William

By: Mason Coile

Narrated by: Honey St. Dennis

Psychological horror meets cyber noir in this delicious one-sitting listen—a haunted house story in which the haunting is by AI.

Henry is a brilliant engineer who, after untold hours spent in his home lab, has achieved the breakthrough of his career—he’s created an artificially intelligent consciousness. He calls the half-formed robot William.

No one knows about William. Henry’s agoraphobia keeps him inside the house, and his fixation on his project keeps him up in the attic, away from everyone, including his pregnant wife, Lily.

When Lily’s coworkers show up, wanting to finally meet Henry and see the new house—the smartest of smart homes—Henry decides to introduce them to William, and things go from strange to much worse. Soon Henry and Lily discover the security upgrades intended to keep danger out of the house are even better at locking it in.

©2024 Mason Coile (P)2024 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

“A smart home turns into a house of horrors in this suspenseful outing from Coile… Coile expertly imagines the sort of ghoulish snares a cybernetic environment could spring upon its unprepared captives and throws in a late-inning explanation for the source of William’s apparent sociopathy that is as believable as it is chilling. It’s a frightening Frankenstein fable for the age of AI.” –Publishers Weekly

“Moments of this cinematic tale truly terrify… Coile maximizes his premise’s inherent tension using nightmare imagery and an uneasy third-person-present narration shot through with powerlessness, paranoia, and dread. Gleefully lurid fun.” –Kirkus Reviews

“A wickedly fast cyber-thriller. Much of the action consists of William’s prisoners either dying horribly or testing their confines, a scenario that hearkens back to the trope where technology grows smarter and therefore more sinister. A late-act reveal helps this story stand out among other technology-going-bad tales, and those who like the trope, or enjoy a good techno-thriller, will want to watch William play with his human toys.” –Library Journal

With a twist!

It isnt perfect but it is good it kept me interested. I knew there was a twist walking in but it was well played and executed smoothly. It is good. I am pleasently surprised.

From yay to boo

story started off strong and right at the end it ruins it for me. I didn't find it fun or intresting or witty I just found it hurtful. it reads as if the story should have been longer and the author decided to wrap it up quick and fast. I feel personally jaded and the ending kinda ruins the whole story for me and I'm just left mad instead of satisfied.

Great ending.

William is an excellent quick read. Not a lot of background to have to read through. just a fun horror sci-fi novel that ends well and makes you think.

Okay that twist got me!

A good one sitting thriller. Interesting take on AI and boy was I surprised by that twist at the end.

Wish there was more!

This story was really unique and has some really cool takes on AI. The twist totally got me, I only wish it was longer

AI: A Haunting Prospect

The writing & narration were spectacular! I didn’t see the twist coming - I think I’ve got whiplash. AI is scary & this book makes it terrifying!

The twist

I enjoyed this story a lot, the narrator did great and the story was interesting and twisty

Started out slow

This started out slow but I’m so glad I continued on. Totally creepy! 4.25 stars

Definitely a twist

Great story! Would make a good movie. Good and creepy vibe with a surprise at the end!

I only wish it was longer

THE TWIST IS SO GOOD!!! This whole book is so good I wish I could delete it from my memory and read it again and again! I wish it was twice as long.