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The Prediction
Nobody knows the day they’ll die... until now.
Mathematical genius Daniel Geller has developed a formula to predict a person’s date of death, only to have it rejected by the faculty at Trinity College. Totally devastated, he turns his back on the world he once loved.
Twelve years on, Daniel’s old professor John Redmond and his wife are coming to terms with the death of their ten-year-old son. Could Daniel's formula have predicated his death? Revisiting the thesis, the professor makes an astonishing discovery: out of the five fellow students whom Daniel used the formula on, one of them died on the exact date predicted by Daniel.
One more is due to die in six days: Daniel’s ex-lover Grace.
The professor draws Daniel back into the world of mathematics where he is suddenly faced with the dilemma of allowing someone he once loved to die to be one step closer to proving his thesis and enjoying a prestige he once dreamed of�
Set in the vibrant cities of Dublin and Amsterdam, The Prediction is a powerful story about coping with shattered dreams, the loss of a loved one, and an illustration of just how unpredictable the human heart can be.
Mathematical genius Daniel Geller has developed a formula to predict a person’s date of death, only to have it rejected by the faculty at Trinity College. Totally devastated, he turns his back on the world he once loved.
Twelve years on, Daniel’s old professor John Redmond and his wife are coming to terms with the death of their ten-year-old son. Could Daniel's formula have predicated his death? Revisiting the thesis, the professor makes an astonishing discovery: out of the five fellow students whom Daniel used the formula on, one of them died on the exact date predicted by Daniel.
One more is due to die in six days: Daniel’s ex-lover Grace.
The professor draws Daniel back into the world of mathematics where he is suddenly faced with the dilemma of allowing someone he once loved to die to be one step closer to proving his thesis and enjoying a prestige he once dreamed of�
Set in the vibrant cities of Dublin and Amsterdam, The Prediction is a powerful story about coping with shattered dreams, the loss of a loved one, and an illustration of just how unpredictable the human heart can be.
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First published June 1, 2013
240 people are currently reading
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About the author
Darren Sugrue
3Ìýbooks250ÌýfollowersDarren Sugrue grew up in Dublin, Ireland and has lived and worked all over the world including the UK, Cambodia, USA and Australia.
He loves hearing from readers and always responds.
In 2015, his first novel "The Prediction" reached No.4 in the Amazon Best Seller list of Mystery, Thriller & Suspense. His second novel "The Shattered Conscience" was released in 2016 and reached No.1 in the Amazon Canada Best Seller list of Mystery, Thriller & Suspense.
His third novel - a Psychological Suspense entitled "Shred of Doubt" - was released in Summer 2020.
He lives in Amsterdam with his wife, son and dog named Frodo.
Visit Darren at
He loves hearing from readers and always responds.
In 2015, his first novel "The Prediction" reached No.4 in the Amazon Best Seller list of Mystery, Thriller & Suspense. His second novel "The Shattered Conscience" was released in 2016 and reached No.1 in the Amazon Canada Best Seller list of Mystery, Thriller & Suspense.
His third novel - a Psychological Suspense entitled "Shred of Doubt" - was released in Summer 2020.
He lives in Amsterdam with his wife, son and dog named Frodo.
Visit Darren at
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 218 reviews
August 25, 2014
After I entered the giveaway for this book, I was contacted by the author and got a free copy in exchange for an honest review. This did not alter my opinion of the book in any way, nor did the fact that Darren lives in The Netherlands and has a dog named Frodo, which is really cool.
Daniel Geller is a genius. He’s able to predict the date of death of someone based on mathematical calculations. When his thesis gets rejected, he throws it all away. Twelve years later, an old professor, John Redmond, digs up the thesis and realises that one of Daniel’s volunteers has died � on the exact same date that Daniel had predicted. Next up: Grace, Daniel’s former lover, and Claire, John’s wife. On the same day. Even if you know your date of death, is there any way to prevent it?
Wow. Just wow. This isn’t my usual genre, but I was really intrigued by the premise of The Prediction, which is what got me interested in the first place. Predicting someone’s date of death and whether you want to know or not � and if you do, can you prevent it? It’s a fascinating subject and the author did a wonderful job. This was very very hard to put down. The book kept throwing surprises at you and you had to know what was going to happen. It was very “will they/won’t they�.
The book starts off with Daniel’s death scene, which immediately adds to the suspense. Then we go back six months in time, when John looks up Daniel and asks him to predict his wife’s date of death. Thus begins a massive rollercoaster of emotions, difficult situations, and trying to prevent Death from getting his hands on the people you care about. It was really exciting. We figure things out along with Daniel. Sometimes I was quicker, sometimes it was just as much of a surprise to me as it was to him.
The characters were interesting � each with their own set of flaws and battles. I especially liked the dynamic between Daniel and Grace. They hadn’t seen each other for twelve months, but it was like he never left. Their stupid jokes are just the same as before.
I also really liked the setting of the book � both Dublin and Amsterdam are close to my heart for different reasons, so that made it personal. I loved the authenticity of it. I could really relate to all the Dutchisms.
Then there’s the ending. Wow, didn’t see that coming at all! I’m not going to say anything else about this, but it was definitely a surprise. Can’t say it was pleasant, but very cool regardless. I liked the twist and how the author wrapped everything up in the end.
This is an absolutely unputdownable thriller and an impressive feat.
Daniel Geller is a genius. He’s able to predict the date of death of someone based on mathematical calculations. When his thesis gets rejected, he throws it all away. Twelve years later, an old professor, John Redmond, digs up the thesis and realises that one of Daniel’s volunteers has died � on the exact same date that Daniel had predicted. Next up: Grace, Daniel’s former lover, and Claire, John’s wife. On the same day. Even if you know your date of death, is there any way to prevent it?
Wow. Just wow. This isn’t my usual genre, but I was really intrigued by the premise of The Prediction, which is what got me interested in the first place. Predicting someone’s date of death and whether you want to know or not � and if you do, can you prevent it? It’s a fascinating subject and the author did a wonderful job. This was very very hard to put down. The book kept throwing surprises at you and you had to know what was going to happen. It was very “will they/won’t they�.
The book starts off with Daniel’s death scene, which immediately adds to the suspense. Then we go back six months in time, when John looks up Daniel and asks him to predict his wife’s date of death. Thus begins a massive rollercoaster of emotions, difficult situations, and trying to prevent Death from getting his hands on the people you care about. It was really exciting. We figure things out along with Daniel. Sometimes I was quicker, sometimes it was just as much of a surprise to me as it was to him.
The characters were interesting � each with their own set of flaws and battles. I especially liked the dynamic between Daniel and Grace. They hadn’t seen each other for twelve months, but it was like he never left. Their stupid jokes are just the same as before.
"In the past four hours I've seen a police boat, a police car, police on top of a horse, police on mountain bikes, and now police on scooters."
"And your point is?"
"If a criminal makes a getaway on a scooter, are the police pursuing him only allowed to do so on a scooter too? I might rob a bank and make my getaway on a unicycle just for the laugh."
I also really liked the setting of the book � both Dublin and Amsterdam are close to my heart for different reasons, so that made it personal. I loved the authenticity of it. I could really relate to all the Dutchisms.
Then there’s the ending. Wow, didn’t see that coming at all! I’m not going to say anything else about this, but it was definitely a surprise. Can’t say it was pleasant, but very cool regardless. I liked the twist and how the author wrapped everything up in the end.
This is an absolutely unputdownable thriller and an impressive feat.
July 15, 2014
Warning: Don't start reading this novel, if you don't have time to finish it! It gets you hooked from the first paragraphs, and it asks to be read in one sitting.
The title, "The Prediction", pretty much sums up the starting point of the novel: the formula to predict people's date of death. After reading the blurb and taking a look at the cover, I feared that the book would be filled with mathematical equations or something of the sort, but it is nothing like that. It is a thriller � crime � mystery novel with elements of a detective story. Filled with suspense, peppered with a bit of romance and softened by tragedy, it is one of the best crime novels I have ever read.
It is difficult to pinpoint one theme in the novel, because the plot (or plots) is constructed on so many levels, each with the same degree of importance. There are three main storylines that intersect: First, the story of Daniel Geller's life and career plays around the theme of hope and the loss of it. He has abandoned his doctoral thesis and his dreams of becoming a world-known mathematician, and he has come to terms with having a simple life and a menial job, only so that his hope is rekindled after twelve years. Second, John and Claire Redmond's tale is built around the destruction of family life, after the loss of a child. It is the darkest part of the novel, emotionally engaging and, sometimes, distressing. Third, Grace Visser lives her own tragedy due to her abusive husband. Her decision to leave him seems to create more problems than solutions. This third storyline focuses on character destruction and rebuilding.
Accidents play a defining role in the story. They offer major plot twists and an amazing ending.
Until the curtain falls, all the plots are resolved, one way or another, and the end of the book is both puzzling and rewarding.
The multitude of points of view is another novelty that Darren Sugrue has to offer to the world of writing. We are used to seeing two or three points of view in a story, but here we encounter eight different ones! Each of the main characters and some of the secondary ones are given the chance to tell part of the story as seen from their side. The point of view usually changes from one chapter to another, as the story jumps among plots and characters.
After noticing the multiple plots and points of view, the number of the main characters is not surprising anymore: Daniel Geller, the mathematician; John Redmond, the professor; Claire, John's wife; and Grace Visser, Daniel's long lost love. Surprising is the part given to Zoe, Daniel's wife; she appears seldom in the novel, but plays a decisive role in the story. There is also a number of notable secondary characters: Otto, Grace's abusive husband; Rik, Grace's friend; Janssen, the detective; and my favorite, Edward, an episodic character who plays the role of the sage, the wise elder.
The author seems to love all his characters, paying the same attention to both primary and secondary ones, showing empathy towards all of them. They seem to come to life from the pages of the book, they change and develop through the story, and I am sure that any reader can find at least one character to relate to. What surprised me was that among all these characters, there is only one villain. Don't get me wrong, that doesn't mean that all the others are linearly good. They are complex, deeply flawed, with their strengths and weaknesses, yet sympathetically portrayed, which is what makes them so "real".
The setting is secondary to the plot. The action moves between Amsterdam and Dublin. There is little description of the surroundings, but it is not missed. The parts that deal with the setting are full of humorous observations, such as the modes of transportation used by the police in Amsterdam or the bicycle lanes in Dublin: "Daniel suspected that Dublin Corporation had employed magicians to plan and construct the bicycle lanes. One would be cycling on them when all of a sudden, poof! They’d vanish."
Darren Sugrue writes in short, clear, sometimes fragmented sentences that have the fluency of modern poetry. It feels like the author just gives in to his train of thought. A great example is Chapter 58, a hospital scene. The details and the onomatopoeic vocabulary make you feel like you are there, in that hospital hallway. It is my favorite scene in the novel.
Attention to detail is noticeable throughout the book, in the way the author describes how a loose bike chain is reattached, how a woman applies varnish to her nails, or how the drops of rain bounce off the street.
The Prologue is a flashforward, giving you an insight on how the story will end, and getting you hooked within minutes.
Humor is subtle and scattered throughout, balancing the gloomy atmosphere that floods other scenes in the book.
Dialogue prevails and plays a major role in depicting the characters and the course of action. Inner thought is also present to characterize and give depth to the "actors".
You will not hear this from me very often: this is a must-read! Readers of all genres, unite! You have a crime, a thriller, a good detective story, romance and mystery all in one. It is funny; it is sad; it is good!
I have received a free copy from the author, in exchange for my honest review.
The title, "The Prediction", pretty much sums up the starting point of the novel: the formula to predict people's date of death. After reading the blurb and taking a look at the cover, I feared that the book would be filled with mathematical equations or something of the sort, but it is nothing like that. It is a thriller � crime � mystery novel with elements of a detective story. Filled with suspense, peppered with a bit of romance and softened by tragedy, it is one of the best crime novels I have ever read.
It is difficult to pinpoint one theme in the novel, because the plot (or plots) is constructed on so many levels, each with the same degree of importance. There are three main storylines that intersect: First, the story of Daniel Geller's life and career plays around the theme of hope and the loss of it. He has abandoned his doctoral thesis and his dreams of becoming a world-known mathematician, and he has come to terms with having a simple life and a menial job, only so that his hope is rekindled after twelve years. Second, John and Claire Redmond's tale is built around the destruction of family life, after the loss of a child. It is the darkest part of the novel, emotionally engaging and, sometimes, distressing. Third, Grace Visser lives her own tragedy due to her abusive husband. Her decision to leave him seems to create more problems than solutions. This third storyline focuses on character destruction and rebuilding.
Accidents play a defining role in the story. They offer major plot twists and an amazing ending.
Until the curtain falls, all the plots are resolved, one way or another, and the end of the book is both puzzling and rewarding.
The multitude of points of view is another novelty that Darren Sugrue has to offer to the world of writing. We are used to seeing two or three points of view in a story, but here we encounter eight different ones! Each of the main characters and some of the secondary ones are given the chance to tell part of the story as seen from their side. The point of view usually changes from one chapter to another, as the story jumps among plots and characters.
After noticing the multiple plots and points of view, the number of the main characters is not surprising anymore: Daniel Geller, the mathematician; John Redmond, the professor; Claire, John's wife; and Grace Visser, Daniel's long lost love. Surprising is the part given to Zoe, Daniel's wife; she appears seldom in the novel, but plays a decisive role in the story. There is also a number of notable secondary characters: Otto, Grace's abusive husband; Rik, Grace's friend; Janssen, the detective; and my favorite, Edward, an episodic character who plays the role of the sage, the wise elder.
The author seems to love all his characters, paying the same attention to both primary and secondary ones, showing empathy towards all of them. They seem to come to life from the pages of the book, they change and develop through the story, and I am sure that any reader can find at least one character to relate to. What surprised me was that among all these characters, there is only one villain. Don't get me wrong, that doesn't mean that all the others are linearly good. They are complex, deeply flawed, with their strengths and weaknesses, yet sympathetically portrayed, which is what makes them so "real".
The setting is secondary to the plot. The action moves between Amsterdam and Dublin. There is little description of the surroundings, but it is not missed. The parts that deal with the setting are full of humorous observations, such as the modes of transportation used by the police in Amsterdam or the bicycle lanes in Dublin: "Daniel suspected that Dublin Corporation had employed magicians to plan and construct the bicycle lanes. One would be cycling on them when all of a sudden, poof! They’d vanish."
Darren Sugrue writes in short, clear, sometimes fragmented sentences that have the fluency of modern poetry. It feels like the author just gives in to his train of thought. A great example is Chapter 58, a hospital scene. The details and the onomatopoeic vocabulary make you feel like you are there, in that hospital hallway. It is my favorite scene in the novel.
Attention to detail is noticeable throughout the book, in the way the author describes how a loose bike chain is reattached, how a woman applies varnish to her nails, or how the drops of rain bounce off the street.
The Prologue is a flashforward, giving you an insight on how the story will end, and getting you hooked within minutes.
Humor is subtle and scattered throughout, balancing the gloomy atmosphere that floods other scenes in the book.
Dialogue prevails and plays a major role in depicting the characters and the course of action. Inner thought is also present to characterize and give depth to the "actors".
You will not hear this from me very often: this is a must-read! Readers of all genres, unite! You have a crime, a thriller, a good detective story, romance and mystery all in one. It is funny; it is sad; it is good!
I have received a free copy from the author, in exchange for my honest review.
April 18, 2014
Even though the synopsis sounded very interesting, I wasn't really sure if I would like it. I thought that maybe there would be a lot of mathematical equations and math talk. But, boy was I wrong.
This Book is great. It is a great written story fowling mainly Daniel Geller the former Trinity College Student and his former professor John and John’s wife Claire as well his ex- girlfriend Grace, as they deal with different challenges in life, such as the loss of a child, spousal abuse. And an old lost love. Then there is Daniel himself, as he struggles to figure out if he should do the right thing and safe Grace or let her die to proof his thesis was right. Great story about possible second chances in life.
All the Characters are well written, they are very realistic and easy to relate to.
It is a real page turner and hard to put down and with that it is an easy and fast read.
And OMG, the end blew me away.
Well done and deserves 5 Stars.
This is Darren Sugrue’s first book and I really hope to see more books by him.
*I entered in a giveaway for this copy but Darren Sugrue offered it to me before it was over. But I was in no way obligated to review this book *
This Book is great. It is a great written story fowling mainly Daniel Geller the former Trinity College Student and his former professor John and John’s wife Claire as well his ex- girlfriend Grace, as they deal with different challenges in life, such as the loss of a child, spousal abuse. And an old lost love. Then there is Daniel himself, as he struggles to figure out if he should do the right thing and safe Grace or let her die to proof his thesis was right. Great story about possible second chances in life.
All the Characters are well written, they are very realistic and easy to relate to.
It is a real page turner and hard to put down and with that it is an easy and fast read.
And OMG, the end blew me away.
Well done and deserves 5 Stars.
This is Darren Sugrue’s first book and I really hope to see more books by him.
*I entered in a giveaway for this copy but Darren Sugrue offered it to me before it was over. But I was in no way obligated to review this book *
March 14, 2023
Mathematical problems have always intrigued me so the premise of this debut novel captured my attention. Is there a mathematical calculation to predict one’s date of death? Daniel Geller thought so but following the rejection of his thesis he leaves academia behind entirely yet he can’t really forget his efforts and classmates.
This short read is action packed throughout its entirety. With just enough information about characters and events to make them plausible, the author weaves together the lives of characters who separated twelve years earlier after leaving university.
Written in short chapters that keep the story moving forward and the reader craving to learn what happens next. Each group of characters have their own challenges to witness and as time marches on will academia catch up to the predictions Daniel made as a doctoral student.
This was a quick unputdownable enjoyable read.
Will certainly read more of this author ! Great debut effort!
This short read is action packed throughout its entirety. With just enough information about characters and events to make them plausible, the author weaves together the lives of characters who separated twelve years earlier after leaving university.
Written in short chapters that keep the story moving forward and the reader craving to learn what happens next. Each group of characters have their own challenges to witness and as time marches on will academia catch up to the predictions Daniel made as a doctoral student.
This was a quick unputdownable enjoyable read.
Will certainly read more of this author ! Great debut effort!
September 20, 2014
Such a great premise, well written, exciting and a thrilling twist. I wanted more math (chaos theory, anyone?). I'm looking forward to more by this author.
June 1, 2014
Finished ~ The Prediction by Darren Sugrue
Completed 5/31
4 of 5 stars
I received this book through Library Thing from the author for my honest review.
Warning ~ this book may not be for anyone who has a problem reading about the loss of a child. This topic is discussed frequently, and in detail, in this book.
The Prediction by Darren Sugrue was a FANTASTIC read!! So different and so enjoyable. Reading about the loss of a child was hard to read, and it's not for everyone. I had known going in, to expect it, and was ok with it, but it was even more than I expected and I will try to keep out my own personal opinions about that part of it for this review. Despite that, this book was really really great!!
Daniel Geller is a crane operator who, years ago, had submitted a thesis in college that was a formula for predicting the day that someone will die. John Redmond is Daniel's former mentor and he reaches out to Daniel, asking him to return to his thesis. Redmond had discovered that one of Daniel's test subjects 12 years prior, had indeed died on the date that was predicted and there was another set to die, in 6 days time. This time the person set to die was Daniel's former lover. He now hopes the thesis is wrong, as he races to warn her and keep her safe on the day in which he had long ago predicted she would die.
The book follows 3 storylines. The first one which is Daniel and his life including his trip to warn his ex lover, the second one is of John, who has his own agenda and the third is of Grace, the ex-lover Daniel wants to save.
Setting = B
Plot = A+
Conflict = A
Theme = A+
Characters = B-
Set in Dublin and Amsterdam, there is a little talk about these foreign (to me) towns. I learned how there crazy cyclist in Amsterdam, as well as trams and it sounds like everyone drives really crazy, at least within this book. The plot and theme of this book is what kept it going and was so very enjoyable and such an interesting concept! It doesn't seem like there would be much conflict in this pretty straightforward story, but there is and that's what really starts to grab your attention and get everything going. The characters are quite likable, though none of them are very connected to each other, but that's just my own personal opinion clouding my judgement of them.
It was such a good read, and I don't want to tell you too much more because it could totally ruin it. It was different and engaging. It kept me wanting to read more and find out where the story was going. I really enjoyed it overall and I think it was a fantastic must read!
Completed 5/31
4 of 5 stars
I received this book through Library Thing from the author for my honest review.
Warning ~ this book may not be for anyone who has a problem reading about the loss of a child. This topic is discussed frequently, and in detail, in this book.
The Prediction by Darren Sugrue was a FANTASTIC read!! So different and so enjoyable. Reading about the loss of a child was hard to read, and it's not for everyone. I had known going in, to expect it, and was ok with it, but it was even more than I expected and I will try to keep out my own personal opinions about that part of it for this review. Despite that, this book was really really great!!
Daniel Geller is a crane operator who, years ago, had submitted a thesis in college that was a formula for predicting the day that someone will die. John Redmond is Daniel's former mentor and he reaches out to Daniel, asking him to return to his thesis. Redmond had discovered that one of Daniel's test subjects 12 years prior, had indeed died on the date that was predicted and there was another set to die, in 6 days time. This time the person set to die was Daniel's former lover. He now hopes the thesis is wrong, as he races to warn her and keep her safe on the day in which he had long ago predicted she would die.
The book follows 3 storylines. The first one which is Daniel and his life including his trip to warn his ex lover, the second one is of John, who has his own agenda and the third is of Grace, the ex-lover Daniel wants to save.
Setting = B
Plot = A+
Conflict = A
Theme = A+
Characters = B-
Set in Dublin and Amsterdam, there is a little talk about these foreign (to me) towns. I learned how there crazy cyclist in Amsterdam, as well as trams and it sounds like everyone drives really crazy, at least within this book. The plot and theme of this book is what kept it going and was so very enjoyable and such an interesting concept! It doesn't seem like there would be much conflict in this pretty straightforward story, but there is and that's what really starts to grab your attention and get everything going. The characters are quite likable, though none of them are very connected to each other, but that's just my own personal opinion clouding my judgement of them.
It was such a good read, and I don't want to tell you too much more because it could totally ruin it. It was different and engaging. It kept me wanting to read more and find out where the story was going. I really enjoyed it overall and I think it was a fantastic must read!
December 13, 2016
Very disappointed in this. Poor writing, poor story. There was so much unnecessary filler in this, if you only read the first sentence in each paragraph you would more than understand the story. Might have worked as a short story.
February 15, 2014
Fast easy draws you in, surprise ending.
March 22, 2025
The Prediction is a thought-provoking, entertaining and immensely absorbing novel.
When he was in his twenties, Daniel was a genius in mathematics at Trinity College in Dublin. The subject of his 300-page student thesis was a mathematical formula he developed to predict a person’s date of death. Unfortunately for Daniel, the Trinity faculty at that time did not believe he could predict the date a person will die, rejected his thesis and expelled Daniel. Bitter and hurt, he left academics and took a menial construction job as a crane operator.
Fast forward 12 years to the present. Crane operator Daniel, now age 35, is married to a devoted wife Zoe and they are the parents of a son, age 6. Zoe had met Daniel around the time he was expelled and was appalled at how the Trinity faculty had dismissed him and his thesis.
One day a Trinity math professor named Redmond, who we learn has an ulterior motive of his own, approached Daniel at the construction job site where he’s working with the startling news that a former student had died on the exact date that Daniel had predicted a dozen years before. Even more alarming is the professor’s news that according to Daniel’s formula, another former student named Grace is predicted to die in six days. Grace, who is now living in Amsterdam and is unhappily married to an abusive husband, was Daniel’s lover back in the day before he met Zoe, and is unaware of her impending doom.
Daniel is faced with a moral dilemma. On the one hand if Grace dies as predicted, it would prove that his formula is correct and he will have the recognition and respect in the field of mathematics he had always so passionately wanted. On the other hand, even though they had lost contact a dozen years ago, Grace was his first love and he can’t just sit silent without at least trying to prevent what his calculations showed was her inevitable death in six days. The tragic irony is that if he can save Grace, his success will disprove his thesis, his career in mathematics will be over, his dreams and aspirations will be destroyed, and his potential in life will never be realized.
Of course, the discerning reader will know that there can’t possibly be such a formula. Perhaps with enough data a mathematician could predict the date a person might die of natural causes. But in this book Daniel predicted the date a classmate would die in an auto accident, years before the accident. No one could know in advance there would be a fatal accident. Was the fatality caused by the driver’s negligence, speeding, intoxication, the weather or some other reason? These are not variables which could be known years in advance when the prediction was made. The same can be said of predicting the death of a person who is murdered, years before the murder. How could Daniel possibly know the identity, the motives, the conduct and the actions of the murderer when he made his prediction? The answer is he couldn’t.
In Chapter 60 Professor Redmond asked the same question. He had no answer either.
I won’t disclose what happened to Grace or why, or whether Daniel’s formula for predicting dates of death is valid. But despite its flaw, The Prediction deserves praise as a compelling, even mesmerizing piece of science fiction with a fascinating premise. One reviewer thought the book was too long and would have made a better short story. But you will enjoy the story so much you won’t want the book to end. At least this discerning reader didn’t.
When he was in his twenties, Daniel was a genius in mathematics at Trinity College in Dublin. The subject of his 300-page student thesis was a mathematical formula he developed to predict a person’s date of death. Unfortunately for Daniel, the Trinity faculty at that time did not believe he could predict the date a person will die, rejected his thesis and expelled Daniel. Bitter and hurt, he left academics and took a menial construction job as a crane operator.
Fast forward 12 years to the present. Crane operator Daniel, now age 35, is married to a devoted wife Zoe and they are the parents of a son, age 6. Zoe had met Daniel around the time he was expelled and was appalled at how the Trinity faculty had dismissed him and his thesis.
One day a Trinity math professor named Redmond, who we learn has an ulterior motive of his own, approached Daniel at the construction job site where he’s working with the startling news that a former student had died on the exact date that Daniel had predicted a dozen years before. Even more alarming is the professor’s news that according to Daniel’s formula, another former student named Grace is predicted to die in six days. Grace, who is now living in Amsterdam and is unhappily married to an abusive husband, was Daniel’s lover back in the day before he met Zoe, and is unaware of her impending doom.
Daniel is faced with a moral dilemma. On the one hand if Grace dies as predicted, it would prove that his formula is correct and he will have the recognition and respect in the field of mathematics he had always so passionately wanted. On the other hand, even though they had lost contact a dozen years ago, Grace was his first love and he can’t just sit silent without at least trying to prevent what his calculations showed was her inevitable death in six days. The tragic irony is that if he can save Grace, his success will disprove his thesis, his career in mathematics will be over, his dreams and aspirations will be destroyed, and his potential in life will never be realized.
Of course, the discerning reader will know that there can’t possibly be such a formula. Perhaps with enough data a mathematician could predict the date a person might die of natural causes. But in this book Daniel predicted the date a classmate would die in an auto accident, years before the accident. No one could know in advance there would be a fatal accident. Was the fatality caused by the driver’s negligence, speeding, intoxication, the weather or some other reason? These are not variables which could be known years in advance when the prediction was made. The same can be said of predicting the death of a person who is murdered, years before the murder. How could Daniel possibly know the identity, the motives, the conduct and the actions of the murderer when he made his prediction? The answer is he couldn’t.
In Chapter 60 Professor Redmond asked the same question. He had no answer either.
I won’t disclose what happened to Grace or why, or whether Daniel’s formula for predicting dates of death is valid. But despite its flaw, The Prediction deserves praise as a compelling, even mesmerizing piece of science fiction with a fascinating premise. One reviewer thought the book was too long and would have made a better short story. But you will enjoy the story so much you won’t want the book to end. At least this discerning reader didn’t.
July 7, 2015
As much as I wanted to finish this book in one sitting, it is so rich in detail that it took several days to get through it. It's one that will stay on my bookshelf and be re-read in a couple years.
The book takes place in Ireland and Amsterdam, so be aware when picking it up that there is a lot of slang and place-names that may be unfamilar to many readers. For me, it didn't make the story any less understandable.
The book follows several plots told from the points of view of several main characters whose lives all tie into each other. By the end of the book, the author does a fantastic job of resolving all the plotlines and tying up loose ends. I closed the book (or Kindle app, rather) with a feeling of closure, rather than with unanswered questions.
I HIGHLY recommend this novel.
A free copy of this book was provided to me by the author in exchange for an honest review.
The book takes place in Ireland and Amsterdam, so be aware when picking it up that there is a lot of slang and place-names that may be unfamilar to many readers. For me, it didn't make the story any less understandable.
The book follows several plots told from the points of view of several main characters whose lives all tie into each other. By the end of the book, the author does a fantastic job of resolving all the plotlines and tying up loose ends. I closed the book (or Kindle app, rather) with a feeling of closure, rather than with unanswered questions.
I HIGHLY recommend this novel.
A free copy of this book was provided to me by the author in exchange for an honest review.
December 4, 2013
Brilliant! Entirely 'un-put-downable', my Kindle was stuck to my hand whenever I had a spare moment to read. I absolutely loved the storyline, the flawed characters and the intricate details. The detailed depictions of both Amsterdam and Dublin, interwoven with little idiosyncrasies and local references make you feel right at home, whilst relating to and walking in the shoes of the various characters.
Although there are a few mistakes, it says something for the story, when you're entirely willing to overlook them in order to get lost and immerse yourself in the author's world.
Do yourself a favour and read this intricate, descriptive, captivating book - you won't regret it. I'll definitely be keeping my eye out for the next Sugrue title (just don't leave us waiting too long).
And as I final note - I just didn't see it coming. At all.
Although there are a few mistakes, it says something for the story, when you're entirely willing to overlook them in order to get lost and immerse yourself in the author's world.
Do yourself a favour and read this intricate, descriptive, captivating book - you won't regret it. I'll definitely be keeping my eye out for the next Sugrue title (just don't leave us waiting too long).
And as I final note - I just didn't see it coming. At all.
February 23, 2014
The interesting concept of being able to predict the exact time of a person's death! Once you get hooked, you don't want to put the book down, as you want to see how valid the formula is. The characters are believable and realistic. The author writes well. Great job, and I would recommend.
June 3, 2014
I received a free copy of **the Prediction** by *Darren Sugrue* from **StoryCartel.com** in exchange for an honest review. I couldn't be happier with my choice in this case. Many books available on StoryCartel are written by authors with whom I am unfamiliar, but I have come across some very good books at that site, and will continue to look there for books that might interest me. **The Prediction** turned out to be an outstanding book worthy of 5 Stars, and I will be watching for anything else this author publishes.
**The Prediction** is about several different things, but for me it was mostly about a person's devotion to what he believes in so strongly he will put aside everything else to believe in himself when no one else will.
When the book begins, Daniel Geller has been working as a crane operator for the past 10 years. He is married and has a son, and while being a crane operator is not what he envisioned himself doing for a living for the rest of his vocational life, he accepts his life for what it is. His bills get paid, his family is a happy one, there really isn't anything he wants or needs that he doesn't have. Ten years ago, the situation was different. Daniel submitted his doctoral thesis to the mathematical faculty at Trinity. The thesis was based upon Daniel's ability to predict someone's date of death using involved mathematical equations and data he collected from various places that would have a bearing on a person's life span. The faculty at Trinity decided not to support Daniel's thesis nor did his mentor at that time. Daniel was crushed by their decision. He gave up all his work, left the woman he loved with no explanation, and moved on to what most would consider a humdrum life of merely getting by but not participating in anything other than living one day at a time with little to no enthusiasm. For Daniel, life was something to do until something better came along, although nothing better ever did.
Until the day John Redmond showed up at Daniel's construction site to tell him that a prediction he made 10 years ago came true. A man named Brian Nolan had died exactly on the date Daniel said he would. That prompted Redmond to get in touch with Geller to ask him to work on his thesis again, only this time Redmond would not abandon him. What Daniel didn't know at that first meeting was that Redmond had more than one reason for wanting Daniel to take on his thesis again. That's where things really start to pick up.
I thought the premise for this book was interesting: is it possible to predict someone's date of death factoring in all the variables any individual has. Would it even be possible to get every factor that counts towards life or death? At the same time as Sugrue is writing with that in mind, he's also included some other factors to the story so that there is never a stretch of time that seems slow or boring. The story is told from the viewpoint of 4 different people who all make a big contribution to where the story leads. And where it leads was an emotional upheaval I never expected. There are not many books that have made me cry. This one did.
I have given this book 5 Stars because that's the highest number I can give it. I recommend it to everyone who enjoys very well told stories with relatable people, and high credibility. Thanks to StoryCartel and Darren Sugrue for this super reading treat!
**The Prediction** is about several different things, but for me it was mostly about a person's devotion to what he believes in so strongly he will put aside everything else to believe in himself when no one else will.
When the book begins, Daniel Geller has been working as a crane operator for the past 10 years. He is married and has a son, and while being a crane operator is not what he envisioned himself doing for a living for the rest of his vocational life, he accepts his life for what it is. His bills get paid, his family is a happy one, there really isn't anything he wants or needs that he doesn't have. Ten years ago, the situation was different. Daniel submitted his doctoral thesis to the mathematical faculty at Trinity. The thesis was based upon Daniel's ability to predict someone's date of death using involved mathematical equations and data he collected from various places that would have a bearing on a person's life span. The faculty at Trinity decided not to support Daniel's thesis nor did his mentor at that time. Daniel was crushed by their decision. He gave up all his work, left the woman he loved with no explanation, and moved on to what most would consider a humdrum life of merely getting by but not participating in anything other than living one day at a time with little to no enthusiasm. For Daniel, life was something to do until something better came along, although nothing better ever did.
Until the day John Redmond showed up at Daniel's construction site to tell him that a prediction he made 10 years ago came true. A man named Brian Nolan had died exactly on the date Daniel said he would. That prompted Redmond to get in touch with Geller to ask him to work on his thesis again, only this time Redmond would not abandon him. What Daniel didn't know at that first meeting was that Redmond had more than one reason for wanting Daniel to take on his thesis again. That's where things really start to pick up.
I thought the premise for this book was interesting: is it possible to predict someone's date of death factoring in all the variables any individual has. Would it even be possible to get every factor that counts towards life or death? At the same time as Sugrue is writing with that in mind, he's also included some other factors to the story so that there is never a stretch of time that seems slow or boring. The story is told from the viewpoint of 4 different people who all make a big contribution to where the story leads. And where it leads was an emotional upheaval I never expected. There are not many books that have made me cry. This one did.
I have given this book 5 Stars because that's the highest number I can give it. I recommend it to everyone who enjoys very well told stories with relatable people, and high credibility. Thanks to StoryCartel and Darren Sugrue for this super reading treat!
May 31, 2014
Disclosure: I downloaded a free copy from Story Cartel in exchange for an honest review.
This story revolves around Daniel Geller, a former Trinity College math Phd student who theorized a controversial formula that accurately predicts time of death. Forward to 12 years later, he spent years out of academia because his thesis was rejected. His former professor John Redmond contacts him to tell him the formula worked.Ìý So together they figure out how valid this formulation is and uncover the personal ramifications of this discovery.
I made the mistake of beginning to read this book at bedtime. Who needs sleep anyway? I honestly lost track of time and didn't want to put it down. What initially drew me to this book was it's description. I love thrillers and mystery novels, so, this was precisely my alley. This is one of the most compelling, vivid, clever stories I've read in quite some time.Ìý The mere possibility of a theorem that predicts death is intriguing. Would knowing change the decisions you make in living your life? The characters are strongly defined and well-written. I particularly appreciated how Grace's grieving process was thoughtfully explored. The dialogue is paced well. Perfect mix of drama and wit. I was genuinely surprised by the twists in this book.ÌýI look forward to reading everything else that author Darren Sugrue has to offer.
If you're looking for a suspenseful page-turner this summer -Buy this book, you won't regret it!
This story revolves around Daniel Geller, a former Trinity College math Phd student who theorized a controversial formula that accurately predicts time of death. Forward to 12 years later, he spent years out of academia because his thesis was rejected. His former professor John Redmond contacts him to tell him the formula worked.Ìý So together they figure out how valid this formulation is and uncover the personal ramifications of this discovery.
I made the mistake of beginning to read this book at bedtime. Who needs sleep anyway? I honestly lost track of time and didn't want to put it down. What initially drew me to this book was it's description. I love thrillers and mystery novels, so, this was precisely my alley. This is one of the most compelling, vivid, clever stories I've read in quite some time.Ìý The mere possibility of a theorem that predicts death is intriguing. Would knowing change the decisions you make in living your life? The characters are strongly defined and well-written. I particularly appreciated how Grace's grieving process was thoughtfully explored. The dialogue is paced well. Perfect mix of drama and wit. I was genuinely surprised by the twists in this book.ÌýI look forward to reading everything else that author Darren Sugrue has to offer.
If you're looking for a suspenseful page-turner this summer -Buy this book, you won't regret it!
November 16, 2015
This is a very intriguing story with an unusual premise, Daniel is a young man whose thesis which predicts the date of death was rejected twelve years ago. However his old tutor, now a professor grieving for his young son, tries to get him to re-present it because one of the dates proved came true.
As a debut novel this is an excellent story which grips the reader from the beginning. The action runs along two plotlines in two cities, Dublin and Amsterdam, John and Claire’s grief for their young son which neither are handling well, and Daniel’s pledge to save his former lover, Grace from dying on the day he predicted all those years ago.
The characterisation is excellent, in that Daniel Geller is a mathematician and thus pays intricate detail to everything around him, which helps him discover what is really going on. The ending was unexpected and very clever, leaving the reader with a few questions � I look forward to more from this writer.
My only criticism would be there is a lot of padding which slowed the tension in places. A shorter manuscript would certainly not detract from the gripping story.
I received an e-copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review
As a debut novel this is an excellent story which grips the reader from the beginning. The action runs along two plotlines in two cities, Dublin and Amsterdam, John and Claire’s grief for their young son which neither are handling well, and Daniel’s pledge to save his former lover, Grace from dying on the day he predicted all those years ago.
The characterisation is excellent, in that Daniel Geller is a mathematician and thus pays intricate detail to everything around him, which helps him discover what is really going on. The ending was unexpected and very clever, leaving the reader with a few questions � I look forward to more from this writer.
My only criticism would be there is a lot of padding which slowed the tension in places. A shorter manuscript would certainly not detract from the gripping story.
I received an e-copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review
August 22, 2014
I received this review copy from LibraryThing in exchange for an honest review. Firstly, the novel deals with issues such as the loss of a child and domestic abuse so be aware. I was absolutely blown away with this book from the beginning to finish. The author did an incredible job of making it a fast paced novel that draws you in but also takes the time to develop the main characters. I had great difficulty putting it down. It is based on a mathematical genius who has developed a formula that can predict the date of a person's death. Things don't go as planned and he is drawn away from his life as a crane operator back to the mathematical world of probability. I can honestly say that this is one of the BEST books I have read so far this year. It was a fantastic, enjoyable, and yes emotional read. I was in tears at the end. Prediction is well written, fast paced and very suspenseful. I would definitely recommend it. I am looking forward to reading more by this author.
April 6, 2014
Actual Rating 4.5 stars
Wow ! Loved this book !
Darren Sugrue contacted me to see if I wanted a free copy of his e-book, The Prediction, after I had selected it "To Read". I thought "why not" but let him know it would be a couple of months before I'd get to it. I was under no obligation to review the book.
A good suspense thriller can leave you hanging at the end of a chapter, and this book certainly did that. I couldn't guess what was coming.
A fabulous first book from the author, I look forward to reading what he writes next.
Wow ! Loved this book !
Darren Sugrue contacted me to see if I wanted a free copy of his e-book, The Prediction, after I had selected it "To Read". I thought "why not" but let him know it would be a couple of months before I'd get to it. I was under no obligation to review the book.
A good suspense thriller can leave you hanging at the end of a chapter, and this book certainly did that. I couldn't guess what was coming.
A fabulous first book from the author, I look forward to reading what he writes next.
February 26, 2014
DISCLOSURE: The author, whom I have no connection with, provided me with a free copy of this book once I had added it to my "To Read" list. I was not under any obligation to review or write a positive story. I had intended to purchase it.
Overall I enjoyed it � pretty punchy, good shifts in plot all the way through and unusual story line. Some of the narrative is quite emotional (relating to the loss of a child) and I thought that was very well written.
Some of the colloquialisms might confuse the non-Irish reader, but a quick Google will sort you out.
This is a relatively straightforward read, entertaining and different from the usual "thriller". I think it probably merits 3.5 stars really.
Overall I enjoyed it � pretty punchy, good shifts in plot all the way through and unusual story line. Some of the narrative is quite emotional (relating to the loss of a child) and I thought that was very well written.
Some of the colloquialisms might confuse the non-Irish reader, but a quick Google will sort you out.
This is a relatively straightforward read, entertaining and different from the usual "thriller". I think it probably merits 3.5 stars really.
October 5, 2014
Nobody knows the day they’ll die� until now
WOW .. A must read could not put this book down had me hooked from the very first page . Now imagine if you could predict the exact day of when someone would die or if someone could predict the day that you would die !!!
Sensitive witty and full of suspense twists and turns a story that truely teaches us to live each and every day to the fullest and reach for our dreams and goals. A fantastic plot with an unexpected ending. You will not be disappointed
I am still in disbelief that this story is the Authors debut a author that i will be following in the future.
MUST READ
I recieved a copy of this e-book for a honest review
WOW .. A must read could not put this book down had me hooked from the very first page . Now imagine if you could predict the exact day of when someone would die or if someone could predict the day that you would die !!!
Sensitive witty and full of suspense twists and turns a story that truely teaches us to live each and every day to the fullest and reach for our dreams and goals. A fantastic plot with an unexpected ending. You will not be disappointed
I am still in disbelief that this story is the Authors debut a author that i will be following in the future.
MUST READ
I recieved a copy of this e-book for a honest review
July 17, 2013
This was recommended to me via a friend of a friend on Facebook. I thought I would give it the first few chapters and if I didn't get into it I would leave it. How pleasantly surprised I was!
The concept of predicting your death using math is very interesting (although totally unrealistic). But the characters and plot really pull you in. And without wanting to give away too much; a terrific twist at the end that I honestly didn't see coming. Well worth it.
The concept of predicting your death using math is very interesting (although totally unrealistic). But the characters and plot really pull you in. And without wanting to give away too much; a terrific twist at the end that I honestly didn't see coming. Well worth it.
June 4, 2014
WOW! The Prediction by Darren Sugrue is an engaging suspense filled book that kept me awake reading way into the night! I did not want to lay my NOOK down, wanting to see what was going to happen next.
It took a lot of twists and turns that I wasn't expecting, with a surprising ending.
I look forward to reading more by this author in the future.
I received a free copy of this from the author in exchange for my review rather it be good or bad.
It took a lot of twists and turns that I wasn't expecting, with a surprising ending.
I look forward to reading more by this author in the future.
I received a free copy of this from the author in exchange for my review rather it be good or bad.
September 4, 2014
I really enjoyed this book from start to finish! Although I was able to predict (no pun intended) some of the outcomes -- I won't go into detail -- I still was enthralled by the twists & turns. Mr. Sugrue is a gifted writer, & I think this book could be a best-seller if given the opportunity. I was lucky enough to receive this book for free via Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ, & I'm so glad that I gave it a chance. Anyone who likes a good thriller & a sophisticated, original story line should read this book!
October 8, 2014
Nunca pensé que en un momento de mi vida quisiera saber que momento podrÃa ocurrir mi muerte. Y si lo supiera, que harÃa ? Un muy buen libro, el cual te expone estas interrogantes y otras más bajo un thriller muy bien realizado.
Lo recomiendo.
Lo recomiendo.
September 11, 2016
Outstanding, best book I have read in the last couple of months! Interesting and different storyline. Involves you with the well-developed characters. Surprise twist. Looking forward to more books by this author.
October 24, 2014
--- I received a free ebook copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review
What a wonderful surprise it was! Great debut novel: original, suspenseful and fast paced. You will be hooked up from the beginning and, in fact, unable to predict the ending. Read it before it becomes a movie!
What a wonderful surprise it was! Great debut novel: original, suspenseful and fast paced. You will be hooked up from the beginning and, in fact, unable to predict the ending. Read it before it becomes a movie!
April 1, 2014
This book had a great story line. It was easy to read and intriguing. I especially enjoyed the ending.
October 1, 2024
I confess I selected this book for the intriguing concept of developing a mathematical theory to predict an individual’s death date. I imagined how such a development would change the whole future of society. Retirement, life insurance, you get the picture.
However it was soon apparent it was more about the math student who designed the process and how his thesis was rejected by the academic establishment. It actually became a rather thrilling story of getting a second chance when his theory proved to be true for several of his test students.
The only shortcoming was the fact that you knew from the promotional advertising that there was a shocking twist at the end which of course meant you were somewhat prepared so it wasn’t quite as shocking as the author intended.
I will balance that with another twist that was actually quite satisfying so my final score was 4 stars.
However it was soon apparent it was more about the math student who designed the process and how his thesis was rejected by the academic establishment. It actually became a rather thrilling story of getting a second chance when his theory proved to be true for several of his test students.
The only shortcoming was the fact that you knew from the promotional advertising that there was a shocking twist at the end which of course meant you were somewhat prepared so it wasn’t quite as shocking as the author intended.
I will balance that with another twist that was actually quite satisfying so my final score was 4 stars.
November 23, 2022
I wanted to like this book.
It has an interesting storyline, a good premise, and some twists and turns; a lot of people loved it. But for me, it was a slight miss.
What I liked:
-Good premise.
-Interesting setting.
-Good premise.
What I didn't like:
-Too many useless details. You could skip pages, maybe chapters at a time...and you didn't miss a thing.
-Although some of the twists and turns were pretty good...they never hit with any punch. You saw them coming.
-Although the premise was excellent and interesting, does having a mathematical formula to compute individuals' death have any real value? Except for some special, secret things, when a government head might die, etc...for the average person, it would completely change society if we all knew when we'd die. I can't even imagine the ramifications.
It has an interesting storyline, a good premise, and some twists and turns; a lot of people loved it. But for me, it was a slight miss.
What I liked:
-Good premise.
-Interesting setting.
-Good premise.
What I didn't like:
-Too many useless details. You could skip pages, maybe chapters at a time...and you didn't miss a thing.
-Although some of the twists and turns were pretty good...they never hit with any punch. You saw them coming.
-Although the premise was excellent and interesting, does having a mathematical formula to compute individuals' death have any real value? Except for some special, secret things, when a government head might die, etc...for the average person, it would completely change society if we all knew when we'd die. I can't even imagine the ramifications.
April 30, 2025
K: DNF at 59%. Became predictable. Pun not fully intended. The blurb talks about predicting the death of people. No, he predicted the death of about five people. It had such premise then it became a detective story, a murder story, an affair story (this was the point I gave up. First love and the love that never goes away, even though there’s a loving - albeit murderous - wife at home. Gross), then a ‘I’ll give you my kid� story. I’m so disappointed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 26, 2022
I stared reading this book as a Halloween treat because on some webs it was in thriller and horror categories. What I got was a roller-coaster of emotions. There was thrill, joy, fear and sadness and I enjoyed it greatly. In the end I had tears in my eyes. This book had it all and it is also well written and easy to read and follow. What I can see as a negative is the slow beginning but it is nothing when I compare it to whole book. I am going to recommend it to my friends.
Side note: I am a huge fan of mathematics and I was a bit disappointed that there were none of it in this book even tho at first look it seems like it has a lot of equations and mathematical prinicples.
Side note: I am a huge fan of mathematics and I was a bit disappointed that there were none of it in this book even tho at first look it seems like it has a lot of equations and mathematical prinicples.
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