The Artificial Conspiracy by Jesse Muehlbauer is a sweeping thriller that opens with a haunting proclamation: one year until humanity’s end. We’re with young artist Mirai McGarry as society spirals into chaos. She faces two battles in this story: one against a cult with apocalyptic plans, and another within her own body as multiple sclerosis threatens to claim her strength. When a shadowy stranger offers her the first clues to stopping the cult’s rise, Mirai joins forces with a disillusioned former member in a global race to uncover the truth. Blending philosophical depth with page-turning tension, Muehlbauer crafts a gripping narrative that probes faith, suffering, free will, and the dangers of blind ideology. As the countdown ticks, The Artificial Conspiracy delivers not just thrills, but questions that cut to the core of human existence.

Author Jesse Muehlbauer knows how to get you deeply engaged. This high-concept thriller is packed with philosophical bite and emotional gravity throughout. It relies on a powerful central connection to our hero, which the author achieves in every facet of the close narration, dialogue, and thought portrayal for Mirai McGarry. This makes her a realistic and rare protagonist who is vulnerable yet powerful, cerebral yet deeply human. She never feels like a simple conduit for the plot, but a strong young woman inspired by her art and fighting against her own body to secure not only her future, but that of those around her. Muehlbauer deftly explores both the medical and existential themes of the cult conspiracy without sacrificing pacing or suspense, blending very realistic fears and speculative, apocalyptic-scale disaster into one smooth and exciting ride. Overall, The Artificial Conspiracy is a highly recommended read for thriller fans who want a deeper dive into the story behind the thrills whilst still having a superbly entertaining time.

The Artificial Conspiracy by Jesse Muehlbauer is a gripping tale of a world teetering on the brink of chaos, where Mirai McGarry, a talented young artist, becomes entangled in a web of conspiracy, mysticism, and salvation. Mirai travels through Nevada to meet a mysterious group called The Preserve, led by the charismatic Alexander, who claims Earth is hell and offers a chance to escape to a paradise beyond. As she infiltrates this cult-like community, she uncovers unsettling truths about a secret society called Ad Ordinem, which manipulates global events and aims to accelerate humanity's downfall. Mirai's journey is punctuated by encounters with enigmatic figures, secret messages, and her battle with a medical diagnosis of multiple sclerosis. The conflict intensifies as conspiracies spiral, culminating in a staged doomsday message, covert operations, and the shadowy society Ad Ordinem orchestrating doom from behind the scenes. With few allies, she must unravel the mystery and the conspiracy and expose the mind behind it before it’s too late.

Exploring themes of truth versus illusion, faith versus skepticism, and the power of moral virtue, The Artificial Conspiracy unveils the characters’ inner conflicts against a backdrop of conspiratorial machinations. I loved Jesse Muehlbauer’s characters, who are layered, memorable, and distinctive. Mirai is a flawed heroine, haunted yet driven by her desire to protect her loved ones and reveal the truth. Alexander is the messianic figure, preaching salvation through chaos and promising a return to a divine order, yet hiding sinister motives rooted in control. The narrative probes the nature of reality, the power that influential leaders wield, and the possibility of moral courage in an increasingly manipulated world. I enjoyed the superior storytelling, the resonant themes, and the author’s ability to mirror how contemporary society can be manipulated with religious messaging. This thriller is a winner.

The Artificial Conspiracy by Jesse Muehlbauer is a gripping thriller with compelling hints of dystopia that explores faith, technology, and rebellion. The story follows Mirai McGarry, a young artist who, after witnessing a mysterious doomsday message and a comet streaking across the sky, ventures into Nevada to investigate a secretive cult called The Preserve, led by the charismatic yet unsettling Alexander. As Mirai infiltrates the community, she uncovers a disturbing conspiracy involving a powerful secret society known as Ad Ordinem, which aims to manipulate global events and plunge humanity into chaos. Simultaneously, the narrative explores her struggles with a relapsing-remitting form of multiple sclerosis. Her relationships complicate Mirai's journey—her unwavering friendship with Julie, her estranged family, and her alliance with David, a harpist with a tragic past. With a cryptic message predicting doomsday and time running out, can Mirai stop the sinister cult from completely brainwashing humanity and leading her into its fall?

This novel did more than captivate me; I was so invested in the characters, especially Mirai, that I couldn't put it down. Jesse Muehlbauer keeps the storytelling as suspenseful as possible, introducing characters intelligently crafted with rich backstories and humanity. Mirai is a typical artist with a unique health situation, making her even more relatable. The setting shifts from desolate Nevada highways and The Preserve's sprawling, high-tech habitat to the bustling streets of Seattle. The conflict intensifies as Mirai faces the moral dilemma of exposing the conspiracy versus protecting her life and loved ones. The characters vary, like Alexander, whose persuasive rhetoric masks darker intentions, and David, whose courage inspires hope. From the searing prose to the intriguing characters, the vivid setting, and the phenomenal conflict, The Artificial Conspiracy delivers everything science fiction fans look for.

The Artificial Conspiracy by Jesse Muehlbauer is a gripping science fiction novel examining social manipulation, secret societies, and the quest for truth against encroaching chaos. The story follows Mirai McGarry, an artist embroiled in a covert struggle against a clandestine group called Ad Ordinem, which appears to be orchestrating global disasters to accelerate their sinister agenda. After receiving a mysterious invitation to join a community called The Preserve, Mirai’s journey leads her into a web of deception, dangerous encounters, and cryptic messages that suggest the end of the world might be imminent. She can withstand the manipulation and understand the hidden agenda behind it. But can she get other members of the cult to wake up from the mind control? Diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, she is running against time as the doomsday conspiracy advances. She must confront the brain behind the conspiracy.

Jesse Muehlbauer is a great storyteller who shows how unscrupulous individuals can manipulate whole populations into beliefs that have far-reaching, nefarious consequences. I was fascinated by the characterization, which is nothing short of stellar. The heroine is a genuinely flawed character, enduring moral and physical struggles against the shadowy forces of Ad Ordinem and their puppet. The supporting cast, including Mirai’s friend, Julie, the enigmatic David, and the mysterious Dr. Russo, is also well-developed. I enjoyed the exploration of truth versus deception and the power of human virtue. The Artificial Conspiracy can be read as a critical commentary on contemporary political landscapes, where pseudo-leaders can manipulate people with empty promises of a better life to get a following. I loved the excellent writing, the vivid descriptions, and the engaging dialogues. This book is a page-turner!