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Hacker Mom
Becky Taylor seems like a typical suburban stay-at-home mom with a loving husband and an adorable son, but she has a secret. In between juggling judgmental playgroup moms, an intense career-minded prosecutor of a husband, and a sister who can’t stop reminding her of her old ambitions, Becky moonlights for one of the world's most controversial websites, helping to expose state and corporate secrets. To make matters worse, now the feds are on her tail.
The more complicated Becky’s life becomes, the more equipped she feels to handle it. Who says you can’t be one of the world’s most dangerous international whistleblowers and still make a killer meatloaf?
The more complicated Becky’s life becomes, the more equipped she feels to handle it. Who says you can’t be one of the world’s most dangerous international whistleblowers and still make a killer meatloaf?
176 pages, Paperback
First published September 6, 2012
20 people are currently reading
428 people want to read
About the author
Austen Rachlis
1 book16 followersAusten Rachlis received her MFA with Honors in screenwriting from Columbia University. In 2009, FOX optioned her pilot script, "Borderlines," as part of its Writer's Initiative. She co-wrote the short film "Loop Planes," which was jointly funded and produced by Killer Films (Boys Don't Cry, Far From Heaven) and Massify.com. It premiered at SXSW and has gone on to screen at over 50 film festivals internationally, including Tribeca, The Hamptons Film Festival, and the Rhode Island International Film Festival, where it won the Alternative Spirit Award. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
January 2, 2013
1/1/13
Wow! Rachlis pulled it back on track and finished like she started! Yay! It was disappointing because just as I was getting into the chapter it ended and I realized it is the final installment! I'm learning to read without having to have everything wrapped up in a neat bow and this is definitely one of those. I enjoyed it!
12/1/12
Ahh, only 4 episodes and it turns pedestrian. Such a shame because the beginning was sooo good.
November
This is a serial book and while it's not finished, just 3 installments so far, I HAD to review it because I think it's FANTASTIC!! Very cloak and dagger and I LOVE the fact it's a serial novel! It makes me nostalgic for my grand-parents and the stories they shared about their experiences with serial radio, movies, and dime-store novels. How fun in this age of "instant gratification" to be left dangling, wondering, scheming on behalf of the characters and in this case a little nail-biting anxiety waiting to see what happens next. I'm really hoping I get to give this 5 stars by the time it's finished!
Well done and keep it coming!
Wow! Rachlis pulled it back on track and finished like she started! Yay! It was disappointing because just as I was getting into the chapter it ended and I realized it is the final installment! I'm learning to read without having to have everything wrapped up in a neat bow and this is definitely one of those. I enjoyed it!
12/1/12
Ahh, only 4 episodes and it turns pedestrian. Such a shame because the beginning was sooo good.
November
This is a serial book and while it's not finished, just 3 installments so far, I HAD to review it because I think it's FANTASTIC!! Very cloak and dagger and I LOVE the fact it's a serial novel! It makes me nostalgic for my grand-parents and the stories they shared about their experiences with serial radio, movies, and dime-store novels. How fun in this age of "instant gratification" to be left dangling, wondering, scheming on behalf of the characters and in this case a little nail-biting anxiety waiting to see what happens next. I'm really hoping I get to give this 5 stars by the time it's finished!
Well done and keep it coming!
May 10, 2015
In the interest of full disclosure, I received this as a free PDF since I entered a GR giveaway to get a free print copy. It took me a while to finish it since I was reading so many other books at the same time, but here are my thoughts.
This was published as a serial, and in that format it does work. Each chapter is interesting. There is enough story in each chapter to stand on its own, but there is also the excitement to make the reader want to know what will happen next.
There were some errors in the copy I have that a copy editor would have found. This is supposed to be from a small publishing house, but a publisher all the same. That's no fault of the author, but I would expect a more professional job.
The "villain" James never quite gels. He reminds me of the psychopaths that Dean Koontz tries to write as a villain. I applaud the effort, but it doesn't quite make it with this guy. He's just too... odd.
I am disappointed in who turned out to be the big villain of the story. There was some character building and sympathy generated for it to be thrown away at the end. I was also disappointed in the story line about the abused teen girl who wanted to use OpenWhistle to get out of her horrible situation. In retrospect, I seriously wonder what the point of that part of the story was since nothing was done with it.
