View source for Broadcast by Liam Brown

{{infobox1
|title=Broadcast
|author=Liam Brown
|reviewer= Luke Marlowe
|genre=Thrillers
|summary= A chilling thriller portraying life in a future scarily close to ours, ''Broadcast'' is a swift, rollercoaster ride of a read. 
|rating=4.5
|buy=Yes
|borrow=Yes
|pages=288
|publisher=Legend Press
|date=August 2017
|isbn=978-1787199934
|website=www.liambrownwriter.com
|cover=1787199932
|aznuk=1787199932
|aznus=1787199932
}}


When David Callow is offered the lead role in a revolutionary new online show, he snatches at the opportunity. Rapidly becoming a viral sensation, David is propelled to stratospheric levels of celebrity. However, he soon realises the downside of sharing every secret with the world. A prisoner to both his fame and his own thoughts, David seeks to have the chip removed, only to discover the chilling secret lurking at the heart of MindCast, and the terrifying ambition the show's creator has for him.

Social media is a fairly integral part of many of our lives today - I use it to promote my writing and reviews, and have few qualms in putting a (heavily edited) portrayal of my life on social media in order to encourage viewers and interactions. However, some are happy to document every aspect of their lives, and social media stars are swiftly becoming the most popular celebrities out there, selling products, ''writing'' books and appearing on all manner of media, from TV to computer games. 

''Broadcast'' takes those elements and heightens them to startling effect, resulting in a thriller that's both hugely entertaining and immediately relevant to the current social media culture. The lighter tone at the start of the book soon builds into one of dread, building a gripping plot through gradual moments of uncertainty and unease. Later reveals prove remarkably well handled too, using a trope several times that could feel forced if handled by a lesser writer, but here serve as clever and compelling components to a chilling climax. 

An unsettling tale for our times ''Broadcast'' is thriller, commentary, and really very good. Many thanks to the publishers for the copy. 

For further reading I recommend [[The Book of Strange New Things by Michel Faber]]. More science fiction than thriller, much like ''Broadcast'' it's an intriguing read that excites and entertains whilst contemplating very real social situations. 

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[[Category:General Fiction]]