Extinction, by Mark Alpert

When mind and machine become one--the singularity--machine may decide that ordinary humans only get in the way.  That is the scenario in Extinction, Mark Alpert's latest foray into realistic science fiction.  Using technology that enables human minds to be linked together like a large computer network, a group of Chinese scientists has created "Supreme Harmony," several dozen lobotomized humans whose collective consciousness learns to manipulate the world they were designed only to observe and analyze.  As their awareness and abilities grow, they reason that humans are a threat to their ongoing survival, so they must expand their network and ultimately destroy the human race.

Those machine/minds underestimate the human will for survival.  When they abduct computer hacker Layla Pierce, they attract the attention of her estranged father Jim Pierce, a former military intelligence officer, now a pioneering robotics developer.  In a globe-trotting pursuit, Jim tries to track down his daughter and as they both learn about Supreme Harmony, they have to work together to thwart the collective mind's evil plans.

The full title is Extinction: A Thriller, and Alpert aims to live up to that "thriller" label in spades.  There are so many edge-of-your-seat impossible close calls in Extinction that the thrills become, shall we say, a little less thrilling.  Another hair's breadth escape, and another, and another, etc.  But the comic book/ popcorn action movie tone is backed by some pretty realistic science, keeping it pretty interesting.  Sure he takes it too some extremes, like when Pierce operates his detached prosthetic arm from across the room, but I'm interested to see how much of this robotic/prosthetic technology is real, or will be soon.

Fun to read and fun to imagine on the big screen, Extinction may not make Alpert "truly the heir to Michael Crichton," but he at least fits in the same ballpark.  Just pop the popcorn and enjoy it!