Anthony Zuiker, creator of the hit TV series "CSI and two spinoffs, knows that he is tampering with something sacred in his new digi-novel, "Level 26: Dark Origins."
From start to finish, Zuiker's experiment in publishing for the YouTube generation annihilates that long-cherished, undisturbed joy of curling up with a good book and reading it from cover to cover.
But, if you like to read books, watch videos and take part in interactive social networking "Level 26" will rock your world.
"I wanted to incorporate publishing, motion picture and social community all into one experience. It's where we're going in terms of the convergence of consuming content," Zuiker told CTV.ca during a phone call from Los Angeles.
Here's the deal.
First, you buy this grisly little serial crime caper co-written by Zuiker and thriller author Duane Swierczynski ("Severance Package"). Then you start reading and writhing in your seat.
Every 20 pages or so Zuiker dishes up directions via short "cyber-bridges." For example, "To follow the intruder, log into LEVEL26.com and enter the code: sqweegel."
Each cryptic message leads readers to . There they can watch three-minute videos and interact with the online community.
"We're rewarding our audience with great videos that will shock and surprise them," says Zuiker. "You go from crime scene to horror scene to music video to love scene. They're like little Christmas presents that keep readers reading because something great is just on the horizon."
Back and forth readers go -- to the joy of fans, to the chagrin of critics -- reading, seeing and experiencing an unspeakably gory tale about a brilliant crime-scene tactician named Steve Dark and Sqweegel, the monstrous killing machine he is trailing.
Silent and taunting, this double-jointed psychopath is one that makes Hannibal Lecter look like Cinderella.
Zipped into a vinyl body condom that leaves no DNA behind, Sqweegel slithers into his innocent victims' lives, raping, murdering and mutilating women -- that's just for starters.
Zuiker's title comes from a secret service rating system of criminals. Most fall between levels 1 to 25. At level 26, Sqweegel is an off-the-chart case of evil.
He slaughters Dark's foster family for fun. Then Sqweegel waits for Dark to dish out his payback -- if he dares.
"Level 26" makes traditional books obsolete
"When you read Steve Dark that's pretty much me. Damaged and tortured," laughs Zuiker, 41. "That's the way you end up after going through the hell of television. The backstabbing, the never-ending criticism, the high stakes, the egos...It's a blender of daily pain."
Working on cases that make hardened cops lose their lunch, Dark's own demons pepper this cat-and-mouse thriller.
"He's a sex addict. He's been chasing Sqweegel for two decades. Dark's doing the worst job a person can possibly do. Just when he gets out, Sqweegel sucks him back in," says Zuiker.
Some critics are enthralled with Zuiker's multi-media production and his vision. To them, "Level 26" is a slick, creepy ride worth taking.
Others, like USA Today reporter Bob Minzesheimer says, "Digi or not, the story just isn't novel enough." Minzesheimer also says Zuiker's multi-media touches are "not enough to hide a formulaic plot and writing."
"I understand that reading a book, then putting it down to log on, watch a bridge, then start reading again couldn't be clumsier. But, the added value of these bridges and the online social community couldn't be hotter right now," says Zuiker.
In some ways "Level 26" is not unlike the kids' digi-novel, "The 39 Clues." Both play with the convergence of different media and technologies. "Level 26"' is merely splattered with blood and guts.
"Once you download the application you can flip through the pages, the different wallpapers and sound effects. You can go back to the book and read it on its own. To me it's the ideal experience. I played with it all morning. I can't stop," says Zuiker.
Ditto for Zuiker's online fans.
"The community literally broke 5,000 this morning. That's about 300 new visitors a day," says Zuiker. "By Sunday we'll have 15,000 to 20,000 people. We're gaining momentum. We're building this branding community brick by brick. That's what I call success."
So what if "Level 26" is utterly dark and deviant. Who cares if it snatches away the joy from readers of picturing Dark, Sqweegel and Zuiker's other characters in their heads.
Zuiker's publisher, Dutton, is buying into his vision in a big way. Dutton has signed Zuiker to a seven-figure, three book deal. The next book in the trilogy "will be very psychologically twisted and complex."
"I don't want go the route of the traditional, store-bought bestseller. I don't want to be the flavour of the month and then go away," says Zuiker. "I want that slow burn. That steady, day-by-day growth online that means we can create a bestseller without ever setting foot in a bookstore."
The launch of Apple's iTablet "fits perfectly into this model," says Zucker.
"I've heard the critics," says Zuiker. "They say 'Level 26' is too graphic. The first bridge is a snuff film. I can live with that. At the end of the day this is something different. This convergence of media is happening in Silicon Valley. It's happening in Hollywood. It's where everything is going."
