Dome City Blues

By: Jeff Edwards

Narrated by: Adam McLaughlin

Los Angeles: 2063

David Stalin was one of the best detectives in the business, running head-to-head with data-jackers, organ thieves, and the tech-enhanced gangs who ruled the shadowy streets of Los Angeles. He could do no wrong, until what seemed like an easy case got out of control, and left his wife dead among the abandoned ruins of old LA.

After four years of self-imposed retirement, David suddenly finds himself back on the job, struggling to unravel a crime far worse than murder. This time, he's not the hunter. As he's about to discover, the past isn't finished with him yet.

©1994, 2011 Jeff Edwards (P)2015 Jeff Edwards

Excellent CyberPunk

Take a heartbroken and hardened gumshoe in a near-future, semi-dystopian setting and a beautiful client wanting to prove her brother innocent of a closed, iron-clad guilty serial murder case and you have the makings of an entertaining novel. And, in fact, that is what it was. My only criticism was that by 3/4ths of the way through, the author boxed himself in as to who the puppet-master was.

The writing was very good; as well as the performance of the narrator.

Gritty sci-fi detective story

Jeff Edwards's Dome City Blues is a detective tale set in Los Angeles in the 2060's following environmental collapse such that the population lives under domes for survival. The story is told in the style of Raymond Chandler with a cinematic film noir feel. The main character is a former detective dragged back into the game by a beautiful damsel in distress trying to prove her brother who confessed and committed suicide was not a serial killer. All the characters are either damaged or carrying excess baggage as they attempt to eke out a minimal existence in a stagnant world.

The sci-fi elements consist of environmental collapse, AIs, electronic implants, and medical technology blurring the lines between humans and machines.The detective tradecraft is well done with subtle clues aligned with the advanced technology. Although there is cyberpunk tendencies, the story is mostly a solid detective tale with plenty of red herrings, false leads, and significant plot twists.

The narration is quite well done with an excellent range of voices, solid pacing matched by tone and mood that aligns nicely with the storyline.

Blade Runneresque story

Story was good. Enjoyed 1940s detective type treatment from the narrator. Was not what I had expected after reading the story as I gave it the Harrison Ford type of voice