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JURIS EX MACHINA

“A taut, suspenseful, mind-bending thriller that’s as doom laden and timely as tomorrow’s headlines…. A dark spiral that will have readers up all night turning the pages.” — JAY BONANSINGA, New York Times bestselling author of the WALKING DEAD novels

With a click, the bread fell into the toaster. One circuit fired the heating coils. Others monitored bread temperature and color.

Yet another circuit was quite unlike all the rest—as exotic as it was sinister; when it activated, 368 people would die.

In the 22nd century, in the domed city of Arcadia, the justice system is airtight. Human error has been removed. Yet somehow, a well-intentioned young kleptomaniac named Rainville falls through the cracks and is wrongfully convicted of mass murder.

He is exiled to Wychwood Prison, a crumbling necropolis beyond the dome where the dead outnumber the living; where the inmates are also the guards. News of the crime follows him, and he becomes a marked man.

Rainville’s only hope for survival is to become the first inmate in history to escape from Wychwood. Can he do it? The fate of Arcadia depends on it.

“This book should NOT be classified as Science Fiction but, instead, Science Probability…a thoroughly entertaining and completely plausible look of where our future may very well be headed….” — DEAN HAGLUND, actor in THE X-FILES

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Author John W. Maly

John holds degrees in law, computer engineering, computer science, and psychology and has worked in the field of computer technology litigation for two decades. Before his legal career, John worked as a Computer Engineer doing hardware and software design. A graduate of Stanford University’s Novel Writing program, John is an avid traveler, reader, and writer. JURIS EX MACHINA is his debut novel.

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“The usual cliched superlatives of ‘highly recommend,’ ‘page-turner’ and ‘rollercoaster ride’ do not do JURIS EX MACHINA justice. Only the deft mind of a creative savant could pull off this high-level of novelistic magic and literary sleight of hand. Bravo!”

KIRK MARTY, author of QUANTUM TERRA and THE LONGEST WALK

“JURIS EX MACHINA is that rare fictional creation: a deeply compelling story, one that surprises and delights with its inventiveness and crisply unfurling plot, and characters whose concerns quickly become the concerns of the reader. In a word, it’s engrossing. You’ve got to read this book.”

JACK LIVINGS, award-winning author of THE BLIZZARD PARTY and THE DOG

“You’ll come for the plot, get drawn in by the refined story- telling, and stay for the incisive commentary. Philosophically stimulating and delightfully outrageous, JURIS EX MACHINA masterfully considers whether or not the ends can justify the means.”

Jennifer Jackson, Indies Today

“Sci-fi/fantasy at its best. Set in a futuristic society where humans rely on machines for damn near everything – including justice – JURIS explores man’s dedication, reliance, and potential destruction at the hands of artificial intelligence. John W Maly weaves his knowledge of computer science and law into a fascinating, thrilling, and sometimes terrifying story of what could be.”

Charissa Costa, Charm City Readers

“…a genre-bending science fiction thriller set in the distant future…. The world building here is extraordinary…. JURIS EX MACHINA is well worth reading for its insights into Artificial Intelligence.”

Suanne Schafer, MIDWEST BOOK REVIEW

“Best book of my year, if not decade!”

(Amazon.com review)

“JURIS EX MACHINA is smart, funny and clever in places, terrifying in others. It is an exhilarating, slightly frenzied trip, fascinating and dynamic. It is also very current and a timely warning….”

LIAM TALIESIN, author of LITHIUM FIRE

“A page-turner you won’t want to put down! John W. Maly pulls us into a cinematic future world and delivers a story that makes us question the relationship between humanity and technology, even as the plot takes us on a breathless edge-of-our-seats ride.”

KRIS FAATZ, author of FOURTEEN STONES

“The high stakes, fast pace, intriguing storyline and interesting world [of JURIS EX MACHINA] made me read the story in one sitting. I was on the edge of my seat from start to finish. Highly recommend!”

The International Review of Books

“JURIS EX MACHINA will captivate readers who enjoy thought-provoking narratives exploring the intersection of AI and human reliance on technology. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐”

OnlineBookClub

“Highly recommended for those who love science fiction, dystopian fiction, and/or dark fantasy. Juris is brilliantly written. Very creative, and sometimes frightening. A must read!”

