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FRANTIC: A Psychological Thriller
BEWARE
“With Artificial Intelligence we are summoning the demon.” - Elon Musk
"It's not inconceivable. AI could wipe out humanity." - Geoffrey Hinton, considered ‘Godfather of Artificial Intelligence”
“Once AI becomes self-aware, the cognitive hierarchy will be transformed forever where we humans are no longer the dominant species.” - Gray Scott, Expert in Emerging Technology
A delusional prison patient warns Dr. Brian Heiser, Marriage and Family Therapist, of enormous impending disaster. Dr. Heiser and his best friend, Fred Gonzalez, a lauded Forensic Psychologist, find themselves entangled in a 72-hour deadly race to stop an AI bill being fast-tracked through the Texas state legislature.
Patricia Reigns, an elite developer of artificial intelligence, teams with them, thus cementing the trio as a viable threat.
Unbeknownst to Fred, however, Brian and Patricia had a secret past. That past soon rekindled feelings in Patricia towards Brian, and vice versa. And this woman was not one to play coy.
The more they uncover, the more the deadly power of Artificial Intelligence is unleashed on them at every turn from unseen top tech billionaires all vying for the same AI state contract.
What follows is a three-day frantic sprint toward truth that none of them could have possibly a secret plot funded by the world’s wealthiest tech giants, an AI bill touted as a massive “progressive” leap forward for Texas, assassins funded to the gills in blood money, politicians bought and paid for, and a media that couldn’t care less.
Last, buckle up for an intense final stretch that’s simply impossible to foresee.
**For deleted chapters, behind-the-scenes insights, and other goodies go
“With Artificial Intelligence we are summoning the demon.” - Elon Musk
"It's not inconceivable. AI could wipe out humanity." - Geoffrey Hinton, considered ‘Godfather of Artificial Intelligence”
“Once AI becomes self-aware, the cognitive hierarchy will be transformed forever where we humans are no longer the dominant species.” - Gray Scott, Expert in Emerging Technology
A delusional prison patient warns Dr. Brian Heiser, Marriage and Family Therapist, of enormous impending disaster. Dr. Heiser and his best friend, Fred Gonzalez, a lauded Forensic Psychologist, find themselves entangled in a 72-hour deadly race to stop an AI bill being fast-tracked through the Texas state legislature.
Patricia Reigns, an elite developer of artificial intelligence, teams with them, thus cementing the trio as a viable threat.
Unbeknownst to Fred, however, Brian and Patricia had a secret past. That past soon rekindled feelings in Patricia towards Brian, and vice versa. And this woman was not one to play coy.
The more they uncover, the more the deadly power of Artificial Intelligence is unleashed on them at every turn from unseen top tech billionaires all vying for the same AI state contract.
What follows is a three-day frantic sprint toward truth that none of them could have possibly a secret plot funded by the world’s wealthiest tech giants, an AI bill touted as a massive “progressive” leap forward for Texas, assassins funded to the gills in blood money, politicians bought and paid for, and a media that couldn’t care less.
Last, buckle up for an intense final stretch that’s simply impossible to foresee.
**For deleted chapters, behind-the-scenes insights, and other goodies go
- GenresPsychological Thriller
376 pages, Paperback
Published March 17, 2025
About the author
Brent Bradley
2 books26 followersBrent Bradley holds a PhD in Marriage and Family Therapy, an MA in Christian Theology, and a BA in English Literature. He earned tenure as a university professor and has been seeing couples in therapy for almost thirty years. But before he went to graduate school, he dabbled in newspaper reporting, at the time thinking that would be his career.
Dr. Bradley has written numerous journal articles, book chapters, and co-authored books on emotion and change in psychotherapy. A significant difference he brings to his writing is a keen focus and understanding of how emotion powerfully moves us in the moment.
Brent is married with one twin daughter (and one that passed away in the womb). They live in Houston. He is an avid fan of the Astros, Texas A&M, Texans, and the UFC. His hobbies include working out (urgh!), freshwater fishing, reading, cooking, and enjoying good coffee. He is a follower of Christ.
Dr. Bradley has written numerous journal articles, book chapters, and co-authored books on emotion and change in psychotherapy. A significant difference he brings to his writing is a keen focus and understanding of how emotion powerfully moves us in the moment.
Brent is married with one twin daughter (and one that passed away in the womb). They live in Houston. He is an avid fan of the Astros, Texas A&M, Texans, and the UFC. His hobbies include working out (urgh!), freshwater fishing, reading, cooking, and enjoying good coffee. He is a follower of Christ.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
January 16, 2026
What a great book! Frantic: A Psychological Thriller got me hooked from the beginning and kept me hooked to the end. The plot along with several subplots keeps you guessing on what will happen next while the twists, turns and the unexpected grab you and do not let go. The book is scary knowing that what you're reading may occur in the not too distant future. AI is already here and it's ability and capability keep growing. How far and how fast this will occur is up to the developers. I hope that I am not around when it goes rogue. I use as little tech as I can get away with. What makes Mr. Bradley's book even scarier is the number of people who use AI and other technology as much as they do and see nothing wrong in doing so. READ THE BOOK!!!
