The Confessions

By: Paul Bradley Carr

Narrator: Allyson Ryan

Simon & Schuster Audio

ISBN: 9781668074404

Publisher: Atria Books

Publication Date: 07/22/2025

Format: Other

My Rating: 4 StThe Confessions ars (ARC)

JUL 2025 MUST-READ BOOKS

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, 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.

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Praise

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)

"A hugely entertaining twist on a very unexpected sort of nightmare scenario--a surprising tale of betrayal, guilt, and redemption."

- CHRIS PAVONE, NYT BESTSELLING AUTHOR, TWO NIGHT 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.”

— SARAH PINBOROUGH, NYT BESTSELLING AUTHOR, BEHIND HER EYES

“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, NYT BESTSELLING AUTHOR, LILY AND THE OCTOPUS AND THE GUNCLE

“Full of twists, turns, and truth. 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

“A brilliant and timely thriller about a world dominated by AI. Should be required reading for every American.”

— ROGER MCNAMEE, NYT BESTSELLING AUTHOR, ZUCKED (AND FORMER MENTOR TO MARK ZUCKERBERG)

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