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Auto Series #4
Friend Request
Nick Brady gets a dozen friend requests a day. Like most people in 2022, these are handled by his auto, digitally organising his entire life.
But this friend request is from an anonymous stranger, whose relationship status claims he’s dating Larissa Brady. Nick’s wife.
It’s a mistake. It must be. Nick and Larissa are hosting a tenth anniversary party, a happy celebration of a steady marriage. But what if his auto is right, and his wife is having an affair with one of the guests?
How well does Nick know his online friends? And how many have dirty secrets, that only their autos could expose?
'Friend Request' is a 20,000 word short story, part of the Auto series including 'Relationship Status', 'Timeline', 'Backup' and 'Copy'.
But this friend request is from an anonymous stranger, whose relationship status claims he’s dating Larissa Brady. Nick’s wife.
It’s a mistake. It must be. Nick and Larissa are hosting a tenth anniversary party, a happy celebration of a steady marriage. But what if his auto is right, and his wife is having an affair with one of the guests?
How well does Nick know his online friends? And how many have dirty secrets, that only their autos could expose?
'Friend Request' is a 20,000 word short story, part of the Auto series including 'Relationship Status', 'Timeline', 'Backup' and 'Copy'.
66 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 2, 2012
81 people want to read
About the author
David Wailing
23 books59 followersI was born in Nineteen Davidey-Dave (all the best people were born that year) and live in London. I write contemporary fiction, a blend of mystery, thriller and humour.
My most recent novel is Under, a horror/mystery set on the London Underground. Both it and Signal Failure - a prelude short story available for free - are the result of a long-held fascination with the London Underground and its history.
As a native Londoner I have travelled on the Tube thousands of times, but it always feels like inhabiting a slightly different world to the city on the surface. The facts and figures of the Underground are just as fascinating as its mysteries and shadowy corners, and I hope my book does justice to both aspects.
I have five other novels available as Kindle ebooks: Auto, Auto 2, Bang, Duallists and Fake Kate.
My most recent novel is Under, a horror/mystery set on the London Underground. Both it and Signal Failure - a prelude short story available for free - are the result of a long-held fascination with the London Underground and its history.
As a native Londoner I have travelled on the Tube thousands of times, but it always feels like inhabiting a slightly different world to the city on the surface. The facts and figures of the Underground are just as fascinating as its mysteries and shadowy corners, and I hope my book does justice to both aspects.
I have five other novels available as Kindle ebooks: Auto, Auto 2, Bang, Duallists and Fake Kate.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
September 5, 2012
OMGEEE I WANT A PARTY JUST LIKE THIS ONE, IMAGINE THE TON OF GOSSIP THAT FOLLOWS FROM THAT ! YOU'D HAVE STUFF TO TALK ABOUT FOR YEARS !!!
OK, I'll be honest, I 1-clicked the story without even reading the blurb. Well all I grasped was the story of a man who suspected his wife to cheat on him. I didn't expect it to be cheesy, but I didn't expect it to be THAT entertaining ! The inner b*tch in me loved it, I just would have LOVED to be there, just to see their faces lol ! Even better if it was people I hated or something, like an school reunion and you found out about all the people that bullied/b*tched about you ! MUHAHAHA !
Anyway, this is once again a great story. If you liked Timeline and Relationship Status you'll love this one. If you like this story but haven't read the other ones, then they're only a click away :)
I must state though that I am finding the stories scarier and scarier. I don't know if it's because it's just so easy to imagine our world being like this in ten years' time, or if Mister Wailing is getting more dary with all the gagets... Yea I'm already practicing the mortified look on my face, so that when people's Vades and Googledigook stuff get all fixed on me I still manage to look good for the camera ;)... What I am thinking right now is that somehow the 'puters WILL get the last laugh ! ... I'm really eager to read what comes next in this auto world of Mister Wailing's !
Oh, and a big thank you for making all the computer stuff so easy to understand... Yes, these stories are for everyone, just in case you had a doubt.
So yeah, another fab story, and a great fun to read. My favourite one of the three so far (although I loved them all). I don't usually get that enthusiastic about shorts, but you can be sure that I'll be grabbing the next one as soon as it comes out !
OK, I'll be honest, I 1-clicked the story without even reading the blurb. Well all I grasped was the story of a man who suspected his wife to cheat on him. I didn't expect it to be cheesy, but I didn't expect it to be THAT entertaining ! The inner b*tch in me loved it, I just would have LOVED to be there, just to see their faces lol ! Even better if it was people I hated or something, like an school reunion and you found out about all the people that bullied/b*tched about you ! MUHAHAHA !
Anyway, this is once again a great story. If you liked Timeline and Relationship Status you'll love this one. If you like this story but haven't read the other ones, then they're only a click away :)
I must state though that I am finding the stories scarier and scarier. I don't know if it's because it's just so easy to imagine our world being like this in ten years' time, or if Mister Wailing is getting more dary with all the gagets... Yea I'm already practicing the mortified look on my face, so that when people's Vades and Googledigook stuff get all fixed on me I still manage to look good for the camera ;)... What I am thinking right now is that somehow the 'puters WILL get the last laugh ! ... I'm really eager to read what comes next in this auto world of Mister Wailing's !
Oh, and a big thank you for making all the computer stuff so easy to understand... Yes, these stories are for everyone, just in case you had a doubt.
So yeah, another fab story, and a great fun to read. My favourite one of the three so far (although I loved them all). I don't usually get that enthusiastic about shorts, but you can be sure that I'll be grabbing the next one as soon as it comes out !
February 7, 2013
Interesting imagining of a future world where everybody is hooked up with electronic 'autos', which manage everyone’s social lives. They carry all the information about ourselves, and automatically act like an all powerful Facebook and Twitter combined, adding ‘friends’ at random if they seem compatible. But of course, this ends in disaster when things go wrong and peoples secrets come to light for everyone to see.
The story was well written and flowed well for the most part, but my main issue was that instead of accepting the technology for what it was and letting people just read the story, there were too many explanations of what it did. I personally think that to experience a world as though it’s one we live in, the technology shouldn’t need to be explained if it’s written well enough. Still well worth reading though. Not quite a 4*, but not a 3* either, so 3.5*
The story was well written and flowed well for the most part, but my main issue was that instead of accepting the technology for what it was and letting people just read the story, there were too many explanations of what it did. I personally think that to experience a world as though it’s one we live in, the technology shouldn’t need to be explained if it’s written well enough. Still well worth reading though. Not quite a 4*, but not a 3* either, so 3.5*
September 3, 2012
This short story is yet another little gem set in David Wailing's near future world. This will make you want to switch off your phone! It's set in a time not too far away when we all have electronic 'autos', effectively personal assistants, to which we confide our deepest secrets. What if your secrets came to light? What if the autos talk to one another and spill the beans?
This is funny, thought provoking and also rather horrific! Is there any one of us without some little bit of information we wouldn't like spread abroad? As always, David's writing is clear and unfussy, with a modern feel. He can get technical about the computery stuff without losing me - quite a feat. This is a very enjoyable read which gives you something to mull over - what more do you want from a book?
This is funny, thought provoking and also rather horrific! Is there any one of us without some little bit of information we wouldn't like spread abroad? As always, David's writing is clear and unfussy, with a modern feel. He can get technical about the computery stuff without losing me - quite a feat. This is a very enjoyable read which gives you something to mull over - what more do you want from a book?
September 15, 2012
4.5 stars. Another excellent story set in the futuristic world of 2022, where every moment of everyone's life is recorded online, where "autos" (digital assistants) manage everyone's social life, and where who sees what is carefully governed by privacy settings. What happens when the autos mess up? What happens when the privacy settings go awry? These are the questions that crop up when Nick Brady, on the eve of his 10-year anniversary party learns that his wife is in a relationship with another man according to a strange update to her relationship status.
An excellent character study (Nick is a computer nerd who has never quite felt that he is in the same league as his vivacious, popular wife Larissa) as well as an absorbing tale of suspense, "Friend Request" manages to cover an astonishing amount of ground in such a slim tale. By the end of it, I felt like I knew Nick, what his marriage had been like, and what was likely to happen next.
My only complaint is that ending seems a touch tidy; a LOT of messiness ensues during the party when everyone's secrets are exposed, and I had a hard time believing that the characters would be able to move on without a lot more turmoil. However, I greatly enjoyed the story and watching it all unfold, and I very much liked the characters of Nick and Larissa, who are both painted quite vividly. Can't wait for more in this world.
An excellent character study (Nick is a computer nerd who has never quite felt that he is in the same league as his vivacious, popular wife Larissa) as well as an absorbing tale of suspense, "Friend Request" manages to cover an astonishing amount of ground in such a slim tale. By the end of it, I felt like I knew Nick, what his marriage had been like, and what was likely to happen next.
