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Eden Falls: An unforgettable edge-of-your-seat thriller
His disappearance is only the beginning...
After the murder of his best friend, newlyweds Adam and Aisha cut their honeymoon short. But just as they are about to board a flight home from Delhi, Adam disappears at the airport – seemingly kidnapped – leaving Aisha stranded without her passport, her phone, or answers.
When the FBI and India’s intelligence agency begin interrogating her, it becomes chillingly clear they know far more about Adam than she ever did. Her only clue is his final, haunting I’m sorry.
Thousands of miles away, Sara Wolf, a scientist stuck on a dead-end project at Princeton, receives a message she never expected from her former lover. It contains two Help her.
Bound together by suspicion, rivalry, and a man they both love, Aisha and Sara are forced into an uneasy alliance. Decoding Adam’s clues, they follow a trail that leads them across the United States - into a shadow world of weaponised AI, tech billionaires, and a secret no one is meant to find.
Eden Falls is a gripping, high-stakes thriller that spans continents and asks how far we will go - and who we will trust - when the truth can destroy everything.
After the murder of his best friend, newlyweds Adam and Aisha cut their honeymoon short. But just as they are about to board a flight home from Delhi, Adam disappears at the airport – seemingly kidnapped – leaving Aisha stranded without her passport, her phone, or answers.
When the FBI and India’s intelligence agency begin interrogating her, it becomes chillingly clear they know far more about Adam than she ever did. Her only clue is his final, haunting I’m sorry.
Thousands of miles away, Sara Wolf, a scientist stuck on a dead-end project at Princeton, receives a message she never expected from her former lover. It contains two Help her.
Bound together by suspicion, rivalry, and a man they both love, Aisha and Sara are forced into an uneasy alliance. Decoding Adam’s clues, they follow a trail that leads them across the United States - into a shadow world of weaponised AI, tech billionaires, and a secret no one is meant to find.
Eden Falls is a gripping, high-stakes thriller that spans continents and asks how far we will go - and who we will trust - when the truth can destroy everything.
434 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 23, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews
March 14, 2026
Well this book is certainly different! I found it quite thought provoking, and I’m glad I’m the age I am because hopefully it won’t be implemented in my lifetime.
AI is all well and good in the right place but this was scary. It reminds me of Big Brother everyone feared that, and 1984, but it’s here, although this form of AI isn’t good.
I would say this is a must read for anyone younger than me, to see what the world has in store!
My thanks to the publishers and the author for the ARC
AI is all well and good in the right place but this was scary. It reminds me of Big Brother everyone feared that, and 1984, but it’s here, although this form of AI isn’t good.
I would say this is a must read for anyone younger than me, to see what the world has in store!
My thanks to the publishers and the author for the ARC
August 14, 2026
Eden Falls has its finger on the pulse with topical exploration of AI, technology and governments, corruption, power and ethics and sexism in the workplace, although understanding the author's interests it is not surprising. What did surprise me was how fast I read Eden Falls, it is a "solid" read over 400 pages and I flew through it as the writing was more like watching an action film unfurling before my eyes.
Adam Stone is a Nobel Prize winning astrophysicist at Princeton university, along with his wife Aisha an English professor, who we meet enjoying a honeymoon in India visiting her parents, when their trip is cut short by the death of Adam's best friend Caleb. The action kicks in quick, with Adam and Aisha separated at the airport and Adam seemingly "taken" and Aisha grilled by RAW, India’s intelligence agency about their recent movements and Adam's work. The only information Aisha has is a message that Adam sent her via a "neural" tech interface Manx, moments before he was taken telling her he is sorry. Aisha makes her way back to America to try and find her husband and why he has gone missing.
Shaken and isolated at home in America, Aisha is struggling to understand the events of Adam's disappearance when a knock at the door hails the unlikeliest of support, Adam's ex girlfriend, Sara who Adam messaged asking her to help Aisha. The two women, thrown together by circumstance now have a battle on their hands to track Adam down and work out just why he was taken in the first place.
Eden Falls is billed as a speculative / sci fi / thriller and I loved the elements of the story which talked about Manx, the tech chip/implant and how people (including Aisha) were using it to monitor and enhance their life with little to no concern over the wider impact it could be taking on their autonomy and decision making and a narrative around the use of AI and its pros and cons. I personally am very wary, especially around new developments in the world like Mythos, which has heavily limited users to avoid it being weaponised (terrifying) and I liked the counter story of Sara being involved in the organisation PULSE who were trying to educate around the concerns of Manx in this story.
Without giving any spoilers away, I enjoyed the clue-hunting / code solving aspects of this book as Sara and Aisha trek across America looking for information to help them find Adam and the villainous characters in this story are a plenty, especially the government characters and their decision making, I did enjoy the observations of the novel's US President, quite reflective of current circumstance!
If you like stories packed with action, code/clue breaking, stories about moral decisions and the fight to protect humanity then this story will really appeal to you. I would love to see the screen adaptation.
Adam Stone is a Nobel Prize winning astrophysicist at Princeton university, along with his wife Aisha an English professor, who we meet enjoying a honeymoon in India visiting her parents, when their trip is cut short by the death of Adam's best friend Caleb. The action kicks in quick, with Adam and Aisha separated at the airport and Adam seemingly "taken" and Aisha grilled by RAW, India’s intelligence agency about their recent movements and Adam's work. The only information Aisha has is a message that Adam sent her via a "neural" tech interface Manx, moments before he was taken telling her he is sorry. Aisha makes her way back to America to try and find her husband and why he has gone missing.
Shaken and isolated at home in America, Aisha is struggling to understand the events of Adam's disappearance when a knock at the door hails the unlikeliest of support, Adam's ex girlfriend, Sara who Adam messaged asking her to help Aisha. The two women, thrown together by circumstance now have a battle on their hands to track Adam down and work out just why he was taken in the first place.
Eden Falls is billed as a speculative / sci fi / thriller and I loved the elements of the story which talked about Manx, the tech chip/implant and how people (including Aisha) were using it to monitor and enhance their life with little to no concern over the wider impact it could be taking on their autonomy and decision making and a narrative around the use of AI and its pros and cons. I personally am very wary, especially around new developments in the world like Mythos, which has heavily limited users to avoid it being weaponised (terrifying) and I liked the counter story of Sara being involved in the organisation PULSE who were trying to educate around the concerns of Manx in this story.
Without giving any spoilers away, I enjoyed the clue-hunting / code solving aspects of this book as Sara and Aisha trek across America looking for information to help them find Adam and the villainous characters in this story are a plenty, especially the government characters and their decision making, I did enjoy the observations of the novel's US President, quite reflective of current circumstance!
If you like stories packed with action, code/clue breaking, stories about moral decisions and the fight to protect humanity then this story will really appeal to you. I would love to see the screen adaptation.
August 20, 2026
i don't say this lightly but, while i was generally interested in the story and enjoyed the friendship between aisha and sara, i found the writing style borderline unbearable. there were several instances when i was left wondering if AI had been used in the writing of this novel because of the cadence of the text and the use of certain rhetorical structures that are well-known AI markers. to be fair, however, AI was trained on human writing, so chances are the author just writes in a way very similar to the entirety of the data that was used to train AI. in any case, i unfortunately can't really recommend this one at all, which is a shame because a mystery-filled sci-fi thriller is just about the most up my alley concept for a book you could come up with. sadly, the writing was just really off-putting to me.
July 8, 2026
I was in the very privileged position of being able to hear the author talk about this book at Capital Crime, so I went into reading it with high expectations and more than a little bit of intrigue. This is, on the surface, a piece of speculative fiction, a blend of thriller with science fiction, albeit science fiction that has its groundings on the very edge of modern reality. The kind of science fiction that billionaire tech gurus are trying to master even as we speak. So it is not a coincidence that the antagonistic entrepreneur in Eden Falls bears a strong resemblance to a real life, well known, utterly divisive individual. I'll let you work it out when you read the book, but it won't be hard.
The story starts, I suppose, in true sci-fi fashion. Meteor falling from sky, claimed by scientists who cannot begin to comprehend exactly what it is they have recovered. And it's not long before we readers understand the twist in this particular tale either, although the full extent of how 'not a normal meteor' this is will take a while to uncover. And that's perfectly okay because what Mr Chowdhury has so cleverly done is wrap the mystery of the meteor in a much wider reaching mystery, and a cat and mouse chase across America with high, potentially lethal, stakes. And it all starts with a pending funeral, and Indian airport and a husband who is there one minute, gone the next ...
I really enjoyed this book. It wasn't perhaps what I was expecting, drawing less on the science, although that is there in spades including a very accessible look at the potentials of Quantum science, artificial intelligence and tech led living i.e Alexa, Siri et al on steroids - delivered conveniently to those in need by a handy implant or two - and more on the thrills and spills of a race to recover the missing artefact. There are some great characters in the book, ranging from those we can really get behind and champion to those it is so easy to despise and root against. On the pro-side we have Aisha, wife of aforementioned missing husband, Adam, and Sara, ex girlfriend of said missing husband. Sure, this makes for a few awkward moments, especially as more is revealed about the circumstances behind Sara and Adam's short and ill fated relationship, but it develops into a strangely positive, and totally mismatched Thelma and Louise-eque road trip, without the ill fated consequences. I liked them both, well drawn character and so opposite, but weirdly complimentary in style. They, Aisha especially, make for very unlikely heroes, but it works well, and I was completely hooked on their quest and invested in their fate.
