Jem Tugwell’s Proximity and No Signal are gripping Black Mirror-esque crime-thrillers. They are set in the UK in our eerily near future where everyone has an embedded iMe chip. Proximity crimes, such as murders and muggings, are now non-existent and the police force has been downsized. The Government knows exactly where you are and where you have been. They control the food you eat, the risks you take and tell you when to exercise. It’s all for the greater good – it enables a better you.
Proximity opens 10 years after iMe’s compulsory introduction. DI Clive Lussac has just been given the young and enthusiastic DC Zoe Jordon as his new ‘partner’ when the Thief steals their first victim. Clive and Zoe struggle to accept this – it’s impossible for someone to be missing. Then another victim is stolen. With modern policing broken, Clive and Zoe have to use old policing methods to solve the case.
No Signal is set a year on after Proximity and visitors/tourists to the UK have to wear an iTourist bracelet while they are in the country. It tracks their location and gives all the convenience of the iMe while blocking access to the health care system.
Such a controlled island is a completely illogical place to stage the ultimate AR game called ‘Forbidden Island’. But ten gamers are chosen – they are reckless, driven and strong. They are tested. The Ten become Four. When the Four disappear, DI Clive Lussac and his partners DC Ava Miller and DS Zoe Jordan can’t believe what the Four have sacrificed just to hide from the police.
Now they strive to answer the real questions.
Why does the ultimate Augmented Reality game finish in four different places? And what is the real motive behind the game?
Of course, this is all sci-fi. It could never happen… but Elon Musk’s Neuralink implant could soon be in you. Now there’s a scary thought!
What’s not a scary thought is winning your very own signed copies of both Proximity and No Signal with our competition bundle! Simply answer the question below to be in with a chance to win a signed copy of both books (please note this competition is for UK residents only).
Jem Tugwell’s Proximity and No Signal is out now from Serpentine Books. Can’t wait to see if you’ve won? Buy your copy now!