What do you think?
Rate this book
The Genehunter #1
The Wrong Tom Jacks
The Genehunter Case 1: The Wrong Tom Jacks
Simms is a genehunter, paid by megarich collectors to track down the DNA of the famous for their private zoos. He's employed to locate the genetic code of Tom Jacks. But not the rock star Tom Jacks, just an unknown namesake.
The job bugs Simms. Something about it is wrong. Someone is playing him. Problem is he doesn't know who or why. None of the illegal plug-in technology filling his brain is much damn use. The one person who can help him is an ex-lover, but she's also the one person on the planet who never wants to speak to him again.
The last thing he needs is Agent Ballard of the Genetic Monitoring Agency pulling him out of the jump network to interrogate him about someone he's never even heard of.
Someone called Boneyard...
A Sci Fi cyberpunk novella set on an Earth slowly going to hell. The Wrong Tom Jacks is the first of five science fiction stories following the adventures of Simms, genetic detective and all-round nice guy.
Simms is a genehunter, paid by megarich collectors to track down the DNA of the famous for their private zoos. He's employed to locate the genetic code of Tom Jacks. But not the rock star Tom Jacks, just an unknown namesake.
The job bugs Simms. Something about it is wrong. Someone is playing him. Problem is he doesn't know who or why. None of the illegal plug-in technology filling his brain is much damn use. The one person who can help him is an ex-lover, but she's also the one person on the planet who never wants to speak to him again.
The last thing he needs is Agent Ballard of the Genetic Monitoring Agency pulling him out of the jump network to interrogate him about someone he's never even heard of.
Someone called Boneyard...
A Sci Fi cyberpunk novella set on an Earth slowly going to hell. The Wrong Tom Jacks is the first of five science fiction stories following the adventures of Simms, genetic detective and all-round nice guy.
46 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 25, 2012
13 people are currently reading
106 people want to read
About the author
Simon Kewin
113 books84 followersSimon Kewin is a fantasy and sci/fi writer, author of the
Cloven Land
fantasy trilogy, cyberpunk thriller
The Genehunter
, steampunk Gormenghast saga
Engn
, the
Triple Stars
sci/fi trilogy and the Office of the Witchfinder General books, published by Elsewhen Press.
He's the author of several short story collections, with his shorter fiction appearing in Analog, Nature and over a hundred other magazines.
He is currently doing an MA in creative writing while writing at least three novels simultaneously.
He's the author of several short story collections, with his shorter fiction appearing in Analog, Nature and over a hundred other magazines.
He is currently doing an MA in creative writing while writing at least three novels simultaneously.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
November 11, 2012
The Wrong Tom Jacks is the first in a series of Genehunter stories from Simon Kewin. Set in a not-to-distant future version of Earth in which information is the most prized commodity, the stories follow the exploits of Simms, a pessimistic but likable criminal, if you narrowly define a criminal as someone who breaks the law. Simms is a professional genehunter, a trade that can be practiced both above and below the law. The best paying contracts are less than legal. Simms finds the DNA of deceased persons, both famous and not so famous, whomever the client wants him to find. What the client does with the DNA, Simms does not seem to much care. Illegal cloning is rampant as the super-rich create private "zoos" populated by the talented and famous from the past.
Simms's brain is augmented with plug-ins that allow him to access public and private networks and a host of other interesting functions. Kewin manages to make all the high-tech gadgetry seem natural. Perhaps it's not that much of a mental leap to go from carrying a personal electronic device at all times to having one that your brain controls and interfaces with directly. It's a testament to Kewin's skills that the reader quickly feels at home in a world that is so like and unlike our own.
My only criticism of the story is that I want to know more about Simms's world. How does node-jumping--a type of travel--work? What is the nature of the plug-ins? Why is society shot to hell? Simms finds the London of his day particularly dismal, but yet he continues to live there.
One of the constants of human existence is greed and in Kewin's world, greed is alive and thriving. There appears to be little that the super-rich cannot get or do if they have enough money and everyone from low-level clinicians to high-level law enforcement officers have their price. For Simms, the joy is in the search and retrieval of the data. He's not happy unless he's stimulated, on a job. He's mostly indifferent to the moral implications of his work and in that sense he's an anti-hero, but his love interest is devoting her life to alleviating the problems that Simms's work facilitates. And despite her hostility to continuing their relationship, Simms's thoughts keep coming back to her. Simms is a complicated man. I suggest you get a copy of Genehunter and get to know him. It'll be well worth your time.
Simms's brain is augmented with plug-ins that allow him to access public and private networks and a host of other interesting functions. Kewin manages to make all the high-tech gadgetry seem natural. Perhaps it's not that much of a mental leap to go from carrying a personal electronic device at all times to having one that your brain controls and interfaces with directly. It's a testament to Kewin's skills that the reader quickly feels at home in a world that is so like and unlike our own.
My only criticism of the story is that I want to know more about Simms's world. How does node-jumping--a type of travel--work? What is the nature of the plug-ins? Why is society shot to hell? Simms finds the London of his day particularly dismal, but yet he continues to live there.
One of the constants of human existence is greed and in Kewin's world, greed is alive and thriving. There appears to be little that the super-rich cannot get or do if they have enough money and everyone from low-level clinicians to high-level law enforcement officers have their price. For Simms, the joy is in the search and retrieval of the data. He's not happy unless he's stimulated, on a job. He's mostly indifferent to the moral implications of his work and in that sense he's an anti-hero, but his love interest is devoting her life to alleviating the problems that Simms's work facilitates. And despite her hostility to continuing their relationship, Simms's thoughts keep coming back to her. Simms is a complicated man. I suggest you get a copy of Genehunter and get to know him. It'll be well worth your time.
December 22, 2012
A dystopian novella, The Genehunter kept me enthralled, and that's hard to do when I'm reading on the Kindle. I'm a print book lover and will easily get distracted by an ebook, keep checking the percentage at the bottom to see how much is left. With The Genehunter, when I saw the percentage left I wanted it to be more. The first in a series set in the future when DNA is harvested, frozen and often stolen, Kewin's writing is intense, clear, stark as he creates a world that no one would want to live in but fascinating to imagine. He is a writer to watch. This is the first work of his I've read but will definitely look for more by this author.
January 5, 2013
This was a free offering so I checked it out. It is a short story and I read it in one sitting. It has the feel of a lighter shade of BLADE RUNNER. The world and the technology of Simms' world are "off the chart" slick. The genre is "Noir" and feels very much like a "hard boiled" detective story. I liked that the story ran on two tracks. One was the actual case that Simms solves and the other, which will apparently be a thread running through the series, is this "Boneyard " storyline. It was a fun quick read that makes me want to look at the others in the series.
September 27, 2018
Simms is a genehunter, hired to track down the DNA of one Tom Jacks—no, not the famous one, the wrong one—only to be pulled into a deeper mystery.
The premise really lassoed me in: a world where cloning is so commonplace there are private “zoos” holding illegals copies of long-past celebrities. A world where jump nodes allow instant transportation between places—no need for your kind anymore, Mr. Sullenburger, except as someone’s pet. There was quite a bit of hand-waving as to how any of the technology worked, or its implications. But I enjoyed the setting; it’s was enough to carry me along to the end.
This being a novella, Simms, the main character, didn’t get much meat on his bones. Even so, he does come off as a bit unsympathetic; money and women are want he wants, and he’ll lie to get them. At least he acknowledges some of his failures.
The writing/editing was solid.
Overall an interesting start, but the protagonist could use more rounding to give me someone to root for and to motivate me to read the next installments.
3.5/5 Rivets
The premise really lassoed me in: a world where cloning is so commonplace there are private “zoos” holding illegals copies of long-past celebrities. A world where jump nodes allow instant transportation between places—no need for your kind anymore, Mr. Sullenburger, except as someone’s pet. There was quite a bit of hand-waving as to how any of the technology worked, or its implications. But I enjoyed the setting; it’s was enough to carry me along to the end.
This being a novella, Simms, the main character, didn’t get much meat on his bones. Even so, he does come off as a bit unsympathetic; money and women are want he wants, and he’ll lie to get them. At least he acknowledges some of his failures.
The writing/editing was solid.
Overall an interesting start, but the protagonist could use more rounding to give me someone to root for and to motivate me to read the next installments.
3.5/5 Rivets
April 3, 2018
Kind of crazy but believable extension of cloning. A gene thief for hire so wealthy can have clone farms to show their wealthy friends. Well written and the thief isn't a totally bad guy but I don't think I'd like to personally know any of these folks. Enjoyed the read.
January 27, 2020
Intriguing setting and good premise.
June 22, 2020
This is a good short sci fi story, quite enjoyable & with an interesting idea/plot! I liked this & will look for more by this writer!
July 4, 2018
The Wrong Tom Jacks is a gritty exploration of genetic advances going too far. In many ways, I enjoyed the dystopian, cyberpunk worldbuilding and the creative use of advanced technology to predict human conflicts in a futuristic society. However, Simon Kewin's protagonist, a "genehunter" who will go to any length to acquire valuable DNA for his morally-questionable, high-paying clients, doesn't strike me as an antihero to root for or even a lovable, jaded mess.
Instead, his motivations--sex, money, and comfort--struck me as dull. While the idea of neuronal cybernetic implants is a thrilling concept and one which added greatly to the case's environmental aspects, there were many times when Kewin overused this technology, both weakening its impact on the audience as a powerful tool and minimizing it to an excuse for simpler writing.
Another aspect of The Wrong Tom Jacks which I found particularly bothersome was the cast's severe gender imbalance. However, it was not the number of women present in the story which bothered me, but the way that two of them (the majority) were treated. Kelly, a woman who is presumed to be Simms' ex-lover, is treated as little more than an object. The prospect of winning Kelly's affections is equated to sex and status--Simms goes so far as to indicate that his fantasy of reuniting with her involves her gratitude to him while she works and he rests.
This notion is followed by the brief mention of a "sexbot," a robot utilized for sexual pleasure who has been designed to look and act exactly like Kelly. The transition is demoralizing and in bad taste, making the protagonist appear singleminded and bland, with a typical male focus instead of more unique and powerful motivations.
The next female character introduced is, in a word, bedridden and entirely "useless," in a place of little power. Her presence is only for the protagonist's gain and advancement of the plot.
While there were a number of issues in this book which irked me during the read, including an only averagely engrossing plot and cast, I did enjoy the vast capability of Kewin's imagination. He demonstrates his affinity for this niche, underappreciated genre with solid technology and clever use of adjacent plotlines. While one is solved, readers are left with another mystery, which I assume Simms pursues in Kewin's following cases.
Because of the book's ability to interest me with its scientific motifs and old-school detective vibes, I would consider reading further cases. However, I still find myself hesitant due to the overarching plainness and typical masculinity of the main character which has already been explored so much in other writing. I would love to see more depth in Simms' characterization, and I can only hope that it comes in later works.
Instead, his motivations--sex, money, and comfort--struck me as dull. While the idea of neuronal cybernetic implants is a thrilling concept and one which added greatly to the case's environmental aspects, there were many times when Kewin overused this technology, both weakening its impact on the audience as a powerful tool and minimizing it to an excuse for simpler writing.
Another aspect of The Wrong Tom Jacks which I found particularly bothersome was the cast's severe gender imbalance. However, it was not the number of women present in the story which bothered me, but the way that two of them (the majority) were treated. Kelly, a woman who is presumed to be Simms' ex-lover, is treated as little more than an object. The prospect of winning Kelly's affections is equated to sex and status--Simms goes so far as to indicate that his fantasy of reuniting with her involves her gratitude to him while she works and he rests.
This notion is followed by the brief mention of a "sexbot," a robot utilized for sexual pleasure who has been designed to look and act exactly like Kelly. The transition is demoralizing and in bad taste, making the protagonist appear singleminded and bland, with a typical male focus instead of more unique and powerful motivations.
The next female character introduced is, in a word, bedridden and entirely "useless," in a place of little power. Her presence is only for the protagonist's gain and advancement of the plot.
While there were a number of issues in this book which irked me during the read, including an only averagely engrossing plot and cast, I did enjoy the vast capability of Kewin's imagination. He demonstrates his affinity for this niche, underappreciated genre with solid technology and clever use of adjacent plotlines. While one is solved, readers are left with another mystery, which I assume Simms pursues in Kewin's following cases.
Because of the book's ability to interest me with its scientific motifs and old-school detective vibes, I would consider reading further cases. However, I still find myself hesitant due to the overarching plainness and typical masculinity of the main character which has already been explored so much in other writing. I would love to see more depth in Simms' characterization, and I can only hope that it comes in later works.
November 9, 2012
This cyberpunk techno-thriller is a fast-paced novella that serves as a brilliant introduction (but also works as a stand-alone) to a series of cyber-driven future noir crime stories featuring a Genehunter named Simms. The world building is seamless as author Simon Kewin immerses you into a double-pronged plot - and a super cool mind/techno meld - that zips you from one case to the next.
Simms hires himself out to track down (often while skirting the law) DNA samples of historic figures, for which the uber-wealthy are willing to pay megabucks to enhance their private cloning zoos. Fantastic premise and the action is just as exciting as Simms has to face a GMAn named Ballard - a crooked rep from the Genetic Monitoring Agency who 'convinces' Simms to look into a mysterious figure, Boneyard.
This overarching plotline will carry through the rest of the series - the only drawback of which is that, evidently, the other four novellas aren't written yet! Dang it, I want to buy the next one now! Recommended if you enjoy this brand of SF thriller, and don't mind adult-oriented material (vulgarities and theme make this appropriate for mature high schoolers, imo).
Simms hires himself out to track down (often while skirting the law) DNA samples of historic figures, for which the uber-wealthy are willing to pay megabucks to enhance their private cloning zoos. Fantastic premise and the action is just as exciting as Simms has to face a GMAn named Ballard - a crooked rep from the Genetic Monitoring Agency who 'convinces' Simms to look into a mysterious figure, Boneyard.
This overarching plotline will carry through the rest of the series - the only drawback of which is that, evidently, the other four novellas aren't written yet! Dang it, I want to buy the next one now! Recommended if you enjoy this brand of SF thriller, and don't mind adult-oriented material (vulgarities and theme make this appropriate for mature high schoolers, imo).
June 20, 2016
As a genehunter, Simms hunts down the DNA of famous people for well-paying collectors. In this case, he's paid to locate the genetic code of a nobody, someone who shares the same name with the rock star Tom Jacks. Something doesn't add up, though. An agent from the Genetic Monitoring Agency harasses Simms and his ex-lover, who might be able to help, doesn't want anything to do with him. There's a named whispered: Boneyard. Simms has no idea what he's stepped in to.
An incredibly well-written science-fiction novella with a noir edge. I love the world building on this futuristic Earth with its cyberpunk flavor. It's dark and gritty and has a mystery that has me already reading the next book. Simms is a fascinating character. Not everything he does is clean, but he is clever, determined, and has a good heart.
An incredibly well-written science-fiction novella with a noir edge. I love the world building on this futuristic Earth with its cyberpunk flavor. It's dark and gritty and has a mystery that has me already reading the next book. Simms is a fascinating character. Not everything he does is clean, but he is clever, determined, and has a good heart.
October 31, 2013
I was expecting to like this, but it really just didn't grab my attention- it feels like a prequel or sequel, a story in which effort isn't really made to make the reader feel attached to the main character because they already are (it isn't a pre-seq though, just short, episodic.) The main character is morally grey, not particularly conflicted, and the drama just didn't feel very dramatic to me. I thought I would like this more since the subject matter (cryonics) is interesting. However it is more like P.I. + corporate espionage. That could work, but didn't do anything for me.
December 9, 2014
Enjoyed this a lot more than I thought I would. Intriguing world, interesting concept, edgy characters. I'd like to read more.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews