A Stand-in for Dying (Brink of Life Trilogy, Book 1) written by Rick Moskovitz and narrated by Joe Smith is an audiobook that would appeal most to a mixed audience of mature young adults and adult science fiction lovers who do not mind some minimally explicit, brief sexual situations. Ray and Marcus live in a future where the world is in an environmentally catastrophic state. An anonymous pact is made to allow Ray to live in Marcus’s body upon Ray’s death in exchange for an exorbitant amount of cash. Yet, things take a turn when Ray uncovers a way to switch with Marcus while both men are still alive. Are you ready for consciousness swapping technology, a human supremacist organization, artificial intelligence, and more?

A Stand-in for Dying by Rick Moskovitz is a well-written and well-narrated audiobook. This book truly kept me on the edge of my seat as the story unfolded. The moral and emotional issues involved in consciousness swapping technology intrigued me, especially when combined with the idea the AIs should have equal rights as humans. I found this to be interesting, not only in the story itself but also in terms of the psychological dilemmas behind AIs and what would happen if they did gain emotions and rights. I really liked the way in which the author used strong resourceful women in the story in real roles and not as just simple side characters.

The narrator Joe Smith is an accomplished performer with numerous voice-acting credits. His voice acting experience was easily heard in his ability to narrate both female and male characters while using his voice to distinguish between the two. The way he altered his pitch for characters of different genders allows the audience not only to hear the book, but to become immersed in it.

A Stand-in for Dying is a work of fiction in the science fiction, conceptual and interpersonal drama sub-genres, and was penned by author Rick Moskovitz as the first novel of the Brink of Life Trilogy. It is presented in audiobook format with narration by Joe Smith. In this poignant and interesting story, a pact between a younger man, Marcus, leads to a unique opportunity for the older Ray, who will inhabit his body in exchange for a wealth of knowledge and riches. But as tensions rise between these two men and the women by their sides, factions from all angles have a powerful investment in the consciousness swapping technology and its proposed results.

In terms of the novel itself, author Rick Moskovitz delivers a highly intriguing narrative and a well-crafted plot structure that sees the story go from strength to strength with every chapter. I enjoyed the sharp edges and sinister sides to the central roles as well as their more admirable qualities, and these elements in balance created realistic and relatable characters whom readers will certainly be invested in from the get-go. The concept itself is well thought out with excellent futuristic worldbuilding that adds to the overall believability and tension of the piece.

In terms of the audiobook presentation, I found the editing quality to be crisp and clear throughout. Narrator Joe Smith is well suited for the tale and embodies the spirit and intentions of the central male characters well, delivering a confident prose narrative with a clear grasp of the concepts at hand. This is certainly a voice actor who adds to the overall experience and enhances the story. Overall, I would certainly recommend A Stand-in for Dying to any readers who is a fan of conceptual science fiction, interpersonal dramatic tales, and intriguing original concepts.