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Black Sands
"I want my fucking money" he screamed.
He pointed the gun at Jackie Aziz. "You. I recognise you. Why did you say that? Why did you say that about the bank?"
She knelt. Frozen, too scared to move or speak. He snapped open the barrel.
“You really are going to tell me,” he whispered, and slipped another blood-red round into the gun.
Danny Bowen is the reluctant hacktivist who founded Nameless, the collective with attitude and ability whose exposure of global surveillance shook the world. But bringing down governments wasn’t part of Danny’s plan, and he got out before things went too far. Most of the collective found themselves in jail, only the brilliant Cassandra managed to outwit the security services.
Danny might have retained his freedom but he’s lost everything else. His best friends, his job, and part of himself. Now he’s a lonely ex-black hat with a mark against his name, scraping a living in information security.
But someone wants his attention. Hired to investigate an attack on Hamilton Private Equity he instead uncovers a plot on an unimaginable scale. It’s no coincidence somebody wants him to take the job. Danny knows that on Zero Day ordinary people will bear the brunt of this next attack. It’s his last chance to atone for his failures, and to prove he’s still the best.
Hooked into a deadly race with a group of ultra-violent Russian Mafia and a sociopathic search-engine billionaire Danny must find the key before it’s too late. He has nothing to lose. They have everything to gain. Literally, everything.
He pointed the gun at Jackie Aziz. "You. I recognise you. Why did you say that? Why did you say that about the bank?"
She knelt. Frozen, too scared to move or speak. He snapped open the barrel.
“You really are going to tell me,” he whispered, and slipped another blood-red round into the gun.
Danny Bowen is the reluctant hacktivist who founded Nameless, the collective with attitude and ability whose exposure of global surveillance shook the world. But bringing down governments wasn’t part of Danny’s plan, and he got out before things went too far. Most of the collective found themselves in jail, only the brilliant Cassandra managed to outwit the security services.
Danny might have retained his freedom but he’s lost everything else. His best friends, his job, and part of himself. Now he’s a lonely ex-black hat with a mark against his name, scraping a living in information security.
But someone wants his attention. Hired to investigate an attack on Hamilton Private Equity he instead uncovers a plot on an unimaginable scale. It’s no coincidence somebody wants him to take the job. Danny knows that on Zero Day ordinary people will bear the brunt of this next attack. It’s his last chance to atone for his failures, and to prove he’s still the best.
Hooked into a deadly race with a group of ultra-violent Russian Mafia and a sociopathic search-engine billionaire Danny must find the key before it’s too late. He has nothing to lose. They have everything to gain. Literally, everything.
291 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 5, 2014
99 people are currently reading
492 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
October 25, 2015
Fiercely entertaining! Packed with energy, riveting techno facts and mesmerizing characters. This is one hell of a read.
In the age of information overload most of the concepts in this book, like the Darknet, or Onion sites should be well known to readers, however, I don't think they really are. This book pushes all the dimly lit internet dirt right into the realm of the ordinary Joe, it highlights the hidden boundaries of the age we live in more succinctly and with more in-depth knowledge than any other I've read. But, don't get me wrong this is not a dreary lesson in modern digital fact, no, rather, it is a compulsive, action packed story that would keep any high kinetic junkie very happy indeed, while at the same time allowing deep thinking geeks to feel comfortably satisfied.
If you find yourself looking for a swift, but intellectually challenging read, with mind blowing concepts of money market manipulation this is the book for you. Atmospherically awesome, and computer literate all in one, few could do better.
In the age of information overload most of the concepts in this book, like the Darknet, or Onion sites should be well known to readers, however, I don't think they really are. This book pushes all the dimly lit internet dirt right into the realm of the ordinary Joe, it highlights the hidden boundaries of the age we live in more succinctly and with more in-depth knowledge than any other I've read. But, don't get me wrong this is not a dreary lesson in modern digital fact, no, rather, it is a compulsive, action packed story that would keep any high kinetic junkie very happy indeed, while at the same time allowing deep thinking geeks to feel comfortably satisfied.
