Beta: A Technological Nightmare

By: Sammy Scott

Narrated by: Shawn Compton

Length: 10 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher's summary

Michael Danvers’ life of self-imposed seclusion is interrupted when he receives a strange invitation: the unique opportunity to move into and beta-test a fully automated, state-of-the-art smart home. A true marvel of modern innovation, the house is controlled by a sophisticated AI that ensures all routine tasks are taken care of, limitless forms of entertainment are just a voice command away, and nearly every physical need is met with efficiency. But soon, Michael realizes that what at first presented itself as a futuristic utopia may be quickly devolving into a technological prison.

©2023 Sammy Scott (P)2023 Fright Night Audio

The Best of 2023

I loved this book. I listened to it in one day all at once. I couldn't stop.

The Overall story was excellent

This story was truly awesome, outstanding and just a great work of fiction. I cannot explain without giving away spoilers. I heard how good this book was but I stayed away from knowing what it was about which I’m glad I did. This is definitely the book to read. Soooo put down all other books and start this immediately. You will not be disappointed. Great job Sammy Scott. I also listened to the audiobook and will say the performance and narrator did a great job.

“Ouch, Charlie, that really hurt!”

Phew 😮‍💨. This was incredible. The storyline has me uncomfortable the entire time, and the narrator was phenomenal and perfect for the role. This one gets all the stars, I loved it!

Bruh

Let me tell you … First of Charlie, ohh Charlie. Then Ella just WOW. Ezra, adorable…. And Rachel WTF just tell him why.

AMAZING BOOK

For fans of early Lincoln Child and Blake Crouch

No spoilers

First just want to say this is not a horror it's techno thriller, things could possibly maybe go horribly wrong like a nightmare yes hence the word nightmare in the title but it's very much a techno thriller and this is such a very good one. I absolutely love techno thrillers and this is the first one I've listened to in a long time that really had an impact when listening I thought wow let me stop and think about that a moment, that has been rare for me as of late.

Because of all the great Amazon and other good reviews and the subject matter is right up my alley I decided to give it a try and wow it's fantastic, took me a few hours to really get attached to the story but when I did it wouldn't let me go I listened in one sitting it's hard not to.

Yes the style and tone remind me of a few of my favorite authors Lincoln Childs early works and also a little Blake Crouch and Daniel Suarez to. I don't know maybe it's not necessarily the writing style that reminds me of those authors as Sammy Scott has his own style here but rather the joy and emotions I felt when first reading those authors.

if you like techno thrillers or into AI or just like a really interesting thought-provoking story you would be missing out if you don't listen to this one. What I will say about the story it is as much about human emotion and interaction as it is about AI to human connections and no more about the story I really hate spoilers.

Narration is on point and goes smooth with the characters and story, great stuff there as well. I will be following this author from now on we could see big things from him I hope and expect to.

Twist.....saved the entire book

This book took me longer than any other has ever taken me to begin enjoying. I was halfway through when a twist in the story threw everything on its head and I began to enjoy it. Once that happened this book moved like a freight train and was amazing. I just wish the first half was as engaging.

great

i think this is a great story, ans they chose a great Narrator. this is a must listen!

One of my favorite books of the year

The hype for this book on the Books of Horror Facebook group I follow is 100% real and 100% deserved! It's easily in my top three favorite horror books this year (along with his short story collection At Home With the Horrors, and Gage Greenwood's Bunker Dogs).

I'll try to tell you why, although it's hard to capture exactly. Smart technology gone wrong is not a new trope, there's nothing new under the sun, and all that, but Sammy Scott makes if feel fresh and novel. It's a totally immersive experience, and I was super deep IN IT. Until I got dumped on my head. More than once. You think you know. You don't. You really don't. And you won't, until he wants you to. It took me days to wrap my head around this book, and two weeks later, I’m STILL thinking about it.

As deadly serious and existentially terrifying as BETA is, there’s also some really fun stuff happening – I never knew the origins of King’s Misery, a certain Books of Horror indie author makes an appearance, a couple of ideas the protagonist pitches to his agent are a throwback to Scott’s other book At Home With the Horrors. I also found myself with a mad crush on a robot.

I think you should probably just read it rather than relying on me to try to do it justice. And then read At Home With the Horrors. And then the next one.

And Shawn Compton’s narration was SPOT ON!

I loved this story (stories?)

Well done, by an author new to me. Had twists throughout that kept it interesting. Good thriller, not just for sci-fi fans. I'll be keeping an eye out for this author. Narrator fit the story well too.

Impressive

SciFi/Horror hybrid stories can be very hit or miss for me, but I can easily say this one was a hit. a bit of a slowburn at first, but the payoff is well worth it. interesting and unique concept.