ABOUT THE BOOK
She was almost out, her life of enforced seclusion nearly over. She’d go to college at MITI, make a name for herself in Machine Intelligence (MI), and develop personal MIs to solve the world’s problems by building on the technology her grandfather had secretly invented.
But the house was on fire when Paloma arrived home. Her grandfather, beaten and tortured, lay dead on the floor. Someone knew about Marlowe, Paloma’s MI, and would clearly kill to acquire it. They’d come for her next. They’d come for Marlowe.
Paloma has no choice but to run, at least until she can figure out who is after them. A tech corporation? The government? Anti-tech terrorists? As she encounters each, her grandfather’s arguments about the dangers of a Marlowe-like MI in the wrong hands begin to make sense. But after 15 years together, Marlowe has become both her best friend and, for better or worse, part of who she is.
A new take on classic noir themes, Private I is a mystery thriller rooted in today’s headlines and driven by characters with distinct answers to the questions those articles ask: what do we mean by machine consciousness? Would we recognize it if we saw it? Would we want it if we could have it? It is the story of a dead body, a society in decay, and the internal monologue of a voice that is still young enough to care and naive enough to stumble. Of course, in our case, that internal monologue has two voices.
MY REVIEW
If you’re on the hunt for your next great read or you’re just exploring the world of detective fiction, grab this book. The plot will keep you flipping through the pages.
Private I takes place about 20 years from now and Paloma is a tough and determined protagonist who unexpectedly steps into the role of detective after the heartbreaking murder of her grandfather. Right from the start, I was rooting for Paloma as she navigated the threatening dangers of her new life. Watching her kick butt while piecing together the mystery had me on the edge of my seat!
One of the standout “characters” of the book is Marlowe, the AI plugged into Paloma’s ear cuffs. Marlowe’s dynamic adds a layer of fun and sparks some engaging conversations about technology’s role in our lives today and what it could look like in the future. It’s an interesting ride as Paloma and Marlowe banter back and forth, providing comic relief amidst the tension of the plot.
The authors did a fantastic job with character development, giving each one a unique feature that enhances the story as you keep wondering who to trust. I found myself glued to the pages, desperate to uncover what was going to happen next.
I have a soft spot for noir mysteries, and this book hits that nostalgic spot while still feeling fresh and exciting. The balance between the old-school detective elements and the slick, high-tech aspects of the storyline is what truly brought the plot to life for me.
And let’s not forget the moral dilemmas at play. The story explores the complex relationship between humans and machines, highlighting the good, the bad, and everything in between. It’s a thought-provoking journey that certainly left me contemplating the implications of artificial intelligence in our daily lives.
If you’re ready for a gripping read filled with action, compelling characters, and plenty of food for thought, grab a copy of this unforgettable book. And I just heard there is a sequel in the works. Count me in!
Thank you to the authors for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.
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ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Ashlei E Watson
Ashlei E. Watson is an American novelist known for the cyber noir thriller trilogy Private I, co-written with Jill Fain Lehman, PhD and Paul Pangaro, PhD.
Jill Fain Lehman
Career in academic and industrial research in Artificial Intelligence, predominantly natural language processing (NLP), machine learning (ML) and cognitive architecture.
Paul Pangaro
Career as entrepreneur, teacher, researcher, and performer. Introduced to Cybernetics at MIT with Jerry Lettvin then Gordon Pask, with whom Paul did a PhD and worked with for more than a decade. Involved in a series of startups, often as founder and CTO, culminating with General Cybernetics, Inc., in New York City. Entered academia from 2015, currently at Carnegie Mellon University.
