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Eden Falls
Not yet published
Expected 23 Jul 26Brought to you by Penguin.
Newlyweds Adam and Aisha are in an airport lounge in Delhi, their honeymoon abruptly cut short by the murder of Adam’s best friend. While Aisha waits, Adam disappears, leaving only a cryptic 'I’m sorry'.
Stranded in India without documents, Aisha is interrogated by RAW, India’s intelligence agency, and the FBI – both of whom seem to know more about her husband’s disappearance than she does.
At the same time Adam’s ex-lover, Sara, receives an urgent message from 'Help her'.
Thrown together by circumstance and suspicion, Aisha and Sara decode Adam’s clues, which lead them across the US in a hunt to find Adam before it’s too late.
EDEN FALLS is a high-stakes thriller that spans continents and delves into the shady world of AI and tech billionaires. It is a gripping tale of intrigue, weaponised AI and the relentless pursuit of truth.
© Ajay Chowdhury 2026 (P) Penguin Audio 2026
Newlyweds Adam and Aisha are in an airport lounge in Delhi, their honeymoon abruptly cut short by the murder of Adam’s best friend. While Aisha waits, Adam disappears, leaving only a cryptic 'I’m sorry'.
Stranded in India without documents, Aisha is interrogated by RAW, India’s intelligence agency, and the FBI – both of whom seem to know more about her husband’s disappearance than she does.
At the same time Adam’s ex-lover, Sara, receives an urgent message from 'Help her'.
Thrown together by circumstance and suspicion, Aisha and Sara decode Adam’s clues, which lead them across the US in a hunt to find Adam before it’s too late.
EDEN FALLS is a high-stakes thriller that spans continents and delves into the shady world of AI and tech billionaires. It is a gripping tale of intrigue, weaponised AI and the relentless pursuit of truth.
© Ajay Chowdhury 2026 (P) Penguin Audio 2026
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Expected publication July 23, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 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
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
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.
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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Eden Falls is an adventure story with a science fiction plot - think of 2001 crossed with Dan Brown. A mysterious object is discovered in New Mexico, possibly of extraterrestrial origin. Various intelligence agencies are interested, as well as a tech mogul (a thinly disguised Elon Musk). But what are there motivations?
Nobel winning scientist Adam Stone has lofty goals, thinking the device is a calling card or message from an advanced civilisation, but others don't share his ideals. So he steals the device, surprisingly easily, and a friend hides it in three locations. His wife and former girlfriend, an interesting dynamic, then search for the pieces using cryptic clues.
Overall this isn't a bad read, but perhaps tries to do too much, with morality, love and the future of the species all interlinked in a mystery quest.
Nobel winning scientist Adam Stone has lofty goals, thinking the device is a calling card or message from an advanced civilisation, but others don't share his ideals. So he steals the device, surprisingly easily, and a friend hides it in three locations. His wife and former girlfriend, an interesting dynamic, then search for the pieces using cryptic clues.
Overall this isn't a bad read, but perhaps tries to do too much, with morality, love and the future of the species all interlinked in a mystery quest.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Really enjoyed this read for the most part - the story starts with a bang (literally) and gets you interested right away. There's nice, quick progression in the plot; no slow build up and provides the perfect sense of mystery and just the right amount of information to keep you hooked plus an assortment of fully-fleshed, well written characters.
The premise is wonderful, intriguing (plus scarily accurate in today's climate), and excellently executed for the majority of the book however the ending is slightly flat. I was hoping for more of a twist or exciting ending, it became more focused on the human side of things (working on yourself and your wants/needs) rather than the otherworldly subject at hand, but overall an enjoyable read that kept me coming back for more.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an Advanced Reader Copy.
The premise is wonderful, intriguing (plus scarily accurate in today's climate), and excellently executed for the majority of the book however the ending is slightly flat. I was hoping for more of a twist or exciting ending, it became more focused on the human side of things (working on yourself and your wants/needs) rather than the otherworldly subject at hand, but overall an enjoyable read that kept me coming back for more.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an Advanced Reader Copy.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Adam and Aisha are returning home from honeymoon in India, when Adam darts back to the shop just as they are about to go to the boarding lounge... and disappears. Aisha, who he met only recently and had a whirlwind romance with, is distraught as well as stranded without a passport. She gets back to the US and is drawn into co-operating with Adam's former girlfriend, Sara, to follow his clues and find both Adam and whatever he has been drawn into.
Its suspenseful, although in parts it read in a slightly disjointed manner. But certainly a gripping tale with a very modern agenda.
Thank you to NetGalley and Randomhouse UK for allowing me access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Its suspenseful, although in parts it read in a slightly disjointed manner. But certainly a gripping tale with a very modern agenda.
Thank you to NetGalley and Randomhouse UK for allowing me access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The summary I read didn’t mention sci-fi at all and so the book was a bit of a shock. Is it sci-fi? Well not really but there are technologies from the near future and some strange goings on.
If you like a Dan Brown style thriller hunt then Eden Falls will be a treat. Without the padding and tedious scene and character resetting Brown feels compelled to, Eden Falls moves along at a good pace. It does fall into the genres need for amazing, far fetched locations that will look great in the movie adaptation but are just distractions on the page.
If you want a pacy, international, hi tech search for justice and the future of mankind, Eden Falls is the book for you.
3.5 rounded up to 4. Thank you to NetGalley and Random House UK for the eARC
If you like a Dan Brown style thriller hunt then Eden Falls will be a treat. Without the padding and tedious scene and character resetting Brown feels compelled to, Eden Falls moves along at a good pace. It does fall into the genres need for amazing, far fetched locations that will look great in the movie adaptation but are just distractions on the page.
If you want a pacy, international, hi tech search for justice and the future of mankind, Eden Falls is the book for you.
3.5 rounded up to 4. Thank you to NetGalley and Random House UK for the eARC
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Speculative fiction/sci fi/chase novel that’s a warning of the dangers of AI and technology.
Eden Falls hits the ground running and doesn’t stop until the last page.
Yes some of the dialogue is very weak, the characters are pretty annoying and not very well written and the story really is best read with the brain disengaged but having said all that I found myself enjoying it overall and flew through the story.
I think 3 stars is a fair score. I found a lot wrong with the book but it moves so fast you don’t have time to think and as I said I did enjoy it overall.
I’m intrigued to read what others think of this. A highly flawed but enjoyable caper.
Many thanks to the publisher for the ARC through Netgalley.
Eden Falls hits the ground running and doesn’t stop until the last page.
Yes some of the dialogue is very weak, the characters are pretty annoying and not very well written and the story really is best read with the brain disengaged but having said all that I found myself enjoying it overall and flew through the story.
I think 3 stars is a fair score. I found a lot wrong with the book but it moves so fast you don’t have time to think and as I said I did enjoy it overall.
I’m intrigued to read what others think of this. A highly flawed but enjoyable caper.
Many thanks to the publisher for the ARC through Netgalley.
April 7, 2026
I'm a fan of a good thriller and I'm fascinated by AI, so when I got the opportunity to review an ARC of this book, I jumped at the chance!
The story focuses on a newly married couple, where the husband, a Nobel prize winner goes missing, after being called on by the White House to study a meteorite. What follows is a chase to find Adam based on various clues he has left for his wife and his former girlfriend - which adds an interesting layer of tension.
The story is full of twists and turns, and set in a world where AI is fully integrated into our day-to-day lives, including managing our health and emotions and tracking our thoughts and feelings so it was absolutely fascinating, but also terrifying!
This was my first of Ajay Chowdhury's books and from this one, I would definitely read others. I've since recommended this to my husband who is a sci fi fan as it spans genres effectively.
Thanks to Ajay Chowdhury, Random House UK, and NetGalley for this ARC in return for an honest review.
The story focuses on a newly married couple, where the husband, a Nobel prize winner goes missing, after being called on by the White House to study a meteorite. What follows is a chase to find Adam based on various clues he has left for his wife and his former girlfriend - which adds an interesting layer of tension.
The story is full of twists and turns, and set in a world where AI is fully integrated into our day-to-day lives, including managing our health and emotions and tracking our thoughts and feelings so it was absolutely fascinating, but also terrifying!
This was my first of Ajay Chowdhury's books and from this one, I would definitely read others. I've since recommended this to my husband who is a sci fi fan as it spans genres effectively.
Thanks to Ajay Chowdhury, Random House UK, and NetGalley for this ARC in return for an honest review.
Review of advance copy
Absolutely stunningly written.
I have been reading Ajay Chowdhury from the very first book he wrote and his writing has grown stronger and stronger. This one has a clear, dense story line, characters and the movement of the story is clearly followable and doe snot get you lost in superfluidity of events.
Chapter by chapter the intrigue grows form the moment at the airport ( no spoilers) to the ending,
The story is non repetitive in such a way that it allows you to remember the details of each chapter, even if you leave the book for a day or few hours and then get back to it.
Impressed, hope to see more of these, definitely not a disappointment. The cover and title too perfectly complement the book.
Thank you netgalley for he ARC
I have been reading Ajay Chowdhury from the very first book he wrote and his writing has grown stronger and stronger. This one has a clear, dense story line, characters and the movement of the story is clearly followable and doe snot get you lost in superfluidity of events.
Chapter by chapter the intrigue grows form the moment at the airport ( no spoilers) to the ending,
The story is non repetitive in such a way that it allows you to remember the details of each chapter, even if you leave the book for a day or few hours and then get back to it.
Impressed, hope to see more of these, definitely not a disappointment. The cover and title too perfectly complement the book.
Thank you netgalley for he ARC
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Eden Falls
*3.5*
With Eden Falls I was expecting something similar to Ajay Chowdhury’s previous detective novels, but it’s not. While this book has similar atmospheric building tension, it leaps ahead and blends science fiction with alien life and the growing impact that AI can have and will have on all life forms. Maybe not a book for those who dislike sci-fi, but I liked the blend of genres. There’s an emotional layer to the novel between Aisha and Adam’s ex-partner Sarah, which I also liked. While Eden Falls starts quickly, towards the end I was getting really annoyed by the obvious Elon Musk and Donald Trump similarities. So for me it lost a half a star because of this.
Thank you to Random House UK, Vintage and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
*3.5*
With Eden Falls I was expecting something similar to Ajay Chowdhury’s previous detective novels, but it’s not. While this book has similar atmospheric building tension, it leaps ahead and blends science fiction with alien life and the growing impact that AI can have and will have on all life forms. Maybe not a book for those who dislike sci-fi, but I liked the blend of genres. There’s an emotional layer to the novel between Aisha and Adam’s ex-partner Sarah, which I also liked. While Eden Falls starts quickly, towards the end I was getting really annoyed by the obvious Elon Musk and Donald Trump similarities. So for me it lost a half a star because of this.
Thank you to Random House UK, Vintage and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I struggled a bit with Eden Falls. The premise sounded interesting, but the riting style didn't work for me. Many of the sentences are very short and often feel detached from the characters, which made the narrative feel cold and distant. At times I wasn't sure if I was following a story or reading a series of observations and thoughts.
The author clearly has an analytical way of looking at things, and perhaps that reflects his scientific background but in this case the result felt more clinical than engaging. Readers who enjoy experimental or unconventional prose might appreciate it more, but it wasn't the right fit for me.
The author clearly has an analytical way of looking at things, and perhaps that reflects his scientific background but in this case the result felt more clinical than engaging. Readers who enjoy experimental or unconventional prose might appreciate it more, but it wasn't the right fit for me.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I received an ARC copy of this via NetGalley.
So, first thoughts, it very much reminds me of the big tech giants and their bosses. Markus in fact is very much like Elon Musk.
This book has the fears of what the tech bosses want AI to become.
It starts kind of slow, with a lot of chapters focused on the characters of Adam, Sara and Aisha. The ending comes quite abruptly, leaving a lot to be explained in a follow-up.
Overall a good book, I couldn't give five stars because of the swearing. I dislike books that feel the need to have a lot of swearing but the story was very good overall.
So, first thoughts, it very much reminds me of the big tech giants and their bosses. Markus in fact is very much like Elon Musk.
This book has the fears of what the tech bosses want AI to become.
It starts kind of slow, with a lot of chapters focused on the characters of Adam, Sara and Aisha. The ending comes quite abruptly, leaving a lot to be explained in a follow-up.
Overall a good book, I couldn't give five stars because of the swearing. I dislike books that feel the need to have a lot of swearing but the story was very good overall.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
More like 3.5 stars, really- it’s a propulsive, fun, slightly speculative thriller that doesn’t stop for breath, and I enjoyed reading it. Maybe it tries to pack a bit too much in, maybe there’s bits that didn’t quite work for me and maybe- and I’m not sure I’ve ever complained about this in a book before- it could have been longer; taken its time a little more to add a bit more depth in places. It doesn’t detract from this being a really fun and enjoyable read, but- without giving too much away- I’m not sure in which genre it wants to sit.
April 26, 2026
This certainly has all the makings of a gripping movie- different parties all chasing an object of immeasurable value with immeasurably different motivations.
I liked the fact that the female protagonists outplayed and outperformed the males by every metric, and generally the story was well plotted and paced.
My only criticism is that there may have been a few too many antagonists; the odds permanently and overwhelminglystacked against the heroes makes it even more obvious that they’re going to survive, and paradoxically lessens the tension.
I liked the fact that the female protagonists outplayed and outperformed the males by every metric, and generally the story was well plotted and paced.
My only criticism is that there may have been a few too many antagonists; the odds permanently and overwhelminglystacked against the heroes makes it even more obvious that they’re going to survive, and paradoxically lessens the tension.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Definitely not what I was expecting from this author, and to be honest my preference is towards his previous books. I'm not a sci-fi fan, and while this wasn't all that heavy on unreality, it was still difficult to buy into. The supposition of how AI might invade our lives was interesting but the characters themselves provided a better storyline. Thank you to netgalley for the advance reader copy.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is not my normal read but my goodness it got me thinking. AI in its infancy now to what it could possibly become and also the greed and want for power of man. Makes me glad to be living my time now when I have known a world before the advances of AI.
Really loved the concept of this book well written and good for thought
Really loved the concept of this book well written and good for thought
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Three students are in the desert when a meteor crashes before them.
They contact the authorities and they come to inspect the object.
This is a sci-fi based story about a missing husband and outlining the dangers of AI.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House UK Vintage for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
They contact the authorities and they come to inspect the object.
This is a sci-fi based story about a missing husband and outlining the dangers of AI.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House UK Vintage for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I've never read a book by this author before but after this I would certainly read more.
It was a fast paced, race against time thriller which reminded me a little of the Da Vinci code with the 2 main characters having to solve clues to find what they were looking for. An enjoyable read.
It was a fast paced, race against time thriller which reminded me a little of the Da Vinci code with the 2 main characters having to solve clues to find what they were looking for. An enjoyable read.
March 17, 2026
It's a cleverly written story that kept my attention and I would be in the Sara camp when it comes to AI and how dependent people are getting to it, Aisha and Adam are perfect examples of this and in my opinion, it makes people lazy and ruins imagination and creativity. Anyway back to the book, it certainly is a page turner and as this is my first time reading anything by this author, I would certainly be going to check out his other books.
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