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William: Kann er dir gefährlich werden?
Henry, ein brillanter Robotikingenieur, hat die größte Entdeckung seiner Karriere gemacht. Es ist ihm gelungen, ein künstliches Bewusstsein zu schaffen, das er William tauft. Tagelang schließt er sich mit William auf dem Dachboden ein, um ihn zu studieren. Doch etwas scheint mit William nicht in Ordnung zu sein: Er entwickelt Gefühle wie Hass und Eifersucht. Auf die Menschen im Allgemeinen und auf Henry im Besonderen. Gefühle, die er eigentlich gar nicht haben dürfte. Als William beginnt, eine Obsession für Henrys schwangere Frau Lily zu entwickeln, beschließt Henry, William abzuschalten. Er ahnt nicht, welchen Albtraum er mit dieser Entscheidung heraufbeschwört …
304 pages, Hardcover
First published September 10, 2024
886 people are currently reading
46939 people want to read
About the author
Mason Coile
3 books252 followersMason Coile is a pseudonym of Andrew Pyper, the award-winning author of ten novels, including The Demonologist, which won the International Thriller Writers Award, and Lost Girls, which was a New York Times bestseller and Notable Book of the Year.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 3,117 reviews
December 6, 2025
William was quite the experience. I read this today. Yeah, the whole thing today. A day well spent, IMO.
It's definitely one of those stories that once you start, it's close to impossible to put down. Coile kept me on my toes the entire time. I had so many questions!
The synopsis actually calls this a delicious one-sitting read, and they aren't lying. Meeting Henry and Lily, and discovering what is going on in their home, it's like watching a train about to go off the tracks.
There's such an eerie set-up. You feel like the characters are keeping something from you, but you don't know what. Additionally, there's AI involved and for me personally, the future of AI tech is absolutely horrifying.
Both Henry and Lily are in the tech space, so their home is a virtual cornucopia of cutting-edge technological devices. Some of these things have never even been revealed to anyone outside the home.
When Lily has some co-workers, Paige and Davis, stop by for a meal, it should be a harmless event. Unfortunately, it's anything but that.
The newcomers want to meet one of Henry's creations, an AI called William. It's at that point that things go from strange and eerie, to much, much worse.
I Buddy Read this with a friend and we both flew through it. There was quite a bit of super creepy Horror imagery that I was eating up and we did find a lot to discuss.
In addition to being frightened by the possibilities of AI, I am also horrified by dolls, or any iteration thereof. Trust, there's plenty of that to go around in here!!!
I was so surprised with how this turned out and it was a race to the conclusion.. There were twists and turns I did not see coming. Jaw successfully on floor.
Overall, I felt this was a little heart-breaking, a lot thought-provoking, super creepy and hella engaging. Well done by Mason Coile. I know nothing about this author, but I already cannot wait for more.
Thank you to the publisher, G.P. Putnam's Sons, for providing me with a copy to read and review.
Update: RIP to Mason Coile, a pseudonym of author, Andrew Pyper, who passed away on January 3, 2025, at the age of 56. Gone too soon.
It's definitely one of those stories that once you start, it's close to impossible to put down. Coile kept me on my toes the entire time. I had so many questions!
The synopsis actually calls this a delicious one-sitting read, and they aren't lying. Meeting Henry and Lily, and discovering what is going on in their home, it's like watching a train about to go off the tracks.
There's such an eerie set-up. You feel like the characters are keeping something from you, but you don't know what. Additionally, there's AI involved and for me personally, the future of AI tech is absolutely horrifying.
Both Henry and Lily are in the tech space, so their home is a virtual cornucopia of cutting-edge technological devices. Some of these things have never even been revealed to anyone outside the home.
When Lily has some co-workers, Paige and Davis, stop by for a meal, it should be a harmless event. Unfortunately, it's anything but that.
The newcomers want to meet one of Henry's creations, an AI called William. It's at that point that things go from strange and eerie, to much, much worse.
I Buddy Read this with a friend and we both flew through it. There was quite a bit of super creepy Horror imagery that I was eating up and we did find a lot to discuss.
In addition to being frightened by the possibilities of AI, I am also horrified by dolls, or any iteration thereof. Trust, there's plenty of that to go around in here!!!
I was so surprised with how this turned out and it was a race to the conclusion.. There were twists and turns I did not see coming. Jaw successfully on floor.
Overall, I felt this was a little heart-breaking, a lot thought-provoking, super creepy and hella engaging. Well done by Mason Coile. I know nothing about this author, but I already cannot wait for more.
Thank you to the publisher, G.P. Putnam's Sons, for providing me with a copy to read and review.
Update: RIP to Mason Coile, a pseudonym of author, Andrew Pyper, who passed away on January 3, 2025, at the age of 56. Gone too soon.
August 16, 2024
*3.5 stars*
Henry is a brilliant engineer, however, suffering from agoraphobia means he’s completely reclusive and never leaves home.
He’s spent his time indoors creating an artificially intelligent consciousness.
And so we meet the product of his many years of work, a half formed robot - William. William is very scary, made worse by the fact that Henry is losing control over his creation, and incidentally William has an obsession for Henry’s wife Lily.
One day Lily invites two co-workers to brunch and also to meet Henry. Henry wants to show off their super smart home, and while he’s at it he decides to introduce them all to William. Big mistake!
The meeting with William takes a leap into the dark side and Henry decides that he has no alternative but to destroy William. But you don’t get rid of him that easily, because William is already enraged that he can’t experience the full range of human emotions and begins haunting the house. He’s there behind every door, his muttering can be heard in the attic, but even worse, his whispers can be heard inside Henry’s head. No sir, you won’t get rid of William, he’s here to stay!
A bit slow to take off but I soon got into it. There was quite a neat little twist towards the end that I didn’t see coming. Publication is due in October making this the perfect read for Halloween.
*Thank you to Netgalley and John Murray Press, Baskerville for my ARC in exchange for an honest unbiased review *
Henry is a brilliant engineer, however, suffering from agoraphobia means he’s completely reclusive and never leaves home.
