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Virtually Dead
Crime-scene photographer Michael Kapinsky is a man whose first life is in a mess. But his second life is about to get a whole lot messier. Staggering under the financial burden left by his recently deceased wife, Michael struggles to come to terms with her death - until his psychologist persuades him to enter a virtual world called Second Life to participate in a new kind of group therapy. Once there, his persona, Chas Chesnokov, discovers that victims whose crime scenes Michael has attended in the wealthy Southern California resort of Newport Beach have had their avatars clinically executed in the virtual world. Co-opted into the Twist of Fate Detective Agency, Chas embarks on an investigation with an exotic dancer and escort girl. They uncover a series of killings and a financial scam that is netting the murderer millions of dollars. And when Michael is tempted by money that mysteriously appears in Chas’s Second Life account, both his real and his virtual lives are in danger.
294 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
March 24, 2010
hard time taking an objective stance on "Virtualy Dead," a new stand-alone mystery by Peter May.
May is better known for his two popular mystery series: China Thrillers and the Enzo Files. He is obviously drawn to exotic locations for his material. In China Thrillers his protaganist is an American forensic pathologist called in to assist the Beijing police. In the Enzo files Toulous, France is the backdrop for a Scottish biologist with forensic experience.
In "Virtualy Dead" May moves into the equally exotic terrain of Second Life, a virtual world currently "inhabited" by millions of people who take on the guise of animated characters (avatars).
His main character, Mike Kapinsky, ventures into Second Life at the urging of a therapist who has been treating him for the overwhelming grief he experiences following the death of his wife. The therapist has formed an experimental therapy group in Second Life.
But Kapinsky - Chas Chesnokov in SL - also finds himself lured into partnering with a "real life" coworker in an SL detective agency, and quickly becomes embroiled with a series of murders with apparent links between SL and real life victims.
It's a quick read with some good action in both the real and virtual worlds, as well as a rather steamy romance between Chas and a female avatar.
I particularly enjoyed it because I have been a "resident" of Second Life for more than two years. The Olathe Public Library actually has a project underway in this virtual world. We will soon be launching a web page from the library web site with more information about the OPL in SL project.
May has been quite the celebrity in SL library and book publishing circles of late. To research his subject he opened his own detective agency in SL in 2007, and he remains an active resident under the avatar name of Flick Faulds.
Do you have to be familiar with Second Life to appreciate this mystery? I don't think so, but I would certainly enjoy hearing what others have to say on the subject. "Virtually Dead" has been well received by the critics, so perhaps experience with virtual worlds isn't key.
At any rate, I enjoyed this romp between the real and the virtual and would certainly recommend it to those with even a passing interest in computer gaming.
Virtually Dead
For those with an interest, "Virtually Dead" will be the topic of a book discussion at Mystery Manor in Second Life at 9 p.m. April 8. For more information contact Lorie Hyten at OPL at (913) 971-6887.
May is better known for his two popular mystery series: China Thrillers and the Enzo Files. He is obviously drawn to exotic locations for his material. In China Thrillers his protaganist is an American forensic pathologist called in to assist the Beijing police. In the Enzo files Toulous, France is the backdrop for a Scottish biologist with forensic experience.
In "Virtualy Dead" May moves into the equally exotic terrain of Second Life, a virtual world currently "inhabited" by millions of people who take on the guise of animated characters (avatars).
His main character, Mike Kapinsky, ventures into Second Life at the urging of a therapist who has been treating him for the overwhelming grief he experiences following the death of his wife. The therapist has formed an experimental therapy group in Second Life.
But Kapinsky - Chas Chesnokov in SL - also finds himself lured into partnering with a "real life" coworker in an SL detective agency, and quickly becomes embroiled with a series of murders with apparent links between SL and real life victims.
It's a quick read with some good action in both the real and virtual worlds, as well as a rather steamy romance between Chas and a female avatar.
I particularly enjoyed it because I have been a "resident" of Second Life for more than two years. The Olathe Public Library actually has a project underway in this virtual world. We will soon be launching a web page from the library web site with more information about the OPL in SL project.
May has been quite the celebrity in SL library and book publishing circles of late. To research his subject he opened his own detective agency in SL in 2007, and he remains an active resident under the avatar name of Flick Faulds.
Do you have to be familiar with Second Life to appreciate this mystery? I don't think so, but I would certainly enjoy hearing what others have to say on the subject. "Virtually Dead" has been well received by the critics, so perhaps experience with virtual worlds isn't key.
At any rate, I enjoyed this romp between the real and the virtual and would certainly recommend it to those with even a passing interest in computer gaming.
