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Genius Club
They were gifted enough to be selected. Are they smart enough to survive?
Professor Matthew Stanford is a genius with numbers, but when it comes to people, he's always struggled.
As a teenager, he was offered a scholarship by the reclusive polymath, Benjamin Caesar, where he met a group of like-minded intellectuals, which became known as the Genius Club.
The now thirty-something prodigy still stays in close contact with the other participants, but when Matthew discovers his wife - also a member of the club - dead on the floor with an empty syringe by her side, his life unravels.
Authorities dismiss it as a tragic overdose, Matthew is certain something far darker is at play. When he uncovers unsettling truths about Caesar's motivation behind forming the club, Matthew realizes he and his friends have been part of a disturbing experiment all along. And now, they are being hunted down one by one.
Can Matthew outsmart a faceless enemy before he’s next?
Genius Club is a dark psychological thriller perfect for fans of T.M. Logan, Alex Michaelides and Michael Crichton
Real readers love Genius Club :
‘I read this on an overnight flight when I should have been sleeping so can confirm its gripping nature’ *****
‘Excellent – kept me guessing to the end’ *****
‘From the very page this draws you in and you can’t put it down’ *****
‘Like Frankenstein for the modern age’ *****
Professor Matthew Stanford is a genius with numbers, but when it comes to people, he's always struggled.
As a teenager, he was offered a scholarship by the reclusive polymath, Benjamin Caesar, where he met a group of like-minded intellectuals, which became known as the Genius Club.
The now thirty-something prodigy still stays in close contact with the other participants, but when Matthew discovers his wife - also a member of the club - dead on the floor with an empty syringe by her side, his life unravels.
Authorities dismiss it as a tragic overdose, Matthew is certain something far darker is at play. When he uncovers unsettling truths about Caesar's motivation behind forming the club, Matthew realizes he and his friends have been part of a disturbing experiment all along. And now, they are being hunted down one by one.
Can Matthew outsmart a faceless enemy before he’s next?
Genius Club is a dark psychological thriller perfect for fans of T.M. Logan, Alex Michaelides and Michael Crichton
Real readers love Genius Club :
‘I read this on an overnight flight when I should have been sleeping so can confirm its gripping nature’ *****
‘Excellent – kept me guessing to the end’ *****
‘From the very page this draws you in and you can’t put it down’ *****
‘Like Frankenstein for the modern age’ *****
306 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 19, 2024
299 people are currently reading
231 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
November 9, 2024
Thanks to
njbarkerauthor for my copy of Genius Club
I have thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, particularly the dual timelines. It was compelling to follow the younger versions of the characters and witness their development over the years, as well as the conflicts that arise within the club. The story is a complex thriller filled with unexpected twists and characters who are not what they initially seem. It explores themes of doubt, as even the closest friends grapple with questioning their beliefs about what they thought was true.
#GeniusClub #BookReview #ThrillerReads #DualTimelines #Intrigue #CharacterDevelopment #MustRead #PlotTwists #LiteraryThriller
12 m
njbarkerauthor for my copy of Genius Club
I have thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, particularly the dual timelines. It was compelling to follow the younger versions of the characters and witness their development over the years, as well as the conflicts that arise within the club. The story is a complex thriller filled with unexpected twists and characters who are not what they initially seem. It explores themes of doubt, as even the closest friends grapple with questioning their beliefs about what they thought was true.
#GeniusClub #BookReview #ThrillerReads #DualTimelines #Intrigue #CharacterDevelopment #MustRead #PlotTwists #LiteraryThriller
12 m
June 22, 2025
This was different than other thrillers I’ve read before. It took me a little bit to get into but then once I did, it kept me guessing until the end.
November 14, 2025
The Genius Club moves at a steady, engaging pace that keeps you comfortably invested while still building toward some truly mind blowing reveals. The twists are a standout: most are genuinely surprising, with only a couple landing in that “I saw it coming but in a satisfying way” category.
As the story progresses, the protagonist and the eventual ending do become a bit easier to predict, but that doesn’t take away from the intrigue the book builds along the way. The middle section slows down slightly, yet it recovers quickly and ramps the tension back up in all the right places.
By the time you reach the final pages, you’re left wanting more. The Genius Club delivers a thrilling, clever ride.
As the story progresses, the protagonist and the eventual ending do become a bit easier to predict, but that doesn’t take away from the intrigue the book builds along the way. The middle section slows down slightly, yet it recovers quickly and ramps the tension back up in all the right places.
By the time you reach the final pages, you’re left wanting more. The Genius Club delivers a thrilling, clever ride.
