Paranoia

Good read

If you have ever worked for a big company, you will immediately recognize and identify with the scene that Finder paints: the office politics, the feeling that you are simply a pawn on a giant chess board, and the mind-boggling greed and stupidity of your 'superiors.' Finder even gets the tiniest details down: the office furniture, the absurd meetings, the joy of sharing a bathroom with several thousand of your closest friends. The story that he weaves grabs you and won't let you go. I won't reveal the end, but I can guarantee you that you won't suspect what's coming! This was an enjoyable read. I was sorry to get to the last page, because I didn't want it to end.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Beware! Nothing Is As it Seems. And I'm Not Being Paranoid!

I've enjoyed all of Joseph Finder's books but Paranoia is unquestionably his best! The plot is very fast-paced, the characters are well-developed and multi-dimensional and the suspense involving corporate spying is non-stop. If this isn't enough to make you want to rush right out to get a copy of this compelling thriller, be aware that Finder provides twists and turns that will keep you intrigued and surprised right up to the very end. Be prepared for a very exciting and fun reading experience. Paranoia will keep you glued to the edge of your seat. It is one of the most enjoyable books I've read in quite awhle. Paranoia deserves to be at the top of the bestseller lists when it comes out in late January 2004 and it should help Joseph Finder become one of the elite group of today's popular writers.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Neutral

An intriguing concept. Reasonably well written with an interesting ending.

Finder tends to be a bit verbose, however. Too many non-essential details, it almost lost my interest several times. The book was too easy to put down and come back later, because of this.

Vanished was better, but, still a little wordy.

My first read by him was in a condensed book version (his latest); which I really enjoyed! It was the latest version that lead me to venture into some of his other earlier stories.

Highly Recommended - you must check it out!!

Excellent book. Joseph Finder definitely did his research before writing this book. If you like to read suspense books, then this book is for you. Kept me reading til late into the night. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this book to a friend.

My New Favorite Author

I'm not a book critic that will delve into the character developments, plot line and whatever else. I'm more of the 'switch' type critic. I liked it or I didn't...

In this case I really liked it. It was easy to get into, and once there, I couldn't put it down.

A fast paced thriller, a lovable rogue at the center and some clever twists throughout.

Since reading this book, I've purchased three more from this author, if only the USPS would hurry up.

nouveau espionage

I wasn't sure what to think of this book when I first downloaded it. I'm not one to listen to books because I would much rather read them, but this book was interesting - mostly because the narrator, Scott Brick, did a wonderful job narrating this story. I've read only a few other spy novels, and those were the typical espionage books dealing with military forces. I've never read a corporate spy novel - but this one was really good. The writer did a good job writing the story as it was very well written. The details in the plot of the book was a little hard to follow while listening to it, but the farther along I got it all seemed to make sense. The ending to this book was great - I totally didn't see it coming.

A Tangled Web Of Industrial Espionage, but Not The Sword And The Shield Of The KGB!!!

Will you be more sympathetic to Adam Cassidy in the last page of the book as you were in the opening of his odyssey in the world of industrial espionage? It all depends. I would say Adam Cassidy is not intended to be the hero, but the executioner of the moral you would take as you read the last page. Can you ask more of Joseph Finder, I don't think so. The main characters of the book are just supreme, enter Adam Cassidy main character, just another regular low range employee typical of Finder's characters, smart and brilliant. Nick Wyatt, a ruthless tyrant, yet the best I have read of in a while, Jock Goddard, a philanthropist. But not the regular Gates or Jobs in the headlines of the WSJ.

Expect a tangled web of industrial espionage, not as tangled as " The sword and the shield" of Christopher Andrew but same essence. The use of technical buzzwords and references to the Tradecraft of espionage is outstanding. Finder hasn't disappointed his readers, He has truly done his homework on this subject; the story ends as it should, not a letdown. It is greed, self- preservation, and opportunity, Don't expect a happy ending, because it should not have one.

Is "Paranoia" a page turner, I would say yes., could it have had a better twist, or ending?, given the circumstances and events surrounding Adam's deception...Maybe. In contrast to what some readers may think, the development of supporting characters such as: Judith Bolton, Francis Cassidy, and Alana Jennings throughout the book don't lose interest, I think Finder withdraws their attention to focus on Adam's weaknesses and strengths on purpose. Leaving the best of them for the end.

But as I said Greed is the driver of the story, pay close attention, make no mistake. And as Adam said at the beginning "Be careful what you wish for because you might get it" Truth till the end of the book.

Paranoia~ A Must Read... You won't be disappointed.

Very Exciting and Trilling

I love this book. Underdog goes top but when he gets to the top it's not on his own merit, actually, it's because of something he's done wrong for which he needs to do another wrong to correct. He's in deep. He loves it. He's become more ambitious because of the success whereas before his fake success he was a loser who wanted no part of the corporate world. But he's been planted into the high life which he cannot stay in. I don't want to give it away. Finder has a beautiful, easy writing voice and it keeps the pace moving quickly. Love it!!! I am a Finder addict now. MUST READ ALL FINDER BOOKS!!!

Corporate Espionage

Joseph Finder quickly pulls the reader into the suspense with Paranoia, which dives into the action with Adam Cassidy being immediately immersed in a serious situation: His employer, Wyatt Telecom, catches him in the act of manipulating company funds to help out a coworker. His employers use this to their advantage, forcing Adam to infiltrate the ranks of a competitor, Trion, to get the details on a hot new technological product. I had trouble in the beginning relating to the protagonist, Adam Cassidy, finding him a little too nonchalant and cold hearted. However, as the story progressed I found myself cheering for him. It's a good read and a good look at corporate espionage. Bob Avey, author of Beneath a Buried House

Beyond the thrills

Joe Finder's thoughtfull research for this novel affords us, his readers, many valuable lessons to understand, survive and maybe win contemporary struggles. Writing which accomplishes the daunting tasks of educating, influencing view points, creating public opinion and trends of culture, etc. while entertaining is a skill only writers such as Finder posses, and I am greatful for their contribution. I enjoyed the book, and despite the cynics, I admit that it changed me. That is a good thing.

Ending couldn't possibly be any worse!

Seriously. I thought that Finder had a good thing going with Paranoia, and then I got to the end. Be prepared, it is a monster letdown. The story was quick paced and well written, even if it was a bit too cliche' at times, but to end the story with the reader disliking every single character in the book seems like a bad career move for Finder. It was so disappointing, I'll never invest a minute of my time reading another one of his efforts. Can I have my money - and time- back please??

Surprise ending? Ummm, I don't think so

A decent read, I will admit, but a surprise ending? Maybe if you haven't read very many thrillers in the last five years . . . Personally, I had it figured out very early (100 pages or so) and continued reading mostly to make sure it ended the way i thought it would. And since the ending was really the point of the book, I guess I felt a bit let down. I don't really have a desire to read any more of his books, although I did get through this one pretty quickly.

Lost Its Flavor

What started out as a thriller turned into a downer. Through the first half of the book I cared about Adam Cassidy but then the story hit a brick wall. It became predictable and skimming the pages were more interesting than the details.

More Good Than Bad

Ultimately it was worth the read. A lot about this book was irritating but it had some redeeming qualities and the ending saved it. Too much 'attitude' throughout and got so tired of having the main character's love interest shoved down my throat with her wit and charm and beauty and sophistication and well-bred manners and money and intelligence and on and on and on. Enough already, geesh! You mean she couldn't have had at least one flaw? Sure would have made her more likeable if not more believeable.

Top-Notch Corporate Thriller

Adam Cassidy has no idea the hot water he will land in when he decides to appropriate company funds to pay for a huge party for a low-level employee. Soon the lazy but likeable middle-management drone is pressured (blackmailed is more like it) into infiltrating a competing techno-giant's corporation. His mission: steal information on their latest cutting-edge product. The author keeps the pace heart-pounding, and there is an interesting twist at the end that seasoned thriller readers (I confess I'm one) may see coming....though the last page left me hanging a bit. Sympathetic protagonist, great story!

You Gotta Be Kidding

This has got to be one of the worst books I've ever read, I don't understand the raves. Couldn't stand Adam's voice, which is ALWAYS THERE, so that was rough. I love thrillers but this one bored me and irritated me with its attitude and writing style.

Suspenseful and Witty

Paranoia is a nail biting story of corporate espionage and morality told with incredible wit from bestselling author Joseph Finder (High Crimes). The book will have you laughing out loud from the onset. Although it loses some of its wit towards the middle of the book; and the unit introductions with espionage definitions seem a bit out of place for a story on corporate spying, the story will still grab your attention and keep it right until its surprising ending. Hats off to Joseph Finder for writing such a clever, hilarious and suspenseful novel.

Open wide, there's a lot to swallow.

Paranoia is a good, entertaining book, but not a great one. The beginning quickly hooks the reader, but the middle droops by spoon-feeding every movement and thought of Adam Cassidy. There is nothing left for the reader to deduce. It's got a recipe similar to a made-for-TV movie. And even though the storyline is a fun read, its probability is equivalent to Jerry Springer entering the seminary. Most fiction fans will enjoy this book, at least until the final chapters where the biggest plot twists occur. They are guaranteed to be talked about--an author and publisher's coveted dream.

Not What I'd Been Told

This is an odd time we live in. First I've lost faith in movie reviews, now I'm doubting book critics. (And not just from this book's hype.) Based on the reviews, I purchased this book. After reading it, I checked the input here and realized some other readers shared my views, (I should have listened). There was potential in this idea for a novel even though it's been done before. It was the dullness of the writing that bored me and forced me to skim the last half. Maybe the author felt that by using the first-person he could get away with careless writing, that since he was in the voice of the protagonist, he could resort to lazy cliches and nothing original. Here I disagee. For Adam to garner the interest he did from two high- tech companies, and accomplish what he did, he should have been more of a unique interesting thinker. After all, the reader is expected to live in his point of view throughout the entire novel, so his point of view should be interesting, not mundane. That was a problem for me. I just never believed much of it, and felt cheated by the end. Just my thoughts. It is obvious others found it quite different. However, I wouldn't trust this author again, no matter what the reviews were.

Couldn't finish

It started out looking promising and I give most books at least 100 pages to pull me in. I couldn't help being disappointed especially after hearing so many nice recommendations for this author. My taste runs more toward cozies.