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Janus Origin: Threads of Control: A Slow-Burn Romantic Thriller of Mind Control, Identity, and Betrayal
She hears a voice that isn't hers. It whispers. It commands. And sometimes… it takes control.
★★★★★ "A highly recommended smart psychological thriller… a fascinating novel of 'what ifs'." - K.C. Finn, Readers' Favorite
Nathan Longton's life is simple, run his café in Preston, serve the regulars, keep his head down. Then Lan Nguyen walks through his beautiful, terrified, and wearing a necklace identical to the one he's worn since childhood.
Their connection is no accident.
Lan is being hunted, not by a person, but by something inside her own mind. A presence that can take control when she's most vulnerable. As Nathan falls for her, he discovers she's trapped in Project Janus Origin, a conspiracy that blurs the line between consciousness and control.
Aided by Ollie, his sarcastic tech-savvy best mate, and Marcus, a jaded ex-scientist who's seen too much, Nathan must uncover the truth before it's too late. But in a world where minds can be hijacked and identities rewritten, how do you fight an enemy you can't see?
And what if everything you believe about yourself and the person you love, is a lie?
Perfect for readers who
The speculative dread of Black MirrorThe twisty suspense of Before I Go to Sleep by S.J. WatsonThe sci-fi pacing of Blake Crouch's Dark MatterBritish wit woven through genuine psychological terrorA slow-burn romantic thriller where love is a battlefield, identity is a weapon, and nothing is as it seems.
★★★★★ "Expertly balances tech-driven suspense with poignant emotional stakes… I adored that involvement with the storyline." - K.C. Finn, Readers' Favorite
★★★★★ "A highly recommended smart psychological thriller… a fascinating novel of 'what ifs'." - K.C. Finn, Readers' Favorite
Nathan Longton's life is simple, run his café in Preston, serve the regulars, keep his head down. Then Lan Nguyen walks through his beautiful, terrified, and wearing a necklace identical to the one he's worn since childhood.
Their connection is no accident.
Lan is being hunted, not by a person, but by something inside her own mind. A presence that can take control when she's most vulnerable. As Nathan falls for her, he discovers she's trapped in Project Janus Origin, a conspiracy that blurs the line between consciousness and control.
Aided by Ollie, his sarcastic tech-savvy best mate, and Marcus, a jaded ex-scientist who's seen too much, Nathan must uncover the truth before it's too late. But in a world where minds can be hijacked and identities rewritten, how do you fight an enemy you can't see?
And what if everything you believe about yourself and the person you love, is a lie?
Perfect for readers who
The speculative dread of Black MirrorThe twisty suspense of Before I Go to Sleep by S.J. WatsonThe sci-fi pacing of Blake Crouch's Dark MatterBritish wit woven through genuine psychological terrorA slow-burn romantic thriller where love is a battlefield, identity is a weapon, and nothing is as it seems.
★★★★★ "Expertly balances tech-driven suspense with poignant emotional stakes… I adored that involvement with the storyline." - K.C. Finn, Readers' Favorite
470 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 20, 2025
2 people are currently reading
1 person want to read
About the author
Daniel A. Riddle
3 books2 followersDaniel A. Riddle is a British author weaving psychological thrillers with speculative twists, creating stories where ordinary life unravels into extraordinary mystery. In his novels, reality blurs, identities fracture, and trust becomes a dangerous commodity.
Growing up as an only child to a father who constantly disappeared into books, Daniel developed a fascination with stories that explore the complexities of human connection and the shadows we all carry. This quiet influence sparked his love for creating characters who struggle with their inner demons while facing external threats they barely understand.
His debut novel, Project Janus: Threads of Control, launches readers into a world where memory, manipulation, and technology intertwine in disturbing ways. Set against familiar British backdrops, the story follows characters balancing on the edge of revelation as they discover the truth about themselves and those they thought they knew.
When not crafting the next instalment in the expanding Project Janus universe, Daniel focuses on family life, often finding inspiration in the quiet moments of everyday existence. With a head full of stories waiting to be told and characters demanding to be heard, he’s only just getting started.
Follow Daniel here on Goodreads for the latest updates on new releases and exclusive content from the Project Janus universe.
Growing up as an only child to a father who constantly disappeared into books, Daniel developed a fascination with stories that explore the complexities of human connection and the shadows we all carry. This quiet influence sparked his love for creating characters who struggle with their inner demons while facing external threats they barely understand.
His debut novel, Project Janus: Threads of Control, launches readers into a world where memory, manipulation, and technology intertwine in disturbing ways. Set against familiar British backdrops, the story follows characters balancing on the edge of revelation as they discover the truth about themselves and those they thought they knew.
When not crafting the next instalment in the expanding Project Janus universe, Daniel focuses on family life, often finding inspiration in the quiet moments of everyday existence. With a head full of stories waiting to be told and characters demanding to be heard, he’s only just getting started.
Follow Daniel here on Goodreads for the latest updates on new releases and exclusive content from the Project Janus universe.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
August 26, 2025
What an interesting read. Something completely different, I really enjoyed this. I can't wait for the next book in the series.
February 23, 2026
Nope. It’s the sort of book I normally like, urban thriller with a sprinkling of Sci-Fi. I tend to to lean to complex literary thrillers. This was most of that and had some relationship dynamics that really didn’t pull me in. Thank you to the author. Thank you to #netgalley and the publisher for an ARC.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews