Was virtual killing just the beginning?
When eminent psychiatrist Dr Liz Sullivan is found dead in her bed, suspicion falls on local gamer and YouTube celebrity Jaden ‘JD’ Dodds.
Did he target her because of her anti-gaming views and the work she undertook to expose the dangers of playing online games? And what was her connection with Valiant, an independent game manufacturer about to hit the big time, and its volatile boss?
Judith Burton and Constance Lamb team up once more to defend JD when no one else is on his side. Just because he makes a living killing people on screen doesn’t mean he’d do it in real life. Or does it?
I'm delighted to be hosting the blog tour for The Midas Game today. Many thanks to Abi Silver, Lightning Books and Amber from Midas PR for inviting me and for my advance copy of the novel.
Earlier this year I enjoyed reading Abi Silver's previous Burton and Lamb legal thriller, The Rapunzel Act. As with that book, Abi Silver explores a divisive topic, in this case online gaming in her latest standalone novel, The Midas Game. Criticism of video games isn't a new thing, of course but while there is still some debate over whether violent games increase aggressive behaviour in some players, there is now growing acceptance of the risks of addiction and it's noted during the course of The Midas Game, that the WHO recognised 'gaming disorder' and classified it as a medical illness in 2019.
It's a fascinating subject for a thriller allowing for a number of potential suspects responsible for the murder of anti-gaming psychiatrist Dr Elizabeth Sullivan. However, it's online gamer, Jaden 'JD' Dodds who stands accused of the crime with solicitor, Constance Lamb and barrister, Judith Burton instructed to act in his defence. The gradual gathering together of evidence to support their case is followed by the hearing and it's a gripping, pacy read which highlights what a clever series this is.
The partnership and friendship between Burton and Lamb is engaging and believable. It's interesting to see how they approach their respective roles, the way in which they discuss and challenge one another and how their relative skills complement each other. Although mostly concentrated on their professional lives, the return of Judith's former lover, Greg is a welcome one and not just for his useful computer skills! At the moment, I feel I know less about Constance, though it's worth bearing in mind I've not yet read the earlier books in the series. Nevertheless, her warmth and empathy does come across well here, most notably in her interactions with Jaden.
Having older children who watch gamers on YouTube and Twitch means that although my knowledge of the subject isn't first-hand, I am able to say that Jaden feels an authentic character. He is neither demonised nor completely exonerated for his part in encouraging a keen interest in gaming but it's hard to blame an ordinary young man for taking the opportunities offered to him and I found myself hoping he was as innocent as he claimed, despite some disturbing evidence to the contrary coming to light.
Throughout the book there are little suggestions planted that although Dr Sullivan's death could have been a tragic accident, it's just as likely that she was indeed killed by somebody - but that person may not be Jaden. The eye-opening examination of the highly pressurised world of gaming companies is especially thought-provoking, particularly the timely suggestion that esports may eventually become an Olympic event. The competitive, cutthroat nature of the business means it's only too easy to believe somebody within it could want to see a high-profile critic silenced but there are other potential suspects too, including her own son who has a different relationship with gaming.
The Midas Game is an insightful, hard-hitting read but even though it will undoubtedly raise concerns in the minds of some readers, it never feels preachy and is instead an honest appraisal of some important contemporary topics within the framework of a gripping, intelligent thriller. I thoroughly enjoyed it and look forward to reading more from this excellent series in the future.
The Midas Game is published by Lightning Books and can be purchased from the publisher's website, Bookshop.org, Hive, Waterstones, Kobo and Amazon but please consider supporting independent bookshops whenever possible.
Don't miss the rest of the blog tour, details are below.
About the Author
She lives in Hertfordshire with her husband and three sons.
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