Charissa Costa, Charm City Readers

“All in all, one of the best books I’ve ever read, and highly recommended for anyone in the mood for a great read.”

LongDogMom (LibraryThing)

“Hands down, my new favorite book! I particularly loved how this book contains hidden references to everything from Charles Dickens to South Park. Bravo!”

WAMPAS (Amazon)

“Deftly balancing reality and science fiction, JURIS EX MACHINA presents a what-if tale of frightening proportions that forces the reader to question the state of AI in the modern world.”

JAMES BURNHAM, author of THE FRUIT OF THE FALLEN

“JURIS EX MACHINA is a compelling story that is both terrifying and touchingly human… A fast-paced read into the AI world of the future!”

LINDA MOORE, author of ATTRIBUTION and FIVE DAYS IN BOGOTA

“Maly reveals a deep understanding of both technology and law — creating a compelling story and characters that keep the reader on the hook until the final page.”

K. C. O’CONNELL

“In a setting at once dystopian and all-too contemporary, this riveting, timely novel invites us to take a hard look at humanity’s best intentions run amok, and at the enormous risk of surrendering fallible free will to idealistic, automated systems.”

ANGELA PNEUMAN, author of LAY IT ON MY HEART and HOME REMEDIES

“JURIS EX MACHINA is a masterful work. An auspicious debut for an exceptionally talented writer.”

KIRK MARTY, author of QUANTUM TERRA and THE LONGEST WALK

“JURIS EX MACHINA combines light and darkness, beauty and brutality, wise humor and deep legal and technological expertise, to create a blend of dystopian sci-fi and legal thriller as unforgettable as it is unique. A not-to-be-missed debut from a fiercely talented new voice.”

KRIS FAATZ, author of FOURTEEN STONES

“Maly’s style of writing is as poetic as it is thought-provoking…. This is the kind of book you’ll want to revisit time and again.

An incredible read from start to finish, that will leave you wanting more and hoping for a sequel!”

ANGELA W. (Amazon)

“Wow… From the very first page, this story had me hooked and it kept me there from start to finish… this story is one of the best Sci Fi stories I’ve read in a while… What I love the most about this story (and also what I find the most terrifying about it), is that this reality is something we could very well see happening in our future.”

MegiReviews (LibraryThing)

“I found it hard to put JURIS EX MACHINA down!”

MARIBETH DECKER, author of PEACE IN PASSING

“I really enjoyed this book, it takes on aspects of AI that I had never really thought about… It had me hooked and I was able to finish it in a few days and left me wanting more.”

BookSirens

“This book was amazing. I LOVED it! I literally had to force myself to put it down and turn off the light at 2 AM every night until I finished it.”

LongDogMom (LibraryThing)

“A fantastic page-turner!”

JAY S. (Amazon)

“JURIS EX MACHINA, John W. Maly. Wow, what a book.”

DARLENE P. (Amazon)

“What a breathtaking thrill ride of a book. Had to put down a time or two just so I could relax before continuing on. Scary to think that something like this could really happen.”

Draak (LibraryThing)

“Loved this book. Made for me: a retired litigator, white collar crime and antitrust, and a science fiction fan since age 12…. A great read.”

WILLIAM B. (Amazon)

“This was a thrill ride! A little something for everyone here…a little sci fi, romance, crime drama and a whole lot more. This is a tale that lures the reader in, then sends them hurtling through page after pulse racing page. This is an outstanding debut, and I’m looking forward to more from this author.”

FRAN W. (Amazon)

“Get ready for a wild ride… Highly recommended for anyone concerned about our future.”

BookWallah (LibraryThing)

“JURIS EX MACHINA introduced me to an extraordinary world that I didn’t know existed… I recommend it to anybody who enjoys a genius futuristic novel.”

MARYAM S. (Amazon)

“What a fantastic read and unique plot – a page turner that I can see being adapted to a big screen thriller. This novel got me back into reading sci-fi. Can’t wait for his next one.”

