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Epoch
In the near future where the world depends ever more heavily on technology, a sudden and unknown catastrophic event occurs rendering all electronics useless and simultaneously wipes the memories of all people. Now the inhabitants of the small town of Jerome must learn how to survive and rebuild society as well as their identities in this harsh new world.
A young man awakens with a throbbing migraine and no memories, not even able to recall his own name or face. He recounts his experiences throughout his struggle to rediscover himself, confronting prejudice and stereotypes along the way. He faces formidable foes, the foremost of which are his own inner demons. What is right and wrong, good and evil, is not always so clear cut.
In the wake of this cataclysm, the citizens of Jerome must cope with murder, death, disease, and power struggles, but they also have the opportunity to reinvent themselves, to find love and friendship in unexpected places, and to rebuild the world.
A young man awakens with a throbbing migraine and no memories, not even able to recall his own name or face. He recounts his experiences throughout his struggle to rediscover himself, confronting prejudice and stereotypes along the way. He faces formidable foes, the foremost of which are his own inner demons. What is right and wrong, good and evil, is not always so clear cut.
In the wake of this cataclysm, the citizens of Jerome must cope with murder, death, disease, and power struggles, but they also have the opportunity to reinvent themselves, to find love and friendship in unexpected places, and to rebuild the world.
485 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 24, 2019
3 people are currently reading
11 people want to read
About the author
Scott Finlay
6 books6 followersScott Finlay, born in 1989 in the United States, is a professional software developer with an expertise in computer security. For many years he was active in the hacker scene and there known and respected as a skilled white hat hacker. In his daily life he designs complex systems, investigates disruptions, and sometimes tries unusual solutions by thinking outside the box. He draws on his architectural skills while designing his stories and his debugging skills are in many ways similar to those of a detective. Through his technical expertise, particularly regarding software and hacking topics he is able to write accurately.
In 2012 Scott moved to Germany for love and started a family there. As an American living in Europe, he has a somewhat unique view on the world and its politics, and draws inspiration from many of the issues he sees in the world to build dystopian settings and make social commentary.
In 2012 Scott moved to Germany for love and started a family there. As an American living in Europe, he has a somewhat unique view on the world and its politics, and draws inspiration from many of the issues he sees in the world to build dystopian settings and make social commentary.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
August 1, 2019
When this Epoch story began to unfold, I found myself thinking what would I do should I awaken in a situation where I had no idea of my identity. All of the familiar things that would be a part of life today would become irrelevant such as the electronics we find so important to us now. Learning to live and find ways to sustain life with necessities such as food, shelter, and maintenance of our health would be a challenge nearly impossible for some. This novel brings you up close to the main character by being written in first-person. It is indeed quite personal and, for me, that added a level of anxiety to the events.
Some issues only become more pronounced throughout the story. The conflicts with other characters set up a feeling of an urgent need to resolve them. It is as if more are on the way and will pile up to an insurmountable level for those who are struggling to find the best solutions. All of this action just keeps the story moving at a fast pace that demands the attention of a reader. I felt as though I was called to perform due diligence toward the resolution of all the troubles the main character was experiencing. I felt his frustrations, his fear, his exhaustion and his heart-wrenching pain watching events that no one had ever dealt with before. Still, he prevails and finds ways to overcome the trials they all face.
There are other characters, some loveable, some you want to slap up alongside their head with a baseball bat, some you want to protect and make certain they survive. Gangs threaten all the people of this little city.
Throughout is the overlying puzzle of a serial killer who turns out to be someone you would never suspect and for a reason that you would never have imagined. This is done with clever orchestration and falls into place in the end.
Epoch is truly a tale well told, it will make you ponder how you feel about the issues and the insights into some of the very times we may be experiencing in our lives today.
Some issues only become more pronounced throughout the story. The conflicts with other characters set up a feeling of an urgent need to resolve them. It is as if more are on the way and will pile up to an insurmountable level for those who are struggling to find the best solutions. All of this action just keeps the story moving at a fast pace that demands the attention of a reader. I felt as though I was called to perform due diligence toward the resolution of all the troubles the main character was experiencing. I felt his frustrations, his fear, his exhaustion and his heart-wrenching pain watching events that no one had ever dealt with before. Still, he prevails and finds ways to overcome the trials they all face.
There are other characters, some loveable, some you want to slap up alongside their head with a baseball bat, some you want to protect and make certain they survive. Gangs threaten all the people of this little city.
Throughout is the overlying puzzle of a serial killer who turns out to be someone you would never suspect and for a reason that you would never have imagined. This is done with clever orchestration and falls into place in the end.
Epoch is truly a tale well told, it will make you ponder how you feel about the issues and the insights into some of the very times we may be experiencing in our lives today.
August 16, 2019
Book is told in the first person which adds to the story. I really liked the main character he did seem to look at both sides of each situation. Everyone has woke up with no memory of who they are, what they do, nothing. There is also no electricity which really adds more problems.
They have a serial killer, gangs, of course food/water shortage. Some people woke up with uniforms on so they take that role (sheriff). Trouble is he needs much help to solve any crime.
Amazing twists & turns will keep you guessing who or what next.
You will want to read it in one sitting to know what happens to the town. More important what happens to all the people you have spent the day or night with in their town.
They have a serial killer, gangs, of course food/water shortage. Some people woke up with uniforms on so they take that role (sheriff). Trouble is he needs much help to solve any crime.
Amazing twists & turns will keep you guessing who or what next.
You will want to read it in one sitting to know what happens to the town. More important what happens to all the people you have spent the day or night with in their town.
January 23, 2020
Epoch has it all. It's a murder mystery set in an apocalypic world where there is never a dull moment. Told in the first person, which I liked, the main character meets up with other survivors, some of them likable, some of them not, and some who add humor to the story. Due to the Epoch, the power has been knocked out and everyone's memories have been wiped as well. As they try to figure out who they were before, the people are given new names, assigned jobs, give medical aid to those who need it, and start to rebuild their town. They face a lot of challenges and lose some friends along the way. Although the editing was not that great, it did not take away from the enjoyment of the story. I'd definitely recommend Epoch to anyone who's into the genre.
August 3, 2019
I like horror and dark, post-apocalyptic stuff, and this book did not disappoint. It had everything from the cataclysmic event destroying lives and leaving a bloody trail, turmoil amongst the people for how to continue life, reversion to survival of the fittest, murder, war; the list goes on.
But it was so much more than that as well. It had great, memorable characters and a deep story that teaches you something, not by preaching, but by asking questions and introducing situations and letting the reader decide what to take away from it.
A really great read for anyone who loves dark things and horror, or just good quality speculative fiction.
But it was so much more than that as well. It had great, memorable characters and a deep story that teaches you something, not by preaching, but by asking questions and introducing situations and letting the reader decide what to take away from it.
A really great read for anyone who loves dark things and horror, or just good quality speculative fiction.
July 19, 2020
Postapocalyptic Thriller
How do people cope when they all suffer from amnesia? How can a society function without the simplest footing?
The epoch begins after an apocalyptic event that wipes out memories as well as rendering all electronics useless. The one saving grace is that people have or develop a physical remembrance of their former skills. Not that it makes life simpler. The struggle for survival brings out the best in some characters but the worst in others.
The main protagonist whose skill turns out to be writing and drawing (was he a reporter or an author?), a doctor, a ruthless businessman, a policeman, a murderer (a serial killer on the loose), power-drunk individuals, gangs, and an endearing nitwit, all come together in a small town and work – or fight against one another – to build a new civilization.
Finlay poses valid questions about our humanity, but he never preaches.
How do people cope when they all suffer from amnesia? How can a society function without the simplest footing?
The epoch begins after an apocalyptic event that wipes out memories as well as rendering all electronics useless. The one saving grace is that people have or develop a physical remembrance of their former skills. Not that it makes life simpler. The struggle for survival brings out the best in some characters but the worst in others.
The main protagonist whose skill turns out to be writing and drawing (was he a reporter or an author?), a doctor, a ruthless businessman, a policeman, a murderer (a serial killer on the loose), power-drunk individuals, gangs, and an endearing nitwit, all come together in a small town and work – or fight against one another – to build a new civilization.
Finlay poses valid questions about our humanity, but he never preaches.
March 3, 2021
It caught me straight from the beginning, starting out very mysterious where I was finding out what was going on as the protagonist woke up and found himself in a strange place with no memories. As it progressed the people eventually accepted their situation and begin trying to form a society plus as individuals trying to find their place, and that's where it starts to get philosophical, and the author pulls it off in a pretty casual, noninvasive way.
Add a dash of murder mystery, disease, famine, and war and we've got ourselves a proper apocalypse. Epoch was a great page-turner which I couldn't put down until I was finished.
Add a dash of murder mystery, disease, famine, and war and we've got ourselves a proper apocalypse. Epoch was a great page-turner which I couldn't put down until I was finished.
August 27, 2019
I don't read a lot of science fiction, but the description of Epoch on Amazon intrigued me. Epoch is a fascinating science fiction/metaphysical novel that gives readers far more than one would expect from a dystopian story. What I loved about the book is that it creates for us a futuristic world that has undergone a catastrophic event rendering all electronics useless and taking away everyone's memory, while allowing us to also examine society, beliefs, morals, and identity. Embedded deep within this strange and frightening world, we find a good, old-fashioned murder mystery that we can try to solve before the characters do.
I highly recommend it.
I highly recommend it.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews