The Death of David Pickett

by G.A. Matiasz

“The Death of David Pickett” by G.A. Matiasz is an action-packed speculative cyberpunk mystery set in the San Francisco of 2023. Part-time archivist and full-time scenester Jesse Steinfeld pays little attention to the ever-widening gap between the gated rich and homeless poor in his city. But Jesse is intrigued by the enigmatic death of charismatic local activist David Pickett and obsessively investigates Pickett’s suspicious demise as urban tensions mount. Incidents of high tech surveillance hooliganism, youthful black clad anti-cop rioting, vengeful premeditated murder, and deadly police assaults on local gang members escalate. A popular protest demonstration occupies San Francisco’s Mission District in the name of a revolutionary “Mission Commune,” bringing the city to the brink of social insurrection. As Jesse also contends with an alcoholic ex-girlfriend, sketchy friends with dubious motives, a befuddled gray hat hacker, and a police detective intent on charging Jesse with homicide, he quickly realizes nothing is as it seems in Pickett’s cryptic life and mysterious death. The full-throttle street politics of today collide with tomorrow’s slow-motion apocalypse in this explosive tale of identity, mortality, technology, and reality in the city by the bay. “The Death of David Pickett” is a prequel to the near-future science fiction thriller “1% Free” set in 2042, also by G.A. Matiasz.

45 pages, ebook

Published September 23, 2018

About the author

Born in 1952, G.A. Matiasz was a late hippie and an early punk. He began self-publishing at 17 with a high school underground newpaper, and burned his draft card at age 18. Essays from his publication Point-Blank/San Diego’s Daily Impulse have been reprinted in Semiotext[e] USA, the Utne Reader, and War Resisters’ League’s short-lived youth publication SPEW! He has also published essays in Against The Wall, the New Indicator, Draft NOtices, and the San Diego Newsline. His first science fiction novel End Time: Notes on the Apocalypse was published by AK Press and was reprinted in Portuguese by a Brazilian publisher, Conrad Livros. He lives in San Francisco, where he wrote a monthly column of news analysis and political commentary for Maximum Rocknroll under the name “Lefty” Hooligan. 1% Free is published through his business 62 Mile Press.

Reviews

[Leo · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very engaging and good short story, would really like to read more from this futuristic world

[Susan Csoke · Rating 4 out of 5]

News of David Picketts death upset many people. As David was driving home from Baja with friends, the car they were traveling in crashed. His story, his life and his death. A quick interesting read. Thankyou Goodreads for this free book.

[Andrew · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you enjoy reading about possible future political activist protest insurrection and a short story mystery, then this is a book for you.

[Donna Foster · Rating 4 out of 5]

A futuristic short story that is truly bizarre with turbulent vibes.

[Sunny]

It’s hard to say what I thought of this book bc my reading experience was so disjointed. I had several errors interfere with my first attempt at a digital loan and by the time I got it again I had to do some re-reading, then I paused reading it to read other things; I just did not give this book the sort of devoted attention I need to give a fair review. I remember strongly wanting to read it, but at the point of finishing it, I no longer recall what it was that motivated that desire?

[Teresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received my copy in a giveaway here onGoodreads. Thank you to Goodreads and G.A. Matiasz

[Diane Plummer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really gets you thinking. I'm hoping for another 1 to follow this more.

[Joseph Dubey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good futuristic short story. I liked it

[Chuck · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was just “ok.”

[Barbara Cryer · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't get it.