‘Seconds to Midnight’ by David Orson Newton

Published by Chiselbury,
 23 April 2026.
ISBN: 978-1-917837-43-9 (PB)

This is a timely and dystopian novel set in 2029/30 - The UK and Europe is on the brink of War.  The reader is initially unsure exactly who the enemy is but gradually as the plot unfolds it is clear that Russia and China are the main protagonists. 

The story follows the lives of five humans who enter the conflict - some willingly and others not.  This is basically a scenario about Cyberwarfare where the public is largely unaware of what is going on. 

British Intelligence launches two Top Secret operations which are powered by an artificial super intelligence designed to prevent war but the question throughout the novel concerns AI and whether it is saving humanity or replacing it? 

The five characters whose individual stories provide the mainspring of the action are a retired spy, a journalist chasing truth, a data scientist with potentially dangerous loyalties, a street fighter trying to make sense of chaos and a veteran who was determined never to fight again.  Each of these individuals confront a chilling present and deals with their circumstances in ways that explore conscience, fear and a desire to relate to another human.  

This is an unusual novel and not one I would have readily chosen but it proved a fascinating read and sadly appropriate to our age when many feel uncertain about the future and the possibility of AI replacing the need for humanity. 

A thoroughly worthwhile read.
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Reviewer: Toni Russell

David Orson Newton
is a combat veteran and technologist. Newton’s work has taken him from the warzones of Afghanistan, Iraq and Yemen to the leading edge of innovation in Silicon Valley. He now resides with his wife and son in rural Devon, England. An alumnus of the Faber Academy, Seconds to Midnight is his first novel.

Toni Russell is a retired teacher who has lived in London all her life and loves the city.  She says, ‘I enjoy museums, galleries and the theatre but probably my favourite pastime is reading.  I found myself reading detective fiction almost for the first time during lockdown and have particularly enjoyed old fashioned detective fiction rather than the nordic noir variety.  I am a member of a book club at the local library and have previously attended literature classes at our local Adult Education Centre.