My only complaint is that ending seems a touch tidy; a LOT of messiness ensues during the party when everyone's secrets are exposed, and I had a hard time believing that the characters would be able to move on without a lot more turmoil. However, I greatly enjoyed the story and watching it all unfold, and I very much liked the characters of Nick and Larissa, who are both painted quite vividly. Can't wait for more in this world.
November 4, 2012
'Friend Request' is the third book I have read in David Wailing's highly original and entertaining 'Auto' series. Yet again I was gripped by the storyline as it raced to its conclusion.
The Auto books certainly have the entertainment factor, but this instalment unnerved me the most (or perhaps this is as a result of the accumulation of all three books). Technology has a mind of its own and ultimately leaves the 2022 partygoers exposed and vulnerable. The airport full-body security scanners spring to mind. Everything is on show.
While some ideas are delightful (a music system recognising guests and playing their favourite tracks? Yes please!), I am left with an impending sense of disaster if technology develops this far.
For me, the series' success is down to this mix. It is sheer entertainment but it carries a warning. David Wailing, you have unsettled me and I will thus tightly grip and refuse to upgrade my plain not-very-good pay-as-you-go camera-phone.
The Auto books certainly have the entertainment factor, but this instalment unnerved me the most (or perhaps this is as a result of the accumulation of all three books). Technology has a mind of its own and ultimately leaves the 2022 partygoers exposed and vulnerable. The airport full-body security scanners spring to mind. Everything is on show.
While some ideas are delightful (a music system recognising guests and playing their favourite tracks? Yes please!), I am left with an impending sense of disaster if technology develops this far.
For me, the series' success is down to this mix. It is sheer entertainment but it carries a warning. David Wailing, you have unsettled me and I will thus tightly grip and refuse to upgrade my plain not-very-good pay-as-you-go camera-phone.
October 24, 2012
David Wailing never fails to impress me with his short out-of-control-auto stories. As I was reading this I actually stopped a moment and thought "how can anyone write so many stories about pretty much the same thing and yet have them all completely different". This one is definitely a must read.
Husband and wife are having a housewarming/anniversary party when things start going wrong, everyone at the party seems to have a secret and this secret is being displayed publicly on their 'autos' for everyone to see. The party descends into havoc, and it is a race against time to undo what has been done. Can their 10 year marriage survive such a fiasco?
The story is fast paced, intriguing and exciting. The characters are really well written and are easy to relate to, I found myself really caring about Nick and my heart went out to him. A fantastic short story!
Husband and wife are having a housewarming/anniversary party when things start going wrong, everyone at the party seems to have a secret and this secret is being displayed publicly on their 'autos' for everyone to see. The party descends into havoc, and it is a race against time to undo what has been done. Can their 10 year marriage survive such a fiasco?
The story is fast paced, intriguing and exciting. The characters are really well written and are easy to relate to, I found myself really caring about Nick and my heart went out to him. A fantastic short story!
May 2, 2013
This is a party you don't want to miss! Another great story, part of the Auto series.
In the near future, we'll have our 'Autos' to assist us with managing our social networks.
Here, the characters are back-stabbed by technology when something goes very wrong and their deepest secrets, safely stored, are exposed for everyone to see when the Auto suddenly malfunctions.
This story has more technical explanations than 'Backup', but they are reader friendly and it's a great continuation of the future world David has created in the Auto series. Loved it!
In the near future, we'll have our 'Autos' to assist us with managing our social networks.
Here, the characters are back-stabbed by technology when something goes very wrong and their deepest secrets, safely stored, are exposed for everyone to see when the Auto suddenly malfunctions.
This story has more technical explanations than 'Backup', but they are reader friendly and it's a great continuation of the future world David has created in the Auto series. Loved it!
September 7, 2015
Another great read in the Auto Series! God, I think I panicked myself thinking about something like that happening to me and my friends. Everybody has secrets, especially from their significant others. Some may say they don't but they do. It could be as simple as a video game addiction. No need to freak out, life goes on. Very great read and I'm anxious to start the next one!
March 18, 2013
Another great read set in the near future from David Wailing.
Funny and rather thought provoking. What would you do if everything that you had stored in your phone/computer came to light? So that anyone on your friends list could see what you'd been up to.
It makes you think about all that we put "online" and the fact that we probably hide just as much as we share.
Funny and rather thought provoking. What would you do if everything that you had stored in your phone/computer came to light? So that anyone on your friends list could see what you'd been up to.
It makes you think about all that we put "online" and the fact that we probably hide just as much as we share.
