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Vise Manor
Eccentric tech billionaire Winston Vise has invited eight guests to his secluded home in the New York countryside. His mission: to find investors and buyers for his new line of artificially intelligent synthetic humans. After a lavish evening of drinking and feasting, Winston takes the stage in the conservatory to begin his pitch. But when the demonstration takes a sharp turn into murder, his prospective investors find themselves trapped in the sprawling manor with a killer and no way to call for help.
The doors open automatically at sunrise. Will there be anyone left to see it?
Brimming with veiled looks, dirty secrets, and augmented violence, Vise Manor is a cyberpunk murder mystery sure to delight fans of William Gibson, Richard K. Morgan, and Agatha Christie.
The doors open automatically at sunrise. Will there be anyone left to see it?
Brimming with veiled looks, dirty secrets, and augmented violence, Vise Manor is a cyberpunk murder mystery sure to delight fans of William Gibson, Richard K. Morgan, and Agatha Christie.
450 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 1, 2022
About the author
Daniel Verastiqui
12 books72 followersDaniel Verastiqui is a cyberpunk science fiction author based in Austin, Texas. With eight books published, he explores the intersections of technology and humanity in vivid, futuristic worlds. He is currently writing The Vinestead Anthology, a series of novels set in a shared universe yet standing alone as unique stories. His work offers a thrilling mix of suspense, action, and thought-provoking themes that delve into an alternate digital age where technology threatens the world and everyone in it.
His next book, House of Nepenthe, is scheduled for release in 2026. Visit danielverastiqui.com for more details.
His next book, House of Nepenthe, is scheduled for release in 2026. Visit danielverastiqui.com for more details.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
June 26, 2023
Ugh, get me out of here.
I eventually got to 58%, but good gravy, this is ponderous. It isn't the multiple points of view this time, either; it's the plot. I am so bored I don't care whodunit anymore. The 'science' makes no sense. And, for supposedly smart people, this bunch acts like toddlers. At least toddlers have an excuse.
I eventually got to 58%, but good gravy, this is ponderous. It isn't the multiple points of view this time, either; it's the plot. I am so bored I don't care whodunit anymore. The 'science' makes no sense. And, for supposedly smart people, this bunch acts like toddlers. At least toddlers have an excuse.
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January 23, 2023DNF @ 17%
I couldn't get into the story. I'm sure it's a ME problem and not the book.
***I would like to thank Goodreads for hosting the giveaway and Daniel Verastiqui (the author) for graciously sending me a copy of the novel to review. As always, all thoughts are my own.***
I couldn't get into the story. I'm sure it's a ME problem and not the book.
***I would like to thank Goodreads for hosting the giveaway and Daniel Verastiqui (the author) for graciously sending me a copy of the novel to review. As always, all thoughts are my own.***
March 7, 2022
Vise Manor was a wonderful cyberpunk take on the cosy room mystery genre. The cover was what drew me in, but I was quickly drawn into the narrative and found myself quickly forming an attachment to the characters.
What I wasn't expecting was the subtle humour that runs its way through Vise Manor. The opening scenes had me giggling to myself uncontrollably and despite the brutal murders that followed as the plot progressed, it never lost that spark that hooked me from the get-go.
Each character had heart and personality, which meant I never got bored, despite the book being longer than what I usually enjoy in the cyberpunk genre. Trying to guess who would live and die before the end was half the fun, and Verastiqui did a great job of ramping up the mystery without playing his hand. It was very Poirot vs William Gibson's Blue Ant series - two things that should mix but somehow did.
What I wasn't expecting was the subtle humour that runs its way through Vise Manor. The opening scenes had me giggling to myself uncontrollably and despite the brutal murders that followed as the plot progressed, it never lost that spark that hooked me from the get-go.
Each character had heart and personality, which meant I never got bored, despite the book being longer than what I usually enjoy in the cyberpunk genre. Trying to guess who would live and die before the end was half the fun, and Verastiqui did a great job of ramping up the mystery without playing his hand. It was very Poirot vs William Gibson's Blue Ant series - two things that should mix but somehow did.
February 23, 2022
Reminiscent of the movies Clue and House on Haunted Hill, Vise Manor is a clever sci-fi thriller that kept me up well into the night to see what happened next. Set in a far more technologically sophisticated world than our own, yet still in 2021, synthetics are all the rage. Though few companies have mastered the ability to craft completely human-like synthetic beings complete with intelligence, personality and mannerisms, Winston Vise is claiming to have produced the best synthetics out there. And he needs investors to continue on his path of success.
Vise is an almost unheard of tech billionaire, so when he invites eight carefully chosen members of relevant industries to his manor for dinner and an unveiling of his new products, they RSVP yes, if only to learn more about the elusive man. The disembodied synthetic hand that Vise sent with the invitation as proof of his advances certainly aided in their decision to attend.
But when the attendees show up to Vise Manor, they get more than they bargained for. Communications are jammed, Mother Nature is unleashing her fury, and not everyone is who they claim to be. Throw in a few unexpected brutal murders and the night quickly shifts into survival mode.
Though the story may not be entirely original, and a few parts were even a little predictable, Verastiqui does an amazing job of developing each and every character. I found myself rooting for Carter and Roma, Nancy and Misty (unexpectedly so), and actually shouted aloud during a pivotal character's death just before sunrise. It became almost a game of trying to determine who would survive and who wouldn't, and what paths each character would take along the way.
Once I got to the very end of the story and realized that it left open space for a sequel, I went to Verastiqui's site and learned that this is actually a part of a 7-book anthology series. I will definitely be going back and reading these other stories. Overall, I loved it and recommend to any sci-fi readers interested in a book that walks the line between murder mystery and cyber thriller.
Vise is an almost unheard of tech billionaire, so when he invites eight carefully chosen members of relevant industries to his manor for dinner and an unveiling of his new products, they RSVP yes, if only to learn more about the elusive man. The disembodied synthetic hand that Vise sent with the invitation as proof of his advances certainly aided in their decision to attend.
But when the attendees show up to Vise Manor, they get more than they bargained for. Communications are jammed, Mother Nature is unleashing her fury, and not everyone is who they claim to be. Throw in a few unexpected brutal murders and the night quickly shifts into survival mode.
Though the story may not be entirely original, and a few parts were even a little predictable, Verastiqui does an amazing job of developing each and every character. I found myself rooting for Carter and Roma, Nancy and Misty (unexpectedly so), and actually shouted aloud during a pivotal character's death just before sunrise. It became almost a game of trying to determine who would survive and who wouldn't, and what paths each character would take along the way.
Once I got to the very end of the story and realized that it left open space for a sequel, I went to Verastiqui's site and learned that this is actually a part of a 7-book anthology series. I will definitely be going back and reading these other stories. Overall, I loved it and recommend to any sci-fi readers interested in a book that walks the line between murder mystery and cyber thriller.
August 27, 2026
I have mixed feelings about this one. I really liked it through the climax but felt the denouement lacking. I had three or four questions and I didn’t find the answers very thorough or satisfying.
That said, there was a lot that was done well. There were interesting characters who were unique enough to make it fairly easy to tell apart. I found the story compelling, frightening to think of what the characters were experiencing. One reader was disappointed that the first dead body doesn’t show up till quite a ways into the book, but that didn’t bother me because it allowed the story to develop. I liked the emphasis on relationships, both the longstanding ones of married couples and new ones that were developing because of the shared horror.
I’m looking forward to reading more of this series. I almost wish there were a direct sequel so I could find the answers I wanted.
That said, there was a lot that was done well. There were interesting characters who were unique enough to make it fairly easy to tell apart. I found the story compelling, frightening to think of what the characters were experiencing. One reader was disappointed that the first dead body doesn’t show up till quite a ways into the book, but that didn’t bother me because it allowed the story to develop. I liked the emphasis on relationships, both the longstanding ones of married couples and new ones that were developing because of the shared horror.
I’m looking forward to reading more of this series. I almost wish there were a direct sequel so I could find the answers I wanted.
January 12, 2023
Won this in a Goodreads Giveaway. While other reviews rave about it, I could barely get through it without speed reading. I did not like the characters, and that's probably why I didn't care about their parts in the entire story. Gave it 3 stars to be nice.
March 7, 2023
Highly intriguing read
Locked door mystery meets A.I.
Everytime you think you know which path the story will take, it changes. Highly recommend for a good read, if suspense and thriller are up your alley
Locked door mystery meets A.I.
Everytime you think you know which path the story will take, it changes. Highly recommend for a good read, if suspense and thriller are up your alley
June 17, 2023
Not enough superlatives
This book had everything. Romance, action, near future science fiction....... Well rounded characters and surprises galore. Waiting for a sequel.....fingers crossed.
This book had everything. Romance, action, near future science fiction....... Well rounded characters and surprises galore. Waiting for a sequel.....fingers crossed.
August 27, 2023
This is a riveting cyberpunk murder mystery. The story unfolds in a secluded New York countryside mansion, where eccentric billionaire Winston Vise hosts a night of AI synthetic humans unveiling turned deadly.
This four-star thriller excels in suspense, maintaining a palpable tension from the unexpected murder twist to the final reveal. The locked room element intensifies the complexity, keeping readers on edge throughout.
Despite a sizable cast, characters are well-developed, each hiding their dirty secrets. The narrative deftly navigates intricate relationships, leaving readers guessing about motives and connections.
A standout feature is the creative premise of artificially intelligent synthetic humans, adding thought-provoking depth. The technology aspect is realistic yet accessible, enhancing immersion without overwhelming with technical jargon.
In summary, Vise Manor is a refreshing blend of cyberpunk, mystery and thriller, with masterful suspense, well-drawn characters, and a unique technological backdrop. As the doors open at sunrise, the lingering questions about the characters' fates make it a must-read for fans of classic and contemporary mysteries.
I received a copy through a Goodreads giveaway.
This four-star thriller excels in suspense, maintaining a palpable tension from the unexpected murder twist to the final reveal. The locked room element intensifies the complexity, keeping readers on edge throughout.
Despite a sizable cast, characters are well-developed, each hiding their dirty secrets. The narrative deftly navigates intricate relationships, leaving readers guessing about motives and connections.
A standout feature is the creative premise of artificially intelligent synthetic humans, adding thought-provoking depth. The technology aspect is realistic yet accessible, enhancing immersion without overwhelming with technical jargon.
In summary, Vise Manor is a refreshing blend of cyberpunk, mystery and thriller, with masterful suspense, well-drawn characters, and a unique technological backdrop. As the doors open at sunrise, the lingering questions about the characters' fates make it a must-read for fans of classic and contemporary mysteries.
I received a copy through a Goodreads giveaway.
May 5, 2024
Maybe a 3.5.
I liked the book, and it did keep me entertained for the most part. Although for some reason I kept waiting for a big thing to happen, a twist or an unexpected conspiracy to be behind it all, and it never came. The end of the book was a bit underwhelming, so...
I liked the book, and it did keep me entertained for the most part. Although for some reason I kept waiting for a big thing to happen, a twist or an unexpected conspiracy to be behind it all, and it never came. The end of the book was a bit underwhelming, so...
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews