The Grand Puppet Master

by Eddie Shay

“Betray me, and I’ll destroy everyone you care about before I come for you.”

New York private investigator Lacey Green brushes off the cryptic TikTok message—until her father dies suddenly. Then, one by one, her closest friends and family begin to fall prey to chilling “accidents.”

Could it be tied to her viral TikTok exposing a twisted fetish brothel in Flushing, the conspiracy behind the chilling wave of self-harm, or the brain-chip tech giant with ties to Communist China?

Backing down isn’t in Lacey’s DNA. She’s determined to uncover the truth and get revenge for her loved ones, but soon realizes she’s heading straight into a dead end—the most sinister crime she’s ever faced.

With time running out, she must fight for survival.

Meet Lacey Green—a sharp, fearless young detective from New York. She’ll lead you on a fast-paced mystery thriller packed with jaw-dropping twists.

275 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 30, 2024

Reviews

[Jill Rey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Action, science and evil comingle to create a pandemic of epic proportions. Hong Kong has a virus spreading. People are feasting on their own bodies and mutilating themselves and it is going viral on TikTok. Meanwhile, Lacey is barely making ends meet as she continues to put herself at risk going undercover as a Private Investigator in New York’s seediest operations. When her most recent PI stunt causes her to go viral on TikTok as well she thinks she’s finally on her way to affording her rent.

But soon her world comes crashing down. After a cryptic message from her father to stay away from Hong Kong, and his suspicious death, ruled a suicide, Lacey is skeptical and insists she goes to Hong Kong herself to investigate. Despite all the warnings, Lacey finds herself embroiled in the pandemic and unknown forces at play, unable to escape she’s committed to discovering the truth.

Author Eddie Shay writes an extremely intriguing and all-encompassing novel packed with science-fiction, scary realities, and a feeling all too close to home. As the pandemic within unfolds, readers can’t help but feel our own recent emotions toward the pandemic rise to the surface. As vaccines roll out and Lacey begins unraveling the truth, an eerie feeling sets in.

Despite the science fiction nature of this read, Shay toes the line between fiction and reality. As larger forces remain at play, Lacey’s fearless exterior begins to crack. Loss of control, loss of family, and loss of free will intermingle in this jaw-dropping thrill ride. New York to Hong Kong, undercover to underground, the science, sex, and sinister villainesses in this read make for an epic technothriller.

“The Grand Puppet Master” isn’t a book I will soon forget. The symbolism and themes at play within sit heavily on the reader. Shay has crafted an imaginative science fiction that parallels a terrifying reality. Who can we trust?

[Michael R]

I found this book to be one that 'almost made it'. At the beginning we find our main character, Lacey, delving into her role of investigating 'incidents' as a PI and then posting the story on Tik Toc under a pseudonym. This is how she makes her income. With the help of a friend she goes to great lengths to maintain her unanimity .

The first part of the story is interesting and really gets you in, but then the plot takes a major turn as Lacey heads to Hong Kong and it becomes very complex and is a bit difficult to follow.

Sticking with the book to its end one finds it all made sence but just who was who and how we got there I found confusing.

Started off as a really interesting story but then it just seemed to get lost in its complexity. That's why I had to stick to a 4 star rating.

Personally I would have preferred a little less complexity in the plot, others may find that complexity interesting.

Overall certainly worth the read, but if you start the book keep going as it all comes out in the end.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Amber Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lacey, the FMC, is a young detective from New York. She's feisty, strong, and determined. She won't be intimidated, even when threatened.

Until her father dies in a staged suicide, that is. Then her friends and family start dying to 'accidents'. Now, she has to try to figure out what's happening, what's causing it, and how to stop it. It becomes a race against time. However, it's not just her loved ones who are in danger, her own life is.

I was really surprised with the concept of a PI using TikTok to make her money, but it was interesting and worked pretty well. Also, Michelle, I love her. She's a spicy woman, and I need her.

Some of the twists were unexpected, and I can't tell you about a big one because it'll ruin the surprise, but I loved it. Worth reading.