April 23, 2025
When Matthew arrives home to find his wife Lucy dead authorities are certain it's suicide, but Matthew is immediately suspicious. As he digs further and shares information with his friends his world begins to unravel.
Matthew met Lucy and his friends when they were recruited to an elite scholarship program nicknamed the Genius Club. Their kindly benefactor Benjamin Caesar brought them all together and has supported them through to their adult lives but suddenly he is uncontactable.
Matthew discovers an uncomfortable truth about the Genius Club and no longer knows who he can trust. He was smart enough to get in but will he be smart enough to survive?
This was such a page turner, I could not put it down at all. The pacing and story development was perfect and the tension remained throughout with plenty of twists and turns.
Told from multiple points of view and a dual timeline it comes together wonderfully.
Matthew met Lucy and his friends when they were recruited to an elite scholarship program nicknamed the Genius Club. Their kindly benefactor Benjamin Caesar brought them all together and has supported them through to their adult lives but suddenly he is uncontactable.
Matthew discovers an uncomfortable truth about the Genius Club and no longer knows who he can trust. He was smart enough to get in but will he be smart enough to survive?
This was such a page turner, I could not put it down at all. The pacing and story development was perfect and the tension remained throughout with plenty of twists and turns.
Told from multiple points of view and a dual timeline it comes together wonderfully.
May 24, 2024
This is a cracker of a story. It’s like Frankenstein for the modern age. What would happen if you were able to manipulate the cream of academia? If you were able to monitor and influence every part of their life, what would be the outcomes for the individuals and society? There is quite a cast of characters, I liked some of them and not others. From the initial death ( was it suicide or murder?) to the denouement, this will keep you entertained and interested. Definitely in the ‘just one more chapter’ category!
October 13, 2024
Very well done. I really liked this one and there were several twists in it. Matthew, Dylan, Lucy, Alistar, David, Sammy, and Vanessa were part of a scholarship club. They were all given a scholarship that was for college and beyond because they came from bad circumstances and were extremely smart. When one is killed Matt starts looking at what brought them all together and who might be trying to get rid of them and why. Great story.
January 2, 2025
This is a crazy-good book about a professor, Mathew who comes home to find his wife, Lucy dead on the floor. Then we return to 2001 when Matthew was in school and gifted in math. He was introduced to Benjamin Caesar who gave many scholarships to deserving students. He also founded the "Genius Club" which had two rules: no intimate contact between members and they would "democratize intelligence" so it was fair for everyone. But of course things go awry and nothing is as it appears to be!
June 9, 2024
This took me a little while to get into but once I did, I enjoyed. a very tangled web of relationships. It was nice to meet Dylan again after meeting her in another of this author's read. This was potentially a tad too far fetched in subject matter for me but I still wanted to see how it would conclude.
March 16, 2025
Exceptional!
A brilliant premise. A fast paced read with characters with depth. In this compelling read, Matthew knows there's so much more to Lucy's death than suicide, and won't rest until he gets to the truth.
The Genius Club is original, interesting and kept me reading until late at night.
Highly recommended.
A brilliant premise. A fast paced read with characters with depth. In this compelling read, Matthew knows there's so much more to Lucy's death than suicide, and won't rest until he gets to the truth.
The Genius Club is original, interesting and kept me reading until late at night.
Highly recommended.
May 5, 2025
Thank you to Ellie Pilcher for the promotional copy!
I loved that the research mentioned was cited at the end and taken from real life. Fact is stranger than fiction!
I enjoy a dual timeline, and while there quite a few characters introduced quickly, they were distinctive and were a witty group. This was a page turner, and each part flowed well to the next, so I didn't lose momentum.
I loved that the research mentioned was cited at the end and taken from real life. Fact is stranger than fiction!
I enjoy a dual timeline, and while there quite a few characters introduced quickly, they were distinctive and were a witty group. This was a page turner, and each part flowed well to the next, so I didn't lose momentum.
May 26, 2025
A Captivating Tale
This fast read was packed with diverse characters and wove a complicated tapestry at a pace that kept me reading 'just one more chapter.'
Could this manipulation of intelligence ever become reality? The intricate plot made me ponder possible future implications -- a scary thought, indeed.
This fast read was packed with diverse characters and wove a complicated tapestry at a pace that kept me reading 'just one more chapter.'
Could this manipulation of intelligence ever become reality? The intricate plot made me ponder possible future implications -- a scary thought, indeed.
July 29, 2025
A different kind of thriller
Interesting characters in a most unusual situation. Keeps the reader guessing with unexpected revelations and plot twists. Watch the chapter headings, because the timeline jumps from present to past and back, fairly often. Not for everyone, but the discerning reader will enjoy finding the puzzle pieces and fitting them together.
Interesting characters in a most unusual situation. Keeps the reader guessing with unexpected revelations and plot twists. Watch the chapter headings, because the timeline jumps from present to past and back, fairly often. Not for everyone, but the discerning reader will enjoy finding the puzzle pieces and fitting them together.
May 23, 2025
hard to describe
Trying to think I hat to say I feel. I enjoyed the book and was always kept guessing. Concepts I never would have considered. Recommend to anyone who enjoys reading
Trying to think I hat to say I feel. I enjoyed the book and was always kept guessing. Concepts I never would have considered. Recommend to anyone who enjoys reading
May 28, 2025
Excellent
I will admit that this pulled me into its pages rather quickly and I lost more than just a few minutes with’ just one more chapter.’ Well written with believable characters. I look forward to reading more from this author!
I will admit that this pulled me into its pages rather quickly and I lost more than just a few minutes with’ just one more chapter.’ Well written with believable characters. I look forward to reading more from this author!
June 3, 2025
A Mystery Thriller
NJ barker kept me on the edge of my seat. This was not the police procedural that I commonly read. It presents ideas and wonders to consider as we enter the age of implementation of AI. Be prepared to pause and wonder where technology will take us.
NJ barker kept me on the edge of my seat. This was not the police procedural that I commonly read. It presents ideas and wonders to consider as we enter the age of implementation of AI. Be prepared to pause and wonder where technology will take us.
June 5, 2025
Pretty quick read. No editing issues that I noticed.
Pace was good and kept me interested. I stopped about half way to read a library book that became available and returned without loosing the storyline.
If your like me then I would call it a good read. Better then most.
Pace was good and kept me interested. I stopped about half way to read a library book that became available and returned without loosing the storyline.
If your like me then I would call it a good read. Better then most.
August 4, 2025
Ominous story of a panel of geniuses (geniii?) who discover they have been bred to become brilliant and that there Is a murder plot afoot. Apparently geniuses put on a spurt when their parent is bumped off.
January 10, 2025
Had potential. Did not realise it.
March 15, 2025
Literally a genius read….
…very clever and addictive -I couldn’t put this book down -so invested in finding out how it came together and I wasn’t disappointed!
…very clever and addictive -I couldn’t put this book down -so invested in finding out how it came together and I wasn’t disappointed!
May 19, 2025
Genius
It takes no genius, but a bit of reverence, to not use names of deity as profane utterances. I’ll look for a smarter more respectful writer.
It takes no genius, but a bit of reverence, to not use names of deity as profane utterances. I’ll look for a smarter more respectful writer.
May 21, 2025
The beginning was really promising but it just got so boring after around 50%
May 24, 2025
Incredibly innovative and oddly captivating story that keeps you completely intrigued and excited until you learn the unexpected surprises and challenges that lead to the ultimate truth!
May 30, 2025
4.25 out of 5 stars. Different from the other thrillers I’ve read. Kept me guessing until the end. Recommend.
June 5, 2025
on the edge of my seat
This books grabs you from the first chapter. You don’t know what will happen next. The characters are fascinating and keep you engaged.
This books grabs you from the first chapter. You don’t know what will happen next. The characters are fascinating and keep you engaged.
June 7, 2025
Intriguing
A book with twist and turns and an unexpected ending. A page turner with chapters short engh to provide good stopping places, if you need to take a break.
A book with twist and turns and an unexpected ending. A page turner with chapters short engh to provide good stopping places, if you need to take a break.
June 10, 2025
English mystery
A very dark psychological thriller, with lots of different turns left and right to keep you on your toes. Definitely couldn't predict the ending.
A very dark psychological thriller, with lots of different turns left and right to keep you on your toes. Definitely couldn't predict the ending.
June 11, 2025
unusual
A great story with an interesting plot and characters. Here is a novel that is both entertaining and thought provoking a great read for a thinking human
A great story with an interesting plot and characters. Here is a novel that is both entertaining and thought provoking a great read for a thinking human
July 7, 2025
An amazing book.
Gripping and interesting but also terrifying.
It does make you wonder if you choose life or life chooses you.
Gripping and interesting but also terrifying.
It does make you wonder if you choose life or life chooses you.
August 31, 2025
First time reading NJ Barker and came away rather impressed. Plot was very entertaining and characters were top notch. Recommend highly.
January 13, 2026
I really liked the concept of this book, I've not come across it in a book before and it worked well. I'd recommend this book if you enjoy mystery stories with lots of twists to keep you guessing.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews