Vancouver author Daniel Kalla launches new psychological crime thriller at free local event

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Vancouver writer Daniel Kalla is back with another timely, twisty psychological thriller.

This time Kalla, the king of zeitgeist topics, puts artificial intelligence (AI) on the table in his new novel (and top-notch summer holiday read) The Deepest Fake.

Out July 29, The Deepest Fake tells the story of successful AI company CEO Liam Hirsch, who is diagnosed with a terminal illness just a few weeks after figuring out his wife is cheating on him.

As he makes plans to end his life on his own terms, some unexplained events inside his company cause him to question everything — including his actual illness.

In a world of deep fakes, Liam isn’t sure what is real and who he can trust.

As a doctor and a writer, Kalla sees the effects, both good and bad, of AI on a daily basis.

“From my perspective, AI is the most game-changing, time saving tool I’ve ever discovered in both medicine and writing. I genuinely think it’s made me better at both,” said Kalla in an email to Postmedia News. “That said, I’m still not entirely convinced it won’t kill us all. (I’m kidding … sort of).”

While the longtime medical professional and bestselling author says he’s not afraid of AI “at this point,” he noted that he’s “acutely aware” of the perils of machine-learning if put into the wrong hands.

“That tension is central to The Deepest Fake,” Kalla shares. “I recently heard someone compare AI to adopting a tiger cub. Right now, it’s all adorable and fascinating, but you’d better raise it right if you don’t want it to turn on you.”

Fans of the prolific writer will have a chance to meet the bestselling author in person as he’ll be at the Book Warehouse on Main Street (4118 Main in Vancouver) on July 30 at 6:30 p.m. to celebrate the launch of The Deepest Fake, his 19th book. The event is a free, informal gathering with no reading portion. For more information, visit Blackbondbooks.com.  

“I think it’s important to connect with readers however you can. In-person events aren’t always feasible — and as an author, they can be humbling, since turnout is never guaranteed,” Kalla says. “But I’m excited to launch a book I believe is one of my best, in the city that’s always been home, among the friends and readers who’ve stood by me from the beginning.”

Kalla manages to pen about a book a year, an impressive pace that is made even more impressive when you take into consideration that he is also an emergency room doctor at St. Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver.

“As someone who’s juggled two careers for decades, I always get asked the same thing: ‘Where do you find the time?’ I usually answer by saying I neglect my friends and family,” said Kalla. “But the truth is, writing is my favourite hobby — and if I’m neglecting anything, it’s probably chores and responsibilities.”