Unpleasantly close to the present

As always, Robert Harris is a masterly writer. The language never gets in the way of the reader - or listener - but creates and maintains the atmosphere of authenticity so characteristic of his other titles.

In this book the threat of imminent financial collapse is the backdrop - a bit too close for comfort. He uses Charles Darwin's The Origin of Species to kick off the suspence. Quotes from the same work introduce each chapter. Not surprisingly the theme is fear but not the usual and superficial kind of horror stories.

Well-researched and convincing. Well-plotted.

Kudos to Christian Rodska as narrator. I especially enjoyed his perfect switch between the American main character and the accents of the other nationalities: Nigerian (just three words, but convincing!), Polish, French-Swiss, and Dutch.

An enjoyable experience.

14 people found this helpful

Very Disappointing

I'm a big fan of Robert Harris and I think he's a masterful writer. So it's mystifying how he could write this drivel that reads like a poor imitation of a Michael Crichton novel. There are definitely hints of his usual descriptive panache (the only reason I didn't give it only a single star) but it's not enough to sustain a very weak storyline full of plot-holes and characters that never fully develop. In the end, it's a waste of time and potential readers should focus on Harris' other works.

3 people found this helpful

Engaging story: could do without the Darwin

I've enjoyed a number of Robert Harris' books and in the Fear Index he hasn't lost his touch in creating an engaging thriller that keeps you listening. Hedge funds being no more than betting on the stock market is certainly a topical backdrop to an inventive, if at times implausible, story. Sci-fi meets crime fiction.

I could have done without the grafting on of supposed parallels with Darwin's evolutionary principles that often seemed forced.

Christian Rodska is an admirable narrator.

3 people found this helpful

Pretty good read, though not Harris's best

Any additional comments?

I found some aspects of the plot clumsy, but overall it was very entertaining. A strong idea, developed quite well.

1 person found this helpful

Harris is always worth reading (listening to)

Better than Ghost yet not as good as An Officer and a Spy, The Fear Index is still well worth your time.

An interesting, plausible and non-sci fi tweak on AI, HAL, The Terminator & Co.

I am always impressed with this Author’s ability to avoid pigeonholing and the flexibility of his talent.

Classic Harris

If you enjoy Robert Harris, you'll like this. It's fast-paced, and full of action and mystery. Rodska does a great job keeping up the tension. (It would make an excellent movie!)

not memorable

it was fine, I found the end slightly rushed and non credible. overall was entertaining but not memorable.

Compulsive Harris

Big Harris fan and have listened to virtually every audible book, however left this one alone because of some of the negative reviews. However I have to to say I enjoyed it immensely. Rodska as always is superb with wonderful and believable voice characterisations and the novel is topical and cracks along at great pace with bags of suspense.

Excellent

Finished it in 4 days and loved it although it's a bit scary what AI and ML can and most probably will do

a hedge fund story

I thought this was quite an insight for read. it covers everything from hedge fund algo trading to the psychology behind risk all woven into a plot which flows quite well I thought.