On the whole, though, it's a good story for a bit of escapism, and the main character does go through some positive changes. She evolves beyond being a bored and boring housewife.
This was published as a serial, and in that format it does work. Each chapter is interesting. There is enough story in each chapter to stand on its own, but there is also the excitement to make the reader want to know what will happen next.
There were some errors in the copy I have that a copy editor would have found. This is supposed to be from a small publishing house, but a publisher all the same. That's no fault of the author, but I would expect a more professional job.
The "villain" James never quite gels. He reminds me of the psychopaths that Dean Koontz tries to write as a villain. I applaud the effort, but it doesn't quite make it with this guy. He's just too... odd.
I am disappointed in who turned out to be the big villain of the story. There was some character building and sympathy generated for it to be thrown away at the end. I was also disappointed in the story line about the abused teen girl who wanted to use OpenWhistle to get out of her horrible situation. In retrospect, I seriously wonder what the point of that part of the story was since nothing was done with it.
On the whole, though, it's a good story for a bit of escapism, and the main character does go through some positive changes. She evolves beyond being a bored and boring housewife.
January 7, 2013
I mean, it's called Hacker Mom. Of course I was going to read it with a title like that. The problem is that the title is completely misleading: there is no character in this book who is both a mom and a hacker. So with that huge selling point out of the way, there's nothing else to really recommend this book. None of the characters are very likable or even compelling. The story is pretty interesting, but the writing isn't great.
Kindle serials are kind of like comics, both being serialized stories, and this one would have worked much better as a comic book. In fact, this would have been pretty good as a comic book, assuming it had good art. They should get on that.
Kindle serials are kind of like comics, both being serialized stories, and this one would have worked much better as a comic book. In fact, this would have been pretty good as a comic book, assuming it had good art. They should get on that.
January 8, 2013
This was not a spectacular serial but it was fun, somewhat silly and generally enjoyable. My expectations weren't high (I've been a tech professional for a long time), which probably helped.
The serial format helped this book in small ways. I think I would have been frustrated by the writing in the middle (it gets a little heavy-handed) or the lack of character development if I hadn't been reading it in small parts. The plot was good but felt rushed at the end.
It was a fun serial experience, a good light read, and there were some highly amusing moments.
The serial format helped this book in small ways. I think I would have been frustrated by the writing in the middle (it gets a little heavy-handed) or the lack of character development if I hadn't been reading it in small parts. The plot was good but felt rushed at the end.
It was a fun serial experience, a good light read, and there were some highly amusing moments.
May 16, 2015
Becky Taylor wants a career that allows her to fight for social justice instead she is a stay at home mom with a four year old son and a husband with an important career as a prosecutor.
She feels something is missing and her sister keeps reminding her of her ambition to fight for social justice. Becky discovers a disc with damaging information about a megabank. She begins covertly seeking information and exposes state and corporate secrets and now the Feds are on her trail.
The book is only five hours long but is interesting and a timely topic. The author builds the suspense throughout the story and there is some humor. There are a number of technical errors that would turn off the more technical skilled reader. The book is an average get away from it all read. I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. Tanya Eby narrated the book.
She feels something is missing and her sister keeps reminding her of her ambition to fight for social justice. Becky discovers a disc with damaging information about a megabank. She begins covertly seeking information and exposes state and corporate secrets and now the Feds are on her trail.
The book is only five hours long but is interesting and a timely topic. The author builds the suspense throughout the story and there is some humor. There are a number of technical errors that would turn off the more technical skilled reader. The book is an average get away from it all read. I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. Tanya Eby narrated the book.
November 6, 2012
I was a little disappointed in this book. Being in the Networking/PC profession, The Title lead me to believe other than what it really was. I won't go into detail in case you want to read it. Don't want to spoil it for anyone else. If I wasn't in the profession, I may have enjoyed it more.
October 1, 2012
This is another Kindle Serial I picked up. Its ok, and I'm interested in seeing if it actually goes anywhere, so I'll keep reading, just not sure it was worth the $1.99 yet.....
December 31, 2012
I want more! Waiting for next installment.
October 23, 2012
My first serial book and I'm curious what will come next. It's an easy and enjoyable read. I liked the 'hacking' / computer system theme and hope the author continues down this subject matter.
February 14, 2018
Fun story with the suspense based on how much people underestimate mothers
March 2, 2018
Different
This is different than any book I've ever read. I like this unique way of uncovering injustice. It's definitely original!
This is different than any book I've ever read. I like this unique way of uncovering injustice. It's definitely original!
June 11, 2015
The story of Becky Taylor and her adventures with the highly controversial Open Whistle whistle blowing internet site is absolute genius! I love the idea of a stay at home mom getting involved in something so big and spectacular, all without disrupting her motherly duties.
Becky attends a hackers conference in Las Vegas to provide support to her sister Molly who will be a guest speaker. Molly used to be a notorious hacker and has now gone legit in the business world. During Becky's time there, she bumps into the wrong person, or right person, it depends how you look at it, and this encounter changes her life way beyond her wildest dreams. Becky has just been slipped a disk that has proof of a huge bank committing fraud! Not so much a shocker to me, but gasp! After Molly decrypts the disk and opens the files, she tells her sister that there is only one thing she can do, turn it into Open Whistle, this is just up their alley.
Once Becky is able to see what a glorious feeling turning this corrupt bank in gives her, she doesn't want the feeling to end. So Becky goes onto Open Whistle and signs up as a volunteer. All the while keeping this new job from her husband Hank and her friends. I don't think Becky had any idea she just jumped down the rabbit hole. The company she thinks is doing good is actually corrupt itself. By the time Becky finds this out, all hell has broken loose in her life, and she is about to go down as a traitor to her country!
I appreciate how Becky's character was depicted in this story. Although she is a stay at home mother, that doesn't mean she is dumb, uneducated, or lazy. She just wants the best for her son Jacob, and not sticking him in full time daycare while she works a stressful job is what is best for him. But on the other hand, if all she has to do is make a few phone calls, and have a few discrete drop off meetings to help rid her country of evil doers, then why not?! I also love how the deeper Becky gets into Open Whistle the more she starts figuring out on her own the who, what, and where of it all. I did feel the ending left me feeling not quite satisfied, but overall the book was good.
Narrator Review
Tanya Eby was a very good narrator. I enjoyed her voice, and her depiction of all the characters. Tanya's narration wasn't outstanding but it wasn't awful either, it was ok/good. I have no complaints, so I give her a 3 star rating as well.
Becky attends a hackers conference in Las Vegas to provide support to her sister Molly who will be a guest speaker. Molly used to be a notorious hacker and has now gone legit in the business world. During Becky's time there, she bumps into the wrong person, or right person, it depends how you look at it, and this encounter changes her life way beyond her wildest dreams. Becky has just been slipped a disk that has proof of a huge bank committing fraud! Not so much a shocker to me, but gasp! After Molly decrypts the disk and opens the files, she tells her sister that there is only one thing she can do, turn it into Open Whistle, this is just up their alley.
Once Becky is able to see what a glorious feeling turning this corrupt bank in gives her, she doesn't want the feeling to end. So Becky goes onto Open Whistle and signs up as a volunteer. All the while keeping this new job from her husband Hank and her friends. I don't think Becky had any idea she just jumped down the rabbit hole. The company she thinks is doing good is actually corrupt itself. By the time Becky finds this out, all hell has broken loose in her life, and she is about to go down as a traitor to her country!
I appreciate how Becky's character was depicted in this story. Although she is a stay at home mother, that doesn't mean she is dumb, uneducated, or lazy. She just wants the best for her son Jacob, and not sticking him in full time daycare while she works a stressful job is what is best for him. But on the other hand, if all she has to do is make a few phone calls, and have a few discrete drop off meetings to help rid her country of evil doers, then why not?! I also love how the deeper Becky gets into Open Whistle the more she starts figuring out on her own the who, what, and where of it all. I did feel the ending left me feeling not quite satisfied, but overall the book was good.
Narrator Review
Tanya Eby was a very good narrator. I enjoyed her voice, and her depiction of all the characters. Tanya's narration wasn't outstanding but it wasn't awful either, it was ok/good. I have no complaints, so I give her a 3 star rating as well.
December 19, 2023
DNF. Stopped around 64% because by that time, even though the premise was wonderful, it failed to really grab my attention. I do think for some it will be a lovely action story, but I was getting lost in the why and the how.
October 25, 2015
Techno-Mommy Chick Lit
What made the experience of listening to Hacker Mom the most enjoyable?
The entire experience as a whole package was enjoyable, I can't single out a single key element by itself.
What did you like best about this story?
I liked best that the focus was really more on the social interactions and psychological inner experiences of the protagonist.
Becky Taylor is a suburban soccer-mom with little to no technical background, no career and no specific aspirations, definitively sinking into the quicksand of the ennui of stay-at-home motherhood of one treasured and pampered preschooler. She gets a trip away from home to see her sister in all her public glory as a renowned hacker and gets swept up into a techie entanglement that her sister wants nothing to do with beyond goading Big Sis into one teensy tiny bit of hacktivism.
From there is it part comedy, part thriller, part post-modern 21st Century "is this all there is, and what happened to my life" memoir of just your average upper class earnest but sheltered mommy type. And it was fun, funny, and oddly - strangely - thought provoking.
What does Tanya Eby bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?
Every nuance of Becky Taylor's self-doubt and self-reflection was perfectly voiced and conveyed by the reader. I know I couldn't have gotten that rich of an experience that I had hearing it, if I had only read it.
Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?
There were several that I laughed out loud, and a few that made me rewind-relisten-repeat, not for the techie aspects, but for the human experience that Becky was having and how she was mentally processing it for herself.
Any additional comments?
This book is highly unrealistic in plot and action, and also highly enjoyable. Great fun, and a great listen. An overall 4 stars on the story because it was just that bit of silly.
What made the experience of listening to Hacker Mom the most enjoyable?
The entire experience as a whole package was enjoyable, I can't single out a single key element by itself.
What did you like best about this story?
I liked best that the focus was really more on the social interactions and psychological inner experiences of the protagonist.
Becky Taylor is a suburban soccer-mom with little to no technical background, no career and no specific aspirations, definitively sinking into the quicksand of the ennui of stay-at-home motherhood of one treasured and pampered preschooler. She gets a trip away from home to see her sister in all her public glory as a renowned hacker and gets swept up into a techie entanglement that her sister wants nothing to do with beyond goading Big Sis into one teensy tiny bit of hacktivism.
From there is it part comedy, part thriller, part post-modern 21st Century "is this all there is, and what happened to my life" memoir of just your average upper class earnest but sheltered mommy type. And it was fun, funny, and oddly - strangely - thought provoking.
What does Tanya Eby bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?
Every nuance of Becky Taylor's self-doubt and self-reflection was perfectly voiced and conveyed by the reader. I know I couldn't have gotten that rich of an experience that I had hearing it, if I had only read it.
Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?
There were several that I laughed out loud, and a few that made me rewind-relisten-repeat, not for the techie aspects, but for the human experience that Becky was having and how she was mentally processing it for herself.
Any additional comments?
This book is highly unrealistic in plot and action, and also highly enjoyable. Great fun, and a great listen. An overall 4 stars on the story because it was just that bit of silly.
December 21, 2015
I think this is a 2½, because I was wavering between 2 and 3. In the end, I rounded down, because there just wasn't a lot here that impressed me.
A few things truly drove me nuts, and I spent the rest of the book waiting for them to be explained as more than just casual oversight:
1. A well-respected hacker finds a planted disk at DEF CON and just pops it into her computer? I can only believe this if she was traveling with a non-networked burner laptop, but even then, I would expect her to either ignore it completely or investigate in a closed protected test environment. But okay, it's there to further the plot, so I'll let it slide.
2. To protect a source, they hack into the account of the CEO of a disreputable company, so that they can create a fake account to download the incriminating file. Even though using a fake account will give the company the opportunity to deny the claim as a fake. They already have access to the CEO's account. Why bother creating another account to download the file? Just download the file from the CEO's account! This one didn't really affect the plot, so it bothered me more.
Setting technical details aside....
The story was just okay. It was fast-paced, and the writing wasn't bad, but the structure of the book feels sloppy.
An entirely new character is introduced somewhere in the middle of the story. Her plot line has no resolution and no impact on the rest of the book. In fact, this one-off character and setting are never even mentioned again.
The ending is also so abrupt that I wasn't even sure that the book was over. There is a big Hollywood duel, and then the book ends. Apparently Rachlis expects the reader to care so little about these characters that we shouldn't wonder what happens to them. One of the last sentences in the book literally states that the protagonist has no idea how these events will affect her immediate life. The end.
A few things truly drove me nuts, and I spent the rest of the book waiting for them to be explained as more than just casual oversight:
1. A well-respected hacker finds a planted disk at DEF CON and just pops it into her computer? I can only believe this if she was traveling with a non-networked burner laptop, but even then, I would expect her to either ignore it completely or investigate in a closed protected test environment. But okay, it's there to further the plot, so I'll let it slide.
2. To protect a source, they hack into the account of the CEO of a disreputable company, so that they can create a fake account to download the incriminating file. Even though using a fake account will give the company the opportunity to deny the claim as a fake. They already have access to the CEO's account. Why bother creating another account to download the file? Just download the file from the CEO's account! This one didn't really affect the plot, so it bothered me more.
Setting technical details aside....
The story was just okay. It was fast-paced, and the writing wasn't bad, but the structure of the book feels sloppy.
An entirely new character is introduced somewhere in the middle of the story. Her plot line has no resolution and no impact on the rest of the book. In fact, this one-off character and setting are never even mentioned again.
The ending is also so abrupt that I wasn't even sure that the book was over. There is a big Hollywood duel, and then the book ends. Apparently Rachlis expects the reader to care so little about these characters that we shouldn't wonder what happens to them. One of the last sentences in the book literally states that the protagonist has no idea how these events will affect her immediate life. The end.
March 31, 2013
I received this book as a free PDF.
I really enjoyed it, it is an easy read and a good story. I was able to fall right in and see the places and people Austen is describing.
There are some minor spelling errors but that does not take away from the story BUT I think there are loose ends in this story and one that is really bugging me is Marcys Chapter.
Why the hell would you write about a girl that gets raped and desperately tries to escape this situation and then NEVER EVER mention her again? I am really upset about this, even if is only a fictional character in my opinion that was absolutely not necessary for the story or anything in this book. What happened to her? Why did you make her part of the story and then neglect her fate? I can't wrap my head around this. Is it that the author just wanted to have some brutality in his story?
I don't understand and because of this part this book does not get my "full points". Other than that - and I am repeating myself here - it is a really good story that I enjoyed very much.
I really enjoyed it, it is an easy read and a good story. I was able to fall right in and see the places and people Austen is describing.
There are some minor spelling errors but that does not take away from the story BUT I think there are loose ends in this story and one that is really bugging me is Marcys Chapter.
Why the hell would you write about a girl that gets raped and desperately tries to escape this situation and then NEVER EVER mention her again? I am really upset about this, even if is only a fictional character in my opinion that was absolutely not necessary for the story or anything in this book. What happened to her? Why did you make her part of the story and then neglect her fate? I can't wrap my head around this. Is it that the author just wanted to have some brutality in his story?
I don't understand and because of this part this book does not get my "full points". Other than that - and I am repeating myself here - it is a really good story that I enjoyed very much.
January 25, 2013
I felt Hacker Mom by Austen Rachlis was a disappointment. Hacker Mom was released as a Kindle serial, with a different chapter released every month or so. I have read chapter books before (King's Green Mile and John Saul's Blackstone Chronicles) and liked the idea of a chapter book on my e-reader. The book was a bit hard to get into, but I liked the idea of a different "hacking job" coming up in each chapter. Ultimately, though I felt it fell flat. The overall plot was a bit discombobulated and the separate incidents did not come together in the end. In fact, one story started but was left hanging, leaving the reader to wonder what the heck happened there, as if the author went off on a different tangent and forgot what she had started. There were lots of grammatical errors/typos as well. Bad editing overall.
February 19, 2013
****won from goodreads giveaway****
I was pretty excited about winning this book, it sound like a fun book to read. I was a bit disappointed in it though.
Some parts of this book were a bit random and never totally fit with other parts and there was an entire section where a new character was brought in but then it never went anywhere leaving you wondering what the point of the entire chapter was for.
Overall, there were some funny moments and it was a bit entertaining. A quick read but not the best written.
I was pretty excited about winning this book, it sound like a fun book to read. I was a bit disappointed in it though.
Some parts of this book were a bit random and never totally fit with other parts and there was an entire section where a new character was brought in but then it never went anywhere leaving you wondering what the point of the entire chapter was for.
Overall, there were some funny moments and it was a bit entertaining. A quick read but not the best written.
February 23, 2013
I was given an ebook version of this title and read it in one day. It was a good tale, interesting twists and very readable. I do wish it had been longer and had more character development and full background stories (esp. for the villian).
The idea of a housewive turned hacker was cute (very Scarecrow and Mrs. King) but not very believable. Someone with as little apparent computer savvy as the main character couldn't hack corporate accounts, you can't learn via osmosis from your legendary hacker sibling.
The idea of a housewive turned hacker was cute (very Scarecrow and Mrs. King) but not very believable. Someone with as little apparent computer savvy as the main character couldn't hack corporate accounts, you can't learn via osmosis from your legendary hacker sibling.
February 20, 2013
I received this as a goodread promotional copy.
Well - that was one of those kinds of books that was kind of just there. I didn't love it - didn't hate it. Some of the characters and connections got really convoluted and I wasn't quite sure why we got so much back story on some (James for instance) and virtually none on others (Ego).
Full Review:
http://paperpossebookblog.blogspot.co...
Well - that was one of those kinds of books that was kind of just there. I didn't love it - didn't hate it. Some of the characters and connections got really convoluted and I wasn't quite sure why we got so much back story on some (James for instance) and virtually none on others (Ego).
Full Review:
http://paperpossebookblog.blogspot.co...
February 22, 2013
This was the first "serial" I have read so I don't have a lot to compare it to. I must have liked it because each time a new episode arrived I went straight to it on my Kindle. I suppose it may have been thin in places, more character development (although the detective was fairly unforgettable) and some more insight to the underground world of hacking, would have made for a bit less bubble gum and a bit more steak. Overall though this series was a lot of fun.
March 10, 2013
I received this as a free PDF after I entered a giveaway to get a free copy of the book. I didn't know until after seeing some other reviews that this was published as a serial. The story flows well and I had been actually thinking that it would have made a nice ongoing series or trilogy. Is it a 5 star master piece destined to be a classic? Of course not. But, on the whole, it was a fun read with some interesting plot turns. I'd actually give this 3 1/2 Stars if I could...
March 10, 2013
The characters were interesting and I really liked Becky.
It was very different from any other book I have read. Not a page-turner for me and not my type of story. I didn't find it terribly interesting.
I think this would have been better on TV.
It was very different from any other book I have read. Not a page-turner for me and not my type of story. I didn't find it terribly interesting.
I think this would have been better on TV.
February 22, 2013
Another interesting serialized story to entertain me over lunch. I really enjoyed the nice break this provided in my work day. The story provided just the right mix of episode and long-term plot that it kept me interested.
January 23, 2013
I didnt feel that it was a waste of my time but i had trouble following along. I wasnt fond of the switching back and forth between characters. some we never see again in the story. However thisbook did have some laughs and it was a quick read.
August 10, 2013
Hacker Mom is an interesting book. There are so many twist and turns you think your on a roller coaster. Though when I got to the end, I felt like the story was not finished - I really wanted to hear the whole story. I recommend it - it is a good suspense book and it will keep you wondering.
October 2, 2013
Becky Taylor, a young mother, attends a hacker convention with her sister and four year old son in tow. An minor accidental encounter leads her on a journey with a lot of risks. She ends up leading a double life that could spell big trouble for her and her family.
May 14, 2015
It was a struggle to pay attention to a book called Hacker Mom that didn't have a hacker mom in it. I suppose Uploader Mom or Whistle Blower Mom were already taken. Seriously, it was outdated in parts that made no sense for it to be. And the characters weren't developed enough.
December 28, 2012
I was very hooked on this serial and enjoyed the ride, but I was disappointed in the ending--I just couldn't entirely buy it.
November 5, 2014
very cool book for any mom looking for a little fun to read. wish I would have just keep reading it. but for my first Anson series type book it was pretty goood
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews