Big Data

A Startup Thriller Novel

By: Lucas Carlson

Narrated by: Robyn A Roth

Length: 6 hrs and 18 mins

Publisher's summary

If you think artificial intelligence is dangerous, then you don't know the real threat to humanity's future....

Luna Valencia is the founder of the hottest artificial intelligence startup in history. She's about to become incredibly rich and powerful. But just when she's about to take her company public, her world begins to fall apart.

On the day of her startup's IPO, a stock exchange shooter plummets Luna into a downward spiral toward a threat more menacing than she ever imagined possible. Faced with losing her company, her entire world, Luna searches for answers to a series of terrifying accusations. Failing to uncover the truth could destroy her company...but success would get her killed.

Big Data is a fresh approach to the artificial intelligence sci-fi thriller. If you like fast-paced action, heart-stopping tension, and tech-filled worlds set in the near future, then you'll love Lucas Carlson's latest novel. Discover the AI twist today!

©2016 Lucas Carlson (P)2016 Lucas Carlson

"People are dying ... everybody, everywhere."

Any additional comments?

On the day that Luna Valencia is due to stand down as CEO of the company she had grown over the previous ten years, the ceremony is interrupted by a man with a gun - and a bomb. But he's no terrorist: just the opposite. He only wanted to speak to Luna and warn her of what he had discovered before it was too late.

This is a thought provoking, fast paced thriller which captivates the attention from the start. Seen mostly from the point of view of Luna and an old ex cop named Alex, the action is immediate and involving. Despite being about computer code and the outreach of the programmes, it is not filled with off putting jargon but, where needed, explanations are made simple enough for even a novice to grasp in a fascinating way.
.
The narrator, Robyn A. Roth, does a very good job. Surely one of the best of the female audio dramatists, she both reads the text in tune with the action and gives good voice to all of her characters and in particular to the main protagonist, Luna.
It wasn't until the closing chapters that I began to have doubts. Nothing drastic, just a wobble in my suspension of disbelief. Somehow, the baddies were just that little bit too bad - or crazy. But it still does not negate the earlier excitement of the book which, given the rapid expanse and intelligence of our computer technologies is a very immediate one; and really emphasises the truth of the quotation at the very beginning of Big Data, The problem is not whether machines think, but whether men do."
A recommended read/ listen.

Idea good, rest so-so

General idea good, first person perspective is problematic, tale is told very narrow, reader s voice annoying and only understandable with very good headset.
So: food for thought, yes. A pleasant book, no.

Big Data

Excellent! Easily as good as The Term Sheet. This is a genre with a unique twist.
Enjoyed the book, it was all I could have wished for.

We keep worrying about AI taking over...

Luna Valencia has created a platform that allows almost anyone in the world to have access to a supercomputer. This allows for great strides in almost everything that uses technology. It's everywhere, helping to make the world a better place... for now. On the day of their IPO, someone comes into the NYSE with a bomb strapped to their chest hoping to talk to Luna, to tell her about something she had no idea about. What follows is a technothriller where Luna and everyone around her is in danger at every turn from an invisible antagonist.

The narration by Robyn A Roth was well done. She gave the main character a great voice, and the others in the book were secondary characters. There's nothing wrong with that at all as the story revolves around on person. The audio quality left me a little upset. Listening to this in the car wasn't too bad, but if you listen to it on headphones there is a faint fuzzy background noise throughout the entire book. There were a few times that it went away, but only for a few words. I'm not sure if the narrator or the producer/production company is to blame for this, but if it's possible to clean it up, it might be worth the effort.

Lucas Carlson knows how to write. Big Data kept me interested from beginning to end, grabbing my attention and never letting it go. It's one of those books that the first chapter has you looking down the rabbit hole and the last chapter has you realizing that you've been reading the book all day. Honestly, it reminded me of a mix between Joseph Finder and Michael Crichton.

Big Data is extremely rooted in plausibility. It's just one of those stories that you read and think, well, let's hope that we're not shortsighted and ignore all of the warning signs.

I genuinely started this book and had a hard time putting it down. If you are familiar with other Carlson's other Startup Thriller "The Term Sheet", you won't be disappointed. And if you're new to his storytelling -- this is a great story to jump into. Non-stop action interweaving technology and the real world.

Hooked From the Start!

Real Cyber-thriller. Kept me on the edge of my seat and with many questions about how close to the truth much of it could be or become. Thoroughly enjoyed it!

Interesting subject

Narration is fair. Some voice changes quite good. Others week. Fills a void left by Crichton genre writers. Will read other books by same author.

Great Read!

What made the experience of listening to Big Data the most enjoyable?

This story drew me in with quick action and held my attention as discoveries and dangers were uncovered. Never getting lost in computer geek-speak the technical matters were sensible and plausible.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

There are countless man vs. machine stories out there> Big Data takes a different path and shows just how easily it could happen.

What about Robyn A Roth’s performance did you like?

Robyn's reading was clear and at a good pace, lively at times and thoughtful when needed.

Any additional comments?

I received a complementary copy in consideration for a review.

Audio Issues

Narrator was fine, but there was a constant hum during playback. Very annoying. Needs to be re-recorded.