[Rosina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book, more than I expected to. The story wasn’t what I expected it to be, but that was good because it was better than anything I could’ve thought up. The concept of this was so interesting and I really liked how it all happened, and how bit by bit different parts of information were revealed.
The ending was so unexpected, and I was a little confused at first, but I got it. I think I like that about the ending cause it leaves you wanting just a little bit more.
Altogether, it was a good read and I really enjoyed it.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kat M · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was a really well done thriller novel, it had that concept that I wanted from the description. I was invested in what was happening in the story. The characters had that feel that I was looking. I enjoyed the way Eddie Shay wrote this and was invested in what was going on with the characters and how they were written.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

She has been looking into a brothel when she gets a threatening message. She thinks nothing of it until her father died in an accident’ and then close friends have deadly accidents. Can she stop them? How will she do it? See how she gets on
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and I want to review

[Cheryl Erbe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book makes a very good point

I loved this book. It’s a story that needs to be told. It’s about AI coming to life. It takes you through the beginning of a chip, to it controlling all of Hong Kong. Follow this story to the end. It will make you think differently about the freedom and life you have.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the team that gifted me this e-book as part of a giveaway! I was a little hesitant about this book since it was sci-fi/dystopian vibes, but this was such a great read! This book is full of twists and turns, action and a little bit of romance. I loved this book! Will be looking for more by this author.

[Becca · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's not scary in a horror sense,although there are some spots that might be squeamish for some. It's scary because it could possibly end up being something true. With AI and everything that's happening in the world, it's scary. Makes for one heck of a story though. It was really good.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Matt H · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got way more than I expected from the blurb or even the genre itself. It’s a sci-fi thriller packs in action, mystery, and even a touch of romance. The plot is intense, full of twists, especially in the first half, and it totally caught me off guard! The AI concept is super cool, and I absolutely loved it.

[Mary Willams · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the first page, this book grabs you by the throat and doesn’t let go. Lacey Green is the kind of character you root for tough, smart, and just reckless enough to get in deep. The mix of TikTok sleuthing, dark conspiracies, and tech paranoia felt ripped from the headlines. Highly recommend for fans of Karin Slaughter and Lisa Gardner.

[Sherri Englett · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. I liked this book. I will recommend it to my friends. Lacey Green is a private investigator. If you double cross her, she will take revenge. This book is action packed and has mystery. Can't wait for more

[Lois · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to BookSirens for the ARC. Wow! This book was incredible. It was a mixture of action & science fiction (that could possibly be a future reality). I enjoyed this book & looking forward to reading more from this author.

[Faryn Schneider · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book. It captured my attention at certain points in the storyline. I liked that it was fast-paced and very thrilling to read. When Lacy starts receiving mysterious "tix tok" messages, she ignores them until her father suddenly passes away.

[David Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free ARC copy of and I’d like to leave a review. It’s a killer mix of mystery, thriller, sci-fi, and action. The way AI manipulates humans in this book is both cool and creepy. Lacey Green is totally gripping as the lead, and there are many exciting twists! Definitely a must-read!

[Ivy Henderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is exactly the kind of book I enjoy. It’s not your typical thriller, it’s refreshing and innovative. It kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time. Such a great read! Looking forward to more from this author.

[Courtney · Rating 3 out of 5]

That was a crazy ride. A book dealing with aspects of AI and the underworld set mostly in Hong Kong. It was a lot of back story and an overflow of information that sometimes was so much that it just bogged down the flow of the story.

Thanks to Goodreads for a copy of this book.

[FROSTB1T3 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Story started off great, kept me fairly hooked through the middle. The ending I feel could have been better.

[Sophie Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story is so gripping, the characters are unforgettable, and the action is brilliantly written. And that final twist? Incredible!

[Mable L · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was hooked from the first page. The pacing was spot on. The concept of the AI is fascinating, feels like it could actually become a reality someday. And the ending is absolutely unforgettable.