Backslash

by William H. Lovejoy

When a cyber terrorist seizes control of the Worldwide Information Network, computer crimes special agent Luanne Russell hunts down a second computer criminal on the run and challenges him to confront the terrorist.

Genres: Fiction, Crime

419 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 1996

About the author

William H. Lovejoy is the bestselling author of thriller and mystery novels with publications in English, Japanese, Spanish, Bulgarian, Czech, and Hebrew.

Born at Fort Huachuca, Arizona, Lovejoy grew up in Nebraska, Montana, and Colorado. He earned bachelor's and master's degrees from Colorado State University. A Vietnam veteran, he has served as a college assistant professor, a state college president, and a college system chief fiscal officer. He is Vice Chancellor Emeritus from Mohave Community College.

As a "master storyteller" according to Clive Cussler, Lovejoy has written novels in a broad range of genres and is currently focused on mystery and mystery-thrillers. BELLE CHASSE is a mystery that explores the sea, and TRIGGER HAPPY climbs into the sky. NOW YOU DON'T chases down Romanov treasures in Albuquerque.

Reviews

[Carl E · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this in the late 1990s and appreciated the character development and attention to detail for many of the places mentioned. The ending was difficult to follow, but the story was very interesting and definitely a page turner.

[Cynthia · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you were a computer geek in the 90s, you’ll enjoy the nostalgic pull of this book. My only complaint is that the ending could have been better crafted.

[Ian · Rating 1 out of 5]

It's not often I give up on a book but I abandoned this one after a couple of chapters. The homophone error in the opening paragraph rang warning bells, but the final straw was a series of lengthy info dumps that destroyed whatever tension had built in the plot.

Written in the 1990s the technical stuff also now seems very dated.

Only the fact that it was a Kindle edition stopped me from hurling it at the wall in frustration.

[Matthew · Rating 4 out of 5]

So bad it is good. Re-reading one of my adolescent favorites. Great cyber thriller, even if the tech is outdated and dumbed down. Fairly clean as well, minus the language. The ending left me wanting more this time…a longer finale and a bit more closure after the climax.

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

1996 makes this a little old for a technology book. I felt the author got a few of the technology items incorrect, but overall reasonably good.

[Vicki]

Chose this book because it reminded me of the last Diehard movie, and I thought it might be fun. We will see.

[Todd Smith · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cool but stupid ending