The Confessions
- Judith D Collins
- Sep 21
- 5 min read
Narrator: Allyson Ryan
Simon & Schuster Audio
ISBN: 9781668074404
Publisher: Atria Books
Publication Date: 07/22/2025
Format: Other
My Rating: 4.5 Stars (ARC)
DEBUT
A high-octane, high-concept thriller for fans of Blake Crouch, Harlan Coben, and Gillian Flynn from former Silicon Valley journalist turned bookstore owner Paul Bradley Carr.
Millions of letters arrive in the mail.
Murders are uncovered, affairs revealed, family secrets exposed.
These are the first Confessions.
This is our last chance.
LLIAM is the world’s most powerful supercomputer, built to make the toughest decisions for its users. Where to work, who to marry, and even who should live or die. But when LLIAM suddenly goes offline with no explanation, the world is thrust into chaos, paralyzed by indecision. Stocks plummet, stores are shuttered, and planes sit grounded on runways as humanity scrambles to re-adapt to an uncertain, analog world.
Then the first letters arrive…on every continent, in every language, mysterious envelopes arrive in the mail, exposing people’s darkest secrets, and most shocking crimes. All beginning with the same chilling words: “We must confess.”
With millions of people suddenly made to confront their past transgressions, and society fast unraveling, CEO Kaitlan Goss must track down the only person who can help undo the resulting violent chaos: Maud Brookes, an ex-nun who taught LLIAM what it means to be human.
But when Maud receives a letter herself, revealing Kaitlan’s own unforgivable sin, the two women are forced into a deadly game of deceit as the world teeters on the brink.
My Review
Paul Bradley Carr, a distinguished former journalist from Silicon Valley who has transitioned into the role of an independent bookstore owner and novelist, delves into the intricate relationship between technology and its human consequences in his latest speculative literary thriller, THE CONFESSIONS.
This gripping narrative unfolds as a chilling game of cat-and-mouse, set against the backdrop of a world thrown into disarray when LLIAM, a formidable supercomputer engineered to make critical decisions, abruptly goes offline. The result is a cascading chaos that forms the crux of this electrifying thriller.
About...
At the heart of this turmoil lies LLIAM, an AI chatbot developed by the innovative tech company StoicAI, which has been influencing billions of lives for the past eight years. During this time, individuals across the globe have entrusted their most significant decisions to LLIAM, from career paths to romantic entanglements, financial decisions, airports, hospitals, and life-altering choices.
However, this convenient reliance meets a shocking halt when LLIAM unexpectedly disconnects. Concurrently, letters begin to appear in mailboxes worldwide—letters that unveil dark secrets and astonishing crimes, each beginning with the haunting phrase: WE MUST CONFESS.
In an instant, millions are compelled to confront their buried transgressions—ranging from murders and affairs to deep-seated family secrets. As society begins to unravel, these letters signal the dawn of the first Confessions, presenting a final chance for redemption.
Kaitlan, the CEO of StoicAI, is on a mission to locate Maude, an elusive ex-nun who imparted the essence of humanity to LLIAM. However, when Maude receives a confession that reveals Kaitlan’s most egregious sin, the stakes are raised exponentially. The two women become embroiled in a treacherous game of deceit, as the world teeters on the brink of chaos.
My thoughts...
From my perspective, THE CONFESSIONS is a masterfully crafted psychological techno-thriller that resonates with the pressing issues of our time and our not-so-distant future, particularly in an era dominated by AI and the anxieties surrounding technological advancements.
From the very first page, this novel captivates readers with its adrenaline-fueled action and suspenseful narrative that will keep you engrossed well into the night. With jaw-dropping twists and a relentless pace, THE CONFESSIONS is both thought-provoking and utterly absorbing!
What are the implications of our increasing dependence on technology for decision-making? Who bears the weight of accountability in this new landscape?
This engaging, frightening cautionary tale invites readers to reflect on the human cost associated with unchecked technological progress. We can see the harmful destruction, greed, and power of AI happening all around us today, which may be more terrifying than any horror movie.
An electrifying, impressive debut, with an old-school murder mystery vibe! I am looking forward to seeing what comes next from Carr.
Join the characters on their thrilling journey through a complex web of secrets and lies, a journey that promises to keep you on the edge of your seat.
Recs...
For enthusiasts of high-octane thrillers, this book comes highly recommended for fans of Blake Crouch, Michael Crichton, Tom Clancy, Andy Weir, Greg Hurwitz, Thomas Mullen, and Harlan Coben.
Check out the interview with the author here WRITER'S DIGEST
Special thanks to Atria Books and NetGalley for providing an advanced review copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 4.5 Stars
Pub Date: July 22, 2025
Praise
INSTANT NATIONAL BESTSELLER
A New York Times best summer thriller. CrimeReads and Paste Magazine's most anticipated book of Summer 2025! A Buzzfeed Must-Read!
"A terrifying window into the future."
— NEW YORK TIMES (BEST SUMMER THRILLERS
“Carr’s skill in rendering complex technology understandable, corporate politics believable and high-stakes storytelling engaging makes The Confessions a top-notch technothriller, reminiscent of the best of Michael Crichton and Tom Clancy.”
—The Los Angeles Times
“Hair-raising … With winning irreverence and a trunkful of surprises, Carr shrewdly grounds his apocalyptic premise in a human-scale drama. Blake Crouch fans will eat this up.”
—Publishers Weekly
“Not since Michael Crichton entertained and thrilled readers with science-driven novels like Sphere and Jurassic Park has there been anything this frightfully fun.”
—Library Journal (starred review)
“I tore through this gripping tale, not because it predicts the frightening future of AI with the urgency of a clock about to strike midnight, but rather in Paul Bradley Carr’s talented hands The Confessions reminds us what it means to be achingly human.”
—Steven Rowley, New York Times bestselling author of Lily and the Octopus and The Guncle
“Paul Bradley Carr has seen the terrifying future of AI, and The Confessions is a hugely entertaining twist on a very unexpected sort of nightmare scenario—a surprising tale of betrayal, guilt, and redemption.”
—Chris Pavone, New York Times bestselling author of Two Nights in Lisbon
“An absolute belter of a novel that plays with our fears of technologies in a story that will keep you turning the pages right up to the end. A timely, ticking clock thriller with unforgettable characters and psychological twists and turns you won’t see coming. Read it. You won't regret it!” —Sarah Pinborough, bestselling author of We Live Here Now
“A brilliant and timely thriller about a world dominated by AI. This should be required reading for every American.”
—Roger McNamee, author of Zucked
“Full of twists, turns, and truth about the dangers of artificial intelligence. With big ideas, sharp writing, and rich characters, I must confess…I loved this thrill ride.”
—Byron Lane, author of A Star Is Bored and Big Gay Wedding
About the Author
Paul Bradley Carr is a journalist and author. He has written three memoirs about his adventures in and around Silicon Valley. He was the Silicon Valley columnist for The Guardian, senior editor at TechCrunch, cofounder of PandoDaily, and founder and editor-in-chief of the infamous NSFWCORP in Las Vegas. His writing has also appeared in The Wall Street Journal, HuffPost, National Geographic, and much more. He lives in Palm Springs with his family and is the co-owner of The Best Bookstore in Palm Springs. WEBSITE
