Oscar-nominated screenwriter Eric Heisserer delivers a powerful debut with Simultaneous, a fantastic speculative thriller. With its mind-bending concept, this novel had me hooked from the start and didn’t let go until the very last page.
Federal agent Grant Lukather works for an unknown department of Homeland Security called Predictive Analytics. They look for patterns in tips and chatter to prevent a terrorist event before it happens. One of these calls, about a possible explosion in New Mexico, leads Grant to a case with unimaginable consequences.
He meets Sarah Newcomb, a therapist who uses past-life hypnosis in her treatment but has recently stumbled upon a phenomenon that seems to defy logic. Grant follows this thread to another crime: a copycat killer case in Colorado. With the help of one of Sarah’s patients, they embark upon an investigation that spans multiple states, timelines, and consciousnesses. With limited time and only a tenuous grasp of how this phenomenon works, the unlikely trio are in a race for their lives—past, present, and future.
Several factors draw me to debut novels, and a big one is when the author is already impressed me with their work in film or television. That’s what drew me to Simultaneous by Eric Heisserer. He’s the Oscar-nominated screenwriter behind award-winning Arrival, as well as Bird Box, A Nightmare on Elm Street (2010), The Thing (2011), Final Destination 5, Extinction, Bloodshot, Shadow and Bone, and more. With a resume such as that, I had high expectations, and he absolutely delivered. The premise of Simultaneous immediately hooked me, and the story kept me in its grasp from the first chapter to the last page.
Imagine the world only has a limited number of souls, but the increasing population has grown so fast that souls are now shared, one soul occupying multiple bodies simultaneously. Heisserer uses this premise as his characters attempt to solve a murder, or multiple murders. This unique story and Heisserer’s ability to draw you into said story, made Simultaneous one of those books I couldn’t put down.
Heisserer builds a tremendous plot, but doesn’t neglect his characters, while not fully. From Grant, a Homeland Security agent, to Sarah, a therapist, and her patient Marigold (who shares a should with a man named Brian), the cast is distinct. While the story’s momentum takes center stage, these characters still leave a last impression when all is said and done.
What added to the entire experience was the narration lead by Ray Porter, who wonderfully narrated Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir, as well as Marin Ireland and Stephanie Sheh. The added suspense made brought a whole new level to the story.
Simultaneous is a thrilling, fast-paced speculative crime fiction packed with twists, a truly unique premise, and just the right touch of humor. Eric Heisserer’s debut novel is bold, mind-bending, and most of all a must-read for fans of the genre. Given how much I have loved his work on screen over the years, it’s no surprise this book hit the mark for me.
Simultaneous hits bookstores everywhere on October 28, 2025 from Flatiron Books. The audiobook, narrated by Marin Ireland, Ray Porter & Stephanie Sheh, is available for preorder via Libro.fm! Eric Heisserer joins the Capes and Tights Podcast on September 24 to discuss Simultaneous and more!