It is almost a lesser concern throughout the book when it comes to Adam, although obviously not for Aisha. And whilst the recovery of the artefact forms the heart of the story, it is the low level exploration of the future potential of technology that really fascinated me, making me think long and hard about our rapid descent into an over reliance on tech to lead our lives. I've read a number of books around AI and alternative intelligence of late and this felt more about the characters, about the chase, than about the tech itself, even though it was the inciting factor in much of the threat and the aggression. There are moments of threat which push our two leading ladies to their limit, and pacing ebbs and flows well, with an underlying sense of urgency as they all close in on the final missing piece of this oh so complex, not quite wat you might be expecting puzzle.
If you are a fan of Ajay Chowdhury' series books there is a nice, brief easter egg here for you, but this is a clear standalone that captured my attention from the start and held it all the way to the final, unexpected, chapter. I liked the characters (well some), I liked the story and I loved the contemplation of possibilities, as well as the clear nod to some of modern life's more complex quandaries and personalities. If you like a bit of action with a science based twist, this is a great book to tuck into. Heartily recommended.
The story starts, I suppose, in true sci-fi fashion. Meteor falling from sky, claimed by scientists who cannot begin to comprehend exactly what it is they have recovered. And it's not long before we readers understand the twist in this particular tale either, although the full extent of how 'not a normal meteor' this is will take a while to uncover. And that's perfectly okay because what Mr Chowdhury has so cleverly done is wrap the mystery of the meteor in a much wider reaching mystery, and a cat and mouse chase across America with high, potentially lethal, stakes. And it all starts with a pending funeral, and Indian airport and a husband who is there one minute, gone the next ...
I really enjoyed this book. It wasn't perhaps what I was expecting, drawing less on the science, although that is there in spades including a very accessible look at the potentials of Quantum science, artificial intelligence and tech led living i.e Alexa, Siri et al on steroids - delivered conveniently to those in need by a handy implant or two - and more on the thrills and spills of a race to recover the missing artefact. There are some great characters in the book, ranging from those we can really get behind and champion to those it is so easy to despise and root against. On the pro-side we have Aisha, wife of aforementioned missing husband, Adam, and Sara, ex girlfriend of said missing husband. Sure, this makes for a few awkward moments, especially as more is revealed about the circumstances behind Sara and Adam's short and ill fated relationship, but it develops into a strangely positive, and totally mismatched Thelma and Louise-eque road trip, without the ill fated consequences. I liked them both, well drawn character and so opposite, but weirdly complimentary in style. They, Aisha especially, make for very unlikely heroes, but it works well, and I was completely hooked on their quest and invested in their fate.
It is almost a lesser concern throughout the book when it comes to Adam, although obviously not for Aisha. And whilst the recovery of the artefact forms the heart of the story, it is the low level exploration of the future potential of technology that really fascinated me, making me think long and hard about our rapid descent into an over reliance on tech to lead our lives. I've read a number of books around AI and alternative intelligence of late and this felt more about the characters, about the chase, than about the tech itself, even though it was the inciting factor in much of the threat and the aggression. There are moments of threat which push our two leading ladies to their limit, and pacing ebbs and flows well, with an underlying sense of urgency as they all close in on the final missing piece of this oh so complex, not quite wat you might be expecting puzzle.
If you are a fan of Ajay Chowdhury' series books there is a nice, brief easter egg here for you, but this is a clear standalone that captured my attention from the start and held it all the way to the final, unexpected, chapter. I liked the characters (well some), I liked the story and I loved the contemplation of possibilities, as well as the clear nod to some of modern life's more complex quandaries and personalities. If you like a bit of action with a science based twist, this is a great book to tuck into. Heartily recommended.
March 12, 2026
Swapping the London streets for the desert of New Mexico this latest from Chowdhury announces itself straightaway with a bang. Is it or is it not a falling meteorite? The conclusion officially is that it was a hoax played by a group of students. But what was it? The suspense is created early on and what is found within the meteorite is only partially explained. This is speculative fiction.
Switch to a crowded scene in India several months later. (Nobel prize winner, Astrophysicist) Adam Stone and Dr Aisha Ali (Associate Professor, her English Literature PhD was based on James Joyce’s Ulysses) are being driven (slowly) to the airport. They have had to cut their honeymoon short because one of Adam’s closest friends has died. Arriving in time Adam wants to go to the duty free area and that’s the last Aisha sees of him. She can no longer travel as Adam has her passport. She is baffled by Adam’s last message and seeing him on CCTV taken away by some apparent security people. The Indian intelligence service are now involved. But why?
We are in the world of tech billionaires - enter the archetypical and arrogant Markus Noel, driverless cars and AI implants. Noel’s AI device called Manx appears to be an advanced version of Siri or Alexa and has made him his billions. Those who wear them are known colloquially as Mankies. Aisha wears Manx smart spex an advanced communications device, it creates efficiencies like answering standard emails and produces background information in moments. She is also beta testing an embedded implant which regulates her medication for severe migraines to the extent she appears she is becoming more and more reliant.
Markus Noel is behind Adam’s kidnap and wants the Prometheus device which Caleb his friend stole at Adam’s request. This will be the best technology ever. It could end poverty and hunger or be used to create the biggest weapon of all time. Noel’s agents failed to get the information from Caleb who after a beating died of a heart attack. Noel also has the ear of the President (who is described as unstable). An Indian emigre was also working on the initial project but sidelined and is now prepared to sell to Indian intelligence for a price. Aisha has contacted the FBI and so they are now also on the trail.
Before Adam was taken he sent a message to an ex-girlfriend asking her to contact his wife and his last message to Aisha was simply ‘I’m sorry’ so when Sara turns up Aisha is rightly suspicious. They don’t know what they’re looking for but finding Prometheus will help them find Adam. They have to crack the hidden code from a series of numbers and then locate the three parts of Prometheus hidden by Caleb.
Spoiler.
Part 2 returns back to the beginning. To the beginning of Aisha and Adam’s relationship and the meteorite story.
It’s a thriller and there are plenty of people following Aisha and Sara so chase scenes galore. They might evade one lot of people after them if they ditch any tech they have but this might not do the trick for another interested party.
No one who wants the Prometheus restored appears to have humanity’s salvation as their goal. So who will succeed? Will Adam be saved? What will happen to his relationship with Aisha?
A roller coaster of a thriller ride. Although Markus Noel is an archetypical villain the two main women characters, Sara Wolf and Aisha Ali are believable, intelligent and brave. They are neither villainous women nor ultra-feminine women who need male protection.
Four stars. Recommended to science fiction and thriller readers alike.
Switch to a crowded scene in India several months later. (Nobel prize winner, Astrophysicist) Adam Stone and Dr Aisha Ali (Associate Professor, her English Literature PhD was based on James Joyce’s Ulysses) are being driven (slowly) to the airport. They have had to cut their honeymoon short because one of Adam’s closest friends has died. Arriving in time Adam wants to go to the duty free area and that’s the last Aisha sees of him. She can no longer travel as Adam has her passport. She is baffled by Adam’s last message and seeing him on CCTV taken away by some apparent security people. The Indian intelligence service are now involved. But why?
We are in the world of tech billionaires - enter the archetypical and arrogant Markus Noel, driverless cars and AI implants. Noel’s AI device called Manx appears to be an advanced version of Siri or Alexa and has made him his billions. Those who wear them are known colloquially as Mankies. Aisha wears Manx smart spex an advanced communications device, it creates efficiencies like answering standard emails and produces background information in moments. She is also beta testing an embedded implant which regulates her medication for severe migraines to the extent she appears she is becoming more and more reliant.
Markus Noel is behind Adam’s kidnap and wants the Prometheus device which Caleb his friend stole at Adam’s request. This will be the best technology ever. It could end poverty and hunger or be used to create the biggest weapon of all time. Noel’s agents failed to get the information from Caleb who after a beating died of a heart attack. Noel also has the ear of the President (who is described as unstable). An Indian emigre was also working on the initial project but sidelined and is now prepared to sell to Indian intelligence for a price. Aisha has contacted the FBI and so they are now also on the trail.
Before Adam was taken he sent a message to an ex-girlfriend asking her to contact his wife and his last message to Aisha was simply ‘I’m sorry’ so when Sara turns up Aisha is rightly suspicious. They don’t know what they’re looking for but finding Prometheus will help them find Adam. They have to crack the hidden code from a series of numbers and then locate the three parts of Prometheus hidden by Caleb.
Spoiler.
Part 2 returns back to the beginning. To the beginning of Aisha and Adam’s relationship and the meteorite story.
It’s a thriller and there are plenty of people following Aisha and Sara so chase scenes galore. They might evade one lot of people after them if they ditch any tech they have but this might not do the trick for another interested party.
No one who wants the Prometheus restored appears to have humanity’s salvation as their goal. So who will succeed? Will Adam be saved? What will happen to his relationship with Aisha?
A roller coaster of a thriller ride. Although Markus Noel is an archetypical villain the two main women characters, Sara Wolf and Aisha Ali are believable, intelligent and brave. They are neither villainous women nor ultra-feminine women who need male protection.
Four stars. Recommended to science fiction and thriller readers alike.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
4* I think the author's Asian name, Aisha's too, plus the RAW mention (Hritikh fan here) made me get this - it's a good tale, scarily true to real life in some aspects.
Sci-fi absolutely isn't my thing. I was scared as a kid by watching "V", so yeah. But, this isn't a scary sci-fi book, at least not from one side. It's people and their quest for more, for power, control, leverage and world domination that's the scary parts, and all too true to 2026, with a barely disguised Stephen Miller type, a No47 type, a Muskrat type, and hangers on.
The tale features an NRI, Aisha, who's married to Adam for sort-of-'Indian'-reasons that I can relate to - vaguely Asian person here. She's Muslim, he's Caucasian American and a Nobel prize-winner. He has an ego, she's on the rebound, and tbh, he probably is too.
Tension is good in the tale, with a death on their honeymoon, Adam going missing, Adam's ego coming into play, Adam's ex coming to the rescue, krav maga et al. There's fights, a road trip, lies and deceit, 2 really unmatched but decent female leads, who, I think likely end up friends. The type you don't always see or speak to, but who're there in need. They're both well rid of a certain person central to the tale, who started off with good intentions, got his ego boosted, had a eureka! moment, then got his head turned again, but tried to do the right thing for a person close to him. Once. There's baddies from different countries, with different motivations, pride being one of them, but pretty much all the other stuff mentioned above as scary comes into play. There are eyes, ears, sensors, chips not of the eating variety, and more amazing-sounding technology in theory, but we see the practice of it at its worse. Because, people.
The tale ends in very mixed feelings for me. Muskrat got what he deserved. They who delivered what Muskrat deserved kind of redeemed themselves a little, but did that make them a 'murderer'? Their partner in crime had the best intentions and I was happy to see them happy for the most, in the place I grew up, which was idyllic then, not so much as portrayed here. I think Aisha did the right thing at the end, and hopefully, none of the old sort-of-'Indian' stuff kicks in, with 'what will people say?' and the likes. She's been through too much at the hands of 2 self-serving, lying guys, and tbh, this current one's betrayal was worse, I thought. I can't see life stopping her, or for her, so that was a satisfying ending.
The book is left open-ended. There's potential that the Muskrat type will live on in a different way, but, please that the voice and physical aspects don't get restored. Or that a fawning follower doesn't get ideas to make himself invaluable to his 'master' and do a Benny from The Mummy with his sort-of-Imhotep. And please let there always be failsafes and people with morals who're prepared to do the right thing, whatever the cost.
Sorry for the coded references, but I'm trying not to spoiler a pretty decent, page-turning, wake-at-2am-and-just-have-to-read-just-a-little-bit-more book.
ARC courtesy of NetGalley and Random House UK, Vintage, for my reading pleasure.
Sci-fi absolutely isn't my thing. I was scared as a kid by watching "V", so yeah. But, this isn't a scary sci-fi book, at least not from one side. It's people and their quest for more, for power, control, leverage and world domination that's the scary parts, and all too true to 2026, with a barely disguised Stephen Miller type, a No47 type, a Muskrat type, and hangers on.
The tale features an NRI, Aisha, who's married to Adam for sort-of-'Indian'-reasons that I can relate to - vaguely Asian person here. She's Muslim, he's Caucasian American and a Nobel prize-winner. He has an ego, she's on the rebound, and tbh, he probably is too.
Tension is good in the tale, with a death on their honeymoon, Adam going missing, Adam's ego coming into play, Adam's ex coming to the rescue, krav maga et al. There's fights, a road trip, lies and deceit, 2 really unmatched but decent female leads, who, I think likely end up friends. The type you don't always see or speak to, but who're there in need. They're both well rid of a certain person central to the tale, who started off with good intentions, got his ego boosted, had a eureka! moment, then got his head turned again, but tried to do the right thing for a person close to him. Once. There's baddies from different countries, with different motivations, pride being one of them, but pretty much all the other stuff mentioned above as scary comes into play. There are eyes, ears, sensors, chips not of the eating variety, and more amazing-sounding technology in theory, but we see the practice of it at its worse. Because, people.
The tale ends in very mixed feelings for me. Muskrat got what he deserved. They who delivered what Muskrat deserved kind of redeemed themselves a little, but did that make them a 'murderer'? Their partner in crime had the best intentions and I was happy to see them happy for the most, in the place I grew up, which was idyllic then, not so much as portrayed here. I think Aisha did the right thing at the end, and hopefully, none of the old sort-of-'Indian' stuff kicks in, with 'what will people say?' and the likes. She's been through too much at the hands of 2 self-serving, lying guys, and tbh, this current one's betrayal was worse, I thought. I can't see life stopping her, or for her, so that was a satisfying ending.
The book is left open-ended. There's potential that the Muskrat type will live on in a different way, but, please that the voice and physical aspects don't get restored. Or that a fawning follower doesn't get ideas to make himself invaluable to his 'master' and do a Benny from The Mummy with his sort-of-Imhotep. And please let there always be failsafes and people with morals who're prepared to do the right thing, whatever the cost.
Sorry for the coded references, but I'm trying not to spoiler a pretty decent, page-turning, wake-at-2am-and-just-have-to-read-just-a-little-bit-more book.
ARC courtesy of NetGalley and Random House UK, Vintage, for my reading pleasure.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Ajay Chowdhury, best known of his Kamil Rhaman crime series, goes techo-thriller in his new stand alone novel Eden Falls. This book takes a couple of fairly high concepts and embeds them in a puzzle-based chase story across the US. And while there are plenty of plotholes and not-quite believable coincidences, Chowdhury hopes readers are turning the pages too fast to notice.
Eden Falls has a couple of cold opens before the main action begins. These involve a group of students finding a meteorite while high on mushrooms and then the academic who discovers that that meteorite might be something much more significant. Cut to Aisha and Adam, newly married and on their way back from India to America due to the sudden death of Caleb, one of Adam’s friends. Only Adam disappears from Delhi airport before he can get on his flight. Before he does so he pings a message to old flame Sara and asks her to help Aisha. Sara and Aisha then have to reluctantly join forces to stay ahead of the FBI, Indian secret police and an evil techbro to find the technology that it turns out Adam stole and Caleb hid at various spots around the country.
There is a lot going on in Eden Falls. One strand of the plot involves a new form of AI called Manx which people can have implanted in their brains. Aisha for some reason has agreed to have this procedure done making her vulnerable. There is also a resistance to Manx which Sara is a part of. Aisha is in English professor who specialises in James Joyce and Adam and Sara are both theoretical physicists (Adam has won the Nobel Prize) so there are plenty of mathematical puzzles and literary sparring. And all of Caleb’s puzzles have something to do with Albert Einstein because… it’s cool? Caleb was a former CIA agent so his obsession with Einstein does not make a lot of sense.
Anyway, the whole adventure is very much in the Indiana Jones mould (only without the archaeology). It is a search for a world changing Macguffin that takes our two heroine’s from location to location. At each location they need to: solve a puzzle, fight bad guys (techbro goons, FBI and rogue Indian secret service agents) and then escape. And of course each step they take the stakes get raised and they realise how much they have come to rely on each other. Along the way Chowhudry gets to have his characters debate the rights and wrongs of AI and the dangers inherent in creating a “superintelligence”.
Overall Eden Falls is fun but slight. Chowdhury clearly understands the tropes and beats of this type of thriller but follows them a little too slavishly so that some of his unique elements are a little lost. So while Chowhudry considers some deep questions this is not likely to be a book that readers will think much about after reaching the final, fairly predictable, page.
Eden Falls has a couple of cold opens before the main action begins. These involve a group of students finding a meteorite while high on mushrooms and then the academic who discovers that that meteorite might be something much more significant. Cut to Aisha and Adam, newly married and on their way back from India to America due to the sudden death of Caleb, one of Adam’s friends. Only Adam disappears from Delhi airport before he can get on his flight. Before he does so he pings a message to old flame Sara and asks her to help Aisha. Sara and Aisha then have to reluctantly join forces to stay ahead of the FBI, Indian secret police and an evil techbro to find the technology that it turns out Adam stole and Caleb hid at various spots around the country.
There is a lot going on in Eden Falls. One strand of the plot involves a new form of AI called Manx which people can have implanted in their brains. Aisha for some reason has agreed to have this procedure done making her vulnerable. There is also a resistance to Manx which Sara is a part of. Aisha is in English professor who specialises in James Joyce and Adam and Sara are both theoretical physicists (Adam has won the Nobel Prize) so there are plenty of mathematical puzzles and literary sparring. And all of Caleb’s puzzles have something to do with Albert Einstein because… it’s cool? Caleb was a former CIA agent so his obsession with Einstein does not make a lot of sense.
Anyway, the whole adventure is very much in the Indiana Jones mould (only without the archaeology). It is a search for a world changing Macguffin that takes our two heroine’s from location to location. At each location they need to: solve a puzzle, fight bad guys (techbro goons, FBI and rogue Indian secret service agents) and then escape. And of course each step they take the stakes get raised and they realise how much they have come to rely on each other. Along the way Chowhudry gets to have his characters debate the rights and wrongs of AI and the dangers inherent in creating a “superintelligence”.
Overall Eden Falls is fun but slight. Chowdhury clearly understands the tropes and beats of this type of thriller but follows them a little too slavishly so that some of his unique elements are a little lost. So while Chowhudry considers some deep questions this is not likely to be a book that readers will think much about after reaching the final, fairly predictable, page.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4-5 stars
An object crashes to earth in the New Mexico desert. Is it a meteor? Time will tell.
Delhi airport. Newlyweds Doctor Adam Stone, a Nobel prize winner, and Aisha Ali cut short their honeymoon following the unexpected death of Adam’s best friend, Caleb. Adam is quiet, preoccupied, clearly troubled and just as they are about to board their flight back to the United States, Adam decides to go to the duty-free and disappears. He leaves Ayisha stranded with no boarding card and more importantly, no passport. Before he disappears, he’s able to send two messages, one to Aisha which says ‘I’m sorry’ and one to scientist Sara Wolfe, his ex, which says ‘Help Her’.
During questioning by India’s intelligence agency and later the FBI, it becomes clear they know far more about Adam than Aisha does. Despite her reservations, Ayisha realises she must work with Sara in order to seek the truth of where Adam is, and why he has disappeared…
This is so completely different from the authors excellent Kamil Rahman series, though he does get a brief mention! It’s a really believable, dystopian, very intelligent, complex and 100% immersive and gripping thriller. Whilst much of the science completely passes me by, nonetheless, it adds to the authenticity and it doesn’t seem to make much difference that I’m a science buffoon as as I completely understand what’s going on! It’s very thought-provoking into the bargain it raises a lot of questions that have me deeply thinking. It presents a sort of Big Brother future that gives me chills. Indeed, some of the technology that is mentioned here is already well under way. We have a Tech billionaire whose power is beyond scary and whose vision for the future is a warning to us all not to go blindly in. I wonder who he’s based on??!
It’s a fast flowing plot set in some vividly described, amazing locations that are creatively used in some very dangerous, movie worthy scenes. It’s suspenseful, tense, full of twists and turns with some surreal scenes that contrast sharply with the scariness and fear.
Whilst obviously there’s a sci-fi thriller element to the book, this is balanced with a very human and moral element too, as Adam tries to figure out the quest for research with his love for Aisha and his care of Sara and what’s best for the future. Whilst much of this is speculative there’s also a great deal here that is all too plausible.
Overall, I enjoy this ‘chase’ very much. It’s undoubtedly well written, full of thrills, the characterisation is excellent, it’s intelligent and makes me think. What’s not to like?
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Random House U.K./ Vintage for the much appreciated early copy in return for an honest review.
An object crashes to earth in the New Mexico desert. Is it a meteor? Time will tell.
Delhi airport. Newlyweds Doctor Adam Stone, a Nobel prize winner, and Aisha Ali cut short their honeymoon following the unexpected death of Adam’s best friend, Caleb. Adam is quiet, preoccupied, clearly troubled and just as they are about to board their flight back to the United States, Adam decides to go to the duty-free and disappears. He leaves Ayisha stranded with no boarding card and more importantly, no passport. Before he disappears, he’s able to send two messages, one to Aisha which says ‘I’m sorry’ and one to scientist Sara Wolfe, his ex, which says ‘Help Her’.
During questioning by India’s intelligence agency and later the FBI, it becomes clear they know far more about Adam than Aisha does. Despite her reservations, Ayisha realises she must work with Sara in order to seek the truth of where Adam is, and why he has disappeared…
This is so completely different from the authors excellent Kamil Rahman series, though he does get a brief mention! It’s a really believable, dystopian, very intelligent, complex and 100% immersive and gripping thriller. Whilst much of the science completely passes me by, nonetheless, it adds to the authenticity and it doesn’t seem to make much difference that I’m a science buffoon as as I completely understand what’s going on! It’s very thought-provoking into the bargain it raises a lot of questions that have me deeply thinking. It presents a sort of Big Brother future that gives me chills. Indeed, some of the technology that is mentioned here is already well under way. We have a Tech billionaire whose power is beyond scary and whose vision for the future is a warning to us all not to go blindly in. I wonder who he’s based on??!
It’s a fast flowing plot set in some vividly described, amazing locations that are creatively used in some very dangerous, movie worthy scenes. It’s suspenseful, tense, full of twists and turns with some surreal scenes that contrast sharply with the scariness and fear.
Whilst obviously there’s a sci-fi thriller element to the book, this is balanced with a very human and moral element too, as Adam tries to figure out the quest for research with his love for Aisha and his care of Sara and what’s best for the future. Whilst much of this is speculative there’s also a great deal here that is all too plausible.
Overall, I enjoy this ‘chase’ very much. It’s undoubtedly well written, full of thrills, the characterisation is excellent, it’s intelligent and makes me think. What’s not to like?
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Random House U.K./ Vintage for the much appreciated early copy in return for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Eden Falls is one of those thrillers that pulls you in by the collar from the first page and never quite loosens its grip. There’s a breathless, disorienting quality to the opening — a honeymoon cut short, an airport in Delhi humming with heat and noise, and then Adam simply…gone. What follows is a story steeped in unease, where every answer only seems to widen the shadows.
Aisha is such a compelling centre to the novel. Newly married, suddenly alone, and treated as both victim and suspect, she moves through the narrative with a raw mix of fear, determination, and disbelief. The moment she realises the authorities know more about her husband than she ever did is quietly devastating, and the book handles that emotional fracture with real care. Her isolation feels palpable — no passport, no phone, no certainty — and yet she keeps pushing forward, driven by love, anger, and the need to understand who Adam really was.
Then there’s Sara, whose life in Princeton is interrupted by a message that feels like a ghost reaching out of the past. Her chapters add a different texture: colder, more analytical, but threaded with old wounds and unfinished longing. The uneasy alliance between Aisha and Sara is one of the novel’s strongest elements — two women bound by a man they loved in very different ways, forced to trust each other when trust is the rarest currency in the room.
The plot moves with a taut, propulsive energy, shifting from India to the US as the women follow Adam’s trail into a world of weaponised AI, tech billionaires, and secrets that feel just a little too plausible. There’s a sleek, modern paranoia running through the book — the sense that the future is already here, and it’s far less controlled than we’d like to believe. The tension builds beautifully, not just through action but through the slow unravelling of Adam’s double life and the moral compromises that shaped it.
What I enjoyed most is how the novel balances pace with emotion. Beneath the high-stakes chase is a story about trust — how easily it can be broken, how desperately we cling to it, and how dangerous it is to love someone you never truly knew. The writing is clean and vivid, the atmosphere charged with that thriller‑bright clarity where every detail feels like it might matter.
Gripping, contemporary, and quietly haunting, Eden Falls is a thriller that keeps its heart beating beneath the twists. It’s as much about the people left behind as it is about the secrets that set everything in motion.
With thanks to Ajay Chowdhury, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC.
Aisha is such a compelling centre to the novel. Newly married, suddenly alone, and treated as both victim and suspect, she moves through the narrative with a raw mix of fear, determination, and disbelief. The moment she realises the authorities know more about her husband than she ever did is quietly devastating, and the book handles that emotional fracture with real care. Her isolation feels palpable — no passport, no phone, no certainty — and yet she keeps pushing forward, driven by love, anger, and the need to understand who Adam really was.
Then there’s Sara, whose life in Princeton is interrupted by a message that feels like a ghost reaching out of the past. Her chapters add a different texture: colder, more analytical, but threaded with old wounds and unfinished longing. The uneasy alliance between Aisha and Sara is one of the novel’s strongest elements — two women bound by a man they loved in very different ways, forced to trust each other when trust is the rarest currency in the room.
The plot moves with a taut, propulsive energy, shifting from India to the US as the women follow Adam’s trail into a world of weaponised AI, tech billionaires, and secrets that feel just a little too plausible. There’s a sleek, modern paranoia running through the book — the sense that the future is already here, and it’s far less controlled than we’d like to believe. The tension builds beautifully, not just through action but through the slow unravelling of Adam’s double life and the moral compromises that shaped it.
What I enjoyed most is how the novel balances pace with emotion. Beneath the high-stakes chase is a story about trust — how easily it can be broken, how desperately we cling to it, and how dangerous it is to love someone you never truly knew. The writing is clean and vivid, the atmosphere charged with that thriller‑bright clarity where every detail feels like it might matter.
Gripping, contemporary, and quietly haunting, Eden Falls is a thriller that keeps its heart beating beneath the twists. It’s as much about the people left behind as it is about the secrets that set everything in motion.
With thanks to Ajay Chowdhury, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I am always a bit scared when a book starts off with a cast list, and start to fret that I will get overwhelmed. But in this case, it wasn't as bad as I feared, although I did make a note of the key players in case I did need to refer (I did, but not as much as I thought I would).
We start with a meteorite strike which is soon swept under the carpet as being a hoax.
We then meet Astrophysicist Adam and new wife Aisha as their honeymoon is cut short as Adam needs to return for the funeral of best friend Caleb. They get separated at Delhi airport and Adam vanishes, along with Aisha's passport. He does manage to get a couple of messages off to both her and his former lover Sara, suggesting that all is not right and that they should team up...
Long story short, with Adam held captive, it falls to the two ladies - Sara and Aisha - to follow Adam's clues and track down the missing aforementioned denied meteorite and the danger it contained. With several other factions also in pursuit of it and the technology it is claimed to contain, they have to have their wits about them all the time.
The whole story is set in a world where wearable tech is the norm. Even implants to manage medication are popular. The story flits about in time, following the girls in the present and also the discovery and onward journey of the meteor in backstory. It's fast paced and credible, and the technology is rather scary. Especially the power that tech billionaire Markus Noel has created with his Manx AI.
This author is better known for his Kamil Rahman series of books - who incidentally is mentioned here in dispatches as Aisha's cousin - and which I would definitely recommend. This is completely different - more of a sci fi thriller than his usual crime thrillers, but it is definitely written in the same no nonsense style and contains some really wonderful characters.
And yes, it scared me rotten as I'm already very wary about AI and how it is growing faster than any possible legislation required to control it. It's wholly credible and the science contained herein could be possible. In fact, I really don't want to think about it anymore...
All in all a cracking example of speculative sci fi which I did enjoy despite the fright. There's a new Kamil Rahman due out later this year and I really can't wait to get my mitts on that book. My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.
We start with a meteorite strike which is soon swept under the carpet as being a hoax.
We then meet Astrophysicist Adam and new wife Aisha as their honeymoon is cut short as Adam needs to return for the funeral of best friend Caleb. They get separated at Delhi airport and Adam vanishes, along with Aisha's passport. He does manage to get a couple of messages off to both her and his former lover Sara, suggesting that all is not right and that they should team up...
Long story short, with Adam held captive, it falls to the two ladies - Sara and Aisha - to follow Adam's clues and track down the missing aforementioned denied meteorite and the danger it contained. With several other factions also in pursuit of it and the technology it is claimed to contain, they have to have their wits about them all the time.
The whole story is set in a world where wearable tech is the norm. Even implants to manage medication are popular. The story flits about in time, following the girls in the present and also the discovery and onward journey of the meteor in backstory. It's fast paced and credible, and the technology is rather scary. Especially the power that tech billionaire Markus Noel has created with his Manx AI.
This author is better known for his Kamil Rahman series of books - who incidentally is mentioned here in dispatches as Aisha's cousin - and which I would definitely recommend. This is completely different - more of a sci fi thriller than his usual crime thrillers, but it is definitely written in the same no nonsense style and contains some really wonderful characters.
And yes, it scared me rotten as I'm already very wary about AI and how it is growing faster than any possible legislation required to control it. It's wholly credible and the science contained herein could be possible. In fact, I really don't want to think about it anymore...
All in all a cracking example of speculative sci fi which I did enjoy despite the fright. There's a new Kamil Rahman due out later this year and I really can't wait to get my mitts on that book. My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thanks to NetGalley and Harvill for the advanced copy of this title in return for an honest review.
I own one or two of Ajay's books but this is the first one I'm reading.
It wasn't what I expected at all.
I was expecting a traditional thriller, which it did give me, but it's also very sci-fi. I don't read much sci-fi, and I wasn't expecting it at all. Because whilst the synopsis does mention AI, it's a tiny hint and there's no suggestion that it's more than that. I did like it, but I didn't love it. The thrillery aspects were good, and the sci-fi bits were okay, but they felt at odds with each other. It suffers a bit from not really knowing what it was and I'd have preferred if it was just a straight thriller.
It's a good 100 pages longer than I prefer. Overall I felt the pacing was right and didn't drag. Although some bits were a bit slower than others but that's to be expected in a story that covers 450 pages.
It's a timely book, full of AI and implants and tech controlling everyone etc. and so it was quite close to home. I am of an age where I can say I am older than the internet (or what we know as the internet today), and went through school with hardly any computer use, and so the technical aspects did go over my head. I think it would be better for a younger reader who has grown up with these technological developments. And I really am not a fan of AI so it was hard to find a positive spin on that.
It is quite complicated, lots of subplots weaving together and whilst they are interesting in their own ways, I wondered if there were perhaps too many. I was confused by a lot of them, but that might be because of my inability to remember names.
I can't say the characters are particularly likeable, but nor are they overly unlikeable. Some have bigger roles than others, and some felt very caricature, like the pantomime villain for example. But the rest were just a bit...flat. They didn't give me much to grab hold of which meant I didn't really care what happened to them.
It wasn't a bad book and I enjoyed elements of it and look forward to reading his other books, but it didn't quite nail what I was expecting. I think it needed to focus on the thriller side OR the sci-fi side to make it stronger, and it needed characters to care about. But it is fast paced and quick to read and it gets you thinking, which I think is often a good thing in a book.
I own one or two of Ajay's books but this is the first one I'm reading.
It wasn't what I expected at all.
I was expecting a traditional thriller, which it did give me, but it's also very sci-fi. I don't read much sci-fi, and I wasn't expecting it at all. Because whilst the synopsis does mention AI, it's a tiny hint and there's no suggestion that it's more than that. I did like it, but I didn't love it. The thrillery aspects were good, and the sci-fi bits were okay, but they felt at odds with each other. It suffers a bit from not really knowing what it was and I'd have preferred if it was just a straight thriller.
It's a good 100 pages longer than I prefer. Overall I felt the pacing was right and didn't drag. Although some bits were a bit slower than others but that's to be expected in a story that covers 450 pages.
It's a timely book, full of AI and implants and tech controlling everyone etc. and so it was quite close to home. I am of an age where I can say I am older than the internet (or what we know as the internet today), and went through school with hardly any computer use, and so the technical aspects did go over my head. I think it would be better for a younger reader who has grown up with these technological developments. And I really am not a fan of AI so it was hard to find a positive spin on that.
It is quite complicated, lots of subplots weaving together and whilst they are interesting in their own ways, I wondered if there were perhaps too many. I was confused by a lot of them, but that might be because of my inability to remember names.
I can't say the characters are particularly likeable, but nor are they overly unlikeable. Some have bigger roles than others, and some felt very caricature, like the pantomime villain for example. But the rest were just a bit...flat. They didn't give me much to grab hold of which meant I didn't really care what happened to them.
It wasn't a bad book and I enjoyed elements of it and look forward to reading his other books, but it didn't quite nail what I was expecting. I think it needed to focus on the thriller side OR the sci-fi side to make it stronger, and it needed characters to care about. But it is fast paced and quick to read and it gets you thinking, which I think is often a good thing in a book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I was attracted by the marketing for this book which promised an exhilarating thriller:
After the murder of his best friend, newlyweds Adam and Aisha cut their honeymoon short. But just as they are about to board a flight home from Delhi, Adam disappears at the airport – seemingly kidnapped – leaving Aisha stranded without her passport, her phone, or answers.
When the FBI and India’s intelligence agency begin interrogating her, it becomes chillingly clear they know far more about Adam than she ever did. Her only clue is his final, haunting message: I’m sorry.
Thousands of miles away, Sara Wolf, a scientist stuck on a dead-end project at Princeton, receives a message she never expected from her former lover. It contains two words: Help her.
Bound together by suspicion, rivalry, and a man they both love, Aisha and Sara are forced into an uneasy alliance. Decoding Adam’s clues, they follow a trail that leads them across the United States - into a shadow world of weaponised AI, tech billionaires, and a secret no one is meant to find.'
Given what I'd read before I started the book, its beginning was not what I expected - a meteorite lands in the desert and its interior contents are unexplainable.
It is this meteorite's contents - and where they end up - which are at the heart of much of this book's chase around America.
It is a thriller but sadly, for me, this book was not quite the edge of your seat thriller I'd hoped for. I didn't find myself warming to any of the characters. Whilst a novel exploring the idea of a world where people are willing to allow super-AI to make decisions for them is one that I would normally find appealing there was something about this book which just didn't quite work for me.
I did finish it but didn't find it as enjoyable as I'd hoped. For me, therefore, a 3*.
Thank you to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC.
After the murder of his best friend, newlyweds Adam and Aisha cut their honeymoon short. But just as they are about to board a flight home from Delhi, Adam disappears at the airport – seemingly kidnapped – leaving Aisha stranded without her passport, her phone, or answers.
When the FBI and India’s intelligence agency begin interrogating her, it becomes chillingly clear they know far more about Adam than she ever did. Her only clue is his final, haunting message: I’m sorry.
Thousands of miles away, Sara Wolf, a scientist stuck on a dead-end project at Princeton, receives a message she never expected from her former lover. It contains two words: Help her.
Bound together by suspicion, rivalry, and a man they both love, Aisha and Sara are forced into an uneasy alliance. Decoding Adam’s clues, they follow a trail that leads them across the United States - into a shadow world of weaponised AI, tech billionaires, and a secret no one is meant to find.'
Given what I'd read before I started the book, its beginning was not what I expected - a meteorite lands in the desert and its interior contents are unexplainable.
It is this meteorite's contents - and where they end up - which are at the heart of much of this book's chase around America.
It is a thriller but sadly, for me, this book was not quite the edge of your seat thriller I'd hoped for. I didn't find myself warming to any of the characters. Whilst a novel exploring the idea of a world where people are willing to allow super-AI to make decisions for them is one that I would normally find appealing there was something about this book which just didn't quite work for me.
I did finish it but didn't find it as enjoyable as I'd hoped. For me, therefore, a 3*.
Thank you to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC.
August 15, 2026
I absolutely adored this book. It is a crime thriller that delves into the world of technology and how AI can be used.
Adam and Aisha are on their honeymoon in India, staying with her parents. They get a call that means their stay has to be cut short. At the airport, the two get separated; Adam goes missing and has no idea why. Once she eventually returns to their home in the US, she finds that things get weirder. Adam's ex, Sara, gets in touch, as he left a message for her to do so.
Using possible future AI technology and a mysterious object, Aisha and Sara try to get answers. All the while, they are being pursued. From different agencies from around the world, by mercenaries, and they have no idea why. Lives are at stake.
The pacing of this story is just perfect, the way the author gradually ups the tempo, the suspicion and the need for the women to discover all they can about Adam's disappearance, as well as following clues to discover the truth of the object. There is a good amount of tech jargon used, and yes, some went over my head, but the author did a great job of dumbing it down so I got the main ideas and understood quite a lot.
This is a mix of crime thriller with a smattering of dystopian and some sci-fi; it works so well together, and using a conspiracy angle gives it an edge. While the tech is something that is not real... yet, the potential uses of some of it are very real if you listen to the news. The story is complete and ends with just the hint that there could be another story; if there is, then great, I would definitely read it; if not, then the whisper that remained was enough.
This is a fabulous book, full of threats, danger, and playing on the fear that AI or some tech could eventually do more and more. It is a book that has some great twists and one I would definitely recommend.
Adam and Aisha are on their honeymoon in India, staying with her parents. They get a call that means their stay has to be cut short. At the airport, the two get separated; Adam goes missing and has no idea why. Once she eventually returns to their home in the US, she finds that things get weirder. Adam's ex, Sara, gets in touch, as he left a message for her to do so.
Using possible future AI technology and a mysterious object, Aisha and Sara try to get answers. All the while, they are being pursued. From different agencies from around the world, by mercenaries, and they have no idea why. Lives are at stake.
The pacing of this story is just perfect, the way the author gradually ups the tempo, the suspicion and the need for the women to discover all they can about Adam's disappearance, as well as following clues to discover the truth of the object. There is a good amount of tech jargon used, and yes, some went over my head, but the author did a great job of dumbing it down so I got the main ideas and understood quite a lot.
This is a mix of crime thriller with a smattering of dystopian and some sci-fi; it works so well together, and using a conspiracy angle gives it an edge. While the tech is something that is not real... yet, the potential uses of some of it are very real if you listen to the news. The story is complete and ends with just the hint that there could be another story; if there is, then great, I would definitely read it; if not, then the whisper that remained was enough.
