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A Michael North Thriller #2
Curse the Day
Tobias Hawke was the tech genius boss of the British Institute for Deep Learning. Now his body has been found in his lab: he has been brutally murdered.
Hawke was on the brink of an astonishing breakthrough in the field of Artificial Intelligence. His creation, 'Syd', a machine-learning device that mimics human thought, promised to change the face of humanity forever. But, in the wake of her creator's murder, Syd has gone into emergency shutdown procedure. What secrets are her neural networks hiding?
Michael North, ex-assassin and spy-for-hire, is the man to find out. But he can't work alone. Teenage hacker Fangfang, and Hawke's widow, a prize-winning ethicist, have their own reasons to solve the murder. But can they uncover the truth before it's too late?
- GenresFiction
381 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 2, 2020
42 people are currently reading
120 people want to read
About the author
Judith O'Reilly
10 books32 followersJudith O’Reilly's claim to fame is that one of her books was a Radio 4 Book of the Week. As far as she's concerned that's as good as it gets.
Judith has written three books. Her latest book is called Killing State and is out in November. It's a commercial political thriller and her first novel – at least the first one she's allowed to leave the house without her. She likes to describe it as a Lee Child meets Robert Harris, with a young and very British action hero and compelling and dynamic female characters. She may be the only person who ever thinks that. We'll have to see.
Judith's a former political producer with BBC 2’s Newsnight and ITN’s Channel 4 News, and a former education correspondent with The Sunday Times where she also covered politics, undercover reporting and general news. She still writes for The Sunday Times.
Her two non-fiction books were called Wife in the North and A Year of Doing Good (both published by Viking Penguin, in 2008 and 2013 respectively). Wife in the North reached number three in the UK bestsellers’ chart and was in the top ten for five weeks. It was also a top ten bestseller in Germany. It sold into ten countries, was serialised by The Sunday Times and the Daily Telegraph, was a BBC Radio 4 Book of the Week (has she mentioned that already?), and was based on Judith’s eponymous blog which was named as one of the top 100 blogs in the world by The Sunday Times. Judith’s blog is credited with kicking off the popularity of domestic blogging in the UK. For A Year of Doing Good, she did a good deed a day for a year. It did not make her a better person. She has taught memoir and blogging at Newcastle University, and occasionally advises on strategic communications. Most of all though, she writes and drinks a lot of tea. Occasionally, she shakes things up and drinks covfefe.
Judith has written three books. Her latest book is called Killing State and is out in November. It's a commercial political thriller and her first novel – at least the first one she's allowed to leave the house without her. She likes to describe it as a Lee Child meets Robert Harris, with a young and very British action hero and compelling and dynamic female characters. She may be the only person who ever thinks that. We'll have to see.
Judith's a former political producer with BBC 2’s Newsnight and ITN’s Channel 4 News, and a former education correspondent with The Sunday Times where she also covered politics, undercover reporting and general news. She still writes for The Sunday Times.
Her two non-fiction books were called Wife in the North and A Year of Doing Good (both published by Viking Penguin, in 2008 and 2013 respectively). Wife in the North reached number three in the UK bestsellers’ chart and was in the top ten for five weeks. It was also a top ten bestseller in Germany. It sold into ten countries, was serialised by The Sunday Times and the Daily Telegraph, was a BBC Radio 4 Book of the Week (has she mentioned that already?), and was based on Judith’s eponymous blog which was named as one of the top 100 blogs in the world by The Sunday Times. Judith’s blog is credited with kicking off the popularity of domestic blogging in the UK. For A Year of Doing Good, she did a good deed a day for a year. It did not make her a better person. She has taught memoir and blogging at Newcastle University, and occasionally advises on strategic communications. Most of all though, she writes and drinks a lot of tea. Occasionally, she shakes things up and drinks covfefe.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
August 13, 2022
Michael North #2
Edmund Hone extricates North from a very dodgy situation in Berlin and Michael arrives back in the U.K. via a ‘deadly’ route. In return the MI5 chief wants North to work for them, in particular to help guard Hone’s niece Esme Hawke who has been brutally attacked in her home. Esme and her husband tech genius Tobias own Derkind which amongst other things is developing an advanced AI known as Syd. North also receives a postcard from Fangfang Yu in Newcastle asking for help. Hone has taken her mother hostage to force North’s hand to accept his offer - a Hobson’s choice scenario. Then Tobias is brutally murdered and Syd goes into lockdown mode. Why? Behind the scenes is all manner of espionage, covert agencies, a band of mercenaries led by General Kirkham and a figure who holds a high government office. Not up against much then, eh? The merry band of three are up against it.
This is a really good series and I like the blend of political conspiracy with dark humour provided especially by Fangfang and North’s friend Pug. To counterbalance the characters you root for there are some truly evil monsters in this and they are hiding in plain sight.
The concepts at the centre of this are fascinating and as in the first in the series, not beyond the realms of possibility
and it makes you think. What unfolds is the very definition of a high octane, exciting, addictive and intelligent thriller, in more ways than one! There are some great twists and multiple turns and yes, it has a good ending. Three cheers.
Onto number three - can’t wait!
This was a Kindle Unlimited read.
Edmund Hone extricates North from a very dodgy situation in Berlin and Michael arrives back in the U.K. via a ‘deadly’ route. In return the MI5 chief wants North to work for them, in particular to help guard Hone’s niece Esme Hawke who has been brutally attacked in her home. Esme and her husband tech genius Tobias own Derkind which amongst other things is developing an advanced AI known as Syd. North also receives a postcard from Fangfang Yu in Newcastle asking for help. Hone has taken her mother hostage to force North’s hand to accept his offer - a Hobson’s choice scenario. Then Tobias is brutally murdered and Syd goes into lockdown mode. Why? Behind the scenes is all manner of espionage, covert agencies, a band of mercenaries led by General Kirkham and a figure who holds a high government office. Not up against much then, eh? The merry band of three are up against it.
This is a really good series and I like the blend of political conspiracy with dark humour provided especially by Fangfang and North’s friend Pug. To counterbalance the characters you root for there are some truly evil monsters in this and they are hiding in plain sight.
The concepts at the centre of this are fascinating and as in the first in the series, not beyond the realms of possibility
and it makes you think. What unfolds is the very definition of a high octane, exciting, addictive and intelligent thriller, in more ways than one! There are some great twists and multiple turns and yes, it has a good ending. Three cheers.
Onto number three - can’t wait!
This was a Kindle Unlimited read.
September 15, 2022
4+ stars
This is the second Michael North thriller by the author. I have the arc for book 3 and I wanted to read this one first. What a ride!
North used to be a secret squirrel government hit man but after the woman he loved was killed (in the previous book) he lost it! He killed seven of those involved but still has not accounted for the actual shooter. Now, he spends his days in a seedy Berlin bar seeking oblivion. All that changes when he receives a coded call for help from Fang Fang - the brilliant 14 year old Chinese computer hacking prodigy and one of his few real friends. His former employer, The one-eyed General Hone, also wants him back in London to protect his niece Esme Sullivan Hawke - wife of tech billionaire Tobias Hawke who has invented a next generation AI (called Syd) that redefines everything that we know about machine learning. Syd has already saved Esme’s life when ‘she’ instructed her on how to neutralise a would-be home invading rapist.
But things are about to get very ‘hairy’ for North, Fang and a handful of others they recruit to the cause. Tobias is planning to release Syd into the world but certain interests, particularly the Chinese, want it for themselves and Esme doesn’t think it’s ready yet to make fully ethical decisions. She fears a “terminator” like future where machines run the wold. Also after Syd are corrupt British forces.
It’s a race against time as Tobias has set things up automatically and, we’ll, I shouldn’t say any more. This was such an entertaining, escapist bit of fun while keeping you glued to the pages. I just couldn’t put it down! it’s one of those ‘guilty pleasure’ implausible but thrilling reads. I’m really looking forward to book 3 now!
This is the second Michael North thriller by the author. I have the arc for book 3 and I wanted to read this one first. What a ride!
North used to be a secret squirrel government hit man but after the woman he loved was killed (in the previous book) he lost it! He killed seven of those involved but still has not accounted for the actual shooter. Now, he spends his days in a seedy Berlin bar seeking oblivion. All that changes when he receives a coded call for help from Fang Fang - the brilliant 14 year old Chinese computer hacking prodigy and one of his few real friends. His former employer, The one-eyed General Hone, also wants him back in London to protect his niece Esme Sullivan Hawke - wife of tech billionaire Tobias Hawke who has invented a next generation AI (called Syd) that redefines everything that we know about machine learning. Syd has already saved Esme’s life when ‘she’ instructed her on how to neutralise a would-be home invading rapist.
But things are about to get very ‘hairy’ for North, Fang and a handful of others they recruit to the cause. Tobias is planning to release Syd into the world but certain interests, particularly the Chinese, want it for themselves and Esme doesn’t think it’s ready yet to make fully ethical decisions. She fears a “terminator” like future where machines run the wold. Also after Syd are corrupt British forces.
It’s a race against time as Tobias has set things up automatically and, we’ll, I shouldn’t say any more. This was such an entertaining, escapist bit of fun while keeping you glued to the pages. I just couldn’t put it down! it’s one of those ‘guilty pleasure’ implausible but thrilling reads. I’m really looking forward to book 3 now!
April 5, 2020
Curse the Day is the second instalment in the superb Michael North series and this is another fabulously gripping and high-stakes adrenaline-fuelled outing. There is often a trade-off between intelligent plotting and heart-thumping suspense in action thrillers but this provides both of these things in spades without the need to scrimp on one of them. Entrepreneur and technological genius Tobias Hawke has been brutally and mercilessly murdered shortly after his wife Esme was forced to kill an intruder who intended on raping and offing her in her own home but it has understandably left her scarred. Toby is the head of the Derkind Institute a company whose expertise lies in artificial intelligence and Hawke’s abilities in this highly competitive international field mean that when he manages to develop a groundbreaking AI named Syd he paints a target on his back. With Syd having been pilfered during the commission of Tobias’s murder, North must battle with his elite hacker colleague, Fangfang Yu, to find the perpetrator and recover Syd.
This is an action-packed, high-octane cross between an action thriller and a technothriller and moves at breakneck pace with a tonne of intensity and tension and is a thoroughly enjoyable and entertaining page-turner. O’Reilly pens some fantastic action scenes that have you on the edge of your seat but does not neglect the characterisation despite this very much being a plot-driven tale. Just as prolific fiction producers’ publications tend to go down in terms of quality, those who take longer to pen their thrillers often ensure the quality goes up and that is definitely the case here with this long-awaited sequel. It’s a real gem that remains on the right side of believable and has some interesting opinions about the topical issues of technological advancement, society and life in general. Michael North is a troubled but likeable ex-military man who can be rather apathetic but once he believes in himself he proves he’s a dogged pursuer of truth. Highly recommended. Many thanks to Head of Zeus for an ARC.
This is an action-packed, high-octane cross between an action thriller and a technothriller and moves at breakneck pace with a tonne of intensity and tension and is a thoroughly enjoyable and entertaining page-turner. O’Reilly pens some fantastic action scenes that have you on the edge of your seat but does not neglect the characterisation despite this very much being a plot-driven tale. Just as prolific fiction producers’ publications tend to go down in terms of quality, those who take longer to pen their thrillers often ensure the quality goes up and that is definitely the case here with this long-awaited sequel. It’s a real gem that remains on the right side of believable and has some interesting opinions about the topical issues of technological advancement, society and life in general. Michael North is a troubled but likeable ex-military man who can be rather apathetic but once he believes in himself he proves he’s a dogged pursuer of truth. Highly recommended. Many thanks to Head of Zeus for an ARC.
April 2, 2020
A fast paced, high octane thriller with a kick-ass protagonist who had a bullet which had rewired his brain and an AI which was wanted by the world over. What more could I want?
Somebody tried to murder Esme. Then her husband Tobias Hawke was murdered. The AI Syd went into the lockdown mode. What was the AI hiding? Esme's uncle called North back to UK using threats to protect his niece. North and his 14-year-old hacker friend, Fang, get cracking.
My first book by author Judith O'Reilly captured my interest with North in the spotlight. I loved his entry into the country where death dogged his footsteps. Ably supported by his team, it was fun to run with him through all the action scenes. And there were plenty that peppered the pages of the book.
Twists were many, and I was shocked by the reveal, most unexpected, the author wrote this book with a pen dipped in adrenaline, making her main character think on his toes. Not a moment was wasted.
I loved Fang, a genius brat, she captured my heart with her wisecracks along with her knowledge. Her love for North was well evident even when she called him a moron-person. Overall, a fun action thriller, well recommended for fans of this genre.
Somebody tried to murder Esme. Then her husband Tobias Hawke was murdered. The AI Syd went into the lockdown mode. What was the AI hiding? Esme's uncle called North back to UK using threats to protect his niece. North and his 14-year-old hacker friend, Fang, get cracking.
My first book by author Judith O'Reilly captured my interest with North in the spotlight. I loved his entry into the country where death dogged his footsteps. Ably supported by his team, it was fun to run with him through all the action scenes. And there were plenty that peppered the pages of the book.
Twists were many, and I was shocked by the reveal, most unexpected, the author wrote this book with a pen dipped in adrenaline, making her main character think on his toes. Not a moment was wasted.
I loved Fang, a genius brat, she captured my heart with her wisecracks along with her knowledge. Her love for North was well evident even when she called him a moron-person. Overall, a fun action thriller, well recommended for fans of this genre.
March 30, 2020
Without hyperbole, the Michael North series is now one of my iron-clad favourites. Each entry is fresh and different, while North himself is a dazzlingly enjoyable creation with a very cool central conceit - he has a bullet already in his head, and could die at any moment regardless of what is happening around him. This time we are talking about artificial intelligence, and poses a number of ethical head-scratchers amidst the gleeful mayhem - and it is that very balance (amongst so many other things) that O'Reilly gets so right. There is a definite sense of humour and depth to the bone-crunching bigger picture, which leaves Curse The Day a constantly surprising, heart-felt, desperately exciting super-thriller - and a truly standout action-adventure novel, which left me both smiling and breathless.
May 2, 2020
This is a difficult book for me to judge because, so sadly, my mum died of the virus when I was half way through. I've now just finished it after three days of not reading a word. It therefore seems unfair to judge it as I know I wasn't able to give it the attention it deserves. Nevertheless, it's an intriguing, action-packed thriller with some attractive characters and some diabolical baddies, although the story isn't quite as intriguing as I'd hoped. 3.5 stars rounded up. Review to follow on For Winter Nights.
April 6, 2020
*I voluntarily reviewed this book from Netgalley.
Action-packed with heart, CURSE THE DAY by Judith O'Reilly was the perfect escapist read and I cannot wait to read more from her.
Michael North has given up on life after a bullet lodged itself in his brain and he lost the woman he loved. He has exacted his revenge on those who took her life but serving his country and fighting for a cause seems meaningless at this point. But when a young friend of his needs his help, he cannot let her down, and Michael soon finds himself hunting down a killer while trying to protect a clever and very determined woman. As the world of AI reaches new bounds there are those who will maim and murder to make it theirs to control. Can Michael protect those he cares about while uncovering the whole, ugly truth? Or has his luck finally run out?
Wonderfully paced and filled with energy and dynamic characters, CURSE THE DAY was just what I needed to put my worries aside for a few hours. Part conspiracy story, part thriller, there is never a dull moment in this story and I devoured it in one sitting. I thoroughly enjoyed Judith O'Reilly's writing flair and her knack for making characters come alive in a very real way, and I highly recommend this book for anyone who wants to forget about the real world for a while.
CURSE THE DAY by Judith O'Reilly is a firecracker of a story and is sure to please thriller and action fans alike - a must-read!
Action-packed with heart, CURSE THE DAY by Judith O'Reilly was the perfect escapist read and I cannot wait to read more from her.
Michael North has given up on life after a bullet lodged itself in his brain and he lost the woman he loved. He has exacted his revenge on those who took her life but serving his country and fighting for a cause seems meaningless at this point. But when a young friend of his needs his help, he cannot let her down, and Michael soon finds himself hunting down a killer while trying to protect a clever and very determined woman. As the world of AI reaches new bounds there are those who will maim and murder to make it theirs to control. Can Michael protect those he cares about while uncovering the whole, ugly truth? Or has his luck finally run out?
Wonderfully paced and filled with energy and dynamic characters, CURSE THE DAY was just what I needed to put my worries aside for a few hours. Part conspiracy story, part thriller, there is never a dull moment in this story and I devoured it in one sitting. I thoroughly enjoyed Judith O'Reilly's writing flair and her knack for making characters come alive in a very real way, and I highly recommend this book for anyone who wants to forget about the real world for a while.
CURSE THE DAY by Judith O'Reilly is a firecracker of a story and is sure to please thriller and action fans alike - a must-read!
November 6, 2023
Britain is about to lead the way in A.I., with scientist Tobias Hawke having a big launch event at the British Museum. But the technology attracts other parties, who are determined to grab it no matter the cost. Michael North is recruited to protect Britain’s interests. But it might be Britain that he has more to fear from.
With A.I. a hot topic in 2023, this is a fascinating read of the potential of the technology. This book is full of action from start to finish, and the ending is particularly delicious, but no spoilers from me.
With A.I. a hot topic in 2023, this is a fascinating read of the potential of the technology. This book is full of action from start to finish, and the ending is particularly delicious, but no spoilers from me.
September 8, 2020
This originally appeared at The Irresponsible Reader.
---
WHAT'S CURSE THE DAY ABOUT?
Killing State's ending pretty much broke Michael North*. When the book opens, he's trying to drink and gamble himself into oblivious rather than dealing with the emotional fallout.
* which is ironic, because the rest of the book was pretty much about him coming back to life.
And then an old acquaintance from MI-6 shows up with a job. His niece is an ethicist married to one of the most innovative computer scientists around, who is on the verge of a major announcement in the development of AI. But someone is trying to interfere with that announcement, and have tried to kill his niece. He wants North to sober up and protect her. To guarantee his cooperation, he's arranged for Fang's mother to be arrested and is threatening to deport her and send her back to China. It's this, and only this, that compels North to action.
Fang's waiting for him—and is full of less than supportive things to say about his recent activity, but she's more than ready to help him. Not just for her mother's sake. Also, not just because this kind of AI is the stuff she dreams of. Despite their brief acquaintance, she really likes North and wants to help.
Narrowing down the source of the threat is difficult—there's some industrial espionage afoot, some not very covert efforts by Chinese representatives to gain control of the technology, and some British military types heavily invested, too. One of the adversaries North faces off with is straight out of a Bond movie, while the others are more...down to Earth (at least by the standards contemporary thrillers). I'm not sure which I prefer—I just like to know that against North, both types of adversary have their work cut out for them.
It's clear what North will do to whoever's behind the attacks, the question is, what will it take for him to figure out the responsible parties.
SO, WHAT DID I THINK ABOUT CURSE THE DAY
I have a hard time not recommending a book with such moral clarity (even if the protagonist who holds that clarity needs some work on how to live out that morality).
I've read entire books that managed to have less tension than the prologue to this novel, and it was enough to instantly get me engaged and invested in the outcome.
But after that, I think the novel didn't grab me as much as I wanted it to. Killing State was, in many ways, about North casting off the restraints that held him back (professionally, emotionally, mentally), and Curse the Day didn't have much of that. At least a couple of times, North compares Esme and Honor (the woman he was protecting in Killing State)—even seems to realize that he's trying to make Esme into a version of Honor, to react to her the same way. And it just doesn't work for him—or me—she's not Honor, as much as he might want her to be. Possibly in Book 3 he won't be looking for another Honor and will be able to focus on the tasks at hand, or come up with a new way to emotionally invest.
This didn't work for me the way that Killing State did, but I'm still coming back for more, and fully expect O'Reilly to knock my socks off again, even if she didn't this time out. But it was a clever story, and I particularly liked spending time with Fang (and look forward to seeing what trouble she gets into with her new toy).
Curse the Day's biggest problem was that it wasn't Killing State and if I read this one first, I probably would've enjoyed it more. It was tense, well-paced, with just the right number of twists and unexpected developments. Everything a thriller needs, and because of that, I have no problem encouraging you to read it. You'll probably like it more than I did. And even if you don't, you'll still have a pretty fun time.
---
He wanted to meet whoever had hacked that car. Then he wanted to punch them in the face. Because someone had tried to kill him and the innocent woman alongside him. And call him old- fashioned, but that made him mad. And an angry Michael North was someone who might just kill someone right back.
WHAT'S CURSE THE DAY ABOUT?
Killing State's ending pretty much broke Michael North*. When the book opens, he's trying to drink and gamble himself into oblivious rather than dealing with the emotional fallout.
* which is ironic, because the rest of the book was pretty much about him coming back to life.
And then an old acquaintance from MI-6 shows up with a job. His niece is an ethicist married to one of the most innovative computer scientists around, who is on the verge of a major announcement in the development of AI. But someone is trying to interfere with that announcement, and have tried to kill his niece. He wants North to sober up and protect her. To guarantee his cooperation, he's arranged for Fang's mother to be arrested and is threatening to deport her and send her back to China. It's this, and only this, that compels North to action.
Fang's waiting for him—and is full of less than supportive things to say about his recent activity, but she's more than ready to help him. Not just for her mother's sake. Also, not just because this kind of AI is the stuff she dreams of. Despite their brief acquaintance, she really likes North and wants to help.
Narrowing down the source of the threat is difficult—there's some industrial espionage afoot, some not very covert efforts by Chinese representatives to gain control of the technology, and some British military types heavily invested, too. One of the adversaries North faces off with is straight out of a Bond movie, while the others are more...down to Earth (at least by the standards contemporary thrillers). I'm not sure which I prefer—I just like to know that against North, both types of adversary have their work cut out for them.
It's clear what North will do to whoever's behind the attacks, the question is, what will it take for him to figure out the responsible parties.
SO, WHAT DID I THINK ABOUT CURSE THE DAY
Life wasn’t grey– it was black and white, there was good and there was evil, and he knew how far he was prepared to go for the sake of the good.
I have a hard time not recommending a book with such moral clarity (even if the protagonist who holds that clarity needs some work on how to live out that morality).
I've read entire books that managed to have less tension than the prologue to this novel, and it was enough to instantly get me engaged and invested in the outcome.
But after that, I think the novel didn't grab me as much as I wanted it to. Killing State was, in many ways, about North casting off the restraints that held him back (professionally, emotionally, mentally), and Curse the Day didn't have much of that. At least a couple of times, North compares Esme and Honor (the woman he was protecting in Killing State)—even seems to realize that he's trying to make Esme into a version of Honor, to react to her the same way. And it just doesn't work for him—or me—she's not Honor, as much as he might want her to be. Possibly in Book 3 he won't be looking for another Honor and will be able to focus on the tasks at hand, or come up with a new way to emotionally invest.
This didn't work for me the way that Killing State did, but I'm still coming back for more, and fully expect O'Reilly to knock my socks off again, even if she didn't this time out. But it was a clever story, and I particularly liked spending time with Fang (and look forward to seeing what trouble she gets into with her new toy).
Curse the Day's biggest problem was that it wasn't Killing State and if I read this one first, I probably would've enjoyed it more. It was tense, well-paced, with just the right number of twists and unexpected developments. Everything a thriller needs, and because of that, I have no problem encouraging you to read it. You'll probably like it more than I did. And even if you don't, you'll still have a pretty fun time.
April 15, 2020
Judith O’Reilly’s Curse the Day is one hell of a rollercoaster ride that will certainly get the blood pumping! A high stakes, high octane and fast-paced thriller where the action never stops, Curse the Day is an exciting and jaw-dropping read that grabs readers from the very first page and keeps them gripped throughout.
All eyes are on scientist Tobias Hawke as he is about to unveil a scientific breakthrough that could change the course of humanity. With everyone desperate to discover just what Tobias Hawke is going to unveil, the great and the good are all gathered at the British Museum for the global tech gala of the year. But just when Tobias was about to reveal his findings, something shocking and unexpected takes place: terrorists storm the entire building, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake. But worse than that, they seize Hawke’s masterwork and thus become in possession of something so explosive that the course of humanity and the entire world as we know it could seize to exist. All of Hawke’s plans and desire to become a leading light in his field are smashed to smithereens. What is going to happen now? What are these terrorists’ intention and can anyone get to them before major chaos and destruction ensues?
It is up to former assassin and spy Michael North to catch these nefarious criminals, but it’s certainly not going to be a walk in the park. North needs to use his skills, talents and resolve to find these killers- because the alternative simply does not bear thinking about. Can North fulfil this impossible mission? Will he rise to the challenge? Or is he about to be plunged into an overwhelming mire from which he simply cannot extricate himself? With his wife Esme and teenage hacker Fangfang by his side, North will not give up until he has located the AI. But as the three of them untangle a twisted and dangerous conspiracy sweeping across the entire strata of British society, will North survive long enough to uncover the whole truth? Or will he be stopped at the eleventh hour…for good?
Judith O’Reilly’s Curse the Day is a nail-biting and pulse racing adventure featuring a terrific hero who gives James Bond and Jason Bourne a run for their money: Michael North. A fast-paced, exhilarating and nerve-twisting read full of shocks, chills and spills, Curse the Day is an electrifying blockbuster that is just crying out for a screen adaptation.
A top-notch thriller that will leave readers on the edge of their seats, buckle up and enjoy Judith O’Reilly’s tense and taut thriller, Curse the Day.
All eyes are on scientist Tobias Hawke as he is about to unveil a scientific breakthrough that could change the course of humanity. With everyone desperate to discover just what Tobias Hawke is going to unveil, the great and the good are all gathered at the British Museum for the global tech gala of the year. But just when Tobias was about to reveal his findings, something shocking and unexpected takes place: terrorists storm the entire building, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake. But worse than that, they seize Hawke’s masterwork and thus become in possession of something so explosive that the course of humanity and the entire world as we know it could seize to exist. All of Hawke’s plans and desire to become a leading light in his field are smashed to smithereens. What is going to happen now? What are these terrorists’ intention and can anyone get to them before major chaos and destruction ensues?
It is up to former assassin and spy Michael North to catch these nefarious criminals, but it’s certainly not going to be a walk in the park. North needs to use his skills, talents and resolve to find these killers- because the alternative simply does not bear thinking about. Can North fulfil this impossible mission? Will he rise to the challenge? Or is he about to be plunged into an overwhelming mire from which he simply cannot extricate himself? With his wife Esme and teenage hacker Fangfang by his side, North will not give up until he has located the AI. But as the three of them untangle a twisted and dangerous conspiracy sweeping across the entire strata of British society, will North survive long enough to uncover the whole truth? Or will he be stopped at the eleventh hour…for good?
Judith O’Reilly’s Curse the Day is a nail-biting and pulse racing adventure featuring a terrific hero who gives James Bond and Jason Bourne a run for their money: Michael North. A fast-paced, exhilarating and nerve-twisting read full of shocks, chills and spills, Curse the Day is an electrifying blockbuster that is just crying out for a screen adaptation.
A top-notch thriller that will leave readers on the edge of their seats, buckle up and enjoy Judith O’Reilly’s tense and taut thriller, Curse the Day.
February 23, 2020
Curse The Day is an adrenaline pumping non-stop action thriller with high stakes and dark moments. Even though I have not yet read the prequel, I had no trouble getting engrossed into the story and characters. The thriller felt well-balanced, combining an interesting narrative with enjoyable characters and fast-paced action sequences.
A promising endeavor of this novel was the integration of Artificial Intelligence into the thriller elements. This book touches on the behavioral and ethical aspects of what it would mean to teach an AI entity to act responsibly with the power to either aid or eradicate humanity, something I would love to see explored further in future novels.
The protagonist, Michael North, is a fascinating character to read, with a tragic past fueling his violent actions in the present, creating a vigilante of sorts. His character takes a journey of redemption and forgiveness in this book, leaving the future open for further insight into Michael North. As a new character for me, Michael North came across as a no-nonsense hero with the desire to push through any hurdles in his way. His journey from self-pity to self-realization made him a highly likable character in my book. The relentless action sequences, with accurate weaponry and adrenaline-pumping pacing, allowed for nail-biting shootouts and hand-to-hand combat sequences displaying his tactical prowess. He is joined by his allies, as unconventional as can be, which made the read even better for me due to enjoyable interactions between the characters. The jovial banter between the team created a lighter tone in the midst of the dark undertones of the thriller, to keep readers from feeling too gloomy.
The thriller packs twists and turns that smack you in the face as you read through the book, and the elements of mystery and race-against-time thrills kept me glued to the book. The book definitely incorporates dark and emotional moments, fueling characters and readers alike in their motivations to make sure the antagonists pay for their evil doings.
I definitely recommend readers to give Curse The Day a read, and enjoy the delightful combination of action, mystery, and thriller elements along with the idea of a sentient Artificial Intelligence that can revolutionize the world.
A promising endeavor of this novel was the integration of Artificial Intelligence into the thriller elements. This book touches on the behavioral and ethical aspects of what it would mean to teach an AI entity to act responsibly with the power to either aid or eradicate humanity, something I would love to see explored further in future novels.
The protagonist, Michael North, is a fascinating character to read, with a tragic past fueling his violent actions in the present, creating a vigilante of sorts. His character takes a journey of redemption and forgiveness in this book, leaving the future open for further insight into Michael North. As a new character for me, Michael North came across as a no-nonsense hero with the desire to push through any hurdles in his way. His journey from self-pity to self-realization made him a highly likable character in my book. The relentless action sequences, with accurate weaponry and adrenaline-pumping pacing, allowed for nail-biting shootouts and hand-to-hand combat sequences displaying his tactical prowess. He is joined by his allies, as unconventional as can be, which made the read even better for me due to enjoyable interactions between the characters. The jovial banter between the team created a lighter tone in the midst of the dark undertones of the thriller, to keep readers from feeling too gloomy.
The thriller packs twists and turns that smack you in the face as you read through the book, and the elements of mystery and race-against-time thrills kept me glued to the book. The book definitely incorporates dark and emotional moments, fueling characters and readers alike in their motivations to make sure the antagonists pay for their evil doings.
I definitely recommend readers to give Curse The Day a read, and enjoy the delightful combination of action, mystery, and thriller elements along with the idea of a sentient Artificial Intelligence that can revolutionize the world.
July 2, 2020
A couple of years ago, I read Killing State by Judith O’Reilly, and finally, she is back with another high octane read which pulls you in from the first page and doesn’t let you go. Curse the Day is the second thriller to feature ex-spy, Michael North. Set in a not too distant future, humanity is on the brink of a huge artificial intelligence breakthrough. ‘Syd,’ a machine learning device, has been developed and is believed to be the first machine to have a conscience. Is this humanities greatest achievement, or does this spell the end for our species?
Michael North is a brilliant creation. At the beginning of this book, he has truly lost his way and his slowly drinking himself to death in Belgium. Michael is in mourning for his girlfriend, who was murdered, but he also vows to catch up with those responsible so he can seek his revenge. But he isn’t going to be left in this state for long. He is soon asked to protect Esme Hawke following a horrific attack in her home. Michael also has a bullet lodged in his brain, which surgery has been unable to move. He is literally a ‘dead man walking,’ one sudden jerk or even a sneeze could set the bullet loose, and when that happens, it will kill him. This also adds to the tension as you know that any moment could mean the end for Michael.
Judith O’Reilly opens the book in a very dramatic way as Esme Hawke is attacked in her own home after disturbing a burglar. Right from the get-go, I wanted to know why their home had been targeted and what it was that she and her husband had that made them a target.
In this version of reality, Britain is leading the way with the development of artificial intelligence. Countries around the world are fighting to catch up, so it is no wonder that Esme and her husband have attracted the attention of many people and governments around the world. They are about to unveil Esme’s husband’s latest creation, a machine capable of human thought. But as time counts down to the launch, it is quickly brought to Esme and Michael North’s attention that ‘Syd,’ will be capable of wiping out humanity once she is launched into the world. The scary thing is, is that they only have the matter of a few hours to stop this from happening.
Curse the Day is crying out to be made into a Hollywood film. The pace never lets up, and Judith’s writing kept me flying through the pages as the book raced towards its dramatic conclusion. I promise you; you will find this book very difficult to put down. I can’t wait to see where Judith O’Reilly takes the series next.
Michael North is a brilliant creation. At the beginning of this book, he has truly lost his way and his slowly drinking himself to death in Belgium. Michael is in mourning for his girlfriend, who was murdered, but he also vows to catch up with those responsible so he can seek his revenge. But he isn’t going to be left in this state for long. He is soon asked to protect Esme Hawke following a horrific attack in her home. Michael also has a bullet lodged in his brain, which surgery has been unable to move. He is literally a ‘dead man walking,’ one sudden jerk or even a sneeze could set the bullet loose, and when that happens, it will kill him. This also adds to the tension as you know that any moment could mean the end for Michael.
Judith O’Reilly opens the book in a very dramatic way as Esme Hawke is attacked in her own home after disturbing a burglar. Right from the get-go, I wanted to know why their home had been targeted and what it was that she and her husband had that made them a target.
In this version of reality, Britain is leading the way with the development of artificial intelligence. Countries around the world are fighting to catch up, so it is no wonder that Esme and her husband have attracted the attention of many people and governments around the world. They are about to unveil Esme’s husband’s latest creation, a machine capable of human thought. But as time counts down to the launch, it is quickly brought to Esme and Michael North’s attention that ‘Syd,’ will be capable of wiping out humanity once she is launched into the world. The scary thing is, is that they only have the matter of a few hours to stop this from happening.
Curse the Day is crying out to be made into a Hollywood film. The pace never lets up, and Judith’s writing kept me flying through the pages as the book raced towards its dramatic conclusion. I promise you; you will find this book very difficult to put down. I can’t wait to see where Judith O’Reilly takes the series next.
April 17, 2020
Curse The Day is the second book by Judith O'Reilly to feature Michael North; a fearless ex-assassin with a bullet lodged in his brain. North knows that the bullet could kill him at any time and makes makes him more ruthless, more unforgiving and more determined to ensure that everything he sees wrong in the world is put right ..... or as right as he can make it, in his own unique way.
Opening with a prologue that pulls absolutely no punches at all, and sets the reader up for what is going to be a fast-paced and at times, very violent ride, this book kept me glued to the pages throughout.
O'Reilly has created a bunch of characters here who nobody would want as enemies; they are incredibly flawed, yet vulnerable at times, meaning that instead of stereotypical, macho, all muscle fighters, we get to know some complex and intricately created lead players who, despite some of their actions, the reader backs all the way.
When Esme Hawke is almost murdered in her own apartment, the fall-out is huge. Her husband is the next victim; killed as he presents his amazing invention, Syd. Syd is an Artificial Intelligence (AI) robot which appears to have a conscious, and is certainly worth killing for.
Michael North is currently hiding out abroad when he is summoned home by Fangfang, after an unwelcome visit from an old acquaintance. The partnership between North and Fang is something to behold, and then add Esme into the mix and it becomes pretty explosive.
Curse The Day is an action-thrilled conspiracy thriller which reminded me of a Hollywood blockbuster movie; with shades of Bond and Mission Impossible running through it. The author never lets up with the pace and the action and plotting are faultless throughout.
High energy, cleverly crafted with some amazing characterisation. Explosive, fun and perfect escapism.
Opening with a prologue that pulls absolutely no punches at all, and sets the reader up for what is going to be a fast-paced and at times, very violent ride, this book kept me glued to the pages throughout.
O'Reilly has created a bunch of characters here who nobody would want as enemies; they are incredibly flawed, yet vulnerable at times, meaning that instead of stereotypical, macho, all muscle fighters, we get to know some complex and intricately created lead players who, despite some of their actions, the reader backs all the way.
When Esme Hawke is almost murdered in her own apartment, the fall-out is huge. Her husband is the next victim; killed as he presents his amazing invention, Syd. Syd is an Artificial Intelligence (AI) robot which appears to have a conscious, and is certainly worth killing for.
Michael North is currently hiding out abroad when he is summoned home by Fangfang, after an unwelcome visit from an old acquaintance. The partnership between North and Fang is something to behold, and then add Esme into the mix and it becomes pretty explosive.
Curse The Day is an action-thrilled conspiracy thriller which reminded me of a Hollywood blockbuster movie; with shades of Bond and Mission Impossible running through it. The author never lets up with the pace and the action and plotting are faultless throughout.
High energy, cleverly crafted with some amazing characterisation. Explosive, fun and perfect escapism.
December 7, 2020
Michael North is back with a vengeance in “Curse The Day” (CTD) the second book of the series by former journalist Judith O’Reilly.
Starting a few months after the tragic events which ended the first book North is on a self destructive downward spiral. Until the one eyed man from MI5, Edmund Hone, makes North an offer he literally cannot refuse. North finds himself thrown into a collision of advanced technology, government and military conspiracy, and the possible end of humanity as we know it.
It is always interesting to se how a writer develops their storytelling, craft, style, and characters in subsequent books. O’Reilly has built on the best elements of her first North novel (“Killing State”) and refined other components to deliver a great follow up novel.
A complex but easy to follow storyline CTD is a page turning thriller with a hint of speculative fiction thrown in. The book starts off at a heady pace and doesn’t throttle back. The story moves quickly with cleverly plotted twists and turns to a conclusion that is extremely fitting, and more than just a touch open without being unsatisfying.
There is very little about this book to dislike (there are some parts where you have to suspend belief - like how North seems to be able to continue to walk around after getting a severe beating...after having already broken several ribs - but, hey, he’s already walking around with a bullet in his head so we know he’s pretty hard!).
With CTD O’Reilly has further established her credentials as an entertaining storyteller and set the standard for (hopefully) many more Michael North action blockbusters to come.
CTD gets 4 disturbingly scary consciousness developing artificial intelligence programs out of 5.
Starting a few months after the tragic events which ended the first book North is on a self destructive downward spiral. Until the one eyed man from MI5, Edmund Hone, makes North an offer he literally cannot refuse. North finds himself thrown into a collision of advanced technology, government and military conspiracy, and the possible end of humanity as we know it.
It is always interesting to se how a writer develops their storytelling, craft, style, and characters in subsequent books. O’Reilly has built on the best elements of her first North novel (“Killing State”) and refined other components to deliver a great follow up novel.
A complex but easy to follow storyline CTD is a page turning thriller with a hint of speculative fiction thrown in. The book starts off at a heady pace and doesn’t throttle back. The story moves quickly with cleverly plotted twists and turns to a conclusion that is extremely fitting, and more than just a touch open without being unsatisfying.
There is very little about this book to dislike (there are some parts where you have to suspend belief - like how North seems to be able to continue to walk around after getting a severe beating...after having already broken several ribs - but, hey, he’s already walking around with a bullet in his head so we know he’s pretty hard!).
With CTD O’Reilly has further established her credentials as an entertaining storyteller and set the standard for (hopefully) many more Michael North action blockbusters to come.
CTD gets 4 disturbingly scary consciousness developing artificial intelligence programs out of 5.
February 18, 2020
I have to thank Net Galley for a pre publication copy of this book.
What a roller coaster. We first meet the troubled Michael North in Killing State, a fast paced novel that has you darting up and down the country, with his role as
Ex military and working for a pseudo government organisation doing wet work. Curse the Day finds North drinking himself to an early death in the seedier parts of Berlin. And as with anyone with a past, his is about to come back to haunt him. Forced to return to London to do off the book work for the service in order prevent the mother of his friend,FangFang, from being expelled from the UK. We were introduced to FangFang in Killing State and her character develops further in this.And then there is her grandmother..... You expect the heroes to be heroic, and the villains villainous but it is the secondary characters that make the story.
The story is about Artificial Intelligence, where it is an where it is going. We have it already, smart houses self-driving cars, whether we like it or not, we cannot uninvent it so we live with it. Like all good story tellers you start with a truth, what we know and you stretch it, but not beyond what you could believe, and then let it run.
This a fast paced political thriller that puts Judith up against the best. It has taken the best part of three years for Michael North to return to print. It has been well worth the wait.
What a roller coaster. We first meet the troubled Michael North in Killing State, a fast paced novel that has you darting up and down the country, with his role as
Ex military and working for a pseudo government organisation doing wet work. Curse the Day finds North drinking himself to an early death in the seedier parts of Berlin. And as with anyone with a past, his is about to come back to haunt him. Forced to return to London to do off the book work for the service in order prevent the mother of his friend,FangFang, from being expelled from the UK. We were introduced to FangFang in Killing State and her character develops further in this.And then there is her grandmother..... You expect the heroes to be heroic, and the villains villainous but it is the secondary characters that make the story.
The story is about Artificial Intelligence, where it is an where it is going. We have it already, smart houses self-driving cars, whether we like it or not, we cannot uninvent it so we live with it. Like all good story tellers you start with a truth, what we know and you stretch it, but not beyond what you could believe, and then let it run.
This a fast paced political thriller that puts Judith up against the best. It has taken the best part of three years for Michael North to return to print. It has been well worth the wait.
April 2, 2020
Michael North attracts danger and violence. Living with a bullet in his head carries a death sentence, which makes him reckless about his future. With his quirky team, the only family he knows, he lives his life at a fast pace, with little regard for tomorrow.
This fast-paced political thriller has a conspiracy at its heart, with every twist deepening the deceit and increasing the menace. North and his team are diverse and easy to like. They have a great team dynamic, which provides a few lighter moments, to temper the tension.
Complex characters complement an addictive, contemporary, informed plot, which flows well and has an ending with impact.
I received a copy of this book from Head of Zeus via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
September 28, 2020
Michael North is an independent, ex-military hard man in the mold of Jack Reacher or Parker. The story is ok, not as entertaining as Reacher/Parker.
In this book, he has to prevent an AI to take over the world (including automated weapons), fighting the establishment (corrupt politicians, generals) with is sidekicks (including Fang, a 14 year old whiz kid from Newcastle, and a giant undertaker/drug smuggler with deformities).
The author clearly read (and also acknowledges) books by Bostrom and Tegmark on AI.
What struck me is the use of “purchase” for getting hold of something (as in “she struggled to regain her purchase on the ladder”). The phrase is used six times in the book
In this book, he has to prevent an AI to take over the world (including automated weapons), fighting the establishment (corrupt politicians, generals) with is sidekicks (including Fang, a 14 year old whiz kid from Newcastle, and a giant undertaker/drug smuggler with deformities).
The author clearly read (and also acknowledges) books by Bostrom and Tegmark on AI.
What struck me is the use of “purchase” for getting hold of something (as in “she struggled to regain her purchase on the ladder”). The phrase is used six times in the book
April 21, 2023
The second book in Judith O'Reilly's Alex North series is as unputdownable as the first, Killing State, which is saying something as that was a brilliant read. Curse the Day enters the world of hi-tech AI and find North up against all manner of bad guys and women as he tries to stop the potential destruction of the world. O'Reilly writes with verve and skill and a lot of drama and suspense which all adds up to a top class thriller that keeps you reading long after the bedroom light should have been turned off! I can't wait for the next North thriller and hope it won't be too long. Highly recommended indeed.
May 22, 2024
This is an exceptionally paced thriller. A modern day Bond/ Bourne style hero with a cast of great characters both good and evil.
The modern setting and the explanation of the technology involved is great, not too technical to blow your mind but not far fetched to take you out of the believability of the scenarios that put heroes find themselves in.
North is a someone who I look forward to spending more time with alongside Fangfang his (don't tell her I said this) superbrained sidekick.
Also should be noted best use of an octopus that I've ever read. She could certainly be a spin off character!!
The modern setting and the explanation of the technology involved is great, not too technical to blow your mind but not far fetched to take you out of the believability of the scenarios that put heroes find themselves in.
North is a someone who I look forward to spending more time with alongside Fangfang his (don't tell her I said this) superbrained sidekick.
Also should be noted best use of an octopus that I've ever read. She could certainly be a spin off character!!
April 7, 2020
The name's North. Michael North. If you're looking for a modern-day James Bond then look no further. And you get the added bonus that O'Reilly is a much better writer than Fleming and North is way more self aware than Bond. I rattled through Curse The Day in a couple of days, which in these strange times when concentration is difficult is a tribute to the fast pace throughout. This is an excellent sequel to the terrific Killing State, adding more humour to the mix with a variety of colourful supporting acts for North to bounce off of. I loved it.
December 10, 2023
In this sequel the character of North and Fangfang are given a lot more depth and emotional connection. I liked the way that the story developed and clearly the research done into AI and weapons systems has been extensive.
The plot at times was very deep and somewhat confusing but throughout the pace was maintained so that if you did lose the thread it came back quite easily.
Not one for the faint hearted. The giant squid….ill leave it there. A very dark imagination to think that one up.
Overall a good read and look forward to the third in the series
The plot at times was very deep and somewhat confusing but throughout the pace was maintained so that if you did lose the thread it came back quite easily.
Not one for the faint hearted. The giant squid….ill leave it there. A very dark imagination to think that one up.
Overall a good read and look forward to the third in the series
November 29, 2020
A fast-paced, gripping story that picks up a few months after the end of Killing State, Curse the Day is the second in the Michael North series. O'Reilly's world is one close to our own, and asks questions we'll soon need to answer - how much power should our politicians have? As AI tech progresses, what place does ethics have in the middle of a technological revolution? Evocative, and with characters who make you recoil in horror and disgust, Curse the Day is a must-read for any thriller fans
March 7, 2021
A retrograde from the first book. Our hero seems to have lost his uncanny ability to read people yet still has the problem of a "bullet in the brain", which now only makes him fatalistic rather than special. And so he spends most of his time being outwitted by everyone, being used as a punching bag and waiting for answers to fall into his lap. So after 300 pages, the magical discovery of our evolving character is the realisation that family is everything. I was disappointed.
April 19, 2021
What the hell happened here? I gave 'Killing State' a glowing 5 star review. This, what felt like an overgenerous 5. I'd looked forward to reading it, but from the start to ~page 320 it hardly deviated from two-dimensional, faster-than-sense (or explanation) cartoon, filled with two dimensional characters, leaving me so disillusioned I stopped there. 'Never lets up' - on the cover - a sadly accurate warning.
October 31, 2025
A friend gave me this to read, previously on this platform, exists a great review by Ceecee.
Bearing in mind this was published 5 years ago, this book highlights the potential, to me, the scary use of AI.
Some of the characters were a little too violent for me. Hence the 4 star and not 5.
There are enough horrors on our daily news reports that I don't want to read of horrors in my leisure time, sorry. However, I can see how this Author would attract other readers.
Bearing in mind this was published 5 years ago, this book highlights the potential, to me, the scary use of AI.
Some of the characters were a little too violent for me. Hence the 4 star and not 5.
There are enough horrors on our daily news reports that I don't want to read of horrors in my leisure time, sorry. However, I can see how this Author would attract other readers.
July 2, 2020
What a blast this was. Such a huge change for me, but what a way to step out of my comfort zone. It was like reading a blockbuster movie, and I mean that as the hugest compliment. Have now passed it onto my husband who's a huge Bond/thriller fan. It was fast-paced, high-tech, character-strong, with a dash of conspiracy and intrigue, and tightly written. A real summer page-turner.
July 22, 2023
I admit I have not read the first book in this series and therefore I may not have been as invested in some of the characters as I could have been. However, I did nearly give up completely (the second star purely being for the fact I decided not to) as I found the plot slightly over the top and the characters one-dimensional.
July 15, 2023
Best enjoyed when you have drunk enough that the various cliches don’t bother you and you can enjoy the gusto the author throws into the plot. Perfect sun bed read after three but not five rum cocktails.
May 14, 2020
Is the main character indestructible?! He is forever getting wounded but seems to just carry on as normal.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 31, 2020
Listened as audio book
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