Tech, Lies, and Wizardry

I’ll admit, I was skeptical about a 50-minute audiobook packing enough punch to justify the hype. Then I hit play on *Tech, Lies, and Wizardry* and realized Morin wasn’t just writing a short story—he was distilling an entire subgenre into a single, potent dose. The premise is deceptively simple: a low-level operator gets squeezed between a crime lord and a syndicate that makes the Mafia look like a book club. But the execution is anything but. The worldbuilding is *implied* rather than explained, trusting the listener to keep up as magic and tech blur into something fresh. That’s a risky move, but it pays off, especially when Naramore’s narration sells every cryptic reference with the confidence of a guy who’s been in this universe for years. Naramore’s performance is a masterclass in less-is-more. He doesn’t overdo the voices—no cartoonish mobster growls or elfish lilt—but his subtle shifts in tone make each character distinct. The real standout, though, is how he handles the protagonist’s internal monologue, delivering dry asides with the timing of a stand-up comic. My only critique? The ending *almost* wraps up too neatly for a story this gritty—though the final line lands with enough ambiguity to leave you wondering (and maybe a little unnerved). And while the breakneck pacing suits the material, first-time listeners might need a rewind or two to catch every twist. Still, for fans of *K.J. Parker’s* razor-sharp fantasies or *Richard K. Morgan’s* cyberpunk cynicism, this is a steal. Just don’t blame me if you immediately hunt for more in this universe.