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About The Book

A high-octane, high-concept thriller for fans of Blake Crouch, Harlan Coben, and Gillian Flynn from former Silicon Valley journalist turned bookstore owner Paul Bradley Carr.

Millions of letters arrive in the mail.
Murders are uncovered, affairs revealed, family secrets exposed.
These are the first Confessions.
This is our last chance.

LLIAM is the world’s most powerful supercomputer, built to make the toughest decisions for its users. Where to work, who to marry, and even who should live or die. But when LLIAM suddenly goes offline with no explanation, the world is thrust into chaos, paralyzed by indecision. Stocks plummet, stores are shuttered, planes sit grounded on runways as humanity scrambles to re-adapt to an uncertain, analog world.

Then the first letters arrive…on every continent, in every language, mysterious envelopes arrive in the mail, exposing people’s darkest secrets, and most shocking crimes. All beginning with the same chilling words: “We must confess.”

With millions of people suddenly made to confront their past transgressions, and society fast unraveling, CEO Kaitlan Goss must track down the only person who can help undo the resulting violent chaos: Maud Brookes, an ex-nun who taught LLIAM what it means to be human.

But when Maud receives a letter herself, revealing Kaitlan’s own unforgivable sin, the two women are forced into a deadly game of deceit as the world teeters on the brink.

About The Author

Christopher Michel

Paul Bradley Carr is a journalist and author. He has written three memoirs about his adventures in and around Silicon Valley. He was the Silicon Valley columnist for The Guardian, senior editor at TechCrunch, cofounder of PandoDaily, and founder and editor-in-chief of the infamous NSFWCORP in Las Vegas. His writing has also appeared in The Wall Street Journal, HuffPost, National Geographic, and much more. He lives in Palm Springs with his family and is the co-owner of The Best Bookstore in Palm Springs. Find out more at PaulBradleyCarr.com.

Product Details

  • Publisher: Atria Books (July 22, 2025)
  • Length: 336 pages
  • ISBN13: 9781668074404

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Raves and Reviews

“Paul Bradley Carr has seen the terrifying future of AI, and the The Confessions is a hugely entertaining twist on a very unexpected sort of nightmare scenario—a surprising tale of betrayal, guilt, and redemption.” —Chris Pavone, New York Times bestselling author of Two Nights in Lisbon

“An absolute belter of a novel that plays with our fears of technologies in a story that will keep you turning the pages right up to the end. A timely, ticking clock thriller with unforgettable characters and psychological twists and turns you won’t see coming. Read it. You won't regret it!” —Sarah Pinborough, bestselling author of We Live Here Now

“A brilliant and timely thriller about a world dominated by AI. This should be required reading for every American.” —Roger McNamee, author of Zucked

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