Programmed for Terror

by B.W. Battin

Secure and successful, Jessica Russell finds her life disintegrating as a bizarre series of cruel mishaps--perpetrated by a psychopath with a computer--lead her into a nightmare

Genres: Horror

247 pages, Paperback

First published January 12, 1985

Reviews

[Grady Hendrix · Rating 2 out of 5]

Written in 1985 this is a novel about a toxic dude using his access to a computer to completely destroy a woman's life. Clearly, this is fiction because that couldn't possibly happen in reality.

[Jordan Anderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I honestly don’t know why this one is holding at a measly 2.8 stars (and only 4 reviews) as it’s truly not that bad.

By no means is Programmed for Terror a “great” novel, but it’s definitely decent and might even be borderline “good”. It’s cliched, of course, full of terrible 1980s ideals and fears and it never presents anything even remotely original, but that’s not doesn’t mean it isn’t a moderately fun and entertaining read. Battin ain’t gonna win any awards, however this felt more along the lines of a fairly well-written Zebra horror novel (of which there are only a few)

[Karan joshi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Programmed for Terror by B.W. Battin is a gripping thriller that blends technology and psychological suspense. The novel follows a chilling conspiracy where people are programmed to carry out acts of terror, delving into themes of mind control and manipulation. Battin’s fast-paced narrative keeps readers on edge, with well-crafted twists and a strong sense of urgency. Though some plot elements feel a bit dated, the exploration of fear and control remains eerily relevant. It’s a solid, engaging read for fans of classic thrillers with a tech-driven edge.

[Robert Fontenot · Rating 2 out of 5]

Yes it's a terrible novel but it's also a fascinating document of the terrors of hacking in the early days of the home computer.