CRASH AND FRED by
CHASE FIORE
In a foggy corner of San Francisco, Crash Anuman spends his days stocking shelves at his family’s grocery store and dreaming of escape. He’s restless, ambitious, and stuck—until the day he catches a thief in the act: a sea lion wearing a green bucket hat.
Fred isn’t just any sea lion. He’s hyper-intelligent, sarcastic, and on the run from a shadowy government program that made him this way. When Crash and Fred’s worlds collide, they uncover a sinister plot by tech mogul Leonard Trice to turn their neighborhood into a playground for corporate surveillance—and Fred into the ultimate pawn.
With a quirky cast of neighbors, a ragtag band of hackers, and a little bit of chaos, Crash and Fred set out to expose Leonard, save the community, and maybe even figure out where they belong in the process.
Blending heart, humor, and high-stakes adventure, Crash and Fred is a story about friendship, self-discovery, and standing up for what’s right—even when it’s absurd.
Awards
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2025 NYC Big Book Award Distinguished Favorites
Disillusioned with his life working at his family’s grocery store in San Francisco, Crash Anuman dreams of something bigger. His world changes when he discovers Fred, a hyper-intelligent sea lion and the product of a secret government experiment. Fred’s carefree, bucket-hat-wearing charm contrasts with his tragic past, but his existence is threatened when a tech mogul, Leonard Trice, targets him as part of a sinister surveillance plan. Together, Crash and Fred rally their quirky neighborhood to expose Leonard and protect their community, learning the value of connection, ethical responsibility, and finding one’s place in the world. Blending humor, heartfelt relationships, and tech-driven intrigue, Crash and Fred is a tale of resilience and self-discovery.
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Honorable Mention
“Crash and Fred is the kind of wild, ridiculous ride that somehow still makes perfect sense in its own chaotic universe.”
— Emily, amazon reader
”This is a really strange and quirky book…and it's great fun.”
— Lou, amazon UK reader
“Crash and Fred are hilariously mismatched…”
— Shiila, amazon reader
“If you want something fresh, offbeat, and genuinely entertaining, this one delivers from page one.”
— Sebastian, amazon reader
About Chase
Chase Fiore is a designer, writer, and lifelong fan of the weird, wonderful, and wildly unexpected. With a background in themed entertainment, and immersive storytelling, he’s helped bring magical worlds to life, usually behind the scenes.
He holds degrees in technical writing and themed entertainment design, blending precision with imagination.
Chase’s writing is personal and playfully absurd, rooted in belonging, self-discovery, and the awkward humor of being human. His debut novel reflects a love of quirky characters, surreal situations, and the kind of nonsense that helps us make sense of the world.
When not building attractions or writing late at night, he’s probably overthinking, doodling, or searching for the perfect snack—ideally with a good view and better coffee.
