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Dire Consequences
After serving a three-year sentence in juvenile detention for hacking corporate computer systems, including those of notorious crime boss Jack Duvaldi, Ethan Scott emerges from his education as a twenty-five-year-old job seeker with a criminal record. Starting his own security firm, he is soon employed by South African mining magnate Bob Duncan to investigate suspected cyber-attacks on the Duncan Corporation’s computer systems. With the help of Duncan’s IT executive niece, Katherine Trevett, Ethan uncovers a Duvaldi mole in the Duncan Corporation. However, when Ethan and Kat go to New York to gather more information, they soon find themselves face-to-face with the man himself. Ethan must find a way to stop Duvaldi once and for all, no matter the cost. With gang wars, kidnappings, and fierce shootouts on the horizon, Ethan and Kat have to stay one step ahead of the game while keeping one foot out of the grave. Dire Consequences is a gripping new technology thriller that dives right into criminal fiction head on. Packed with larger-than-life characters embroiled in a tense, globe-trotting conflict, this exhilarating novel by Neil Duffy will captivate readers with a delightfully over-the-top experience. In an exciting tale of organized crime and corruption, Ethan must confront danger head on while attempting to manage his budding relationship with Kat. A wonderful mixture of intrigue, action, and suspense, this engaging novel will enrapture readers from the very beginning. Set between Johannesburg, New York, and the Greek island of Naxos, Dire Consequences takes readers on an enthralling adventure across the globe. Utilizing a unique blend of characters, the novel features a protagonist who fights crime with a laptop and smartphone instead of a Glock or Beretta, and a female lead who is the heiress to a multinational corporation but can also take down New York City thugs in unarmed combat. A truly unique entry into criminal fiction, this fantastic thriller will keep readers hooked until the very last page…and then some.
264 pages, Paperback
First published May 3, 2013
4 people want to read
About the author
Neil Duffy
5 books1 followerNeil Duffy and his wife live in Johannesburg, near their two sons and their families. They keep in constant touch with their daughter and her family, who live in Germany. He recently published two cybercrime thrillers, Dire Consequences and Secret Minds, both listed on Amazon and Kindle.
How does a retired business school professor get to write cybercrime thrillers instead of textbooks? Surprisingly easily if he enjoys crafting plots, living dangerously with his characters, and trying to tell a good story about the fascinating world of the Internet
How does a retired business school professor get to write cybercrime thrillers instead of textbooks? Surprisingly easily if he enjoys crafting plots, living dangerously with his characters, and trying to tell a good story about the fascinating world of the Internet
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
June 4, 2019
‘These guys would make good angels of death’
South African author Neil Duffy has been an educator at a South African business school, writing management textbooks as well as numerous academic papers. He is now retired, maintaining his Professor Emeritus status. DIRE CONSEQENCES was his literary debut in 2013. He has since published SECRET MINDS and CYBERCRIME DAYS. He lives in Johannesburg.
Neil makes fine use of his background in molding this impressive debt thriller novel. The setting is contemporary Johannesburg and the main characters are hi tech computer graduates. The principal character is Ethan Scott, a lad with exceptional computer skills, including the art of hacking. His ‘skills’ led to his arrest when he hacked into the corporate computer system of Jack Duvaldi, a major crime boss. Upon release from the juvenile detention center he opens his own security firm – a major client being Duncan Corporation, joins with Duncan’s IT executive niece Kat Trevett, and together they discover that Duvaldi has a mole in Duncan Corporation. Ethan and Kat travel to New York to investigate and there encounter Duvaldi – and the crises begin. Committed to stopping Duvaldi, the two face terrifying hurdles as race through the world of crime to achieve their mission.
The quality of writing is first rate, as the Prologue of the book proves: ‘The bedroom door flew open and crashed against the bookshelf. Jabu Nkuna and Ethan Scott jerked upright in their chairs and stared wide-eyed at the source of the noise. Ethan’s heart was threatening to pound its way out of his chest. Four police officers in blue shirts, khaki trousers, and black caps exploded into the room with Z88 pistols, weaving from side to side. Once inside the room, they stopped and pointed the weapons at the two boys. Two men followed at a more leisurely pace. They were unarmed. The first was apparently the officer in charge, judging form his police uniform and the badges of rank on his shoulders. The second was a man in a dark grey suit, white shirt, and purple tie. He stopped and scanned the room. He didn’t appear impressed as he stared at Ethan’s humble bedroom, with its single bed, two chairs, bookcase, and wardrobe. No pictures. Ethan sat in front of his HP laptop, his hands resting on the keyboard…’ And that degree of intensity continues throughout this engrossing book.
Strong character sculpting and very contemporary analysis of computers and those many who are entwined in all aspects of hi tech savvy and crime make this book an exceptionally fine thriller as well as a commentary on our obsession with technology. Neil Duffy has the gift for fine writing! Recommended.
South African author Neil Duffy has been an educator at a South African business school, writing management textbooks as well as numerous academic papers. He is now retired, maintaining his Professor Emeritus status. DIRE CONSEQENCES was his literary debut in 2013. He has since published SECRET MINDS and CYBERCRIME DAYS. He lives in Johannesburg.
Neil makes fine use of his background in molding this impressive debt thriller novel. The setting is contemporary Johannesburg and the main characters are hi tech computer graduates. The principal character is Ethan Scott, a lad with exceptional computer skills, including the art of hacking. His ‘skills’ led to his arrest when he hacked into the corporate computer system of Jack Duvaldi, a major crime boss. Upon release from the juvenile detention center he opens his own security firm – a major client being Duncan Corporation, joins with Duncan’s IT executive niece Kat Trevett, and together they discover that Duvaldi has a mole in Duncan Corporation. Ethan and Kat travel to New York to investigate and there encounter Duvaldi – and the crises begin. Committed to stopping Duvaldi, the two face terrifying hurdles as race through the world of crime to achieve their mission.
The quality of writing is first rate, as the Prologue of the book proves: ‘The bedroom door flew open and crashed against the bookshelf. Jabu Nkuna and Ethan Scott jerked upright in their chairs and stared wide-eyed at the source of the noise. Ethan’s heart was threatening to pound its way out of his chest. Four police officers in blue shirts, khaki trousers, and black caps exploded into the room with Z88 pistols, weaving from side to side. Once inside the room, they stopped and pointed the weapons at the two boys. Two men followed at a more leisurely pace. They were unarmed. The first was apparently the officer in charge, judging form his police uniform and the badges of rank on his shoulders. The second was a man in a dark grey suit, white shirt, and purple tie. He stopped and scanned the room. He didn’t appear impressed as he stared at Ethan’s humble bedroom, with its single bed, two chairs, bookcase, and wardrobe. No pictures. Ethan sat in front of his HP laptop, his hands resting on the keyboard…’ And that degree of intensity continues throughout this engrossing book.
Strong character sculpting and very contemporary analysis of computers and those many who are entwined in all aspects of hi tech savvy and crime make this book an exceptionally fine thriller as well as a commentary on our obsession with technology. Neil Duffy has the gift for fine writing! Recommended.
June 1, 2019
This story is about smart and intelligent young people who work with computers and know about
them more than ordinary people. An interesting and intriguing story about Ethan Scott, who was
in the prison but after could found his company and then with Kat's assistant, they are trying to
stop Duvaldi from committing a crime. A mixture of novel, action and intrigue will not leave
anyone indifferent. I read with great interest and pleasure. The content of the book was easy to
understand, so I read it quickly enough. I liked the description of the characters, for me it is
important in the books. The author did a good job, interesting turns of events and the idea itself -
all this inspired to read. I recommend reading, because this book will be a great friend in your
free time when you want to relax and read. I didn’t regret at all that I got it.
them more than ordinary people. An interesting and intriguing story about Ethan Scott, who was
in the prison but after could found his company and then with Kat's assistant, they are trying to
stop Duvaldi from committing a crime. A mixture of novel, action and intrigue will not leave
anyone indifferent. I read with great interest and pleasure. The content of the book was easy to
understand, so I read it quickly enough. I liked the description of the characters, for me it is
important in the books. The author did a good job, interesting turns of events and the idea itself -
all this inspired to read. I recommend reading, because this book will be a great friend in your
free time when you want to relax and read. I didn’t regret at all that I got it.
June 4, 2019
Dire Consequences by Neil Duffy is a thrilling book that features Ethan Scott, who starts his own company after being in the criminal justice system for computer hacking. With his own security firm, he is asked to investigate several cyber attacks, concerning to a mining magnate. This book is a thrill ride, well paced to keep your attention, along with a plot that entertains and is complex as well. The characters themselves are quite believable, and as you get immersed in the action and story, you become more absorbed in the action, hoping for a positive resolution to all of the twists and turn. For a debut novel, this one hits all of the important markers, great writing, a solid plot, and good characters. This is also a window into the world of South Africa, which is interesting unto itself. Highly recommend.
June 9, 2019
In many ways this is a classic thriller, it is tense, exciting, fast-paced, with good action, dialogue and not much wasting time. Main character is kind of a hacker, computer savvy young man who paid for his crimes and now has found himself in more of a trouble than he imagined. I don't know much about the world of hi-tech security, hackers and all that, so I can't really say how believable everything in the book is, but frankly, I didn't care much. It is enough for me that the writing is gripping and skillful, characters are interesting enough and not too much of a cliche, and the setting of South Africa is refreshing and somewhat rare in the books I read. It is a fast and easy read, perfect for a hot summer day (or evening, or morning, or beach...) so dive in if you like cool, exciting hi-tech thrillers.
June 21, 2019
A delightful surprise was this Dire Consequences. Even though it has a less than appealing cover, the great premise and the amazing reviews I read were enough to convince me to buy it. I read it quickly because I was really drawn into this world of cyber security and mysteries.
The plotline is quite clear and easy to follow throughout the story, bringing an excelente flow and pace and allowing the readers to keep track on what is happening, even with a sucession of twists and turns that could get us off guard. The characters are well developed and multi dimensional, taking the readers in a worldwide trip into some very cosmopolitan settings. It was a very enjoyable reading and – for sure – I’m keeping an eye into the author’s other works.
The plotline is quite clear and easy to follow throughout the story, bringing an excelente flow and pace and allowing the readers to keep track on what is happening, even with a sucession of twists and turns that could get us off guard. The characters are well developed and multi dimensional, taking the readers in a worldwide trip into some very cosmopolitan settings. It was a very enjoyable reading and – for sure – I’m keeping an eye into the author’s other works.
May 25, 2017
Most enjoyable. Full of suspense. Lot of research made it all the more exciting and knowledge of countries and cities mentioned made one feel you were right there. Thank you for a good read.
May 1, 2017
I thoroughly enjoyed this well-written, action-packed and highly entertaining adventure, set in modern day Johannesburg. Three young friends have just graduated with computer degrees and are beginning their high-tech careers. They are young, enthusiastic, not-so-geeky techies, who are hoping to use their considerable talents to fight computer crime. Ethan, the main character has recovered from some traumatic setbacks in his youth and has become a highly intelligent computer specialist and a proficient hacker. He is not your smooth James Bond type - he is far more competent with a laptop than a weapon and is not so sure of himself in the presence of attractive women. However he is also bold, resourceful and always creative - the unorthodox methods he uses to achieve his goals are most entertaining.
As Ethan gets sucked into a race to stop a powerful crime boss across the world in New York, he needs all the help he can get from his techie friends and the feisty ladies in his life. Believe me, after meeting AJ and Kat, you will wonder why women were ever referred to as the "weaker sex"! I found it hard to put down this fast-paced novel and I arrived at the last page far too soon. Apart from the suspense, I particularly liked the glimpses into life in modern South Africa (this is not a political book though) and the unorthodox hero who fights crime with ingenuity and creativity, instead of brute force and violence.
As Ethan gets sucked into a race to stop a powerful crime boss across the world in New York, he needs all the help he can get from his techie friends and the feisty ladies in his life. Believe me, after meeting AJ and Kat, you will wonder why women were ever referred to as the "weaker sex"! I found it hard to put down this fast-paced novel and I arrived at the last page far too soon. Apart from the suspense, I particularly liked the glimpses into life in modern South Africa (this is not a political book though) and the unorthodox hero who fights crime with ingenuity and creativity, instead of brute force and violence.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews