Blind Spots has the most amazing plot set up and I was excited to give this one a try. Set in a world where everyone is blind, technology has stepped in to create a new means of visualizing. When someone hacks the system to get away with murder, Detective Mark Owens, must sift through the powerful suspects. This is an interesting combination of a sci-fi genre and police procedural. While at times the case progress seemed slow, I did enjoy how the case was worked and liked the technology involved. This was a solid enjoyable read for me

Narrator Gary Tiedemann was enjoyable to listen to. He gave life and personality to the detective.

Thank you Macmillan audio for the advanced listener copy to enjoy!

This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart


Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

There are a lot of bases covered in Blind Spots. There is a police procedural mystery but also a science fiction thriller. I enjoy all of these genres and the technological aspects in the story were interesting.

Basically a virus caused The Blinding 7 years ago. Technology was developed so that people would be able to see again. Police and other essential services got the new technology first. Now most people have it. There are some people who won't have it because they feel it is giving too much control to others as to what they see. Also they can be tracked with them.

One layer of the story is the technology. There is the current product and a new product that lets people change their appearance. There is a company that was trying to develop a product to selectively obscure sight. Another company wanted to do a more natural improvement to restore sight more organically.

Another idea developed is what sight means to our lives. How much is determined by our visual sense and how much do other senses inform us? I thought the discussion on this was interesting as it wove through the story.

We also learn about Owens and his personal life. He was married to a women, an artist, who committed suicide. He feels badly because he had unkind words with her before she died. Now he is dating a police officer, not in his same role. Owens is in homicide. She goes through some insecurities about their relationship.

Owens, and his partner, end up investigating homicides where people say they can't describe the killer because they were a black blur. They just didn't see them well enough. The police have heard this a few times over the past few years and see it as a lie. The person either committed the crime themselves or are protecting someone. Then Owens sees a killing with a black blur and has to face his fellow officers seeing him as having lost it or lying.

The pace was brisk. There was plenty of action and events. The problem was clear but Owens had a lot of work to define who the criminals and actual killers were. He finds out who he can really trust.

Narration:
This was my first time listening to this narrator. I was comfortable with his voices. Most of the story was withthe perspective of Owens and that felt like the voice expressing well his emotions. I was able to listen at my usual 1.5x speed.

A scary but interesting look at the future. I listened to the audiobook and found the story to be pretty engaging. The narrator did a great job. The story was not what I normally read or listen to, but I found myself engaged wanting to know how it would end. The main characters were interesting and there were plenty of secrets between all of them. The life in the future isn't a rosy picture and while there was a good conclusion to the mystery, I felt relieved to finish my time there. The author paints a good picture as I was able to visualize the world he describes. For me it was a good change of pace from my normal reading, and I would recommend. I received an advance copy from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Master storyteller Thomas Mullen returns following Midnight Atlanta, Lightning Men, and Darktown (5 stars) with his latest, BLIND SPOTS —a dystopian mind-blowing near-future mystery set seven years after The Blinding.

This thought-provoking riveting crime thriller explores how our perceptions of reality can be manipulated. Can you imagine a world where everyone is blind? So many were helpless, and some became addicted to drugs—then how they attempted to correct the blindness.

Seven years after a global event known as The Blinding (where everyone was blind), the vision was restored with the help of vidders—metal discs implanted in human temples.

This has helped many people, but organized crime is still a huge challenge for law enforcement. Also, who gets them first, and are some misusing them? And what about hacking, tampering, and manipulating?

Technology assists with the new normal by downloading visual data to people's brains. However, what happens when someone hacks into the system (much like our internet today) and changes what people see?

Partners Mark Owens, Safiya Khouri, and Jimmy Peterson (cops) —find themselves in the run-down River District, where a tense situation and a malfunctioning vidder lead to a questionable shooting by Owens.

A scientist is murdered, and the only witness insists the killer was blacked out of her vision, and Owens doesn't believe her—until a similar murder occurs before him.

That suggests that someone may have found a way to hack vidders, a development with frightening implications.

With an array of suspects and bodies mounting, Owens must conduct an investigation in which he can't even trust his own eyes.

Can law enforcement agents Owens and partner Peterson decide if they trust what they see and believe what they hear?

Owens will also have to figure out if he is ready to move on from his wife, Jeanie (artist), lost to the "Blinding" and if he should trust his new girlfriend, Amira, also in law enforcement, with what he has found out.

Told from multiple POVs, the story explores conspiracies and lies with surprising revelations.

A big fan of Mullen and have enjoyed his previous work set in Atlanta (former resident)— I was intrigued by BLIND SPOTS.

You will be pondering (a cautionary tale) about our not-so-distant future, technology, and government. Utterly fascinating! Enthralling, scary, and thought-provoking.

From the stunning front cover to the superb writing, Mullen delivers a first-class intelligent novel—Blending literary, crime thriller, whodunit, cop procedural, Sci-fi, action, mystery, and dystopian. Highly recommend.

AUDIOBOOK: I had the privilege of reading the e-book and listening to the audiobook narrated by Gary Tiedemann for a captivating performance!

Fans of P.D. James' Children of Men (1992) set in England, will enjoy this.

Thank you to #MinotaurBooks #StMartinsPress #MacmillanAudio and #NetGalley for an ARC and ALC in exchange for an honest review. I also purchased a hardcover copy for my Mullen home library collection.

Blog review posted @
www.JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
Pub Date: April 4, 2023
My Rating: 5 Stars
April 2023 Must-Read Books

This was a weird one and I liked it a lot! The only problem I had was parts of it were slow and tended to drag but the storyline was creepy and intriguing. I listened to the audio version and the narrator was great!

My Quick Take: This was a fun, fast-paced audiobook. A sort-of police procedural in a near-future world post-blindness epidemic.
***
I’m really enjoying audiobook thrillers and mysteries. They’re so entertaining when I’m doing chores and going for runs. Blind Spots is another solid entry into that category.

From the publisher:

“Seven years ago, everyone in the world went blind in a matter of months. Technology helped people adjust to the new normal, creating a device that approximates vision, downloading visual data directly to people’s brains. But what happens when someone finds a way to hack it and change what people see?

Homicide detective Mark Owens has been on the force since before The Blinding. When a scientist is murdered, and the only witness insists the killer was blacked out of her vision, Owens doesn’t believe her—until a similar murder happens in front of him.”

I enjoyed the premise. I love books that presuppose an event and then imagine the consequences. Since everyone went blind, big tech has manufactured “vidders” that most people wear, and that’s the quirk of this mystery. We learn about the post-blind world. Everyone is dealing with the fallout–trauma, social injustice, new anti-vidder religious movements–as best they can. There’s no big bad conspiracy here, just people and governments getting by. That said, there is a big plot afoot to wreak havoc and that’s what Detective Owens gets caught up in.

It was super interesting to hear about a world where technology is so necessary, and chilling to think of how that technology could be hacked. The pacing was unfailingly quick, the characters were well enough drawn to be interesting, and the plot hung together. There were a few details that didn’t quite make sense to me and elements that were a bit of a reach plot-wise, but they weren’t any different than what happens in many thrillers and didn’t detract from my enjoyment.

I found the occasional discussion of how life settled out post-pandemic to hold some truths. This novel is set a few years after the big cataclysm. After the struggle, when things settle down, we sometimes forget how hard it can be to live with the calmer but still difficult aftermath of a disaster:

“It was so hard for so long to try one’s best to stay positive, or at least not depressingly negative. To put things in perspective. To count one’s blessings, even as the blessings were stripped away. Things got a bit easier with time, with experience. Then, weirdly, they got harder again. Except this time you were weaker, you had less in reserve, you had fewer resources. And the idea of staying positive just seemed too hard. Too much work for no reward.”

If you’re looking for an easy and entertaining read that has the added element of post-pandemic techie mayhem, you’ll probably enjoy this!

3.5 stars
This was a very unique dystopian/post-apocalyptic story. Everyone in the world lost their vision in recent years but only some people were given devices/implants that allow them to approximate sight. In this backdrop, detective Mark Owens investigates a murder that hits close to home on more than one level. The suspense built from the start, with a well-crafted resolution at the end.
My main complaint about the book (aside from the narration) was that it served two masters— explaining the setting/world building while also investigating the murder mystery. It flipped back and forth a lot and was at times difficult to adjust with the transitions.
*Thanks to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the advance audio copy for review.

I received a complimentary ALC of BLIND SPOTS by Thomas Mullen thanks to @Macmillan.Audio and @Netgalley.

BLIND SPOTS is set in a future world where a pandemic took away sight from everyone over the course of a few months, a period of time known as The Blinding. The world was thrown into chaos but it is recovering, largely thanks to new technology which allows the blind to see. This technology feeds visual data direct into the brain.

Mark Owens is a homicide detective still adapting to this new world. His wife survived The Blinding, but couldn’t adapt her artist’s mind to the new way of seeing. Mark is a much more concrete thinker, but is dealing with grief after his great loss. When handed a case in which a scientist is murdered and the witness reports someone blanked out from view, he must consider how perfect the world’s life saving technology really is.

This book had such an interesting premise and I think it did a good job of raising a lot of discussions and issues that felt realistic. There are those who refuse technology assisted vision and hold fast to their blindness and the other benefits of senses that come with it. Those in the technology realm raise questions of changing people’s appearances through the technology. Would a world be more fair if everyone could change how they’re perceived regardless of beauty or race?

Overall I felt like there were some slow moments between higher action periods, but even when it got a bit slow the concepts kept me wanting more and the mystery had me wanting answers. This was a good blend of scifi with mystery and thriller.

BLIND SPOTS is out now!

Blind Spots is a future dystopian detective thriller with engaging world building. This novel by Thomas Mullen hinges on a future in which everyone has become blind- but nobody is exactly sure why or how.

After an initial period of chaos and danger, a capitalistic company came on the scene with a potential solution. Vidders are devices that allow people to have their sight restored, but at a very high price. In this story, we follow a few perspectives including a detective named Owens who has lost his wife to mental illness. When a scientist dies and it is ruled suicide, Owen is very suspicious.

Launching into a murky world of suspect technology and blurred visions, this story kept me engaged from start to finish. There are some powerful flashbacks that enhance the world building and ample time is spent establishing the present day as well. I would say that the author prioritized world building over character development, so if you are okay with that I think you might like this speculative crime story. I found it fun and unique, outside my comfort zone just enough. Thank you to Macmillan Audio and Minotaur books for an ALC in exchange for my honest review.

Blind Spots is an interesting sci-fi/mystery novel. It is not my typical cup of tea, but was enjoyable nonetheless.

While the synopsis sounded good. The book itself wasn't. The build up was slow! I was expecting it to flow a little more than it did. I am giving this book three stars

Thank you, NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the gifted book. I've read this in paper and audio format.

The book takes place in our world, but something happened and every human went blind. Tech advanced so far as to implant vision directly into our brains, overcoming the lost of sight. But what if it can be hacked?

This was an awesome idea and a great plot that touched on many important questions of morality and humanity. Loved the main character, his humor, and development. I wanted more of the after-story for him (unless we will be seeing sequels to this). There wasn't any resolution with his sister and that was definitely missing for me.

Fast-paced, short chapters, very unique, and while it is sci-fi it is easily accessible.

This book was described as “Black Mirror meets Blake Crouch” and that’s fairly accurate. Much less science-heavy than Blake Crouch though, this book is more a futuristic crime procedural and I really enjoyed it. Set 7 years after “The Blinding” when everyone on earth lost their sight, it follows detective Owens as he tries to solve a series of murders. Now people can “see” by having an implant stream vision directly to their brains. But it seems like someone has learned how to hack the devices, making it possible to block certain things from people’s vision.
This was fast paced and exciting, and kept me guessing til the end. A dystopian, chilling look at the future, I’m still thinking about this one.

Blind Spots takes place in a world in which a virus has robbed the world of its sight. Now, the murder that needs to be solved here is interesting and the unique challenges made this a fascinating read. What I’m left thinking about, though, is the argument about living as you are or augmenting who you are to make yourself who you could have been. There are a lot of people who don’t even remember being able to see naturally. I can truly see (no pun intended) both sides of this issue. It is still tumbling around in my brain.

Anyway, when you can’t see can a murder be committed right in front of you? And how do you solve it?

What would happen if the entire world became blind?

Book Information

Thomas Mullen, the acclaimed author of Darktown, has written another gripping novel called Blind Spots, set to release on April 4, 2023. This 320-page book promises to be a must-read for fans of Mullen's previous works. The audiobook version, narrated by the talented Gary Tiedemann, runs for an impressive 10 hours and 23 minutes, making it a great choice for audiobook enthusiasts. Mullen's writing has received numerous accolades, including being shortlisted for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize, the Southern Book Prize, and the Indies Choice Book Award. His previous work, Darktown, has even been nominated for two Crime Writers Association Dagger Awards and is currently being developed for television by Sony Pictures. Thanks to Macmillan Audio, who provided an advanced reader copy for review.

Summary

In a world where a virus robbed everyone of their sight seven years ago, people have adapted with the help of technology. A device has been created to simulate vision by transmitting visual data directly to the brain. However, when an unknown entity starts manipulating this technology, everything changes.

Mark Owens, a seasoned homicide detective who has been on the force since before the virus, is faced with a perplexing case when a scientist is murdered, and the sole witness claims the killer was unseeable. Owens is skeptical until he witnesses a similar murder in person. As Owens begins investigating, he discovers a wide range of suspects, from tech billionaires to those who reject modern technology. However, the investigation becomes increasingly complex as it hinges not only on what can be seen but also on what remains unseen...

My Thoughts

Blind Spots presents a unique premise that centers around a world where every individual has lost sight. As someone working in a field related to disability and blindness, I found this concept particularly intriguing. However, I was initially apprehensive about how the book would depict disability, given the tendency for books to rely on stereotypes and tropes. Nevertheless, Mullen successfully navigates both sides of the equation, showcasing both the dystopian society created in response to the loss of sight and a group of individuals who learn to thrive as blind people.

The story is fast-paced, suspenseful, and thought-provoking. It explores the manipulation of reality and how our perceptions can be influenced. Readers are left in the dark alongside the characters, unsure of who is behind the murders and why they are happening. The characters are well-developed and nuanced, and the book also delves into the intersection of disability and policing in a future world.

Blind Spots skillfully blends elements of mystery, science fiction, dystopia, and thriller. The narrator, Gary Tiedemann, brings the story to life, masterfully portraying the emotions of the characters and making the reader invested in their journey.

Overall, Blind Spots is an engaging and unique read that I highly recommend to anyone interested in exploring the boundaries of speculative fiction.

Recommendation

For those who enjoy thrilling stories that seamlessly blend genres or those seeking a well-crafted narrative that adeptly handles disability issues, Blind Spots by Thomas Mullen is a solid choice that comes highly recommended.

Rating

4 Blanked-Out Stars

Seven years ago a mysterious virus breaks out causing the whole world to lose it's sight within a matter of months. This period called The Blinding. introduced such chaos that scientists came up with the Vidders to save humanity from destruction and despair.
The Vidder was implanted into the right temple, transmitting sight directly to the brain. While this new technology was used to capitalize on humanity bringing power, wealth, and control. Criminals began tapping into the Vidders to distort and minipulate them. Others refused to use the Vidders not wanting to be controlled or manipulated.
Homicide Detective Mark Owens investigates the murder of a scientist, but the witness claims that the murderer was a blur. The detective has heard this excuse before, but when he also sees the same phenomenon he ends up on the run not knowing who to trust.
This dystopian society was part sci-fi, part police procedural and a bit of mystery all wrapped in one. I found it a unique and interesting read, however some of the characters fell flat for me. And there were so many questions I still wanted answered. I enjoyed Gary Tiedemann's narration, I thought he did a great job.
I would give it a 3.5
Thanks to Net Galley for allowing me to read this for an honest review.

I was expecting a thriller but not one with the dystopian spin. I went into it blind (no pun intended haha) so not having read the synopsis this was unexpected and I really liked it. This was suspenseful and captivating, and I listened to it in one setting. The narrator was good, and I thought he captured the suspense in here well.

Thank you to NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for the advanced copy to review.

Blindness takes over the planet like a plague and chaos ensues. Over the next 7 years, vision is restored artificially with implants called Vitters. (I listened to the audiobook - fitting considering the subject matter, don't you think - so am assuming the spelling.) As can be expected, some people resist the technology and some people work to take advantage of the devices. The story plays out mainly focused on a detective faced with an odd situation where he thinks Vitters are being hacked to allow criminals to be erased from visions. I thought the world created was incredibly smart and realistic, given the dystopian twist. The author did an excellent job of presenting a world that is frightening to many of us, as we are so dependent on vision and this was well voiced by the solo narrator. Tiedemann, the narrator, was also effective in representing the many difference voices and characters in the book. I listened at 1.25x, as I normally do, without any confusion. Character development seemed to lose out to time spent detailing the new world, both the history and current action. Likewise, the focus on the book was more on the mysteries while using the science fiction aspect as the foundation for events to take place. But, more than once I stopped to consider how I would do without my sight, something I have wondered about in the past. If this happened, would I eagerly grab for a Vitter despite this cautionary tale?

I thought the synopsis for this sounded so cool and so original, but I’m sad to say that this was not my kind of book. Don’t get me wrong - I love dystopia, and I like science-fiction. I thought those would be the primary genres for the book, but this was more of a crime/mystery book.

The Blindness hit globally seven years prior to this story. It was a pandemic that took people’s sight, and soon, everyone in the world is blind. This vaguely follows the Covid pandemic, as when a new device called a “vidder” comes out, some are skeptical. Vidders are implanted in people’s temples, and restore their vision. Just like anti-vaxxers, there are anti-vidders too: people who are worried that the government will be controlling their sight.
This part of the book was the part I was interested in, but it was a relatively small part of the book. Very little about the actual pandemic was revealed, and the rest of the book was about the mystery of people’s vidders showing them black blurs where people should be. Is this a glitch in the technology?

I guess we get answers, but not very involved ones. This book is told from multiple points of view, and that, combined with the amount of random characters who give nothing to the story, make this a bit convoluted. I didn’t feel anything towards any of the characters; they were all as flat and two-dimensional as vidder vision is. It was lacking something - interesting characters, a clear plot line, and a thrilling feel are things you won’t see (haha) in this book. I kept waiting for something exciting to happen, but even the “big ending” wasn’t that exciting. I think this book may have been miscategorized, and crime fans may enjoy it more than thriller, sci-fi or dystopia fans. I’m giving this 3.5 stars, as it was tolerable.

(Thank you to St. Martin’s Press, Thomas Mullen and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review. This book is slated to be released on April 4, 2023.)

I am not a big on science fiction of futuristic timelines so maybe that has a lot to do with my rating. I'm sure fans of the genre will love the novel, but I just couldn't wrap my head around it. Thanks to NetGalley I'm able to give my honest review. I felt some characters and POvs didn't add anything to the storyline. The narrator's voice did nothing to keep me spell bound. For me there are way too many excellent books in the universe to waste your time on this one.