"CSI" Creator's Pens First Digi-novel

Creator and Executive Producer of "CSI" Creates the World's First "Digi-Novel," Called "Level 26: Dark Origins"

(CBS)  Leave it to Anthony Zuiker to want to revolutionize the book industry.

The creator and executive producer of "CSI," a show that's spawned a $6 billion industry with episodes airing in 200 countries, has just written what's being called the world's first "digi-novel."

It's part book, part movie, and part Web site.

It's called "Level 26: Dark Origins" and it's out in stores today.

"There are 25 levels of serial killer in the world," Zuiker told Early Show co-anchor Harry Smith. "Level one can be your next door neighbor; level 25, Charles Manson. We did level 26, which unlocks a new level of fear. Our main character is Squeegel. He our main villain. He wears a forensic-proof body suit so you can't catch him."

Every 20 pages, readers are guided to go online to watch an video that Zuiker directed.

According to Zuiker, "what happens is you read 20 pages, you log in at level26.com, enter a code, and it unlocks what's called a cyber bridge which is a three-minute scene, which bridges you from one chapter to another, so it continues the story. We have 20 of those per book. So it's like getting a movie inside the book."

Click, here to read an excerpt of "Level 26: Dark Origins".

To hear more about the making of "Level 26: Dark Origins," click the Play button below:


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[thesevenveils]

This media merge might appeal to some people, but personally when I'm reading a good book I do not want to put it down and I do not need anything more than my imagination to move me from chapter to chapter.

This kind of reminds me of a scratch and sniff version of a book. What are your reading about? Log on here to watch the video! Hey mommy a story telling picture book!

[EricFost]

What a joke.

When I saw this report on The Early Show, I just shook my head. Anthony Zuiker has NOT come close to writing the 'world's first digi-novel.'

Not only have numerous authors done it long before him, but young-adult author Patrick Carman had a bestseller with 'Skeleton Creek.' Carman's book came out almost a year ago and it appears that Zuiker's book is a complete copy with regard to format(albeit, not quite as well done).

I realize that I sound bitter and I have no stake in this whatsoever. Regardless, I was a bit annoyed in seeing the fawning praise that was heaped upon Zuiker, as if he is a maverick in this field, when he is anything but...