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)

Wow! That's all I can say.

This was one of the top 5 audiobooks I've listened to with Audible in the last 5 years. Excellent character formation, plot, and interesting ending. It will keep you glued to the audio. And to top it off, my favorite narrator, Scott Brick. This is a keeper!

Wait for the movie...

This novel is indeed full of suspense and the characters are interesting, alive. Yet, it is one of the few books that has ever left me feeling that perhaps it all could have been done better as a two-hour film. Other readers may find its many twists and turns exciting enough to merit another star; the plot is good. For my personal tastes however, it is too weighted down by details of computer/hi-tech and corporate politics to be an enjoyable "read". I found the ending unsatisfying and the reader annoying. He is too mature for the part of a man as young as the protagonist, and too staid to carry off the repartee between Adam and Seth.

Can the upcoming 2013 movie live up to the book?!?

Since I really enjoy this author's exciting books and PARANOIA is coming out at the movies next month, I decided that I wanted to read the book before seeing the movie. This is definitely an exciting thriller--no murders or spying between nations, but a new type of modern day thriller. Espionage between high tech companies and the extremely rich and powerful people who control these things dominates this book.

Adam Cassidy is just a lovely tech guy with little ambition in life but to have fun at little expense and effort on his part. He hacks his companies system to host a going away party for one of the dock workers. His "party" ended up costing more than $70,000, and he got caught. The head of his company makes Adam a deal----spy on the competitor company, and maybe we won't prosecute, sending you to jail for most of your lifetime. Adam's first person account of all the turns and twists in this endeavor makes for a thriller every bit as exciting as any world wide spy thriller. His dying, foul mouthed father adds another element of interest to the story also.

Once again, Joseph Finder does not disappoint for thrills and excitement. His characters are rich in detail, and he has the hi tech computer age down perfectly. Though I loved this book, the technology changes from it's publication until today adds another level of "unintended" fun to this book---oh how technology has grown!!! Will be interesting to see how this updates in the movie. It might seem to make this book dated, but it actually adds to the enjoyment of this extremely well written book!

it's an okay modern story

as modern novels go, it's just fine. for all the hype in the new yorker etc, it moves kind of slowly; but, it's a semi-realistic tale of a corporate, amoralistic, non-narcissistic, non-introspective guy going through life with the superficial desires we all have to some degree or another. not great literature, but...amusing. perhaps the ending and denoument will redeem its first-half more-than-acceptable listenability. it's not 'lime twig' or '1948', but it's a whole lot better then tv.

On and On and On

I like thrillers, and this one had me for the first 6 hours or so. ThenI really wanted it to get to the end. The tension level stayed high, and some breaks would have been welcome. Sure, I wanted to know how it ended (and the ending IS a surprise), but found myself almost dreading those last few hours. I generally prefer unabridged, but this is one I would have preferred abridged.

One of my favorite books

I have been an audible customer for several years, and this is one of the best books that I have listened to. Great story that is not at all predictable. I have recommended it to other friends who agree with my high assessment. Highest recommendations.

Office backstabbing at it's finest

This is my first book from the author, but I will find others. The emotional roller-coaster from the balancing of real and fictional loyalties in this story make you cringe at times, and laugh at other times. The mix of dry humor in the face of angst really makes it great. You have to listen to this.

Never throw a party on your boss's dime

Man, one little party on company expense and look what happens. I loved the plot of this book. Who knows what? Who is working for whom? What is going to happen next?

A great thriller of corporate espionage. It will have you on the edge of your seat (hard to do while driving) and wanting more.

A++ CORPORATE ESPIONAGE THRILLER!!!

I planned on reading this over two weeks during my commute to work but finished it in just a few days. Outstanding writing and Scott Brick did a great job narrating. This is my first book from audible.com and I highly recommend it. If you work at the Motorola's, GE's, Microsoft's, or other high-tech businesses you can easily see something like this happening in your backyard.

Get ready for a thrill!

The story is great! The reader is fantastic! With the Scott Brink's narration - it is just like seeing a movie in your mind! Very adicting story with nice twists. Download and enjoy the thrill!