Sean Doolittle

#FirstLine - It hadn’t occurred to Stephen Rollins that buying an island was something that anybody, even your old college roommate, could go out and do.

DEVICE FREE WEEKEND is an electrifying thriller that delves into the complexities of friendship and the dangers of technology. Seven friends reunite on a private island for a weekend free from digital distractions, only to find themselves plunged into a suspenseful mystery when their eccentric billionaire host disappears. The blend of nostalgia and suspense keeps you engaged as they navigate a deadly game tied to their shared past. The book's fast-paced plot and thought-provoking themes make it a gripping read, leaving you questioning the impact of technology on our lives. Get ready for a thrilling ride where the only way out is to unlock the past and confront the future.… (mais)

Years ago, I read this great little midwestern noir called The Cleanup, about a guy rebuilding his life and working as a security guard at a grocery store. It began my love of Sean Doolittle's novels. So I picked up Device Free Weekend with great excitement.

Seven college friends reunite for a weekend on an island off of Seattle. They've all appear to have done well in life, but one of them is a Zuckerberg-level social media CEO billionaire and it's his private island they're meeting on. Quickly, the reunion turns from old friends reconnecting, to a bizarre trolley problem scenario where the six friends must together make an impossible choice. Of course, there are extra complications -- truly Bond villain-level traps and a staff that possess extraordinary abilities and an utter dedication to their boss.

It was fine. I'm not really interested in billionaires and having the protagonist be a well-off white dude with anger issues didn't work for me. But that's me and this is a fine thriller. I just prefer it when the characters feel more like real people.… (mais)