This is a fabulous book, full of threats, danger, and playing on the fear that AI or some tech could eventually do more and more. It is a book that has some great twists and one I would definitely recommend.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Three students are in the New Mexico desert when they witness a meteorite crashing. They inform the authorities, but it’s quickly dismissed as a student hoax!
When Dr Adam Stone’s friend Caleb, is found murdered, it coincides with Adam and Aisha’s honeymoon. In view of this terrible tragedy, Adam sadly decides to cut their honeymoon short.
However, further to this tragedy, Adam disappears at the airport in Delhi, shortly before takeoff. Aisha is beside herself, her husband is missing, and he had Aisha’s passport, leaving her completely stranded.
The FBI and India’s Intelligence Agency are keen to question Aisha about Adam’s disappearance, but it becomes clear to Aisha that they know much more about him than she does!
Before he disappeared, Adam managed to send two messages, one to Aisha which says ‘I’m sorry’ and one to his ex, scientist Sara Wolfe, which says ‘Help Her’.
Very mysterious indeed, but it’s about to get even more mysterious, if not downright scary!
Aisha and Sara must join forces to discover what happened to Adam, and also why Caleb was killed, and how the supposed meteorite is connected.
A slight departure from his usual crime thrillers, Ajay Chowdhury has veered into the realms of Sci-fi and AI in Eden Falls, (both pretty scary), but fear not, because this is an action packed thrilling read, with some great twists. Fingers crossed for a follow up!
*Thank you to Netgalley and Random House UK, Vintage for my ARC in exchange for an honest unbiased review *
When Dr Adam Stone’s friend Caleb, is found murdered, it coincides with Adam and Aisha’s honeymoon. In view of this terrible tragedy, Adam sadly decides to cut their honeymoon short.
However, further to this tragedy, Adam disappears at the airport in Delhi, shortly before takeoff. Aisha is beside herself, her husband is missing, and he had Aisha’s passport, leaving her completely stranded.
The FBI and India’s Intelligence Agency are keen to question Aisha about Adam’s disappearance, but it becomes clear to Aisha that they know much more about him than she does!
Before he disappeared, Adam managed to send two messages, one to Aisha which says ‘I’m sorry’ and one to his ex, scientist Sara Wolfe, which says ‘Help Her’.
Very mysterious indeed, but it’s about to get even more mysterious, if not downright scary!
Aisha and Sara must join forces to discover what happened to Adam, and also why Caleb was killed, and how the supposed meteorite is connected.
A slight departure from his usual crime thrillers, Ajay Chowdhury has veered into the realms of Sci-fi and AI in Eden Falls, (both pretty scary), but fear not, because this is an action packed thrilling read, with some great twists. Fingers crossed for a follow up!
*Thank you to Netgalley and Random House UK, Vintage for my ARC in exchange for an honest unbiased review *
July 29, 2026
This was a fantastic, fast paced thriller. And if you hated the thought of AI before then this story will confirm all your fears!!!
The action starts with a meteorite crashing in front of 3 students who report it, only to be dismissed as it being a hoax. We then meet some newlyweds at an airport, heading home from their honeymoon after the tragic death of a friend of theirs. Aisha then soon finds herself alone at the airport as her husband vanishes into thin air....
She is soon interviewed by the FBI and the Indian equivalent, RAW, who are convinced she knows more than she's letting on but she really knows nothing. An ex of Adams', Sara, then gets in touch with her and the 2 women then find themselves following clues to try and find out where Adam is, all while being followed themselves.
What follows is a real game of cat and mouse as they work together, despite being way out of their depth, and the use of AI never far from their minds.... quite literally in the case of Aisha who has an implant from the AI company Manx, that controls her medication.
i really loved the storyline following the women as they worked together, despite being very different kinds of women. And you're always left guessing as to what has happened to Adam, and what were he and Caleb involved with to gain such deadly attention from a number of people. And the more I read about AI the more scared I become of it!
A fabulous story from this author and I look forward to reading more from him in the future
The action starts with a meteorite crashing in front of 3 students who report it, only to be dismissed as it being a hoax. We then meet some newlyweds at an airport, heading home from their honeymoon after the tragic death of a friend of theirs. Aisha then soon finds herself alone at the airport as her husband vanishes into thin air....
She is soon interviewed by the FBI and the Indian equivalent, RAW, who are convinced she knows more than she's letting on but she really knows nothing. An ex of Adams', Sara, then gets in touch with her and the 2 women then find themselves following clues to try and find out where Adam is, all while being followed themselves.
What follows is a real game of cat and mouse as they work together, despite being way out of their depth, and the use of AI never far from their minds.... quite literally in the case of Aisha who has an implant from the AI company Manx, that controls her medication.
i really loved the storyline following the women as they worked together, despite being very different kinds of women. And you're always left guessing as to what has happened to Adam, and what were he and Caleb involved with to gain such deadly attention from a number of people. And the more I read about AI the more scared I become of it!
A fabulous story from this author and I look forward to reading more from him in the future
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is the first book I have read by this well known author. I was at times thrilled and at others baffled by this standalone thriller.
The book begins with a few students seeing a meteorite fall to earth. Seen as a discovery, but then declared a hoax. Fast forward to the airport in Delhi where Adam and his wife are having to cut their honeymoon short due to the murder of his best friend. What happens next is terrifying, her husband goes missing and she is left with no means of ID and cannot even leave the airport to be with her parents as she has no passport.
Once his wife manages to get back to the USA she teams up with his ex girlfriend Sara who is a scientist. It's not the easiest of alliances as you might guess but Adam has emailed Sara to tell her to help his new wife.
I loved the interactions between the two female characters and their quest to solve the clues that will hopefully save Adam. For me these were the most thrilling parts of the book and real page turners. The science parts left me cold. Far too much language which although realistic bamboozled me. I decided to just read on and not understand. What I did understand was the underlying message of AI seemingly helping people by utter reliance on it, but then being used to destroy them through others. That part felt very real and was a little prophetic.
Overall I did like the book, a sort of Indiana Jones meets AI. It's just perfect to be made into a film.
The book begins with a few students seeing a meteorite fall to earth. Seen as a discovery, but then declared a hoax. Fast forward to the airport in Delhi where Adam and his wife are having to cut their honeymoon short due to the murder of his best friend. What happens next is terrifying, her husband goes missing and she is left with no means of ID and cannot even leave the airport to be with her parents as she has no passport.
Once his wife manages to get back to the USA she teams up with his ex girlfriend Sara who is a scientist. It's not the easiest of alliances as you might guess but Adam has emailed Sara to tell her to help his new wife.
I loved the interactions between the two female characters and their quest to solve the clues that will hopefully save Adam. For me these were the most thrilling parts of the book and real page turners. The science parts left me cold. Far too much language which although realistic bamboozled me. I decided to just read on and not understand. What I did understand was the underlying message of AI seemingly helping people by utter reliance on it, but then being used to destroy them through others. That part felt very real and was a little prophetic.
Overall I did like the book, a sort of Indiana Jones meets AI. It's just perfect to be made into a film.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Speculative SciFi is at its best when it gives you a vision of the future that is so very believable. Unscrupulous, self-serving, power- hungry politicians. Megalomaniac tech billionaires who believe the law cannot touch them. People becoming increasingly dependent on AI. The ability to monitor and track anyone, anywhere……heck, there’s literally nothing speculative about any of this.
The author, intertwines all these threads and takes them to the next level.
A puzzling artefact is discovered. A team of scientists assembled to determine its secrets. But the government wants to know if it can be weaponised or monetised; tech trillionaire Markus Noel believes it could revolutionise his Manx AI…and it comes down to a few woefully unprepared academics to keep it out of their hands.
There’s a lot of science-speak about quantum entanglement, and a Da Vinci Code-style treasure hunt. Loads of twists and turns. Nicholas Cage gets a bit of a slating, for some reason. Plenty of tension and ‘did-not-see-that-coming’ moments. Maybe even potential for a sequel? I hope so.
A lot of characters to keep track of, and it jumps about a bit in time, but I liked this a lot. And picked up two great new words: kakistocracy and broligarch. I shall be looking for ways to fit them into conversations from now on!😄
Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC of this story.
The author, intertwines all these threads and takes them to the next level.
A puzzling artefact is discovered. A team of scientists assembled to determine its secrets. But the government wants to know if it can be weaponised or monetised; tech trillionaire Markus Noel believes it could revolutionise his Manx AI…and it comes down to a few woefully unprepared academics to keep it out of their hands.
There’s a lot of science-speak about quantum entanglement, and a Da Vinci Code-style treasure hunt. Loads of twists and turns. Nicholas Cage gets a bit of a slating, for some reason. Plenty of tension and ‘did-not-see-that-coming’ moments. Maybe even potential for a sequel? I hope so.
A lot of characters to keep track of, and it jumps about a bit in time, but I liked this a lot. And picked up two great new words: kakistocracy and broligarch. I shall be looking for ways to fit them into conversations from now on!😄
Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC of this story.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
One of the things I appreciated most about Eden Falls wasn’t just the thriller plot itself, but the conversations hidden beneath it.
Set in a near future that feels alarmingly close, this story explores artificial intelligence, the influence of tech billionaires, corporate power, and the ethical questions surrounding technologies that are advancing faster than society can regulate them. What makes the book so compelling is that none of these ideas feel far-fetched. In many ways, the future it presents already seems to be taking shape around us.
While the mystery and suspense kept me turning the pages, I found myself constantly pausing to think about the bigger questions the novel raises.
How much power should we give AI? Can innovation move faster than our ability to control it? And perhaps most importantly: can we trust the people building these technologies?
The technology may be speculative, but the debates certainly aren’t. That’s what made this book stand out for me. It feels less like a distant science-fiction thriller and more like a glimpse into a future that could be just around the corner.
If you enjoy thrillers that not only entertain but also make you question where we’re heading as a society, Eden Falls is definitely worth picking up. 📚🤖
Thanks to the author and Random House UK for approving my ARC request on Netgally.
Set in a near future that feels alarmingly close, this story explores artificial intelligence, the influence of tech billionaires, corporate power, and the ethical questions surrounding technologies that are advancing faster than society can regulate them. What makes the book so compelling is that none of these ideas feel far-fetched. In many ways, the future it presents already seems to be taking shape around us.
While the mystery and suspense kept me turning the pages, I found myself constantly pausing to think about the bigger questions the novel raises.
How much power should we give AI? Can innovation move faster than our ability to control it? And perhaps most importantly: can we trust the people building these technologies?
The technology may be speculative, but the debates certainly aren’t. That’s what made this book stand out for me. It feels less like a distant science-fiction thriller and more like a glimpse into a future that could be just around the corner.
If you enjoy thrillers that not only entertain but also make you question where we’re heading as a society, Eden Falls is definitely worth picking up. 📚🤖
Thanks to the author and Random House UK for approving my ARC request on Netgally.
July 20, 2026
Eden Falls is a fast-paced, intelligent thriller that hooked me from the very first chapter. What begins as a honeymoon cut tragically short quickly spirals into a gripping international mystery packed with secrets, betrayal, and cutting-edge technology.
The story follows Aisha as she desperately searches for her husband after he mysteriously disappears in a crowded airport. With every new revelation, the stakes become higher, and nothing is quite what it seems. The introduction of Sara adds another compelling layer to the story, and watching these two very different women work together despite their complicated connection kept me completely invested.
The blend of espionage, artificial intelligence, government agencies, and powerful tech figures creates a tense, thought-provoking thriller that feels both exciting and unsettlingly believable. The pacing rarely lets up, with plenty of twists that kept me guessing right until the end.
Alongside the action, the novel explores themes of trust, loyalty, grief, and the ethical dangers of advancing technology, giving the story real emotional depth.
If you enjoy intelligent techno-thrillers with strong female protagonists, global intrigue, and plenty of suspense, Eden Falls is well worth adding to your reading list. A thrilling, addictive read that will keep you turning the pages long into the night.
The story follows Aisha as she desperately searches for her husband after he mysteriously disappears in a crowded airport. With every new revelation, the stakes become higher, and nothing is quite what it seems. The introduction of Sara adds another compelling layer to the story, and watching these two very different women work together despite their complicated connection kept me completely invested.
The blend of espionage, artificial intelligence, government agencies, and powerful tech figures creates a tense, thought-provoking thriller that feels both exciting and unsettlingly believable. The pacing rarely lets up, with plenty of twists that kept me guessing right until the end.
Alongside the action, the novel explores themes of trust, loyalty, grief, and the ethical dangers of advancing technology, giving the story real emotional depth.
If you enjoy intelligent techno-thrillers with strong female protagonists, global intrigue, and plenty of suspense, Eden Falls is well worth adding to your reading list. A thrilling, addictive read that will keep you turning the pages long into the night.
August 15, 2026
Markus Noel is the owner of ‘Manx’, a device implanted into humans which does everything for them effectively taking over their life. He wants every human fitted with one! A meteorite has crashed in the US and when split open contains a sphere. Containing unknown materials it is wanted by scientists and various governments as well as Noel for their own nefarious purposes. A fast paced action thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Briefly, scientist Adam Stone has taken the sphere and arranged for his friend Caleb to hide it. Then Caleb is found dead whilst Adam is on honeymoon with Alicia and cutting the honeymoon short Adam disappears at Delhi airport. Before he disappeared, he sent a message to his ex, scientist Sara Wolfe, saying help her. So Alisha and Sara end up working together, whilst being pursued by the FBI, an Indian Security official and Noel, in their search for Adam.
I really enjoyed the section about the Voodoo Cemetery in New Orleans and the description of Nicholas Cage’s tomb as I have been there. It’s a spooky unsettling place. A dark sci-fi thriller centred around AI and the desire for power. A thought provoking read spanning continents and raising the question about just how powerful AI, and those who control it, could be. Pulse racing stuff.
Briefly, scientist Adam Stone has taken the sphere and arranged for his friend Caleb to hide it. Then Caleb is found dead whilst Adam is on honeymoon with Alicia and cutting the honeymoon short Adam disappears at Delhi airport. Before he disappeared, he sent a message to his ex, scientist Sara Wolfe, saying help her. So Alisha and Sara end up working together, whilst being pursued by the FBI, an Indian Security official and Noel, in their search for Adam.
I really enjoyed the section about the Voodoo Cemetery in New Orleans and the description of Nicholas Cage’s tomb as I have been there. It’s a spooky unsettling place. A dark sci-fi thriller centred around AI and the desire for power. A thought provoking read spanning continents and raising the question about just how powerful AI, and those who control it, could be. Pulse racing stuff.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I shall say from the outset that this book isn't my favourite Ajay Chowdhury one! The thrilling parts are just that however the scientific talk, of which there was quite a bit, lost me. A meteor drops to earth however it is more than it appears to be. What it actually is baffles the best scientists in America. What is does though has various parties determined to keep it for their own interests and are prepared to kill for it. Adam Stone, a renowned scientist and nobel price winner, is one of the scientists involved in working on it and sees how determined one group is to use it for their means so comes up with a way to hide the mysterious object .
On returning from his honeymoon in India with his new wife Dr Aisha Ali he disappears from the airport, presumed kidnapped. He does manage to get off a couple of messages before his disappearance, one to his wife and one to an ex girlfriend in an attempt to hunt down and retrieve the object, something that neither knew anything about. This hunt takes them across America, solving cryptic clues to locate it. They also have on their tails various agencies determined to get their hands on it at any cost.
This part does become quite thrilling but it's a case of Sci-fi versus AI versus brawn and brain.
On returning from his honeymoon in India with his new wife Dr Aisha Ali he disappears from the airport, presumed kidnapped. He does manage to get off a couple of messages before his disappearance, one to his wife and one to an ex girlfriend in an attempt to hunt down and retrieve the object, something that neither knew anything about. This hunt takes them across America, solving cryptic clues to locate it. They also have on their tails various agencies determined to get their hands on it at any cost.
This part does become quite thrilling but it's a case of Sci-fi versus AI versus brawn and brain.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Eden Falls is a thought-provoking, action-packed speculative fiction thriller that feels dangerously close to reality.
It introduces us to "Manx". An AI implant that is inserted into your brain - you just speak and it accesses your thoughts, your body and your life.
The story follows a high-stakes race between global governments to capture and control a new technology. The engine really revs up when Aisha is forced into an uneasy, tension-fuelled alliance with Sara—a Princeton scientist and Adam's former lover. Together, they decode a trail of clues that spans continents, plunging them headfirst into a dangerous shadow world controlled by tech billionaires, espionage, and cutting-edge digital threats.
The concepts are both fascinating and terrifying, and the "frenemies" dynamic between Sara and Aisha is brilliant. Markus, a tech trillionaire who wanted even more power, was incredibly well written and such a hateable character.
The authentic science and quantum physics became a bit too technical for me at times but the high-stakes action elements—the deep-rooted conspiracies and the adrenaline rush of evading both US and Indian officials kept me completely hooked.
Highly recommended if you love smart conspiracies and relentless races against time!
It introduces us to "Manx". An AI implant that is inserted into your brain - you just speak and it accesses your thoughts, your body and your life.
The story follows a high-stakes race between global governments to capture and control a new technology. The engine really revs up when Aisha is forced into an uneasy, tension-fuelled alliance with Sara—a Princeton scientist and Adam's former lover. Together, they decode a trail of clues that spans continents, plunging them headfirst into a dangerous shadow world controlled by tech billionaires, espionage, and cutting-edge digital threats.
The concepts are both fascinating and terrifying, and the "frenemies" dynamic between Sara and Aisha is brilliant. Markus, a tech trillionaire who wanted even more power, was incredibly well written and such a hateable character.
The authentic science and quantum physics became a bit too technical for me at times but the high-stakes action elements—the deep-rooted conspiracies and the adrenaline rush of evading both US and Indian officials kept me completely hooked.
Highly recommended if you love smart conspiracies and relentless races against time!
July 21, 2026
I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of Eden Falls through NetGalley and the publisher, and wow - this is one of the best speculative thrillers I’ve read in a long time.
From the very beginning, the suspense had me completely hooked. I loved trying to work out the codes alongside the characters, all while feeling that constant tension of wondering whether they’d get caught. It made for such an immersive reading experience, and I found myself racing through the pages.
I was especially rooting for the two female protagonists, whose determination, intelligence, and resilience made them impossible not to cheer on. Their journeys added so much heart to an already gripping story.
Ajay Chowdhury has written a fast-paced, thought-provoking thriller that feels frighteningly plausible. In a world where AI is advancing at an incredible rate, Eden Falls explores ideas that are both fascinating and unsettling, making it feel like the kind of story that could one day become reality.
A brilliantly written, intelligent thriller that perfectly balances action, suspense, and timely themes. I couldn’t put it down and highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys speculative fiction with a chilling edge. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
From the very beginning, the suspense had me completely hooked. I loved trying to work out the codes alongside the characters, all while feeling that constant tension of wondering whether they’d get caught. It made for such an immersive reading experience, and I found myself racing through the pages.
I was especially rooting for the two female protagonists, whose determination, intelligence, and resilience made them impossible not to cheer on. Their journeys added so much heart to an already gripping story.
Ajay Chowdhury has written a fast-paced, thought-provoking thriller that feels frighteningly plausible. In a world where AI is advancing at an incredible rate, Eden Falls explores ideas that are both fascinating and unsettling, making it feel like the kind of story that could one day become reality.
A brilliantly written, intelligent thriller that perfectly balances action, suspense, and timely themes. I couldn’t put it down and highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys speculative fiction with a chilling edge. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
March 15, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of Eden Falls by Ajay Chowdhury.
This is a gripping, intelligent thriller that pulled me in almost immediately. What begins with a shocking murder and the sudden disappearance of a newlywed husband quickly unfolds into a much larger and more complex mystery. As the search for the truth deepens, two women connected to the same man are forced into an uneasy alliance, uncovering secrets that stretch far beyond their personal lives.
What I particularly enjoyed was how character-driven the novel is. Beneath the high-stakes plot are deeply human threads of lost love, a struggling marriage and the complicated loyalties that bind people together. I found myself genuinely caring about the characters and their determination to uncover the truth.
The story also explores the growing power of artificial intelligence and its potential impact on humanity, alongside the mystery of a meteorite discovery, giving the novel a fascinating speculative edge that feels unsettlingly plausible.
Tightly paced, thought-provoking and emotionally engaging, Eden Falls is an intricate thriller with real heart. A compelling and memorable read, an easy five stars.
This is a gripping, intelligent thriller that pulled me in almost immediately. What begins with a shocking murder and the sudden disappearance of a newlywed husband quickly unfolds into a much larger and more complex mystery. As the search for the truth deepens, two women connected to the same man are forced into an uneasy alliance, uncovering secrets that stretch far beyond their personal lives.
What I particularly enjoyed was how character-driven the novel is. Beneath the high-stakes plot are deeply human threads of lost love, a struggling marriage and the complicated loyalties that bind people together. I found myself genuinely caring about the characters and their determination to uncover the truth.
The story also explores the growing power of artificial intelligence and its potential impact on humanity, alongside the mystery of a meteorite discovery, giving the novel a fascinating speculative edge that feels unsettlingly plausible.
Tightly paced, thought-provoking and emotionally engaging, Eden Falls is an intricate thriller with real heart. A compelling and memorable read, an easy five stars.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I liked the hard sci-fi theme of the book. An asteroid landing on earth with something from outer space inside and several interested parties are keen to get their hands on it. The thing inside is split into three parts and hidden in various settings to try and keep it safe. This is where the book is less satisfactory. And ironically considering the author pokes fun at the actor Nicholas Cage and his films , the clues and method of solving them could have come straight out of one of his films. So we have Aisha and Sara chasing about the country and surviving many encounters with the other interested parties and solving the clues.
The book is interesting again when dealing with the use of implantable AI and the dangers associated with it.
None of the characters in the book had much depth to them although it was amusing guessing which important people in current times formed the basis for the powerful people in the book.
I thought that the book can not decide whether its a sci-fi novel or a thriller and suffers because of that.
However it is fast paced and easy reading.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC
The book is interesting again when dealing with the use of implantable AI and the dangers associated with it.
None of the characters in the book had much depth to them although it was amusing guessing which important people in current times formed the basis for the powerful people in the book.
I thought that the book can not decide whether its a sci-fi novel or a thriller and suffers because of that.
However it is fast paced and easy reading.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I was preparing to be defeated by this novel after the first few chapters. Then suddenly, the story takes shape and I was hooked. In the future AI becomes overtaken when a new concept called Prometheus is discovered, originally thought to be a meteorite but oh the capsule contains so much more super-intelligent AI. The US Government, FBI, Indian Officials, and the latest tech trillionaire mogul, amongst others, want to get their hands on the three components contained within. Although the novel contains mind boggling scientific references, overlooking these and other technical details, it is a fascinating read. The author’s knowledge and research provide a considerable amount of background to the story, which ultimately is particularly relevant for futuristic fiction. Sara, Adam’s ex-girlfriend, and Aisha his new wife, join forces to track down the separate units, foiled by tracking bugs from different agencies. Stunning climax.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers Random House for the opportunity to review this book.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers Random House for the opportunity to review this book.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A strong sci fi novel - reminiscent of The Three Body Problem.
I really enjoyed this book, however it definitely started stronger than it finished in my opinion. The start immediately had me hooked - feeling very easy to read and intriguing despite some quite complex quantum physics discussion (I can’t speak to the accuracy of these bits). It then turns into a bit of a classic ‘quest’ storyline, which was good but did feel a bit out of place in a sci fi. Towards the end I found the story started to feel quite rushed - I didn’t know how they were going to wrap everything up and was maybe expecting some kind of big reveal/twist that never came and it was all just over quite suddenly. Also towards the end it started to feel suspiciously like AI had a hand in the editing - which is quickly becoming my biggest pet peeve with new releases.
Overall, a very enjoyable book - would definitely recommend to sci fi fans, and it feels like there could be a sequel which I would be interested in reading.
Thanks for the ARC!
I really enjoyed this book, however it definitely started stronger than it finished in my opinion. The start immediately had me hooked - feeling very easy to read and intriguing despite some quite complex quantum physics discussion (I can’t speak to the accuracy of these bits). It then turns into a bit of a classic ‘quest’ storyline, which was good but did feel a bit out of place in a sci fi. Towards the end I found the story started to feel quite rushed - I didn’t know how they were going to wrap everything up and was maybe expecting some kind of big reveal/twist that never came and it was all just over quite suddenly. Also towards the end it started to feel suspiciously like AI had a hand in the editing - which is quickly becoming my biggest pet peeve with new releases.
Overall, a very enjoyable book - would definitely recommend to sci fi fans, and it feels like there could be a sequel which I would be interested in reading.
Thanks for the ARC!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I genuinely thought I’d been sent the wrong book at first, the opening didn’t match the blurb at all, which threw me off straight away.
Once the story finally caught up with what was promised, it actually got really engaging. I was properly into it for a while… but it still felt slightly off, like the real main theme wasn’t what the blurb had sold. Around the 35% mark it kind of veers off again, and that momentum drops.
The setting is also a bit confusing; we’ve got a POTUS who is very clearly a Trump analogue, with references to Obama and Gore’s Nobel Peace Prizes grounding it in the present day, yet the technology feels much more futuristic. It creates this weird in-between that never quite settles. Also, the tech-billionaire Markus Noel is so obviously Elon Musk-coded that it felt a bit heavy-handed, and overall the writing can be a little clumsy in places.
I’m honestly not sure how I feel about this one. There were parts I really enjoyed, but it never fully came together for me.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.
Once the story finally caught up with what was promised, it actually got really engaging. I was properly into it for a while… but it still felt slightly off, like the real main theme wasn’t what the blurb had sold. Around the 35% mark it kind of veers off again, and that momentum drops.
The setting is also a bit confusing; we’ve got a POTUS who is very clearly a Trump analogue, with references to Obama and Gore’s Nobel Peace Prizes grounding it in the present day, yet the technology feels much more futuristic. It creates this weird in-between that never quite settles. Also, the tech-billionaire Markus Noel is so obviously Elon Musk-coded that it felt a bit heavy-handed, and overall the writing can be a little clumsy in places.
I’m honestly not sure how I feel about this one. There were parts I really enjoyed, but it never fully came together for me.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.
June 26, 2026
3.5 stars rounded up ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an advance copy of Eden Falls in exchange for an honest review.
Eden Falls follows a gripping mystery set against a science fiction backdrop, blending futuristic concepts with a suspenseful investigation that keeps you guessing.
This is quite different from the type of books I usually read, so I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect going in. I ended up enjoying the blend of science fiction and thriller elements, which made for a refreshing change from my usual reading.
I particularly liked how the thriller aspects helped break up the more science fiction-heavy sections, keeping the suspense high and giving me plenty of reasons to keep turning the pages. While I did feel that the story dragged a little in places, the overall concept was engaging and the mix of genres worked well together.
Overall, I enjoyed this book and would recommend if you’re a fan of thriller / science fiction and fancy combining the two genres!
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an advance copy of Eden Falls in exchange for an honest review.
Eden Falls follows a gripping mystery set against a science fiction backdrop, blending futuristic concepts with a suspenseful investigation that keeps you guessing.
This is quite different from the type of books I usually read, so I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect going in. I ended up enjoying the blend of science fiction and thriller elements, which made for a refreshing change from my usual reading.
I particularly liked how the thriller aspects helped break up the more science fiction-heavy sections, keeping the suspense high and giving me plenty of reasons to keep turning the pages. While I did feel that the story dragged a little in places, the overall concept was engaging and the mix of genres worked well together.
Overall, I enjoyed this book and would recommend if you’re a fan of thriller / science fiction and fancy combining the two genres!
March 8, 2026
Wow! This is a brilliant book. I’m not a big fan of thrillers but this really got me going. The writing is excellent and the plot has just enough twists to keep me interested but not bamboozled. The plot concerns, well it’s quite difficult to describe, but it is about AI, alien intelligence, and its main villain who wants to dominate the world. There’s a chase of the two main female characters, Sara and Aisha, by the FBI, the villain’s henchmen and Indian secret service agents. Exciting.
I have read Ajay Chaudhary before, his detective novels and really enjoyed them. This is a bit of a departure for him and I was surprised to enjoy it so much; if I write much more I will begin to give plot spoilers. Just give it a go I think you’ll enjoy it.
I read an ARC provided by NetGalley and the publishers thank you. I recommend this to anyone wanting a great read.
I have read Ajay Chaudhary before, his detective novels and really enjoyed them. This is a bit of a departure for him and I was surprised to enjoy it so much; if I write much more I will begin to give plot spoilers. Just give it a go I think you’ll enjoy it.
I read an ARC provided by NetGalley and the publishers thank you. I recommend this to anyone wanting a great read.
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