The Dispatcher
2016 • 2h 18m

Ratings145

Average rating4

15

I won't lie. I got this because of [a:Zachary Quinto 2888302 Zachary Quinto https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png] and the length. I like short ABs for commuting etc. It didn't disappoint.The gist of the story is that in a non-too-distant future outright murder becomes virtually impossible. Murder victims started reappearing naked as jaybirds at home shortly after the deed was committed. The reason or the how of this phenomenon is never explained but that didn't bother me. It's only been about 10 years since the reincarnations started and these explanations take time. (See The Leftovers, Lost, Les revenants.) However plucky humans have been quick to benefit from the murder loophole creating the profession of Dispatcher. Yes. It's exactly what it sounds like. When someone is in a near death situation a Dispatcher legally “murders” them so that they can go back to where there life/body was a few hours or days before. Dispatchers are licensed and regulated like an EMT worker, but sometimes also move around in less wholesome environments. And the question remains: how do you kill someone when murder has become, in a sense, obsolete? I enjoyed this short novella. In many ways it reminded of the [b:Among the Living 5603414 Among the Living (PsyCop, #1) Jordan Castillo Price https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1375991614s/5603414.jpg 5774782] universe: utterly familiar but entirely different from our reality. Also it takes place in Chicago. I liked that the author made the principals diverse without shouting from the rafters. I like how he got around the “telling” by making the MC have to reasonably explain his profession and the different twists and turns to a police sergeant in the course of an investigation. Overall I freakin' loved Zachary Quinto's narration; not too showy or performed. Just right. I'd absolutely recommend this little morsel to anyone but particularly to the mystery/suspense fans. Its a treat.

September 17, 2018