If you find yourself looking for a swift, but intellectually challenging read, with mind blowing concepts of money market manipulation this is the book for you. Atmospherically awesome, and computer literate all in one, few could do better.
September 27, 2015
Wow. While the pacing gets bogged down a time or two, I found myself coming back - what happens next? The author has done an amazing job of giving us a glimpse into one possible future.
I kept thinking, as I read it, I would love to see the filmed version. While it's necessarily heavy on explanation, it manages also to be fast paced, with very high stakes. And I liked the main characters, flaws and all.
Good first novel!
I kept thinking, as I read it, I would love to see the filmed version. While it's necessarily heavy on explanation, it manages also to be fast paced, with very high stakes. And I liked the main characters, flaws and all.
Good first novel!
December 20, 2014
You don't have to be a computer geek to know that if the black hats take over the web, we're all in a heap of trouble. If you are one, you'll find this techno-thriller to be a frightening forecast of what could happen. In the current news cycles we are seeing hacking attacks in almost every walk of life. This book is prescient!
Danny Bowen, a "hacktivist" trying to recover his reputation with a skill set that is tops in the industry, is challenged by a tech-savvy group of sociopaths out to takeover all the financial resources on the planet.
Michael Lerner, an Internet wizard, with an need to control and the means to do it. This man has some seriously cool toys and some seriously dangerous ideas.
Roegan, one of the most interesting characters I've read about this year!
The plot is as fast-paced as a supercomputer, and the characters are very interesting. You're sure to enjoy this one.
December 1, 2015
Holy grammar fail, Batman! As a writer who does use sentence fragments for dramatic effect, I am certainly not a grammar fiend, but holy moses... the sentence fragments... piles of them, hitched together like train cars.. sometimes even changing the implied subject without actually naming the new (implied) subject. WHAT? And so incredibly overused that it lost any dramatic effect as a literary tool. It just read as choppy and awkward, and at times almost seemed like the author were stream-of-consciousness drafting and never came back to do revision. The story was okay, somewhat formulaic in the structuring, but not a horrible storyline, so 2 stars.
July 9, 2015
Believe story.
Greece about to collapse, China markets free falling and our markets don't know what to do. Definitely this wasn't the day to read this book. Technical wording, some I had to look up, but was safe with metric system. If hackers took over electronic financial transactions processing, what could happen? "Who guards the guardians"???
Greece about to collapse, China markets free falling and our markets don't know what to do. Definitely this wasn't the day to read this book. Technical wording, some I had to look up, but was safe with metric system. If hackers took over electronic financial transactions processing, what could happen? "Who guards the guardians"???
January 20, 2019
Technological Thriller
The subject of this book was intriguing. A self-aware software passes the Turing test. The scenario is plausible; however, the problem setup and the following resolution was simplistic. The book would benefit from copy-editing. Numerous typos, grammatical errors, and missing punctuation.
The subject of this book was intriguing. A self-aware software passes the Turing test. The scenario is plausible; however, the problem setup and the following resolution was simplistic. The book would benefit from copy-editing. Numerous typos, grammatical errors, and missing punctuation.
April 24, 2021
DNF'd at about 40% nothing too terrible or offensive, I just did not realize it was a cyber/internet crime mystery. And I did not know that I didn't like that kind of book. I was thinking it would be similar to the girl with the dragon tattoo. Overall I don't DNF often but I just had no interest in the subject of this one.
January 2, 2024
Enough truth to make you think!
I am not a cyber security dude at all, but this is a great read. Enough actual evidence to be credible, in a fast paced and often funny and understandable way. Enough character development to get you emotionally invested and wanting more. Definitely checking out some of his other work.
I am not a cyber security dude at all, but this is a great read. Enough actual evidence to be credible, in a fast paced and often funny and understandable way. Enough character development to get you emotionally invested and wanting more. Definitely checking out some of his other work.
June 7, 2018
For anyone interested in cyber crime an interesting read. At times too much filler info, able to skip through quite a bit without losing depth in the story.
January 7, 2020
I found it a bit slow to start, but eventually really enjoyed it
January 12, 2020
it took awhile to finish this book. iIt is hard to discribe. I guess what happened in the book could happen but it was too graphic forme. Took me ahile to finish it.
July 8, 2015
Very good to excellant but not perfect. I would put it at a solid 4.5 (or 9 on a 10 point scale), and rounding made it a 5.
The story started a little slow with the introduction of a number of characters making it a little confusing to start, but when the author hit second gear it blasted off.
A number of other reviewers will tell yuo about the srory, so I'll tell you about the structure.
You can read this story without resetting your mind for major grammatical or spelling errors. Many readers will to notice any of the few errors because you'll be reading so quickly your mind will fill in the blanks the way a sentence should be constructed, will blend the few misspelled words smoothly into the narrative and if there was an homonym error, I missed it.
The one issue that seemed critical to me was the instruction given to the algorythemic constuct, basically to do what's best. If an AI passes the Turing test, does it know the difference between "right" and "wrong"?
If it does, which "right" does it use. What is right for Humankind or what is right for the AI? What is right for Briton or right for Guatamala.
Are Right and Wrong absolutes, or will an AI be able to judge different shades of gray?
Mr. Goodman never addresses these issues. He simply takes the (naive?) stance that good is good. I don't think the difference between Right and Wrong or Good and Evil can be cut and dried.
By most modern standards, our Earth is overpopulated. To correct this Bad, would an AI make the decision that birth rates would have to drop to a sustainable level? Would automatic birth control be the standard (ignoring religion entirely), if so would this birth control be unilateral or would it be enforced by the AI in each area of the Earth by the percentage the population excedes the sustainable portion of the area affected?
How would that affect the morals of Mankind. Would that change the way we look at "ethical" standards?
That's way above my capacity to decide. I'll just continue to let the Lord decide, given Man's failure to use free will in a consistently good manner.
The story started a little slow with the introduction of a number of characters making it a little confusing to start, but when the author hit second gear it blasted off.
A number of other reviewers will tell yuo about the srory, so I'll tell you about the structure.
You can read this story without resetting your mind for major grammatical or spelling errors. Many readers will to notice any of the few errors because you'll be reading so quickly your mind will fill in the blanks the way a sentence should be constructed, will blend the few misspelled words smoothly into the narrative and if there was an homonym error, I missed it.
The one issue that seemed critical to me was the instruction given to the algorythemic constuct, basically to do what's best. If an AI passes the Turing test, does it know the difference between "right" and "wrong"?
If it does, which "right" does it use. What is right for Humankind or what is right for the AI? What is right for Briton or right for Guatamala.
Are Right and Wrong absolutes, or will an AI be able to judge different shades of gray?
Mr. Goodman never addresses these issues. He simply takes the (naive?) stance that good is good. I don't think the difference between Right and Wrong or Good and Evil can be cut and dried.
By most modern standards, our Earth is overpopulated. To correct this Bad, would an AI make the decision that birth rates would have to drop to a sustainable level? Would automatic birth control be the standard (ignoring religion entirely), if so would this birth control be unilateral or would it be enforced by the AI in each area of the Earth by the percentage the population excedes the sustainable portion of the area affected?
How would that affect the morals of Mankind. Would that change the way we look at "ethical" standards?
That's way above my capacity to decide. I'll just continue to let the Lord decide, given Man's failure to use free will in a consistently good manner.
July 9, 2015
I found this techno-thriller very realistic and therefore very scary. Could the financial markets be electronically looted by skilled 'black hat' hackers? Quite possibly this could happen, so it was believable! Although the book kept me engaged until the end, I have a few quibbles that kept me from giving it more stars. First, the editing was very sloppy; there were dozens of instances where the wrong word was used, even though it was spelled correctly. Some examples; your instead of you're (and vice versa), muse instead of mews, plate instead of plait, and many many more. It is as if the author relied solely on his word processor's spell check program to do his editing. Another concern is that the technical descriptions of the hacking that took place were unnecessarily complex - I personally have a decades-long background in IT technology, yet I found it all a bit much. How would a reader without a technology background manage to stay interested? Finally, I never really found a connection with Danny (the hero). I found myself not really caring if he survived or not.
December 10, 2015
Danny Bowen was an activist hacker who founded a group called Nameless, designed to expose the global surveillance network. When the group started looking at bringing down governments, Bowen said no, and jumped ship—just in time, as a crackdown led to the other members of Nameless going to prison. The others, that is, except the brilliant hacker Cassandra who managed to outwit the authorities.
When Bowen, who is trying to change his black hat hacker status to something more respectable, is hired to investigate a hacking attack on a private equity company, he uncovers a plot even more deadly. He soon finds himself in a race for his life against the Russian Mafia and a sociopathic billionaire, and having to reconnect with Cassandra just to stay alive.
Black Sands by Carl Goodman is a compelling mystery with all the usual elements; good vs. evil, a flawed hero, and a deadline for the hero to solve the situation or else. Goodman starts off with high tension, and manages to ratchet it higher until it reaches an . . . no, I won’t tell you. Read it for yourself and find out.
When Bowen, who is trying to change his black hat hacker status to something more respectable, is hired to investigate a hacking attack on a private equity company, he uncovers a plot even more deadly. He soon finds himself in a race for his life against the Russian Mafia and a sociopathic billionaire, and having to reconnect with Cassandra just to stay alive.
Black Sands by Carl Goodman is a compelling mystery with all the usual elements; good vs. evil, a flawed hero, and a deadline for the hero to solve the situation or else. Goodman starts off with high tension, and manages to ratchet it higher until it reaches an . . . no, I won’t tell you. Read it for yourself and find out.
October 31, 2015
If you're a computer geek or love conspiracy theories, then this will probably suit you fine. Lots of computer-speak to boggle the mind, and a plot whose repercussions should it actually happen will boggle the mind even more. It all sounds too plausible and therefore keeps the pages turning if only to satisfy the curiosity as to how the 21st century may go, but I found the typos irksome. There were probably an average of one a page, and bearing in mind that someone, whether it be the author or proofreader, has been paid to provide a polished finished piece, it jars somewhat that as nothing more than a paying reader I can spot these mistakes a mile off. To my mind there's no excuse for a well-written novel (as this is) to be spoilt by such shoddiness. But this was free on Amazon, and as you do get what you pay for, I felt I had a few hours' entertainment from an author who writes well, clearly knows his subject, and turned out a frightening plot.
July 25, 2015
Black Sands is a legal, crime, and techno-thriller wherein I learned that in the UK they call hydroplaning, “aquaplaning”.
I don't entirely understand the story, largely owing to the surplus of mind-numbing techie talk. The narrative also could use better editing given the multiple spelling and grammatical errors.
Nonetheless, after what the US suffered during 2008 and 2009, I can appreciate a cautionary tale about a country’s complete financial system failure due to deliberate, large-scale criminal hacking. We humans have come to rely on computers and information technology to manage our money and other aspects of our day-to-day lives. This novel demonstrates how such reliance might become humanity’s ultimate downfall.
As Carl Goodman‘s debut effort, Black Sands succeeds as a multi-genre mystery and I look forward to reading his future work.
I don't entirely understand the story, largely owing to the surplus of mind-numbing techie talk. The narrative also could use better editing given the multiple spelling and grammatical errors.
Nonetheless, after what the US suffered during 2008 and 2009, I can appreciate a cautionary tale about a country’s complete financial system failure due to deliberate, large-scale criminal hacking. We humans have come to rely on computers and information technology to manage our money and other aspects of our day-to-day lives. This novel demonstrates how such reliance might become humanity’s ultimate downfall.
As Carl Goodman‘s debut effort, Black Sands succeeds as a multi-genre mystery and I look forward to reading his future work.
April 20, 2017
I struggled a bit with this book only in that the potential for something like this COULD conceivably happen. Identity theft (currently only committed by humans) is just the starting point for the potential mass devastation outlined in Mr. Goldman's story.
Technologically speaking we are probably only a few decades away from developing a feasible AI and I'm not afraid to admit that I question whether we are truly "ready" for it. The possible ramifications (good AS WELL AS bad) are limitless. I, for one, am neither prepared nor willing to turn over my life to a so-called "sentient" machine.
Bravo, Mr. Goodman - you've definitely given me something to really think about every time I fire up my Kindle or even my TV....
*** Seriously, though, I'm not paranoid (it IS only a story, after all), but I will be a bit more circumspect with my online activities from here on...
Technologically speaking we are probably only a few decades away from developing a feasible AI and I'm not afraid to admit that I question whether we are truly "ready" for it. The possible ramifications (good AS WELL AS bad) are limitless. I, for one, am neither prepared nor willing to turn over my life to a so-called "sentient" machine.
Bravo, Mr. Goodman - you've definitely given me something to really think about every time I fire up my Kindle or even my TV....
*** Seriously, though, I'm not paranoid (it IS only a story, after all), but I will be a bit more circumspect with my online activities from here on...
February 26, 2015
An enjoyable, fast paced thriller, if a little complex. I've read a few books recently dealing with 'cyber-terrorism' considering what would happen if a criminal mind took control of electronic communications and only a 'white hat' hacker could save the situation (my mistake if I've used the wrong terminology). This book is an interesting addition to the genre but I think it may appeal more to people with a greater understanding of the internet and the way money is electronically transferred, than I have.
Fast paced, quite violent at times with some great characterisations and action scenes. I enjoyed the general idea of the story but I did find some of the finer details hard to follow (my lack of knowledge, not the writers).
Fast paced, quite violent at times with some great characterisations and action scenes. I enjoyed the general idea of the story but I did find some of the finer details hard to follow (my lack of knowledge, not the writers).
June 9, 2016
Excellent Fiction Take On the Singularity
This was a very, very entertaining read for me. Danny Bowen, hacker extraordinaire & former founder of the hacking collective Nameless works as a pen tester for security systems. He's approached by a private equity firm that's lost £30 million mysteriously.
Michael Learner is a hedge fund manager & billionaire who's ready to take out the economic system for his gain. Roegen is the algorithmic AI system in the middle of the drama.
This is a super great read for any geek & anyone interested in the financial markets and what the rise of AI & the singularity will mean for the system. I highly enjoyed the read.
This was a very, very entertaining read for me. Danny Bowen, hacker extraordinaire & former founder of the hacking collective Nameless works as a pen tester for security systems. He's approached by a private equity firm that's lost £30 million mysteriously.
Michael Learner is a hedge fund manager & billionaire who's ready to take out the economic system for his gain. Roegen is the algorithmic AI system in the middle of the drama.
This is a super great read for any geek & anyone interested in the financial markets and what the rise of AI & the singularity will mean for the system. I highly enjoyed the read.
January 5, 2022
A techno-thriller with a large slice if sci-fi, a touch of fantasy, and a lot of violence - that sums up this quite exciting read, providing you are, as I was, prepared to suspend the disbelief. I enjoyed this, but I certainly do not want to read too many like it. I think it has left me with a headache, it is so unremitting. Do not read if you want great writing or detailed character development, but if you like roller coasters then go ahead. If my reading list collides with the author again, I will read it, but I will not be going looking.
