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Delirious
Charlie Giles, inventor of a new digital-entertainment system for automobiles, is stunned when his life abruptly falls to pieces around him. After being publicly humiliated by a seemingly self-destructive stunt at a high-level meeting, Charlie says he was set up by a colleague who, apparently, doesn’t exist. Then he’s fired from his company after an audit reveals that he used his computer to access pornographic web sites; he swears he never did, but the evidence is conclusive. Fearing he could be losing his mind, Charlie turns to his brother, Joe, who suffers from schizophrenia, for advice. But when Charlie’s former colleagues start getting murdered, he realizes that whatever is happening isn’t going on entirely inside his own head.
371 pages, Hardcover
First published February 1, 2011
141 people are currently reading
1544 people want to read
About the author
Daniel Palmer
15 books548 followersDANIEL PALMER is the author of four critically-acclaimed suspense novels. After receiving his master’s degree from Boston University, he spent a decade as an e-commerce pioneer. A recording artist, accomplished blues harmonica player, and lifelong Red Sox fan, Daniel lives in New Hampshire with his wife and two children where he is currently at work on his next novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 229 reviews
February 7, 2012
Delirious is billed as a thriller- but so much more- A very touching and affecting portrait of the effect mental illness has on a family- especially two brothers and how they come to understand each other under very difficult circumstances- so a great thriller indeed - but also a coming of age aspect too. David Palmer is a superb writer. The character of Charlie evolves so very much over the course of this superb book. The reader's understanding of the mentally ill and the challenges they face- not just from their illness but from the perceptions of others is expressed with grace and great skill. The thriller aspect of Delirious is gripping and coupled with the mystery inherent in the plot- David Palmer has hit a grand slam at his very first time at bat!
AN OFFICIAL JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB MUST READ
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THE JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB
AN OFFICIAL JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB MUST READ
RICK FRIEDMAN
FOUNDER
THE JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB
December 27, 2015
I had a hard time reading this book. It is an excellently crafted thriller. It has a unique set up, but one that is particularly personal to me. I am not schizophrenic like Joe, the main character's brother. But I am epileptic and the twist in this book really bothered me. It is horrifying to think that something like this is possible. But, I'm scared that it might be.
January 28, 2011
I found the writing long-winded and sometimes extraneous. I didn't particularly like Charlie, the main character and I couldn't bring myself to care about his plight. I skimmed the second half of the book, trying to see if it got better. For me, it didn't.
February 26, 2011
After coming up with a new invention that includes in one thin piece everything one needs for entertainment in a car, Charlie is on top of the world. Successful business, alot of money, loves his job. Than everything falls apart and Charlie doesn't know if it the same mental illness that has impacted his brothers and fathers lives. Or is someone out to get him, but that its the first sign of mental illness. Very good first novel, interesting suspense and storyline. This is a solid thriller, where even when the readers thinks they know who to believe, doubt creeps in. Well done.
March 1, 2011
Charlie Giles worked hard to get to the top of the high tech company Solucent. He also made more than a few enemies in the process. Now his success will come with a price and he finds himself in a desperate fight to stop a killer. The problem is convincing himself and others that he’s not the killer.
Is someone out to get him, make him think he's the killer or is his worst nightmare coming true? With the help of his schizophrenic brother, he frantically tries to solve the mystery while still trying to keep his family's past a secret.
“Delirious”, Daniel Palmer's riveting fictional debut takes readers on a mind-bending psychological ride. There are fantastic plot twists, wonderfully deceptive characters and most of all, it gives a look into how vulnerable we have become in this techno-driven society!
Reviewed by Catherine Peterson for Suspense Magazine
Is someone out to get him, make him think he's the killer or is his worst nightmare coming true? With the help of his schizophrenic brother, he frantically tries to solve the mystery while still trying to keep his family's past a secret.
“Delirious”, Daniel Palmer's riveting fictional debut takes readers on a mind-bending psychological ride. There are fantastic plot twists, wonderfully deceptive characters and most of all, it gives a look into how vulnerable we have become in this techno-driven society!
Reviewed by Catherine Peterson for Suspense Magazine
May 15, 2015
This is my first read of this Author & I must say I loved every minute got me turning the pages great plot & the story delves into the illness of Schizophrenia which was very interesting as well as Epilepsy a good thriller well written will read more of this Author
February 5, 2016
3.5
Kısa sürede okursanız daha etkileyici hale gelecek, güzel bir fikir üzerine yazılmış güzel bir kitap. Eksikleri yok değil ancak zaman geçirmek için uygun bir kitap.
Tamamı Yorum Atölyesi'nde
Kısa sürede okursanız daha etkileyici hale gelecek, güzel bir fikir üzerine yazılmış güzel bir kitap. Eksikleri yok değil ancak zaman geçirmek için uygun bir kitap.
Tamamı Yorum Atölyesi'nde
September 26, 2021
Rounded up to 3.5 stars. I first read this book, Daniel Palmer's debut novel,10 years ago, but couldn't remember anything beyond the basic premise. The story is suspenseful and kept me guessing, but I thought the ending was a mess of far-fetched explanations. Still, I enjoyed the relationship between Charlie and his brother, Joe, and how it evolved over the course of the book, with an interesting insight into schizophrenia and epilepsy. I have since enjoyed the author's subsequent novels, as well as his books written as DJ Palmer.
March 29, 2015
Daniel Palmer’s DELIRIOUS delivers an intense non-stop suspense debut with corporate espionage on steroids, for a bang up psychological thriller.
Eddie Prescott was world-class software engineer whose life spiraled out of control, a partner of Charlie Giles, who took a wrong turn and ended his life from a bridge.
Charlie Giles sold his successful start-up company to a Boston electronics firm, where he now serves as senior director. As a top software engineer at SoluCent, developing cutting edge InVision, a high profile sophisticated car entertainment system. He is successful, intelligent, and lives to work money and a future.
This all changes when a woman, Anne, a SoluCent marketing employee, tips Giles off that one of his superiors, Jerry Schmidt, will argue against a deal with GM to make InVision standard. When Giles crashes an executive team meeting and confronts Schmidt. Giles cannot prove Anne, works for SoluCent or even exists, and his betrayal leaking secrets to competitor, leads to his firing and is escorted out of the building.
He is astounded and has to prove he was set up. However, as things start stacking up against him, he fears he is falling victim to his family history of schizophrenia after finding a note in his own handwriting listing names of SoluCent executives marked for death. Someone is manipulating him as he is surrounded with deceit, lies, and betrayal, as he turns paranoid, slowly second guessing reality, fiction, or illusion.
Delirious in an acutely disturbed state of mind resulting from illness or intoxication and characterized by restlessness, illusions, and incoherence of thought and speech. This accurately describes Charlie’s state of mind when no one will believe him, and all the evidence is pointing at him as a cold-blooded killer.
In the meantime,readers learn about Joe, his brother (a blogger-loved this) which gave the techno thriller and even more human interest side with family dynamics between the two brothers, and an inside look into mental health issues and caretakers. As Charlie fears of losing his mind intensify and his brother comes to his defense, he has a better understanding of the real brother behind the illness, he has overlooked. (loved Joe's character)!
I have read Palmer’s newer books and making my way backward to read his previous books. Highly recommend Desperate! I actually liked Delirious better than Helpless and Stolen, as Palmer is brilliant as a lover of techno, and psychological thrillers, especially with the wrongly accused desperately proving their innocence.
Best of all love, love Peter Berkrot, (swoon) as he wows the intensity for an outstanding audio performance! (Missed him in Helpless). Hard to believe this is a debut; love the wicked twists of revenge!
Check out his latest upcoming May, 2015 suspense thriller, CONSTANT FEAR
Eddie Prescott was world-class software engineer whose life spiraled out of control, a partner of Charlie Giles, who took a wrong turn and ended his life from a bridge.
Charlie Giles sold his successful start-up company to a Boston electronics firm, where he now serves as senior director. As a top software engineer at SoluCent, developing cutting edge InVision, a high profile sophisticated car entertainment system. He is successful, intelligent, and lives to work money and a future.
This all changes when a woman, Anne, a SoluCent marketing employee, tips Giles off that one of his superiors, Jerry Schmidt, will argue against a deal with GM to make InVision standard. When Giles crashes an executive team meeting and confronts Schmidt. Giles cannot prove Anne, works for SoluCent or even exists, and his betrayal leaking secrets to competitor, leads to his firing and is escorted out of the building.
He is astounded and has to prove he was set up. However, as things start stacking up against him, he fears he is falling victim to his family history of schizophrenia after finding a note in his own handwriting listing names of SoluCent executives marked for death. Someone is manipulating him as he is surrounded with deceit, lies, and betrayal, as he turns paranoid, slowly second guessing reality, fiction, or illusion.
Delirious in an acutely disturbed state of mind resulting from illness or intoxication and characterized by restlessness, illusions, and incoherence of thought and speech. This accurately describes Charlie’s state of mind when no one will believe him, and all the evidence is pointing at him as a cold-blooded killer.
In the meantime,readers learn about Joe, his brother (a blogger-loved this) which gave the techno thriller and even more human interest side with family dynamics between the two brothers, and an inside look into mental health issues and caretakers. As Charlie fears of losing his mind intensify and his brother comes to his defense, he has a better understanding of the real brother behind the illness, he has overlooked. (loved Joe's character)!
I have read Palmer’s newer books and making my way backward to read his previous books. Highly recommend Desperate! I actually liked Delirious better than Helpless and Stolen, as Palmer is brilliant as a lover of techno, and psychological thrillers, especially with the wrongly accused desperately proving their innocence.
Best of all love, love Peter Berkrot, (swoon) as he wows the intensity for an outstanding audio performance! (Missed him in Helpless). Hard to believe this is a debut; love the wicked twists of revenge!
Check out his latest upcoming May, 2015 suspense thriller, CONSTANT FEAR
April 27, 2011
This first novel was horrendous from start to finish. A good idea badly written is still a lousy book. From the beginning, our hero wanders through a series of frameups that a man of his supposed intellect would never have allowed to happen. The story is so preposterous that I could not suspend my disbelief and the writing is amateurish as well.I hate books where we are treated to the character's thoughts ad nauseam. Should he do this or should he do that. If he does this, this might happen but maybe not. If he does that, this might happen or maybe not etc etc etc. Avoid at all costs. I am now wondering why I finished it and have decided that I wanted to see how the techno things were accomplished. Some of those explanations in the last chapter were interesting but it took soooooooo long to get there!!
January 2, 2012
This book had a great start but just went off the rails for me and became ridiculous (and not in a good way).
February 28, 2011
Finished this book. Palmer has written a good first effort. no doubt we will be hearing, and reading, more from him. This book is a very internal or mental process narration and if this is your thing then this book is for you.
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Coming up on pg 100 I'm, thus far, drawn into the mental, possibly disturbed, world of the main character still unsure who he is and if he has serious issues. Palmer is able to keep me at bay, mentally(laughing....), with his crafting and narration while the character is someone I can't decide if I like or not. Very cool, makes you want to keep reading. More soon on this first effort by Daniel Palmer. I wasn't at all surprised to see it yesterday on the bestseller rack in Target.
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Anxious to get into this book, late last night I scanned the first few pages. Palmer doesn't waste any time pulling you off your feet and into the story. I'll let you know as I read through this critically acclaimed and much anticipated release. Love love love the cover art work! Read on people!
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Coming up on pg 100 I'm, thus far, drawn into the mental, possibly disturbed, world of the main character still unsure who he is and if he has serious issues. Palmer is able to keep me at bay, mentally(laughing....), with his crafting and narration while the character is someone I can't decide if I like or not. Very cool, makes you want to keep reading. More soon on this first effort by Daniel Palmer. I wasn't at all surprised to see it yesterday on the bestseller rack in Target.
_________________________________________________________________________
Anxious to get into this book, late last night I scanned the first few pages. Palmer doesn't waste any time pulling you off your feet and into the story. I'll let you know as I read through this critically acclaimed and much anticipated release. Love love love the cover art work! Read on people!
December 22, 2011
The first two thirds of this book was quite good-- full of mind-screwing twists and intriguing plot turns. Unfortunately, the denouement really jumped the shark. It was a mess of ridiculous conclusions and unbelievable explanations. Disappointing.
May 5, 2011
"Delirious" by Daniel Palmer was awesome...Charlie Giles, a software entrepreneur is on top of the world...he has money, success and a great future ahead of him; however, he's missing some of the most important things in like like family, friends, love...Getting to the top hasn't been easy for Charlie, but he's made it...even if he's had to bump a few heads along the way.
However, when someone suggests that Charlie crash a company meeting on a subject that will affect his product, everything starts spiraling out-of-control. Soon, Charlie finds himself at the mercy of someone who's trying to sabotage him - he starts thinking he's crazy, that he's written these horrible notes, and, worst of all, that he's murdered in cold blood.
If you read "Delirous," it will definitely take you on a ride...it's very suspenseful. It really takes you on a roller coaster ride, and each chapter leaves you panting for more...
I give it 5 starts.
However, when someone suggests that Charlie crash a company meeting on a subject that will affect his product, everything starts spiraling out-of-control. Soon, Charlie finds himself at the mercy of someone who's trying to sabotage him - he starts thinking he's crazy, that he's written these horrible notes, and, worst of all, that he's murdered in cold blood.
If you read "Delirous," it will definitely take you on a ride...it's very suspenseful. It really takes you on a roller coaster ride, and each chapter leaves you panting for more...
I give it 5 starts.
March 24, 2013
An excellent thriller. I found myself reading so fast just to see what would happen next. Lots of twists and turns, just when I thought I might have figured it out a new bit of information comes into play. This is a story of a powerful executive who starts receiving notes about who he is going to kill, but doesn't remember writing them even though they are written in his handwriting. His brother is schizophrenic, and he begins to question his own mind. Is he really behind the murders, or is someone else?
June 30, 2023
Delirious scared the daylights out of me. It's a big DNF for me. I don't mind thrillers where you don't see what's coming ahead of time, in fact, that's usually what I look forward to in a good one. However, in Delirious, the Psychology violence factor is ramped up to a 10+ and I was getting sick to my stomach.
Personal rant*** I really wish publishers would put trigger warnings on books with psychological violence in them. There are too many people out here who are faithful readers that DO NOT NEED to be exposed to violence in any form for various good reasons. End of rant.***
Conclusion: If you like the kind of book described above, go for it. If you don't, walk away, far away.
Personal rant*** I really wish publishers would put trigger warnings on books with psychological violence in them. There are too many people out here who are faithful readers that DO NOT NEED to be exposed to violence in any form for various good reasons. End of rant.***
Conclusion: If you like the kind of book described above, go for it. If you don't, walk away, far away.
January 18, 2011
You know the old adage "Just because you're paranoid, it doesn't mean they aren't out to get you"? That's the theme of Delirious in a nutshell. Charlie is a highly successful, detail oriented man whose life begins to unravel. He's seeing things and hearing things that others can't. He's finding notes to himself, written in his own handwriting, that he doesn't remember ever writing. With a family history of schizophrenia, is seems likely that Charlie's sudden career crash-and-burn is caused by the development of a mental illness. Is someone setting him up, or had he truly begun to lose his mind?
In Delirious, you will never know what to expect. You'll be convinced Charlie's crazy, while almost equally sure he's the victim of an elaborate plot to make him appear insane. His paralyzing terror of mental illness is so deeply part of Charlie's personality that you'll begin to fear it right along with him.
While a thrilling novel on many levels, Delirious is a psychological thriller in the truest sense. What if Charlie's mind is the real enemy here? How do you convince people you aren't crazy when you don't know why, or even if, you've done the things you appear to have done?
Delirious combines technology (the project Charlie is working on is amazing), psychology, mystery and adventure into something truly terrifying. I wasn't quite sure what to make of Delirious when I first picked it up, but it proved to be a shocking thrill ride in which I couldn't turn the pages fast enough.
In Delirious, you will never know what to expect. You'll be convinced Charlie's crazy, while almost equally sure he's the victim of an elaborate plot to make him appear insane. His paralyzing terror of mental illness is so deeply part of Charlie's personality that you'll begin to fear it right along with him.
While a thrilling novel on many levels, Delirious is a psychological thriller in the truest sense. What if Charlie's mind is the real enemy here? How do you convince people you aren't crazy when you don't know why, or even if, you've done the things you appear to have done?
Delirious combines technology (the project Charlie is working on is amazing), psychology, mystery and adventure into something truly terrifying. I wasn't quite sure what to make of Delirious when I first picked it up, but it proved to be a shocking thrill ride in which I couldn't turn the pages fast enough.
Read
January 6, 2011Rating: 2 out of 3 stars
What could have possibly gone wrong? Charlie Giles had it all. He had a great job with numerous people working for him. He was even allowed to bring his dog to work! Then he got that email. Saying his department was going to be shut down and someone in the company was behind the siege. Try as he might, in the end he gets fired and his biggest fear comes to light: He is becoming delirious. Just like his father and brother.
And then it becomes critical. He finds a hand written note, written by himself, where he lists some people from his old company that just must die. Did he really write that letter? Why can't he remember writing it? Has he done something about it already?
This book is strong throughout. As weird as it is, I really enjoyed reading about Charlie going mad (you know, the whole car crash mentality?). What I did find however is that as a reader my curiosity was built up so much that by the time the climax came I was a bit disappointed. I expected more. Something worthy of the first part of the book. Even with this dip I enjoyed the book. The twists were there, those that are into tech thrillers will be satisfied and the pacing was solid throughout.
What could have possibly gone wrong? Charlie Giles had it all. He had a great job with numerous people working for him. He was even allowed to bring his dog to work! Then he got that email. Saying his department was going to be shut down and someone in the company was behind the siege. Try as he might, in the end he gets fired and his biggest fear comes to light: He is becoming delirious. Just like his father and brother.
And then it becomes critical. He finds a hand written note, written by himself, where he lists some people from his old company that just must die. Did he really write that letter? Why can't he remember writing it? Has he done something about it already?
This book is strong throughout. As weird as it is, I really enjoyed reading about Charlie going mad (you know, the whole car crash mentality?). What I did find however is that as a reader my curiosity was built up so much that by the time the climax came I was a bit disappointed. I expected more. Something worthy of the first part of the book. Even with this dip I enjoyed the book. The twists were there, those that are into tech thrillers will be satisfied and the pacing was solid throughout.
November 8, 2016
First book that I have read from the author, Daniel Palmer. At first I thought this was not going to be a book for me, but after the third chapter I was hooked. It was not what I expected. Delirious is a book that is full of surprises and has an ending that you never would thought of until the last few chapters. I would suggest if you enjoy a good mystery, thriller or suspense read pick this book up and give it a try.
This is a review from Craig, who is on my friends list and he has written a better review than I did. So go check his review out.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
This is a review from Craig, who is on my friends list and he has written a better review than I did. So go check his review out.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
September 16, 2011
I was liking the book until the end when the mystery starts unraveling. It just seemed like a ridiculous motive for everthing that happened in the book and I found it hard to take seriously. I would have given it 3 stars, but there were too many "f bombs" for me to recommend this book to anyone.
April 11, 2011
Really far fetched. They had me up to a point, and then it fell apart at the end.
August 13, 2015
Long and slow
February 11, 2020
It's a very cliche mystery. Recommend more for YA than for adults. Over explained plot.
*spoiler alert*
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Also a forced love story. Unnecessary, completely unnecessary.
*spoiler alert*
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Also a forced love story. Unnecessary, completely unnecessary.
January 13, 2011
Delirious
Author: Daniel Palmer
Reviewed by Fran Lewis
Appearances can be deceiving. Often what really is might not be. What you think if happened can all be one illusion created to distort your mind and soul with the purpose of manipulating the outcome for someone else’s benefit or pleasure. Betrayals can destroy your spirit, trust and motivation creating a negative outlook for someone with a fragile persona. Eddie Prescott was world-class software engineer whose life spiraled out of control. A self-made man who worked his way up without any parent or government bail out or help, Eddie feels life is not worth living and there is only one way out.
Charles Giles is a brilliant young man who invented a product called InVision. Selling his startup company to a huge firm in Boston was supposed to be lucrative for both the company and him. As Senior Director of SoluCent he was on top of the world. Feared yet respected by his Magellan Team, Charlie carried a heavy gavel that strikes when necessary and tolerates no faltering, errors or mistakes when it comes to InVision. But, Charlie Giles will learn the true meaning of deceit, lies and betrayal as someone manipulates him into believing a lie which sends a chain of events in motion that will rock his world with results more catastrophic than a 9.0 earthquake on the Richter scale. Charlie Giles is about to enter a world similar to that of living in the Twilight Zone.
As Charlie takes the first step in his downfall, he never realized that information given to him was a lie. Rather than think it through he blindsides himself by entering a corporate meeting thinking one think only to humiliate himself as a result. What makes InVision so marketable: Imagine having one piece of software that is the perfect digital all in one encompassed package with every piece of software you can imagine. Guarding his invention, the plans and everything involved with InVision, Charlie becomes the target of someone’s diabolical scheme and warped mind.
Delirium is defined as a sudden, severe or rapid confusion due to changes in brain function caused by physical or mental illness caused by an infection, poison or acid-based disturbances. Charlie’s world transforms and turns inside out as his realities become vague and confusing and his personality distorted and the euphoric life he has lived: Disappears.
Through the voice of a narrator who vividly describes the events as they happen the reader takes this declining fall along with Charlie from the top of a huge mountain to the bottom of small hill feeling the bumps, twists and turns long the way with Charlie allowing the reader to understand his compulsion for order, structure and his relationship with others.
Creatively setting the stage author Daniel Palmer creates a Charlie’s’ past and shares it with the reader. As Charlie’s presentation at this meeting leads to his being terminated at his job, he encounters another set of problems that lead him back to his family. His brother diagnosed with Schizophrenia, equally as debilitating as delirium, has many of the same symptoms that Charlie thinks he now exhibits as he replays the events that turned his life upside down. Notes that he does not remember writing, files that were given to him by some unknown person who everyone thinks does not exist, a presentation with his name on it that he claimed he received from an unknown source searches on the net and emails that he never remembers making or doing. Is he losing his mind or is someone cleverly manipulating events to let him think so. Naivety gets in the way and do does Charlie’s pride as he falls pray to one man’s lies and more deceits someone has definitely orchestrated the events as graphically and artistically as a conductor of a symphony orchestra. Someone is Gas lighting Charlie! Meaning: Manipulating the events and situations in his life slowly and methodically trying to drive him insane with psychological mind games.
Vivid descriptions of the characters and events help you picture them as our main character interacts with those in his company, family and one doctor he hopes will help him find some answers. Dr. Rachel Evans is working with his brother Joe helping him works through his illness and cope with daily life. When Charlie seeks her out for some answers to questions about himself, why does she listen? But, things will not get better but more complicated as Charlie’s mother has a stroke and his priorities need to be readjusted as his relationship with his brother Joe, takes on a whole new complexion.
Schizophrenia runs in his family, yet is it part of his genetic makeup? Can Charlie really be losing his sense of reality or is someone controlling the events? Delirious or stressed out? Yet, he goes about trying the many fragments of a huge puzzle that has pieces so small they do not fit perfectly together. Methodically analyzing each event and finding more notes on his word documents and in his home, Charlie our techno genius needs his own program to solve his problems and find his way back to the top. Abandoned by his parents in two different ways he now faces his biggest challenge besides having to care for his brother: His Survival and Sanity! As one message sends him over the top and two brothers come face to face with truths they do not want to bear and one man’s life will take another downward spiral as many of his former co-workers are murdered and Charlie is thought the guilty party?
As the author allows the reader to enter the mind of Joe, through his blog, you begin to understand the torment, stress, fears and hope that this man has endured and his moments of lucidity as he describes his feelings, his therapy and hopes for the future. As Charlie’s mind unravels and he is faced with many unanswered questions that lead everyone to believe that he is insane. Even with the help of his brother and an FBI agent circumstances still point that he is a danger to himself and others and needs confinement. Hearing voices, notes that he claims no knowledge of writing, ex-partner who stole money from his company and was fired, who could be responsible for orchestrating his downfall. Eddie Prescott is presumed dead. So, why does he hear his voice loud and clear while confined at Walderman? Living the same life as his brother Joe, Charlie comes face to face with his own fears and begins to understand his brother and what he faces daily. But, what happens next will change everything and as his world falls about like a fragile piece of porcelain dropped on the floor and crumbled into minute pieces, Charlie faces his biggest challenge.
Laws to be followed, doctors responsible and threats directed in just the right places. But how could someone orchestrate a plan so devious, clever and diabolical that one man was convinced he was hearing voices, writing notes and killing former co-workers and claiming he is innocent. When faced with the possible truth and who might be behind these acts of murder, violence, his demise at work, Charlie enlists the help of four people he hopes he can trust. The end result will not only surprise the reader and make you wonder if an invention like InVision does really exist or will be the new wave of the future: How great that would be! When the answers are no longer vague and the end result is clear, who remains standing, who will survive? Or are we all just plain Delirious of author Daniel Palmer’s debut novel that will keep you enthralled, entranced and totally intrigued until you turn the last page and find out the startling truth. Charlie Giles is a great character and Joe is really quite remarkable. Both Joe and Charlie learn the true meaning of loyalty, trust and family in this outstanding must read novel. Let’s hope the sequel brings these two back together again and I hope to get on the author’s list to review it first.
Fran Lewis: Reviewer
Author: Daniel Palmer
Reviewed by Fran Lewis
Appearances can be deceiving. Often what really is might not be. What you think if happened can all be one illusion created to distort your mind and soul with the purpose of manipulating the outcome for someone else’s benefit or pleasure. Betrayals can destroy your spirit, trust and motivation creating a negative outlook for someone with a fragile persona. Eddie Prescott was world-class software engineer whose life spiraled out of control. A self-made man who worked his way up without any parent or government bail out or help, Eddie feels life is not worth living and there is only one way out.
Charles Giles is a brilliant young man who invented a product called InVision. Selling his startup company to a huge firm in Boston was supposed to be lucrative for both the company and him. As Senior Director of SoluCent he was on top of the world. Feared yet respected by his Magellan Team, Charlie carried a heavy gavel that strikes when necessary and tolerates no faltering, errors or mistakes when it comes to InVision. But, Charlie Giles will learn the true meaning of deceit, lies and betrayal as someone manipulates him into believing a lie which sends a chain of events in motion that will rock his world with results more catastrophic than a 9.0 earthquake on the Richter scale. Charlie Giles is about to enter a world similar to that of living in the Twilight Zone.
As Charlie takes the first step in his downfall, he never realized that information given to him was a lie. Rather than think it through he blindsides himself by entering a corporate meeting thinking one think only to humiliate himself as a result. What makes InVision so marketable: Imagine having one piece of software that is the perfect digital all in one encompassed package with every piece of software you can imagine. Guarding his invention, the plans and everything involved with InVision, Charlie becomes the target of someone’s diabolical scheme and warped mind.
Delirium is defined as a sudden, severe or rapid confusion due to changes in brain function caused by physical or mental illness caused by an infection, poison or acid-based disturbances. Charlie’s world transforms and turns inside out as his realities become vague and confusing and his personality distorted and the euphoric life he has lived: Disappears.
Through the voice of a narrator who vividly describes the events as they happen the reader takes this declining fall along with Charlie from the top of a huge mountain to the bottom of small hill feeling the bumps, twists and turns long the way with Charlie allowing the reader to understand his compulsion for order, structure and his relationship with others.
Creatively setting the stage author Daniel Palmer creates a Charlie’s’ past and shares it with the reader. As Charlie’s presentation at this meeting leads to his being terminated at his job, he encounters another set of problems that lead him back to his family. His brother diagnosed with Schizophrenia, equally as debilitating as delirium, has many of the same symptoms that Charlie thinks he now exhibits as he replays the events that turned his life upside down. Notes that he does not remember writing, files that were given to him by some unknown person who everyone thinks does not exist, a presentation with his name on it that he claimed he received from an unknown source searches on the net and emails that he never remembers making or doing. Is he losing his mind or is someone cleverly manipulating events to let him think so. Naivety gets in the way and do does Charlie’s pride as he falls pray to one man’s lies and more deceits someone has definitely orchestrated the events as graphically and artistically as a conductor of a symphony orchestra. Someone is Gas lighting Charlie! Meaning: Manipulating the events and situations in his life slowly and methodically trying to drive him insane with psychological mind games.
Vivid descriptions of the characters and events help you picture them as our main character interacts with those in his company, family and one doctor he hopes will help him find some answers. Dr. Rachel Evans is working with his brother Joe helping him works through his illness and cope with daily life. When Charlie seeks her out for some answers to questions about himself, why does she listen? But, things will not get better but more complicated as Charlie’s mother has a stroke and his priorities need to be readjusted as his relationship with his brother Joe, takes on a whole new complexion.
Schizophrenia runs in his family, yet is it part of his genetic makeup? Can Charlie really be losing his sense of reality or is someone controlling the events? Delirious or stressed out? Yet, he goes about trying the many fragments of a huge puzzle that has pieces so small they do not fit perfectly together. Methodically analyzing each event and finding more notes on his word documents and in his home, Charlie our techno genius needs his own program to solve his problems and find his way back to the top. Abandoned by his parents in two different ways he now faces his biggest challenge besides having to care for his brother: His Survival and Sanity! As one message sends him over the top and two brothers come face to face with truths they do not want to bear and one man’s life will take another downward spiral as many of his former co-workers are murdered and Charlie is thought the guilty party?
As the author allows the reader to enter the mind of Joe, through his blog, you begin to understand the torment, stress, fears and hope that this man has endured and his moments of lucidity as he describes his feelings, his therapy and hopes for the future. As Charlie’s mind unravels and he is faced with many unanswered questions that lead everyone to believe that he is insane. Even with the help of his brother and an FBI agent circumstances still point that he is a danger to himself and others and needs confinement. Hearing voices, notes that he claims no knowledge of writing, ex-partner who stole money from his company and was fired, who could be responsible for orchestrating his downfall. Eddie Prescott is presumed dead. So, why does he hear his voice loud and clear while confined at Walderman? Living the same life as his brother Joe, Charlie comes face to face with his own fears and begins to understand his brother and what he faces daily. But, what happens next will change everything and as his world falls about like a fragile piece of porcelain dropped on the floor and crumbled into minute pieces, Charlie faces his biggest challenge.
Laws to be followed, doctors responsible and threats directed in just the right places. But how could someone orchestrate a plan so devious, clever and diabolical that one man was convinced he was hearing voices, writing notes and killing former co-workers and claiming he is innocent. When faced with the possible truth and who might be behind these acts of murder, violence, his demise at work, Charlie enlists the help of four people he hopes he can trust. The end result will not only surprise the reader and make you wonder if an invention like InVision does really exist or will be the new wave of the future: How great that would be! When the answers are no longer vague and the end result is clear, who remains standing, who will survive? Or are we all just plain Delirious of author Daniel Palmer’s debut novel that will keep you enthralled, entranced and totally intrigued until you turn the last page and find out the startling truth. Charlie Giles is a great character and Joe is really quite remarkable. Both Joe and Charlie learn the true meaning of loyalty, trust and family in this outstanding must read novel. Let’s hope the sequel brings these two back together again and I hope to get on the author’s list to review it first.
Fran Lewis: Reviewer
August 21, 2018
Just as awesome as his dad!!!
I was not able to figure out how the killer was masterminding the behind the scenes action. Truly a page turner. I was not able to guess the killer until all was revealed. What amazing writing by Michael Palmer's son!!!!!!
I was not able to figure out how the killer was masterminding the behind the scenes action. Truly a page turner. I was not able to guess the killer until all was revealed. What amazing writing by Michael Palmer's son!!!!!!
March 17, 2019
Bu adamin okudugum ilk kitabi gorme duyma konusma idi, okuyan varsa aranizda hatirlarsiniz 🙈😅 ona da bayilmistim bu da fevkaledeninw fevkindeyfi. Sonuna kadar tum bu olaylar gercek mi yoksa kurgu muydu anlamiyorsunuz. Akici surukleyici heyecan verici👌
June 14, 2021
This book was hard to put down, psychological thriller that keeps you turning the page for more. This was the first novel for Daniel Palmer, I presume there are more? Again the dates are messed up started this several days ago, but did read it pretty fast.
May 5, 2021
This was his debut novel (2011). It was a good story, interesting with some solid characters. Charlie Guiles is an electronic superstar one day and the next day his world as he knew it falls apart.
January 11, 2011
Debut novels sometimes are a bummer, but once in a while you find that one has it running on all cylinders; that is Delirious. This is a novel that mixes elements of a few genres together, but Daniel Palmer weaves them into one tightknit novel that is difficult to put down. Here is the 411 on the plotline:
“One day, Charlie Giles is an up-and-coming electronics superstar. The next, he's a prime homicide suspect as his former employers are picked off one by one. Charlie watches his life unravel as his company and inventions are wrenched from his control, and his family is decimated. With nowhere else to turn, he enlists his schizophrenic brother to uncover the dark family secrets that lie at the heart of the unfolding terror. "Delirious" is a mind-bending story where the line between what is real and what is imagined twists and turns...an addictive literary puzzle that every reader will want to solve.”
I like the way this novel goes about its business, it basically is like reading a high speed car chase on a curvy cliff without much shoulder on the road. The twists and turns come right at you, the novel takes changes of pace with ease, and the pages keep turning and turning right up to the end. Charlie Giles is given quite the ride: we get to see him at his best, his worst and the in-between. Trying to figure this out is too much fun and the ride with Charlie should not be passed up.
My expectations were just not met but exceeded in Delirious. The novel doesn’t release till January 25, so to get in on this you would need to preorder the novel. To do that, you can click through on the Amazon icon here on the blog.
What are you reading today? Check us out and become our friend on Shelfari & Linkedin. Go to Goodreads and become our friend there and suggest books for us to read and post on. You can also follow us on Twitter, and Wattpad. Did you know you can shop directly on Amazon by clicking the Amazon Banner on our blog? Thanks for stopping by today; We will see you tomorrow. Have a great day. http://www.gelatisscoop.blogspot.com
“One day, Charlie Giles is an up-and-coming electronics superstar. The next, he's a prime homicide suspect as his former employers are picked off one by one. Charlie watches his life unravel as his company and inventions are wrenched from his control, and his family is decimated. With nowhere else to turn, he enlists his schizophrenic brother to uncover the dark family secrets that lie at the heart of the unfolding terror. "Delirious" is a mind-bending story where the line between what is real and what is imagined twists and turns...an addictive literary puzzle that every reader will want to solve.”
I like the way this novel goes about its business, it basically is like reading a high speed car chase on a curvy cliff without much shoulder on the road. The twists and turns come right at you, the novel takes changes of pace with ease, and the pages keep turning and turning right up to the end. Charlie Giles is given quite the ride: we get to see him at his best, his worst and the in-between. Trying to figure this out is too much fun and the ride with Charlie should not be passed up.
My expectations were just not met but exceeded in Delirious. The novel doesn’t release till January 25, so to get in on this you would need to preorder the novel. To do that, you can click through on the Amazon icon here on the blog.
What are you reading today? Check us out and become our friend on Shelfari & Linkedin. Go to Goodreads and become our friend there and suggest books for us to read and post on. You can also follow us on Twitter, and Wattpad. Did you know you can shop directly on Amazon by clicking the Amazon Banner on our blog? Thanks for stopping by today; We will see you tomorrow. Have a great day. http://www.gelatisscoop.blogspot.com
January 8, 2011
Oh my goodness! When I started this book I had no idea what to expect. I'm still pretty new to the Thriller genre and I'd never read a Techno-thriller before. I'm really glad that I took a leap of faith on this book because I really enjoyed it.
Charlie Giles has it all at the beginning of the book. He has a great job and has a fair number of people who work for him. But then he gets word that his department is being "axed" and the job has been done internally. Even though Charlie tries extremely hard not to lose his job he is eventually fired. To add insult to injury he's becoming Delirious just like his brother and father....NOT GOOD AT ALL!
That's when things start to get REALLY interesting! Charlie finds a note that he apparently hand wrote himself, that lists all the people from his old job who MUST die. Charlie doesn't remember writing such a horrible note. Was he the one who ACTUALLY wrote it? Has Charlie already acted on the note or not? That is where the roller coaster begins! Usually I'm not a fan of roller coasters but the one in this book was a fun ride.
I thought that this book, for a debut, was really strongly written through out the whole book. This may sound really sick but my favorite part was watching Charlie deteriorate into craziness. I was a little disappointed by the climax of the story. There was a really strong build up to it and then it kind of leveled off.
Overall, I was really impressed by this book. Even with the leveling off at the climax I wasn't able to knock the rating down too much. I recommend this book to anyone who is looking to add a little craziness to their TBR pile.
Rating:
4.75/5
Charlie Giles has it all at the beginning of the book. He has a great job and has a fair number of people who work for him. But then he gets word that his department is being "axed" and the job has been done internally. Even though Charlie tries extremely hard not to lose his job he is eventually fired. To add insult to injury he's becoming Delirious just like his brother and father....NOT GOOD AT ALL!
That's when things start to get REALLY interesting! Charlie finds a note that he apparently hand wrote himself, that lists all the people from his old job who MUST die. Charlie doesn't remember writing such a horrible note. Was he the one who ACTUALLY wrote it? Has Charlie already acted on the note or not? That is where the roller coaster begins! Usually I'm not a fan of roller coasters but the one in this book was a fun ride.
I thought that this book, for a debut, was really strongly written through out the whole book. This may sound really sick but my favorite part was watching Charlie deteriorate into craziness. I was a little disappointed by the climax of the story. There was a really strong build up to it and then it kind of leveled off.
Overall, I was really impressed by this book. Even with the leveling off at the climax I wasn't able to knock the rating down too much. I recommend this book to anyone who is looking to add a little craziness to their TBR pile.
Rating:
4.75/5
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