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ENCODED MINDS: A BIOLOGICAL THRILLER

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Dark Matter meets HBO’s “The Last of Us” in this apocalyptic tale of humanity’s fight against a quickly spreading bacterial infection that turns people into possessed followers of the mysterious “Collective.”

Olivia Scott once had a strange ability: she could glimpse echoes of high-emotion events that had taken place nearby. As a child, those visions terrified her. Now, these long-forgotten gifts might be the only thing standing between survival and annihilation.

When Liv’s brother Bobby is arrested for murder, she must reclaim the power she once buried if she hopes to prove his innocence. With the help of two scientists, she makes a stunning discovery: bacteria can store memories of the world around them and transmit those memories directly into the human brain.

Humans, made of trillions of bacteria, are the perfect hosts for this microscopic invasion. A military state takes control, while scientists search for the bacteria's origins at its epicenter, the city of Wexberg.

But the deeper they dig, the more disturbing the truth becomes.

Because the bacteria aren’t just recording human history. They’re learning to control it.

Can Liv’s visions save humankind before they fall prey to the hivemind of The Collective?

322 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 12, 2026

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About the author

Kfir Luzzatto

61 books158 followers
Kfir Luzzatto writes high-concept science fiction and thrillers that blend cutting-edge science with gripping human stakes. He is the author of eighteen novels and seven non-fiction books, including the award-winning PARALLELS, which received First Place in the 2025 Incipere Awards, and his debut, Crossing the Meadow, voted Best Horror Novel in the 2003 Preditors & Editors Readers Poll.

Kfir has been an active contributor to the speculative fiction community, serving on the editorial board of The Harrow Press as Anthology Editor until 2014, where he edited and co-edited four horror anthologies.

Born and raised in Italy, he moved to Israel as a teenager and developed a deep connection to the English language through his father, a former U.S. Army veteran, writer, and passionate reader. He holds a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering and works as a patent attorney, bringing a strong scientific foundation to the high-concept ideas explored in his fiction.

In addition to his writing, Kfir is a certified Clinical Hypnotherapist, reflecting his long-standing interest in the workings of the mind, perception, and the boundaries between reality and imagination—themes that frequently shape his stories.

He is a member of the Horror Writers Association and International Thriller Writers.

You can visit Kfir’s website and read his blog at https://www.kfirluzzatto.com. Follow him on Twitter (@KfirLuzzatto) and friend him on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/KfirLuzzatto...).

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5 stars
10 (34%)
4 stars
7 (24%)
3 stars
7 (24%)
2 stars
3 (10%)
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2 (6%)
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
Profile Image for Inspired: Veteran Made.
153 reviews2 followers
May 17, 2026
This was kind of an interesting idea, but I could not finish this one after only 15%. One issue was that it repeated phrases. Then, it did not do a great job of world building. At one point, I even yelled "oh come on" when the protagonist said 'I didnt get that, can you explain more?' For the FIFTH TIME in a row. This was the second time that the writer did this by 15%. This feels like a debut novel with amateur skills, not someone who has multiple published books. This was very disappointing especially as I typically can force myself to finish most thing I read.
Profile Image for LISA.
280 reviews4 followers
June 3, 2026
I’d rate this 2.5 stars, rounded up to 3. The premise was strong and genuinely intriguing, which is what kept me reading. It was a unique sci-fi story that had great promise. Unfortunately, the execution didn’t live up to the idea. The world-building often felt underdeveloped, the dialogue came across as unnatural, and the characters lacked depth—especially the female lead, who was written in a way that felt frustratingly one-dimensional.
I was surprised to learn this wasn’t a debut novel. I received it as an ARC, which is the main reason I read it to the end. I received this from BookSirens for an honest review, and I did not receive any cash or discounts for my opinion. Overall, this was an uncomfortable read for me, mainly because I found some aspects of it overtly sexist.
Profile Image for Donna Zeff.
94 reviews
May 21, 2026
This cutting-edge thriller-mystery will delight all those who love the seamless synthesis of up-to-the-minute real science with the terrifying "what-ifs" that the best speculative fiction presents. You will meet Olivia Scott, the sympathetic protagonist whose adventure we follow closely as she begins to understand both the out-of-control world around her and her confusing and frightening inner world. Growing up misunderstood and alienated, "Liv's" father seems to be the only one who supports and believes in her. By suppressing her awesome super-power, Liv loses her ability to perceive things others can't, and consequently loses touch with her inner self-trust. Since this is a thriller-mystery I won't say more about the story, other than be prepared to experience a montage of "The Last of Us," "Pluribus" and the mind-bending Ted Talk by the incredibly articulate super molecular biologist Bonnie Bassler. This is a book you just can't put down.
852 reviews8 followers
June 23, 2026
Encoded Minds: A Biological Thriller by Kfir Luzzatto is an exhilarating blend of science fiction, dystopian suspense, and biological horror that delivers both intellectual intrigue and relentless momentum. Combining cutting edge scientific speculation with high stakes survival, Kfir Luzzatto crafts a thriller that feels both imaginative and disturbingly plausible.

