Rating: 
Summary: Espionage Lite
Review: "Paranoia" is a study in the sudden evolution of Adam Cassidy from a nondescript, underachieving junior product line manager for Wyatt Telecom into an extraordinary insider industrial spy who combines a con man's personality with unexpectedly revealed athletic prowess and an uncanny ability to navigate through the complexities of cutting-edge technologies in the world of telecommunications. Caught in a minor scam at Wyatt, Cassidy is strongly persuaded to engage in industrial espionage at the rival company Trion Systems to prevent prosecution. But despite his considerable gifts at deception, his dicey charade seems to run into complications rather quickly.Set in the telecommunications industry, most of the characters in this book are either scheming or engaged in some kind of one-up behavior. Cassidy's frail father provides the only dose of reality in the book, though his vulgarity diminishes his effectiveness. Token attempts at depth of character, like the occasional second thought about being on the corporate fast track, don't come across well. "Paranoia" has a pretty simplistic plot with characters often fortuitously driving the story onward. Telecom junkies could be amused or informed by the high tech focus. For most readers, they will have to decide whether espionage with an extra twist can provide enough of a boost to rescue this book.
Rating:
Summary: (3.5)The harrowing life of a corporate spy
Review: Adam Cassidy has the potential for success one day. But for now, he is content to slide by as a corporate slacker at Wyatt Telecom. Cassidy's father expects failure from him, as he often tells Adam, predicting a bleak future. But Adam is clever, reasonably tech-literate and a friend of the underdog. Adam hacks into the company finances, funding a lavish going-away party when the foreman of the shipping dock at Wyatt is about to retire with no fanfare or appreciation. A great idea, one he gets away with...almost. Quietly basking in his own self-approval, Cassidy is abruptly ordered to the office of the president, Nick Wyatt. There Wyatt and his Chief of Corporate Security offer Adam two choices: jail or a job as a company spy working for their rival, Trion Systems. Under duress, Adam makes a deal with the devil. Adam is carefully prepped, current terminology and technical updates peppered with a bit of inside information, to be used as necessary to protect his cover. After his personnel records and resume are altered, Cassidy applies to Trion as a whiz kid with solid credentials who is bored with his job, an obvious asset to the Trion team. With his freedom at stake, Adam must be successful, as well as having a natural abhorrence of jail for a simple corporate prank. Cassidy accepts the assignment to spy at Trion, a veritable fish out of water when playing with the big guys. He is far out of his depth, dependent upon the specific crash courses on products and relative jargon to legitimize his new identity. Cassidy's task is fraught with the danger of discovery. Wyatt demands results when Adam has barely settled in at Trion. He wants anything available regarding a particular project, codenamed Aurora, expected to change the face of the industry. Pressured from all sides, Cassidy is barely able to navigate his days in the office and nights sleuthing the private offices of Trion. Clearly a villain of the first order, Wyatt is without scruples; it's never clear whether he has any intention of releasing Cassidy when the terms of the bargain are fulfilled. In stark contrast, Jock Goddard, the legendary creator of Trion, is a scrupulously honest, no-frills executive who inspires his employees to surpass expectations. Circumstances close in just as Cassidy is thinking of himself as one of the Trion group. And there is the promise of an office romance that is particularly irresistible. Wyatt's demands create an impossible conundrum and the young corporate spy, who must find a way to disengage himself from the situation. Cassidy devises a wild bit of legerdemain to turn the tables on Wyatt, a plan with unexpected results. Then Finder adds some shocking twists that turn the plausible inside out. Labeled a loser all his life, Finder's protagonist has gotten into a predicament that may prove his judgmental father right, after all. In that critical moment of truth, Cassidy aspires to be a better man, balancing his future against the respect he craves. Caught between youthful hubris and the desire for admiration, Adam Cassidy makes a tough choice, hopefully, this time the right one. Maybe, maybe not. Luan Gaines/2004.
Rating: 
Summary: Classic Thrills with a Modern Spin
Review: This book is being hailed as the advent of the contemporary thriller. Although "Paranoia" is in many ways a throwback to good old fashioned suspense, the praise is warranted. The story reads like a mix of Harlan Coben and John Grisham. The writing is lean, the plotting tight, and--despite the fast pace--Finder allows time for the characters to live and breathe. My heart was racing because I cared about these characters. The conflict revolves around Adam Cassidy. He's an under-achiever at Wyatt Telecom, a likeable guy, an occasional risk-taker. He's also a man hiding from his own estranged feelings toward his dying father. Adam's character traits and flaws are put to the test when he finds himself blackmailed into corporate espionage after throwing an unauthorized party on company funds. Within the first few pages, the rollercoaster ride begins. To avoid legal procedures, Adam succumbs to the pressure of his dictatorial boss and agrees to steal hi-tech secrets from Wyatt's rival, Trion Systems. Before he knows it, he is caught in a web of lies and deception. His actions threaten his budding romance with a coworker, his own safety, and his chance of coming to any reconciliation with his feelings toward his father. The short chapters and snappy dialogue of "Paranoia" kept me turning the pages, but it was my concern for Adam and his somewhat self-imposed troubles that kept me hooked. Finder gives time for matters of the heart, while advancing his story on every page. Paranoia is the key that starts the whole scheme, and, ultimately, Adam Cassidy discovers that his paranoia is justified. As the ending drew close, I hoped for the best, yet feared the worst. Instead, Finder pulls out a few surprises that bring his tale to a bittersweet, somehow inevitable, conclusion. This masterpiece mixes components of such classics as "The Firm" and "The Sting" into a modern thriller for the hi-tech generation.
Rating:
Summary: Grippingly Light
Review: Just finished reading this book. Many of the higher rated reviews claim it gripping and hard to put down, which is true. It was very entertaining and not at all difficult on the brain. And many of the lower rated reviews claim that it's characters are unrealistic and stereotypical, and it's plot formulaic and cliche-ridden. I agree with that assessment as well. I can't say that the book gave me a wealth of insight, nor can I say that I believed in or am giving a 2nd thought for the characters now that I've put down the book. Can I tell you that in a couple of months I'll remember that I even read it? Not sure. But for about a week, when I had the time to pick up Paranoia, I enjoyed it in the same way I dig the very occasional brainless contemporary Hollywood film. It was entertainingly ridiculous- a moderate recommendation.
Rating: 
Summary: once again, a veteran writer of mediocrity
Review: i was almost fooled again by those 5 stars ratings and almost took my credit card out to buy this one. but past memories and experience in this specific writer called a halt of my mindless next movement, and i have forced myself to stand in front the shelves to fast read this book about 2 3rd. my god, what a bomber again! i think j. f. should put away his pen or his laptop and hibernate for another 10 years and never expected to be missed. because like some of the other cliched and formatted writers, j. patterson, s. woods, l. block, s. crafton, his books are always so shallow and so predictable albeit sneakily goofying other writers stuff into his own books. those twists are so pretentiously, so obviously, so purposely done for his marketing in mind only. there's no taste whatsoever to be recommended, rated r or rated pg-13, it simply doesn't matter, because they are all coming out of the disney world. so many thrill rides, so much fun, but all in all, those themes are still kids' stuff, and of course also harmlessly good for the parents who have to accompany their kids. anyway, i'd like to recommend those who gave 5 stars to this book to read another great writer, steve alten, i'm definitely sure that they'd appreciate him too. i rest my case.
Rating: 
Summary: JOHN GRISHAM....PLEASE STEP ASIDE FOR JUST A FEW HOURS.
Review: I'm an avid reader and it's been a long time since I picked up a book that grabbed me on the first page and wouldn't let go until I finished it! I love to play along with these "twisty, turny" type stories to see if I can solve it before the end, however, this one left me with my jaw on the floor. If anyone out there is a fan of the TV series "24" and you sit and watch it saying to yourself... "Oh, no..." or "get out of there NOW!" ...then you're gonna love this. Honestly, I couldn't put it down.
Rating:
Summary: FANTASTIC DETAIL OF CORPORATE AMERICA!!!
Review: I really enjoyed this novel.
If you're stuck behind a desk in a large corporation, be sure and read this!
Rating:
Summary: This is really a book you should read.
Review: This is the first Joseph Finder's book a have read. The first 100 or more pages are not contributing too much for a fast paced thriller, which is may be the reason for some of the bad reviews I've seen here, but believe me, if you are fond of corporate espionage this is the right book for you. It is really a good plot for a movie and Joseph Finder has done his homework in making a believable and twisted spy thriller. I give this book 5 out of 5.
Rating:
Summary: The Best First Person Novel I've Read!!! Honestly.
Review: "Paranoia", by Joseph Finder, was thrillingly original novel educating the reader periodically in industrial espionage. The hi-tech thriller was written wonderfully in the first person. The main character, Adam Cassidy, has a rich, humorous personality that shows clearly in the smart and clever wording of "Paranoia". Adam has a fun persona that most readers can relate to (even when they really do not).
The Story:
Adam is busted for embezzlement when he sneaks funds from the monstrous tech company he works for. Adam is quickly let off the hook by the CEO, Nick Wyatt, who wants him to get on the inside to a competing company, Trion, in exchange for freedom. Nick wants info on Trion's new top-secret project: AURORA. With the help of hi-tech spy and computer tools, Adam gets extremely close to Trion's leading man, Jock Goddard. Adam gets paid a whole lot more cash, gets a few fancy new cars, and a beautiful woman. Things are looking good for him until everything suddenly falls apart...
The Book:
The book is split up into 8 parts. At the beginning of every part, it shares a definition of a spy term, then, somehow, that term is related to the next few chapters. Chapters are short and numerous which makes for quick, non-stop reading.
Adam Cassidy's character is very funny (I found myself laughing at least a dozen times during the book) and smart but kind of coasting through his career. He reminds me greatly of James Clayton (from the film "The Recruit", played by Colin Farrell) who is clever and creative but doesn't utilize his talents. ("The Recruit" was a very good movie.)
The author, Joseph Finder, writes the plot in a familiar way in which it makes the reader feel as if he is Adam Cassidy. This feeling makes the 450 pages fly by. I will definitely read another Joseph Finder novel as soon as I can.
If for some reason you've begun to read this book and decided that it isn't worth finishing, just keep reading. If you don't like it, I promise you, it will get better! You will have everything figured out until the last 30 pages. That's when the ENTIRE book changes and when you find that it's really a "nothing-is-what-it-seems" book.
The Rating:
"Paranoia" is definitely 5 of 5 stars. Short chapters, intriguing spy gear, hilarious thoughts, interesting points of deception, terrifyingly realistic emotions, super-intense situations, and outrageously twisted ending make "Paranoia" one of the best I've read.
If "Paranoia" was adapted to film in its original form, it would be an R-rated film. It'd be R-rated for strong, non-ceasing language, for some* thematic elements, for some* violence, and some* sexual situations.
You cannot avoid the fowl language in this book. It is just too abundant. The thematic elements are referring to the death of a loved one. The sexual situations; however, if you desire to read the book without them, can be avoided. Skip pages 330-332; from the start of chap. 68 to the break in the middle. Also, just SKIM READ pages 391 and 392, the last pages of chap. 81. Other accounts of sexuality are brief and aren't overly graphic.
*SOME means that if there was no language in the "movie", that it would be PG-13 for thematic elements, violence, and sexual situations.
Miscellaneous:
The cover of the book is very well-designed. The graphic on the front is very cool and creatively doctored in a "that's-perfect" kind of way. On the back however, at the end of the summary, it say's "everyone is out to get him..." which isn't entirely true BUT-if that intrigued you, then this book is right for you. Also, believe all of the on-cover reviews. There all true.
This is book is awesome. Trust me; it gets 1000X better once you read the last thirty pages. Once you hit page 415, it's just surprise after surprise.
~T*RIN, "DrumF0X" 5lbscatfood.blogspot.com
Rating:
Summary: this story has been written before
Review: what has been very irritating is that someone else wrote a similar story, so throughout this read i racked my brains to remember who did it and better. the story is farfetched, ridiculous, what is that saying that people should write what they know about. we get a writer who is slick to use the word bling but not slick enough to pull of this one. skip it.
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