Hopeland – American Wasteland
Addict, is a new series by author Matt Doyle and follows Cassie Tam, a Chinese-Canadian transplant from Vancouver to New Hopeland, somewhere in the USA of the future. Built as the technological center of the area, New Hopeland is a mixture of the latest technology, with a few throwback items. It’s nice, but like all metropolises, there are problems. Traditional drug addicts have been replaced by Virtual Junkies; addicts on an entirely different level and Goth rockers have transformed into Tech Shifters; people who use specially designed mechanical suits to transform into all manner of animal forms. In the midst of all of this, the residents can only trust law enforcement about 50% of the time. That’s where Cassie comes in. She’s a Private Investigator who makes her living taking on all sorts of cases that the local Police Department can’t or won’t touch. When she is awoken one evening by the grieving sister of a recent VJ Overdose victim, Cassie feels this is an open and shut case. Another story of an addict found needle in hand, all she needs to do it prove it to Lori. But, as her investigation progresses, information is uncovered that suggests that Lori may be right. The more Cassie digs, the more things don’t add up, but will the truth bring her client peace or destroy her?
Cassie can be described as one part Blade Runner and one part Sam Spade. The opening sequence was reminiscent of classic noir movies where the ‘damsel in distress’ makes a midnight call to the local gumshoe to beg for their help. Cassie’s world is a perfect blend of new and old technology, where the doors unlock and open with a wave of the hand, but there is still a mail slot and venetian blinds are preferred over the standard metal sliders. New Hopeland itself is a blend of the future and the distant past. My favorite part of the book had to be Bert, Caz’s faithful companion – part watchdog, part pussycat, all gargoyle.
Cassie herself is a bit of an enigma. Daughter of a cop and out of her native land, Caz is guarded and a bit sarcastic as a defense mechanism. You can’t really blame her with all she’s been through both in her professional and private lives. As the case progresses, Caz finds herself in the one place she most likely doesn’t want to be and the fallout from a casual visit with her ex results in a return of painful memories. As Cassie tries to move on, she realizes that maybe there is more to her client than meets the eye and I’m pretty sure that scares her more than any bad guy. For someone who has never read much of the Cyberpunk genre and even less LGBT, Addict drew me in with a strong lead, a great plot and a killer twist. I’m sure we have barely scratched the surface with Cassie and I’m curious to see what New Hopeland, Lori and future cases have in store for her.
Welcome to New Hopeland – American Wasteland
Addict, is a new series by author Matt Doyle and follows Cassie Tam, a Chinese-Canadian transplant from Vancouver to New Hopeland, somewhere in the USA of the future. Built as the technological center of the area, New Hopeland is a mixture of the latest technology, with a few throwback items. It’s nice, but like all metropolises, there are problems. Traditional drug addicts have been replaced by Virtual Junkies; addicts on an entirely different level and Goth rockers have transformed into Tech Shifters; people who use specially designed mechanical suits to transform into all manner of animal forms. In the midst of all of this, the residents can only trust law enforcement about 50% of the time. That’s where Cassie comes in. She’s a Private Investigator who makes her living taking on all sorts of cases that the local Police Department can’t or won’t touch. When she is awoken one evening by the grieving sister of a recent VJ Overdose victim, Cassie feels this is an open and shut case. Another story of an addict found needle in hand, all she needs to do it prove it to Lori. But, as her investigation progresses, information is uncovered that suggests that Lori may be right. The more Cassie digs, the more things don’t add up, but will the truth bring her client peace or destroy her?
Cassie can be described as one part Blade Runner and one part Sam Spade. The opening sequence was reminiscent of classic noir movies where the ‘damsel in distress’ makes a midnight call to the local gumshoe to beg for their help. Cassie’s world is a perfect blend of new and old technology, where the doors unlock and open with a wave of the hand, but there is still a mail slot and venetian blinds are preferred over the standard metal sliders. New Hopeland itself is a blend of the future and the distant past. My favorite part of the book had to be Bert, Caz’s faithful companion – part watchdog, part pussycat, all gargoyle.
Cassie herself is a bit of an enigma. Daughter of a cop and out of her native land, Caz is guarded and a bit sarcastic as a defense mechanism. You can’t really blame her with all she’s been through both in her professional and private lives. As the case progresses, Caz finds herself in the one place she most likely doesn’t want to be and the fallout from a casual visit with her ex results in a return of painful memories. As Cassie tries to move on, she realizes that maybe there is more to her client than meets the eye and I’m pretty sure that scares her more than any bad guy. For someone who has never read much of the Cyberpunk genre and even less LGBT, Addict drew me in with a strong lead, a great plot and a killer twist. I’m sure we have barely scratched the surface with Cassie and I’m curious to see what New Hopeland, Lori and future cases have in store for her.
Read
September 25, 2020Like Jason Halstead’s Kat Wimple series, Addict is set in the future. Unlike Halstead’s books though, Addict doesn’t really feel like it’s set in the future. For one thing, his protagonist, Cassie Tam, doesn’t really like modern conveniences; she likes real blinds, for instance and normal furniture. You’ll find very little Blade Runner futureism here. The few futuristic things he mentions, like tech shifting and online addiction, are light on description. Cassie’s “protector,” a robot gargoyle named Bert, night just as well be a man or, as I have seen elsewhere, “a man substitute” whose job is to rescue Cassie. Even the modern city of New Hopeland—which I assume is meant to be something like the new city Elon Musk has envisioned creating—is given short shrift in its description. If something takes place in the future, we are going to need a lot more creation and a lot more description.
The mystery is quite a good one in theory, but on paper it seems overly—and unsatisfactorily—explicated. In other words, it’s hard to figure out what’s actually going on. It’s the old showing instead of telling bugaboo. The author’s explanation of the mystery takes longer to tell than the denouement, and even that is dependent on our old friend, the seemingly normal person who is actually a criminally insane religious fanatic. In addition, the reasoning and execution of the crime is so convoluted that all you can do it blink and turn the page.
And I guess Cassie is a lesbian; she says she is and at the very end of the book she may even think about asking someone out. But again, she is a permutation of another of our old friends, a lesbian on the run from a bad relationship and terrified of being hurt a second time—although in this case, her old relationship is described as a good one and as far as I can tell without rereading, she wasn’t dumped by her ex. Oh well. In any case, the author is content with Cassie not having a real relationship. It is easier that way. However, for lesbian readers this choice is far from satisfactory.
Addict is not something I can recommend. At less than 56,000 words, it is about 20,000 words too short. And those words could have been used to very good advantage to spruce—and possibly eliminate—the problems. I'll give this one about a 2.2 rating.
Note: I was kindly provided a review copy of this book in electronic form from the author through Lesbrary.
Another Note: This review is included in my book The Art of the Lesbian Mystery Novel, along with information on over 930 other lesbian mysteries by over 310 authors.
The mystery is quite a good one in theory, but on paper it seems overly—and unsatisfactorily—explicated. In other words, it’s hard to figure out what’s actually going on. It’s the old showing instead of telling bugaboo. The author’s explanation of the mystery takes longer to tell than the denouement, and even that is dependent on our old friend, the seemingly normal person who is actually a criminally insane religious fanatic. In addition, the reasoning and execution of the crime is so convoluted that all you can do it blink and turn the page.
And I guess Cassie is a lesbian; she says she is and at the very end of the book she may even think about asking someone out. But again, she is a permutation of another of our old friends, a lesbian on the run from a bad relationship and terrified of being hurt a second time—although in this case, her old relationship is described as a good one and as far as I can tell without rereading, she wasn’t dumped by her ex. Oh well. In any case, the author is content with Cassie not having a real relationship. It is easier that way. However, for lesbian readers this choice is far from satisfactory.
Addict is not something I can recommend. At less than 56,000 words, it is about 20,000 words too short. And those words could have been used to very good advantage to spruce—and possibly eliminate—the problems. I'll give this one about a 2.2 rating.
Note: I was kindly provided a review copy of this book in electronic form from the author through Lesbrary.
Another Note: This review is included in my book The Art of the Lesbian Mystery Novel, along with information on over 930 other lesbian mysteries by over 310 authors.
June 23, 2017
~ 3.5 Stars ~
This story is a blend of my two favorite genres, scifi and crime fiction, but it reads as if those elements were two separate stories: the urban science fiction thriller and the who-done-it. Consequently, the worldbuilding was pretty intense. Cyperpunky while also having a teensy bit of a noir feel, it didn’t quite strike me as Blade Runner—it was more urban—but it was close.
In the future, people trade drugs for virtual reality time (which also basically requires drugs to experience full immersion). There’s the usual mob mentality, and impoverished people committing petty crime in our setting, consistent with noir, and also some sweet techy gear.
People wear suits of armor, which can turn them into mechanical animals—it brings the idea of being a furry to a whole other level—and Cassie, our protagonist and private detective, has a pet robo-bird named Bert, a mechanical gargoyle that protects her and the house. Bert’s tech is really quite fascinating because he seems sentient, and he consequently provides much comedic relief. I wish I had known a bit more how he worked, but the surprises were worth it.
We get to the meat of our story when Cassie has a visitor from the damsel-in-distress, Lori Redwood, whose brother is found dead, needle in hand, but Lori claims he didn’t commit suicide. The plot elements around the murder of Lori’s brother were fairly simple and, honestly, not the story’s most winning aspects, but they were palatable.
By far, exploring the world was the most entertaining for me. That being said, there was a lot of backstory and info dump, and I was a bit bogged down by the pacing. My favorite parts were the crystalline moments when the action, science fiction, and mystery elements locked into a vivid mental picture. I also appreciated Cassie’s hard edges. She was a bad-ass protagonist, and I wouldn’t mind reading more stories with her in them.
Our love story with the damsel-in-distress was lacking, but I didn’t really need it to get me through. However, because the romance wasn’t my main focus, the end dragged during the wrap-up of that part of the plot. All in all, the mecha-furries were cool, Bert the robo-bird was cool, and I would give this protagonist another chance. I liked Addict, but it was kinda slow.
Reviewed by Ben for The Novel Approach
This story is a blend of my two favorite genres, scifi and crime fiction, but it reads as if those elements were two separate stories: the urban science fiction thriller and the who-done-it. Consequently, the worldbuilding was pretty intense. Cyperpunky while also having a teensy bit of a noir feel, it didn’t quite strike me as Blade Runner—it was more urban—but it was close.
In the future, people trade drugs for virtual reality time (which also basically requires drugs to experience full immersion). There’s the usual mob mentality, and impoverished people committing petty crime in our setting, consistent with noir, and also some sweet techy gear.
People wear suits of armor, which can turn them into mechanical animals—it brings the idea of being a furry to a whole other level—and Cassie, our protagonist and private detective, has a pet robo-bird named Bert, a mechanical gargoyle that protects her and the house. Bert’s tech is really quite fascinating because he seems sentient, and he consequently provides much comedic relief. I wish I had known a bit more how he worked, but the surprises were worth it.
We get to the meat of our story when Cassie has a visitor from the damsel-in-distress, Lori Redwood, whose brother is found dead, needle in hand, but Lori claims he didn’t commit suicide. The plot elements around the murder of Lori’s brother were fairly simple and, honestly, not the story’s most winning aspects, but they were palatable.