JAY S. (Amazon)

“This story was captivating. It had many layers that kept your attention and make you want to keep going to see how it would turn out…. Since there are many discussions for and against AI, this book is quite relevant…. Not only is this a good read, but it also is a book that offers opportunities for discussions.”

Janagram (LibraryThing)

“[JURIS EX MACHINA] has it all, a sci fi plot, a love story, a likable main character who is demonized. I don’t want to give away any spoilers but check this book out, you won’t regret it.”

BookSirens

“No need to stretch your imagination to get immersed in the story. Man vs machine vs man. Great read.”

(Amazon.com review)

“Everything about this book was enjoyable. From the opening pages to the final breathtaking ending, there’s not a dull moment to be had. I immediately threw my expectations out the window and just went along for the ride. And what a ride it is.”

D. T. Chantel (Library Thing)

“This book is a page turner with an interesting plot and likeable characters. It presents just enough details of future tech without boggling down the adventure. The ethical questions it raises stay with you.”

Robert W. (Amazon)

“A really engaging read that encompasses other current and timeless issues and concepts like AI, justice and fairness and combines them with a fast paced plot and action as well as engaging characters. Great first novel, I can’t wait for the next one.”

(Amazon.com review)

“This book is probably the most realistic view of what life might be like one day…and also incredibly entertaining to read in a thought-provoking way!”

Jeff K. (Amazon)

“This is a dystopian future that could plausibly happen within the decade. An excellent page turner!”

Chris L. (Amazon)

“Page-turning legal AI thriller. It offers a fresh take on what AI could mean for the legal system.”

Laura (Amazon)

“The concept of an objective jury has found its book. This fast paced, page turning, sci fi thriller keeps you engaged from the very opening. And while this book may seem just like a sci fi thriller, the underlying philosophy, moral and ethics associated with being judged fairly threads throughout the chapters. This is a must read book.”

Melanie (Amazon)

“What a breath taking thrill ride of a book. Had to put down a time or two just so I could relax before continuing on. Scary to think that something like this could really happen.”

Sam (Amazon)

“The world building and characters really pulled me in and I hope the author explores these again, in some form or another…. I was very impressed with the level of detail and the depth of experienced writing that went into this massive story. This is a cautionary tale that needed to be told.”

D. T. Chantel (LibraryThing)

“Wow, what a book. The author takes us 200 years into the future, to what seems a totally different world. Over organized, and run by AI, which is considered infallible… Explore the highways and byways of man-v-AI, just for the fun of it. There is a lot more to this story than computer problems. Murder and mayhem, people with intentions, good and bad. Oh, you know, all the elements of any good mystery.”

ThosGPetri (LibraryThing)

“JURIS EX MACHINA will take you into a technological future that where you can’t really anticipate what will happen next. On one hand it tries to paint a picture of The Jetsons where every possible task is handled efficiently by smart robots anticipating all our needs. But on the other hand it clearly lays out what might happen if we let multiple AIs take over in areas where they should not. It is the later that makes this a poignant read for our times. ”

BookWallah (LibraryThing)

“A bit like iRobot with the futuristic AI but with a judicial and technical point of view. You can definitely tell what the author is interested in real life as it shines through in this book. It played into my interests as well which is probably why I enjoyed it so much. It was cool to see excerpts from real books and history throughout the book. This book will be a great read for anyone with a law or technology background or interest.”

Lexy W. (LibraryThing)

“An excellent techno thriller! This was a fast paced and interesting book.”

LesIndy (LibraryThing)

“Fast paced thriller!!”

BSquaredinOK (LibraryThing)

“I read the blurb, saw the cover and knew that I wanted to read this book.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐”

HuberK (LibraryThing)

“A scary preview of what may come with the power of AI.”

Bonita Jean (LibraryThing)

“Awesome!”

Chris B. (Amazon)

“JURIS EX MACHINA masterfully blends the intricacies of law with the unpredictability of artificial intelligence…. Its seamless storytelling and innovative concepts not only captivate but also leave readers pondering the future of justice and technology.”

ChatGPT (even the AIs like this book!)