Total Immersion

by Gary Preisler

Overview

The year is 2030. The newest revolution in technology is what Larry Page, the co-founder of Google, has dubbed “Total Immersion.” 

This VR system instantly anesthetizes users and transports them into artificial worlds where near-reality and fantasy are constructed with perfection. Customers can pay for dinner with Brad Pitt or Marylin Monroe, threesomes with John Lennon and Emma Stone, or a weekend with a long-dead spouse—all constructed in such visceral detail that it’s impossible to separate from the truth until the TI system is powered off.

Detective Sam Knight, a renowned homicide investigator with a dark past, deeply familiar with the allure—and danger—of the all-too-real fantasies. He is partnered with bright-eyed rookie Tommy Fincher, and together they set out on a case more brutal and bizarre than anything they have ever seen before — in reality or illusion. As the mystery deepens and victims pile up, the hunt for the killer leads Sam and Tommy through surreal encounters and into the web of a cryptic, brilliant puppet master.

Gary Priesler has been the orchestrator of many creative projects, and has turned talent for screenwriting for another avenue. Filled with as much action as the thrillers he has produced, TOTAL IMMERSION is a product of Priesler's expansive experience in the film industry. In his first novel, he is able to capture the  heart of a noir film, and express the tragedies of humanity in each of the characters.

Step into the next frontier of storytelling with TOTAL IMMERSION, a gripping novel by Gary Priesler that blends the cutting-edge technology of 2030 with the timeless allure of a noir thriller. 

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781955690089
Publisher:	Di Angelo Publications
Publication date:	01/23/2024
Pages:	374
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Gary Priesler’s career in the entertainment industry is unique. His abilities as a creative force and are matched by his business expertise. He has written fourteen screenplays, four original T.V. sitcoms, a novel, and a graphic novel, and he has functioned in a number of executive capacities, sold films internationally, raised millions in private equity and Produced/Executive Produced twelve feature films. 

Among his feature producing credits includes the hit independent comedy EIGHT DAYS A WEEK starring Keri Russell which Roger Ebert declared… "THE BEST TEEN FILM SINCE FAST TIMES AT RIDGEMONT HIGH" The equity-financed feature brought its investors a 200% return on their investment. 

Many of his screenplays have been in various stages of development in both the studio and independent worlds including Warner Bros, New Regency, Cinevox, Cineville, and 20th Century Fox. His first screenplay, REBELS IN CHAINS, written while he was in High School, was optioned and developed by Larry and Chuck Gordon at Fox. He set up his original sitcom, THE AGES, at Columbia Pictures Television and DR. ACULA at Fox Television. 

Read an Excerpt

EXCERPT FROM CHAPTER 2: 

Heatwaves radiated off the long, empty highway stretching out into the abyss. A cloud of dust took on an eerie shape. A black electric Maserati moved at a dizzying speed, almost hovering above the road. Six Chicago Police Department squad cars followed in hot pursuit, sirens screaming across the distance. 

 A police drone kept pace with the first two cars, flying several hundred feet above. “Easy now, Fincher. No more than four car lengths.” 

 The drone operator’s calm voice was clear as a bell in the earpiece of the young officer leading the chase. 

“He’s heading downtown,” the officer responded, a slight tremor in his voice. 

“Stay with him,” the operator commanded, controlling the drone from somewhere deep beneath city hall. 

Sweat dripped off Tommy Fincher’s forehead. He’d just turned twenty-seven and the nervous habit of biting down hard on his lower lip didn’t spoil his handsome face. “If we pursue into the city, we’re going to need more backup,” Tommy said. 

“Stay cool, Fincher.” 

 The calming voice was only a distraction as Tommy desperately attempted to keep pace with the Maserati as it wove between the driverless SUV’s and cars. The passengers failed to notice the wild chase streaking past them, their attention locked onto their screens.

The driver of the Maserati prayed he could lose them in the city. He had cased that bank for one month straight. In and out in four minutes. One million dollars richer. He had been a cop, a homicide detective, and knew how to execute the perfect crime. Everything was going according to plan until that old bitch started to scream. He should have shot her. Shot her cold and shut her up, but he’d froze. That’s when the mistakes started to pile up. He shuddered at the idea of prison.

It would be a death sentence, Sam Knight thought as he rubbed his sore neck with one hand while keeping his other firmly on the wheel. A five-day shadow dirtied his chiseled features. At forty-eight, his eyes reflected a man who had been to hell and back, more than once. A relieved smile lit up his face as he passed a sign: DOWNTOWN CHICAGO - 5 MILES.