Tom Burne Has Left the Chat

What happens to your phone when you die and who has access to your online legacy? When micro-influencer Tom Burne takes his own life, he leaves behind his phone, its password and a cryptic message that needs decoding. Fuelled by his own sense of isolation and the recent passing of his father, 17-year-old Jamie loses himself in uncovering the truth and falls deeply into Tom’s dark world. A moving and heart-shatteringly honest portrayal of the effects online spaces and AI can have on mental health, backdropped with scenes of Dublin’s luscious landscape.

Seán Farrelly is a novelist, short story writer and playwright. He has worked as a writing mentor and workshop facilitator for young people since 2018.