By far, exploring the world was the most entertaining for me. That being said, there was a lot of backstory and info dump, and I was a bit bogged down by the pacing. My favorite parts were the crystalline moments when the action, science fiction, and mystery elements locked into a vivid mental picture. I also appreciated Cassie’s hard edges. She was a bad-ass protagonist, and I wouldn’t mind reading more stories with her in them.
Our love story with the damsel-in-distress was lacking, but I didn’t really need it to get me through. However, because the romance wasn’t my main focus, the end dragged during the wrap-up of that part of the plot. All in all, the mecha-furries were cool, Bert the robo-bird was cool, and I would give this protagonist another chance. I liked Addict, but it was kinda slow.
Reviewed by Ben for The Novel Approach
September 19, 2019
Rating: 3.5 stars
I would like to thank the author for providing me with an eBook. It does not, in any way, influences my rating or opinions of the book.
“Religion is sometimes as destructive as our armed forces, but the true believers can be useful tools in the war of peace.”
Addict is the first book in The Cassie Tam files series. The story is set in New Hopeland. Cassie Tam is a private investigator, hired by Lori Redwood to find out what happened with her brother Ben who was a virtual reality junkie. Lori found his dead body, and the cops ruled it as a suicide. She, however, is of a different opinion. It is a science fiction story of tech shifters and virtual junkies. As the mystery unravels, Cassie discovers some dark secrets along with coming to terms with her past and present. Will Cassie find out who murdered Ben? That is if he was killed.
I found the plot suspenseful, action-packed, and intriguing. The story lacked character development, and the world-building could’ve been better. The story was a quick read, and the first book sets a strong base for further books in the series. There were certain parts where Cassie ordered her computer system to search for files that I failed to understand.
The technology introduced in the book is something I’ve never read before. I couldn’t discern how far in the future the story is set. The tech shifters is an exciting and new concept, but I had a hard time figuring out how the tech shifters work or how they are developed. I would’ve rather enjoyed an accurate description of a virtual junkie.
The clues are hard to grasp, which makes it thrilling to see the mystery unravel in a way entirely different from what you imagine. The way the case wraps is satisfying.
I appreciate the author for keeping the relationship between Cassie and Lori to a minimum. Being a sci-fi mystery thriller, instant love and overwhelming romance feel out of place. I, however, wish to see where their relationship goes further in the series.
It was a quick and an intriguing read with impressive technological advancements which I’m looking forward to reading more about in future books. I recommend this book to all sci-fi readers.
“Sometimes good people can do bad things and still be good people after the act.”
I would like to thank the author for providing me with an eBook. It does not, in any way, influences my rating or opinions of the book.
“Religion is sometimes as destructive as our armed forces, but the true believers can be useful tools in the war of peace.”
Addict is the first book in The Cassie Tam files series. The story is set in New Hopeland. Cassie Tam is a private investigator, hired by Lori Redwood to find out what happened with her brother Ben who was a virtual reality junkie. Lori found his dead body, and the cops ruled it as a suicide. She, however, is of a different opinion. It is a science fiction story of tech shifters and virtual junkies. As the mystery unravels, Cassie discovers some dark secrets along with coming to terms with her past and present. Will Cassie find out who murdered Ben? That is if he was killed.
I found the plot suspenseful, action-packed, and intriguing. The story lacked character development, and the world-building could’ve been better. The story was a quick read, and the first book sets a strong base for further books in the series. There were certain parts where Cassie ordered her computer system to search for files that I failed to understand.
The technology introduced in the book is something I’ve never read before. I couldn’t discern how far in the future the story is set. The tech shifters is an exciting and new concept, but I had a hard time figuring out how the tech shifters work or how they are developed. I would’ve rather enjoyed an accurate description of a virtual junkie.
The clues are hard to grasp, which makes it thrilling to see the mystery unravel in a way entirely different from what you imagine. The way the case wraps is satisfying.
I appreciate the author for keeping the relationship between Cassie and Lori to a minimum. Being a sci-fi mystery thriller, instant love and overwhelming romance feel out of place. I, however, wish to see where their relationship goes further in the series.
It was a quick and an intriguing read with impressive technological advancements which I’m looking forward to reading more about in future books. I recommend this book to all sci-fi readers.
“Sometimes good people can do bad things and still be good people after the act.”
September 30, 2017
This fairly quick read is an interesting take on the future of several present-day pastimes and communities. It’s well-constructed and detailed, but not so much that the plot becomes lost in the world-building.
I liked Cassie right from the start. She’s complex and flawed yet not unlikable. Cassie is well-developed as a character. We don’t really get her backstory until the end, delivered all at once in dialog. I might have liked for it to come up in smaller bits so that we could piece it together for ourselves, especially since this is only the first in the series. That said, she definitely does have an intriguing story, and I’m hoping this will be important in future parts.
The technology described throughout the story is intriguing. I had a little trouble figuring out when this is supposed to be set. It’s clearly in the future, but I couldn’t discern how far. So many things seem not to have changed between present day and this high-tech world, especially in terms of culture and relationships. I suppose I’d have thought we would make more progress.
I loved the way the mystery unfolded. There were plenty of clues, and half the fun was in figuring things out at the same time Cassie did. For me, the highlight of the book was all the cool virtual and digital stuff. I enjoyed the way everything wrapped up with Cassie’s case.
The relationship between Cassie and Lori is nice. It felt natural to me, and I appreciated that it was allowed to just be a little bit of sweetness in between the action. It did not at all overwhelm the plot. The bit at the very end felt superfluous, but I’m interested in seeing where that goes. I like both Cassie and Lori, and the way they interacted left me feeling like they’d be good for each other.
All in all, this was a good read, and I’m looking forward to reading more. In the meantime, I’ll need to check out the author’s other work.
For a good, old-fashioned mystery with a high-tech twist, a likable hero, and romance that didn’t get in the way, this gets 4 stars.
I liked Cassie right from the start. She’s complex and flawed yet not unlikable. Cassie is well-developed as a character. We don’t really get her backstory until the end, delivered all at once in dialog. I might have liked for it to come up in smaller bits so that we could piece it together for ourselves, especially since this is only the first in the series. That said, she definitely does have an intriguing story, and I’m hoping this will be important in future parts.
The technology described throughout the story is intriguing. I had a little trouble figuring out when this is supposed to be set. It’s clearly in the future, but I couldn’t discern how far. So many things seem not to have changed between present day and this high-tech world, especially in terms of culture and relationships. I suppose I’d have thought we would make more progress.
I loved the way the mystery unfolded. There were plenty of clues, and half the fun was in figuring things out at the same time Cassie did. For me, the highlight of the book was all the cool virtual and digital stuff. I enjoyed the way everything wrapped up with Cassie’s case.
The relationship between Cassie and Lori is nice. It felt natural to me, and I appreciated that it was allowed to just be a little bit of sweetness in between the action. It did not at all overwhelm the plot. The bit at the very end felt superfluous, but I’m interested in seeing where that goes. I like both Cassie and Lori, and the way they interacted left me feeling like they’d be good for each other.
All in all, this was a good read, and I’m looking forward to reading more. In the meantime, I’ll need to check out the author’s other work.
For a good, old-fashioned mystery with a high-tech twist, a likable hero, and romance that didn’t get in the way, this gets 4 stars.
June 22, 2018
What a great read this was! It is a rare thing to have a book that you enjoy from page one. Usually it takes a while until the story gets interesting and most books have a slow start that can make some readers DNF it. Not the case here, just one paragraph and I was already immersed in a futuristic noir story. If you haven’t watched a noir film before (black and white detective movie) you might miss some of the charm of this story, at least at the beginning.
The story is about Cassie Tam, a Chinese-Canadian private investigator. Business has been low, so when a prospect customer comes knocking at her door in the middle of the night, she takes the job. Her new client is Lori Redwood, a tech shifter. Tech shifters are those who have had their body modified so they can use metal exo-suits that enables them to shift into animals. The reason she is seeking help from a P.I. is because her brother died, apparently of an over-dose, but she refuses to accept the official story and believes that he was murdered. As Cassie and Lori try to solve this mystery, they come to learn more about each other and about the truth behind the dead of Lori’s brother. Oh, almost forgot the cute yet deadly character of the story: Bert, Cassie’s protector class AI familiar; head-sized, with metal wings and claws ready to do deathly damage and protect his owner. It reminds me of toothless and I fell in love with it, I want my own~
I liked a lot the combination of a mainly detective story with sci-fi elements (which are not only believable but interesting and thought-provoking), a retro/nostalgia feeling, diverse MC and a F/F relationship. Everything fits nicely within the story and it is well balanced for my taste: not too much romance distracting from the main plot (aka. fan service), well explained and relevant sci-fi elements, an interesting mystery with twists and turns and a satisfying ending. Even if this is the first book of the Cassie Tam Files series, it works perfectly as a stand-alone, no danger of cliffhangers!.
*I got my eArc from the author
The story is about Cassie Tam, a Chinese-Canadian private investigator. Business has been low, so when a prospect customer comes knocking at her door in the middle of the night, she takes the job. Her new client is Lori Redwood, a tech shifter. Tech shifters are those who have had their body modified so they can use metal exo-suits that enables them to shift into animals. The reason she is seeking help from a P.I. is because her brother died, apparently of an over-dose, but she refuses to accept the official story and believes that he was murdered. As Cassie and Lori try to solve this mystery, they come to learn more about each other and about the truth behind the dead of Lori’s brother. Oh, almost forgot the cute yet deadly character of the story: Bert, Cassie’s protector class AI familiar; head-sized, with metal wings and claws ready to do deathly damage and protect his owner. It reminds me of toothless and I fell in love with it, I want my own~
I liked a lot the combination of a mainly detective story with sci-fi elements (which are not only believable but interesting and thought-provoking), a retro/nostalgia feeling, diverse MC and a F/F relationship. Everything fits nicely within the story and it is well balanced for my taste: not too much romance distracting from the main plot (aka. fan service), well explained and relevant sci-fi elements, an interesting mystery with twists and turns and a satisfying ending. Even if this is the first book of the Cassie Tam Files series, it works perfectly as a stand-alone, no danger of cliffhangers!.
*I got my eArc from the author
November 11, 2017
(review request submitted by the author for an honest critique)
The world is constantly evolving. Everyday a new gadget is being introduced to the market. At the same time, news sources can’t go a day without mentioning a story dealing with drugs. Matt Doyle took both topics and ran with it. VR (Virtual Reality) is NOT a thing of the past. You can buy the gadgets at your local department store. In Addict, Matt incorporated Flash7, a VR stimulant, which made today’s virtual reality experience the equivalent of using an Atari when you can use a Nintendo Switch.
This story, centering on a murdered VR user, had so much potential for greatness. I wanted Cassie (Caz) to embark in the VR world. I wanted more time spent there instead of the real world. Addict did have a decent plot and a nice twist towards the end of the story; however, the moments leading up to it where nothing extraordinary. I think Caz’s past with Charlie didn’t add much to the storyline. Also, Matt has this book labeled LGBT but really it didn’t have much in the way of same sex interactions. Glances. Quick peck. Honestly, those could’ve been left out and the story wouldn’t have suffered one iota.
One character whom I thought needed more time on the scene was Bert. He was her AI Familiar that resembles a gargoyle and behaves like a good protective pet. Now I love my new kitty, but a pet gargoyle….. That would be a wonderfully crazy addition to my already crazy house.
For utilizing today’s tech in an interesting manner and for my love of Bert, I will rate Addict a solid three.
(Find more reviews/ratings at www.superkambrook.com)
The world is constantly evolving. Everyday a new gadget is being introduced to the market. At the same time, news sources can’t go a day without mentioning a story dealing with drugs. Matt Doyle took both topics and ran with it. VR (Virtual Reality) is NOT a thing of the past. You can buy the gadgets at your local department store. In Addict, Matt incorporated Flash7, a VR stimulant, which made today’s virtual reality experience the equivalent of using an Atari when you can use a Nintendo Switch.
This story, centering on a murdered VR user, had so much potential for greatness. I wanted Cassie (Caz) to embark in the VR world. I wanted more time spent there instead of the real world. Addict did have a decent plot and a nice twist towards the end of the story; however, the moments leading up to it where nothing extraordinary. I think Caz’s past with Charlie didn’t add much to the storyline. Also, Matt has this book labeled LGBT but really it didn’t have much in the way of same sex interactions. Glances. Quick peck. Honestly, those could’ve been left out and the story wouldn’t have suffered one iota.
One character whom I thought needed more time on the scene was Bert. He was her AI Familiar that resembles a gargoyle and behaves like a good protective pet. Now I love my new kitty, but a pet gargoyle….. That would be a wonderfully crazy addition to my already crazy house.
For utilizing today’s tech in an interesting manner and for my love of Bert, I will rate Addict a solid three.
(Find more reviews/ratings at www.superkambrook.com)
July 5, 2017
I really enjoyed this story. Cassie the PI was owlie and rough, yet you knew deep down she had a tender heart, and of course by the end of the book that shows through.
I also loved the depth of world building and creative use of technology, and kudos to the author for creating advances in tech that I would never have been able to come up with.
I LOVED Bert. That's all I'm going to say because I don't want to include any spoilers. But I will say, I want one!
But then I also want an Ink too. Ha! Sound intriguing? You'll have to read it to find out more!
My only criticism would be that the story is very heavy on exposition and sometimes verges on the dreaded info-dump. I would have liked to seen more details of the story played out through clever dialogue, of which the author was entirely capable as seen with lines like: “I sit back into the chair at the head of my work table and take a big grimace-inducing mouthful of sadly milk-free wake-up juice.”
Excerpt From: Doyle, Matt. “Addict.” NineStar Press, LLC, 2017. iBooks.
This material may be protected by copyright.
I also wanted to know more about Devin, the shirtless, buff, cowboy assassin. Who doesn't want to know more about THAT!
I also loved the depth of world building and creative use of technology, and kudos to the author for creating advances in tech that I would never have been able to come up with.
I LOVED Bert. That's all I'm going to say because I don't want to include any spoilers. But I will say, I want one!
But then I also want an Ink too. Ha! Sound intriguing? You'll have to read it to find out more!
My only criticism would be that the story is very heavy on exposition and sometimes verges on the dreaded info-dump. I would have liked to seen more details of the story played out through clever dialogue, of which the author was entirely capable as seen with lines like: “I sit back into the chair at the head of my work table and take a big grimace-inducing mouthful of sadly milk-free wake-up juice.”
Excerpt From: Doyle, Matt. “Addict.” NineStar Press, LLC, 2017. iBooks.
This material may be protected by copyright.
I also wanted to know more about Devin, the shirtless, buff, cowboy assassin. Who doesn't want to know more about THAT!
September 26, 2017
I really liked the main character. It's rare to find a writer who can keep me hooked with a 1st person POV, and it's virtually unheard of that I don't absolutely detest the way that character describes their appearance. Matt did this beautifully, and I'm impressed!
There was a lot about the MC and her various relationships I liked, but I would've loved it even more if that aspect had been more explored. The story was compelling, too, but more world building would've been nice. I never quite found New Hopeland totally convincing. I would've also loved to learn more about the tech shifting, which is such an interesting concept. I feel like there were many questions asked about how humanity lives at this intersection of VR and actual reality, exploring the dangers and opportunities of the various hi tech areas offer. How are we changing as a society within that? I would've liked to know more!
The resolution was definitely satisfying, and I'm hoping to read more of Matt's in future!
I was given a review copy in exchange for an honest review.
There was a lot about the MC and her various relationships I liked, but I would've loved it even more if that aspect had been more explored. The story was compelling, too, but more world building would've been nice. I never quite found New Hopeland totally convincing. I would've also loved to learn more about the tech shifting, which is such an interesting concept. I feel like there were many questions asked about how humanity lives at this intersection of VR and actual reality, exploring the dangers and opportunities of the various hi tech areas offer. How are we changing as a society within that? I would've liked to know more!
The resolution was definitely satisfying, and I'm hoping to read more of Matt's in future!
I was given a review copy in exchange for an honest review.
July 19, 2017
I truly admire the style and the technique the author utilized in constructing his novel. In some way Addict reminds me of 1984 by George Orwell. The intrusion of the big corporations has the same effects as the governmental intrusion. Nevertheless, the characters are well developed and even likable. In fact, Cassandra Tam, the PI who unravels the case that the Police Department refuses to touch is absolutely marvelous. Very heavy descriptions of technology that took over the world and created a different type of people. The author’s concept is unique, but enriched with explanations so the reader can follow with ease. Nice read.
March 2, 2020
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It's a solid first book in an interesting new series. I enjoyed the world building and the characters. It's so refreshing to find a positive lesbian scifi story. This story is YA accessible (no sex or excessive gore, will definitely recommend to my 15 year old cousin). Highly enjoyable as an adult read. Recommend to everyone. Also, Bert is awesome. Can't wait to hear more of Cassie and Lori's adventures.
I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. But I'm weird so I went and bought it off Kobo anyway. Glad I did. :)
I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. But I'm weird so I went and bought it off Kobo anyway. Glad I did. :)
June 24, 2017
My favorite parts were when the action, cyber-punky science fiction, and mystery elements locked into a vivid mental picture. I also appreciated our protagonist, Cassie. She was bad-ass and I wouldn’t mind reading more stories with her in them. The parts that sort of fell apart were the who-done-it aspects of the story, and the romance. The romance was possibly a bit sloppily handled at the end, when I didn't really need it for the story. All in all, a good read.
June 25, 2018
This was an interesting story with a future world that seems like it could exist. The tech tools and shifters were fascinating. Cassie is a kind of a hard-boiled detective but the end shows a softer side of her. The solution to the murder was unexpected; there may have been clues but I missed them. I look forward to the next Cassie Tam story.
July 12, 2017
Read my full review on my blog, The Story Salve
Actual Rating: 4.5 stars.
*Full Disclosure: I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review. This in no way influences my opinion of the book.*
Addict is a cyberpunk/crime noir novel that follows Cassie Tam as she attempts to solve the mystery surrounding Eddie Redwood’s apparent drug overdose. Along the way, she has to confront her ex-girlfriend, Charlie, and comes to realize her growing feelings for her client, Lori, a Tech Shifter who uses an animal exoskeleton to role play as stress relief.
what I liked:
* Cassie as the protagonist: she’s slightly snarky & super independent; she’s not afraid of bending the law when she needs to, but she works for the good of her clients in a society where the police aren’t trustworthy
* unique world-building: there’s enough info to give you a sense of the society, but it’s not just a huge info-dump in the beginning & it doesn’t detract from the action of the story
* futuristic concepts that echo our reality: the idea of people who are addicted to virtual reality hits pretty close to home & gives the story an eerie quality that works really well
* Tech Shifting as a metaphor: through her growing relationship with her client, Lori, Cassie learns to reconsider her preconceptions of Tech Shifters, people who use an exoskeleton to transform into an animal or hybrid. Tech Shifting could be seen as the futuristic role playing that is sometimes mocked by non-nerds, and the story reminds us to not be so harsh with our judgements before we really know people.
* queerness & an f/f romance that takes a backseat to the action: Cassie’s flirtation with Lori acts as comic relief rather than detracting from the main storyline. This isn’t a story about being queer, which I also loved.
* the crime plot mixed with the cyberpunk world really kept me guessing
*setup for a longer series: Cassie is such a great character & the world she lives in has a lot of potential for more stories in the future; at the same time, Addict could easily be read as a standalone.
My only issue was the ending. After the mystery is resolved, the story focuses on the romantic tension between Cassie and Lori. I enjoyed this element, but I wanted more of Cassie’s family backstory earlier in the story, rather than having it finally exposed at the end.
Overall: definitely recommended, particularly for sci-fi readers.
Despite the fact that this is outside my normal genre, I really got into the story. There was plenty of world-building that added to the story rather than distracting from it. Addict is a nice escapist type read, but one that also makes you consider aspects of the real world in a new way. I really admired Cassie’s personality and look forward to hopefully reading more of her stories in the future.
Actual Rating: 4.5 stars.
*Full Disclosure: I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review. This in no way influences my opinion of the book.*
Addict is a cyberpunk/crime noir novel that follows Cassie Tam as she attempts to solve the mystery surrounding Eddie Redwood’s apparent drug overdose. Along the way, she has to confront her ex-girlfriend, Charlie, and comes to realize her growing feelings for her client, Lori, a Tech Shifter who uses an animal exoskeleton to role play as stress relief.
what I liked:
* Cassie as the protagonist: she’s slightly snarky & super independent; she’s not afraid of bending the law when she needs to, but she works for the good of her clients in a society where the police aren’t trustworthy
* unique world-building: there’s enough info to give you a sense of the society, but it’s not just a huge info-dump in the beginning & it doesn’t detract from the action of the story
* futuristic concepts that echo our reality: the idea of people who are addicted to virtual reality hits pretty close to home & gives the story an eerie quality that works really well
* Tech Shifting as a metaphor: through her growing relationship with her client, Lori, Cassie learns to reconsider her preconceptions of Tech Shifters, people who use an exoskeleton to transform into an animal or hybrid. Tech Shifting could be seen as the futuristic role playing that is sometimes mocked by non-nerds, and the story reminds us to not be so harsh with our judgements before we really know people.
* queerness & an f/f romance that takes a backseat to the action: Cassie’s flirtation with Lori acts as comic relief rather than detracting from the main storyline. This isn’t a story about being queer, which I also loved.
* the crime plot mixed with the cyberpunk world really kept me guessing
*setup for a longer series: Cassie is such a great character & the world she lives in has a lot of potential for more stories in the future; at the same time, Addict could easily be read as a standalone.
My only issue was the ending. After the mystery is resolved, the story focuses on the romantic tension between Cassie and Lori. I enjoyed this element, but I wanted more of Cassie’s family backstory earlier in the story, rather than having it finally exposed at the end.
Overall: definitely recommended, particularly for sci-fi readers.
Despite the fact that this is outside my normal genre, I really got into the story. There was plenty of world-building that added to the story rather than distracting from it. Addict is a nice escapist type read, but one that also makes you consider aspects of the real world in a new way. I really admired Cassie’s personality and look forward to hopefully reading more of her stories in the future.
August 6, 2020
Author, Matt Doyle, contacted Mello & June to review Addict.
Police corruption, government cover-up and video junkies Oh My! Addict had all of that (plus) in this futuristic story.
For Cassie Tam, private investigator, wondering how she was going to pay her rent; going on with life searching through old files and catching up on world events; when she gets a knock at her door that literally changed her life.
Enters client, Lori Redwood. Lori was in distress, of sorts, having just lost her brother to a drug overdose, or so that’s what the police told her. She was referred to Cas to help her find out what the truth was about her brother, Eddie’s, death. When Cas quickly assessed that the police washed their hands of Eddie’s death, this intrigued her. When Lori mentioned that her brother was a video junkie and had overdosed on Flash7, a simulation stimulant, Cas figured Lori had lost her marbles. Most VJ’s did exactly that. But, Lori was adamant that her brother had been murdered.
Cas had quite a dilemma. Should she take this case on or just dismiss Lori like the police had? Of course, the private eye that Cas was known as, couldn’t possibly let that slide. She asked Lori to give her all the files she had on the case, and from there the story takes off.
New Hopeland was the town in which all this futuristic mayhem takes place. What comes to mind immediately is Gotham City. It’s a dark place that has a feel of the world we currently live, but with all the paranormal element to it. The Tech Shifters were all types of characters. Cas also has a pet that everyone should want named Bert. I absolutely loved Bert. You can sign me up right now to have this type of futuristic pet. He’s a cross between a gargoyle and dog. Bert can kick some major ass and makes no apologies for protecting Cas and himself. The things that Bert did was outstanding. What a great electronic pet to possess. The characters in this story were raw and gritty. Doyle did an exceptional job detailing and outlining New Hopeland. In fact, this story feels so like today, it scares me that we’ve already arrived. From dirty politicians and government officials taking bribes and ordering hits on people’s lives, are you sure we’re not in 2017? (chuckle)!
I really liked this story. It was a little slow for me in the beginning, but Doyle had to give you the backdrop to get the reader where they needed to be. Cas was a tough chick with a sense of humor out of this world. I loved how she began experiencing feelings for Lori as the story plugs along, which also complicated things for Cas as well.
The Sexy Nerd gives Addict four stars out of this galaxy! This is a short read packed with all the technical elements you could possibly want. If you’re into sci-fi, paranormal, and futuristic stories, this is a book you’ll enjoy. Great job, Doyle!
Police corruption, government cover-up and video junkies Oh My! Addict had all of that (plus) in this futuristic story.
For Cassie Tam, private investigator, wondering how she was going to pay her rent; going on with life searching through old files and catching up on world events; when she gets a knock at her door that literally changed her life.
Enters client, Lori Redwood. Lori was in distress, of sorts, having just lost her brother to a drug overdose, or so that’s what the police told her. She was referred to Cas to help her find out what the truth was about her brother, Eddie’s, death. When Cas quickly assessed that the police washed their hands of Eddie’s death, this intrigued her. When Lori mentioned that her brother was a video junkie and had overdosed on Flash7, a simulation stimulant, Cas figured Lori had lost her marbles. Most VJ’s did exactly that. But, Lori was adamant that her brother had been murdered.
Cas had quite a dilemma. Should she take this case on or just dismiss Lori like the police had? Of course, the private eye that Cas was known as, couldn’t possibly let that slide. She asked Lori to give her all the files she had on the case, and from there the story takes off.
New Hopeland was the town in which all this futuristic mayhem takes place. What comes to mind immediately is Gotham City. It’s a dark place that has a feel of the world we currently live, but with all the paranormal element to it. The Tech Shifters were all types of characters. Cas also has a pet that everyone should want named Bert. I absolutely loved Bert. You can sign me up right now to have this type of futuristic pet. He’s a cross between a gargoyle and dog. Bert can kick some major ass and makes no apologies for protecting Cas and himself. The things that Bert did was outstanding. What a great electronic pet to possess. The characters in this story were raw and gritty. Doyle did an exceptional job detailing and outlining New Hopeland. In fact, this story feels so like today, it scares me that we’ve already arrived. From dirty politicians and government officials taking bribes and ordering hits on people’s lives, are you sure we’re not in 2017? (chuckle)!
I really liked this story. It was a little slow for me in the beginning, but Doyle had to give you the backdrop to get the reader where they needed to be. Cas was a tough chick with a sense of humor out of this world. I loved how she began experiencing feelings for Lori as the story plugs along, which also complicated things for Cas as well.
The Sexy Nerd gives Addict four stars out of this galaxy! This is a short read packed with all the technical elements you could possibly want. If you’re into sci-fi, paranormal, and futuristic stories, this is a book you’ll enjoy. Great job, Doyle!
November 4, 2017
Matt Doyle has created a world, in which, technological advances are more a part of everyday use than they are today. His future thoughts on technology are not so far-fetched, as most of what's written about already exist in some shape or form.
In New Hopeland, where the novel takes place, there are Virtual Reality addicts, where drug addicts quite literally live in a different dimension when getting high and there are Tech Shifters, who are people who decide they'd be better suited to live a life as an animal. While they don't live this life 24 hours a day, it still is a way that they identify. These are just some of the advances.
We're introduced to Cassie Tam, who is a private investigator. She's known for taking cases that the local police department writes off, and even some that they've "investigated" but maybe not to the furthest potential, enter storyline here.
Lori Redwood is a Tech Shifter who by day is a human woman and in her downtime, she shifts into a panther. Her brother, on the other hand, is considered a Virtual Reality Addict, who has been found dead at the beginning of the book. However, Lori doesn't believe that her brother overdosed like the police department claims. So she hires Cassie to help her investigate further.
It's a fascinating concept, with the development of this world as its base, and then creating this complex storyline on top. As humans, we often stereotype, so of course, when we hear that a drug addict has been found dead, it's almost always written off as an overdose or suicide.
Matt Doyle brings you along for the ride of the corrupt world that they live in--but also, far too similar to the corruption happening today. He has you questioning your own stereotypes, debating who you'd be in this world, and on the fence about how you really believe that Lori's brother died. You're introduced to relationships that Cassie has in order to do her job well, but the trust and loyalty she has to those who should easily be locked up, but without them, other crimes wouldn't be able to be solved. Corruption is a tangled web, my friend.
There's more to this story than just the investigation as we learn about relationships between siblings, parents, and lovers. Do you really know your sibling? Parent? Lover? Friend? What could they truly be hiding from you? Do they genuinely believe in you?
With an unexpected twist that has you placing together each and every puzzle piece, you're brought through to a full circle. As the first in the series, I'm interested to see where else Matt Doyle leads Cassie Tam, and how her story continues unfolds. You won't want to miss out!
In New Hopeland, where the novel takes place, there are Virtual Reality addicts, where drug addicts quite literally live in a different dimension when getting high and there are Tech Shifters, who are people who decide they'd be better suited to live a life as an animal. While they don't live this life 24 hours a day, it still is a way that they identify. These are just some of the advances.
We're introduced to Cassie Tam, who is a private investigator. She's known for taking cases that the local police department writes off, and even some that they've "investigated" but maybe not to the furthest potential, enter storyline here.
Lori Redwood is a Tech Shifter who by day is a human woman and in her downtime, she shifts into a panther. Her brother, on the other hand, is considered a Virtual Reality Addict, who has been found dead at the beginning of the book. However, Lori doesn't believe that her brother overdosed like the police department claims. So she hires Cassie to help her investigate further.
It's a fascinating concept, with the development of this world as its base, and then creating this complex storyline on top. As humans, we often stereotype, so of course, when we hear that a drug addict has been found dead, it's almost always written off as an overdose or suicide.
Matt Doyle brings you along for the ride of the corrupt world that they live in--but also, far too similar to the corruption happening today. He has you questioning your own stereotypes, debating who you'd be in this world, and on the fence about how you really believe that Lori's brother died. You're introduced to relationships that Cassie has in order to do her job well, but the trust and loyalty she has to those who should easily be locked up, but without them, other crimes wouldn't be able to be solved. Corruption is a tangled web, my friend.
There's more to this story than just the investigation as we learn about relationships between siblings, parents, and lovers. Do you really know your sibling? Parent? Lover? Friend? What could they truly be hiding from you? Do they genuinely believe in you?
With an unexpected twist that has you placing together each and every puzzle piece, you're brought through to a full circle. As the first in the series, I'm interested to see where else Matt Doyle leads Cassie Tam, and how her story continues unfolds. You won't want to miss out!
January 19, 2018
If this book doesn't make you a fan of Cassie Tam, you must be one of the few who can resist her. Intelligent, snarky, confident - and charmingly awkward when dealing with an attractive woman.
The world-building is wildly imaginative and high-tech boasting vivid imagery. Cassie is presented with a murder case almost immediately, and the author serves up several suspects, each with plausible motives. I honestly didn't know 'who dun it' until the big reveal, and soon after was unexpectedly thrown by a plot twist at the end.
I'm excited Cassie will return in subsequent books, and if you're a fan of sci-fi/mystery/suspense blends, I recommend checking out this series.
The world-building is wildly imaginative and high-tech boasting vivid imagery. Cassie is presented with a murder case almost immediately, and the author serves up several suspects, each with plausible motives. I honestly didn't know 'who dun it' until the big reveal, and soon after was unexpectedly thrown by a plot twist at the end.
I'm excited Cassie will return in subsequent books, and if you're a fan of sci-fi/mystery/suspense blends, I recommend checking out this series.
July 6, 2017
One thing I love in any book is a strong female character. The MC of Addict, Cassie, is just that. She's tough, badass, and exactly how I like my women!
This story takes place in the future, in a place called New Hopeland. That, to me, is such a funny name for it because it doesn't feel very hopeful at all. In the future, there's new technology and old. What I found so fantastic was the fact that technology has become such a huge problem. Nowadays we see the small effects of it. Your power goes out and you can't get online and people freak out. I see status updates after they return saying, "Worst 3 minutes of my life." Well, in Addict the author sort of makes that freak out evolve a bit.
Technology has taken on a new form but no less addictive.And you can all agree that this is most likely where our world is heading.
I did love the whole cyber punk thing. Adored Cassie as I said. The mystery was just okay for me. I'm very picky in the mystery department though. The world building was truly amazing. Great flow to the story and I can easily see this series being successful. Lori, Cassie's love interest, was terrific and added a wonderful element to this story. The two of them together had the chemistry level off the charts.
This was a first Matt Doyle read for me and it's perfect for the techy noir fans out there. It won't be the last book I read from this author
This story takes place in the future, in a place called New Hopeland. That, to me, is such a funny name for it because it doesn't feel very hopeful at all. In the future, there's new technology and old. What I found so fantastic was the fact that technology has become such a huge problem. Nowadays we see the small effects of it. Your power goes out and you can't get online and people freak out. I see status updates after they return saying, "Worst 3 minutes of my life." Well, in Addict the author sort of makes that freak out evolve a bit.
Technology has taken on a new form but no less addictive.And you can all agree that this is most likely where our world is heading.
I did love the whole cyber punk thing. Adored Cassie as I said. The mystery was just okay for me. I'm very picky in the mystery department though. The world building was truly amazing. Great flow to the story and I can easily see this series being successful. Lori, Cassie's love interest, was terrific and added a wonderful element to this story. The two of them together had the chemistry level off the charts.
This was a first Matt Doyle read for me and it's perfect for the techy noir fans out there. It won't be the last book I read from this author
May 17, 2017
Already reviewed it on my Elisabeth Hamill profile. Loved it! Sam Spade meets Blade Runner!
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