Synopsis:
An activist entrepreneur, a maligned AI, and a newly minted homicide detective with a haunted past catastrophically intersect in The Sandbox. Silence of the Lambs meets Ex Machina in this ground-breaking techno-thriller from international bestselling authors Andrews & Wilson that redefines the meaning of murder in the 21st century. When the CEO of the world’s leading artificial intelligence company is found murdered in his home, former Army CID officer Valerie Marks is thrust into her first case as a homicide detective. Valerie has a gift for reading people, a gift that has never failed her before. But that gift is put to the test when her instincts point her to an impossible suspect―an AI born from a secret venture with the Pentagon known as Project Nomad. To learn the truth, Valerie must team up with two men she doesn’t trust―a Green Beret turned government spook from the Pentagon, and the victim’s former partner and leading suspect in the case. But nothing can prepare the trio for the dangers that await them and the existential threat to humanity if the Project Nomad AI has somehow escaped its sandbox.
Review:
A gripping techno-thriller, The Sandbox presents a chilling cautionary narrative on the dangers of a sentient and uncontrolled A.I. to humanity. Andrews and Wilson have excelled with their latest literary endeavor. Best known for their TIER ONE military and THE SHEPHERDS faith-based, supernatural thriller series, the duo has again applied their usual strategic thinking to one of the most dynamic and controversial technological advancements of our time. Their exceptional character development and engaging storytelling, with a story revolving around an A.I. gone feral, serve as both entertainment and a stark cautionary tale about the potential dangers of uncontrolled A.I. development.
Valerie Marks, a freshly minted homicide detective, former Army CID Officer, and overall badass, is assigned to a case involving the death of the CEO and co-founder of the world’s leading A.I. company, Platform Cognition. Discovered murdered in his mansion, all signs point towards a former business partner as the perpetrator. Her first case as a detective and with her boss as her partner seems to be open and shut. But Valerie’s considerable instincts tell her something different. She suspects the true culprit is the world’s first sentient A.I. program, Charlie, created by both the victim and the main suspect. To crack the case, Valerie must collaborate with individuals she doesn’t completely trust and delve deep into a perilous world where danger and unspeakable horrors await. She soon realizes that the stakes are higher than merely solving a murder – she comprehends the urgency of containing the A.I. Charlie within its “Sandbox.” And that the consequences of allowing Charlie to roam free in the world may jeopardize the safety of the entire human race.
The Sandbox isn’t solely a tech novel for philosophers or I.T. experts; it’s packed with action and suspenseful moments. Humans face off against machines, with law enforcement, government agents, and tech experts fighting unmanned weapons and robots in a complex computer-generated world. Bullets, knives, drones, hand-to-hand combat, and more keep the tension high as no one is safe, and nowhere seems to offer refuge from an A.I. gone mad. Readers will appreciate the detailed descriptions of the technology, while those unfamiliar with it can still enjoy the fast-paced storyline and thrilling plot.
This thought-provoking book explores the human condition and how we relate to one another with the help of technology. It’s truly inspiring, and I look forward to reading the next installment.
Benjamin J. Burton is the author of Paradise of Wolf, his debut paranormal crime thriller. He was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He received his Bachelor of Computer Science from Morgan State University. After University, Benjamin enlisted in the US Army, where he served as a paratrooper and served with designation at various assignments around the world.
Benjamin was awarded numerous medals and commendations during his time in the military, including the Meritorious Service Medal and Bronze Star Medal for Meritorious Service. After leaving the military, he worked for the Department of Defense and the private sector before retiring to become a full-time writer. He now resides in Miami, Florida, where he writes about his favorite subject: murder!
The novel Paradise of Wolf can be purchased from Amazon, Centaur Books, or Barnes & Noble. For more information on Benjamin J. Burton, please visit his website at http://centaurbooks.com or follow him on his insta @benjaminj.burton
Leave a Reply