Circa Next Decade
Twice upon a time, Kris Robinson
via drug-induced temporary amnesia enters a live-action manor mystery
as a character in order to participate in a futuristic role playing game.
In the scenario, Kris has been named sole heir to an immense fortune and estate by a British uncle he never knew existed and has recently died. After a period of soul searching about his true family origins, he journeys to England to claim his inheritance. But things don't go as planned. The scenario stalls on a cliffhanger. Kris doesn't snap out of it. The drugs don't wear off like they were supposed to. Instead, inexplicably, they've triggered a direct connection with the collective unconscious, populated by disembodied spirits who call themselves "Storytellers" and are eager to assist by retelling Kris his forgotten adventure, in the minutest detail, as it unfolds once more in circular time. 
In reliving, Kris finds that he now possesses heightened mental faculties,
enabling him to understand languages he does not speak, communicate telepathically with others, perform crowd pleasing oratory extemporaneously,
and glimpse future events about to unfold or replay scenes he previously lived. But there's something odd, very odd indeed. Kris can no longer remember his own name.
Nevertheless, Kris must solve puzzles and conundrums in order to progress through the game and regain his authentic mindset, all while encountering talking plants, moving paintings, and comedic vignettes that stretch the boundaries of perception. |
| Trade Reviews |
"A reality-reconstructing mystery maze of mirrors where you, reader, are playing the story. Check your role at the door. This is a fast-paced mind-trip into a game like no other."
--C.S. Haviland, author of FAITH & FAIRIES
"This unique blend of an English manor mystery and psychedelic adventure will leave readers both entertained and intellectually stimulated.
Mathison's narrative is confident, smooth, and witty, always making readers feel as though they're in safe hands no matter where the plot takes them.
The scenes and cleverly hidden references make it a delightful read for those interested in unconventional narratives and futuristic technology,
and also those who want their mystery concepts a little harder to dig for and, therefore, much more satisfying to achieve.”
--5-Star Review, Readers' Favorites Read Full Review
"Altered Estates is a complex science fiction adventure—a fun ride through a sometimes familiar, often inventive augmented reality scenario. Told with the vibe of a choose-your-own-adventure book, Altered Estates is an intriguing, future-set mystery novel." --Forword Clarion Read Full Review 
"Mathison favors traditional one-thing-after-another storytelling and scenecraft, with the always-odd events, conversations, pageantry, and moments of puzzle-solving related in crisp, engaging language...
Epic puzzle-box novel bursting with riddles, mysteries, and surprise."
Production grades Cover: A Design and typography: A Illustrations: N/A Editing: A- Marketing copy: A --BookLife by Publishers Weekly Read Full Review 
"In Mathison’s novel, a man endeavors to secure his inheritance from a mysterious uncle
while exploring the old man’s sprawling English estate and questioning the very nature of reality.
Kris Robinson embarks on an epic journey when, in an effort to explore his alternative selves,
he consumes high-tech drugs that cause temporary amnesia. As the voices in his head (which call themselves the “Storytellers” and guide him on his psychedelic journey) say, “Imagine—a sip, a swallow, and voilà! A tabula rasa!”
Occasionally confusing, always enteraining, and undeniably fun, Mathison’s yarn is a truly unique reading experience.
A trippy tale packed with high-tech inventions and old-school mystery that feels like a wildly captivating video game."
Kirkus Awards and Accolades Verdict: Get it! -- Kirkus Reviews Read Full Review |
Reader Comments
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Prologue, Chapters 1, 2 Available
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Available Everywhere Books are Sold
March 2025 Greenleaf Book Press Genre: Speculative Fiction with elements of Mystery, Fantasy, Psych Sci-Fi, Neo-Psychedelia Hardback, metalic cover, 472 pp. $33.95, eBook $9.95 |
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His first eighty years ...
During early adlthood, Chris relaxed, resided or did business in 40+ countries.
As such, he missed half of the 70s and all of the 80s and 90s in America.
Along with changing locales, Chris frequently changed careers. He worked as a college instructor, reference librarian, concert producer, discotheque designer, circus advanceman,
freelance journalist, real estate developer, computer programmer, and a few other odd jobs he says he can no longer recall.
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