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)

Couldn't put it down

How have I missed this guy's books? This is one fine read.
Beyond the fast action and suspense, anyone who has spent time in or around the boardroom or executive suites of a high tech corporation will start attaching familiar names and faces to the different characters. It's one of those stories that you'd call far fetched if it didn't seem so close to the truth. This one is all thumbs up.

Great entertainment

I decided to take a chance on a new author (I hadn't read/listened to any of Joseph Finder's books before) and I'm glad I did. There was plenty of suspense as we wonder how Adam is going to get out of the multiple layers of trouble he's gotten himself into. The author's sense of humor is compelling as well and I found myself grinning and even laughing out loud as characters and situations struck familiar chords.

As others have noted, the ending is rather abrupt and the big twist was easy to see coming, but it was entertaining as hell.

Scott Brick, as usual, was a joy to listen to. I haven't had this much fun with a book in quite a while.

fast and fun

good pulp fiction with great narration. highly recommended

Great, easy listen

I thought Paranoia was a great listen. Its exciting, great twists and turns!

Scott Brick sucks

Scott Brick is the worst narrator ever. has ruined so many good books. I would rebuy my books that he's ruined if they could be redone by someone that can actually read

Enjoyed the characters

Excellent pairing of main character to narrator. Interesting twists that keep you interested until the end. Will listen to more of this author. Also, another good example of a four star book made into a five star because of Scott Brick.

Don't really believe it

I liked the characters but I didn't buy the story. At the end all I could think was a I don't know why she stalled the fly kind of thing.

Great Plot - All the way to the End

What a great story! Evoked many feelings towards the characters and the book. Highly recommended.

NIce Ride

A very enjoyable listen from start to finish. From the beginning, you think you can predict the outcome but want to go along for the ride anyway. A nice twist at the end makes you glad you did. Looking forward to other books by this author. The narrator was cool. Other books I've listened to could certainly have used him.

Entertaining, a bit unbelievable

Plot about corporate espionage. Personalities play a big part and the characters are rich and interesting. Some edge-of-your-seat scenes. you must work to suspend your disbelief as it is far fetched. but if you can do so, it's a fun ride