From its gripping opening, the novel establishes an atmosphere of escalating tension. What begins as a murder investigation soon expands into a chilling global crisis, drawing readers into a world where microscopic organisms hold unimaginable power over human consciousness. The concept that bacteria can preserve memories and transmit them directly into the human brain is brilliantly original and provides the foundation for a story that continually surprises.

Olivia Scott is an engaging and memorable protagonist. Her forgotten childhood ability to perceive emotional echoes gives the novel an emotional depth that complements its scientific complexity. As Liv confronts both her past and the rapidly collapsing world around her, her personal journey becomes inseparable from humanity's struggle for survival, making her transformation feel both believable and deeply satisfying.

The novel excels at balancing speculative science with human emotion. While the biological concepts surrounding microbial memory, collective consciousness, and neurological influence are fascinating, the story never loses sight of its characters. Relationships, loyalty, sacrifice, and courage remain at the heart of the narrative, giving readers compelling emotional stakes alongside the thrilling scientific mystery.

Luzzatto also creates an unsettling dystopian atmosphere. As governments respond with military control and society begins to fracture under the influence of the mysterious Collective, the novel explores timely questions about free will, identity, memory, and the fragile boundaries between individuality and conformity. These philosophical undercurrents elevate the story beyond a traditional apocalyptic thriller.

The pacing is exceptional throughout. Each revelation naturally expands the scope of the mystery, maintaining suspense while continually raising the stakes. The scientific investigation, psychological tension, and survival elements weave together seamlessly, producing a novel that is difficult to put down.

Fans of intelligent speculative fiction will especially appreciate the book's willingness to explore bold scientific ideas without sacrificing readability or excitement. Readers who enjoy stories where science itself becomes both the mystery and the threat will find much to admire here.

Encoded Minds is an ambitious, thought-provoking thriller that successfully combines biological science, psychological suspense, dystopian world building, and emotional storytelling into a remarkably entertaining experience. It is a gripping reminder that humanity's greatest threats may emerge not from what we can see, but from what has quietly lived within us all along.
544 reviews7 followers
June 7, 2026
Olivia (Liv) Scott discovered she had a unique ability when she was a child. She was able to see echoes of past events that had happened in different locations that involved strong enough emotions to cause echoes of them to be remembered by the place where they happened. It was not always a pleasant thing to know, as many strong-emotion events are not happy ones, and many are violent and terrifying. And as she grew up, she managed to suppress that ability. However, when her brother is accused of a murder he didn’t commit, that ability is the only thing that might save his life. And, as it turns out, it also makes her one of the few people who might be able to stop a pandemic from killing off the human race.

I read a review copy of this book and enjoyed it. After having made it through the Covid Pandemic, I can see how easily such things can be spread. And as happens to be the case in this story, the illness being spread sometimes kills, but other times causes the survivors to become part of a “hive mind” controlled by a man who calls himself “The First.” He is attempting to create a new form of humans that will follow him as their leader by altering the natural bacteria the each person carries. The means for this is airborne, and spreads quickly from person to person.

The story felt very realistic given the deadly pandemic the world faced only a few years ago. And knowing that there will always be people who believe that they know what is best for everyone around them, makes this plot even more plausible. But for me, the ending of this one-shot story seemed to come a little too quickly and easily. Even knowing that very likely the length of time it took between the beginning of the story and the ending was likely compressed a bit to allow the author to end the story in only the one book, it still felt to me like the bacterial influence controlling everyone was a little too easily and too quickly defeated. (I will admit that I do feel that "The First" got off a little too easily at the end of the story, but you'll have to read the book if you're curious as to how or why I feel that way.)

That being said, I did enjoy the story a great deal. And I believe that anyone who enjoys reading thriller novels will enjoy this book. I also believe that anyone who enjoys any of the other books by Mr. Luzzatto will likely also enjoy reading this book. It really t was a captivating and well written story and one that I enjoyed reading all the way to the end.
205 reviews
June 23, 2026
Encoded Minds: A Biological Thriller by Kfir Luzzatto is a work that stands out not merely for its premise, but for the discipline with which that premise is executed.

At its core, the novel explores a concept that is both unsettling and intellectually compelling: the idea that bacteria—ubiquitous, invisible, and fundamental to human life—can store and transmit memory. What could easily have remained a speculative gimmick is instead developed into a cohesive framework that drives both the narrative tension and the thematic weight of the story.

What distinguishes this book within the crowded field of science fiction thrillers is its restraint. The narrative does not rely solely on pace or catastrophe to maintain engagement. Instead, it builds a layered interplay between scientific possibility, psychological consequence, and societal breakdown. The progression from individual anomaly to systemic threat is handled with precision, giving the story a sense of inevitability rather than convenience.

The protagonist’s ability to perceive emotional echoes serves as more than a narrative device—it becomes a bridge between human intuition and scientific explanation. This duality reinforces one of the novel’s central tensions: the boundary between what we understand and what we are only beginning to comprehend.

Equally notable is the treatment of the “Collective.” Rather than presenting it as a simplistic antagonist, the narrative frames it as an emergent phenomenon—one that raises questions about autonomy, identity, and the extent to which human consciousness can be influenced or overridden by forces beyond perception.

Encoded Minds succeeds because it respects both its subject matter and its reader. It offers a concept that is ambitious, grounds it in a believable framework, and allows the implications to unfold without compromise. The result is a thriller that engages not only at the level of plot, but at the level of ideas—an increasingly rare balance in the genre.
220 reviews3 followers
July 21, 2026
Encoded Minds: A Biological Thriller is an intelligent, fast-paced novel that masterfully blends speculative science, psychological suspense, and apocalyptic tension into a gripping reading experience. Kfir Luzzatto delivers a thriller that is both scientifically imaginative and emotionally compelling, creating a story that continually challenges readers to question the boundaries between biology, memory, and consciousness.

One of the novel's greatest strengths is its original scientific premise. The concept that bacteria can record and transmit memories introduces an unsettling yet fascinating foundation for the narrative, transforming microbiology into the engine of a global crisis. Rather than relying solely on action, the novel carefully builds suspense through scientific discovery, ethical dilemmas, and escalating psychological tension.

The book thoughtfully explores themes of memory, identity, consciousness, scientific discovery, survival, family, responsibility, free will, resilience, and the consequences of unchecked biological evolution. Olivia Scott's journey provides the emotional core of the story, balancing the large-scale threat facing humanity with a deeply personal struggle rooted in family loyalty and self-discovery. This combination of intimate character development and high-stakes suspense gives the novel exceptional depth.

Written with confident pacing, imaginative world-building, and compelling scientific intrigue, Encoded Minds is an outstanding choice for readers who enjoy intelligent science fiction, biological thrillers, and speculative fiction grounded in thought-provoking ideas. Kfir Luzzatto has created a novel that is both highly entertaining and intellectually engaging, leaving readers reflecting on its concepts long after the final chapter.
66 reviews1 follower
July 16, 2026
First – Who should read this? If you are interested in…
1. Dystopian science fiction that takes the idea of the pandemic we all experienced a step further
2. A modern version of The Island of Dr. Moreau by H.G. Wells, Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson
3. Bio-thrillers and the power of using science for good vs. evil

Facts
Liv’s world is turned upside down when her brother, Bobby, is arrested for murder. She is determined to exonerate him, but to do so she must recover a special power. As a child, she could experience highly emotional events from the past when close to where they happened. If Liv succeeds, she’ll be able to identify the true murderer and prove her brother’s innocence.
While taking on that task, two scientists approach her, desperate for help and eager to assist her in regaining her rare ability. They also want to utilize her power, but for the much larger – and horrifying – goal of saving humanity. Someone has developed micro-organisms that can invade human brains and essentially take control of the surviving humans that don’t perish after infected. And this someone’s goal is to rule over the world, as he controls the bacteria-ridden “Collective” he has created. Only people with Liv’s particular power are immune to the bacteria’s effects and it is quickly spreading throughout the world. Scientists need the help of these rare “resistant” humans in order to win an all-out biological war.

Feels
It was an interesting idea, particularly because I’m a fan of the books mentioned earlier in my review. It just never hit the point where readers can become curious and invested in the outcome. It seems like Luzzatto tried to wrap the book up prematurely or maybe was under a time crunch? The irony is that, if more developed both in plot and in well-rounded characters, I could see this becoming the first in a trilogy!
One very strange aspect of the book I just have to mention is that the inciting incident of her brother’s arrest almost completely disappears. I nearly forgot it was even part of the book! What an odd choice.

Final Thoughts
Encoded Minds was fine, but needs to be workshopped. The characters need to be developed, the plot points need to be expanded upon, the dialogue desperately needs to become worthwhile, and the antagonists need actual identities. Interesting premise, especially post-Covid, but what could have been a scary thought-experiment becomes a basic story in its actual execution.

For Friends/Followers/Fanatics – You know who you are…

Profile Image for Kat M.
5,361 reviews18 followers
May 23, 2026
I really enjoyed reading this, it had the apocalyptic mind control hive mind that I was looking for from the description. I enjoyed getting to go on this journey with Olivia and how the author was able to use the genre to create something really engaging. Kfir Luzzatto Does an amazing job in writing this and creating a unique world in the genre and how it left me wanting to read more. I thought the overall concept worked well in the genre and you could tell that it had that thriller concept that I was looking for, It was suspenseful and I enjoyed the genetic engineering of the story. I hope to read more from the author as this was really well done and glad I got to read this.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Cyrus.
60 reviews4 followers
May 13, 2026
Okay, the concept of bacteria storing memories and essentially creating a "hive mind" takeover is such a cool and creepy idea.🫣 I was really drawn into the mystery right from the start, especially with Olivia’s ability to see "echoes" of the past. The story moves quickly, and the idea that we're all just perfect hosts for this microscopic invasion really made me think. It's a fast and entertaining read that blends science, action, and a solid dose of paranoia. A solid pick for anyone who enjoys a smart, fast-paced biological thriller.
Profile Image for Kristi.
7 reviews
July 15, 2026
Thank you for the giveaway read! 🩷

The premise of the book is good and easily the strongest part of the book. The idea is original, thought-provoking, and unlike anything I've read before, which kept me interested from beginning to end. Unfortunately, the main female character was a major disappointment. I found her unlikeable, frustrating, and difficult to relate to. Instead of adding depth to the story, she often pulled me out of it.
Profile Image for Megan.
67 reviews
June 7, 2026
A really good sci fi thriller read that kept me guessing and engaged
152 reviews
July 30, 2026
Not a fan of this novel. While I initially thought it had potential, the writing style, dialogue, and narration fell short.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews