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The Natural Order: A Novel
Not yet published
Expected 27 Oct 26From an acclaimed screenwriter comes a provocative, propulsive debut novel about a billionaire tech visionary who creates a method to stop aging, putting him in the crosshairs of an extremist group and forcing a tense reunion with his estranged son, who is dying of old age.
Paul Whitmore, the world’s wealthiest man, begins each day on his secluded Marin, California, estate with a guided meditation, an hour of exercise, and a proprietary nutritional shake. These are the first three steps in a strict, monastic protocol known as the Method—a protocol which arrests the aging process. Paul is 122 years old, yet he appears no older than fifty; he has unlocked the secret to eternal life and is ready to bring his breakthrough to market. The world is poised to enter a post-aging future.
But not everyone wants Paul to succeed, and his enemies are prepared to use violence to keep the Method from launching. Alone in his private Xanadu, Paul is well-insulated from the steady stream of death threats. But when a new threat emerges that targets Paul’s estranged son, Max, he is forced to take action. Max is eighty-five years old, living in a nursing home, and has not spoken to his father since he was a child. As far as he’s concerned, Paul Whitmore can rot in hell. Paul brings Max to his compound to protect him, but the real test soon becomes can he care for his son? Is it ever too late to be a father? Is it ever too late to be a son? Unfortunately, the answers to these questions require time—and time is suddenly in short supply. The men who have threatened his son are coming for them both, and the gates surrounding his compound are less secure than he realizes.
A page-turner with unusual depth and substance, The Natural Order grapples with issues of technology, mortality, and the true value of time.
Paul Whitmore, the world’s wealthiest man, begins each day on his secluded Marin, California, estate with a guided meditation, an hour of exercise, and a proprietary nutritional shake. These are the first three steps in a strict, monastic protocol known as the Method—a protocol which arrests the aging process. Paul is 122 years old, yet he appears no older than fifty; he has unlocked the secret to eternal life and is ready to bring his breakthrough to market. The world is poised to enter a post-aging future.
But not everyone wants Paul to succeed, and his enemies are prepared to use violence to keep the Method from launching. Alone in his private Xanadu, Paul is well-insulated from the steady stream of death threats. But when a new threat emerges that targets Paul’s estranged son, Max, he is forced to take action. Max is eighty-five years old, living in a nursing home, and has not spoken to his father since he was a child. As far as he’s concerned, Paul Whitmore can rot in hell. Paul brings Max to his compound to protect him, but the real test soon becomes can he care for his son? Is it ever too late to be a father? Is it ever too late to be a son? Unfortunately, the answers to these questions require time—and time is suddenly in short supply. The men who have threatened his son are coming for them both, and the gates surrounding his compound are less secure than he realizes.
A page-turner with unusual depth and substance, The Natural Order grapples with issues of technology, mortality, and the true value of time.
- GenresScience Fiction
352 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication October 27, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
April 3, 2026
Thank you Atria books and Net galley for the ARC of this book!
4/5 ⭐️’s
I really enjoyed this one! Set in the future, we are following trillionare Paul Whitmore, whom is soon to be crowned the oldest living human at over 120 years old. He has perfected a way to essentially become immortal, called The Method, and it is soon going to be available to the public. Although there are many supporters in favor of The Method, there is one group in particular that is opposed to the idea and will do anything at any cost to preventing it’s rollout.
Really great, realistic (i could totally see this happening), scifi novel that kept me guessing what was going to happen next. Highly recommend and super excited to see more from this author!
4/5 ⭐️’s
I really enjoyed this one! Set in the future, we are following trillionare Paul Whitmore, whom is soon to be crowned the oldest living human at over 120 years old. He has perfected a way to essentially become immortal, called The Method, and it is soon going to be available to the public. Although there are many supporters in favor of The Method, there is one group in particular that is opposed to the idea and will do anything at any cost to preventing it’s rollout.
Really great, realistic (i could totally see this happening), scifi novel that kept me guessing what was going to happen next. Highly recommend and super excited to see more from this author!
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway. This was a story plot that goes outside the box. Not your normal thriller. The year is 2070, Paul Whitmore is a man that lives a very monastic life. He and his scientists have devolped a routine that extends human life. It stops aging in its tracks, Paul Whitmore is a 122 years old, but only looks fifty. A vigilante terrorist group called the Natural Order is trying to get the better of Paul Whitmore and stop his anti aging products before it goes to market. They have found out that Whitmore has an 87 year old son, and they keep trying to kidnap him and harm him to get to Paul Whitmore. Paul brings his son Max to his highly secured compound to protect him. There are a lot of side stories that help lead up to the current plot. The book is a very well written book and very entertaining. There is a mind blowing ending to this book. You don't want to miss it. I highly recommend this book. 👌
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thanks to Atria Books and Netgalley for an eARC of The Natural Order by Matthew Aldrich. The Natural Order was a very breezy yet taut sci-fi thriller about the cost of immortality. The novel follows CEO Paul Whitmore, who has been using his company's product, the method, to stop the aging process. On the cusp of becoming the oldest individual to have lived and the release of the method, Paul has to reckon with his past by way of his son. I was glued to the page and easily soaked in what I was reading; the primary reason besides the unique premise was the character of Paul. As Paul has to come to terms with the son he left behind and all he sacrificed to get to this point, the character becomes completely engrossing. If you love thrillers with a sci-fi bent you need to read The Natural Order upon release.
May 11, 2026
Such an amazing and thoughtful read. It’s the story of a trillionaire businessman who essentially discovers the cure for aging, and embarks on a quest to be the longest living person ever (while also heading a company set to launch this cure for a hefty price tag); his enemies attempt to stop him by threatening the life of his estranged son. It’s set in a not-too-distant future that feels all too plausible, and explores a lot of very relevant themes (AI, income inequality, environment) in a cautionary but not heavy handed way. Beyond that, it really focuses on life, relationships, and the choices we make along the way. Throw in a little good action and gunfire… a little bit of something for everyone. 5⭐️
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
DRC from Edelweiss and Atria Books / Simon & Schuster
An interesting story about life expectancy and family. Set in the future, Paul Whitmore heads a company that created a nutritional plan that extends your life. Called “The Method” it is a series of steps you take to stop aging. But the Method is controversial and there is a group out there who like to see Paul dead. There he lives alone on huge, seclude property with staff and security. He works remotely and only goes into the public domain once a year. When the group targets Paul’s son, he knows he must take steps to protect him. Will Max remain in hiding with Paul? Can Paul’s security stop the group from hurting them? Is there something else going on in Paul’s business that makes his security questionable? If you could live a longer life, how would you spend it and with whom?
An interesting story about life expectancy and family. Set in the future, Paul Whitmore heads a company that created a nutritional plan that extends your life. Called “The Method” it is a series of steps you take to stop aging. But the Method is controversial and there is a group out there who like to see Paul dead. There he lives alone on huge, seclude property with staff and security. He works remotely and only goes into the public domain once a year. When the group targets Paul’s son, he knows he must take steps to protect him. Will Max remain in hiding with Paul? Can Paul’s security stop the group from hurting them? Is there something else going on in Paul’s business that makes his security questionable? If you could live a longer life, how would you spend it and with whom?
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews