As self-driving cars revolt, humans become targets

USA TODAY NETWORK - FLORIDA

“Look Both Ways” by Linwood Barclay (William Morrow)

In a much-appreciated, surprise release, Linwood Barclay has just published his second thriller in a month, “Look Both Ways,” which evokes comparison to sci-fi master Michael Crichton with a healthy dose of Stephen King.

Lisa Carver, CEO of Arrival Inc., is on the verge of revolutionizing the way we travel locally and cross country. In a bold move, Arrival makes a deal with the Garrett Island community off the coast of Massachusetts to replace the automobiles owned by the residents with brand new, EV cars with the most advanced technology in the world. These cars are autonomous and do not require steering wheels, and the owners can communicate with them by voice command. No longer will drivers have to contend with speeding tickets or accidents, as the cars not only obey all the rules of the road, but can communicate as well with other cars in Arrival family – to the point that should everyone own this car one day, insurance may never be necessary again.

The experiment is set for one month. O the day it comes to a conclusion, a gala event is set to take place for the press and companies that may want to get on board.

Sandy Montrose, the sole owner and employee of a small public relations firm, is preparing to organize and run the event. Shortly before Carver is set to step up, she takes ill and an interloper introduces a virus into the system that radically unhinges the entire project.

Suddenly the cars no longer respond to their owners commands and set about attacking any person that gets in their way.

Of course, there are subplots involving a curmudgeonly neighbor of Montrose’s, her two teenage children and a mysterious killer.