Veracity

By: Douglas E. Richards

Narrated by: Dan Bittner

Length: 13 hrs and 23 mins

Publisher's summary

A breathtaking near-future thriller from the New York Times best-selling author whose books have sold more than a million copies.

What if you developed a technology that made it impossible for anyone to lie? About anything. Would this save humanity from itself? Or would it tear society apart? And just how far would power players around the globe go to stop it?

Elias Gibson has invented a technology that will profoundly change the essence of human behavior. But will this lead to a glorious future, or to the collapse of civilization? Before Elias can answer this question, he finds himself battling for his very survival, and racing to uncover the identities and motives of the treacherous forces arrayed against him. As he fights to stay alive, he will be stunned by one extraordinary revelation after another.

But the biggest surprise is yet to come....

Veracity is a roller-coaster ride of a thriller, one that offers meticulously researched insights into both human nature and the future of the human race.

©2019 Douglas E. Richards (P)2019 Audible, Inc.

Not his usual off-and-running style

Other than his kids' books, this was a huge departure from all his other books I have listened to. All the others start with a fast-paced, grab you by the thought, can't stop listening plot development, and fills in well-highlighted characters as he goes. This one....not so much. In fact, I felt it dragged horribly in comparison. Still, beats most of the books out there. I actually liked the ones with the kids better than this one, though it did get going about halfway in and had a nice twist and solid conclusion. I also missed his commentary on comparing the tech in the novel with actual available and emerging tech, which he almost always provides in a commentary after the end of his exceptional books, but not here.

A great read

I'm telling you the truth when I say this is a fantastic book. There is so much thought and creativity that goes into this book.

Richards has done it again

I can tell how engrossed in a story I have become by whether I get yelled at by my wife. I finished the book yesterday and last night she “shared her feelings!“ ;-) The story pace kept me engaged and the concepts were intriguing. The ideas behind the human condition made me ponder.

interesting premise and a bit utopian

science, fiction, and action, and good and fun aspects of this story. and well written and performed, just not one of Richard's best. a wee bit too naive and utopian at many points in the story.

To tell the truth?

Douglas E. Richards has authored and Dan Bittener has narrated this 2019 novel of a not to future discovery of a computer program that connects with people wearing special glasses or contacts. They emit a flash of color identifying the truth or lie of those talking before you.
The major focus is when should the discovery be made known and what would happen if this became available to all.
Veracity is a captivating novel compelling one to keep reading or listening and enjoying each chapter!I
The optional last chapter informs you of the current state of the different futuristic items Richards brings to this entertaining novel.I totally enjoyed this book!

Good story, but

The story was good and I did enjoy it. However between the narrator and poor character development, I almost gave up on it. It did get somewhat better more than have way through. I loved the technology that was used, it more or less kept the story interesting, but please work on your characters. No one talks like they do and they were all very boring except for the main character. she was just annoying but at least believable.
I don't know if I feel more or less optimistic after reading this.

A lot of REPEAT

Info from his other novels. Too much talking instead of focusing on the story line.

not my favorite but a pleasant listen

there's a certain style to richards' books most of the time that involves some sort of great caper wherein a bad guy or guys is revealed from not the main characters but at least one main character really exposes a lot of science and learning about whatever is the big thing in that story. if your buying richards, you're buying this archetype and even though it's not how most people talk it's valuable for people like me who can't learn these facts if not surrounded by action, narrative, drama and romance. richards often talks about psychopaths through this conceit, and then the books are about psychopaths. this one bugged me because the talk is about our improving future but there's a huge psychopath element that needs to be explored. i will say though, that after listening to this, i've got a new respect for the humble motion activated night light!

This review is true!

I am not always a big fan of Doug Richards, but this one grabbed my attention, and it ended up being worth the credit. ( Yes, I spent an actual credit! )
The concept ( no spoiler here..you will have to get it yourself! ) is original, and the implications are both wide-ranging and thoughtful.
Bittner does a very good job of bringing the characters, as well as the plot, to life, with some interesting phraseology and voicings.
On the downside, this could have benefited from a haircut in the editing department and seemed to lag towards the end ( it is longish at over 13 hours ). All this said I do recommend it!

Kind of preachy

Good premise but the author gets carried away with preaching about the woes of humanity.