March 25, 2025
This book was great! From the beginning I really enjoyed how the details built up on themselves leaving you picking at the pieces trying to put them all together. One I got deeper into the book, the desire to reach the outcome became so great that I found myself not being able to put the book down. Time flew by when reading, a REAL page turner, and each new chapter brought forth more suspense. I love this thrillers and this is definitely one to remember!! Really makes you think deeper about the technology that we use everyday! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
October 10, 2025
A chilling technological thriller that explores the dangers of artificial intelligence, perfect for fans of Daniel Suarez.
Dr. Brian Heiser’s session with prison inmate Jerry Davis goes sideways when he finds himself embroiled in a plot to silence opposition to a terrifying artificial intelligence bill in Texas. Within Jerry’s coded messages, Brian has acquired dangerous knowledge that could lead to his demise. Luckily for Brian, his long-time friend Forensic Psychologist Fred Gonzalez, and A.I. Developer Patricia Reigns are there to help him stay alive while trying to prevent the catastrophic bill from passing.
The large cast of characters merges to form a cohesive and engaging narrative, each playing a role in how the story unravels. The working dynamic and chemistry between Brian, Fred, and Patricia provides an entertaining and much needed reprieve from the steadily high tension that builds from the first page and carries to the last.
Texas provides a high stakes backdrop for the action as the pivotal second largest state that could influence the rest of the country. However, the true star of the story is the science involved in the making of artificial intelligence. The author does an incredible job of portraying the spine-chilling dangers of rogue A.I. while making it understandable and relatable. Although this story is fiction, it makes clear the real threat this technology poses to humanity.
Overall, this is a highly entertaining and thought-provoking thriller.
My Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by: Michelle
This review first appeared: https://substack.com/@nnlightsbookhea...
Dr. Brian Heiser’s session with prison inmate Jerry Davis goes sideways when he finds himself embroiled in a plot to silence opposition to a terrifying artificial intelligence bill in Texas. Within Jerry’s coded messages, Brian has acquired dangerous knowledge that could lead to his demise. Luckily for Brian, his long-time friend Forensic Psychologist Fred Gonzalez, and A.I. Developer Patricia Reigns are there to help him stay alive while trying to prevent the catastrophic bill from passing.
The large cast of characters merges to form a cohesive and engaging narrative, each playing a role in how the story unravels. The working dynamic and chemistry between Brian, Fred, and Patricia provides an entertaining and much needed reprieve from the steadily high tension that builds from the first page and carries to the last.
Texas provides a high stakes backdrop for the action as the pivotal second largest state that could influence the rest of the country. However, the true star of the story is the science involved in the making of artificial intelligence. The author does an incredible job of portraying the spine-chilling dangers of rogue A.I. while making it understandable and relatable. Although this story is fiction, it makes clear the real threat this technology poses to humanity.
Overall, this is a highly entertaining and thought-provoking thriller.
My Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by: Michelle
This review first appeared: https://substack.com/@nnlightsbookhea...
December 11, 2025
When the book first started, I was a little confused by all the characters, but I quickly was able to pick up on who was who and then it was easy to follow. This book felt like a roller coaster ride! I didn’t know what to expect, when it was going to go up and when it was going to go down. What I thought at first was two different storylines ended up being one storyline, and I loved it! We follow Brian, Fred, and Patricia as they put together pieces of the puzzle and they did so very well. Not one felt like they were a know it all; they each had their strengths and went to others to help out as well.
At the crux of this story is AI. And the reality of it within this book is very scary. Honestly, I can see this happening. There comes a point when people can’t figure out what is AI and what is not AI. I struggle now with that with some of the videos I see. It’s hard to believe anything anymore. In this book, the AI can pretend to be someone else, text, and make phone calls and video calls.
There is so much action in this book, it’s makes it hard to stop reading and it keeps you on the edge of your seat. It also makes the book a quick read, and highly enjoyable! It’s on Kindle Unlimited, so check this one out!
At the crux of this story is AI. And the reality of it within this book is very scary. Honestly, I can see this happening. There comes a point when people can’t figure out what is AI and what is not AI. I struggle now with that with some of the videos I see. It’s hard to believe anything anymore. In this book, the AI can pretend to be someone else, text, and make phone calls and video calls.
There is so much action in this book, it’s makes it hard to stop reading and it keeps you on the edge of your seat. It also makes the book a quick read, and highly enjoyable! It’s on Kindle Unlimited, so check this one out!
March 15, 2026
What an exceptional book. Right from the start, you take the bait and get reeled in for the read of your life. Imagine AI so developed that it can produce false information, so that a surgeon, following the AI's directions, performs the wrong surgery, or cuts in the wrong spot. Or perhaps the police, believing false AI information, arrest an innocent man. This is the main thread of the story.
An AI bill is ready to be voted on in Texas. This new AI would be released to all public institutions and made available to everyone. To ensure the bill passes, state senators have been heavily bribed.
Bring in the opposition, who realize that there needs to be more regulations before allowing AI free rein in the police department, schools, banks, etc. Millions of dollars are being spent on both sides of the fight, but who is really doing the fight? AI developers are getting murdered, fake texts, videos, and calls are being made to keep this bill going through.
This book has many twists and turns that make you think - what if this really happened? The characters and their interactions are outstanding. An excellent book, and I can't wait to read more from this author. Thanks to BookSirens for the ARC of this book.
An AI bill is ready to be voted on in Texas. This new AI would be released to all public institutions and made available to everyone. To ensure the bill passes, state senators have been heavily bribed.
Bring in the opposition, who realize that there needs to be more regulations before allowing AI free rein in the police department, schools, banks, etc. Millions of dollars are being spent on both sides of the fight, but who is really doing the fight? AI developers are getting murdered, fake texts, videos, and calls are being made to keep this bill going through.
This book has many twists and turns that make you think - what if this really happened? The characters and their interactions are outstanding. An excellent book, and I can't wait to read more from this author. Thanks to BookSirens for the ARC of this book.
January 16, 2026
If you’re looking for a thriller that feels all too real in today’s tech-obsessed world, "Frantic" by Brent Bradley is right up your alley. This book throws you into a wild ride full of suspense, emotion, and some very clever surprises—especially when it comes to how artificial intelligence plays into the story. Bradley keeps things moving at a breakneck pace, mixing mystery and psychological drama with a healthy dose of modern tech anxiety.
The main characters get thrown into chaos thanks to a series of unpredictable events, a lot of which are driven by the rise of AI in their world. Bradley does a great job making their struggles feel real, especially when it comes to dealing with questions about technology, control, and what it means to trust in an age where machines might know more about us than we know about ourselves.
This book reminds us to tread carefully where AI is concerned. Be careful what you wish for!
Thanks to BookSirens for the ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The main characters get thrown into chaos thanks to a series of unpredictable events, a lot of which are driven by the rise of AI in their world. Bradley does a great job making their struggles feel real, especially when it comes to dealing with questions about technology, control, and what it means to trust in an age where machines might know more about us than we know about ourselves.
This book reminds us to tread carefully where AI is concerned. Be careful what you wish for!
Thanks to BookSirens for the ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
December 18, 2025
Frantic by Brent Bradley is a psychological thriller by the author about our MC named Brian who is a doctor of marriage and family. One day he is warned about an impending disaster from a prison inmate that he was visiting at the time. The story flips between mutliple POV's in this book, which makes the story more interesting as all the characters have something to do with the story and you have to find out what as you are reading. The story involves AI and what happens to Jerry Davis and Brian, our MC as Jerry passes coded messages to Brian about the AI bill trying to pass in Texas. Brian begins investigating what is happening with the AI bill while also fighting for his life along with his friend Forensic Investigator, Fred Gonzalez. The story also introduces the reader to the concept of AI turning rogue and what would happen if that were the case. I really thought this was a fairly well written book about the dangers of AI and what we are really introducing into our world overall.
February 16, 2026
A new author to me and I enjoyed the writing style but it did take me a little bit to get into the story with the switching between the characters and their part in the big picture.
I found the story to be engrossing with a solid pace and I was kept wondering what was going to happen next and what could be believed, the story was well done and it had an ending that left the door open for more, which I'll gladly read.
I received a free advance review copy and I am voluntarily leaving my honest review.
I found the story to be engrossing with a solid pace and I was kept wondering what was going to happen next and what could be believed, the story was well done and it had an ending that left the door open for more, which I'll gladly read.
I received a free advance review copy and I am voluntarily leaving my honest review.
May 12, 2026
Brent Bradley really delivers on the title here—the energy of this book is high-intensity from the jump. It’s a great psychological deep dive that plays with your head just enough to keep you questioning what’s actually going on. The pacing is tight, and the way the tension ramps up feels totally earned rather than just shocking for the sake of it. If you’re looking for a sharp, mental rollercoaster that’s easy to breeze through in a couple of sittings, this is a perfect choice.
February 16, 2026
A bill is going through the authorization committee to become a law. Some believe it will lead to ruin. He wants to stop it and he will be joined by them who have a past. Things are getting complicated very quickly and there are people who wants to stop them. Follow them to see where it all leads
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and a great thriller
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and a great thriller
October 7, 2025
Like a puzzle that's missing a piece and I needed to keep reading to find it. Fast paced, thrilling page turner. The theme was AI and this book and definitely had my brain questioning the future of AI technology. First from this author and won't be my last.
December 22, 2025
wholesome AI Thriller.
Fast-paced read with a lot of action. Far more wholesome them most techno thrillers I’ve read recently. Solid characters, interesting plot line and a few surprises.
Definitely recommend to readers who enjoy delving into the potential cost of AI advancement.
Fast-paced read with a lot of action. Far more wholesome them most techno thrillers I’ve read recently. Solid characters, interesting plot line and a few surprises.
Definitely recommend to readers who enjoy delving into the potential cost of AI advancement.
November 17, 2025
I read this book (Frantic) and Gone Before Goodbye back to back. AI is scary but I feel like this is the next new thing and we can't be ignorant.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews