Utopian Betrayal: A Techno-Thriller Murder Unraveled with Author Joseph Rein

My guest today on the Online for Authors podcast is Joseph Rein, author of the book Youtopia. Joseph is the author of the Youtopia series (Youtopia, Youtopia Reborn, Youtopia Infinity). His short story collection Roads without Houses was nominated for numerous literary prizes. His short fiction has appeared in over twenty journals, magazines, and anthologies worldwide, and has twice been nominated for a Pushcart Prize. He is also a screenwriter and critical essayist. His second feature-length film, Who Killed Cooper Dunn? (2022), was featured on Showtime and other streaming platforms. He wrote, produced, and acted in multiple other short festival films. He is currently a Professor of Creative Writing at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. When not writing or reading, he can be found hiking with his wife Jessica, playing cribbage, or recovering from various small injuries inflicted by his four children.

In my book review, I stated Youtopia is a techno-thriller that still has me thinking. Anabel Downer is an FBI agent assigned to find a murderer. However, this isn't an ordinary murder but one that happened in cyberspace.

Youtopia is a place where one can live in a perfect world of their own choosing - every single day - in a virtual reality environment. People tired of life with all its up and downs and disappointments can choose to immerse themselves into Youtopia, living out the rest of their days without pain, discomfort, or disease. As you can imagine, some people love the idea and others abhor it. But who hates it enough to murder?

This book is fast-paced and has plenty of twists and turns, especially as we see Anabel's past and her connection to Youtopia. Mostly, it will make you think. What would you give up to have a perfect life? And is perfect really what you want after all?

Subscribe to Online for Authors to learn about more great books! https://www.youtube.com/@onlineforauthors?sub_confirmation=1

Join the Novels N Latte Book Club community to discuss this and other books with like-minded readers: https://www.facebook.com/groups/3576519880426290

You can follow Author Joseph Rein

Website: https://josephrein.com

FB: @JosephReinAuthor

X: @Joseph_Rein1

IG: @Joseph_Rein1

 

Purchase Youtopia on Amazon:

Paperback: https://amzn.to/3SpjvDc

Ebook: https://amzn.to/4c3pSmw

 

Teri M Brown, Author and Podcast Host: https://www.terimbrown.com

FB: @TeriMBrownAuthor

IG: @terimbrown_author

X: @terimbrown1

 

#josephrein #youtopia #thriller #technothriller #terimbrownauthor #authorpodcast #onlineforauthors #characterdriven #researchjunkie #awardwinningauthor #podcasthost #podcast #readerpodcast #bookpodcast #writerpodcast #author #books #goodreads #bookclub #fiction #writer #bookreview

*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.