He’s spent his time indoors creating an artificially intelligent consciousness.
And so we meet the product of his many years of work, a half formed robot - William. William is very scary, made worse by the fact that Henry is losing control over his creation, and incidentally William has an obsession for Henry’s wife Lily.
One day Lily invites two co-workers to brunch and also to meet Henry. Henry wants to show off their super smart home, and while he’s at it he decides to introduce them all to William. Big mistake!
The meeting with William takes a leap into the dark side and Henry decides that he has no alternative but to destroy William. But you don’t get rid of him that easily, because William is already enraged that he can’t experience the full range of human emotions and begins haunting the house. He’s there behind every door, his muttering can be heard in the attic, but even worse, his whispers can be heard inside Henry’s head. No sir, you won’t get rid of William, he’s here to stay!
A bit slow to take off but I soon got into it. There was quite a neat little twist towards the end that I didn’t see coming. Publication is due in October making this the perfect read for Halloween.
*Thank you to Netgalley and John Murray Press, Baskerville for my ARC in exchange for an honest unbiased review *
October 18, 2024
This was stupid AF. DNF @48%.
Alright, I feel like I got a little off track with my spooky season reads for a min. But back to the thrillers we go!
These AI type thrillers/horror stories sound so interesting... 👀
These AI type thrillers/horror stories sound so interesting... 👀
September 9, 2024
Combining horror and science fiction in a psychological thriller, Mason Coile’s latest book,
William,
is a quick and surprising read. Henry is an intelligent robotics engineer with agoraphobia. Therefore, he has set up the attic as his home laboratory. His latest breakthrough is the creation of an artificially intelligent consciousness called William. Henry has kept William in the attic so not even his pregnant wife Lily knows about him. However, that is about to change. Two of Lily’s co-workers arrive for brunch to meet Henry and to see their new smart home. Henry decides to introduce them to William. What follows is a unique story with a fantastic ending.
Henry is well-defined as a character. He’s socially awkward, lonely, a terrible liar, and suffers from devastating anxiety. Lily is a computer engineer who sold her start-up company for millions. She’s ambitious and loves a challenge. While Henry and Lily are somewhat likeable, greater examination of their relationship would have added another layer of interest. These two characters were reasonably well-developed, but their guests, Paige and Davis, lacked depth.
The storyline immediately draws readers into the novel. It’s descriptive and the home environment world-building is fantastic. I enjoyed learning about the smart features Henry and Lily had incorporated into their home. The author did a great job of building suspense and adding drama as the story progressed. This kept me rapidly turning the pages to see what catastrophe would occur on the next page. However, the novel’s pacing is somewhat uneven. Despite this, the book is intriguing and kept my interest. The author managed to elicit a feeling of creepiness throughout the novel. The introduction to William is dark and sets off a set of events that I didn’t see coming. The ending is fantastic and made this story one that shouldn’t be missed. The novel is thought-provoking and sent shivers down my spine at times.
Overall, this was an intense, chilling, unique, and frightening thriller filled with surprises around each corner. With short chapters and set on Halloween, it’s the perfect holiday read and would make a good horror film. If you enjoy psychological thrillers with artificial intelligence and horror, then I recommend that you check out this one. I am looking forward to finding out this author writes next. Will it be as disturbing as this one?
PENGUIN GROUP Putnam – G.P. Putnam’s Sons and Mason Coile provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. The publication date is currently set for September 10, 2024. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
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My 3.45 rounded to 3 stars review is coming soon.
Henry is well-defined as a character. He’s socially awkward, lonely, a terrible liar, and suffers from devastating anxiety. Lily is a computer engineer who sold her start-up company for millions. She’s ambitious and loves a challenge. While Henry and Lily are somewhat likeable, greater examination of their relationship would have added another layer of interest. These two characters were reasonably well-developed, but their guests, Paige and Davis, lacked depth.
The storyline immediately draws readers into the novel. It’s descriptive and the home environment world-building is fantastic. I enjoyed learning about the smart features Henry and Lily had incorporated into their home. The author did a great job of building suspense and adding drama as the story progressed. This kept me rapidly turning the pages to see what catastrophe would occur on the next page. However, the novel’s pacing is somewhat uneven. Despite this, the book is intriguing and kept my interest. The author managed to elicit a feeling of creepiness throughout the novel. The introduction to William is dark and sets off a set of events that I didn’t see coming. The ending is fantastic and made this story one that shouldn’t be missed. The novel is thought-provoking and sent shivers down my spine at times.
Overall, this was an intense, chilling, unique, and frightening thriller filled with surprises around each corner. With short chapters and set on Halloween, it’s the perfect holiday read and would make a good horror film. If you enjoy psychological thrillers with artificial intelligence and horror, then I recommend that you check out this one. I am looking forward to finding out this author writes next. Will it be as disturbing as this one?
PENGUIN GROUP Putnam – G.P. Putnam’s Sons and Mason Coile provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. The publication date is currently set for September 10, 2024. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
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My 3.45 rounded to 3 stars review is coming soon.
September 11, 2024
Creepy, fun, and caught me by surprise at the end- this was an entertaining, quick read!
April 16, 2024
4+
Reclusive robotics engineer Henry, creates William and eventually greatly wishes he hadn’t. Foolishly, he thinks he can control William but the AI has other ideas and what’s worse it has a fixation on Henry‘s wife Lily, who recoils from the robot. This is not just because of his appearance which is disturbing, especially his face although it’s a close run thing with his odd body. However, it’s Williams razor sharp mind which is his most alarming feature and the inevitable result of this is both chilling and frightening. Perhaps a warning sound for us all. Prepared to be astonished In this buckle up tight read.
Right from the very start of this terrific novel, the conversations between William and Henry send shivers down the spine and set off warning bells in Henry’s brain. I become gripped by the horrifying awfulness that unfolds, unable to put the fast paced tense book down. I think some of the creative images have been burned on my retina. It becomes increasingly claustrophobic with the couples Victorian house playing its role in that, it’s extremely creepy, there’s a rising sense of panic, paranoia and a dreadful sense of being totally out of control. It’s terrifying in places and as for the ending, breathe girl, breathe. It is so unexpected, so good and clever yet also very darkly disturbing with a jaw dropping impact.
All the characters are incisively well portrayed, you can see all with clarity with the AI being especially vivid. Henry’s high state of anxiety builds to off the chart levels and definitely impacts the read and his state of apprehension is palpable.
Overall, if you like horror such as that of Stephen King then this is probably one for you. I just wonder if a sequel is on the cards, I do hope so.
This is a perfect Halloween read and luckily it publishes in the United Kingdom on 3/10 with immaculate timing.
It has a great cover too.
With the thanks to NetGalley and especially to John Murray Press for the much appreciated in return for an honest review.
Reclusive robotics engineer Henry, creates William and eventually greatly wishes he hadn’t. Foolishly, he thinks he can control William but the AI has other ideas and what’s worse it has a fixation on Henry‘s wife Lily, who recoils from the robot. This is not just because of his appearance which is disturbing, especially his face although it’s a close run thing with his odd body. However, it’s Williams razor sharp mind which is his most alarming feature and the inevitable result of this is both chilling and frightening. Perhaps a warning sound for us all. Prepared to be astonished In this buckle up tight read.
Right from the very start of this terrific novel, the conversations between William and Henry send shivers down the spine and set off warning bells in Henry’s brain. I become gripped by the horrifying awfulness that unfolds, unable to put the fast paced tense book down. I think some of the creative images have been burned on my retina. It becomes increasingly claustrophobic with the couples Victorian house playing its role in that, it’s extremely creepy, there’s a rising sense of panic, paranoia and a dreadful sense of being totally out of control. It’s terrifying in places and as for the ending, breathe girl, breathe. It is so unexpected, so good and clever yet also very darkly disturbing with a jaw dropping impact.
All the characters are incisively well portrayed, you can see all with clarity with the AI being especially vivid. Henry’s high state of anxiety builds to off the chart levels and definitely impacts the read and his state of apprehension is palpable.
Overall, if you like horror such as that of Stephen King then this is probably one for you. I just wonder if a sequel is on the cards, I do hope so.
This is a perfect Halloween read and luckily it publishes in the United Kingdom on 3/10 with immaculate timing.
It has a great cover too.
With the thanks to NetGalley and especially to John Murray Press for the much appreciated in return for an honest review.
![Profile Image for Brooke 𝜗𝜚 [comments restricted].](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1767046154i%2F138265236._UX200_CR0%2C0%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
September 17, 2025
—— 𝟒 ✰ stars. 🤖
❝ “𝑰 𝒅𝒐𝒏’𝒕 𝒃𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒆𝒗𝒆 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒖𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒏𝒂𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒂𝒍.”
“𝑩𝒖𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖’𝒓𝒆 𝒎𝒚 𝒄𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒐𝒓. 𝑨𝒏𝒅 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕’𝒔 𝒏𝒂𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒂𝒍 𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒎𝒆?” ❞
📚 || 𝐖𝟏𝐋𝐋𝟏𝐀𝐌 𝐛𝐲 𝐌𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐢𝐥𝐞
📖 || 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭: ℙ𝕙𝕪𝕤𝕚𝕔𝕒𝕝 𝔹𝕠𝕠𝕜
🏷️ || 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: ℍ𝕠𝕣𝕣𝕠𝕣, 𝕊𝕔𝕚𝕖𝕟𝕔𝕖 𝔽𝕚𝕔𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟, ℙ𝕤𝕪𝕔𝕙𝕠𝕝𝕠𝕘𝕚𝕔𝕒𝕝 𝕋𝕙𝕣𝕚𝕝𝕝𝕖𝕣
📆 || 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝: 𝟡/𝟙𝟚/𝟚𝟝 - 𝟡/𝟙𝟛/𝟚𝟝
📃 || 𝐒𝐲𝐧𝐨𝐩𝐬𝐢𝐬
「 “A haunted house story in which the haunting is by Al. Henry calls the half-formed robot William. No one knows about William. Henry's agoraphobia keeps him inside the house, and his fixation on his project keeps him up in the attic, away from everyone, including his pregnant wife, Lily. When Lily's coworkers show up, wanting to finally meet Henry and see the new house, the smartest of smart homes, Henry decides to introduce them to William, and things go from strange to much worse.” 」
❝𝑯𝒆𝒏𝒓𝒚 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒖𝒆𝒔 𝒖𝒑 𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒅𝒐𝒐𝒓 𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒕𝒐𝒑 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒊𝒓𝒔 𝒕𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒉𝒊𝒎𝒔𝒆𝒍𝒇 𝒉𝒆'𝒔 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒅, 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒂𝒇𝒓𝒂𝒊𝒅, 𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒕𝒓𝒖𝒕𝒉 𝒊𝒔 𝒉𝒆 𝒉𝒂𝒔 𝒂𝒍𝒘𝒂𝒚𝒔 𝒃𝒆𝒆𝒏 𝒂 𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒕𝒍𝒆 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒅, 𝒂 𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒕𝒍𝒆 𝒂𝒇𝒓𝒂𝒊𝒅. 𝑯𝒆 𝒇𝒆𝒆𝒍𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒔𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚 𝒎𝒐𝒓𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒔 𝒉𝒆 𝒎𝒂𝒌𝒆𝒔 𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒘𝒂𝒚 𝒕𝒐 𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒌𝒔𝒑𝒂𝒄𝒆. 𝑶𝒏𝒍𝒚 𝒎𝒐𝒓𝒆 𝒔𝒐 𝒕𝒐𝒅𝒂𝒚 𝒂𝒇𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒍𝒂𝒔𝒕 𝒏𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕'𝒔 𝒅𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒎.
𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒆𝒓𝒕𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒚 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒊𝒔 𝒔𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒏𝒆𝒘, 𝒔𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒔𝒆 𝒃𝒆𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒅𝒐𝒐𝒓.❞
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ᴍʏ ʀᴀᴛɪɴɢ: ★★★★☆
ɢᴏᴏᴅʀᴇᴀᴅꜱ ʀᴀᴛɪɴɢ: 𝟹.𝟻𝟶 ☆ ꜱᴛᴀʀꜱ
ꜱᴇᴀꜱᴏɴ: 🎃
ꜱᴘᴏᴏᴋɪᴇꜱ: 👻👻/5
ᴘᴀɪʀ ᴡɪᴛʜ: ꜱᴍᴏᴋᴇᴅ ꜱᴀʟᴍᴏɴ 🍣
ᴡᴏᴜʟᴅ ɪ ʀᴇᴄᴏᴍᴍᴇɴᴅ?: ✅
⊱ ────── {⋆ ‧₊˚♪𝄞 ⋆} ────── ⊰
lıllılı.ıllı.ılılıılıı.lllııılı.
ɴᴏᴡ ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ: ʙᴀᴄᴋ ɪɴ ʙʟᴀᴄᴋ — ᴀᴄ/ᴅᴄ
0:32 ———♡——— 4:16
⇄ ◃◃ ⅠⅠ ▹▹ ↻
╭───
┆
╰⪼ ❛yes, I'm let loose from the noose that's kept me hanging about. I'm just looking at the sky ‘cause it's getting me high. forget the hearse, 'cause I'll never die, I got nine lives, cat's eyes, abusing every one of them and running wild.❜
⊱ ────── {⋆ ‧₊˚♪𝄞 ⋆} ────── ⊰
ʀᴇᴀᴅ ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ʟɪᴋᴇ:
��� ꜱᴍᴀʀᴛ ʜᴏᴜꜱᴇ
🔪 ᴄʀᴇᴇᴘʏ ᴅᴏʟʟꜱ
🤖 ꜱʜᴏʀᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀꜱ
🔪 ᴀɪ ʜᴏʀʀᴏʀ ꜱᴛᴏʀɪᴇꜱ
🤖 ᴛᴡɪꜱᴛꜱ ʏᴏᴜ ᴅᴏɴ’ᴛ ꜱᴇᴇ ᴄᴏᴍɪɴɢ
⚠️ TW: gore, blood, violence
❝𝑰𝒕'𝒔 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝑾𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒊𝒂𝒎 𝒉𝒆 𝒇𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒔. 𝑰𝒕'𝒔 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝒂 𝒅𝒊𝒇𝒇𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒆𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈. 𝑨 𝒏𝒆𝒘 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒊𝒈𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒅𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒕 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒐𝒘𝒏 𝒎𝒂𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒍𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔, 𝒖𝒑𝒈𝒓𝒂𝒅𝒆𝒔. 𝑰𝒏𝒗𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈.❞
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💬 || 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬
• I’m going to stop calling my Alexa a bitch because after reading W1LL1AM, I don’t know what she’s capable of. Who knows what her & Siri say about me behind my back. 👀
• This was the scary, spooky read I’ve been looking forward to kick off spooky season. Who would’ve thought a book about robots/AI would give me some jump scares?!
• Sure, I would’ve liked if the characters had been a little more fleshed out. I wanted to learn more about Lilly. But the creepiness made up for it.
• The twists kept me on my toes and the ending had me sitting there with my mouth wide open staring at the wall. *chef’s kiss* 🤌🏼
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❝ "𝑰𝒕'𝒔 𝒕𝒓𝒖𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝑰 𝒄𝒂𝒏'𝒕 𝒇𝒆𝒆𝒍 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔 𝒂𝒔 𝒉𝒖𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒔 𝒅𝒐. 𝑩𝒖𝒕 𝒉𝒖𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒔 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒅𝒖𝒍𝒍 𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒊𝒓 𝒆𝒙𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒎𝒐𝒔𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆. 𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒚 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒂𝒕 𝒔𝒄𝒓𝒆𝒆𝒏𝒔. 𝑩𝒖𝒓𝒚 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒎𝒔𝒆𝒍𝒗𝒆𝒔 𝒂𝒍𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒌. 𝑳𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖. 𝑺𝒐 𝒘𝒉𝒊𝒍𝒆 𝑰 𝒄𝒂𝒏'𝒕 𝒇𝒆𝒆𝒍, 𝑰 𝒄𝒂𝒏 𝒃𝒆𝒂𝒓 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒇𝒆𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒈. 𝑪𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝒊𝒕 𝒊𝒏 𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒔. 𝑨𝒎𝒑𝒍𝒊𝒇𝒚 𝒊𝒕. 𝑨𝒏𝒅 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒆𝒙𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒊𝒔 𝒎𝒐𝒓𝒆 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒇𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒏 𝒔𝒖𝒇𝒇𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒈?" ❞
October 5, 2025
ویلیام از این کتابهای کوتاه و راحتخوانه که برای وقتی حال و حوصلهی خوندن هیچی نیست مناسبه
کشش داستانی خوب و بخشهای کوتاه کوتاه. پیچش داستان بدی هم نداشت ولی خب خیلی قابل حدس بود. با این حال چون کتاب تا آخرش منو کشوند، سخت نمیگیرم
حس میکنم اگه همین ایده رو با جزئیات، شخصیت پردازی و زمینهسازی بیشتر مینوشت، کتاب بهتری میشد، ولی خب کلا سبک نویسنده همینه انگار. یه جورایی شبیه بلیک کراوچ ولی با اسرافِ کمترِ کاغذ :))
سه ستاره هم براساس همون سرگرمکننده بودنه
ترجمهی مایا معینی هم خوب بود هیچ سکتهای توی متن نداشت که برای همچین کتابی مهمه
کشش داستانی خوب و بخشهای کوتاه کوتاه. پیچش داستان بدی هم نداشت ولی خب خیلی قابل حدس بود. با این حال چون کتاب تا آخرش منو کشوند، سخت نمیگیرم
حس میکنم اگه همین ایده رو با جزئیات، شخصیت پردازی و زمینهسازی بیشتر مینوشت، کتاب بهتری میشد، ولی خب کلا سبک نویسنده همینه انگار. یه جورایی شبیه بلیک کراوچ ولی با اسرافِ کمترِ کاغذ :))
سه ستاره هم براساس همون سرگرمکننده بودنه
ترجمهی مایا معینی هم خوب بود هیچ سکتهای توی متن نداشت که برای همچین کتابی مهمه
September 22, 2024
Oh, man, this was so creepy! And I LOVED the ending. Full review coming soon!
November 17, 2024
Very suspenseful and smart! My jaw physically opened when the twist hit! It takes a lot for a book to make me feel creepy; however, this one got me good! 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️!
May 31, 2024
Love a good creepy doll story? In this case, it’s the creepy robot, William. This sort felt like a trip into the twilight zone. Remember the creepy doll one?
Henry and Lily are a married couple. Lily is also pregnant with child. Henry wants to introduce his new project that he has been working on for quite some time. Meet William.
Lily can’t believe her eyes. This tiny robot is actually talking to them. He expresses emotion and thoughts. As Henry introduces him to Lily, the neighbors are there too. They cannot believe what they are hearing and seeing.
The introduction goes horribly wrong. William is out of control. Henry tries to destroy the robot only to be defeated. William is alive and well in the house.
These characters got on my last nerve. I can handle unlikable characters, but these were just off putting. The dialogue drove me nuts too. The last half was quite repetitive. However, I think horror fans might eat this one up. The ending twist was a pretty good one, I’ve got to admit.
Thank you to G.P Putnam’s Sons, Mason Coile and NetGalley for the opportunity.
Expected publication is September 10, 2024
3.5 ⭐️ raised to 4
Henry and Lily are a married couple. Lily is also pregnant with child. Henry wants to introduce his new project that he has been working on for quite some time. Meet William.
Lily can’t believe her eyes. This tiny robot is actually talking to them. He expresses emotion and thoughts. As Henry introduces him to Lily, the neighbors are there too. They cannot believe what they are hearing and seeing.
The introduction goes horribly wrong. William is out of control. Henry tries to destroy the robot only to be defeated. William is alive and well in the house.
These characters got on my last nerve. I can handle unlikable characters, but these were just off putting. The dialogue drove me nuts too. The last half was quite repetitive. However, I think horror fans might eat this one up. The ending twist was a pretty good one, I’ve got to admit.
Thank you to G.P Putnam’s Sons, Mason Coile and NetGalley for the opportunity.
Expected publication is September 10, 2024
3.5 ⭐️ raised to 4
September 26, 2024
M3gan called and she wants her plot back. W1ll1am felt like the start of a book instead of a fully fledged novel. Character development was close to nill and the dialogue was absurd. An adult woman working for a global tech firm says things like “say it, don’t spray it”. There are HUGE plot holes at almost every point of action. In one scene a tech worker begs to not be locked in a building saying, “no one will know I’m here”….except they’ve been going to the building with their cell phone for at least a year, their coworker’s car is parked at the front door. I’m no forensic scientist, but am guessing someone working for a major AI company knows some folks that could follow the trail fairly easily. Bonus for the twist though, I didn’t see it coming, and while I groaned out loud at its absurdity and slight middle finger to the reader, it was a clever moment. It feels like the twist was the origination for the whole novel and it was sort of slapdashed together around it. A big boo as well for the $27 cover price for what is a very slim book.
January 18, 2025
“I’m your friend ‘til the end!” - Chucky
I must confess that I tried to listen to the audiobook when it came out in October, but just couldn’t get into it. By the time I decided to try it again, the holds list on Libby was at least 6 months long and the book is only 5 hours! This is a public service announcement to PLEASE return your books promptly!
Okay, rant over.
So, to the hard copy I went (which I received from my library in 3 days😳). While I still had a difficult time getting into the beginning, I slowly warmed up to the writing.
Henry is a brilliant engineer suffering from agoraphobia and living in a Victorian smart home with his pregnant wife Lily. He creates an AI half-formed robot named William, who seems to have taken control over the house and its inhabitants.
When Lily invites her two friends over for brunch, Henry decides to introduce them to William. But, the introduction goes horribly wrong. Dun dun dun…
William can best be described as the AI Chucky with a clever twist. This psychological horror novel is a modern day haunted house story. It is claustrophobic, creepy, and disturbing. It deals with themes of the dangers of advanced technology, creation and responsibility, and isolation and agoraphobia. The jaw dropping unexpected ending will even satisfy savvy thriller readers!
4/5 stars
I must confess that I tried to listen to the audiobook when it came out in October, but just couldn’t get into it. By the time I decided to try it again, the holds list on Libby was at least 6 months long and the book is only 5 hours! This is a public service announcement to PLEASE return your books promptly!
Okay, rant over.
So, to the hard copy I went (which I received from my library in 3 days😳). While I still had a difficult time getting into the beginning, I slowly warmed up to the writing.
Henry is a brilliant engineer suffering from agoraphobia and living in a Victorian smart home with his pregnant wife Lily. He creates an AI half-formed robot named William, who seems to have taken control over the house and its inhabitants.
When Lily invites her two friends over for brunch, Henry decides to introduce them to William. But, the introduction goes horribly wrong. Dun dun dun…
William can best be described as the AI Chucky with a clever twist. This psychological horror novel is a modern day haunted house story. It is claustrophobic, creepy, and disturbing. It deals with themes of the dangers of advanced technology, creation and responsibility, and isolation and agoraphobia. The jaw dropping unexpected ending will even satisfy savvy thriller readers!
4/5 stars
October 3, 2024
I love the trope of smart homes turning against its smart ass owners. The pacing and length of the book was perfect for me. Narrator Honey St. Dennis did a bang-up job!
October 18, 2025
-با تشکر از ویلیام جان که طلسم کتاب خوندن رو واسم شکست🫠
-واقعا کتابایی که چپتر های کوتاه دارن نعمتن
-پلات تویستش خیلی باحال بود نمیدونم بقیه چطوری از قبل حدس زدهبودن من واقعا انتظارشو نداشتم و واقعا شوکههههه شدم😵😵💫🙊
-نشر پرتقال با اختلاف تبدیل شده به نشر مورد علاقم
-واقعا کتابایی که چپتر های کوتاه دارن نعمتن
-پلات تویستش خیلی باحال بود نمیدونم بقیه چطوری از قبل حدس زدهبودن من واقعا انتظارشو نداشتم و واقعا شوکههههه شدم😵😵💫🙊
-نشر پرتقال با اختلاف تبدیل شده به نشر مورد علاقم
October 31, 2025
Clever concept, eerie atmosphere, & techno‑horror chills!
From the moment I picked up William by Mason Coile I was pulled in by its eerie mix of technology and psychological horror. This was quite the experience and one I read in a single day. The chapters were short, the pacing quick, and before I knew it I was fully trapped inside Henry and Lily’s unnerving smart house where the real terror felt almost alive.
🇨🇦 Canadian author Mason Coile is a pseudonym of Andrew Pyper.
🧠 Key Thoughts
📖 Short fast‑paced chapters made this a true one‑sitting read
👀 A “real-life” haunted house experience but with an unnerving AI twist
💭 The atmosphere hums with quiet dread that builds layer by layer
🏡 I could vividly picture the cold precision of the smart house growing more sinister
🧩 The ending was a surprise and wrapped things up in a clever chilling way
👻 Whispers in the Circuitry
That eerie slow‑building dread of technology turning on its creator. I loved the haunted‑by‑AI concept and how it mirrored Henry’s fragile state of mind blurring the line between human emotion and machine logic in such an unsettling way.
💫 What Kept It From Full Glow
There were a few moments where I felt myself drifting maybe because of the intentionally detached tone, but it still held my attention and finished strong.
📕 Owned copy purchased by me.
A smart, unsettling story that carries Andrew Pyper’s unmistakable touch, a bittersweet reminder of the storytelling brilliance he’s left behind.
From the moment I picked up William by Mason Coile I was pulled in by its eerie mix of technology and psychological horror. This was quite the experience and one I read in a single day. The chapters were short, the pacing quick, and before I knew it I was fully trapped inside Henry and Lily’s unnerving smart house where the real terror felt almost alive.
🇨🇦 Canadian author Mason Coile is a pseudonym of Andrew Pyper.
🧠 Key Thoughts
📖 Short fast‑paced chapters made this a true one‑sitting read
👀 A “real-life” haunted house experience but with an unnerving AI twist
💭 The atmosphere hums with quiet dread that builds layer by layer
🏡 I could vividly picture the cold precision of the smart house growing more sinister
🧩 The ending was a surprise and wrapped things up in a clever chilling way
👻 Whispers in the Circuitry
That eerie slow‑building dread of technology turning on its creator. I loved the haunted‑by‑AI concept and how it mirrored Henry’s fragile state of mind blurring the line between human emotion and machine logic in such an unsettling way.
💫 What Kept It From Full Glow
There were a few moments where I felt myself drifting maybe because of the intentionally detached tone, but it still held my attention and finished strong.
📕 Owned copy purchased by me.
A smart, unsettling story that carries Andrew Pyper’s unmistakable touch, a bittersweet reminder of the storytelling brilliance he’s left behind.
October 4, 2025
4.5⭐
This book was creepy from the opening chapter. It reads much more like a haunted house/haunting story than the scifi I anticipated with the AI focus. This is a fast-paced and easy read, and it's set on Halloween, for anyone looking for a seasonal recommendation.
This book was creepy from the opening chapter. It reads much more like a haunted house/haunting story than the scifi I anticipated with the AI focus. This is a fast-paced and easy read, and it's set on Halloween, for anyone looking for a seasonal recommendation.
September 25, 2024
A fun little Halloween treat, Mason Coile's short sci-fi horror novel "W1ll1am" is a nasty little mash-up of Edward Albee's "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" and Dean Koontz's "Demon Seed".
And, for people born in the 21st century who won't get those references at all, it's basically a dysfunctional marriage drama with the added horror of killer robotic A.I. (Think "American Beauty" meets "Ex Machina".)
That's all I'm saying about this book, as the less you know going in, the better.
Triggers: dysfunctional marriage; cheating; lying; foul language; bodily dismemberment; beheading; misuse of boxcutters.
And, for people born in the 21st century who won't get those references at all, it's basically a dysfunctional marriage drama with the added horror of killer robotic A.I. (Think "American Beauty" meets "Ex Machina".)
That's all I'm saying about this book, as the less you know going in, the better.
Triggers: dysfunctional marriage; cheating; lying; foul language; bodily dismemberment; beheading; misuse of boxcutters.
October 22, 2024
3⭐️s
This was a decent black mirror episode, although I will say I was left scratching my head about the ending. Knowing what I know now, many parts of the story didn’t make a lot of sense retrospectively. You might have to turn off your brain a bit for this to work.
Why You Should Or Shouldn’t Read It
You should. It’s short, and fine. It’s fine.
Themes
Unchecked technology impinging upon the human condition
One Thing That Will Stick With Me
Robot thirst
This was a decent black mirror episode, although I will say I was left scratching my head about the ending. Knowing what I know now, many parts of the story didn’t make a lot of sense retrospectively. You might have to turn off your brain a bit for this to work.
Why You Should Or Shouldn’t Read It
You should. It’s short, and fine. It’s fine.
Themes
Unchecked technology impinging upon the human condition
One Thing That Will Stick With Me
Robot thirst
October 9, 2024
People who hate self checkouts and share Facebook statuses to prevent Meta from stealing their data will call this the scariest book of the year
September 16, 2024
audio: 4 stars
plot: 4 stars
*suspiciously looks at Chatgpt and closes browser* Not today AI💀
This was quick, thoroughly creepy and the ending was 🤯🤯
plot: 4 stars
*suspiciously looks at Chatgpt and closes browser* Not today AI💀
This was quick, thoroughly creepy and the ending was 🤯🤯
December 1, 2024
Okay I flew through this one! Loved it!
October 8, 2024
If you're looking for a good Halloween read, William by Mason Coile delivers a chilling blend of horror, science fiction, and psychological thrills. Henry, a reclusive engineer battling agoraphobia, pours his isolation into creating an AI robot named William. When his pregnant wife, Lily, invites her coworkers over to their high-tech home, Henry reluctantly reveals his creation. What starts as a simple introduction quickly morphs into a nightmare, as the house’s advanced security system traps everyone inside, transforming their sanctuary into a terrifying prison.
This short and intense read puts a unique spin on the classic "haunted house" or "locked room" trope, fusing artificial intelligence with supernatural horror. The story expertly builds suspense from the start, lacing it with a constant, creeping unease that only intensifies with gruesome death scenes and shocking twists. The well-developed characters, particularly Henry and his struggles, add depth and drama to the plot.
As the story hurtles toward its fantastic and thought-provoking conclusion, readers are treated to an experience that’s both twisty and terrifying. William is a quick, yet unforgettable, novel that merges AI fears with eerie, spine-tingling horror, making it an excellent choice for fans of psychological thrillers—or anyone who loves a good creepy doll story.
Thank you to G.P. Putnam's Sons for providing me with a copy to read and review.
This short and intense read puts a unique spin on the classic "haunted house" or "locked room" trope, fusing artificial intelligence with supernatural horror. The story expertly builds suspense from the start, lacing it with a constant, creeping unease that only intensifies with gruesome death scenes and shocking twists. The well-developed characters, particularly Henry and his struggles, add depth and drama to the plot.
As the story hurtles toward its fantastic and thought-provoking conclusion, readers are treated to an experience that’s both twisty and terrifying. William is a quick, yet unforgettable, novel that merges AI fears with eerie, spine-tingling horror, making it an excellent choice for fans of psychological thrillers—or anyone who loves a good creepy doll story.
Thank you to G.P. Putnam's Sons for providing me with a copy to read and review.
May 23, 2024
" The only way to find life is to take life,” the robot says."
There are a few things about current life and the future that really scares me. The advancement of technology and AI is one of those things that terrifies me. It keeps me up at night because we don’t know what robots can do or what they can control. After reading this book I’m staying far away from AI.
The day started like any other. The wife opened the door to let the two lunch guests in as her husband came down the stairs and greeted them as best as he could. It started off as any normal lunch would until they all ventured into the lab upstairs. That's when things went from iffy to straight-up horrifying. William meets all of the guests, and that's when everything becomes more and more terrifying. Don't ever invite me into your attic lab...
This book brought one of my worst fears to life and you all can keep your robots. I want no part in that. I didn't know what was going to come from around the corner or what was going to happen next. Talk about being on the edge of your seat. Then the end hits you and your jaw hits the floor. I think I screamed, "What the f**k" at least ten times and my dog didn't know what the hell was going on. All he knew was that I was freaked out.
The death scenes were horrifyingly gruesome. The shower scene was my absolute favorite. What a way to go!
William was a highly unique and bizarre horror story that you all should read. I think you can say that I loved it after completing it in less than a day. It's one of those books that you won't be able to put down. So grab your comfort blanket, turn all the lights on, and prepare yourself for the horror that is William.
There are a few things about current life and the future that really scares me. The advancement of technology and AI is one of those things that terrifies me. It keeps me up at night because we don’t know what robots can do or what they can control. After reading this book I’m staying far away from AI.
The day started like any other. The wife opened the door to let the two lunch guests in as her husband came down the stairs and greeted them as best as he could. It started off as any normal lunch would until they all ventured into the lab upstairs. That's when things went from iffy to straight-up horrifying. William meets all of the guests, and that's when everything becomes more and more terrifying. Don't ever invite me into your attic lab...
This book brought one of my worst fears to life and you all can keep your robots. I want no part in that. I didn't know what was going to come from around the corner or what was going to happen next. Talk about being on the edge of your seat. Then the end hits you and your jaw hits the floor. I think I screamed, "What the f**k" at least ten times and my dog didn't know what the hell was going on. All he knew was that I was freaked out.
The death scenes were horrifyingly gruesome. The shower scene was my absolute favorite. What a way to go!
William was a highly unique and bizarre horror story that you all should read. I think you can say that I loved it after completing it in less than a day. It's one of those books that you won't be able to put down. So grab your comfort blanket, turn all the lights on, and prepare yourself for the horror that is William.
August 6, 2024
Um, hi! Add this to your spooky season tbr ASAP.
This was so creepy! Think combination of iRobot, Megan, and Smart House. This book had me hooked off the bat, and I flew through it because I couldn’t put it down. There was a part towards the end that gave me a jump scare, and you may be thinking, Holly? How does a book give you a jump scare? Well, I can’t answer that but it surely did. This was AI horror done right and must read!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫/5
This was so creepy! Think combination of iRobot, Megan, and Smart House. This book had me hooked off the bat, and I flew through it because I couldn’t put it down. There was a part towards the end that gave me a jump scare, and you may be thinking, Holly? How does a book give you a jump scare? Well, I can’t answer that but it surely did. This was AI horror done right and must read!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫/5
June 25, 2024
Full review in an upcoming issue of Scream Horror mag
P.s this was one of the best horrors I've read in a while
P.s this was one of the best horrors I've read in a while
February 11, 2024
I began this book expecting a scary mystery/thriller that was going to keep me on the edge of my seat; it did, sort of. The scary parts were definitely there with the technology going out of control. Some of that was extremely gruesome.
From the rather abrupt beginning, the book felt more like a short story than a fully executed novel and the writing didn’t flow smoothly. Added to that were characters that were not well developed and, therefore, I really didn’t care about why the horrible things were happening to them.
This book had potential but didn’t deliver until close to the end.
My copy of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. My thanks to the the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review it.
From the rather abrupt beginning, the book felt more like a short story than a fully executed novel and the writing didn’t flow smoothly. Added to that were characters that were not well developed and, therefore, I really didn’t care about why the horrible things were happening to them.
This book had potential but didn’t deliver until close to the end.
My copy of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. My thanks to the the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review it.
September 29, 2024
I really wanted to love this but unfortunately it fell flat for me.
I'm not sure if it was the writing style but I had an extremely difficult time connecting with the characters, their feelings and the storyline.
I'm not sure if it was the writing style but I had an extremely difficult time connecting with the characters, their feelings and the storyline.
October 2, 2024
Now that was a twist!! I loved this. It’s set on Halloween night and though the Halloween element is slim, the horror is there!! Perfect short Halloween week read!
Loved the characters! Loved the kills! Loved the twist and reveal. Ending 10/10! What a fun time!
Loved the characters! Loved the kills! Loved the twist and reveal. Ending 10/10! What a fun time!
May 16, 2025
William by Mason Coile, Narrated by Honey St. Dennis (Audiobook, Books on Tape Publisher)
Henry has fears. Anxiety swirls within Henry’s mind, whether due to social awkwardness or agoraphobia. Beneath the surface, Henry is a computer engineer, and a darn good one. Henry’s creation is a robot named William, and Henry detests it when William refers to him as a brother, but this indeed describes their relationship. Henry’s pregnant wife, Lily, is certainly smart in her own right. She loves overseeing projects that exude creative potential. Formulated by our savvy author, Mason Coile, we lurk in the couple’s state-of-the-art home. The foundations remain those of the past, but due to Henry’s wisdom of technology, everything revolves around a password or keyword to open, close, or shut down. Henry’s first encounter with his wife’s coworkers doesn’t go as planned. It has dire consequences for all involved. Behind the facade of a lovely marriage, at least to Henry, sprinklings of decay start to seep through. Lies have been told, and most of all, Henry has been lying to himself. Why were they even married? For the baby on the way? What if everything Henry knows isn’t what he thinks?
I charged into this audiobook with gusto. The cover art of this book has always begged me to open the door to uncover what lives behind. Toiling into the loneliness of Henry’s life brought an immediate sadness. Compassion coursed through my veins as Henry communicated with his only friend, William. Peering closer through a sliver in the crack of a door, we discover William morphing into a new being. Feelings and emotions are not generally a trait of your neighborhood cyborg. Honey St. Dennis, our narrator, soon stains my ear canals with tones of anger and jealousy. Our feet are soon trapped within the confines of a hellish nightmare, and labored breathing ensues. Is she having the baby? No, this is just the visitor's adrenaline reaching dire levels, fight or flight taking hold.
An intriguing shower scene is a highlight that will please any die-hard horror fan. Coile uses “props,” such as a psychotic, tail-wagging AI dog, to a chilling effect. The home also becomes a vessel for creative nightmares to roam free. Water spigots turning on, doors locking, and lights shutting off. Control by the inhabitants was deemed void. Honey St. Dennis’ reading took an already fabulous story and added flecks of visceral smatterings that heightened my apprehension, providing me with a fantastic, gruesome experience.
The ending…. I never saw it coming. I was dumbstruck at how blindsided I was. Hands down, one of the best climaxes to a horror story I have ever read.
So, in conclusion, William is worth your time! I am giving this 4.25 stars out of 5, rounding down to a solid 4 stars.
Henry has fears. Anxiety swirls within Henry’s mind, whether due to social awkwardness or agoraphobia. Beneath the surface, Henry is a computer engineer, and a darn good one. Henry’s creation is a robot named William, and Henry detests it when William refers to him as a brother, but this indeed describes their relationship. Henry’s pregnant wife, Lily, is certainly smart in her own right. She loves overseeing projects that exude creative potential. Formulated by our savvy author, Mason Coile, we lurk in the couple’s state-of-the-art home. The foundations remain those of the past, but due to Henry’s wisdom of technology, everything revolves around a password or keyword to open, close, or shut down. Henry’s first encounter with his wife’s coworkers doesn’t go as planned. It has dire consequences for all involved. Behind the facade of a lovely marriage, at least to Henry, sprinklings of decay start to seep through. Lies have been told, and most of all, Henry has been lying to himself. Why were they even married? For the baby on the way? What if everything Henry knows isn’t what he thinks?
I charged into this audiobook with gusto. The cover art of this book has always begged me to open the door to uncover what lives behind. Toiling into the loneliness of Henry’s life brought an immediate sadness. Compassion coursed through my veins as Henry communicated with his only friend, William. Peering closer through a sliver in the crack of a door, we discover William morphing into a new being. Feelings and emotions are not generally a trait of your neighborhood cyborg. Honey St. Dennis, our narrator, soon stains my ear canals with tones of anger and jealousy. Our feet are soon trapped within the confines of a hellish nightmare, and labored breathing ensues. Is she having the baby? No, this is just the visitor's adrenaline reaching dire levels, fight or flight taking hold.
An intriguing shower scene is a highlight that will please any die-hard horror fan. Coile uses “props,” such as a psychotic, tail-wagging AI dog, to a chilling effect. The home also becomes a vessel for creative nightmares to roam free. Water spigots turning on, doors locking, and lights shutting off. Control by the inhabitants was deemed void. Honey St. Dennis’ reading took an already fabulous story and added flecks of visceral smatterings that heightened my apprehension, providing me with a fantastic, gruesome experience.
The ending…. I never saw it coming. I was dumbstruck at how blindsided I was. Hands down, one of the best climaxes to a horror story I have ever read.
So, in conclusion, William is worth your time! I am giving this 4.25 stars out of 5, rounding down to a solid 4 stars.
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