This was definitely an all-vibes audiobook that came into my life at the perfect time. I was so invested in the high-tech near future world that Pinter created. I fully believed that our society's obsession with true crime and virtual reality could culminate into true crime simulations. This setting allowed for intriguing questions surrounding the price tag of one's life and, more on the nose, one's life story. The opening events immediately drew me in; The Blight and our protagonist's connection to it, as well as her need to clear her husband's name or come to terms with what he did. I really liked Cassie, and I think she had the perfect POV position for this narrative. She straddled the two "sides" of this world, starting off as an active participant in putting a price on families' tragedies and then suddenly becoming a victim or target, being exploited herself.

The biggest element that is holding Past Crimes back is its marketing label as a thriller. Yes, there are twists...in fact, there was a major twist that totally took me off guard! And that rarely happens these days. However, I would describe this as more of a mystery/suspense. There was a great balance of science fiction and mystery/suspense elements. At this point, one of my favorite genre blends this year has been the sci-fi mystery, and I have already recommended this book to numerous people. Highly recommended for those fascinated by humanity's historical obsession with true crime, social commentary on corruption, and depictions of societal progress in the wrong direction,

Actual Rating: 5 stars
Original Pub Date: 6 Feb 2024
Reading Format: audio

Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for an audio-ARC copy in exchange for this honest review! Print edition published by Severn House.