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Hunter/O’Sullivan Adventure #1
The Hack
"A rapid-fire international thriller. A real page turner from start to finish."
George Simm, friend of the US President and well-respected international business guru, leads a double life... until he is murdered in Thailand. For Kate O’Sullivan, a freelance journalist, his death provides the scoop of her dreams when her computer genius brother discovers Simm’s dark secret – by hacking into the CIA’s confidential report on the killing. Kate sells the story to a UK tabloid newspaper, setting in motion a bloody chain of events that destroys many lives, and threatens her own.
With a serial killer on the loose in Thailand, the CIA on the hunt for Kate’s brother, and ruthless VIPs in London determined not to let Simm’s death expose their own pedophile activities, Kate’s world will never be the same again...
(Full length novel c107,000 words)
George Simm, friend of the US President and well-respected international business guru, leads a double life... until he is murdered in Thailand. For Kate O’Sullivan, a freelance journalist, his death provides the scoop of her dreams when her computer genius brother discovers Simm’s dark secret – by hacking into the CIA’s confidential report on the killing. Kate sells the story to a UK tabloid newspaper, setting in motion a bloody chain of events that destroys many lives, and threatens her own.
With a serial killer on the loose in Thailand, the CIA on the hunt for Kate’s brother, and ruthless VIPs in London determined not to let Simm’s death expose their own pedophile activities, Kate’s world will never be the same again...
(Full length novel c107,000 words)
292 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 21, 2012
1297 people are currently reading
819 people want to read
About the author
Will Patching
26 books149 followersWill Patching's approach to writing
Will writes gritty crime stories that mix murder mystery, psychological suspense and intense thrills while offering unique insights into the darker side of human nature. His ‘pull no punches’ style and sparse but often brutal descriptive passages will not suit all readers, so if you are into cozy mysteries you might want to look elsewhere!
With complex plots and rounded characters, Will’s novels are necessarily longer than average, usually well over 100,000 words, so these are definitely stories designed for readers who like to really get their teeth into a good yarn!
Now considered something of an expert on psychopaths, thanks to his extensive research and personal experience of people with this personality disorder, Will set up a popular website to help lay readers understand these destructive individuals and why their existence is so important to society in general. Visit the site here.
Will’s writing draws heavily on this expertise but his novels are designed to entertain rather than educate – though many readers appreciate both aspects of his writing. He is currently working on completing two trilogies, though each novel is a self-contained story.
The first novel in each trilogy, Remorseless and The Hack, are already published, with the sequels due in late 2016 and early 2017 respectively. The third and final instalments are expected by the end of 2017.
Personal background:
Will Patching was born and raised in ‘Sarf Lunnon’, Engerland, or at least, that’s how he pronounces it! Hence, many scenes from his novels are situated in London, the surrounding suburbs and other parts of southeast England, though they also span as far afield as Thailand and the USA.
His approach to writing is to hit the reader with hard truths about the world we live in, and his mysteries, thrillers, and suspense novels are designed to get your pulse pounding. One male reader decided he needed to check his door locks late one night while reading Remorseless and subsequently commented on social media:
‘Seriously scary!’
Will’s eclectic professional experience – from his teenage role as a ‘gardener’ weeding sewage treatment filter beds, through flying a Hawk jet very fast, very low and very dangerously before the RAF realised and booted him out, then attending Harvard on a course for potential CEOs, largely thanks to the Peter Principle of promotion, and more recently, to building his dream, a charter yacht that sank in SE Asian waters – all have led to a rich and varied life, often reflected in his writing.
If you would like to know more about this indie author you might like to join Will’s Readers Group. You’ll also gain exclusive access to novel backstories, author insights, prize draws and more, including notification whenever a new novel is released. Head to this webpage for more info!
Will writes gritty crime stories that mix murder mystery, psychological suspense and intense thrills while offering unique insights into the darker side of human nature. His ‘pull no punches’ style and sparse but often brutal descriptive passages will not suit all readers, so if you are into cozy mysteries you might want to look elsewhere!
With complex plots and rounded characters, Will’s novels are necessarily longer than average, usually well over 100,000 words, so these are definitely stories designed for readers who like to really get their teeth into a good yarn!
Now considered something of an expert on psychopaths, thanks to his extensive research and personal experience of people with this personality disorder, Will set up a popular website to help lay readers understand these destructive individuals and why their existence is so important to society in general. Visit the site here.
Will’s writing draws heavily on this expertise but his novels are designed to entertain rather than educate – though many readers appreciate both aspects of his writing. He is currently working on completing two trilogies, though each novel is a self-contained story.
The first novel in each trilogy, Remorseless and The Hack, are already published, with the sequels due in late 2016 and early 2017 respectively. The third and final instalments are expected by the end of 2017.
Personal background:
Will Patching was born and raised in ‘Sarf Lunnon’, Engerland, or at least, that’s how he pronounces it! Hence, many scenes from his novels are situated in London, the surrounding suburbs and other parts of southeast England, though they also span as far afield as Thailand and the USA.
His approach to writing is to hit the reader with hard truths about the world we live in, and his mysteries, thrillers, and suspense novels are designed to get your pulse pounding. One male reader decided he needed to check his door locks late one night while reading Remorseless and subsequently commented on social media:
‘Seriously scary!’
Will’s eclectic professional experience – from his teenage role as a ‘gardener’ weeding sewage treatment filter beds, through flying a Hawk jet very fast, very low and very dangerously before the RAF realised and booted him out, then attending Harvard on a course for potential CEOs, largely thanks to the Peter Principle of promotion, and more recently, to building his dream, a charter yacht that sank in SE Asian waters – all have led to a rich and varied life, often reflected in his writing.
If you would like to know more about this indie author you might like to join Will’s Readers Group. You’ll also gain exclusive access to novel backstories, author insights, prize draws and more, including notification whenever a new novel is released. Head to this webpage for more info!
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 155 reviews
December 31, 2021
The Hack is the first book in a dark international thriller trilogy featuring Hunter, a CIA assassin turned vigilante killer of paedophiles, and idealistic London journalist Kate O’Sullivan. I had heard of this author through the UK Crime Book Club Facebook group, and picked this from my stupidly large accumulation of free ebooks to be my last book of the year, because he seems like a nice chap. A good move, as it turns out - this was brilliant and has restored my faith in free books!
When Doug Brown overhears a transaction in a Thai beach bar, a long dormant rage is reignited and he slaughters the American tourist who has bought a young boy to his hotel for sex. The man turns out to be a prominent businessman at the centre of a vast paedophile network and Kate is the first to break the story, thanks to her genius teenage brother’s hacking abilities. Travelling to Bangkok to follow the story, Kate and Johnny have no idea of the danger they’re in from the high-ranking monsters desperate to protect their power and wealth.
There is a note from the author at the start of this that if you’re the kind of person who needs a trigger warning, these probably aren’t the right books for you! It certainly does feature some gruesome killings & torture, references to child sexual abuse and some swearing, but none of it was gratuitous, and it was all necessary for the plot. In his afterword Patching references the huge UK and US investigations into CSA that remind us that unfortunately these horrific experiences are real for children around the world. It was originally published in 2006 but did not feel dated at all. This book puts the reader firmly on the side of a serial killer, and paints the law enforcement assigned to catch him in interesting shades of grey - in fact my favourite character was Chief of Police Lee, who stoically navigates the murky waters of Thai policing to try and achieve the greater good. I was also surprised by some of the characters who earned my sympathy, while others deserved everything they got.
This was very well written, especially for a debut novel, with convincing dialogue, fast paced action and believable skulduggery from all sides. It has a large cast of characters but I had no problem keeping track of them all; the chapters are quite long and the narrative occasionally had us jumping back to events which were described earlier from a different POV, jarring the timeline a little. There’s black humour and some gore, including descriptions which will have male readers wincing.
I’m not sure it needed the instant romance subplot, but the author wisely avoids any graphic sex scenes and the relationship will presumably be important for the sequel - The Hunter - which I have already bought. That’s the ultimate compliment from me, as I’m really really trying to avoid buying any new books until I get my TBR under control, but it’s a buzz to discover a new author who writes exactly the kinds of books I like best.
When Doug Brown overhears a transaction in a Thai beach bar, a long dormant rage is reignited and he slaughters the American tourist who has bought a young boy to his hotel for sex. The man turns out to be a prominent businessman at the centre of a vast paedophile network and Kate is the first to break the story, thanks to her genius teenage brother’s hacking abilities. Travelling to Bangkok to follow the story, Kate and Johnny have no idea of the danger they’re in from the high-ranking monsters desperate to protect their power and wealth.
There is a note from the author at the start of this that if you’re the kind of person who needs a trigger warning, these probably aren’t the right books for you! It certainly does feature some gruesome killings & torture, references to child sexual abuse and some swearing, but none of it was gratuitous, and it was all necessary for the plot. In his afterword Patching references the huge UK and US investigations into CSA that remind us that unfortunately these horrific experiences are real for children around the world. It was originally published in 2006 but did not feel dated at all. This book puts the reader firmly on the side of a serial killer, and paints the law enforcement assigned to catch him in interesting shades of grey - in fact my favourite character was Chief of Police Lee, who stoically navigates the murky waters of Thai policing to try and achieve the greater good. I was also surprised by some of the characters who earned my sympathy, while others deserved everything they got.
This was very well written, especially for a debut novel, with convincing dialogue, fast paced action and believable skulduggery from all sides. It has a large cast of characters but I had no problem keeping track of them all; the chapters are quite long and the narrative occasionally had us jumping back to events which were described earlier from a different POV, jarring the timeline a little. There’s black humour and some gore, including descriptions which will have male readers wincing.
I’m not sure it needed the instant romance subplot, but the author wisely avoids any graphic sex scenes and the relationship will presumably be important for the sequel - The Hunter - which I have already bought. That’s the ultimate compliment from me, as I’m really really trying to avoid buying any new books until I get my TBR under control, but it’s a buzz to discover a new author who writes exactly the kinds of books I like best.
October 15, 2021
5 stars audio and gritty twisted story!!!!
January 8, 2017
Will Patching’s “The Hack” asks the reader to interpret the various shades of human behavior. Is it wrong to be a vigilante if you do so with good intentions? And if the sentence is death, is it justified if you feel the other crime is worse than murder? The author has injected these and other questions into the book, thought-provoking dilemmas that may place the reader on both sides of the law by the time the last page is read.
Having already read Mr. Patching’s “Remorseless” and “Mutilated” I expected a bluntness of description and a serious layer of grit. However, The Hack seems lighter than the other novels (if lighter is a term you can use with Patching’s books). I rightly guessed this book as the author’s first (first written and published in 2006). The constant darkness that pervades Mr. Patching’s other works is not present, and at times I felt that the story could have been written by a number of other writers.
That is, until it came time to describe the murders as well as some of the other violent scenes. Mr. Patching has a talent for presenting vicious moments as mundane, yet shocking to the reader at the same time. At these parts in the book, there was no doubt of the identity of the author.
For those who want to know, there are vulgarities in the book (although much less than Mr. Patching’s other books). There are also descriptive sex scenes, including deviant behavior.
I found the author’s comments in the back of the book revealing. Mr. Patching relates that writing the story was difficult, and as a reader I probably felt some of the same emotions. The book centers around a subject – child pornography – that is a huge problem worldwide, and the author provides many passages that will bring the issue into sharp focus for those not acutely aware of the issue. Four stars.
Having already read Mr. Patching’s “Remorseless” and “Mutilated” I expected a bluntness of description and a serious layer of grit. However, The Hack seems lighter than the other novels (if lighter is a term you can use with Patching’s books). I rightly guessed this book as the author’s first (first written and published in 2006). The constant darkness that pervades Mr. Patching’s other works is not present, and at times I felt that the story could have been written by a number of other writers.
That is, until it came time to describe the murders as well as some of the other violent scenes. Mr. Patching has a talent for presenting vicious moments as mundane, yet shocking to the reader at the same time. At these parts in the book, there was no doubt of the identity of the author.
For those who want to know, there are vulgarities in the book (although much less than Mr. Patching’s other books). There are also descriptive sex scenes, including deviant behavior.
I found the author’s comments in the back of the book revealing. Mr. Patching relates that writing the story was difficult, and as a reader I probably felt some of the same emotions. The book centers around a subject – child pornography – that is a huge problem worldwide, and the author provides many passages that will bring the issue into sharp focus for those not acutely aware of the issue. Four stars.
June 12, 2018
"Gritty, uncomfortable read"
It's very difficult to find fault with the presentation of this book, the cover is eye-catching, the writing style is well above average and perfectly matched to the different characters, wherever they are in the world. However, this is not a light read. This is a book where the 'like', don't like' rating is inadequate.
I can't say I enjoyed this gritty account of the evils of the sexual exploitation of young children. Those involved in the trade in any way deserve to die, but can moral outrage ever justify a vigilante carrying out the executions that the police and the legal system should be handling? If the criminal is eliminated, and all trace of his crimes hidden, how does that contribute to the huge social change of attitude that's required to see the trade end for good? My other concern is that some people would read this type of book for gratification. As I say, it was an uncomfortable read.
It's very difficult to find fault with the presentation of this book, the cover is eye-catching, the writing style is well above average and perfectly matched to the different characters, wherever they are in the world. However, this is not a light read. This is a book where the 'like', don't like' rating is inadequate.
I can't say I enjoyed this gritty account of the evils of the sexual exploitation of young children. Those involved in the trade in any way deserve to die, but can moral outrage ever justify a vigilante carrying out the executions that the police and the legal system should be handling? If the criminal is eliminated, and all trace of his crimes hidden, how does that contribute to the huge social change of attitude that's required to see the trade end for good? My other concern is that some people would read this type of book for gratification. As I say, it was an uncomfortable read.
Want to read
October 26, 2017FREE on Amazon today (10/26/2017)!
May 18, 2018
Wow, what a book! The title can be taken several ways, as its different meanings are incorporated into the story. It ranges from tabloid journalism, computer hacking, the CIA, child prostitution and pornography. It’s got a Thailand connection, a link to the president of the US, to a British Lord, to Russia – it’s an amazingly wide-ranging story which has its roots in the truth. You will scarcely get time to draw breath. It’s brilliantly written and the characters are largely not black and white, but multiple grey shades – and I found myself rooting for people I’d consider bad in normal life. This is so good I’ve downloaded and started the second in the series. Will Patching rocks!
March 2, 2019
THE HACK
WILL PATCHING
Review by Roy Murry, Author
The Hack is an international crime thriller that has so many plots going at the same time the reader is kept reading at a fast pace to keep up with the characters. Hunter and Kate O'Sullivan are brought together because of a worldwide crime syndicate camouflaged as a Travel Company.
O'Sullivan, a reporter wannabe, and her brother come upon a story when he hacks the CIA's files. The story hits the presses, and all hell breaks out while Hunter is doing what he does best - killing.
This novel has all genres rolled into one - romance, thriller, cybercrime, child trafficking for sex, and an international whodunit, but the reader will know whodunit and who hacked. Will they be caught?
That is the thrill of this read. The reader is on the edge of the chair waiting for the criminals to be apprehended - the good and the bad ones.
That conclusion is wrapped up in an explosive ending the reader will remember for days. And maybe buy the next Hunter/O'Sullivan sequel.
WILL PATCHING
Review by Roy Murry, Author
The Hack is an international crime thriller that has so many plots going at the same time the reader is kept reading at a fast pace to keep up with the characters. Hunter and Kate O'Sullivan are brought together because of a worldwide crime syndicate camouflaged as a Travel Company.
O'Sullivan, a reporter wannabe, and her brother come upon a story when he hacks the CIA's files. The story hits the presses, and all hell breaks out while Hunter is doing what he does best - killing.
This novel has all genres rolled into one - romance, thriller, cybercrime, child trafficking for sex, and an international whodunit, but the reader will know whodunit and who hacked. Will they be caught?
That is the thrill of this read. The reader is on the edge of the chair waiting for the criminals to be apprehended - the good and the bad ones.
That conclusion is wrapped up in an explosive ending the reader will remember for days. And maybe buy the next Hunter/O'Sullivan sequel.
October 23, 2017
computer hacker, sensationalist newsrag, CIA, FBI, etc.
NOT a completely happy ending
NOT a completely happy ending
August 17, 2018
I enjoyed this book I will be looking for more from this author this book sucks you in because you need to know what's going to happen 😀
September 17, 2024
Really enjoyed it… I enjoy all Wills books… check his books out if you’re into dark,and thrilling..
September 13, 2022
It's the 21st century. Using "oriental" when you mean "Asian" stopped being cool over 100 years ago. Being British is no excuse.
February 19, 2016
This is a fast paced, violent thriller which like Remorseless is not for the faint-hearted but is a rollicking read. Jumping from the Pentagon to London and back to Thailand, the story deals with issues of justice versus legality and misguided preconceptions about corruption in Thailand, the USA and Britain. It is a tale of the rich and powerful in London who pulled strings to escape the (real) FBI Operation Candyman permitting them to continue their lucrative child sex and pornography business. They meet their comeuppance when a young genius hacker gets hold of secret files from the CIA and his journalist sister uses the files to expose them. The main characters are each a mixture of good and bad, of naivety and self indulgence. The common thread is that they each blur the lines of right and wrong raising questions as to where those lines should be drawn. Will - please keep it up, as horrific as your stories are in places, it makes people more aware that these things go on and that our "civilised" society colludes.
October 20, 2017
I dearly wished to rate this book higher. But two things struck a star each.
First, the very good though:
The plot is stellar. If there is one thing that Mr. Patching did very well, it was creating a plot that grabbed the reader from the beginning.
The dark theme is, to me, a major positive as well. While I thought the body count detracted a little, it fit the theme.
Now, the two detractors:
1. The narrative structure is highly distracting. I understand the idea of telling the story in real time sequence. But the chapters were so long that the near-constant shifts gave me whiplash. When combined with the omniscient narrator, this was just too much.
2. Tied in with the narrative issue is the excess of characters overwhelming the narrative. Rapid introductions in such a scattered narrative again overwhelm an otherwise amazing story.
Read this book, but be prepared for a messy structure and an over-abundance of characters.
First, the very good though:
The plot is stellar. If there is one thing that Mr. Patching did very well, it was creating a plot that grabbed the reader from the beginning.
The dark theme is, to me, a major positive as well. While I thought the body count detracted a little, it fit the theme.
Now, the two detractors:
1. The narrative structure is highly distracting. I understand the idea of telling the story in real time sequence. But the chapters were so long that the near-constant shifts gave me whiplash. When combined with the omniscient narrator, this was just too much.
2. Tied in with the narrative issue is the excess of characters overwhelming the narrative. Rapid introductions in such a scattered narrative again overwhelm an otherwise amazing story.
Read this book, but be prepared for a messy structure and an over-abundance of characters.
March 2, 2017
At first I found the subject distasteful. This lasted for about 15 pages, before I was sucked into the story.
Mr. Patching describes in gory detail the lengths deranged people go to in he name of pleasure.
Along with the details is a fast moving, can't wait to flip (or swipe) the page story.
I received this book from some free book site, and boy am I glad I did. I'm also glad I stayed with the book beyond the 15 or so pages.
I have received another of his story's that I'm going to begin as soon as I post this.
Mr. Patching describes in gory detail the lengths deranged people go to in he name of pleasure.
Along with the details is a fast moving, can't wait to flip (or swipe) the page story.
I received this book from some free book site, and boy am I glad I did. I'm also glad I stayed with the book beyond the 15 or so pages.
I have received another of his story's that I'm going to begin as soon as I post this.
April 5, 2019
Scarier than Mo Hayder and Giles Blunt put together, international thriller master Will Patching’s writing skills rival those of John Chin. I need to give his work a wee break and get some nitghmareless sleep!
May 23, 2018
This book is well written and truly a fast-paced thriller. I can say that this book isn't for everyone, as it contains some horrific crimes and gruesome crime scenes. But, if you can get past that, it is well worth reading. The book follows several different characters that help you experience this complicated story from many points of view - the pedophile, the murderer, the press, the police, the government, etc. There are some characters that you know from the beginning are evil, but others keep you wondering if they are really a "good guy" or "bad guy" right to the end. It it interesting how all these characters, spread across 3 countries, are connected in ways you don't expect.
While some of the subject matter in this book is difficult to read, what's more disturbing is that these crimes are happening in the real world. It really brings awareness to how widespread and "high up" this issue goes.
The title "The Hack" is very appropriate as it actually applies to this story in 3 different ways - the computer hack where information is stolen from the CIA, the article that makes it public knowledge, and the murder itself. These 3 hacks together lead to a fascinating story.
I received a free review copy of this book directly from the author, but my honest opinion is completely voluntary.
While some of the subject matter in this book is difficult to read, what's more disturbing is that these crimes are happening in the real world. It really brings awareness to how widespread and "high up" this issue goes.
The title "The Hack" is very appropriate as it actually applies to this story in 3 different ways - the computer hack where information is stolen from the CIA, the article that makes it public knowledge, and the murder itself. These 3 hacks together lead to a fascinating story.
I received a free review copy of this book directly from the author, but my honest opinion is completely voluntary.
October 24, 2019
I received an email asking for volunteers to listen to this book as well as reading it at the same time to check for any mistakes in the reading, I thought that would be quick but it was much harder than I had thought.
But I did get a chance to listen and read the book, at times the subject matter is quite delicate, and this is definitely not. Book for the faint hearted, and if you want a cozy mystery this isn’t one.
The biggest thing is this book is sex trafficking, and paedophiles. It involves a few wealthy men initially George Simm who has his own travel company, but is this being used to pick up young children in Thailand, to take people to Thailand and introduce them to a new find. George Simm is found dead in Thailand, this sends members of his clandestine group into a tailspin, as ther is a worry that he may have kept pictures of information on a top class American computer he has. With George dead if someone finds their details what will they do. At least two of the men we know are Lords, one is also a retired judge.
Kate O’Sullivan is trying to make it as a journalist, she has a younger brother, who is coming up to his eighteenth birthday, he is an absolute whizz when it comes to computers, Kate asks him as a one off favour to see if he can get information about George Simm, For Johnny this is another puzzle to crack, although Kate doesn’t know he has already hacked the American CIA computers. But armed with the information, Kate goes to the local press office, not much later she has a retainer cheque for her story and before she knows it both her and her brother are off to Thailand.
Kate didn’t have a clue how dangerous this could be, she meets Doug Hunter whilst in Thailand, but is he who he says he is.
There is so much going on in this story but it is a brilliant read. Ima about to go to the second and third book in this trilogy. These stories are well written, well plotted and have great characters. If you want a gritty story this is available on Amazon you can pick up the trilogy the £5.99 a bargain.
But I did get a chance to listen and read the book, at times the subject matter is quite delicate, and this is definitely not. Book for the faint hearted, and if you want a cozy mystery this isn’t one.
The biggest thing is this book is sex trafficking, and paedophiles. It involves a few wealthy men initially George Simm who has his own travel company, but is this being used to pick up young children in Thailand, to take people to Thailand and introduce them to a new find. George Simm is found dead in Thailand, this sends members of his clandestine group into a tailspin, as ther is a worry that he may have kept pictures of information on a top class American computer he has. With George dead if someone finds their details what will they do. At least two of the men we know are Lords, one is also a retired judge.
Kate O’Sullivan is trying to make it as a journalist, she has a younger brother, who is coming up to his eighteenth birthday, he is an absolute whizz when it comes to computers, Kate asks him as a one off favour to see if he can get information about George Simm, For Johnny this is another puzzle to crack, although Kate doesn’t know he has already hacked the American CIA computers. But armed with the information, Kate goes to the local press office, not much later she has a retainer cheque for her story and before she knows it both her and her brother are off to Thailand.
Kate didn’t have a clue how dangerous this could be, she meets Doug Hunter whilst in Thailand, but is he who he says he is.
There is so much going on in this story but it is a brilliant read. Ima about to go to the second and third book in this trilogy. These stories are well written, well plotted and have great characters. If you want a gritty story this is available on Amazon you can pick up the trilogy the £5.99 a bargain.
July 21, 2019
Too many characters
The book was really well written. The plot was great and it had the makings of a great novel. But i find that the author placed too much emphasis on the wrong things. I wanted to be there when Doug confronted the pedophiles, wanted to see them beg for their lives when they learned that they would suffer for exploiting so many innocent children. But nothing. The reader was only informed of their demise after the fact. Instead, I had to be there for the mindless drivel between Kate and Johnny, Sir Benjamin and Sir Jeremy, read the private thoughts of Mr Lee, Charles Tandy, Gus, Gary, Susie, Mrs Simm, Cody, Agent Johnson, and damn near every member of the CIA. Doug was hardly a feature in the book, even though he was one of 2 who got justice for hundreds of kids sold into sexual slavery. Johnny was tortured and eventually killed in the great detail I was hoping would be reserved for the most evil persons in the book.
The fact that there were so many characters in this book meant that not enough detail was focused where it should be. I find that this was a wasted opportunity for us to see a former Special Ops member in action, for us to watch as the hunter stalks his prey and do what he does so well. I'm disappointed.
The book was really well written. The plot was great and it had the makings of a great novel. But i find that the author placed too much emphasis on the wrong things. I wanted to be there when Doug confronted the pedophiles, wanted to see them beg for their lives when they learned that they would suffer for exploiting so many innocent children. But nothing. The reader was only informed of their demise after the fact. Instead, I had to be there for the mindless drivel between Kate and Johnny, Sir Benjamin and Sir Jeremy, read the private thoughts of Mr Lee, Charles Tandy, Gus, Gary, Susie, Mrs Simm, Cody, Agent Johnson, and damn near every member of the CIA. Doug was hardly a feature in the book, even though he was one of 2 who got justice for hundreds of kids sold into sexual slavery. Johnny was tortured and eventually killed in the great detail I was hoping would be reserved for the most evil persons in the book.
The fact that there were so many characters in this book meant that not enough detail was focused where it should be. I find that this was a wasted opportunity for us to see a former Special Ops member in action, for us to watch as the hunter stalks his prey and do what he does so well. I'm disappointed.
February 3, 2018
Confronting the evil of human trafficking
Kate and Johnny – siblings – are two young innocents who find themselves targeted by men who are wealthy, powerful, and privileged, and who will stop at nothing to keep their vile secret.
The issue at the core of this novel – human trafficking - is actually present in the world of today. It is an intimidating story to read, as it puts on the reader the burden of considering what they would do about it, and in the process, when presented with finding a solution to the problem, be faced with the question of which would be the greater evil: the obvious problem, or the obvious solution.
As in previous Will Patching novels (and I have read his first three) the content is not for those with weak stomachs. The scenes of violence and abuse are not gratuitous. Will Patching only presents enough detail to make his points.
Well-developed characters and a plot with brisk pacing, all of which are skilfully executed in an atmosphere of fear and tension, are his trademark. For another UK writer whose stories are as well done as Patching’s, try Andrew Barrett, whose Eddie Collins (CSI) series is also based on real world circumstances.
Kate and Johnny – siblings – are two young innocents who find themselves targeted by men who are wealthy, powerful, and privileged, and who will stop at nothing to keep their vile secret.
The issue at the core of this novel – human trafficking - is actually present in the world of today. It is an intimidating story to read, as it puts on the reader the burden of considering what they would do about it, and in the process, when presented with finding a solution to the problem, be faced with the question of which would be the greater evil: the obvious problem, or the obvious solution.
As in previous Will Patching novels (and I have read his first three) the content is not for those with weak stomachs. The scenes of violence and abuse are not gratuitous. Will Patching only presents enough detail to make his points.
Well-developed characters and a plot with brisk pacing, all of which are skilfully executed in an atmosphere of fear and tension, are his trademark. For another UK writer whose stories are as well done as Patching’s, try Andrew Barrett, whose Eddie Collins (CSI) series is also based on real world circumstances.
June 5, 2025
"An electrifying international thriller that grabs you by the throat and never lets go."
The Hack by Will Patching is a rollercoaster of intrigue, deception, and relentless action. From the first chapter, the pace is unyielding, plunging readers into a web of corruption, espionage, and high stakes journalism that feels all too real.
Kate O’Sullivan is the kind of heroine you root for clever, determined, and unafraid to chase the truth even when it puts her in the crosshairs of some of the world’s most dangerous players. The twist? Her brother, a tech genius, becomes the unlikely key to unraveling a conspiracy that stretches to the highest levels of power.
Will Patching masterfully blends tech-savvy plotlines with gritty political undercurrents, making this not only a smart thriller but an emotionally resonant one as well. The writing is crisp, the characters are fully fleshed out, and the tension is pitch perfect from Bangkok to Washington D.C.
If you love fast paced international thrillers with bold characters and razor sharp twists, The Hack should be at the top of your reading list.
The Hack by Will Patching is a rollercoaster of intrigue, deception, and relentless action. From the first chapter, the pace is unyielding, plunging readers into a web of corruption, espionage, and high stakes journalism that feels all too real.
Kate O’Sullivan is the kind of heroine you root for clever, determined, and unafraid to chase the truth even when it puts her in the crosshairs of some of the world’s most dangerous players. The twist? Her brother, a tech genius, becomes the unlikely key to unraveling a conspiracy that stretches to the highest levels of power.
Will Patching masterfully blends tech-savvy plotlines with gritty political undercurrents, making this not only a smart thriller but an emotionally resonant one as well. The writing is crisp, the characters are fully fleshed out, and the tension is pitch perfect from Bangkok to Washington D.C.
If you love fast paced international thrillers with bold characters and razor sharp twists, The Hack should be at the top of your reading list.
May 19, 2018
The Hack by Will Patching is a well written story dealing with the dark subject of child pornography, sex trafficking and paedophilia.
This is not my normal reading material due to the subject being too dark and upsetting.
However, Will Patching writes a very compelling story. He deals with the darkest parts in a way that gives you the information without dwelling on the details. He allows you to be immersed in the story without feeling sullied by the content.
The characters in The Hack were created by someone with an obviously good grasp on the complexities of human nature. Not all those who commit illegal acts are 100 % evil and awful. He captured the differing levels of degradation of the human soul, from simply turning a blind eye to self delusional excuse-ism, to blatant narcissistic psychopathy.
The story was a little slow to build, which is why I’m rating it 4 stars instead of 5.
I would definitely recommend reading this book, and will be getting the rest of the series.
I received a complimentary copy from Voracious Readers in return for an honest review.
This is not my normal reading material due to the subject being too dark and upsetting.
However, Will Patching writes a very compelling story. He deals with the darkest parts in a way that gives you the information without dwelling on the details. He allows you to be immersed in the story without feeling sullied by the content.
The characters in The Hack were created by someone with an obviously good grasp on the complexities of human nature. Not all those who commit illegal acts are 100 % evil and awful. He captured the differing levels of degradation of the human soul, from simply turning a blind eye to self delusional excuse-ism, to blatant narcissistic psychopathy.
The story was a little slow to build, which is why I’m rating it 4 stars instead of 5.
I would definitely recommend reading this book, and will be getting the rest of the series.
I received a complimentary copy from Voracious Readers in return for an honest review.
September 2, 2018
This isn't a book for everyone, it deals with a lot of uncomfortable topics. If you're ok with being uncomfortable and reading about topics that the larger media would like to brush under the rug, then this is the book for you.
There are a lot of things I liked about the book. The book was fast paced and the story was well built. We got to see the story from the point of view of multiple characters, and though that can be a little confusing, it was really interesting. Not only did you see the murders and the police point of view, we also see other character's storylines. The story wouldn't have been affected if they weren't there, but it was a nice stylistic touch.
This book does deal heavily with child molestation as well as the common occurrence of sex tourism in Thailand. Some of the scenes are a little more graphic than others, however, they thankfully kept most of the scenes about the children very vague. We still got the idea of what was going on without the details.
I received a copy of this book from the author via Voracious Readers Only.
There are a lot of things I liked about the book. The book was fast paced and the story was well built. We got to see the story from the point of view of multiple characters, and though that can be a little confusing, it was really interesting. Not only did you see the murders and the police point of view, we also see other character's storylines. The story wouldn't have been affected if they weren't there, but it was a nice stylistic touch.
This book does deal heavily with child molestation as well as the common occurrence of sex tourism in Thailand. Some of the scenes are a little more graphic than others, however, they thankfully kept most of the scenes about the children very vague. We still got the idea of what was going on without the details.
I received a copy of this book from the author via Voracious Readers Only.
July 1, 2017
The Hackby Will Patching
Under normal circumstances novels that appear to be heavy on teaching and social comment are an anathema to me, but this one is different.
Here we have an honest to goodness storyline with well-developed characters interesting plots and sub-plots, twists and turns which were enough to take my mind away from the nastiness inherent in the story, and allow me to enjoy the ride.
That being said nothing detracted from the main theme of the book.
Will has a brave approach to his writing and I like that it is crisp, clear and accurate.
Descriptions and imagery are good enough to draw you inside the minds of the characters and involve you with the story. I liked it very much.
Under normal circumstances novels that appear to be heavy on teaching and social comment are an anathema to me, but this one is different.
Here we have an honest to goodness storyline with well-developed characters interesting plots and sub-plots, twists and turns which were enough to take my mind away from the nastiness inherent in the story, and allow me to enjoy the ride.
That being said nothing detracted from the main theme of the book.
Will has a brave approach to his writing and I like that it is crisp, clear and accurate.
Descriptions and imagery are good enough to draw you inside the minds of the characters and involve you with the story. I liked it very much.
October 19, 2017
I give it 4 stars because it's a great story. A dark, graphic page turner. But 3 stars because of the editing. I strongly recommend better editing for 2 reasons.
1. There were words missing and it was annoying to have to reread sentences to make sure I could understand what I was reading.
2. The author is British and the story includes characters from the US, UK, and Thailand. Unfortunately the author used UK English and slang for dialogue for American characters. Very jarring.
Character development for the mysterious Thai chief of police, two successful UK business men suspected of pedophia, the vigilante , and the chief editor of a UK tabloid are particularly good.
One complaint. The ending felt incomplete because there wasn't enough info or resolution regarding the vigilante.
I'm going to read another book by the author. I won't say I enjoyed The Hact but it was very engaging.
Child sexual abuse, kidnaping, graphic violence, and suspense. Be warned.
1. There were words missing and it was annoying to have to reread sentences to make sure I could understand what I was reading.
2. The author is British and the story includes characters from the US, UK, and Thailand. Unfortunately the author used UK English and slang for dialogue for American characters. Very jarring.
Character development for the mysterious Thai chief of police, two successful UK business men suspected of pedophia, the vigilante , and the chief editor of a UK tabloid are particularly good.
One complaint. The ending felt incomplete because there wasn't enough info or resolution regarding the vigilante.
I'm going to read another book by the author. I won't say I enjoyed The Hact but it was very engaging.
Child sexual abuse, kidnaping, graphic violence, and suspense. Be warned.
January 4, 2019
Will Patching took on a huge topic, through fictional work...International Abuse of Children, and did a wonderful job of shining the light on those who use and abuse chidlren internationally through organized efforts by the evil do’er’s. His lifelike characters become the readers “family” and in some cases their ‘enemies’. Get ready to have your emiotions evoked if you have feelings and be ready to turn pages fast because there is fact action which arises, jam packed with thrill a minute moments. The Hack is such a great read and at the same time addresses a topic that will hit you square in your heart. The plot as well as the characters build and build and at times explodes! Cannot say enough good things about The Hack. So I won’t even try other than to say you WILL NOT be disappointed with where this book takes you. Very exciting read and I highly recommend The Hack. VERY deserving of a FIVE STAR review for sure..and if there were more stars, those too.
February 7, 2019
This is not a genre that I read a lot and I am torn about how I want to write this, so please bear with me. First, The Hack is very well written with well-described characters, some of whom I became quite attached to and some I despise. The despised ones, and I do not generally use that word, are evil on many levels and this story does not spare any details of their depravity. There are many instances of abuse, child pornography, greed beyond my imagination and murder. I almost stopped reading it a few times because it is so graphic and maybe I should have because I am very unsettled by the events. On the other hand, I truly believe that people just like these characters do exist in our world and it certainly opened my eyes to many things. I don't recommend you read it unless you are already familiar with this type of book, brutal, or if you are strong enough to overcome the horror. And I hated the final death.
November 10, 2017
This was a good thriller, told from different points of view, which made for compelling reading.
The Hack is so called due to the murderer killing people with a knife, a computer genius hacking US government systems, and a journalist chasing the same story. 3 difference strands of the same story, and 3 different uses of the word 'Hack'
The story takes you into the horrific world of child abuse and pornography. There's a Hunter killing people linked to these abuses - so is he the bad guy or the good guy? You also have a young naïve reporter chasing this story - is this her big break into tabloid journalism. Will her brother, the computer hacker get caught by the CIA / FBI or will he continue to have free reign in their systems? And what about the people running the Child Abuse ring - can they keep their secrets hidden and carry on as before?
The book is well paced, and the different strands come together in an explosive finale.
I really enjoyed the way the plot was revealed and built up to the crescendo.
Definitely recommend!
The Hack is so called due to the murderer killing people with a knife, a computer genius hacking US government systems, and a journalist chasing the same story. 3 difference strands of the same story, and 3 different uses of the word 'Hack'
The story takes you into the horrific world of child abuse and pornography. There's a Hunter killing people linked to these abuses - so is he the bad guy or the good guy? You also have a young naïve reporter chasing this story - is this her big break into tabloid journalism. Will her brother, the computer hacker get caught by the CIA / FBI or will he continue to have free reign in their systems? And what about the people running the Child Abuse ring - can they keep their secrets hidden and carry on as before?
The book is well paced, and the different strands come together in an explosive finale.
I really enjoyed the way the plot was revealed and built up to the crescendo.
Definitely recommend!
April 19, 2022
A very controversial subject matter which is handled brilliantly by the author.
Sometimes a very brutal story but based on the subject matter it is a reality that in real life thus would commonly occur.
Very few people or organisations especially the government ones come out of this in a good light. Both the recovery of hacked material and the corruption within the hallowed halls of government and the 'establishment' leave a sour taste in the stomach but especially with the current UK government, the portrayal is perfectly believable despite the fact that the storyline was conceived some time before.
I commend the author for the way he handled the more gruesome parts of the story and I applaud his development of the characters as you can easily imagine each character in his/her particular role.
Overall a great read if somewhat uncomfortable in places.
Sometimes a very brutal story but based on the subject matter it is a reality that in real life thus would commonly occur.
Very few people or organisations especially the government ones come out of this in a good light. Both the recovery of hacked material and the corruption within the hallowed halls of government and the 'establishment' leave a sour taste in the stomach but especially with the current UK government, the portrayal is perfectly believable despite the fact that the storyline was conceived some time before.
I commend the author for the way he handled the more gruesome parts of the story and I applaud his development of the characters as you can easily imagine each character in his/her particular role.
Overall a great read if somewhat uncomfortable in places.
July 24, 2017
This is the first of the Hunter/O'Sullivan Adventure by Will Patching. I enjoy reading books about the new age of hacking computers. At first the idea scared me, but then I started realizing how smart these people are that do this, and the governments of the countries they live in to use their abilities for a good purpose. Catching those that do it for bad reasons. I like the idea that it is a person with a mental disability that has the ability to get into the most secure sites and make good results against the criminals. All in all this was a very exciting story with interesting characters. Again, it is written by a British author and he uses terms that are not what we are used to reading. Recommend.
July 10, 2018
This story could have been a very good one. It had rich people, pedophiles, computer geeks, hackers, CIA and FBI, Agents in Thailand, prostitution and a very eager police chef with a sad family story. As I said could have been ......
If there wouldn’t be this ridicioulos sister, brother, reporter, computer whiz mix with the tabloid boss, an jealous prime reporter and an assassin from the CIA retired with millions of dollars on his account and a abuse family background which leads him to Thailand and this prostitution/girls/boys ring of rich people which he starts killling before he falls in love with the reporter and have wild sex .............okay, a bit to much nonsense, but hey it is just me !
Did I mention the old boys club and their fixer ?
If there wouldn’t be this ridicioulos sister, brother, reporter, computer whiz mix with the tabloid boss, an jealous prime reporter and an assassin from the CIA retired with millions of dollars on his account and a abuse family background which leads him to Thailand and this prostitution/girls/boys ring of rich people which he starts killling before he falls in love with the reporter and have wild sex .............okay, a bit to much nonsense, but hey it is just me !
Did I mention the old boys club and their fixer ?
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