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Echo Park
James and Terrance share DNA, but they aren't brothers.
They aren't even friends.
As a civil advisor for the LAPD, James relies on Terrance— his genetic clone—to help him pass mandatory drug testing. But when Terrance suddenly goes missing, and multiple clones end up murdered, a case of mistaken identity forces James to inhabit his double's life, risking that the secret of his addiction will unravel his carefully composed lies.
First designed as biotech property and then raised in foster care, Echoes live on the outskirts of society; genetic clones of their sources, but rarely accepted into their lives. That's what Terrance should have been for James— a stranger he never even knew existed— but instead, their lives became dangerously intertwined.
After Terrance misses their usual exchange of clean urine for cash, a man with a gun shows up instead. In order to stay alive, James pretends he's Terrance, setting off a dangerous chain of events that quickly spiral out of his control. Inhabiting his clone's life is the easy part; James is used to lying.
He's lied to his traditional, well-off Chinese parents about where he goes at night, to his coworkers at the LAPD about his drug habit, and to Terrance, about how severe his addiction really is. It never occurred to him that Terrance was keeping secrets, too.
As he learns about the history of clones, James begins to question the biggest secret of the one his parents kept when they, like many others, chose to clone their children. When clones are murdered and James is blackmailed by someone who knows his true identity, finding Terrance becomes only half the mission. Because the clues left in his wake lead to a conspiracy even more cold blooded than murder—and if James can prove it, the lines and lies that divide his world and the clones will be shattered forever.
They aren't even friends.
As a civil advisor for the LAPD, James relies on Terrance— his genetic clone—to help him pass mandatory drug testing. But when Terrance suddenly goes missing, and multiple clones end up murdered, a case of mistaken identity forces James to inhabit his double's life, risking that the secret of his addiction will unravel his carefully composed lies.
First designed as biotech property and then raised in foster care, Echoes live on the outskirts of society; genetic clones of their sources, but rarely accepted into their lives. That's what Terrance should have been for James— a stranger he never even knew existed— but instead, their lives became dangerously intertwined.
After Terrance misses their usual exchange of clean urine for cash, a man with a gun shows up instead. In order to stay alive, James pretends he's Terrance, setting off a dangerous chain of events that quickly spiral out of his control. Inhabiting his clone's life is the easy part; James is used to lying.
He's lied to his traditional, well-off Chinese parents about where he goes at night, to his coworkers at the LAPD about his drug habit, and to Terrance, about how severe his addiction really is. It never occurred to him that Terrance was keeping secrets, too.
As he learns about the history of clones, James begins to question the biggest secret of the one his parents kept when they, like many others, chose to clone their children. When clones are murdered and James is blackmailed by someone who knows his true identity, finding Terrance becomes only half the mission. Because the clues left in his wake lead to a conspiracy even more cold blooded than murder—and if James can prove it, the lines and lies that divide his world and the clones will be shattered forever.
Audible Audio
Published August 4, 2026
About the author
Curtis C. Chen
29 books153 followersOnce a Silicon Valley software engineer, Curtis C. Chen (陳致宇) now writes stories near Portland, Oregon. His debut novel Waypoint Kangaroo (a 2017 Locus Awards and Endeavour Award Finalist) is the first in a series of funny science fiction spy thrillers, followed by Kangaroo Too (which received a starred review from Publishers Weekly) and True Blue Kangaroo (a Smashwords bestseller for three months running). He has written for the Realm original podcasts Echo Park, Ninth Step Murders, and Machina.
Curtis' shorter works have appeared in Playboy Magazine; the ENNIE Award-winning Kobold Guide to Roleplaying; The Year's Best Fantasy, Volume 2; Aliens vs. Predators: Ultimate Prey; and elsewhere. His homebrew cat feeding robot was displayed in the "Worlds Beyond Here" exhibit at Seattle's Wing Luke Museum. He is a graduate of the Clarion West and Viable Paradise writers' workshops.
Curtis' shorter works have appeared in Playboy Magazine; the ENNIE Award-winning Kobold Guide to Roleplaying; The Year's Best Fantasy, Volume 2; Aliens vs. Predators: Ultimate Prey; and elsewhere. His homebrew cat feeding robot was displayed in the "Worlds Beyond Here" exhibit at Seattle's Wing Luke Museum. He is a graduate of the Clarion West and Viable Paradise writers' workshops.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
August 13, 2026
👯♂️ Echo Park 👯♂️
(( Spoiler- Free ALC Review ))
Title- Echo Park
Author- Curtis C. Chen
Genre- Science Fiction/ Mystery Thriller
Performed by- Harry Shum Jr.
Trope City-
🧬 Echoes and Sources
🧬 Disappearances
🧬 Clones
🧬 Cult
🧬 Drug Use
Bravo Harry Shum Jr.! I’m a Grey’s Anatomy fangirl. I was so excited to see this performed by Dr. Kwan, himself. It was so well-performed. The performance was gripping. This actually came to life for me. As we got deeper in to the story, I could see it playing out as if I were watching it on tv. I can’t say enough about the performance. The writing is captivating. It’s such a foreign world that you find yourself craving answers as a reader. I needed to better understand who an Echo was to a Source and if they were connected beyond the use of one’s DNA is falsely created another. The add of a cult group to support the Echoes gave this a whole current dynamic. Diving deep in to what happens in the psyche that creates space for the need for cult-like support and behavior. My brain is still reeling from this one!
10/10 recommend!
Thank you Podium Entertainment for always keeping me on my toes! I love being on your team! 🫶🏻
(( Spoiler- Free ALC Review ))
Title- Echo Park
Author- Curtis C. Chen
Genre- Science Fiction/ Mystery Thriller
Performed by- Harry Shum Jr.
Trope City-
🧬 Echoes and Sources
🧬 Disappearances
🧬 Clones
🧬 Cult
🧬 Drug Use
Bravo Harry Shum Jr.! I’m a Grey’s Anatomy fangirl. I was so excited to see this performed by Dr. Kwan, himself. It was so well-performed. The performance was gripping. This actually came to life for me. As we got deeper in to the story, I could see it playing out as if I were watching it on tv. I can’t say enough about the performance. The writing is captivating. It’s such a foreign world that you find yourself craving answers as a reader. I needed to better understand who an Echo was to a Source and if they were connected beyond the use of one’s DNA is falsely created another. The add of a cult group to support the Echoes gave this a whole current dynamic. Diving deep in to what happens in the psyche that creates space for the need for cult-like support and behavior. My brain is still reeling from this one!
10/10 recommend!
Thank you Podium Entertainment for always keeping me on my toes! I love being on your team! 🫶🏻
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
James and Terrance share DNA but they aren’t brothers. Terrance is a genetic clone, an echo of James.
James learns of Terrance’s existance and their lives become dangerously intwined. When Terrance goes missing and multiple clones end of murd3red, James pretends to be Terrance.
Full of science and secrets this was a fast paced and interesting listen. The chapters are set into short episodes 25-40 minutes each which make it easy to listening in sessions or take breaks if needed.
🎧Harry Shum Jr in addition to the dramatization of this audio was phenomenal! I devoured this in one sitting listening, fully entertained.
Thank you to the author, Curtis C Chen, Publisher Podium Entertainment for the opportunity to listen to this book. I received a gifted copy and am leaving my review voluntarily.
James learns of Terrance’s existance and their lives become dangerously intwined. When Terrance goes missing and multiple clones end of murd3red, James pretends to be Terrance.
Full of science and secrets this was a fast paced and interesting listen. The chapters are set into short episodes 25-40 minutes each which make it easy to listening in sessions or take breaks if needed.
🎧Harry Shum Jr in addition to the dramatization of this audio was phenomenal! I devoured this in one sitting listening, fully entertained.
Thank you to the author, Curtis C Chen, Publisher Podium Entertainment for the opportunity to listen to this book. I received a gifted copy and am leaving my review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Absolutely phenomenal audiobook! The voicing in this was incredible, the sound effects added the dramatized feeling, and the story was captivating!
If you love a crime thriller, and extra little bonus of some sci-fi elements then this is worth a listen!
I enjoyed that this one is done with every chapter being considered an episode because it really added to making the story feel like I was watching this rather than just listening.
This one has clones, people mysteriously disappearing, and some also being murdered so if you enjoy those in your story then absolutely worth it!
Thank you Podium Entertainment for my advanced listener copy! I really enjoyed this one, and will patiently wait for the next one!
If you love a crime thriller, and extra little bonus of some sci-fi elements then this is worth a listen!
I enjoyed that this one is done with every chapter being considered an episode because it really added to making the story feel like I was watching this rather than just listening.
This one has clones, people mysteriously disappearing, and some also being murdered so if you enjoy those in your story then absolutely worth it!
Thank you Podium Entertainment for my advanced listener copy! I really enjoyed this one, and will patiently wait for the next one!
August 10, 2026
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Considering the short length of this one, it did take me a little longer than I'd have like to hold my interest.
It did intigue me nonetheless, and was a really interesting premise that had me hooked by the end.
Being separated into episodic chapters was a nice touch, and made it easier to take a break naturally.
Harry Shum Jr. did a fantastic job of narrating and differentiating between all of the characters; it was pretty easy to follow along.
Thanks, Podium Entertainment, for the opportunity to listen to this ALC!
Considering the short length of this one, it did take me a little longer than I'd have like to hold my interest.
It did intigue me nonetheless, and was a really interesting premise that had me hooked by the end.
Being separated into episodic chapters was a nice touch, and made it easier to take a break naturally.
Harry Shum Jr. did a fantastic job of narrating and differentiating between all of the characters; it was pretty easy to follow along.
Thanks, Podium Entertainment, for the opportunity to listen to this ALC!
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews