Managed Paranoia - Book One: Near-Future Sci-Fi Thriller

by Finlay Beach

For fans of best-selling suspense and adventure novels comes a near-future sci-fi thriller about Hank Gunn. He is a former Navy medic who just wants to race sailboats around the world, but finds his dreams dashed onto the rocks of life. The reader is swept into a battle against the pro-authority, nanny-state when Hank is forced to find the answers to questions he never wanted to ask. Questions of love and faith roil in his mind as he attempts to survive the perils of the open ocean and escape from those who are out to get him. In Managed Paranoia, Hank Gunn rebels against the establishment, confronts the demons of his past and struggles with the God of Creation.

When things go wrong, it's good to have support. Dead broke and with his sailboat resting in a watery grave, Hank Gunn needed help. But not all military veterans need a suicide prevention program to cope with life's setbacks. After an ill-advised statement to his psychologist, Hank imagines unrealistic consequences of a predatory state. It appears he suffers from paranoia, but he soon discovers that his suspicions are justified.
Olin Ou is among the world's wealthiest souls. With the help of a self-aware AI, he recruits Hank into his eccentric family as an accomplice to his own exit strategy. Even with Olin's resources and Hank's sailing experience, escape from the smothering overreach of world governments is far from certain.
Bella wraps up a no-tech, tropical vacation. But the forced relaxation doesn’t prepare her for what awaits. Gregory unexpectedly meets her at the airport in Singapore, insisting she agree to be his wife. Bella panics and loses him in the crowd. Her answer is obvious and he texts, “You’ll regret this.” Not a hollow threat coming from this powerful man.
Everyone is running away from something. The past and the present are reason enough for escape, but an authoritarian future is far more sinister. In Managed Paranoia - Book One, Hank and Bella travel the Pacific and converge on a storm at sea that will determine if they can confront the threats to their freedom and discover a new way forward.
The adventure starts today!

328 pages, Paperback

Published April 8, 2022

About the author

I write near-future thrillers and concise formation books about faith, freedom and what people become under pressure.

My completed Managed Paranoia series and its prequel, The Seventh Pawn, explore artificial intelligence, surveillance, political power, conscience and personal liberty through ordinary people forced to decide what they will protect when convenience begins demanding obedience.

Managed Paranoia – Book One reached No. 2 on Amazon’s Religious Science Fiction & Fantasy bestseller list. The Seventh Pawn reached No. 2 on Amazon’s Christian Mystery, Suspense & Romance bestseller list. It was also a 2024 Book Excellence Awards finalist and was named one of the year’s best thrillers by BestThrillers.com.

My nonfiction includes The Formation Protocol and the seven-volume Formation Series. Drawing practical lessons from Marcus Aurelius, Thomas Aquinas, George Washington, Booker T. Washington, Robert Baden-Powell, C. S. Lewis and Viktor Frankl, the books help young men develop character, discipline, competence, conviction and purpose.

Across fiction and nonfiction, I return to one question: How do people learn to think clearly, act responsibly and live with conviction when pressure rises and institutions fail?

Reviews

[Devin]

Great story telling and thought provoking topics set in the not so distant future. The story has the right balance between setting up the world and hooking you in for the ride with the main characters. Highly recommend for anyone that likes stories by Clive Cussler or alternative history like the Temeraire series by Naomi Novik. Eagerly awaiting book 2.

[Tessa]

Noooooooo...!!!! The end is... well... it left me hungering for MORE! I couldn't put it down. I'm a for sure fan! The "near future sci-fi thriller" part really says it all! I'm in the process of reading it again. Which is something I rarely do! Good job Mr. Beach!

[Dlynn1116]

Gaaaah. When will book two come out!!!!!

[Pam]

“Is the futuristic AI world of Paranoia really so far out there? Hmm....
The characters are interesting and each chapter coaxed me into reading the next to see what happened. If you like the military, AI, boats, guns, fashion, philosophy or politics you'll feel at home.
So, now, where's Book Two?”

[Heather]

I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway.

Just wrapped up Managed Paranoia (Book One of the Hank Gunn series), and let’s just say… now I’m side-eyeing my smart devices a little more than usual. It’s a fast-paced, near-future thriller with plenty of twists, tech drama, and just enough paranoia to keep you guessing (but not totally losing sleep). If you like your sci-fi with action and a little edge, this one’s a fun ride. Can’t wait to see what Hank gets himself into next!

[Amy Barnes]

The great strength of Managed Paranoia is the character development. It was fun getting to know Hank and Bella. They are engaging, compelling and have real depth. I enjoyed seeing their lives unfolding. The environment of the book is intriguing - close enough to today's realities to be totally relatable, but just enough futuristic to be pleasingly provocative. My only criticism... the book ended too soon. I want more of the story and some plot resolution! What happens next?

[Billy Fetzner]

An Exciting and Thrilling Read!

I absolutely love Managed Paranoia - Book One: Near-Future Sci-Fi Thriller (Hank Gunn Series 1) by Beach. This near-future sci-fi thriller is packed with thrilling adventure, suspense, and action. Beach does an amazing job of developing the characters and their relationships as they are all forced to confront their pasts and the pro-authority, nanny-state. The blend of religious and philosophical questions elevate the story beyond mere entertainment.

The complexity of this story is what grabbed my attention. The main character, Hank Gunn, is a former Navy medic dreaming of racing sailboats around the world, but life has other plans. Along the way, he interacts with an AI named Faisal, guiding him through a potentially lethal situation. The dialogue is sharp, the imagery vivid, and the pacing flawless.

I highly recommend Managed Paranoia - Book One: Near-Future Sci-Fi Thriller (Hank Gunn Series 1) to fans of thrilling sci-fi with substance. The mixture of suspense, romance, and philosophical questions make this an entertaining read that will leave you wanting more. If you're looking for a great summer read, this book is perfect for you!

[Matthew Scigousky]

Great Read!

Cool sci-fi story that is well written. This was a nice surprise and I would recommend it if you are looking for a new sci-fi book

[Sameh Girgis]

Very entertaining! A page turner

I very much enjoyed this book. It was very engaging and a page turner! The plot developed well, and it was very entertaining

[C.R.]

Near future sci-fi isn't my usual genre, but I enjoyed the near-future aspect of this novel. The characters kept me guessing and the ending left me with more questions than answers, so I'm excited to read book two!

[Caroline]

Futuristic suspense novel series, very interesting. Highly recommend. Won this ebook from Author Finlay Beach & Goodreads. Looking forward to reading more of this series. Thank you.

[AMAO]

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