What Happens When Medicine Can Rewire the Brain?
For as long as there has been medicine, the goal has been to manage a condition: lower the blood pressure, quiet the tremor, dull the
Syncope — A Psychological Literary Thriller About Drug Discovery and Consciousness
A fallen pharmaceutical insider. A discovery that bends time. Ascension — and a struggle for control over biology.
In Syncope, author Judd Midlam delivers a gripping, introspective novel that blurs the line between science and spirituality, free will and addiction, memory and identity.
Kirkus Reviews on Syncope
“…an intimate study of a tortured soul finding redemption.”
— Kirkus Reviews, August 1, 2026 issue
Featured In & Recognized By
Syncope has captured the attention of readers, reviewers, and independent publishing communities for its bold exploration of neuroscience, addiction, and the human psyche.
Syncope, Right in My Neighborhood
Signing Syncope at my neighborhood Barnes & Noble, Lake Nona, September 5.
The new Barnes & Noble in Lake Nona opened a few minutes from my house, so signing Syncope there on September 5 felt like a hometown moment. The conversations were the best part: easygoing, funny, full of talk about writing, and a lot about Puerto Rico and Brazil, two places at the heart of the novel and important to many of my Lake Nona neighbors. A week later, I stopped by and found signed copies shelved in Mysteries & Thrillers.
Barnes & Noble Lake Nona · 6039 Lake Nona Blvd, Orlando
A week later: signed copies in Mysteries & Thrillers.
What Is Syncope About?
Syncope is a psychologically rich literary novel that follows Tom Glass, a pharmaceutical strategist unraveling under the weight of addiction, grief, and a discovery that challenges the nature of consciousness itself.
As his life fractures between corporate ambition, substance abuse, and family tragedy, Tom stumbles upon a compound capable of altering time perception — a modern echo of the ancient Eleusinian Mysteries. What begins as scientific curiosity spirals into hallucination, paranoia, and moral reckoning.
At once intimate and expansive, Syncope asks:
If we understand the mechanics of the brain, are we still responsible for our choices?
From the Book
“The drugs and alcohol dull my senses, but they don’t absolve me from free will.”
“I am still conscious. I still make decisions.”
“The next phase of chemicals will have no hallucinatory affect, only neuroplasticity.”
“I wish I could be normal like them.”
“Maybe there’s some parts of the brain better left unstudied – drugs we won’t be able to handle.”
About Judd Midlam
Judd Midlam brings a distinctive voice to contemporary fiction, blending scientific insight with literary depth. Known for a career in healthcare and global pharmacy initiatives, Judd now turns to storytelling that explores consciousness, ethics, and the fragile boundaries between technology and humanity. Quoted in major publications and active in international health policy, Judd channels a lifetime of inquiry into narratives that challenge and illuminate. Syncope marks Judd Midlam’s debut novel under this name—an electrifying meditation on what remains when consciousness slips away.
What Readers Are Saying
Hooked from the very beginning!
“I was hooked from the beginning. I can really relate to the main character, Tom Glass, and his life as an alcoholic. I have had a lot of the same thoughts about life as he does. I was rooting for him the whole way through.
There is a good twist in the book that had me very angry with one of the characters. No spoilers here from me.
Some books are slow and hard to read, not this one! This book flowed very easy for me. It was a very easy read, except the chemical, and or medical names that I stumbled through. But they were not overwhelming, and really only a very few of them scattered around.
All in all, a very good story.
I want more from this author!”
I was sent this digital copy of the book, for free, and asked to read, and review it. I do this voluntarily.
Kirkus Reviews Verdict: “Get It”
Syncope appears in the August 1, 2026 issue of Kirkus Reviews magazine, where it received the “Get It” verdict. Read the full review on the Kirkus Reviews website.
SYNCOPE is one of those rare novels that feels intellectually sharp and emotionally unstable at the same time, in the best possible way. What stood out most to me was how authentically messy and human Tom feels as a protagonist. His struggles with addiction, grief, ambition, guilt, and identity never come across as exaggerated or manufactured for drama. They feel painfully real. The novel balances psychological depth with big scientific and philosophical ideas in a way that remains surprisingly readable and immersive. I especially loved how the themes around pharmaceuticals, AI, neuroscience, consciousness, and self-destruction are woven naturally into the story rather than feeling like forced exposition. The writing has a cinematic quality to it, moving between introspection and tension very fluidly, while the emotional undertones quietly build beneath every interaction. There’s also a strong atmosphere of existential unease throughout the book that gives it a distinct voice. Even during quieter moments, there’s this feeling that something important is unfolding beneath the surface. Overall, SYNCOPE feels ambitious, intelligent, emotionally raw, and highly relevant to the modern world. It’s the kind of story that stays in your head long after you stop reading.
Pranav Bhatnagar
Goodreads Reviewer
"I wasn’t sure what to classify this under. It seemed like it was going to be a search for new medications and possibly something goes terribly wrong, but it’s a much deeper dive into one man’s search for a better version of himself. A drunk, depressed, hating his job, unable to connect with a girl, it’s a ride of the ups and downs of his personal life that we spend most of our time in. But in desperation, he tries to self-medicate and it doesn’t go as planned. Interesting read, even if I didn’t expect it."
"The book follows Tom, a man who is struggling a lot with addiction, guilt, and his past choices. From the very beginning, the story feels confusing and a lil bit chaotic, but I think that is done on purpose to show what is going on inside his mind . His thoughts, memories, and reality often mix together, which made the reading experience feel very real but also sometimes hard to follow.
Tom makes mistakes, hurts people around him, and keeps fighting with himself. His struggle with alcohol and his attempt to become better felt very realistic and emotional . The family moments especially with his mother and sisters, were very touching and showed the consequences of his actions clearly.
The writing is sometimes deep, especially when it talks about science, medicine, and the mind. At times, this made the story feel unique and interesting, but at other times it felt a bit heavy and slow. The story also mixes personal struggles with bigger ideas like neuroscience, addiction, and even AI in medicine. This was interesting, but sometimes it felt like too much information at once.
One thing I found a bit difficult was the pacing. Some parts were very emotional, while others felt a little long or confusing. The beginning especially can be hard to get into because of how disoriented everything feels.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily."
Engaging read with great one-liners
“Thoroughly enjoyed this read — very engaging from start to finish, with some genuinely great one-liners sprinkled throughout. That’s saying a lot, considering the last time I read fiction was back in high school. Tom Glass is a compelling character, and I’m already looking forward to his next gambit.
Highly recommend.”
Great book!
“Loved reading this! Definitely an interesting book! Loved the writing and how it pulled me in from the beginning!”
Dramatic
“Amazing, and rather unusual read that reveals the world of pharmaceutical industry. The main character’s thoughts and feelings are so wild they reminded me of James Joyce’s Ulysses. I particularly love the cover of this book.”
“He has lost so much and he decides to have a change of life by going to Amazon to see what he can find out. He will see if AI and nature can be compatible in a new way. A very intriguing read which make you question what is best. It is an amazing read which you will not regret reading at least that is how I felt. I received an advance copy from hidden gems and a very powerful read.”
“I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I enjoyed the exploration of biomedical ethics and how they can (and often do) clash with traditional medicine.”
Read Syncope Today
Available now in print and digital formats. Discover a novel that challenges perception, identity, and the limits of free will.
From the Author’s Journal
Thoughts on writing, addiction recovery, neuroscience, consciousness, and the moments that shaped Syncope.
Book Reviews – Fiction, non-fiction, philosophy, contemporary, classics, short-stories, and a recently translated novel.
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Is Addiction a Disorder of Temporality?
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It is no secret that the genes we inherit from our parents determine simple physical traits such as hair color and height. That comes down
Human genetics and epigenetics of alcohol use disorder
“Integration of comprehensive insights from both genetic and epigenetic studies holds promise for the development of targeted and personalized therapeutic strategies, representing a crucial step
Social Activity on X
SYNCOPE is featured in Kirkus Reviews magazine! See page 152, August 1, 2026: Volume XCIV, No. 15 https://t.co/ZPnvTMIRyQ via @issuu
— Judd Midlam (@JuddMidlam) August 9, 2026
Syncope is now available, internationally, wherever books are sold. Buy a copy, sit somewhere nice, and enjoy responsibly. ☺️ 🙏 https://t.co/IJ9sc6iT7Z pic.twitter.com/Q5XV5t7k6u
— Judd Midlam (@JuddMidlam) July 11, 2026