Geneva by Richard Armitage

 

Geneva by Richard Armitage.

Published 12th October 2023 by Faber and Faber.

Audio book narrated by Richard Armitage , Nicola Walker and Jane Perry

From the cover of the book:

Nobel Prize-winning scientist Sarah Collier has started to show the same tell-tale signs of Alzheimer's disease as her father: memory loss, even blackouts. So she is reluctant to accept the invitation to be the guest of honour at a prestigious biotech conference - until her husband Daniel, a neuroscientist, persuades her that the publicity storm will be worth it. The technology being unveiled at this conference could revolutionise medicine forever. More than that, it could save Sarah's life.

In Geneva, the couple are feted as stars - at least, Sarah is. But behind the five-star luxury, investors are circling, controversial blogger Terri Landau is all over the story, and Sarah's symptoms are getting worse. As events begin to spiral out of control, Sarah can't be sure who to trust - including herself.

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Dr Sarah Collier has retired to spend time with her husband and daughter, after developing signs of early onset Alzheimer's disease - the illness that is slowly claiming her father. She barely recognises herself as the Nobel Prize winning scientist that she used to be, and is desperately clinging on to the vestiges of normality. 

Sarah has no wish to be back in the limelight, but her husband Daniel, a neuroscientist, has persuaded her that she should attend a conference at the cutting-edge Schiller Institute in Geneva, where ground-breaking technology is due to be unveiled - technology that the Institute is keen to have endorsed by a scientist of her stature. Neurocell, a highly advanced brain implant will revolutionise treatments for people suffering neurological damage, and could offer the break through that Sarah needs to save her own life.

Against her better judgement, Sarah agrees to attend. She is uncomfortable under the intense media spotlight, and as her symptoms begin to worsen, she feels herself losing control. Then controversial conspiracy theory blogger Terri Landau gets her claws into her, exposing Sarah's secret to the world. Something about this situation feels dangerous, and Sarah no longer knows if she can trust those around her... or even herself.

I was lucky enough to read this cracking novel in early proof form last year, and I was totally blown away by the accomplished plotting of debut author, actor Richard Armitage. It really is one of the best thrillers I have ever read. Having spotted that the Audible Originals audio book (which pre-dated the release in print form) is currently available for free for Audible Plus subscribers, I just had to experience the thrills and spills again, via the voice talents of Richard Armitage, Nicola Walker and Jane Perry... and I was blown away all over again!

The story unfurls in first person narrations from Sarah and Daniel, interspersed by blog articles from the tenacious Terri Landau, and sections of story that fill in the gaps about the other central characters in this intimate cast - notably the Schiller Institute's founder Mauritz Schiller, his manipulative assistant Helen Alder, and the Institute's head of security Pavel Osimov.

In pretty short order, Helen starts to fall apart, Daniel hits you with some astounding confessions, Terri makes a nuisance of herself, and Helen and Osimov are at each other's throats with murky motivations of their own that Mauritz may or may not be part of. The twists and turns are powerfully visceral, and you have no idea who to trust as Helen fights for her very survival. Armitage builds atmosphere and suspense like an accomplished thriller writer, which is mightily impressive for his first literary outing, and the reveals that smack you full in the face are beautifully contrived, and genuinely jaw-dropping.

I loved this book first time around, and the audio version lifts the whole shebang to another level. Richard Armitage, Nicola Walker and Jane Perry are totally convincing as the characters they portray, and I promise you will feel every ounce of the power in their narrations - this is a book that provokes strong emotions however you read it, but the audio book enhances the experience superbly. I found myself just sitting and letting the voices wash over me as the tension rises, and was floored all over again by the pitch perfect plot twists.

If you have yet to read this classy thriller, then you really should - and if audio is your bag, then I guarantee this will be a listen you never forget. Outstanding!

Geneva is available to buy now in hardcover, ebook and audio formats.

Thank you to Faber and Faber for sending me a proof of this book in return for an honest review.

About the author:

Richard Armitage is a multi-award winning stage and screen actor. Armitage is best known for his role of Thorin Oakenshield in Peter Jackson’s trilogy of ‘The Hobbit’. On Film Armitage starred in ‘Into the Storm’ ‘Alice Through The Looking Glass’ ‘Captain America, the First Avenger’ ‘Oceans 8’. Independent features include ‘The Lodge’ ‘My Zoe’ ‘Brain on Fire’ and ‘Pilgrimage’. On TV, Guy of Gisborne in ‘Robin Hood’, Daniel Miller in Epix ‘Berlin Station’, ‘John Porter’ in Sky’s Strike Back, Francis Dolerhyde in NBC’s Hannibal, Lucas North in ‘Spooks’ and John Thornton in ‘North and South’ both for the BBC. He also voices Trevor Belmont in the Netflix series ‘Castlevania’, Devereaux in their upcoming animated ‘Tomb Raider’ and Logan in Marvel’s ‘Wolverine’ podcast.

Recent TV adaptations for Netflix include Ray Levine in ‘Stay Close' and Adam Price in ‘The Stranger’ both written by Harlan Coben. He recently played William Farrow in "Obsession" also for Netflix based on the novel 'Damage' by Josephine Hart.

The 'Jackman and Evans' crime series by Joy Ellis and 'The Taking of Annie Thorne' by CJ Tudor both available on Audible, are currently in development for TV adaptation from his production company White Boar Films alongside The Imaginarium and Sprout Productions/ Night Train.

In 2022 he penned his debut crime thriller 'Geneva'. It was an instant #1 bestseller for Audible and was published by Faber&Faber (UK) and Pegasus (US).