"Deep Fake" by Ward Larsen is truly a captivating novel that managed to hold my attention right from the start and had me completely enthralled by the time I reached the halfway point. The pacing of the story was so well-executed that I found myself becoming increasingly obsessed with the narrative, making it nearly impossible to put the book down.

One aspect that significantly contributed to the immersive experience was the excellent narration. Larsen's ability to craft a gripping tale is complemented by the skilled narration that effortlessly pulled me into the world he created. The combination of a compelling story and solid narration is undoubtedly a winning formula.

What sets "Deep Fake" apart is its unique and original plot. In a literary landscape that sometimes feels saturated with familiar concepts, Larsen manages to introduce a storyline that feels fresh and thought-provoking. The twists and turns kept me guessing, and I appreciated the author's ability to seamlessly weave together various elements to create a cohesive and intriguing plotline.

Larsen's skill in character development shines through in "Deep Fake." The characters are multi-dimensional and well-fleshed-out, making them relatable and adding layers of complexity to the overall story. As a reader, I felt genuinely invested in their journeys, which added a layer of emotional resonance to the narrative.

The author's attention to detail and meticulous research are evident in the way he constructs the world within the novel. This level of authenticity not only adds to the overall enjoyment of the story but also makes it easier to immerse oneself fully in the narrative.

Just too unsettling, will have to see if I can give it another go in the future. The whole deep fake thing is maybe just unsettling for me right now in the political climate 🤪🤣

Excellent! Audio version

The real deal, this one. Wonderful characters, pacing and premise. The information required to unravel this mystery is fed in small tidbits, really requiring you to busy out your thinking skills.

I can’t wait to read more by this author.

I saw the term "Deep Fake," and I immediately had to know. The development of technology, especially surrounding advanced editing and AI generation, simultaneously captivates and scares the shit out of me. Ward Larsen created well-developed characters, and I like the combination of political thriller with concerning changes in family dynamics, sprinkled with lies, murder, conspiracy, and drama. While this wasn't a favorite, it was interesting enough to keep me invested all the way to the end. If you love political thrillers, this one is for you!

*4.5 Stars On My Instagram Account*

"Control what you can and then use it."

Power is control and in the propulsive heart pounding political thriller Deep Fake by action pact thriller author Ward Larsen we learn the dangers of allowing the once powerful getting back control.

Bryce is a 12 year Army Ranger veteran who believes in his country and his family. A forced honorable medical discharge leads to a term in Congress. During a fundraiser his combat senses start to tingle and before anyone can react he has heroically thwarted a terrorist bombing saving lives except the bomber who falls to his death.

Of course, it's all caught on video and he becomes the national hero America needs to reunite everyone. Within a few days he is the front runner for the next president of the United States. What a story. It's like a movie. Almost too good to be true. Well...

Sarah, Bryce's wife, starts to notice subtle changes in her usually attentive husband. His memory seems a bit spotty at times; could it be from his war battles? Then there's his sudden lack of interest in his daughter's activities or even in Sarah. He just seems a bit off, a bit distant. Maybe it's just the presidential campaign. He can't be having an affair. He's just not himself.

This story was incredibly entertaining, thrilling, and extremely nerve wracking. I was blown away by narrator Braden Wright's ability to make this feel like a true crime documentary. His performance during break ins, car chases, prison escapes, and one top gun Maverick helicopter ride, left me drained from the exciting tension of it all.

A mash up of FX's The Americans and The Manchurian Candidate this writer has created a fascinating political thriller that at times seems all too real.

I received a free copy of this audiobook from MacMillan Audio via #NetGalley for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

Fake it till you make it……

Book Information

Deep Fake was written by Ward Larsen. It was published on March 14, 2023 and is 352 pages. I listened to the audiobook version which is narrated by Braden Wright and is 12 hours and 21 minutes. Ward Larsen is a USA Today bestselling author, and seven-time winner of the Florida Book Award. Thanks to Macmillan Audio for providing me with an advance reader copy for review.

Summary

Brice Ridgeway is a patriot. He is an Army vet. His service ended with a combat injury and he made the difficult choice to depart the service because he knew that at less than 100%--he would put others at risk. He continued to serve, however, but now as an elected member of Congress. He also continued to protect others, preventing a terrorist attack in a public forum—an act that catapults him into the race for President of the United States.

But something isn’t right. His wife, Sarah, begins to notice strange behaviors and memory failures—just little things, but enough to be concerning. Her search for that might be wrong uncovers secrets. It leads to revelations that could change her life forever—and have devastating impacts on the Nation. Does she really know Brice? Does anyone?

My Thoughts

The best book I have read this year. Perhaps even the best book I have read in several years. Pure awesomeness.

Deep fake grabs you right from the beginning. Larsen is a master at feeding you crumbs of information. He gives you enough to make you wonder. To make you think. To make you need to know more. His pacing is impeccable---you will keep wondering right until the very end and then he rewards you with an incredible finish.

This book is also a testament to Larsen’s storytelling skills. The story itself isn’t entirely unique. Variations have been told in other books and on TV or in movies. Frankly, it has the potential to be cheesy if not done right. But there is no cheese in this book. Larsen makes the premise his own and delivers a stunning political thriller that will likely be a contender for the best book in 2023 in this category. As someone who lives and works with politics every day and frequents the halls of Capitol Hill, I am not often impressed with political thrillers. I am somewhat jaded in this area but Larsen provides a fresh voice. I greatly enjoyed this book.

The narration was also excellent. Braden Wright doesn’t read the book, he performs it. He brings the characters to life and helps build upon the excellent story. I don’t think you can go wrong with either the written or audiobook here….its fantastic.

Recommendation

If you like political thrillers, this is a must-read. Buy it, borrow it, steal it (well, don’t really steal it)---just get it now and read it. You will not be disappointed.

Rating

5 Genuine Non-Fake Stars

Thank you for allowing me to read this arc. New to me author . A political thriller that keeps you riveted the whole time. Life isn’t always perfect as it seems and some secrets destroy . I think the narrator did a good job portraying the characters and fits the tone of the book

DEEP FAKE review

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

🇺🇸Happy pub day to the first political thriller I’ve read! I went into this one with zero expectations, but it was crazy, fun ride trying to guess how this book would end!

🇺🇸Here’s a summary of the plot:👇
Bryce is a junior congressman working in D.C. When he attends a political event, he notices someone acting strangely; one hand always in his pocket, creeping closer and closer to some prominent political leaders. Bryce’s Army training comes rushing back to him as he quickly prevents an assassination attempt. In the aftermath, Bryce is dubbed an American hero and people are pushing for him to run for president. But his wife Sarah is very concerned about Bryce’s strange behavior. Ever since he prevented the attack, Bryce can’t remember things about his life and is just acting “off.” What really happened at that party, and what is Bryce hiding??

🇺🇸This story started off jumping right into the action which I loved! I was immediately invested in the story. The last third of the book was pretty far-fetched, but if you can suspend belief and just enjoy the story for what it is I think you’ll enjoy it! Overall, I liked this one and it was so fun to read a new-to-me genre!

🇺🇸Thanks to @netgalley and @macmillan.audio for my advanced copy of this one!

DEEPFAKE is another example of Ward Larsen’s storytelling and writing expertise. Loaded with plot thrills on a global scale, captivating characters, and page-turning action, DEEPFAKE is a true must-read. When a young congressman becomes a media darling through his daring action, his hero status puts his political future on a path to the highest levels.

Ward keeps you twisting and turning as he takes us on a suspense-filled journey where people and events are not what they seem…or are they? I highly recommend this superb example of what a political thriller should be—provocative and entertaining. I listened to the audiobook. Braden Wright brought the characters and intricate plot to life.

Over time, spouses get to know one another’s strengths and weaknesses, the signs that things are going well…and the signs that things are falling apart. And when one woman begins to sense that something is amiss with her husband in the audio edition of Deep Fake by author Ward Larsen, the entire country could be in danger.

Full review published on NightsAndWeekends.com and aired on Shelf Discovery

WOW! This book was awesome and had me hooked pretty much from the jump. I love a good happy ending so I am so happy that good prevailed over evil! I am now off to look for more books by this author b/c this one was so well done the hours just flew by! I also love that Ward Larsen took one of those Russian/USA urban spy legends and ran with it!

Hats off to Ward Larsen, Deep Fake is so well written and one of the best political thrillers I've read in a long time.

Sarah is a freelance writer, wife of Bryce Ridgeway, a junior congressman from Virginia, and mother to a teen Alyssa. Life is good!

During a political convention at the Watergate Hotel rooftop, Bryce, a former Army Ranger thwarted a suicide bomber attack. His act of bravery is on every news channel. The video is shared and liked. Bryce becomes a national hero overnight. It's a no-brainer that Bryce would be a favorable candidate for the next presidential election.

Sarah, especially Alyssa is excited at the prospect of being the next first family. They are supportive of Bryce's decision to run. But lately, Sarah is concerned about her husband of 15 years. A subtle change in his behavior and a bit forgetful. Minuscule things. At first, she brushes it off as stress and perhaps the attack triggered something from his time during deployment. As days pass, Sarah becomes more suspicious, maybe he's having an affair? Sarah doesn't want to spy on her husband but maybe her good friend Claire can.

WOW! Larsen's standalone thriller caught me by surprise and took me on a wild rollercoaster ride. I finished this book a few days ago and couldn't write a review. I'm so afraid to f*** it up. I love the plot and the characters are worthy to root for. Deep Fake is engaging and filled with intrigue. The audio read by Braden Wright is terrific. I highly recommend this five-star thriller!

WOW! this one of the best thrillers I've ever read/listened to.

Bryce Ridegway is a former Army Ranger turned first-term Congressman. One day while at a fundraiser, suddenly there's an attack on the presidential frontrunner, and Bryce is able to save the day. Instantly he becomes an American hero, and suddenly the new frontrunner. Public opinion for him is so high it's obvious he'll get elected.

But his wife, Sarah starts to notice strange things about her husband. He's barely ever home, always making excuses about the campaign to stay away. And when he does talk to her, it's clear that something is off. He doesn't recognize old friends, he doesn't know old stories. Sarah enlists the help of her friend Claire - a government analyst- to uncover what exactly Bryce is up to that is making him act so oddly, and they get dragged into a huge mystery.

This was great from start to finish, there were zero slow moments. Some of the twists I did see coming but that didn't effect my enjoyment. If you enjoy political thrillers and conspiracies, you will love this book.

Thank you netgalley and Macmillan audio for giving me an advanced review copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

Deep fake was a fun read. The author slowly laid out the story to keep the reader invested and waiting to see what happened in the end. The story built at an appropriate pace with great character development

I really tried to delve into this book. I like listening to books, especially while driving. This one did not hold my attention. The production was subpar in my ears and after listening for a few hours I set it aside.

What is going on with her husband? Who is this man she married? This political thriller drew me in from the first page. Reminiscent of Tom Clancy, Ward Larsen is blazing a new path in this genre. This story has well written twists and turns keeping the reader inpatient to read more. This is certainly the best thriller I've read in 2023. I'll absolutely be recommending this book to friends and will be seeking out more from this author.

This political thriller really does give a modern era Manchurian Candidate vibe from the start. Bryce Ridgeway goes from unknown junior US Congressman to literal overnight US Presidential race front runner. His Army Ranger training kicks in at a political event, when he prevents a suicide bombing. The heroic act is captured on video and quickly goes viral.
Bryce is the perfect candidate, a patriot, an army hero, a faithful husband with a teenage daughter. His wife, Sarah supports him fully but soon begins to notice disturbing changes in his personality. Nothing she can explain easily, just something isn't right.
As Sarah with the help of her friend Claire, begin to dig into Bryce's recent activities they uncover something that no one would have ever guessed.
Though it is easy to see where the story is going, the writing is well done and entertaining with very strong plot driving characters.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and Netgalley for the opportunity to enjoy this exciting Audio-arc.

This is a taut, character-driven psychological thriller, filled with suspicion and tension. Larsen has a wonderful imagination and creates very realistic and disturbing scenarios. This is a well-written, suspenseful, edge-of-your-seat thriller will leave you breathless at times in anticipation of the next twist in the plot. Don’t start reading this book if you are not prepared to stay up all night.

Thank you to NetGalley and MacMillan Audio who provided me with a copy of this book. I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

Thank you to the publishers, author and NetGalley for the free copy of this audio book.

This was good, a little predictable at times but overall enjoyable read! Good pacing and characters, and the narrator was easy to listen to.

***Thank you to Macmillan Audio for an advanced listening copy of Deep Fake by Wade Larsen!

Thrillers are my favorite genre, whether they be psychological, mystery, military, political—I love them all. Deep Fake is a political thriller that did not disappoint! When junior senator and military hero, Bryce Ridgeway saves the day at a political fundraiser, he is thrust onto the national stage and quickly a favorite to run for president. But Bryce’s wife, Sarah, starts to sense that something isn’t right with her husband. He isn’t acting like himself and after being medically discharged from the military, Sarah knows she needs to keep a close eye on him. As Sarah and her best friend, Claire try to investigate, things quickly spiral into a political game many years in the making, and now Sarah and her daughter are caught in the crossfire. Can Bryce save his family and the country he loves in time?

Good, fast paced narrative! Short chapters kept me engaged. I really liked the narrator of this audiobook, and I would definitely listen to more books with him as the voice of the story. If you like political thrillers, I would recommend this book and/or audiobook!