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)

I'd say 1 1/2 thumbs up.

The narrator was great the storyline was really good. There were a lot of twists and turns in the world of corporate espionage. I really liked the descriptions and the look into each character. I got a little tired of the language in the book though. A lot of "F" bombs all throughout. They wore that word out for me.

Sad commentary

and sadder to think how many will buy in to the belief that this is an accurate portrayal of all corporate America.

very exciting book

Incredibly different book. You won't see this one coming. Add this one to your list.

Enjoyable

The movie has just come out and I wanted to read it before being tempted to see it. Yes, I suppose there are some weaknesses, but I was really hooked to the story all along. One could say it is implausible, but I was thinking of the Frank Abagnale story (Catch Me If You Can) and what he actually pulled is off more farfetched. I enjoyed the book and I'd look for other Joseph Finder books again. For me, it was a great ending.

Industrial Espionage

(technology soon to be outdated)...read now.

"Paranoia" is a high-tech corporate drama/thriller. It is an enjoyable and fast-moving novel, albeit somewhat unbelievable.

It is a classic "under achiever becomes brilliant over achiever" story, about a young slacker who finally steps int his own... and has some important choices to make. Will he cross ethical and legal boundaries? Will he sell his soul, or become a man of character? Can he triumph as the underdog against the faceless machine of big business and numerous foes, or will he be swallowed whole? and,etc...


"Paranoia" by Joseph Finder is somewhat in the vein of "Limitless" by Alan Glynn (if you like one, you will probably enjoy the other).

Scott Brick is a solid narrator, but was melodramatic at times.


* Movie coming out August 2013.

Techno-speak fun

The book is exciting and well written with a perfect blend of the reader's voice and the main character's personality. If you tend to "geek" about techonology, you'll clap your hands with glee while listening to all kinds of contemporary buzz words. Some books should be like movies - entertaining and escapist. This one certainly fills that bill.

thoroughly enjoyable!

What did you love best about Paranoia?

the suslpense

Who was your favorite character and why?

i had no favorite character but they were all good. i suppose adam cassidy's grouchy father.

What about Scott Brick’s performance did you like?

very well done!

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

the moments when adam's grouchy dad was giving everybody grief was sort of a comic relief even tho it was not a funny situation. he seemed very genuine.

Any additional comments?

i have read two of mr. finder's books. company man and paranoia. paranoia was much more entertaining.

Nail biting story, but.......

The story keeps you on the edge of your seat, and the "hero" maintains his dignity at the end. BUT, after he endures, it would have been more satisfying to have a happier outcome.

Good techno thriller

This was interesting, even though by the time I read it in 2022 the technology that was cutting edge at the time is dated. Fast paced and good ending!

Paranoia - Great Thriller!

Don't bother with the movie until after you've read the book. This narration is very effective and exciting, well - paced, and convincing. The story itself has enough twists to keep it interesting even when you think you've got it figured out. Well done!