Killfile: A Novel

The author of The Eternal World seamlessly combines history, biotechnology, action and adventure in this high-concept thriller in the spirit of James Rollins, Brad Thor, and Douglas Preston.

John Smith has a special gift that seems more like a curse: he can access other peoples thoughts. He hears the the songs stuck in their heads, their most private traumas and fears, the painful memories they can’t let go. The CIA honed his skills until he was one of their most powerful operatives, but Smith fled the Agency and now works as a private consultant, trying to keep the dark potentials of his gift in check—and himself out of trouble.

But now Smith is unexpectedly plunged into dangerous waters when his latest client, billionaire software genius Everett Sloan, hires him to investigate a former employee—a tech whiz kid named Eli Preston—and search his thoughts for some very valuable intellectual property he’s stolen. Before John can probe Preston’s mind, his identity is compromised and he’s on a run for his life with Sloan’s young associate, Kelsey.

Hunted by shadowy enemies with deep resources and unknown motives, John and Kelsey must go off the grid. John knows their only hope for survival is using his powers to their fullest—even if means putting his own sanity at risk.

John Smith has a special gift that seems more like a curse: he can access other people’s thoughts.

He hears the songs stuck in their heads, knows their most private traumas and fears, and relives the painful memories they can’t let go of. The CIA honed his skills until he was one of their most powerful operatives, but John fled the Agency and now works as a private consultant, trying to keep the dark potential of his gift in check—and himself out of trouble.

Unfortunately, John is unexpectedly plunged into dangerous waters when his latest client, billionaire software genius Everett Sloan, hires him to investigate a former employee—a tech whiz kid named Eli Preston—and search his thoughts for some very valuable intellectual property he’s stolen. Before John can probe Preston’s mind, however, his identity is compromised and he’s on the run for his life, with Sloan’s young associate, Kelsey.

Hunted by shadowy enemies with extensive resources and unknown motives, John and Kelsey must go off the grid. John knows their only hope for survival is his powers, and he’ll have to use them to their fullest—even if it means putting his own sanity at risk.

“Christopher Farnsworth has written a blistering, provocative, and propulsive novel - reading KILLFILE is the equivalent of being strapped to the nosecone of a ballistic missile hurtling through the sky at 5,000 MPH. Which is to say, it’s one hell of a ride.” - Nick Cutter, author of THE TROOP and THE DEEP

“Part James Bond, part Jason Bourne, part Professor X, only smarter, wittier, and can run faster. Adrenaline action at its mind-reading best. Christopher Farnsworth’s KILLFILE unleashes the greatest weapon ever: the human mind.” - Beau Smith, creator/writer of WYNONNA EARP

“[A] flip, unusually compelling hero... Farnsworth, author of the fantastical Nathaniel Cade series (Red, White, and Blood, 2012, etc.), stands to expand his following with this clever, offbeat thriller.” - Kirkus Reviews

“Like his protagonist, Chris Farnsworth is a mind reader: he knows how to keep me hooked until I reach the last page. KILLFILE is his best yet.” - Ian Tregillis, author of BITTER SEEDS and THE RISING

“From the very first page of KILLFILE, I knew I was in the hands of a master storyteller. Christopher Farnsworth delivers his best thriller yet, and I can’t wait to read whatever he comes up with next.” - Boyd Morrison, author of THE ARK and THE EMPEROR'S REVENGE (with Clive Cussler)

“. . . Mixing a deliciously readable hybrid of “man on the run” adventure with technothriller elements and a protagonist with a powerful telepathic talent that doesn’t hesitate to kick him in the balls on occasion, Killfile is, in the final analysis, bloody good fun.” - Jonathan Howard, author of JOHANNES CABAL THE NECROMANCER

“Excellent fantasy thriller . . . The realistic approach is one of this inventive novel’s major strengths.” - Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“I’ve been a fan of Christopher Farnsworth ever since his first book, and he just keeps getting better. The Eternal World has exactly what I look for in great adventure fiction: a compelling plot, memorable characters, top-notch action scenes, and heart-stopping twists.” - Boyd Morrison, author of The Ark and, with Clive Cussler, Piranha

Praise for Christopher Farnsworth: “Christopher Farnsworth’s taut thriller Blood Oath is an irresistible page-turner . . . Farnsworth summons his talents as a scriptwriter and journalist to spin a complex and unnervingly realistic tale . . . The supernatural elements here are dazzlingly clever.” - Washington Post

Praise for The Eternal World: “A fantastical witch’s brew of Spanish conquistadors, biotechnology, and hubris . . . with cinematic pacing and colorful action scenes, Farnsworth blends a unique premise into fun summer reading . . . entertainingly explores the border where science fantasy meets reality.” - Kirkus Reviews

Praise for Killfile: “Fast, fun, and frenetic. A whip-smart edge-of-your-seat thriller.” - Ernest Cline, author of Armada and Ready Player One