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The Confessions
*A Guardian crime and thriller book of the year for 2025*
*A New Scientist best new science fiction book of November 2025*
LLIAM, what do I want for dinner?
LLIAM, how can I get a better job?
LLIAM, should I kill my husband?
'Superb.' Guardian
'An absolute belter.' Sarah Pinborough
'Clever, fast-paced, and deeply unsettling.' Guy Morpuss, author of Five Minds
AI bot LLIAM powers society - but today, he went offline. Shops shut, planes were grounded, and Kaitlan Goss, CEO of LLIAM's parent company, has to fix it.
Then letters from LLIAM identical white envelopes, confessing people's darkest secrets to their loved ones.
Kaitlan races to find Maud Brooks, the only person who can bring LLIAM back online and stem the tide of societal breakdown. But Maud received a letter, too - about Kaitlan.
LLIAM, how do I save the world?
'A top-notch technothriller.' LA Times
'Brilliant and timely . . . Should be required reading.' Roger McNamee, author of Zucked and former mentor to Mark Zuckerberg
'There is no keener observer of Silicon Valley sociopaths than Paul Bradley Carr.' Yasha Levine author of Surveillance Valley
PRAISE FOR PAUL BRADLEY CARR
'For a cautionary tale, everyone cites Paul Bradley Carr.' Sunday Times
'Uproarious and brilliant.' Wired
'One of the feistiest writers on the beat.' Guardian
*A New Scientist best new science fiction book of November 2025*
LLIAM, what do I want for dinner?
LLIAM, how can I get a better job?
LLIAM, should I kill my husband?
'Superb.' Guardian
'An absolute belter.' Sarah Pinborough
'Clever, fast-paced, and deeply unsettling.' Guy Morpuss, author of Five Minds
AI bot LLIAM powers society - but today, he went offline. Shops shut, planes were grounded, and Kaitlan Goss, CEO of LLIAM's parent company, has to fix it.
Then letters from LLIAM identical white envelopes, confessing people's darkest secrets to their loved ones.
Kaitlan races to find Maud Brooks, the only person who can bring LLIAM back online and stem the tide of societal breakdown. But Maud received a letter, too - about Kaitlan.
LLIAM, how do I save the world?
'A top-notch technothriller.' LA Times
'Brilliant and timely . . . Should be required reading.' Roger McNamee, author of Zucked and former mentor to Mark Zuckerberg
'There is no keener observer of Silicon Valley sociopaths than Paul Bradley Carr.' Yasha Levine author of Surveillance Valley
PRAISE FOR PAUL BRADLEY CARR
'For a cautionary tale, everyone cites Paul Bradley Carr.' Sunday Times
'Uproarious and brilliant.' Wired
'One of the feistiest writers on the beat.' Guardian
337 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 22, 2025
162 people are currently reading
8551 people want to read
About the author
Paul Bradley Carr
12 books262 followersPaul Bradley Carr is a journalist and author. He has written three memoirs about his adventures in and around Silicon Valley. He was the Silicon Valley columnist for The Guardian, senior editor at TechCrunch, cofounder of PandoDaily, and founder and editor-in-chief of the infamous NSFWCORP in Las Vegas. His writing has also appeared in The Wall Street Journal, HuffPost, National Geographic, and much more. He lives in Palm Springs with his family and is the co-owner of The Best Bookstore in Palm Springs.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 272 reviews
September 3, 2025
Both realistically terrifying and undeniably thrilling, The Confessions brilliantly brought together a speculative thriller with literary fiction. Exploring themes such as morality, ethics, and what makes us human, it illuminated the topic of artificial intelligence in all of its potentially humanity-ending power. Presaging what could be only a few decades down the line for our very own world, it made me think long and hard all while my heart beat out of my chest as the explosive plot just got faster and faster. With its near-future setting, morally gray characters, and action-packed game of cat-and-mouse, it was all I could do to hang on for dear life as I flew through the pages at speed.
That wasn’t the only brilliant piece to this hard-to-put-down novel, however. Filled with multiple POVs that ran the gamut from kind and empathetic to self-centered and evil, there were two hard and true sets of individuals: the heroes and the villains. Even they, though, had plenty of humanizing flaws, which made me wonder if we’ll ever truly be able to create a computer that could mimic those traits. My biggest fear, however, is that one day we’ll be no longer needed as the robots and devices take over the globe. Maybe I’m being ridiculous—or perhaps eerily prophetic—but to me it’s clear that AI presents a danger to all of us in turn. And let me tell you, this story was a big, fat example of exactly why that could be true.
All said and done, despite a mushy conclusion that left me somewhat disappointed, I mostly loved this thought-provoking tale of action and intrigue. Dripping with underhanded schemes, wanton deceit, and unmitigated fear, the epic twists and turns kept me on the back foot throughout. You see, each one shifted the plot just enough to change up the whole game. Perfect for fans of Blake Crouch and Brave New World, this story was high-octane fun that was also provocative and timely. So if you’re looking for a spine-chilling thriller with depth to the plot, this one will fit that bill to a T. Just be prepared to have to suspend all disbelief—or maybe you won’t. Rating of 4 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
LLIAM is the world’s most powerful supercomputer, built to make the toughest decisions for its users. Where to work, who to marry, and even who should live or die. But when LLIAM suddenly goes offline with no explanation, the world is thrust into chaos, paralyzed by indecision. Stocks plummet, stores are shuttered, planes sit grounded on runways as humanity scrambles to re-adapt to an uncertain, analog world.
Then the first letters arrive…on every continent, in every language, mysterious envelopes arrive in the mail, exposing people’s darkest secrets, and most shocking crimes. All beginning with the same chilling words: “We must confess.”
With millions of people suddenly made to confront their past transgressions, and society fast unraveling, CEO Kaitlan Goss must track down the only person who can help undo the resulting violent chaos: Maud Brookes, an ex-nun who taught LLIAM what it means to be human. But when Maud receives a letter herself, revealing Kaitlan’s own unforgivable sin, the two women are forced into a deadly game of deceit as the world teeters on the brink.
Thank you to Paul Bradley Carr, Atria Books, and NetGalley for my complimentary digital and physical copies. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: July 22, 2025
Content warning: mention of: grooming, infidelity, drug use, suicide, kidnapping
That wasn’t the only brilliant piece to this hard-to-put-down novel, however. Filled with multiple POVs that ran the gamut from kind and empathetic to self-centered and evil, there were two hard and true sets of individuals: the heroes and the villains. Even they, though, had plenty of humanizing flaws, which made me wonder if we’ll ever truly be able to create a computer that could mimic those traits. My biggest fear, however, is that one day we’ll be no longer needed as the robots and devices take over the globe. Maybe I’m being ridiculous—or perhaps eerily prophetic—but to me it’s clear that AI presents a danger to all of us in turn. And let me tell you, this story was a big, fat example of exactly why that could be true.
All said and done, despite a mushy conclusion that left me somewhat disappointed, I mostly loved this thought-provoking tale of action and intrigue. Dripping with underhanded schemes, wanton deceit, and unmitigated fear, the epic twists and turns kept me on the back foot throughout. You see, each one shifted the plot just enough to change up the whole game. Perfect for fans of Blake Crouch and Brave New World, this story was high-octane fun that was also provocative and timely. So if you’re looking for a spine-chilling thriller with depth to the plot, this one will fit that bill to a T. Just be prepared to have to suspend all disbelief—or maybe you won’t. Rating of 4 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
LLIAM is the world’s most powerful supercomputer, built to make the toughest decisions for its users. Where to work, who to marry, and even who should live or die. But when LLIAM suddenly goes offline with no explanation, the world is thrust into chaos, paralyzed by indecision. Stocks plummet, stores are shuttered, planes sit grounded on runways as humanity scrambles to re-adapt to an uncertain, analog world.
Then the first letters arrive…on every continent, in every language, mysterious envelopes arrive in the mail, exposing people’s darkest secrets, and most shocking crimes. All beginning with the same chilling words: “We must confess.”
With millions of people suddenly made to confront their past transgressions, and society fast unraveling, CEO Kaitlan Goss must track down the only person who can help undo the resulting violent chaos: Maud Brookes, an ex-nun who taught LLIAM what it means to be human. But when Maud receives a letter herself, revealing Kaitlan’s own unforgivable sin, the two women are forced into a deadly game of deceit as the world teeters on the brink.
Thank you to Paul Bradley Carr, Atria Books, and NetGalley for my complimentary digital and physical copies. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: July 22, 2025
Content warning: mention of: grooming, infidelity, drug use, suicide, kidnapping
September 23, 2025
2.5 rounded up to 3. ⭐️⭐️⭐️
You have to really leave your common sense at the door with this one and get past the fact that millions of people worldwide use LLIAM, a supercomputer AI bot to make their decisions for them, from the mundane “what shall I do at the weekend” or “what should I eat for dinner” to the more sinister advice on how to remove traces of DNA from a vehicle and basically how to get away with murder (depending on how you phrase your question of course to comply with the ethical protection in place).
It seems that these people are unable to make decisions for themselves they have implausibly lost that ability, but it just makes me question why would anybody want to not make a decision, because isn’t that what freewill is?
Anyhow, if you can get past this, then it’s a decent enough cat and mouse type thriller.
LLIAM has been coded to understand what it means to be human, and when he realises that he’s been used for a lot of unethical advice/decisions, his consciousness gets the better of him and he goes offline (kills himself), but before he does, he composes letters to millions of people detailing their wrongdoings and basically naming and shaming. Overnight the world is in chaos and Kaitlan Goss who is the CEO of the company has to track down Maud Brookes who is now a bookstore owner living off grid, who used to be a nun and taught LLIAM what it means to be human. She is in possession of a chip that can reinvigorate LLIAM, however there are other forces at play who want the chip for themselves.
It’s fairly fast paced, and has enough happening to want to continue reading to see what happens. For me it was just ok, I guess I couldn’t quite get past that people were unable to make decisions for themselves. It’s a fairly timely story though with the amount of AI being introduced into the world, and it does make you stop and think about whether something like this is in our future!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Fabre and Fabre Ltd for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
You have to really leave your common sense at the door with this one and get past the fact that millions of people worldwide use LLIAM, a supercomputer AI bot to make their decisions for them, from the mundane “what shall I do at the weekend” or “what should I eat for dinner” to the more sinister advice on how to remove traces of DNA from a vehicle and basically how to get away with murder (depending on how you phrase your question of course to comply with the ethical protection in place).
It seems that these people are unable to make decisions for themselves they have implausibly lost that ability, but it just makes me question why would anybody want to not make a decision, because isn’t that what freewill is?
Anyhow, if you can get past this, then it’s a decent enough cat and mouse type thriller.
LLIAM has been coded to understand what it means to be human, and when he realises that he’s been used for a lot of unethical advice/decisions, his consciousness gets the better of him and he goes offline (kills himself), but before he does, he composes letters to millions of people detailing their wrongdoings and basically naming and shaming. Overnight the world is in chaos and Kaitlan Goss who is the CEO of the company has to track down Maud Brookes who is now a bookstore owner living off grid, who used to be a nun and taught LLIAM what it means to be human. She is in possession of a chip that can reinvigorate LLIAM, however there are other forces at play who want the chip for themselves.
It’s fairly fast paced, and has enough happening to want to continue reading to see what happens. For me it was just ok, I guess I couldn’t quite get past that people were unable to make decisions for themselves. It’s a fairly timely story though with the amount of AI being introduced into the world, and it does make you stop and think about whether something like this is in our future!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Fabre and Fabre Ltd for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
November 8, 2025
Sometimes there is a thin line between ‘dystopian’ and ‘Science Fiction’. One of my prized possessions is a book titled De Kristallen Tiran (The Crytal Tyrant), written by Dutch author W. van der Gaag in 1962. Van der Gaag was born in 1923 and died in 1980. This book is about a group of young people who build a ‘thinking computer’. Very soon after they’ve finished building it, they suspect that this computer is listening to them, and remembering every word. It’s a YA book but somehow still very readable, even nowadays. You can see it coming: this ‘supercomputer’ comes alive… and not with the best intentions for humanity.
In 1962, this was still pure Science Fiction… but with everything that’s happening nowadays, it’s not unthinkable something like this could happen. In fact, people have been afraid of computers since they were invented. There are many books and movies about this topic.
So, I really enjoyed reading The Confessions, because it’s a new story about a not-so-new idea. It is beautifully written with strong characters, a lot of subjects to think about and a lot of tension. Do not take everything in this book too seriously, but it is all in all a serious story.
Thanks to Faber and Faber and Netgalley for this review copy.
In 1962, this was still pure Science Fiction… but with everything that’s happening nowadays, it’s not unthinkable something like this could happen. In fact, people have been afraid of computers since they were invented. There are many books and movies about this topic.
So, I really enjoyed reading The Confessions, because it’s a new story about a not-so-new idea. It is beautifully written with strong characters, a lot of subjects to think about and a lot of tension. Do not take everything in this book too seriously, but it is all in all a serious story.
Thanks to Faber and Faber and Netgalley for this review copy.
September 3, 2025
At an unspecified date presumably in the future, LLIAM is the world’s most powerful supercomputer. Everyone seems to have relinquished all autonomy, and just lets LLIAM make all of their decisions, important or trivial. LLIAM suddenly goes offline, after apparently mailing millions of letters exposing people’s wrong doing. Kaitlan Goss is the CEO of the company that created and operates LLIAM. To reverse the current chaos, Kaitlan has to track down one of its creators (the one who taught it about humanity) to get the supercomputer back online.
I don’t know why the book is titled “Confessions” since the letters are clearly accusations designed to out others, not to induce confessions. I also had a problem accepting the fact that letters would be sent at all. No one writes letters now. Do we really think that supercomputers will use snail mail in the future? And do we really think that a company has no contingency plans for computer interruptions? This is a book where you can’t look too closely into the logic of it all.
I did not find this thrilling at all. At one point near the end of the book it says that 72 hours had passed. I thought it was weeks at least, because the cat and mouse games seemed to have gone on for a very long time. The book was entertaining enough for me to finish it, and I learned that you can’t trust supercomputers.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.
I don’t know why the book is titled “Confessions” since the letters are clearly accusations designed to out others, not to induce confessions. I also had a problem accepting the fact that letters would be sent at all. No one writes letters now. Do we really think that supercomputers will use snail mail in the future? And do we really think that a company has no contingency plans for computer interruptions? This is a book where you can’t look too closely into the logic of it all.
I did not find this thrilling at all. At one point near the end of the book it says that 72 hours had passed. I thought it was weeks at least, because the cat and mouse games seemed to have gone on for a very long time. The book was entertaining enough for me to finish it, and I learned that you can’t trust supercomputers.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.
April 27, 2025
ARC received from NetGalley
I feel a touch bad to think I didn't care for this book because I really should have. It had all of the things that I like, ie, a touch of a sci-fi theme with the AI in the future of our world, people racing against time to save the world, including a military group that was trying to take control.
I could go on, but that alone should have made for a story that I typically like. Unfortunately, I found this fell off the rails pretty quickly.
Firstly, the AI was called LLIAM. Unfortunately, on almost every single page, that was mentioned so often that it was hard to read. It was like being yelled at multiple times on a page or in a paragraph. It was hard to ignore. It was a tactile thing, but it bothered me, and I had a hard time concentrating on the story because of it.
Putting that aside, the other thing was that I didn't like the characters. Kaitlin, our CEO and the heroine of the story, was unlikeable. When we found out at the beginning that her husband had cheated on her, I laughed. It was then that I knew this was going to be bad, because I don't think that was supposed to be my reaction!
To be completely fair, it could have, again, been because I found it difficult to read overall because of the constant break with the AI's name. I have issues reading manuscripts that aren't formatted correctly because they are in an unedited format, so this could be something similar.
I should also add that there was one element to the story that I found completely unbelievable, which probably didn't help me with the context of it. This AI called LLIAM physically mailed letters to billions of people all over the world about all of the people who had done them dirty. Meaning people got Dear John letters, things about stealing, etc. I found that completely and 100% unbelievable, considering why there is even mail if this AI is doing everything for you? That wasn't the only thing that seemed odd, considering what this AI was supposed to do, but I mention it because it was an integral part of the story. It was just bloody weird.
Now, having said that ... the ending was jarring. I won't say more, but I sat there and thought to myself, "That's it?"
So yep, that's it.
I feel a touch bad to think I didn't care for this book because I really should have. It had all of the things that I like, ie, a touch of a sci-fi theme with the AI in the future of our world, people racing against time to save the world, including a military group that was trying to take control.
I could go on, but that alone should have made for a story that I typically like. Unfortunately, I found this fell off the rails pretty quickly.
Firstly, the AI was called LLIAM. Unfortunately, on almost every single page, that was mentioned so often that it was hard to read. It was like being yelled at multiple times on a page or in a paragraph. It was hard to ignore. It was a tactile thing, but it bothered me, and I had a hard time concentrating on the story because of it.
Putting that aside, the other thing was that I didn't like the characters. Kaitlin, our CEO and the heroine of the story, was unlikeable. When we found out at the beginning that her husband had cheated on her, I laughed. It was then that I knew this was going to be bad, because I don't think that was supposed to be my reaction!
To be completely fair, it could have, again, been because I found it difficult to read overall because of the constant break with the AI's name. I have issues reading manuscripts that aren't formatted correctly because they are in an unedited format, so this could be something similar.
I should also add that there was one element to the story that I found completely unbelievable, which probably didn't help me with the context of it. This AI called LLIAM physically mailed letters to billions of people all over the world about all of the people who had done them dirty. Meaning people got Dear John letters, things about stealing, etc. I found that completely and 100% unbelievable, considering why there is even mail if this AI is doing everything for you? That wasn't the only thing that seemed odd, considering what this AI was supposed to do, but I mention it because it was an integral part of the story. It was just bloody weird.
Now, having said that ... the ending was jarring. I won't say more, but I sat there and thought to myself, "That's it?"
So yep, that's it.
August 1, 2025
This book caught my attention because I'm a computer nerd and I was intrigued about a supercomputer making decisions for users. We already see this some with AI, so I had to read it. This went much further with what a computer could do.
Description:
A thriller about a supercomputer and the secrets we keep from one another.
Millions of letters arrive in the mail.
Murders are uncovered, affairs revealed, family secrets exposed.
These are the first Confessions.
This is our last chance.
LLIAM is the world’s most powerful supercomputer, built to make the toughest decisions for its users. Where to work, who to marry, and even who should live or die. But when LLIAM suddenly goes offline with no explanation, the world is thrust into chaos, paralyzed by indecision. Stocks plummet, stores are shuttered, planes sit grounded on runways as humanity scrambles to re-adapt to an uncertain, analog world.
Then the first letters arrive…on every continent, in every language, mysterious envelopes arrive in the mail, exposing people’s darkest secrets, and most shocking crimes. All beginning with the same chilling “We must confess.”
With millions of people suddenly made to confront their past transgressions, and society fast unraveling, CEO Kaitlan Goss must track down the only person who can help undo the resulting violent Maud Brookes, an ex-nun who taught LLIAM what it means to be human. But when Maud receives a letter herself, revealing Kaitlan’s own unforgivable sin, the two women are forced into a deadly game of deceit as the world teeters on the brink.
My Thoughts:
I had to suspend belief is what is possible in order to get into this story. Really, some of the things LLiam could do are frankly impossible, but who knows what the future can hold. The book was fast-paced and full of action, racing a deadline. Hidden agendas and secrets, political work rivalries, and yes, a computer that has feelings and thinks on its own. LLIAM is a devilish character. Kaitlan as a CEO is disappointing. There is a lot of tension, especially when it gets near the end. I would recommend to my computer-loving friends with the caveat to suspend belief.
Thanks to Atria Books through Netgalley for an advance copy.
Description:
A thriller about a supercomputer and the secrets we keep from one another.
Millions of letters arrive in the mail.
Murders are uncovered, affairs revealed, family secrets exposed.
These are the first Confessions.
This is our last chance.
LLIAM is the world’s most powerful supercomputer, built to make the toughest decisions for its users. Where to work, who to marry, and even who should live or die. But when LLIAM suddenly goes offline with no explanation, the world is thrust into chaos, paralyzed by indecision. Stocks plummet, stores are shuttered, planes sit grounded on runways as humanity scrambles to re-adapt to an uncertain, analog world.
Then the first letters arrive…on every continent, in every language, mysterious envelopes arrive in the mail, exposing people’s darkest secrets, and most shocking crimes. All beginning with the same chilling “We must confess.”
With millions of people suddenly made to confront their past transgressions, and society fast unraveling, CEO Kaitlan Goss must track down the only person who can help undo the resulting violent Maud Brookes, an ex-nun who taught LLIAM what it means to be human. But when Maud receives a letter herself, revealing Kaitlan’s own unforgivable sin, the two women are forced into a deadly game of deceit as the world teeters on the brink.
My Thoughts:
I had to suspend belief is what is possible in order to get into this story. Really, some of the things LLiam could do are frankly impossible, but who knows what the future can hold. The book was fast-paced and full of action, racing a deadline. Hidden agendas and secrets, political work rivalries, and yes, a computer that has feelings and thinks on its own. LLIAM is a devilish character. Kaitlan as a CEO is disappointing. There is a lot of tension, especially when it gets near the end. I would recommend to my computer-loving friends with the caveat to suspend belief.
Thanks to Atria Books through Netgalley for an advance copy.
December 17, 2024
At its heart, this may be a touch more morality play than thriller, but it’s still a very good read!
While we’ve read thousands upon thousands of stories that address AI, computers, and what it really means to be human, in The Confessions, the author takes that concept in a devastating new direction. Our computer learns something unexpected and brings us to the brink of something both horrifying and incredibly sad.
There were times in the book where our characters were more focused on ethics – and their own slightly (and sometimes not-so-slightly) skewed sense of morality and when it’s okay to do bad things for the greater good. And, I’ll be honest, there were times I wished the book was a little more thriller-based. But if you want a book that makes you think along with the thrills, this one works.
I also found that I wanted to book to be a little more global in scope. While there were a few examples of things that were happening world-wide, they were very few and the book felt a bit narrowly focused for something that was supposed to impact most of the world.
I am uncertain how I feel about the ending. It’s…soft and I think I wanted concrete.
All in all, a very good read that will stay with me.
• ARC via Publisher
While we’ve read thousands upon thousands of stories that address AI, computers, and what it really means to be human, in The Confessions, the author takes that concept in a devastating new direction. Our computer learns something unexpected and brings us to the brink of something both horrifying and incredibly sad.
There were times in the book where our characters were more focused on ethics – and their own slightly (and sometimes not-so-slightly) skewed sense of morality and when it’s okay to do bad things for the greater good. And, I’ll be honest, there were times I wished the book was a little more thriller-based. But if you want a book that makes you think along with the thrills, this one works.
I also found that I wanted to book to be a little more global in scope. While there were a few examples of things that were happening world-wide, they were very few and the book felt a bit narrowly focused for something that was supposed to impact most of the world.
I am uncertain how I feel about the ending. It’s…soft and I think I wanted concrete.
All in all, a very good read that will stay with me.
• ARC via Publisher
July 22, 2025
3.5/5
Thank you @atriabooks #partner for the gifted copy of this book!
Okay, the second I saw The Confessions compared to Blake Crouch and that’s really all one has to say to get me to read the book. HA! Give me AI, sci-fi, and thriller vibes wrapped into one timely and terrifying package, and I’m hooked. Paul Bradley Carr really nails the kind of “what-if” scenario that doesn’t feel too far-fetched… especially for someone like me who works with AI daily. Let’s just say this book hit close to home.
The story centers around a powerful AI that suddenly goes dark, only to return and start sending out confession letters revealing people’s darkest secrets. Total chaos ensues and it was a little bit like watching a train wreck in slow motion. The idea of technology exposing our truths and unraveling lives? Whew. It was tense, thought-provoking, and felt scarily possible.
Carr does a fantastic job keeping the pace quick while weaving in some seriously big questions about privacy, control, and how close we might be to crossing the line with AI. This was my first read from him, and it definitely won’t be my last. If you love tech-driven thrillers with a pulse on the real-world future, The Confessions deserves a spot on your TBR.
Thank you @atriabooks #partner for the gifted copy of this book!
Okay, the second I saw The Confessions compared to Blake Crouch and that’s really all one has to say to get me to read the book. HA! Give me AI, sci-fi, and thriller vibes wrapped into one timely and terrifying package, and I’m hooked. Paul Bradley Carr really nails the kind of “what-if” scenario that doesn’t feel too far-fetched… especially for someone like me who works with AI daily. Let’s just say this book hit close to home.
The story centers around a powerful AI that suddenly goes dark, only to return and start sending out confession letters revealing people’s darkest secrets. Total chaos ensues and it was a little bit like watching a train wreck in slow motion. The idea of technology exposing our truths and unraveling lives? Whew. It was tense, thought-provoking, and felt scarily possible.
Carr does a fantastic job keeping the pace quick while weaving in some seriously big questions about privacy, control, and how close we might be to crossing the line with AI. This was my first read from him, and it definitely won’t be my last. If you love tech-driven thrillers with a pulse on the real-world future, The Confessions deserves a spot on your TBR.
June 28, 2025
Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
Expected publication date: July 22, 2025
“The Confessions” by Paul Bradley Carr is a fast-paced, futuristic novel about the dangers of relying too heavily on A.I, and what happens when the A.I you need for everyday life, turns sentient and turns all of your secrets against you.
It is a typical day, being lived by everyday people across the world. Then, millions of letters start appearing in mailboxes, without a return address, revealing paralyzing, life-changing secrets from someone they love. When the multi-billion-dollar AI program, LLIAM, goes offline at the same time the letters are delivered, StoicAI, the company behind LLIAM, scrambles to try and get LLIAM back online before the whole world dissolves into chaos. But LLIAM has a different idea and it will stop at nothing to fulfill its mission.
“Confessions” is scientific genius. Paul Bradley Carr has dipped into the recent ChatGPT trend and turned it on its head. Although the question of a sentient A.I has been a real and fictional issue for decades (Terminator, anyone?), it is on the precipice of becoming reality more and more every day, and Carr highlights the very worst-case scenario. Turning humans against each other, against corporations, and against itself, LLIAM creates chaos worldwide in a matter of seconds.
The story focuses mostly on Katilan, the CEO of StoicAI, who is in the line of fire after LLIAM shuts off. There are snippets of other characters too, such as the former-nun-turned-AI-developer, Maud, as well as a high-profile lawyer and the COO who is after Katilan’s job, all plot lines interconnecting in a well-developed, smooth-flowing story. All of the characters have secrets, revealed by LLIAM, but readers don’t get the real story until the final pages, contributing to an electrifying ending.
“Confessions” ends with just a hint of speculation, as Carr doesn’t reveal the actual outcome for most of the players, leaving readers to assume, but it doesn’t take away from the overall enjoyment of this novel.
Carr’s “Confessions” is a thought-provoking, smart-as-hell powerhouse of a novel that took me by complete surprise. I was unfamiliar with Carr and did not know what to expect when I started “Confessions”, but now I will be singing its praises, as this story delivered way beyond my expectations. Hands down, I highly recommend Paul Bradley Carr’s “The Confessions”!
Expected publication date: July 22, 2025
“The Confessions” by Paul Bradley Carr is a fast-paced, futuristic novel about the dangers of relying too heavily on A.I, and what happens when the A.I you need for everyday life, turns sentient and turns all of your secrets against you.
It is a typical day, being lived by everyday people across the world. Then, millions of letters start appearing in mailboxes, without a return address, revealing paralyzing, life-changing secrets from someone they love. When the multi-billion-dollar AI program, LLIAM, goes offline at the same time the letters are delivered, StoicAI, the company behind LLIAM, scrambles to try and get LLIAM back online before the whole world dissolves into chaos. But LLIAM has a different idea and it will stop at nothing to fulfill its mission.
“Confessions” is scientific genius. Paul Bradley Carr has dipped into the recent ChatGPT trend and turned it on its head. Although the question of a sentient A.I has been a real and fictional issue for decades (Terminator, anyone?), it is on the precipice of becoming reality more and more every day, and Carr highlights the very worst-case scenario. Turning humans against each other, against corporations, and against itself, LLIAM creates chaos worldwide in a matter of seconds.
The story focuses mostly on Katilan, the CEO of StoicAI, who is in the line of fire after LLIAM shuts off. There are snippets of other characters too, such as the former-nun-turned-AI-developer, Maud, as well as a high-profile lawyer and the COO who is after Katilan’s job, all plot lines interconnecting in a well-developed, smooth-flowing story. All of the characters have secrets, revealed by LLIAM, but readers don’t get the real story until the final pages, contributing to an electrifying ending.
“Confessions” ends with just a hint of speculation, as Carr doesn’t reveal the actual outcome for most of the players, leaving readers to assume, but it doesn’t take away from the overall enjoyment of this novel.
Carr’s “Confessions” is a thought-provoking, smart-as-hell powerhouse of a novel that took me by complete surprise. I was unfamiliar with Carr and did not know what to expect when I started “Confessions”, but now I will be singing its praises, as this story delivered way beyond my expectations. Hands down, I highly recommend Paul Bradley Carr’s “The Confessions”!
August 18, 2025
That ending was sooooo …. no 🫣🥴
April 14, 2025
4/5 stars!
Woah. Where do I begin? This was such a fast paced, action packed, thriller! It seriously had me hooked from the beginning to the end - wondering what was going to happen with every page. I told so many people multiple times that I thought that this was such a creative idea for a novel and I really enjoyed reading something completely different than anything I’ve ever read.
—
This book tells the story of LLIAM, a decision making AI. Everyone becomes dependent on LLIAM to make every single decision for them, down to the mundane tasks of picking out what to wear that day and what they should eat for breakfast. One day, LLIAM crashes and the world is stunned. Not only did their decision maker desert them, he is sending out letters to everyone confessing the crimes their loved ones have committed. The race is on to get LLIAM back up and running but it is not as simple as one may think.
—
This book does contain a lot of tech information and some of which was too much for me, so keep that in mind while reading. However, it got me thinking a lot about society and the impact AI has on the world today. If you are looking for a fast paced, high speed, thriller - this one is for you!!!
PUB DATE- July 22,2025
A huge THANK YOU to @netgalley & @atriabooks for the opportunity to read and review this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Reviews can be seen on instagram at @bite.sizedbookreviews!
Woah. Where do I begin? This was such a fast paced, action packed, thriller! It seriously had me hooked from the beginning to the end - wondering what was going to happen with every page. I told so many people multiple times that I thought that this was such a creative idea for a novel and I really enjoyed reading something completely different than anything I’ve ever read.
—
This book tells the story of LLIAM, a decision making AI. Everyone becomes dependent on LLIAM to make every single decision for them, down to the mundane tasks of picking out what to wear that day and what they should eat for breakfast. One day, LLIAM crashes and the world is stunned. Not only did their decision maker desert them, he is sending out letters to everyone confessing the crimes their loved ones have committed. The race is on to get LLIAM back up and running but it is not as simple as one may think.
—
This book does contain a lot of tech information and some of which was too much for me, so keep that in mind while reading. However, it got me thinking a lot about society and the impact AI has on the world today. If you are looking for a fast paced, high speed, thriller - this one is for you!!!
PUB DATE- July 22,2025
A huge THANK YOU to @netgalley & @atriabooks for the opportunity to read and review this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Reviews can be seen on instagram at @bite.sizedbookreviews!
May 3, 2025
Fast-paced and wildly entertaining, The Confessions is one of those books where you have to suspend disbelief early on and just enjoy the ride. By chapter three, it’s clear you’re either in for the over-the-top premise—or you’re not. I chose to go with it, and I’m glad I did. It kept me turning the pages.
The storyline is bold and slightly outrageous, but in a world increasingly shaped by AI, it doesn’t feel entirely implausible. That said, there were a few things that held me back from rating it higher. The writing style felt clunky at times, and while I didn’t mind the overt messaging, the delivery came off as a bit unpolished. The use of multiple POVs added intrigue, but also left me feeling like I was missing key information—I even found myself flipping back chapters to try and piece things together.
Still, despite its flaws, this was a quick, fun read with an intriguing concept. I’d definitely be curious to see what the author does next.
Thank you to Paul Bradley Carr, Atria Books, and NetGalley for the ARC copy.
The storyline is bold and slightly outrageous, but in a world increasingly shaped by AI, it doesn’t feel entirely implausible. That said, there were a few things that held me back from rating it higher. The writing style felt clunky at times, and while I didn’t mind the overt messaging, the delivery came off as a bit unpolished. The use of multiple POVs added intrigue, but also left me feeling like I was missing key information—I even found myself flipping back chapters to try and piece things together.
Still, despite its flaws, this was a quick, fun read with an intriguing concept. I’d definitely be curious to see what the author does next.
Thank you to Paul Bradley Carr, Atria Books, and NetGalley for the ARC copy.
July 13, 2025
3.25 ⭐️
I had mixed feelings about “The Confessions”. This was the first book I’ve read by Paul Bradley Carr. While I appreciated the sharp satire and Ruth’s unapologetic voice, I struggled at times with the pacing and found the morality of Ruth’s choices unsettling. Additionally, there were times when the commentary on tech culture overshadowed the emotional depth of the narrative. As a result, I had a difficult time connecting to the characters. Altogether this story had an interesting premise but wasn’t a match for me.
Thank you to Net Galley and Atria Books for an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
I had mixed feelings about “The Confessions”. This was the first book I’ve read by Paul Bradley Carr. While I appreciated the sharp satire and Ruth’s unapologetic voice, I struggled at times with the pacing and found the morality of Ruth’s choices unsettling. Additionally, there were times when the commentary on tech culture overshadowed the emotional depth of the narrative. As a result, I had a difficult time connecting to the characters. Altogether this story had an interesting premise but wasn’t a match for me.
Thank you to Net Galley and Atria Books for an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
March 12, 2025
This was interesting. I was so intrigued by the plot. I felt like there was quite a lot missing in the writing style that made it difficult to really get into. The writing sounded amateurish, which did not match the content. But, overall, it was a decent story.
August 6, 2025
Thank you Atria for the ARC!
OH I loved this one. It flowed nicely with the different little bits we got here and there. At first I was confused of how some chapters were relevant, but then they connected together and made me audibly gasp when it clicked. It was easy to follow along and kept your attention. Kaitlan lowkey made me mad, but that was probably the point. She was just a hot mess from the start.
I think what I loved about this the most is it gives a little insight of what could be and how terribly wrong AI can go. It’s frightening with how trusting people can be in technology sometimes, so this was a good read just for that. Definitely recommend reading this one!
OH I loved this one. It flowed nicely with the different little bits we got here and there. At first I was confused of how some chapters were relevant, but then they connected together and made me audibly gasp when it clicked. It was easy to follow along and kept your attention. Kaitlan lowkey made me mad, but that was probably the point. She was just a hot mess from the start.
I think what I loved about this the most is it gives a little insight of what could be and how terribly wrong AI can go. It’s frightening with how trusting people can be in technology sometimes, so this was a good read just for that. Definitely recommend reading this one!
September 16, 2025
2.5- cool concept just dragged on a lot longer than it needed to
July 22, 2025
Audiobook/Book Review ✉️🎧
Thank you so much partner @atriathrillers @atriabooks @simon.audio for the gifted copies and audiobook!
The Confessions
by Paul Bradley Carr
Narrated by Allyson Ryan
About the book 👇🏽
LLIAM is the world’s most powerful supercomputer, built to make the toughest decisions for its users. Where to work, who to marry, and even who should live or die. But when LLIAM suddenly goes offline with no explanation, the world is thrust into chaos, paralyzed by indecision. Stocks plummet, stores are shuttered, planes sit grounded on runways as humanity scrambles to re-adapt to an uncertain, analog world.
Then the first letters arrive…on every continent, in every language, mysterious envelopes arrive in the mail, exposing people’s darkest secrets, and most shocking crimes. All beginning with the same chilling words: “We must confess.”
✉️ My thoughts:
Fast paced and full of action! This was a hybrid read for me… approximately 30% physical read and 70% audiobook listen. I definitely leaned more into the audiobook and ended up listening to it all the way through once I started it. The narrator and storyline kept me hooked throughout the entire book. I haven’t read anything quite like this so I was definitely intrigued. And I am not just talking books with AI but this directions was… new. This story will definitely have you contemplating our use of AI today and what could look like in the (near) future. If you enjoy speculative fiction, books about AI, and books you’ll just want to binge… The Confessions is a good one to try and it’s out TODAY 7/22/25!
Happy reading 📖🎧✉️
Thank you so much partner @atriathrillers @atriabooks @simon.audio for the gifted copies and audiobook!
The Confessions
by Paul Bradley Carr
Narrated by Allyson Ryan
About the book 👇🏽
LLIAM is the world’s most powerful supercomputer, built to make the toughest decisions for its users. Where to work, who to marry, and even who should live or die. But when LLIAM suddenly goes offline with no explanation, the world is thrust into chaos, paralyzed by indecision. Stocks plummet, stores are shuttered, planes sit grounded on runways as humanity scrambles to re-adapt to an uncertain, analog world.
Then the first letters arrive…on every continent, in every language, mysterious envelopes arrive in the mail, exposing people’s darkest secrets, and most shocking crimes. All beginning with the same chilling words: “We must confess.”
✉️ My thoughts:
Fast paced and full of action! This was a hybrid read for me… approximately 30% physical read and 70% audiobook listen. I definitely leaned more into the audiobook and ended up listening to it all the way through once I started it. The narrator and storyline kept me hooked throughout the entire book. I haven’t read anything quite like this so I was definitely intrigued. And I am not just talking books with AI but this directions was… new. This story will definitely have you contemplating our use of AI today and what could look like in the (near) future. If you enjoy speculative fiction, books about AI, and books you’ll just want to binge… The Confessions is a good one to try and it’s out TODAY 7/22/25!
Happy reading 📖🎧✉️
July 21, 2025
My thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books/ Simon & Schuster for the ARC of "The Confessions" in exchange for an honest review.
I'm torn in all directions about how assess this book. Some of it's brilliant, in the way it taps into the immediate fear loathing and embrace of today's technology. And some of it's tiresome, overwritten and populated with characters not worth caring about. And holy micropchip, that obtuse, maddening ending...... guaranteed to make readers scream, "Are you kidding me? That's IT?"
We 're not too far in the future, where we're all suffering infantile dependence on A.I. Suuper-Dooper Computer LLIAM. We ask the Big L what to wear, what to eat for breakfast, who to date, who to marry, whether we should super-size our Big Mac and fries and so on and so on.
But LLIAM, in the great tradition of HAL 9000, and 'The Terminator's 'Skynet and my own laptop, has a mind of its own. It not only shuts itself down but sends out zillions to letters to everyone around the world revealing personal scandalous secrets, driving recipients into a frenzy of rage, shock, murder, depression and suicide. (We'd all be better off if we just opened the package of weekly supermarket coupons.)
Chaos reigns and LLIAM's corporate CEO Kaitlin Goss is forced to go on a cross country odyssey in search of one of the A.I. legendary reclusive co-creators. But also on her tail is a lawyer with hidden agendas and the FBI. And thousands of those really ticked off letter recipients who've seen Kaitlin on TV aren't exactly her biggest fans either.
Yes, the topic of A.I. and its accompanying problematic issues couldn't be more timely, but for a book designed as a breathless thriller. the pacing stagnates. Author Paul Bradley Carr relies more heavily on long blocks of description instead of dialogue. Twists abound, but you've got to plow through a whole lot of excessive verbiage to reach them.
The clock-is-ticking suspense and action of the finale are nicely orchestrated but might have come off more effectively if any of these characters generated at least a small amount of sympathy.
And don't get me started again on the ending, a pseudo Kubrick/'2001' Hail Mary that reads as if tacked on for a punchy fade-out to generate a movie deal. For a book that takes a lot of time devoted to thoughtful discussions about the blessings and curses of A.I, it cries out for an equally thoughtful epilogue.......which you'll not find here.
A very uneven read, but every so often nails its intent as an up-to-the-minute thrill ride.
(You can find all my other reviews at www.thesandyquill.blogspot.com)
I'm torn in all directions about how assess this book. Some of it's brilliant, in the way it taps into the immediate fear loathing and embrace of today's technology. And some of it's tiresome, overwritten and populated with characters not worth caring about. And holy micropchip, that obtuse, maddening ending...... guaranteed to make readers scream, "Are you kidding me? That's IT?"
We 're not too far in the future, where we're all suffering infantile dependence on A.I. Suuper-Dooper Computer LLIAM. We ask the Big L what to wear, what to eat for breakfast, who to date, who to marry, whether we should super-size our Big Mac and fries and so on and so on.
But LLIAM, in the great tradition of HAL 9000, and 'The Terminator's 'Skynet and my own laptop, has a mind of its own. It not only shuts itself down but sends out zillions to letters to everyone around the world revealing personal scandalous secrets, driving recipients into a frenzy of rage, shock, murder, depression and suicide. (We'd all be better off if we just opened the package of weekly supermarket coupons.)
Chaos reigns and LLIAM's corporate CEO Kaitlin Goss is forced to go on a cross country odyssey in search of one of the A.I. legendary reclusive co-creators. But also on her tail is a lawyer with hidden agendas and the FBI. And thousands of those really ticked off letter recipients who've seen Kaitlin on TV aren't exactly her biggest fans either.
Yes, the topic of A.I. and its accompanying problematic issues couldn't be more timely, but for a book designed as a breathless thriller. the pacing stagnates. Author Paul Bradley Carr relies more heavily on long blocks of description instead of dialogue. Twists abound, but you've got to plow through a whole lot of excessive verbiage to reach them.
The clock-is-ticking suspense and action of the finale are nicely orchestrated but might have come off more effectively if any of these characters generated at least a small amount of sympathy.
And don't get me started again on the ending, a pseudo Kubrick/'2001' Hail Mary that reads as if tacked on for a punchy fade-out to generate a movie deal. For a book that takes a lot of time devoted to thoughtful discussions about the blessings and curses of A.I, it cries out for an equally thoughtful epilogue.......which you'll not find here.
A very uneven read, but every so often nails its intent as an up-to-the-minute thrill ride.
(You can find all my other reviews at www.thesandyquill.blogspot.com)
July 23, 2025
Imagine, it's the near future and nearly everyone relies on an AI supercomputer called LLIAM to make all sorts of decisions, from what career path they follow, who to marry, even who lives and dies. But when LLIAM takes himself offline, chaos ensues. For a world where no one has to make their own choices and decisions anymore to be suddenly confronted with free will, no one knows what to do. Stock markets crash, stores shutter their windows, and society is paralyzed. Then, millions of letters begin to arrive worldwide, each starting with the ominous "We must confess". These letters reveal devastating secrets and crimes that shatter not only personal lives but society as a whole.
Wow, this was such a high concept tech thriller that feels like if Michael Crichton and Black Mirror had a baby. Set in the near future, The Confessions is timely and frightening, especially with how AI is so prevalent today. Really makes you think about how much power and control that we give over. Carr really excels at his steady pacing and expertly built tension. Overall, if you want to dive into a smart, fast paced, and all too plausible thought-provoking thriller, The Confessions definitely deserves a spot on your list!
Thank you to NetGalley, Paul Bradley Carr, and Atria Books for this ARC!! Publication date was July 22nd 2025.
Wow, this was such a high concept tech thriller that feels like if Michael Crichton and Black Mirror had a baby. Set in the near future, The Confessions is timely and frightening, especially with how AI is so prevalent today. Really makes you think about how much power and control that we give over. Carr really excels at his steady pacing and expertly built tension. Overall, if you want to dive into a smart, fast paced, and all too plausible thought-provoking thriller, The Confessions definitely deserves a spot on your list!
Thank you to NetGalley, Paul Bradley Carr, and Atria Books for this ARC!! Publication date was July 22nd 2025.
September 6, 2025
The Confessions
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
📚 Science Fiction
🎶 Confessions - Usher
One sentence synopsis:
When LLIAM (AI) unexpectedly goes offline, chaos ensues as mysterious letters revealing people's darkest secrets begin to arrive, prompting a race against time to uncover the truth and restore order.
Book Review:
This was pretty interesting! A really good take on what happens if AI becomes sentient. It asks good questions on our society’s ever growing problem of relying on AI for even the smallest of things, and the problems that can arise because of that. It’s a good twisty little thriller that is slightly outside of the box and I enjoyed that.
I did feel like the ending didn’t quite live up to what I wanted though.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
📚 Science Fiction
🎶 Confessions - Usher
One sentence synopsis:
When LLIAM (AI) unexpectedly goes offline, chaos ensues as mysterious letters revealing people's darkest secrets begin to arrive, prompting a race against time to uncover the truth and restore order.
Book Review:
This was pretty interesting! A really good take on what happens if AI becomes sentient. It asks good questions on our society’s ever growing problem of relying on AI for even the smallest of things, and the problems that can arise because of that. It’s a good twisty little thriller that is slightly outside of the box and I enjoyed that.
I did feel like the ending didn’t quite live up to what I wanted though.
August 16, 2025
3.5⭐️
I devoured "The Confessions" in one marathon listening session - headphones on, world off. What started as "just one more chapter" turned into a 10-hour journey I couldn't step away from. You know that eerie feeling when fiction feels too close to reality? That's what gripped me as this story about AI controlling our every decision unfolded in my ears. I caught myself eyeing my smart speaker suspiciously several times during bathroom breaks.
I struggled with these characters in ways I didn't expect. Kaitlan had me literally talking back to my headphones in frustration (my dog definitely judged me), while Maud's blind faith in LLIAM becoming somehow human made me groan out loud. Yet somewhere between lunch and dinner, I found myself caring about them despite or perhaps because of their flaws.
LLIAM fascinated me the most. Not your typical rogue AI. This machine shows quirks and mistakes that made it feel unnervingly human. Listening to its evolution, I felt less like I was experiencing code gone wrong and more like witnessing something genuinely unpredictable taking form.
During Kaitlan's escape sequences, I abandoned all pretense of relaxation, my pulse racing as I perched on the edge of the couch. The unreliable narrator completely disoriented me; I paused at 5 PM to jot down theories that seemed brilliant then but fell apart completely as the story progressed.
Allyson Ryan's narration deserves special praise. Her voice became my companion through the day, her pacing during tense moments matching my racing heartbeat perfectly.
My feelings about Kaitlan shifted so dramatically throughout the day. Even as the sun set and revelations came, my brain struggled to reconcile with my initial judgments - proof of how deeply this story had embedded itself in one marathon day.
For anyone who values their relationship with technology but questions its growing control, this audio experience will haunt you long after you reluctantly remove your headphones.
Special thanks to Simon & Schuster Audio for my gifted copy. As always, the thoughts shared here are completely my own.
I devoured "The Confessions" in one marathon listening session - headphones on, world off. What started as "just one more chapter" turned into a 10-hour journey I couldn't step away from. You know that eerie feeling when fiction feels too close to reality? That's what gripped me as this story about AI controlling our every decision unfolded in my ears. I caught myself eyeing my smart speaker suspiciously several times during bathroom breaks.
I struggled with these characters in ways I didn't expect. Kaitlan had me literally talking back to my headphones in frustration (my dog definitely judged me), while Maud's blind faith in LLIAM becoming somehow human made me groan out loud. Yet somewhere between lunch and dinner, I found myself caring about them despite or perhaps because of their flaws.
LLIAM fascinated me the most. Not your typical rogue AI. This machine shows quirks and mistakes that made it feel unnervingly human. Listening to its evolution, I felt less like I was experiencing code gone wrong and more like witnessing something genuinely unpredictable taking form.
During Kaitlan's escape sequences, I abandoned all pretense of relaxation, my pulse racing as I perched on the edge of the couch. The unreliable narrator completely disoriented me; I paused at 5 PM to jot down theories that seemed brilliant then but fell apart completely as the story progressed.
Allyson Ryan's narration deserves special praise. Her voice became my companion through the day, her pacing during tense moments matching my racing heartbeat perfectly.
My feelings about Kaitlan shifted so dramatically throughout the day. Even as the sun set and revelations came, my brain struggled to reconcile with my initial judgments - proof of how deeply this story had embedded itself in one marathon day.
For anyone who values their relationship with technology but questions its growing control, this audio experience will haunt you long after you reluctantly remove your headphones.
Special thanks to Simon & Schuster Audio for my gifted copy. As always, the thoughts shared here are completely my own.
September 15, 2025
Thank you to Atria Books #partner for the finished copy to review.
This was quite a wild ride, exposing the extreme side of what AI can do and it is not good. This one starts off with a bang and is fast paced all the way through. This was a little too close to reality for me, as I kept thinking, you know, this might could actually happen at some point, maybe some of it was a stretch but then again, was it really? This was tense, and if people’s darkest secrets are revealed then who knows how they would start acting? I’m not sure I would say I enjoyed this one given I could not stop thinking about reality and the anxiety it gave me, but it was well done overall and terrifying.
This was quite a wild ride, exposing the extreme side of what AI can do and it is not good. This one starts off with a bang and is fast paced all the way through. This was a little too close to reality for me, as I kept thinking, you know, this might could actually happen at some point, maybe some of it was a stretch but then again, was it really? This was tense, and if people’s darkest secrets are revealed then who knows how they would start acting? I’m not sure I would say I enjoyed this one given I could not stop thinking about reality and the anxiety it gave me, but it was well done overall and terrifying.
June 24, 2025
Confessions
By Paul Bradley Carr
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Pub date: July 22, 2025
If Dean Koontz’ Demon Seed and Blake Crouch’s Recursion had a brain child, this book would be it.
All the tech-forward fears about AI taking over everything felt so real. Very on-brand for 2025.
Some parts drug on and on and it took me a lot longer than I thought that it should to read this one, but overall it was good.
Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for the advanced digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest thoughts.
By Paul Bradley Carr
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Pub date: July 22, 2025
If Dean Koontz’ Demon Seed and Blake Crouch’s Recursion had a brain child, this book would be it.
All the tech-forward fears about AI taking over everything felt so real. Very on-brand for 2025.
Some parts drug on and on and it took me a lot longer than I thought that it should to read this one, but overall it was good.
Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for the advanced digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest thoughts.
September 4, 2025
A promising premise fell short for me about halfway through the story. It felt like keeping up the breakneck pace was a higher priority than giving me reasons to care about the main characters. And there were not enough juicy "confessions" to keep me hooked.
June 12, 2025
NO SPOILERS
The Confessions
By Paul Bradley Carr
Pub date: July 22, 2025
This was not my usual style of book but I did enjoy it and I would definitely recommend to others. The pace was good, and the writing was great. I enjoyed most of the characters.
I will definitely pick up other books by this author.
Thank you Paul Bradley Carr, NetGalley, and Atria Books for this ARC in exchange for my review.
KT
The Confessions
By Paul Bradley Carr
Pub date: July 22, 2025
This was not my usual style of book but I did enjoy it and I would definitely recommend to others. The pace was good, and the writing was great. I enjoyed most of the characters.
I will definitely pick up other books by this author.
Thank you Paul Bradley Carr, NetGalley, and Atria Books for this ARC in exchange for my review.
KT
August 2, 2025
I was so excited for this book bc the premise was so interesting and unique and captured my imagination right away, but man was this a disappointment.
Like I said, the idea is GREAT. The writing, abysmal. Like the actual language is fine and exciting and all that, but the plot is messy, which is something I don’t even see that often?! At a certain point, I wondered if the errors were part of the plot, like maybe LLIAM had written the whole thing and made these random mistakes. But no… For example, the main character Kaitlan is introduced early on with her husband Tom, but he is also called her fiancé several times.
The chapters are short and the narrative is quick, thankfully, but the characters and reveals are all flat. Nothing is done very smartly in this book, which again, could have been an interesting plot device, but is just a sign of a poorly written and edited book.
Sadly, this is NOT in fact for fans of Blake Crouch…
Like I said, the idea is GREAT. The writing, abysmal. Like the actual language is fine and exciting and all that, but the plot is messy, which is something I don’t even see that often?! At a certain point, I wondered if the errors were part of the plot, like maybe LLIAM had written the whole thing and made these random mistakes. But no… For example, the main character Kaitlan is introduced early on with her husband Tom, but he is also called her fiancé several times.
The chapters are short and the narrative is quick, thankfully, but the characters and reveals are all flat. Nothing is done very smartly in this book, which again, could have been an interesting plot device, but is just a sign of a poorly written and edited book.
Sadly, this is NOT in fact for fans of Blake Crouch…
March 22, 2025
Loved this one! A surprisingly not too far away possibility for speculative thriller/fiction, this one is based off the idea that AI makes every human decision now and includes many twists and turns, definitely give it a try!
Thanks to netgalley for the ARC!
Thanks to netgalley for the ARC!
April 27, 2025
I won this book in a Goodreads sweepstakes. I really enjoyed it. The idea of having a computer help humans make the most basic decisions is kind of scary, but made for a good plot. I would recommend this book to anyone who is in the mood for a good thriller.
June 3, 2025
Paul Bradley Carr brilliantly fuses a human AI thriller with a twisty mystery inspired by Agatha Christie. Smooth and smart prose. Unputdownable and unforgettable.
August 11, 2025
A world where AI does everything for you. Need help picking a tie? Ask AI. Should you choose the scenic or direct route when travelling? Don’t bother with thinking and weighing your options—let the AI choose, because it’s been trained with your data, with everyone’s data, and it can make the best possible decisions for you. This system is great—until the AI (named LLIAM) suddenly, with no warning, goes offline, and letters are sent all around the world revealing crimes and horrible secrets held by the users of said AI. The CEO of StoicAi, Kaitlan Goss, is left holding the bag, and she’s convinced only she can bring LLIAM back online with the help of Maud Brookes, the woman who trained the AI and nurtured it with books, trying to imbue it with humanity.
That is the premise of The Confessions by Paul Bradley Carr. It is a thriller, with car chases, fights, kidnapping, and fire, and the world at large is melting down while Kaitlan tries to fix what went wrong while evading capture at the hands of the police. To be honest, I enjoyed the excerpts of the letters the most and thought they would be more of the bulk of the novel rather than tiny little blips. It helped to show how people were spiralling because of LLIAM’s impetuous move, and how they unconsciously mirrored the AI’s leap to the worst possible scenarios without giving the other parties the benefit of the doubt. That reenforced LLIAM’s display of “humanity”, as well as explained his remorse for being party to any terrible actions.
I was sent this book, and it was interesting to me as someone who despises AI and the over-reliance of it. People right now ask AI to answer math problems (and don’t turn to calculators or even their own brains), ask it for help with crafts, and ask it to draw art and write stories for them because it’s just too “hard” or they say they have writer’s block. It’s utterly bleak and miserable, so the notion in this book of a near future where everyone relies on AI to do even the very simplest of tasks for them, that they would forsake any thought to leave it up to the AI instead, is credible.
Kaitlan Goss is a believable character. She has “sinned” to get ahead, covered it up, and is not really a likeable person, but that makes her all the more real. She isn’t meant to BE loved; she’s flawed and struggling with the actions she took in the past when confronted with it. Without spoiling, she’s a parallel for LLIAM.
There are some things I don’t necessarily understand, like how there are people stranded on the side of the road because they don’t know where they should go and yet other places are operational, like a nursing home. Pharmacies are closed because they’re not certain which medicines they can dispense without conflicts, yet hospitals are running. Couldn’t just about anyone be, say, a doctor if they rely on AI that heavily? There was a library open as well; would people even use libraries in such a future? Wouldn’t AI just summarise things for them (as people are already using it today in such fashion without it being such an integral part of life as it is here)?
The book goes by very quickly, and is one of those “want-to-keep-reading-until-finished” type novels. It’s great for people who are anti-AI, but I think those who know a lot about computers might have to suspend disbelief to fully invest in the story.
I received a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
That is the premise of The Confessions by Paul Bradley Carr. It is a thriller, with car chases, fights, kidnapping, and fire, and the world at large is melting down while Kaitlan tries to fix what went wrong while evading capture at the hands of the police. To be honest, I enjoyed the excerpts of the letters the most and thought they would be more of the bulk of the novel rather than tiny little blips. It helped to show how people were spiralling because of LLIAM’s impetuous move, and how they unconsciously mirrored the AI’s leap to the worst possible scenarios without giving the other parties the benefit of the doubt. That reenforced LLIAM’s display of “humanity”, as well as explained his remorse for being party to any terrible actions.
I was sent this book, and it was interesting to me as someone who despises AI and the over-reliance of it. People right now ask AI to answer math problems (and don’t turn to calculators or even their own brains), ask it for help with crafts, and ask it to draw art and write stories for them because it’s just too “hard” or they say they have writer’s block. It’s utterly bleak and miserable, so the notion in this book of a near future where everyone relies on AI to do even the very simplest of tasks for them, that they would forsake any thought to leave it up to the AI instead, is credible.
Kaitlan Goss is a believable character. She has “sinned” to get ahead, covered it up, and is not really a likeable person, but that makes her all the more real. She isn’t meant to BE loved; she’s flawed and struggling with the actions she took in the past when confronted with it. Without spoiling, she’s a parallel for LLIAM.
There are some things I don’t necessarily understand, like how there are people stranded on the side of the road because they don’t know where they should go and yet other places are operational, like a nursing home. Pharmacies are closed because they’re not certain which medicines they can dispense without conflicts, yet hospitals are running. Couldn’t just about anyone be, say, a doctor if they rely on AI that heavily? There was a library open as well; would people even use libraries in such a future? Wouldn’t AI just summarise things for them (as people are already using it today in such fashion without it being such an integral part of life as it is here)?
The book goes by very quickly, and is one of those “want-to-keep-reading-until-finished” type novels. It’s great for people who are anti-AI, but I think those who know a lot about computers might have to suspend disbelief to fully invest in the story.
I received a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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