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Ringer: A Near Future Science Fiction Thriller

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Will is not himself lately…but is someone else? All he knows for sure is something is out there. It wants his home, his girlfriend, his life. And it wants him gone… Years from now, Will is one of the many who have benefited from gene therapy and replacement organs that fit like a glove. Growing up a sickly child was tough, but now he is able to live the full life he could once only dream of from a hospital bed.
Life couldn't be going much better for Will, until one night he awakes to disturb a break in. A glimpse of the intruder drives him to demand answers that he knows will turn his life upside down. Something just doesn’t add up and he can’t let it go. Is he losing his grip on reality? Or is there really something very sinister going on at New Horizons Bio-Tech? By demanding the truth, he will only be hurting himself…

166 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 24, 2019

17 people are currently reading
28 people want to read

About the author

D.T. Wilby

6 books9 followers
D.T. Wilby is a science fiction author living in the U.K. His particular area of interest is near future science fiction and the impact new technology may have on society and our future. Often his interest is pricked by a tech story on the news which niggles away until it develops into something like the idea for a new novel.

Both of his full length novels, Ringer and Central Locking, feature everyday protagonists struggling against the extraordinary circumstances technology places them in.

As well as his stand alone novels, D.T. Wilby is developing his Early Adopters short story shared universe, with the Novella Star Crossed as the first Amazon release in the series.Early Adopters follows a rag-tag bunch of genetic experiments, on the run from their mendacious creators.

Keep up to date with D.T. Wilby on twitter - @davidtwilby or at his website https://authordavidtwilby.weebly.com

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5 stars
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
Profile Image for Judy Ferrell.
Author 20 books87 followers
July 23, 2020
Which is which?

This to me is a horror/sci-fi novel that could potentially come true. When we look at it as a whole it is a book that is sci-fi about cloning. However, the horror is the possibility of it happening. This is an easy read that will lead you down the rabbit hole of "What if?" It's a scary thought that will keep me up tonight.
Profile Image for Tanweer Dar.
Author 22 books53 followers
January 23, 2021
A powerful, often unsettling, story about identity and the dangers of pushing the limits of biotechnology too far.

With sophisticated writing, a strong cast of characters, and a breathtaking twist, 'Ringer' is a must-read!

At times I felt I was reading a modern day Frankenstein. Great Sci-Fi thriller that keeps you turning the pages. Very well done!
Profile Image for Chris Durston.
Author 21 books38 followers
October 12, 2020
There's a joke somewhere about whether Wilby's Will Wilson will win or something, but I don't think I could do it justice so I'll let you just work out the funniest permutation yourself.

Ringer is a fairly quick read, which I often appreciate these days, and it is at times quite compelling. There are some really nice turns of phrase; Wilby's got a few modes, from the bluntly panicked and utilitarian to the purple, almost Gothic horror.

It's interesting that Wilby doesn't opt to leave much ambiguity, as might be expected in this sort of tale. There's very little subtlety in the plot, little uncertainty left for the reader to fill in the gaps (although one thing on which they might have thought they were certain turns out not to be the case, but I imagine most readers will see that coming from the very start), but I think it's deliberate and in service of being able to explore more implications that can't be spun out if there's no resolution from which to explore. A lot of stories that explore these sorts of themes are infuriatingly ambiguous, so it's actually kinda nice not to feel in any doubt. That said, there are definitely points that could be accused of over-explaining; we see perhaps too much designed to clarify or provide additional insight, when actually having a little less of that might have been more effective.

Oh, and if you've seen a certain 2005 Michael Bay movie (which itself turned out to have taken some ideas from a certain less well-known 1979 movie) then the main sci-fi bit of the premise will feel extremely familiar. Fortunately, Wilby doesn't tread quite the same notes. I think it's fair to say that the narrative of Ringer is a fairly simple straight line that probably feels familiar more frequently than it feels original, but that's not at all to say it's not enjoyable to trundle along with it for the journey. Fans of the accessible sort of sci-fi where a big technological development is a driving force behind the story but who don't particularly want to get bogged down by details of what the tech is or how it works will enjoy Ringer, I should think, especially those who also enjoy some of that classic horror based in otherness.
1 review1 follower
September 11, 2020
In a world that is run and surrounded by technology, what could go wrong? Wilby takes this question and runs with it, the end product being a quick read that is thrilling every step of the way. While this is a technothriller, surrounded by ideas of AI, clones, and similar topics, as a reader you don't have to worry about being confused or lost in genetic engineering terminology, something I was worried about when I read the title of this book.
The characters in this book are multidimensional and believable, you feel for Will as he experiences terror, triumph, and panic. His relationships are authentic, but like previous reviewers mentioned, I wish that we could've had more insight on Will's relationship with Holly. His relationship and banter with Jimmy is believable, and his frustrations with New Horizons is also refreshing to see.
Will as a character is a refreshing one, as he stays true in his ways with a bit of doubt mixed in. I won't spoil it, but even at the end, you can see the turmoil he faces after he learns the truth.
This is a futuristic and thrilling read and is a story filled with paranoia, cloning, and uncertainty. What else could go wrong?
Profile Image for David Arrowsmith.
Author 7 books68 followers
September 9, 2020
I can recommend it for you, wholesale

This dark and pacy little novel reminded me of the work of Philip K. Dick. It's very reminiscent of several great TV drama series too - not just Electric Dreams but also Black Mirror, Living With Yourself and even Russian Doll. The story is a terrifying and scarily believable salutary tale with elements of Frankenstein and Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. It's a sci go horror story with a down to earth human edge. Read if you dare!
Profile Image for Anna Mocikat.
Author 57 books203 followers
June 25, 2023
This is an excellent story I enjoyed a lot!
Will is a seemingly ordinary guy who lives in London in a not so distant future. Even though the world has changed quite a bit compared to what we're used to now, with amazing technology being everyday life, one thing is still the same: it always rains in London.
Our hero wanders a lot through gloomy, rainy streets pondering about who he is.
And he has every reason to do so. The story starts with him encountering a doppelganger who looks and behaves exactly like him. Who is this guy? And is he even real or is Will losing it?
I don't want to tell any more about the story because I don't want to spoil any of the exciting turns and twists.
D.T. Wilby is a very talented author who knows how to captivate his audience on page one.
Ringer is a techno-thriller in the tradition of Michael Crichton and could make an excellent Black Mirror episode. It's a short read you will fly through wondering what's happening till the very end.
I highly recommend this book to all fans of science fiction and techno-thrillers.
I have the author's next book on my Kindle and can't wait to dive into it.
Profile Image for Matt Adcock.
Author 10 books37 followers
February 7, 2021
What would you do if there was another ‘you’ out there. One that believed it was the ‘real’ you and that you were an imposter. It knows how you think, it can anticipate your reactions and moves and most of all, no-one will know the difference if they meet this ‘other you’… No, I’m not talking about the 1846 novella The Double by Fyodor Dostoyevsky about a man driven to breakdown when his life is usurped by a doppelgänger – but rather a cool sci-fi restyling of this nightmare premise.

The core premise of D.T. Wilby’s techno-horror Ringer is that a high-tech company might one day be able to create clones of us, a freaky ‘what if’ that worms its way under your skin and grips like a fishhook – tearing through your nerves as it builds to a killer twisty climax.

Told from the point-of-view of a guy named Will, this is a guy on the edge, suffering night terrors and a fear that something isn’t right. Unfortunately for him, he’s right thing are pretty freakin far from alright.

The good news is that Ringer is a page-turning sci-fi treat. As the nightmare action cracks along it keeps you on edge throughout. Wilby writes with a compelling narrative and lots of authentic dialogue that doesn’t feel forced. You might not have a full-scale mental breakdown reading this but you’ll sure be entertained by this grim spectacle.
Profile Image for S.C. Jensen.
Author 29 books95 followers
May 31, 2021
RINGER is a slow-burn, tale of suspense and old-school horror. A thoughtful story, lyrically told, that builds a creeping sense of dread in the reader from the very beginning.

The prose has a literary feel, and the tone harkens back to the classics like Frankenstein and Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde which is in interesting contrast in a high-tech thriller. It does slow the pace a bit, but I often found myself lost in contemplation while reading, puzzling out all the ways the story might go.

Not your standard shoot-em-up action page-turner, but if you like the classic, contemplative tales that explore themes of existential dread and what makes us human, you will enjoy this short novel!
Profile Image for Frasier Armitage.
Author 9 books42 followers
January 23, 2021
A well-paced science fiction mystery that draws you in from the first page. It delivers a great atmosphere, and it unfolds in a compelling way. Fans of Philip K Dick will enjoy its tone.
Profile Image for Benjamin Cross.
Author 11 books118 followers
December 19, 2020
I really enjoyed this book. It's rare for me to read a book of any length in one sitting, but this one broke the mould and kept me turning the pages.

So the book starts with the lead protagonist - Will - suffering an episode of sleep paralysis; as someone that's suffered with this myself in the past, I can vouch for the sense of all-consuming terror that Wilby evokes. As if that wasn't bad enough, Will awakes to find a burglar in his apartment. The story then follows him as he tries to discover the identity of his unwanted guest who, it transpires, is after something much more than the contents of his apartment. The truth that he discovers is truly chilling, and poses some very searching questions for us all.

The story is comparatively short. For me this was double-edged. I'm always struggling to make time to read, so the brevity ticked that particular box. However, on this occasion (all compliments to the author) I was left wanting more! The novel's principal theme has also been a popular one in recent times. However, I did feel that Wilby took it and made it his own. I found the story engaging, and the characters well drawn. I identified with Will from the first page, and I felt his confusion and torment keenly as the novel unfolded. It will stay with me.

Perhaps my favourite thing about the novel was Wilby's writing. I know talent when I read it, and Wilby has it. His turn of phrase is a joy to read, and he has truly mastered the use of metaphor. So why haven't I given Ringer the full 5 stars? Well, I was sorely tempted. On reflection though, the answer is a simple one. I think (know) that Wilby can and will produce even better books, and I need to save the 5* for his forthcoming best-seller.
Profile Image for Indie Book Reviews.
31 reviews2 followers
October 7, 2019
A thought provoking and sometimes chilling story, stylishly told with a dash of youthful exuberance. Somewhere between horror, thriller, and dark scifi, this novel had me intrigued from the start and didn't disappoint as it unfolded.
Profile Image for J.C. Gemmell.
Author 7 books16 followers
October 10, 2021
I knew what I was getting into: a science fiction clone thriller, and Ringer ticked all of those boxes. However, that one word, clone, was with me from page one, and I would have enjoyed that discovery had I made it on my own. That’s pretty much my only criticism. D.T. Wilby has produced a slick, character-driven, technologically credible compact thriller, which I savoured over a few evenings.

Will Wilson is plagued by night terrors; he is beset by a thing, an unimaginable, putrid creature that threatens to destroy him. This is part of his ritual, yet one evening, while his girlfriend is away, his nightmare becomes a reality because he is not alone in his home. When Will confronts the intruder, to his horror, he realises it is wearing his face.

Wilby presents his mastery over his prose with natural flair. Right from the first chapter, the rich language draws us into the murkiness of his story without compromising the urgency to know more. Will goes on to secure his friend Jimmy’s advice—and we receive our first clue, a life-saving medical service from the New Horizons Biotech Institute, required after Will’s unfortunate” cab crash memory mashup”. But strangely, the next time we see Jimmy, Will doesn’t seem to be himself.

Enter Mr Drake from New Horizons. Will explains that someone wearing his face is following him, and a friend has seen Will at a party he has no recollection of attending. As investigations continue, we can start to piece the evidence together and contemplate where the story might end.

Wilby artfully withholds the most important information from us until the end. As a result, it is impossible to tell who the protagonist truly is, which is the book’s main strength. The pace varies to enable us to empathise with Will’s struggles and his journey to ultimate discovery.
He paints Will as a haggard, unattractive man, “the wrong side of thirty-five”, yet he is also vulnerable, appealing and committed to his family and friends. While Holly isn’t named until a third of the way through, her influence on Will’s actions is evident. But, as the book reaches its conclusion, we see him in a fresh light—in several ways.

Ringer is a sophisticated, stylish and stimulating read. The science fiction is not overbearing; instead, it facilitates the narrative. As a thriller, it keeps the reader guessing, although, just as for Will, it is hard for us to tell who the bad guy truly is. And it also has an excellent cover.
Profile Image for Bedside Book Review.
76 reviews14 followers
April 10, 2021
Ringer by D.T. Wilby is classed as a techno thriller, mystery novel and is a standalone by this author.

Set in the near future, where technology allows for gene therapy to replace damaged/ailing organs, Will Wilson was given a new lease on life away from the constant drain of kidney dialysis.

However, Will hasn’t been feeling like himself recently. He’s experiencing terrifying night terrors and when an intruder into his home looks just like him, his whole world seems to crumble around him.

Has Will stumbled onto something sinister going on at the New Horizons company that helped him get his life back on track or is he losing his grip on reality?

This is a fantastic thriller. The beginning is surreal and sinister and really sets the tone for the main character as he struggles to keep his head above water. I became completely invested in not only what happened to Will but also with his doppleganger. The suspense of their interactions had me eager to get to the end of the book.

The author brilliantly addresses both the humanity and morality of what could happen if cloning were to be our reality. This is a must read for any science fiction, thriller, mystery lover and those who like to read anything that has a slightly more sinister vibe.
Profile Image for D.H. Schleicher.
Author 11 books46 followers
November 23, 2020
D.T. Wilby's Ringer begins with a terrifying and accurate depiction of sleep paralysis and plows on from there into smart, psychological horror. Our protagonist Will has a big problem; he's being stalked by his own doppleganger. I'll say no more of the plot so as not to spoil the surprises.

Wilby's writing reads like a screenplay for an episode of Black Mirror. It takes place in the near future, which is realistically depicted, keeping the drama grounded and allowing for the reader's suspension of belief to be reconciled.

Yes, I did predict the big twist early on, but that didn't take away from the entertainment value here. There were times where my mind drifted, and I thought this might've been tighter as a longer form short story, but I would highly recommend this chilling bit of futurism to fans of Black Mirror and Margaret Atwood.
Profile Image for Susana Imaginário.
Author 15 books100 followers
October 16, 2021
I was looking for a quick sci-fi read as a palate cleanser between fantasy tomes when Ringer made a timely appearance on my Twitter feed.
Ringer is a short, entertaining and slightly predictable read (which is not always a bad thing, especially when all you want is to enjoy a character's journey through an existential dilemma), carefully written to induce wonder, suspicion and even paranoia. I particularly liked how thought provoking it was at times and, if anything, I wish it had delved a bit deeper into the psychological and social implications of the plot.
Profile Image for S. MacAndrew.
Author 3 books5 followers
October 17, 2021
Ringer is one of those books that keeps popping up again in the mind. It haunts you because it is rooted in a reality that is convincing right up until the point something beyond creepy happens.
The characters are believable and solid, with 'normal' motivations in thoroughly abnormal situations.
A thoroughly enjoyable horror, highly recommended.
29 reviews1 follower
July 28, 2021
Interesting concept

Excellent story telling though the final twist was a little telegraphed. I suppose it says a lot for the way the story was told that I was still gripped even though I had guessed the ending very early.
Profile Image for Huw.
Author 10 books19 followers
August 15, 2021
What a great book! A very chilling concept. Told in a unique voice that, for very good reason, taps into real human sensations and psychology to weave a tale that, at times, hits that terrific sci-fi sweet spot.
76 reviews13 followers
October 16, 2023
Ringer by D.T. Wilby is exactly what it says it is - a clone thriller. Wilby's expertly paced story puts our protagonist, Will through the ringer as he fights to keep his girlfriend, his life and his sanity. Will he be able to do so? Or will the something that is out there finally win?
Profile Image for Cole Martyn.
Author 4 books7 followers
February 21, 2021
D.T.Wilby’s The Ringer reminds me of some of Phillip K Dick’s early work. Wilby has a very relaxed and familiar style that instantly pulls you into his world. The story is gripping and for the first 10 or so chapters had me constantly second guessing whether the main character/narrator was a reliable narrator or not. The world is effortlessly cyberpunk, and fans of science fiction will feel right at home from the opening pages. One of the most exciting voices I’ve come across in the indie scene. Throughly recommended!
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews

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