The cover drew me to this book and I thought it would make a perfect read in the run up to Halloween.

The story follows Lily and Henry, both brilliant engineers. Lily is a computer engineer and Henry is into robotics. He’s been spending increasing amounts of time in the lab creating an AI robot called William. Ghoulishly half formed, he reveals it to Lily’s friends when they visit. Things take a dark turn when their voice controlled house stops responding to their commands. What is William capable of?

This is quite a short book and doesn’t take long to read. It’s surprisingly compelling and I found I wanted to keep reading to find out what was going to happen. It’s an unsettling and gruesome tale and my imaginings of William is the stuff of nightmares. It’s like a modern twist on a traditional ghost story which makes you wonder what AI is capable of. I enjoyed it but I’m not sure how well I’ll sleep after reading it!

If you like unsettling, sinister reads then you’ll enjoy this and I recommend it.

Thanks to John Murray Press and NetGalley for my copy in exchange for a review.

I love stories with rogue AI and this was no exception! I was surprised by the plot as it wasn’t at all what I expected, in a very good way! It also made me think of Frankestein, albeit this is very different.

I found the theme of ‘how far is considered ok for technological advancement’ very well explored, together with well rounded characters. All of this within a locked-room setting which I truly love! There are a couple of twists that made my eyes pop and lots of creepy and suspenseful moments that literally get your heartbeat up up up! Not only that, but if you’re like me and like to stay in control, the whole story will have you right out of your comfort zone.

What I found a bit annoying throughout was the miscommunication trope, but after finishing the book, it becomes pretty clear why that’s essential. In addition, I would have loved a bit more space for the philosophical themes, only briefly brushed over, as that was the part that made me love the book the most.

As this was a new author to me, based on this thriller, I will definitely look up their other books. If you want to be spooked by AI and enjoy your head being spun by unexpected twists, try this read!

Thanks to the author, John Murray Press and NetGalley for a copy and this is my honest opinion.

In spite of every character in this book being awful (to different degrees), I really enjoyed this
I love a haunted house tale and this felt like a haunted house story where the ghosts were AI. This was incredibly tense, a sense of foreboding throughout
I was so intrigued to find out what was going to happen next
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Ooh what a read! I wasn’t sure what to expect when I saw that it was a psychological thriller with a cyber noir twist but I’m glad I went in.

The characters were well written in such a way that they were distinctly unlikeable but I was drawn in with the story.

If you like psychological thrillers then you will like this.

Oooh this was creepy!!

I was on edge in parts and although I struggled a little at first, once I got into it I couldn’t put it down.

It felt like the characters were keeping secrets the whole time.

Genuinely did not see that going the way it did.

This has made me terrified of AI!!

Fab read!

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.

I went into this one without reading the blurb fully and I think that is why I struggled a little with the story. I generally don't enjoy AI books, but this cover was just too enticing!!

I enjoyed the suspense and foreboding, I liked how the writer managed to show the AI side of the creation without making it too techy (in my opinion), it had the feel of a classic 'ghost story', but it was a massive twist on that - in a good way.

So actually, really, I did enjoy it overall, I was just not prepared for it :)

I did my usual and went off the brilliant cover, not reading the synopsis, aside from the tagline, "Prepare to meet William for an up-all-night slice of Halloween horror, Perfect for fans of Stephen King, Black Mirror and Frankenstein."

If that's not enough to entice you, then I don't know what is!

So I wasn't expecting the AI twist to the story, but the set-up really had me curious and unnerved from the beginning. William may have been a robot and not the demon I was expecting, but let's be honest, he was still a bit of a demon, just a physical one!

It's a very clever, modern and original story. I love the description that "William is a new kind of ghost story, where the haunting is not from another world, but from inside your home. Inside your head." These promotion taglines don't often live up, but this one really did. It is haunting and terrifying at times as the claustrophobia kicks in, but it's also a whole lot of fun.

I thought there were a lot of holes in the plot at first, but the ending more than answered everything. I really wasn't expecting that twist. This one really shocked me, and I loved it!

At 244 pages, you can easily read it in one sitting too! For me, that's the perfect kind of horror read! Short and effective. I really recommend this one!

Henry and Lily are a young couple whose marriage is under strain. Lily is pregnant with their first child and they live on the money that she made from the stock sale of the software company that she founded.
Henry is agoraphobic and socially awkward and so doesn’t leave the house. But, just lately, he has been having nightmares in which he goes up to the attic and finds the door covered with padlocks and chains. And he can hear voices from inside. One of which says out loud ‘I am the spirit of perpetual negation. For all things that exist deserve to perish.’
Both of them are techies with a smart house which they control through their voices. Henry works in robotics and Lilly’s into computers. He’s a nerd and has his lab on the 3rd floor of the house. Which is where he keeps William. A robot with AI consciousness who can communicate and think.
And finally he’s ready to meet the world when two of Lily’s ex co-workers, Paige and Davis, come round for brunch. Henry shows them his work; a toy magician on a bike endlessly pedalling around the house, a creepy looking robotic dog and William. He scares them, not just by his physical appearance but his actions and words…and his obsession with Lily.
Then the lights go out…..and the house seems to have its own routines.
This is a wild ride! It’s a novella at roughly 250 pages but was powerful, engrossing and really creepy. The house becomes a character in its own right as it takes on its own life and soon makes prisoners of them all. Except William. I do find robots disturbing, possibly seeing too many films featuring them running amok, and he was one of the creepiest ones I’ve met. His relationship with Henry is strange as its almost as if they are brothers. The house was ingenious in its methods and implacable as everything in it seemed to acquire its own personality and not a friendly one. The dragging sound of William moving through the rooms was one of the scariest sounds
I saw an echo of ‘Bladerunner’ with Henry’s toys running amok in the house as it reminded me of J R Sebastian’s house of fun. There was also a strong sense of the supernatural in that the house seemed to possess a presence which seemed to possess William. An interesting thought of technology and AI literally having a ghost in the machine.
I didn’t see the twist at the end coming or the final chilling words. The book is set on Halloween which, as it’s being published in early October, seemed very appropriate.
I couldn’t put the book down – it was a real one sitting read as each page revealed a new level of paranoia and terror. The book also had a very visual, cinematic feel to it – I could imagine it making a great film. There was a great cover as well.

My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an ARC.

Hi and welcome to my review of William!

Well, that was… an experience. Honestly, the more I think about it, the more I appreciate this quirky little book of sci-fi horror.

In recent years, there has been an influx of technological thrillers, often with a bit of a dystopian vibe to them. I never can resist a techno thriller, the mention of Black Mirror in the blurb draws me to a book like a moth to a flame. But I can honestly say, however many cyber noir novels I’ve read, I’ve never encountered one quite like William.

William has everything I enjoy in a horror novel. It’s short and snappy. Less is often more in horror, I feel. As much as I can enjoy those long, spun-out Stephen King novels, there’s something to say for horror that does not beat about the bush, think Marcus Kliewer or A.M. Shine. The chapters are short and snappy as well, luring me into the just-one-more-chapter trap, which meant I flew through it. It has a twist I did not see coming, even though I felt something was off, I never quite figured it out. And most importantly: it has a number of elements that creep me out, animated inanimate objects always do the trick, and let’s face it, there is something scary about AI, that’s not just me, right?

William definitely was a winner for me and if you’re a horror fan, or a techno thriller fan wanting to dip their toes into a similar genre, I would happily recommend you pick up William.

William is out in digital formats, audio and hardcover on 3 October.

Massive thanks to John Murray Press (Baskerville) for the digital review copy. All opinions are my own.

This was such a great read that really feeds into the current home technology set ups. I love horror and felt so immersed in this as horror and AI meet.

I do enjoy a quick horror read every now and again, not so much science fiction, but William is a bit of both and I really enjoyed it.

I don't want to give too much away about the plot or what goes on in the story but just to say that it's riveting from the very start and scarily plausible, especially where AI is concerned. It's also a pretty quick read so if you have stuff to do, don't start this otherwise it won't get done!

The characters are excellent and Mason Coile describes them vividly which makes it all the more chilling. I loved the twist at the end which I didn't see coming and I do hope there is a sequel.

Recommended to those of you who love a deliciously creepy, quick read and many thanks to the author, John Murray Press, Baskerville and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of this disturbing but riveting book.

Henry has developed an artificial intelligence consciousness. He calls the half-formed robot William. There is something off about his creation that no one knows about. Then when his wife's coworkers come to visit he decides to introduce him to them. Things go bad and Henry decides to get rid of William. But William isn't really gone. Can an AI haunt you? Haunt your smart house? And what is the presence that William was talking about before he was destroyed?

The book begins with an ambience of melancholy, loneliness and an undercurrent of eerieness. Henry's insecurity is palpable as we experience his anxiety, his inner thoughts and observations. Brutal, in-your-face honesty colors the narrative.

It is chilling, especially the way William sees right through others, like he bares their soul. The author uses his intense descriptions to build up the tension, the impending terror. When things get really strange and dangerous there is an unexplainable element I did not expect that makes it even more intriguing. Showing the perspectives of everyone in the house amplifies the scary factor, the sometimes quick successions between them, the suspense. You will so enjoy the mouth left hanging open surprises. And that unbelievable twist... I can't stop thinking about that twist. I must applaud the author.

There are some things that did not fit the storyline or make the right amount of sense in my opinion (like going to the car for first aid). I know they were to set up certain scenes but they took away from the best parts of the books which were Henry's and William's interactions, which I wished we had more of, and the house being threatening. The story could have been longer and we could have explanations for some of the events. I love the surprise so much though. So maybe like a 'montage' at the end, flashback, I don't know what, but something explaining some of the events.

This book delves into different kinds of fear and the forms it can take. It is about control. How we lie to others and rationalize it as we also do to ourselves. A very important theme is what is real. Alive? A soul?

This is a pulse-pounding AI haunting story, the claustrophobic kind which are the best, with a horror movie feel.

Mason Coile’s William is a gripping psychological thriller that blends horror and science fiction. The story follows Henry, a robotics engineer with agoraphobia, who has created an artificially intelligent consciousness named William in his attic laboratory. As his pregnant wife Lily invites two co-workers over for brunch, Henry decides to introduce them to William, setting off a chain of surprising events.

Henry is portrayed as socially awkward and anxious, while Lily, an ambitious computer engineer, contrasts him well. However, a greater exploration of their relationship could have added depth. The guests, Paige and Davis, feel underdeveloped in comparison.

The narrative quickly captivates readers, with vivid world-building that highlights the smart features of Henry and Lily's home. The suspense builds effectively, keeping the pages turning as the story unfolds. Despite some uneven pacing, the author masterfully evokes a sense of creepiness, especially with the dark introduction of William. The surprising ending elevates the experience, making it a must-read.

http://thesecretbookreview.co.uk

Henry is an incredible engineer but he suffers from agoraphobia so never leaves the house and has converted the attic into a laboratory where he has created an AI robot called William, but William is no ordinary robot and he's developed an obsession for Henry's wife Lily. When Henry realises this, he decides to destroy William, but things aren't that simple and when strange things start to happen in the house, it's obvious that it's William and now he's getting inside Henry's head...

William is a novel with elements of sci fi, psychological thriller and horror thrown into the mix and I was looking forward to seeing what this new to me author had to offer. The story was fairly fast paced and the chapters were short, just as I like them. The author builds up the suspense throughout the book, keeping the reader intrigued. The relationship between Henry and Lily was very strained and I wondered what had happened between them, this all became apparent later in the story. This is an intriguing read, with the author throwing in a few surprises along the way, but nothing prepared me for the final twist which was quite unique. Overall an enjoyable and, at times, disturbing read.

I'd like to thank John Murray Press and Netgalley for the approval, I will post my review on Goodreads now and Amazon on publication day.

This book is fast paced and creepy from the get go and I really enjoyed! Short and snappy, it really doesn’t take too long to this. There were points where I got a bit confused and had reread it hence the 4 star rating but I would still recommend it. It’s like a modern day haunted house with tech instead of ghosts.

For anyone who wants a short creepy story, this will be the one for you!

A weird and wonderful book, about the perils of AI and our apparent.mastery of it -just right for Hallowe'en! I particularly liked the ending.
Thank you to netgalley and John Murray for an advance copy of this book

Stories about man-made humanoids go back at least as far as the Golem in the Jewish Talmud; a raw and unfinished man-shaped creature. The modern image has been much influenced by “Frankenstein” (1818), and the multitude of ‘robot’ stories the began in the 1920s. The idea of Artificial Intelligence has a similarly long history. With the exception of Asimov’s books, where the three laws prevent it, the creation almost always turns on its maker (my favourite is “Fondly Fahrenheit” by Alfred Bester). By definition, all of these have Artificial Intelligence. So what can a new robot story, based around AI, tell us?
Henry is an agoraphobic research scientist. Unable to leave home because of his condition he has a lab in the attic space of the house he shares with his wife Libby, a billionaire software developer whose wealth can fund his research. So far, he has invented and built a devoted but flaky dog, a mad child-sized magician on a bicycle, and the top half of an android. He has named the latter William (the dog is called Dog, and the magician doesn’t have a name). William looks a bit ramshackle, but his head, arms and upper body work, and he has an intelligent mind with many empathically human attributes; and perhaps a bit of a thing for Libby.
Henry’s psychosis means that he doesn’t have many visitors so when Libby invites two colleagues round for dinner, and then they take the pair to meet William, it is exhilarating for Henry, but even more so for William. So much so that he starts to haunt the house, his consciousness seems to have permeates everywhere, with disastrous consequences.
So what can a new robot story, based around AI, tell us? Nothing! But this one does tell that with pizzaz, with an entertaining plot, with good, slightly horrific, detail, with a frisson of humour, and a neat twist. The writing and exposition is a bit choppy, but that feels OK (perhaps it was written by AI? – Joke!) Not perfect, so I was looking at 4 stars, then I thought: AI, robots, eccentric scientists, gruesome murders, haunted house, jeopardy, good plot twist, fast paced and enjoyable read – can’t be less than 4.5, rounding to 5.
I would like to thank NetGalley, the publishers and the author for providing me with a draft proof copy for the purpose of this review.

Truly scary and unpredictable! What a brilliant book I actually really enjoyed it. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book.

Science Fiction isn't my strongest genre. But this is also a horror so I was intrigued.
I found this started off a little slow. Which for a shorter length book didn't work for me.
As the book progressed I was a little lost at times. But overall this was interesting. I do wonder if maybe it was longer with some more background built it might have worked more for me.

If you like horror this is for you. Short horror thriller, with surprising twists to thrill and haunt you - a house without an attic and any smart devices might be on your immediate wish list after reading this! Open the book and you are immediately thrown into the chill, no - freezer of nicely uncomfortable, a ‘something is going to go wrong here’. No spoilers, but it does!! Maybe don’t choose William as your life guide. Thank you to John Murray Press and NetGalley for the ARC. The views expressed are all mine, freely given.