I didn't enjoy this, I didn't find the plot interesting or original. I skimmed most of the story because I just wanted to finish it but I think it just wasn't;t for me. I was not engaged. The writing was great and it had promise.

This zeitgeist-y thriller sees the kidnapping of an AI billionaire's daughter turning into a bizarre treasure hunt as her parents race to solve cryptic clues and unravel the motive behind the case. Its ripped-from-the-headlines exploration of AI overuse, wealth inequality, and vigilante justice all make this a timely and provocative story, framing these themes through an engagingly structured mystery that uses its first-person narrators in clever ways. However, the flip side of this thematic strength is how some scenes are slowed down by characters expounding in monologues on their views about AI or inequality; while these sequences are typically justified by the plot, they can sometimes feel excessively on-the-nose. Likewise, considering that this was billed as a story about a kidnapping turning into a national scavenger hunt, with plenty of commentary on how the media and social media fuel online frenzies, I would've liked to see it spend more time showing how the wider public was reacting to the case as it unfolded. Nevertheless, THE KIDNAPPING OF ALICE INGOLD is a cleverly written novel laced with satire that's sure to make for interesting talking points online.

I'm grateful to Thomas & Mercer for providing an advance copy of THE KIDNAPPING OF ALICE INGOLD on Netgalley.