Virtually Dead
For those with an interest, "Virtually Dead" will be the topic of a book discussion at Mystery Manor in Second Life at 9 p.m. April 8. For more information contact Lorie Hyten at OPL at (913) 971-6887.
May 8, 2013
Unless you are familiar with Second Life, much of the impact of this book will probably be lost. That said, it is an enjoyable romp through some of the vicissitudes of that Virtual World, and intriguingly combines the real and the pixel existence. There is the thrill of the chase, the mystery of who did what, lots of tension; but above all, the last few pages summed up so much of what underlies Second Life : imagination, creativity, deception. Its a good and likeable yarn, probably best appreciated by those who have immersed themselves in the pixel universe. Plausible, but improbable.
January 13, 2019
Interesting but a little dated due to the fact that 2nd life is no longer a thing. makes one wonder what did in fact happen to all the money in 2nd life in real life.
February 16, 2023
I usually like Peter May. All his books I've read before were fantastic, gloomy and very exiting. But this, this didn't live up to expectations.
I think it's a good concept. I like the twists. But the elaborations on Second Life was a bit too much to take. I've never played SL but I've heard a lot about it. Pornhub for cyber psychos would be the right word for the world created around Michael in this book. Some parts felt very tiring and draggy. Even Michael's grief seemed tiresome. And it was very predictable. From the first session I knew the therapist was upto no good.
Too plain for my taste.
Book #08 of 2023.
Peter May - Book#04
I think it's a good concept. I like the twists. But the elaborations on Second Life was a bit too much to take. I've never played SL but I've heard a lot about it. Pornhub for cyber psychos would be the right word for the world created around Michael in this book. Some parts felt very tiring and draggy. Even Michael's grief seemed tiresome. And it was very predictable. From the first session I knew the therapist was upto no good.
Too plain for my taste.
Book #08 of 2023.
Peter May - Book#04
February 7, 2016
Ah, Virtually Dead – what a wonderful find in the university second hand book store.
As a massive fan of Peter May, I was more than happy to pick up Virtually Dead. It is one of his older books, one of his overlooked pieces of work. When people think of Peter May, they think of the Lewis trilogy followed closely by his Enzo Files and China thrillers. I doubt anyone thinks of this little gem.
I’ll admit, it is not my favourite Peter May book. I fell in love with his work due to his Lewis trilogy, and as it stands he has yet to write a book that I enjoyed more than the first in the series. The book blew me away. I loved it. Nevertheless, Virtually Dead was an extremely interesting read. I was more than happy to sit down and consume it in one sitting.
It is something completely different to what I’m accustomed to reading by the male, and that only works to make it more enjoyable. Rather than dealing with the crime being committed in real life, we also have the mystery occurring on the web. Whilst I have never being in the Second Life virtual world, Peter May brought it to life for me (hell, I’m tempted to give it a try now).
With his usual interesting characters, Peter May walks us through the mystery both in real life and in the virtual world. As with quite a few of his older reads, the answer to the mystery was predictable – but this did not stop me from enjoying the read. It was fun to work in a different world to what I’m used to.
Overall, it was something slightly different and I adored it.
As a massive fan of Peter May, I was more than happy to pick up Virtually Dead. It is one of his older books, one of his overlooked pieces of work. When people think of Peter May, they think of the Lewis trilogy followed closely by his Enzo Files and China thrillers. I doubt anyone thinks of this little gem.
I’ll admit, it is not my favourite Peter May book. I fell in love with his work due to his Lewis trilogy, and as it stands he has yet to write a book that I enjoyed more than the first in the series. The book blew me away. I loved it. Nevertheless, Virtually Dead was an extremely interesting read. I was more than happy to sit down and consume it in one sitting.
It is something completely different to what I’m accustomed to reading by the male, and that only works to make it more enjoyable. Rather than dealing with the crime being committed in real life, we also have the mystery occurring on the web. Whilst I have never being in the Second Life virtual world, Peter May brought it to life for me (hell, I’m tempted to give it a try now).
With his usual interesting characters, Peter May walks us through the mystery both in real life and in the virtual world. As with quite a few of his older reads, the answer to the mystery was predictable – but this did not stop me from enjoying the read. It was fun to work in a different world to what I’m used to.
Overall, it was something slightly different and I adored it.
June 12, 2016
Virtually Dead by Peter May
Michael Kapinsky, a crime scene photographer with lots of problems joins an on-line community at the request of his psychologist. While wandering around in “Second Life,” he finds a “friend” from his real life is there as well. He becomes accustomed to the oddities of second life, but things get complicated when avatars killed in second life start showing up as dead people in real life. Michael’s real life continues to get more and more complicated as the investigation bounces from real life to second life and back again. This book has all the elements of a good thriller – money, murder, sex, and organized crime, both in the real world and in the virtual second life world.
Fun fact:Peter May gives a shout out to one of his other books, "The Blackhouse" by using that as one of the locations in the virtual Second Life world.
Michael Kapinsky, a crime scene photographer with lots of problems joins an on-line community at the request of his psychologist. While wandering around in “Second Life,” he finds a “friend” from his real life is there as well. He becomes accustomed to the oddities of second life, but things get complicated when avatars killed in second life start showing up as dead people in real life. Michael’s real life continues to get more and more complicated as the investigation bounces from real life to second life and back again. This book has all the elements of a good thriller – money, murder, sex, and organized crime, both in the real world and in the virtual second life world.
Fun fact:Peter May gives a shout out to one of his other books, "The Blackhouse" by using that as one of the locations in the virtual Second Life world.
May 19, 2021
Was this the same Peter May who wrote The Blackhouse? (Which name, incidentally, has a cameo appearance in this story.) The mystery and the protagonist’s dilemma were appropriately tense and suspenseful, but the writing was … well. The author seems to have been entranced by the concept of virtual reality / simulation gaming, and he spends a lot of time explaining the mechanics and possibilities. Maybe his non-computer-literate audience might need some explanations, but the novel was published in 2010, twenty-one years after the introduction of The Sims and who knows how many multi-user sandbox games. He gives us loving descriptions of imaginary landscapes, architecture, furniture and clothing, not to mention penises. Let’s not forget the penises. Tell me, if sex is depicted in a cartoon, is it still porn? And if it is, what is Mr. May doing writing porn?
I guess the author was trying something in a new-ish genre, and had to break his own trail. And the story kept me reading right to the end, wanting to find out how the problems were resolved. (Eh. Maybe something was lacking.) But I definitely prefer his mysteries set in the real world.
I guess the author was trying something in a new-ish genre, and had to break his own trail. And the story kept me reading right to the end, wanting to find out how the problems were resolved. (Eh. Maybe something was lacking.) But I definitely prefer his mysteries set in the real world.
March 6, 2019
Yet another Peter May book that I must admit to really enjoying, despite not being sure why. I wanted to read this because it’s set in Newport Beach, CA. As usual, May doesn’t disappoint with his depiction of place. However, this book is also “set” in a simulated computer game, which was kind of dorky to be reading about. (I’m told the technology has also changed a lot since May wrote this ~20 years ago.) So I felt silly reading dialogue that was happening in a computer game—but as usual, the main character becomes extremely relatable and even endearing, which really pulled me in. As it happens, the main character is grieving the loss of his wife, and this is a big aspect of the story. I also really liked the ending—perhaps more than any other Peter May mystery I’ve read.
January 1, 2014
My heart is still hammering! Stayed up to 1 am to finish and then couldn't sleep. I like this book so much because I'm familiar with Second Life and I can relate to a lot of it on that level (by alternately going, "Oh, yeah - that's sooo SL!" and "You Can't Do That!"). It's as exciting as seeing your home town featured in a book. It's like going to see "Ghostbusters" while living in Manhattan and watching some of the filming. My SL quibbles are all minor. There's not enough bad spelling in the chat dialogue (which I always think adds to the fun if not the realism - but I can see why you don't want to put out a book full of typos), if any. There was some lipservice paid to the abominable English perpetrated by otherwise very clever builders and scripters, but it just doesn't give the savor of the Real SL experience - "LOL" - that I find so delightful and that I, too, mine for humor.
So now I have to pull myself back and look at it as a "thriller" (because apparently women write mysteries but men write thrillers). It certainly has all the elements:
betrayal - check!
false identities - check!
switchbacks -check!
"dead herrings" [personal in-joke:] - ... umm, check!
transgenders - check!
and cybersex - wowza!
(okay, that last one wasn't typical thriller material). The protagonist definitely has his share of agony: emotional, personal, financial, and professional. (On top of it all, his co-workers have a sick, sick, sick sense of humor.)
May was also forced to use the rather hackneyed Villain Monologizes To Explain What Happened, but that's a tough one to get around. The chase scenes inside SL and Michael's struggles outside were exciting, the Villain's Master Plan was needlessly but delightfully convoluted, and the ending was sweet.
In short, it was good enough that I wish there was more of it, and, good thing my therapist doesn't make me walk through pools of blood!
So now I have to pull myself back and look at it as a "thriller" (because apparently women write mysteries but men write thrillers). It certainly has all the elements:
betrayal - check!
false identities - check!
switchbacks -check!
"dead herrings" [personal in-joke:] - ... umm, check!
transgenders - check!
and cybersex - wowza!
(okay, that last one wasn't typical thriller material). The protagonist definitely has his share of agony: emotional, personal, financial, and professional. (On top of it all, his co-workers have a sick, sick, sick sense of humor.)
May was also forced to use the rather hackneyed Villain Monologizes To Explain What Happened, but that's a tough one to get around. The chase scenes inside SL and Michael's struggles outside were exciting, the Villain's Master Plan was needlessly but delightfully convoluted, and the ending was sweet.
In short, it was good enough that I wish there was more of it, and, good thing my therapist doesn't make me walk through pools of blood!
December 29, 2010
As much as I loved the plot idea, murders in second life simultaneously occurring in real life, I found the characters lacked depth and the premise just didn't hold up. By the end of the novel it is pretty clear who's responsible for the murders. I wish I liked it more, I wanted to like it more.
September 23, 2012
Listened to the audiobook and I was disappointed - the reader sounded clunky at times and this detracted from the plot. Descriptions of virtual action didn't grab me but I notice others liked it more, maybe it's better in written form ...
June 17, 2017
Enjoyed this virtual second life mystery/thriller.
March 11, 2020
So this one was a 2010 book by Peter May that I had never heard of and discovered it a few weeks ago whilst browsing. This one features Michael Kapinsky who is a crime scene photographer and has not yet come to terms with the death of his wife who was a very wealthy person.
His therapist invites him to join her in Second Life in an experimental therapy and this is his first ever involvement with it as it is mine. Thus we have two very linked stories playing out across Real Life and Second Life and I think the author did a great job with this.
Several murders occur in real life and part of the investigation takes place in Second Life. I may not be doing a good job of describing this but it was a very interesting book with a continually moving plot and some interesting goings on in Second Life.
I don't think I'll be signing up anytime soon but it did pique my interest a bit.
So a thumbs up from me for this one.
His therapist invites him to join her in Second Life in an experimental therapy and this is his first ever involvement with it as it is mine. Thus we have two very linked stories playing out across Real Life and Second Life and I think the author did a great job with this.
Several murders occur in real life and part of the investigation takes place in Second Life. I may not be doing a good job of describing this but it was a very interesting book with a continually moving plot and some interesting goings on in Second Life.
I don't think I'll be signing up anytime soon but it did pique my interest a bit.
So a thumbs up from me for this one.
August 15, 2021
J’ai beaucoup apprécié l’univers particulier de ce roman, cela m’a intriguée dès le départ et m’a donné envie de comprendre comment les crimes avaient pu être possibles. L’univers virtuel est bien rendu et le personnage principal plonge complètement dedans, j’ai aimé ce dédoublement. J’ai quand même moins accroché aux personnages eux-mêmes, puis peu à peu j’ai trouvé l’univers virtuel trop répétitif et l’enquête un peu trop longue et sans rien de particulier.
August 14, 2024
Very different book for my new favorite author. Usually you get a very in-depth introduction to a land, the Hebrides, China, wine country. So in a way this is the same. Only it’s the virtual world that you are introduced to. One part of you wants to find something similar and another part says Hell to the Naw!!! It also lets you know that no matter where you are greed, a rice and evil will follow.
September 24, 2025
As a die-hard Peter May fan, this book was a revelation! His subject matter was so different to his later books, yet also so enjoyable. I was rooting for the characters and was upset when one didn't make it. So glad I searched the Internet for this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 15, 2018
Easy read and kept me engaged. Creative idea incorporating Second Life into a mystery.
July 25, 2018
Not his best effort. Mostly due to how dated he envisions a virtual interface.
February 20, 2019
A disappointment.
May 3, 2019
Did not enjoy this one much. A little too far-fetched for me. A disappointment!
Read
July 11, 2019Not for me. Gave up after 50 pages
Read
May 8, 2020Audiobook. A great page-turner.
October 30, 2020
So very dated at only ten years old. A real life CSI investigates murders in a Sim-like world. Absurd premise.
May 12, 2021
Not his best book I have to say! The writting is all right but the plot is not really subtil and the entire atmosphere of murder virtual life left me rather cold. Just did not worked for me!
November 3, 2021
a bit second guessable but fun
November 26, 2021
I love Peter May's writing and story telling. The novel is a flavor too strong of sci-fi and the sentences are dead, boring statements. No joy.
September 7, 2023
The virtual dimension really made this book fantastic. Great thriller and great mystery!
Read
November 10, 2023I got as far as the virtual reality section and it board my ass, so I quit this book.
February 20, 2024
Too bizarre. To finish
July 23, 2024
Univers virtuel qui fait froid ds le dos où tous les fantasmes et les perversions peuvent se réaliser. Le tout pour cacher des vies ternes ou certains y voient une opportunité pour s'enrichir
Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews