Synopses & Reviews
Synopsis
When artificial intelligence goes wrong, a book is sent to the incorrect address and time. Mr. William Craine, a hard-working family man, will become the recipient of information that could change the future. Using the book for his own means, he soon realizes this was a bad mistake as mobsters, hitmen, and FBI agents enter his world. When William goes missing, his orphaned grandson, Angelo, is devastated and is determined to find him. The only clues to grandpa's disappearance are in the book. While cleaning out Grandpa's attic with his best friend Owen, the two boys stumble upon a book entitled The Random House Encyclopedia. The clues in the book are scarce, and the stakes are high, but so are the benefits. The boys will soon learn the risks will be even higher
The first words they should have looked up in the Encyclopedia were Death, Vengeance, Deceit, and Murder.
Synopsis
The Lost Encyclopedia:
The Unintended Consequences of an AI Malfunction
In a catastrophic AI mishap, a delivery drone inadvertently transports a copy of the 1990 Random House Encyclopedia back to 1899. Unbeknownst to anyone, this unexpected occurrence sets off a chain of events that will drastically change the lives of those involved. Among the recipients of this extraordinary book is Willie Craine, a bank clerk residing in St. Louis, who seizes the opportunity to exploit his newfound knowledge of future events for immense financial gain.
Willie cunningly engages in high-stakes bets with Madame Charlotta, a shrewd fortune teller operating illegal betting schemes from the back room of her store. With an astounding 100% success rate, Willie's remarkable winning streak begins to draw attention from dangerous entities, including local mobsters, relentless hitmen, and Secret Service agents. As these impending threats loom over him, Willie's once-charmed existence and family life teeter on the edge of devastation.
Driven to shield his loved ones from harm, Willie is compelled to go into hiding, leaving behind his orphaned grandson, Angelo, to care for his grandmother. However, when Angelo succumbs to deceit and betrays his grandmother, a tragic and untimely demise befalls her. Trapped in a precarious situation, Angelo finds himself unable to claim his grandfather's estate due to his mysterious disappearance rather than death.
Motivated by a desperate desire to locate his missing grandfather, Angelo enlists the help of his closest friend, Owen, embarking on a joint investigation. During their search, the two boys serendipitously stumble upon the Encyclopedia that initiated this tumultuous journey. Within its pages lie enigmatic clues about Willie's vanishing act. Although the hints are scarce, the potential rewards, as well as the stakes, soar to unprecedented heights.
As the boys plunge deeper into their quest, they soon realize that their risks extend far beyond what they could have imagined. Their path intertwines with a charming yet sinister lodger named Cowboy, who covets the mighty tome for his nefarious purposes. Just as the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair unfolds, with a staggering attendance of twenty million people, the boys find themselves thrust into a whirlwind of events akin to a roller coaster ride.
Amidst the flowing libations of alcohol, Owen's loose lips inadvertently capture the attention of Alice, President Roosevelt's daughter, and Prince Pu Lum of China, ultimately attracting the unwanted presence of the FBI. As the boys delve deeper into the mysteries surrounding Willie's disappearance, their investigation leads them to the bustling cities of Los Angeles and Palm Springs. These unearthing secrets revolve around relationships, death, vengeance, deceit, and murder.
Meanwhile, Cowboy relentlessly pursues the boys, intent on seizing the coveted Encyclopedia. Their perilous journey culminates in a final, life-or-death confrontation on the barren desert floor of Coachella Valley. As the dust settles, the echoes of the past dissipate, and the Lost Encyclopedia vanishes once again, leaving a lingering question: "Where will it resurface next?" And so, the saga continues as the story marches onward, filled with uncertainty and adventure in Florence, Italy.
Synopsis
The Lost Encyclopedia:
The Unintended Consequences of an AI Malfunction
The Lost Encyclopedia by Paul J. Hamel. In a mysterious A.I. accident, a delivery drone transports a copy of the 1990 Random House Encyclopedia to the beginning of the last century, setting off a chain of events. Bank clerk, Willie Craine exploits its knowledge for profit through high-stakes bets with Madame Carlotta, a bookie and fortune teller. Willie's winnings draw dangerous attention. Willie Junior and his wife are victims of a gang related murder, forcing Willie into hiding. Willie leaves his orphaned grandson, Angelo, with his bitter wife Diana. Angelo searches for his grandfather, aided by his friend Owen, and they uncover mysterious clues. Their quest intertwines with sinister figures named Cowboy and Little Sue leading to thrilling adventures. This historical fiction begins in St. Louis during the 1904 World's Fair and ends in Palm Springs. When the book is stolen, a final confrontation takes place on the desert floor of the Coachella Valley.