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A review by kba76
In The Blink of An Eye by Jo Callaghan
challenging
informative
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
A much-lauded book that 'everyone' seems to have read, so why did it take me so long to get to it? Who knows! However, having just closed the pages I'm curiously stirred by this and cannot wait to get my hands on the next book in the series later in the year.
The premise for this book is fascinating. An experiment to consider the role AI technology can help in developing a modern police force. In order for the experiment to be given the go-ahead, it is decided to focus on cold cases only. The thought process as the group decide which cases to prioritise was insightful - highlighting just how our own biases and prejudices may influence us, sometimes without us even being aware of just how we are manipulated by expectations and assumptions.
And so begins what looks to be a most unusual partnership...DCS Frank, still reeling from the death of her husband, and AIDE Lock look like they have the makings of a partnership akin to some of the greats. Neither is, initially, comfortable with the situation they are in - and the exchanges between them veer from the downright hysterical to curiously touching. As they work together it's hard not to question the extent to which AI can be useful and the ramifications for trusting machines to do work that previously would have been in the hands of humans.
As soon as we began getting sections of text that appeared to show people in some distress, isolated and suffering, it was clear that something very odd was going on. Before long, the insights being uncovered indicate that the cold cases might actually be part of a more active occurrence. And when things get close to DCS Frank it's hard to not get caught up in the situation.
From start to finish this was a book that held my total attention. I laughed, I cried, I railed at the injustices portrayed and I also thought...a lot. Engaging and wholly entertaining, I was surprised to see this was Callaghan's debut. Cue me frantically trying to pre-order book two!
The premise for this book is fascinating. An experiment to consider the role AI technology can help in developing a modern police force. In order for the experiment to be given the go-ahead, it is decided to focus on cold cases only. The thought process as the group decide which cases to prioritise was insightful - highlighting just how our own biases and prejudices may influence us, sometimes without us even being aware of just how we are manipulated by expectations and assumptions.
And so begins what looks to be a most unusual partnership...DCS Frank, still reeling from the death of her husband, and AIDE Lock look like they have the makings of a partnership akin to some of the greats. Neither is, initially, comfortable with the situation they are in - and the exchanges between them veer from the downright hysterical to curiously touching. As they work together it's hard not to question the extent to which AI can be useful and the ramifications for trusting machines to do work that previously would have been in the hands of humans.
As soon as we began getting sections of text that appeared to show people in some distress, isolated and suffering, it was clear that something very odd was going on. Before long, the insights being uncovered indicate that the cold cases might actually be part of a more active occurrence. And when things get close to DCS Frank it's hard to not get caught up in the situation.
From start to finish this was a book that held my total attention. I laughed, I cried, I railed at the injustices portrayed and I also thought...a lot. Engaging and wholly entertaining, I was surprised to see this was Callaghan's debut. Cue me frantically trying to pre-order book two!