Artificial Wisdom

A Novel

By: Thomas R. Weaver

Narrated by: Steven Pacey

In a climate-ravaged landscape where AI and humans vie for political power, a journalist must unravel a murderous plot that will either upend the world or save it.

2050: Investigative journalist Marcus Tully is grieving his wife and unborn child, ten years after they perished in a deadly heat wave that gripped the Persian Gulf.

Now the whole planet is both burning and drowning, and the nations of the world decide to elect a global leader to steer humanity through the climate apocalypse. The final two candidates: a former U.S. president . . . and Solomon, the first artificial intellect to hold political office.

But as Election Day races closer, Solomon’s creator is murdered, and it’s up to Tully to find the culprit.

Soon Tully is unraveling a conspiracy that goes to the highest levels. As the investigation heats up and the planet hurtles ever closer to the brink, Tully must find the truth and convince the world to face it.

Because salvation has a price—but is humanity willing to pay it?

Critic reviews

“Thomas R. Weaver’s imaginative, impressive debut grapples with some weighty issues, thankfully without forgetting that it’s telling a story. Particularly compelling . . . is Weaver’s riveting vision of technology in the near future and its ramifications once humans can no longer discern what is real. Be afraid, be very afraid.”—The Times

“A stunning story and a remarkable vision, all incredibly well told, as modern as tomorrow and even more frightening . . . Be afraid—very afraid—of where we are and what is coming.”—Terry Hayes, New York Times bestselling author of I Am Pilgrim

“Masterful near-future world-building and AI speculation . . . Endangered Earth gets hope from unlikely places.”—David Brin, New York Times bestselling author

ai to the rescue?

This was a very pleasant surprise. bought on a whim, and seeing Steven Pacey was on the vox was just an added bonus. sci fi, murder mystery, with some semi digital political intrigue. highly recommend

Suspenseful & Thought Provoking!!

Oooh this is an interesting one! A near-future techno-thriller that feels realistic, grounded, but not dry. It plays on a lot of today’s open questions around climate change, AI, and an increasingly divided humanity.

Twisty and suspenseful, the narrative kept me engaged and I enjoyed trying to work out the mysteries at the center of the plot.

The ending left a bit to be desired IMO… but to me it feels like the author is trying to set things up for a potential sequel but also make the book able to be read standalone which left loose open threads. I also found some of the character motivations to be a bit “out of nowhere” or underdeveloped but not enough to ruin things for me.

Overall an impressive debut from this author and if a second one does come out, I’ll definitely be reading!