MEMORIES LIVE HERE
Reviewed By: Susan Keefe
Susan Keefe reviews and promotes poetry, fiction and non-fiction, and is also author of the Toby's Tails series of children's books.

An incredibly clever blend of mystery and techno-thriller.

This extraordinary work of fiction cleverly blends intrigue, mystery, and techno-thriller, leaving its readers pondering on the future of mankind, the kinds of technology it may produce, and their uses. 

The story has three protagonists, and they are brothers. Josh, is a brilliant academic, a hermit geek who is leading a revolutionary secret AI project “CHERL” (Computerised Human Experience as Real Life,) which aims to bring back historical leaders to aid in modern decision making.  Louie is all about appearance and trappings. He is an investment banker who lives in a high powered world, the proverbial swan serenely floating above water, whilst paddling like fury underneath. And then there is Donny, who was destined to become a star athlete, however life doesn’t work like that, instead he’s a twice divorced, fifty-two-year old programmer.

When their eighty-seven year old mother Ruth dies, it is Louie and Donny whose job it is to arrange the funeral, and closure of her life. Where is Josh? Well he has missed the whole thing, his important project is nearing completion, his bosses are demanding, and as many people are, he is too preoccupied in his life to even think of others, let alone pick up the phone when it rings.

Like most families there are skeletons in the cupboard, and during the house clearance Donny reflects on his obsession that their fathers death 30 years previously was suspicious, but how do you find the truth when everyone who was involved is now dead?

So many questions, yet even more disaster is set to throw the brothers personal lives and careers into turmoil. With their worlds set to implode, will the appearance of their mother’s secret diaries provide the answers?

This modern day world is steeped in technology. Everyone has become insular, with the pressures of modern day life, keeping up with the Joneses, and “having all the trappings of success” becoming all consuming. This thought-provoking story looks at humans as a race, delving into the frailties of our species, those things which make us human, and asks the question “Is there is a place for technology like CHERL in our future?”

This is such a clever story, not only will it keep its readers on the edge of their seats from the very first page, but at the end it will leave them reflective, and wanting to know more… Highly recommended!

Author’s Website: https://www.marcsheinbaumbooks.com/

Memories Live Here is available fromm Amazon in Kindle and Paperback https://www.amazon.com/Memories-Live-Here-Marc-Sheinbaum/dp/B08VLZ3NNS/ref=sr_1_2?crid=1UURF8GVMWCS2&dchild=1&keywords=memories+live+here&qid=1614249786&sprefix=Memories+li%2Caps%2C270&sr=8-2