March 3, 2015
Black Sands is a fast paced thriller that asks many questions facing society today. Chief among them, how much are we willing to allow computers and machines to take over for humans in the dawn of AI?
Carl Goodman has written a well researched novel that is Clancyesque in its detail. His knowledge of financial markets and computer systems is impressive to say the least. Goodman is an author to be watched!
Carl Goodman has written a well researched novel that is Clancyesque in its detail. His knowledge of financial markets and computer systems is impressive to say the least. Goodman is an author to be watched!
July 15, 2015
Scary
Black Sands made you think about how we are living in a digital age and it may not be the best thing for us. This story shows how through computer hacking/manipulating you can destroy an entire country. I am not the most computer savvy, but I suspect most of the circumstances in this book could happen now or in the not too distant future. This book was a bit too long then somewhat abruptly ended. It will definitely make you think.
Black Sands made you think about how we are living in a digital age and it may not be the best thing for us. This story shows how through computer hacking/manipulating you can destroy an entire country. I am not the most computer savvy, but I suspect most of the circumstances in this book could happen now or in the not too distant future. This book was a bit too long then somewhat abruptly ended. It will definitely make you think.
July 7, 2015
GREAT
This held my attention and I enjoyed every word while I am almost computer and technology ignorant. I am almost 80 years old with a 98 experience. I taught second grade and hopefully some of my students can relate to this happening. Second graders do and did have the mindset and talent to take off and run with technology. Yes, teachers do deserve the credit for our future. Your teachers did a great job educating you. Nancy Jean Miller
This held my attention and I enjoyed every word while I am almost computer and technology ignorant. I am almost 80 years old with a 98 experience. I taught second grade and hopefully some of my students can relate to this happening. Second graders do and did have the mindset and talent to take off and run with technology. Yes, teachers do deserve the credit for our future. Your teachers did a great job educating you. Nancy Jean Miller
August 10, 2015
This book is so relevant to our world today and I enjoyed reading it. There was plenty of tech talk but the author did a nice job of balancing this with explanations so the reader wouldn't get lost. I found the characters to be believable and was pleasantly surprised with the plot twists.
The only thing that I didn't care for were the editing errors. If those weren't in the book, I may have given this 5 stars.
The only thing that I didn't care for were the editing errors. If those weren't in the book, I may have given this 5 stars.
May 22, 2016
I suppose this is something that could happen
I found this book hard to get into at times. The plot of computers being smart and taking over could possibly happen. There was deceit, violence, murder, mystery in the book. I suppose if higher technology is part of you, you might enjoy it more than I did.
I found this book hard to get into at times. The plot of computers being smart and taking over could possibly happen. There was deceit, violence, murder, mystery in the book. I suppose if higher technology is part of you, you might enjoy it more than I did.
July 21, 2015
To be fair, I did not finish this book. I chose to stop because at 6% in, none of the characters that had started off in it, in previous chapters had repeated, so I just found it too convoluted to continue on with so many characters with different storylines. I just didn't have the patience
April 14, 2016
I was a bit lost at first, as this does have a lot of IT technical detail as well as foreign trading/stock exchange reference. However, once I got into the book I found it hard to put down. A perhaps scary insight to where future terrorism will reside.
July 8, 2015
Good techno read without the headache.
Seems funny as I read this book it appears that a simular attack is going on today .airlines _stock market. Umm maybe more than fiction.
Seems funny as I read this book it appears that a simular attack is going on today .airlines _stock market. Umm maybe more than fiction.
August 25, 2015
Sicko
I am SO tired of books with sick language. This is another that deserves a place in the local dump.
I am SO tired of books with sick language. This is another that deserves a place in the local dump.
July 20, 2015
Interesting
Seems far fetched but thought provoking and contains plenty of action. Some parts are confusing but I am not that familiar with digital finance
Seems far fetched but thought provoking and contains plenty of action. Some parts are confusing but I am not that familiar with digital finance
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews