The Original

The Original is an audiobook-only novella that takes place in a near "singularity" world. People experience life through "themes", a form of augmented reality. They may be walking around in a drab city, but it will appear to be vibrant in a way they desire. (A couple could be "alone" in a park, even as many people next to them are also "alone".) There are ways to "check in" for repairs that allow people to experience near immortality. However, people can still be killed via bodily injury.

The story centers around the copy of a woman that had killed her husband. The "copy" was made from the most recent "backup". She feels like herself. However, she also has had combat training implanted. She is tasked with seaking out her "original". This story is fairly simplistic detective story. However, the universe is the main story here. There is a lot of potential to explore, but it seems to end too soon. This world is more interesting, but I think Snapshot had a better story.