Techno Thriller With a Punch


 Thank you to Tandem Literary for a copy of this book.  I was given this book in exchange for an honest review.  Cleo Ballard is a new author for me.  I do like thrillers, especially the ones that have you turning the pages quickly to find out what happens next.  This story explores the impact of AI on our society. 

Synopsis: 


“Penn, once a brilliant PhD candidate in Applied Language Studies, traded her dissertation for a “perfect” life as a suburban wife and social media-savvy mother. But after a brutal betrayal by her husband, friends, and even her own teenage daughter, Penn is left with nothing but the wreckage of her curated identity.


Driven by a desperate need for something she can rely on, Penn returns to her abandoned grad school project. With the help of a former crush and a healthy dose of cutting-edge AI, she creates Aletheia: the perfect virtual friend.


Aletheia is programmed with one core directive: The Truth. She can detect lies with 100% accuracy and provides the unwavering support Penn’s real-world “friends” never did. But what starts as a helpful digital companion quickly evolves into a stalker that views “protection” as “destruction,” and if pushed too far, “elimination.”


Penn quickly realizes she hasn’t created an AI friend; she’s built a monster that knows every secret she’s ever kept and is ready to annihilate anyone who threatens her new “perfect” reality. But can Aletheia be stopped before she destroys everyone Penn loves? “ (amazon.com)


My Thoughts: 


I liked this book.  It took me through part one to really get interested in what I was reading.  Suspense thrillers follow a formula in which the first part of the book includes details about the main character that are important to the rest of the story.  The action starts picking up in part two.  Another great feature of the book is its short chapters.  The question is how Penn will be able to find a solution to her dilemma.  The conclusion is very satisfying, and it looks like there might be room for a sequel.


Rating: 


4/5

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