October 23, 2012
I really enjoyed reading this short story set in London 2022. I loved reading about and imagining all the technology in the story, but I definitely wouldn't like to live in a world like that. The characters were very real and so was the plot which had some excellent twists and turns.
January 21, 2013
Another good one by this author though I preferred Timeline to this one. Could be because I read that one first and found it unique. I had to keep reminding myself during this one: "It's only a story."
January 26, 2013
Very interesting short story that captivates the reader...engages full-attention suspense! I have really enjoyed David Wailing's first two shorts in the Auto Series, as well, and look forward to reading the last two stories! Enjoyable read!
March 9, 2020
Interesting plot where smartphones take over everyone's lives--with people using their "auto" function to interact with everyone else automatically. In many cases, you don't even have to get together with people, just send your auto to a party, basically a simulated you who acts like you and says the types of things you'd say. Your phones will alert you to interesting conversations, compatible people, so you don't really have to do anything in person. Scary, and so close to being true. When something goes wrong at a party, privacy becomes public, and all hell breaks loose. Fairly interesting concept, but it all became kind of repetitive, and I was glad that the story wasn't any longer. I don't think I'll continue with this series.
May 13, 2013
This is the second of David Wailing's Auto series that I have read and for me this is the best, although I'll need to read more to justify that opinion :-) The series describes a near future where a lot of our lives are run by software agents knowns as 'Autos'. In this case it deals with the perils of automated social networking.
The story itself is well paced and takes place over the course of an anniversary party for the lead character and his wive. The attention to detail is excellent and the author builds a vivid and authentic version of the future.
It's a short story, so it's a quick read, but even so it does a good job of hinting at the efefcts of the wider world. The writing is very good, the author does a wonderful job of painting the scene and the people in it.
Overall this is a great read and I can highly recommend this book and the series it is part of.
The story itself is well paced and takes place over the course of an anniversary party for the lead character and his wive. The attention to detail is excellent and the author builds a vivid and authentic version of the future.
It's a short story, so it's a quick read, but even so it does a good job of hinting at the efefcts of the wider world. The writing is very good, the author does a wonderful job of painting the scene and the people in it.
Overall this is a great read and I can highly recommend this book and the series it is part of.
December 17, 2012
The 'Auto-Series' is single handedly one of the freakiest futuristic worlds I have ever read. I mean, I read some crazy future imaginary worlds but they are generally just that, imaginary. David Wailing writes worlds that are highly probably and they freak me out!
In Friend Request there is one crazy party that leads to some serious revelations. I enjoyed this story especially because there actually ended up being a very happy ending which isn't really the same for his first two!!
His writing is flawless, his story telling magical and this series is a definite favourite!
In Friend Request there is one crazy party that leads to some serious revelations. I enjoyed this story especially because there actually ended up being a very happy ending which isn't really the same for his first two!!
His writing is flawless, his story telling magical and this series is a definite favourite!
February 2, 2013
Good read. The entire concept of autos is fascinating and terrifying at the same time... something, I'm sure, that raises the neck hairs of all those who are afraid of machines taking over humans! The nature of human beings has been shown wonderfully - friendship, love, jealousy, secrets, anger, prestige and true nature displaying reactions!
The style of writing was a bit haphazard but not so much that it would hinder the flow of the story. It's short length makes it a quick and very enjoyable read.
All in all, an interesting concept and one on which I would read more books for sure.
The style of writing was a bit haphazard but not so much that it would hinder the flow of the story. It's short length makes it a quick and very enjoyable read.
All in all, an interesting concept and one on which I would read more books for sure.
March 12, 2013
Very entertaining and imaginative. Actually scary when you think about how plugged in we are today, I hope we never get to the point that is explored in these short stories. Quick and enjoyable read.
March 17, 2013
This is the 2nd book I have read in the series, and like the vision of the way it will go, although I don't think it will be that far into the future .
November 12, 2012
Really great short story, enjoyed it as much as Timeline and hope technology doesn't end up like this! Makes me want to use Facebook and Twitter less :)
January 29, 2013
3.5 stars. It was an interesting, enjoyable short story.
May 15, 2013
Brilliant! You'd just love to be at a party like this!
August 16, 2013
Very interesting.
January 23, 2013
I really loved the short story, Backup, and I was looking forward to another part in the series. This story was dry in comparison to Backup, however. It was too technical, and, although there were lots of characters, there was little character development. So, it was difficult to care about any of the characters or the ultimate outcome of the story.
February 14, 2013
An okay short story.
April 11, 2014
Brill short story set in the near future. With cyber people networks becoming more established, it's not hard to imagine this!
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews