Paranoia

A Novel

By: Joseph Finder

Narrated by: Scott Brick

Length: 12 hrs and 52 mins

Publisher's summary

Adam Cassidy is twenty-six and a low level employee at a high-tech corporation who hates his job. When he manipulates the system to do something nice for a friend, he finds himself charged with a crime. Corporate Security gives him a choice: prison or become a spy in the headquarters of their chief competitor, Trion Systems. They train him and feed him inside information. Now at Trion, he's a star, skyrocketing to the top. He finds he has talents he never knew he possessed. He's rich, drives a Porsche, lives in a fabulous apartment, and works directly for the CEO. He's dating the girl of his dreams. His life is perfect. All he has to do to keep it that way is betray everyone he cares about and everything he believes in. But when he tries to break off from his controllers, he finds himself in way over his head, where nothing is what it seems and no one can really be trusted. And then the REAL nightmare begins....

©2004 Joseph Finder (P)2004 Audio Renaissance, a division of Holtzbrinck Publishers, LLC

Critic reviews

"Is it too early to declare Finder's fifth novel the most entertaining thriller of 2004?....A first-rate surprise ending packs a wallop. This novel is the real deal: a thriller that actually will keep readers up way past their bedtimes." (Publishers Weekly)

"A twisting, stealthily plotted story...as a savvy genre piece with built-in momentum, it works just fine...the book weaves a tangled and ingeniously enveloping web." (The New York Times)

"What keeps the pages turning isn't the suspense, though, as much as it is Finder's detailed portrayal of the Machiavellian world of the mega-corporation and its high-stakes intrigue." (The New York Times Book Review)

"This thriller is engaging from the opening lines and doesn't let up until the surprising end. Scott Brick narrates flawlessly....This great performance is a perfect fit for the writing." (AudioFile)

UGH...

What does Scott Brick bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?
Mesmerizing voice! Had to be careful now and again from becoming too comfortable listening while driving.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?
I suspected the ending pre halfway through the book and discounted because it was too obvious. Hearing the ending I had come up with made me want to wretch - literally! It's been a while since I felt cheated at the ending of a story, and this is how I felt - cheated! Or... glass half empty, I'm a genius for having figured out such an elementary ending.

The story line is so unbelievably out there, it could go nowhere other than where it did. The first Finder novel that left me wishing I had stopped before the ending.

Any additional comments?
Joseph Finder novels are a recent find of mine. I devoured Company Man and the Nick Heller series and loved them all. Though disappointed in the ending of Paranoia, his character development of Cassidy is right on.

Paranoia (unabridged)

This is a pretty standard mystery. One saving grace is the reading by Scott Brick. He always does a good job.

Gotta tell you, I liked this book!

I really enjoyed listening to this book. The reader truly was excellent, and the plot gradually sucked me in. This isn't a deep soul-searcher, but it is a GREAT diversion, one in which you grow to care about the characters involved.

Well, to sum it up: Good vs. Evil

I thought about writing this review as I listened to Paranoia. That, in itself, tells me I wasn't as engaged as I would have been with a better book. I did like the reader. He made me really loathe the protagonist. Really. The story appears to be a dramatic black / white, good / evil tale. And it does turn out that way. Kind of. Okay, I admit I listened to it in the middle of the night a couple of nights - it kept my interest that much. On the other hand, I usually fell asleep before the timer on my MP3 player turned off, so it wasn't riveting. All in all, I classify it as a tasty (if rather long) snack, rather than a satisfying meal (try Water for Elephants if you're looking for that). I'm not sorry I listened to it as it was rather fun, but I won't remember the plot after a couple of years.

Loved it!

I absolutely loved this "Dilbert Meets Corporate Espionage" story! It is so relevant of today's corporate climate of silly HR practices and top management greed.

This Book Should Be The Basis Of A Movie

Narration - 5 Stars
Story - 3 Star

Although formulaic and full of clichés, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The book's ending justified the Story. Think: "the ends justified the means.

I actually do not think that the title Paranoia encompasses the full story. yet I do not have any better ideas for such a moniker.

I personally do not think most people will know the conclusion early on. I believe that people who claim to have guessed the finale are actually and realistically reacting to well designed plot. I challenge them to write down their guesses before reading the book. THEY might guess the WHO but not the HOW, WHEN, and especially not the WHY.

Some people just sick back and enjoy 'the ride'. Others lose out on the fun and constantly try to guess the ending. Too bad for them.

PARANOIA is a fine read and, I believe, a surprise at the end.

A very enjoyable listen from beginning to end

This was my first book by Joseph Finder and I thoroughly enjoyed listening to it from beginning to end. Scott Brick the narrator did a great job in that he consistently used the right tone of voice for the situation and character; he did the female voices well too. Finder kept me interested in that he always had some new situation that Adam the main character would find himself in. I found myself laughing sometimes out loud at many of the expressions that Adam would use in a situation or to describe it. The book had a great ending that would not be guessed, you have to listen to the end to find out.

Engaging characters

What did you love best about Paranoia?

I loved the quirky, very well-written characters. I felt as though I knew them and the main character's tone is very witty, engaging, and very entertaining.

What other book might you compare Paranoia to and why?

His style and fast, yet easy to follow plot lines, remind me of John Grisham-and he's one of my favorites!

Which character – as performed by Scott Brick – was your favorite?

Scott Brick's performance is spot on! For me, his tone completely captured the spirit of all the characters and especially the main one-Adam

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Definitely-hard to put down

"Success is Paranoia"

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?
Yes! I will definately recommend this audiobook . It's the Holy Grail of corporate espionage

What did you like best about this story?
When it dawned on the hunter that he is the prey and bate rather than the predator. The discovery totally unhinged me and set me thinking and wondering out loud: " Cassidy you are so screwed!"

What does Scott Brick bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?
Scott Brick, as usual dropped it like it's hot!

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?
Yeah if I have the whole day to myself

Any additional comments?
It is hard time Audible upgrade the App to IPad version. I love the Audible concept

Great book from Stat to finish. No slow time.

Really good book .Hard to put down. No slow spots. Hope you enjoy as much as I did.