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The Florentine Deception: A Novel
In this action-packed techno-thriller, a routine computer cleanup sets off an electrifying quest for an enigmatic—and deadly—treasure.
After selling his dorm-room startup for millions and effectively retiring at the age of twenty-five, Alex Fife is eager for a new challenge. When he agrees to clean up an old PC as a favor, he never expects to find the adventure of a lifetime waiting for him inside the machine. But as he rummages through old emails, Alex stumbles upon a startling The previous owner, a shady antiques smuggler, had been trying to unload a mysterious object known as the Florentine on the black market. And with the dealer’s untimely passing, the Florentine is now unaccounted for and ripe for the taking. Alex dives headfirst into a hunt for the priceless object.
What starts out as a seemingly innocuous pursuit quickly devolves into a nightmare when Alex discovers the true technological nature of the Florentine. Not just a lost treasure, it’s something far more a weapon that could bring the developed world to its knees. Alex races through subterranean grottos, freezing morgues, and hidden cellars in the dark underbelly of Los Angeles, desperate to find the Florentine before it falls into the wrong hands. Because if nefarious forces find it first, there’ll be nothing Alex—or anyone else—can do to prevent a catastrophic attack.
Leading security specialist Carey Nachenberg delivers expert technical details in this gripping, highly entertaining cyber thrill ride—perfect for fans of Neal Stephenson and William Gibson.
After selling his dorm-room startup for millions and effectively retiring at the age of twenty-five, Alex Fife is eager for a new challenge. When he agrees to clean up an old PC as a favor, he never expects to find the adventure of a lifetime waiting for him inside the machine. But as he rummages through old emails, Alex stumbles upon a startling The previous owner, a shady antiques smuggler, had been trying to unload a mysterious object known as the Florentine on the black market. And with the dealer’s untimely passing, the Florentine is now unaccounted for and ripe for the taking. Alex dives headfirst into a hunt for the priceless object.
What starts out as a seemingly innocuous pursuit quickly devolves into a nightmare when Alex discovers the true technological nature of the Florentine. Not just a lost treasure, it’s something far more a weapon that could bring the developed world to its knees. Alex races through subterranean grottos, freezing morgues, and hidden cellars in the dark underbelly of Los Angeles, desperate to find the Florentine before it falls into the wrong hands. Because if nefarious forces find it first, there’ll be nothing Alex—or anyone else—can do to prevent a catastrophic attack.
Leading security specialist Carey Nachenberg delivers expert technical details in this gripping, highly entertaining cyber thrill ride—perfect for fans of Neal Stephenson and William Gibson.
336 pages, Paperback
First published April 14, 2015
44 people are currently reading
730 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
April 19, 2015
When you finish your current book, take a look at my new techno-thriller, The Florentine Deception! This is a rip-roaring adventure that brings together the best elements of a story like National Treasure, with a cyber-security twist.
I'll be donating all of my proceeds to charities supporting underserved students/veterans with a goal of donating at least $10k (2,000 copies), so this is a fun read for a great cause. Please share the news!
I'll be donating all of my proceeds to charities supporting underserved students/veterans with a goal of donating at least $10k (2,000 copies), so this is a fun read for a great cause. Please share the news!
January 13, 2016
Amazing technical thriller that was technically realistic! Hard to impress a computer security nerd like myself, but he did it! Written by a computer security expert, all the technical stuff seemed accurate without being dry. With the recent news out of Juniper, you realize that something like this could happen. The author wrote what he knew, and kept me on the edge of my seat. Excellent!
January 5, 2016
My original The Florentine Deception audiobook review and many others can be found at Audiobook Reviewer.
The Florentine Deception was an enjoyable adventure-type story with an interesting plot, lots of action and some nice humor. Although it is a techno-thriller centering around a cyber-security expert you do not need a profound knowledge of computer science to follow the story. The author does a great job providing just enough details for easy understanding and without it getting too technical or dull. The main theme was really a treasure hunt to find the location of the Florentine. This involved among other things a funny trip to the morgue with the hero's grandfather, a climbing adventure and a few altercations with a couple of adversaries who were also after the Florentine.
The author created a likable group of characters who were supporting the somewhat unlikely hero of this story: Alex is a twenty-five-year-old computer geek who made tons of money with his start-up and is now spending his days drifting, mainly climbing with friends and doing computer-related favors for his relatives. While there wasn't a lot of character development or truly breathtaking twists, it was an easy and fun story to listen to.
Nick Podehl's narration was as ever excellent, and one of the reasons I decided to listen to this book in the first place. He was a great fit for the character of Alex, but also managed to bring all the other characters to life with different voices and believable accents. It always feels as if he really gets into the stories he narrates and he is enjoying himself, which in turn makes it easy for the listener to engage with the audio book. There were no problems with the production.
I think it's worthwhile mentioning that the author is donating the proceeds of this debut publication to charities supporting underprivileged students and veterans. So if you enjoy action or cyber-crime stories and/or have an interest in climbing and/or computer security, you should definitely enjoy this audio book whilst simultaneously supporting a very good cause.
Audiobook provided for review by the http://audiobookreviewer.com
The Florentine Deception was an enjoyable adventure-type story with an interesting plot, lots of action and some nice humor. Although it is a techno-thriller centering around a cyber-security expert you do not need a profound knowledge of computer science to follow the story. The author does a great job providing just enough details for easy understanding and without it getting too technical or dull. The main theme was really a treasure hunt to find the location of the Florentine. This involved among other things a funny trip to the morgue with the hero's grandfather, a climbing adventure and a few altercations with a couple of adversaries who were also after the Florentine.
The author created a likable group of characters who were supporting the somewhat unlikely hero of this story: Alex is a twenty-five-year-old computer geek who made tons of money with his start-up and is now spending his days drifting, mainly climbing with friends and doing computer-related favors for his relatives. While there wasn't a lot of character development or truly breathtaking twists, it was an easy and fun story to listen to.
Nick Podehl's narration was as ever excellent, and one of the reasons I decided to listen to this book in the first place. He was a great fit for the character of Alex, but also managed to bring all the other characters to life with different voices and believable accents. It always feels as if he really gets into the stories he narrates and he is enjoying himself, which in turn makes it easy for the listener to engage with the audio book. There were no problems with the production.
I think it's worthwhile mentioning that the author is donating the proceeds of this debut publication to charities supporting underprivileged students and veterans. So if you enjoy action or cyber-crime stories and/or have an interest in climbing and/or computer security, you should definitely enjoy this audio book whilst simultaneously supporting a very good cause.
Audiobook provided for review by the http://audiobookreviewer.com
December 12, 2015
Is this a book about super cool Millennials? Is this a book about cyberthreats? Is this a book about Left Coast culture? Is this about about extreme treasure hunting? Carey Nachenberg serves up a bit of each in this thriller. There is a lot driving this page-turner from the moment when our "hero" Alex does a family favor and tries to re-purpose a salvaged PC.
Yes, there is a group of friends. Some bonded in school; some at sports (think climbing and spelunking); and some are former work mates. They are mostly (as much as I can tell): bright; athletic; well off to rich; cool with anyone's lifestyle; and primarily Caucasian. And, yes, there are family intrusions including those by one corny-crazy grandfather.
Alex brings his friends in when he thinks he has discovered some clues to a hidden treasure left buy the previous owner of the PC, a shady antiquities middle-man. Though he knows that some "Russian" hackers have put a keystroke program on this computer, Alex and his friends show very little hesitancy in jumping into the treasure hunt.
The hunt involves both urban and rugged outdoor settings as Alex and a changing variety of helpers try to track-down the treasure. Alex has the stuff to do it, being an avid climber with plenty of free time since he and two buddies cashed-out their start-up cybersecurity firm. To no one's surprise, all of his and his friends skills become relevant as they discover that they are not the only treasure hunters and the previous owner of the PC was probably killed for what he had and what he knew. The stakes for Alex (and for many around the world) escalate as the story unfolds.
Nachenberg knows how to explain the key elements of cybersecurity to dummies and his unsophisticated knowledge of conventional government and security doesn't pose too substantial a burden to prick the bubble of illusion he creates. To describe the shortcomings would be to risk spoiling the plot and for little gain. You will know soon enough whether you are on the train and interested in whether Alex and his friends are able to outfox the pursuers. Probably in the middle of the bell curve for this genre, I didn't pay too much (dollars or time) to feel disappointed.
Yes, there is a group of friends. Some bonded in school; some at sports (think climbing and spelunking); and some are former work mates. They are mostly (as much as I can tell): bright; athletic; well off to rich; cool with anyone's lifestyle; and primarily Caucasian. And, yes, there are family intrusions including those by one corny-crazy grandfather.
Alex brings his friends in when he thinks he has discovered some clues to a hidden treasure left buy the previous owner of the PC, a shady antiquities middle-man. Though he knows that some "Russian" hackers have put a keystroke program on this computer, Alex and his friends show very little hesitancy in jumping into the treasure hunt.
The hunt involves both urban and rugged outdoor settings as Alex and a changing variety of helpers try to track-down the treasure. Alex has the stuff to do it, being an avid climber with plenty of free time since he and two buddies cashed-out their start-up cybersecurity firm. To no one's surprise, all of his and his friends skills become relevant as they discover that they are not the only treasure hunters and the previous owner of the PC was probably killed for what he had and what he knew. The stakes for Alex (and for many around the world) escalate as the story unfolds.
Nachenberg knows how to explain the key elements of cybersecurity to dummies and his unsophisticated knowledge of conventional government and security doesn't pose too substantial a burden to prick the bubble of illusion he creates. To describe the shortcomings would be to risk spoiling the plot and for little gain. You will know soon enough whether you are on the train and interested in whether Alex and his friends are able to outfox the pursuers. Probably in the middle of the bell curve for this genre, I didn't pay too much (dollars or time) to feel disappointed.
May 5, 2016
2 1/2 Stars: Interesting ideas, but written in a juvenile manner. It reminded me of a Hardy Boys adventure book, where a young computer genius leads the charge to personally figure out the Florentine Deception and bypass aid from the police, the FBI, the NSA, and others who could help. All with the disastrous end of death and destruction. According to this tale, one computer genius could outwit all the nasty guys out there. Ridiculous plot and writing. On the other hand, it does give one pause on the threat of cyber terrorism.
May 20, 2015
A simplistic book aimed at teenagers, with Nancy Drew like protagonists and plot.
I bought this book as it allegedly would have some juicy computer security plot. There is some SEC involved, but it is mundane and boring. Contrary to claims I've heard, it is not actually very believable. (Not that believability is important.)
The protagonist was boring, and I found myself cheering for every drop of blood spilled by his enemies. The language was (by luck) so simplistic, that I could comfortably skim without loosing much of the narrative.
For a forward looking SEC-related plot, I would recommend the following authors instead:
Daniel Suarez and Ramez Naam
I bought this book as it allegedly would have some juicy computer security plot. There is some SEC involved, but it is mundane and boring. Contrary to claims I've heard, it is not actually very believable. (Not that believability is important.)
The protagonist was boring, and I found myself cheering for every drop of blood spilled by his enemies. The language was (by luck) so simplistic, that I could comfortably skim without loosing much of the narrative.
For a forward looking SEC-related plot, I would recommend the following authors instead:
Daniel Suarez and Ramez Naam
November 5, 2015
A good techo-thriller. I was drawn to the real world technology threat and the computer geek hero character. The writing was the weak link: not bad, but not great. But, maybe I'm comparing Carey Nachenberg too much to the previous author I read: Patrick Rothfuss (who is an amazing story teller, and a hard act to follow). In many ways the book reminds me of a Dick Francis novel, except instead of being about horses, it's computers. I hope Carey continues to write and refine his voice, the world needs more technology thrillers like this one.
Recommended for programmers and computer security geeks.
I figured out the "mystery solution" chapters ahead of the protagonist, and even had a better solution. I can't say more without spoilers.
Oh, and the forward is written by Dr Gene Spafford. :)
Recommended for programmers and computer security geeks.
I figured out the "mystery solution" chapters ahead of the protagonist, and even had a better solution. I can't say more without spoilers.
Oh, and the forward is written by Dr Gene Spafford. :)
May 31, 2015
Review: THE FLORENTINE DECEPTION by Carey Nachenberg
Looking for a rocketing adventure thriller with a solid fact base? Look right here: THE FLORENTINE DECEPTION has thrills, chills, convoluted deceptiveness, artifact smuggling, corporate and political espionage, romance, taut suspense, and is literally a non-stop and unstoppable page-turner. If the premise of this novel ever came to pass, the consequences would be catastrophic. THE FLORENTINE DECEPTION is not just a pie-in-the-sky fictional dream sequence; the author was a developer of Norton Antivirus, and is a professor of Computer Science at UCLA.
Looking for a rocketing adventure thriller with a solid fact base? Look right here: THE FLORENTINE DECEPTION has thrills, chills, convoluted deceptiveness, artifact smuggling, corporate and political espionage, romance, taut suspense, and is literally a non-stop and unstoppable page-turner. If the premise of this novel ever came to pass, the consequences would be catastrophic. THE FLORENTINE DECEPTION is not just a pie-in-the-sky fictional dream sequence; the author was a developer of Norton Antivirus, and is a professor of Computer Science at UCLA.
September 19, 2015
Carey Nachenberg is a well known and highly respected security professional who I had the pleasure to work with. Because of his technical knowledge, at some point of the book I was expecting a plot that only a super geek could understand. Instead, I found a book that was easy and very enjoyable to read and technically accurate. It left me hanging at the end of each chapter.
Florentine Deception has a scary and very plausible plot. An eye opener for all the people out there who think they know the worst case scenario for a cyber attack and the ones who never thought too much about the topic.
Florentine Deception has a scary and very plausible plot. An eye opener for all the people out there who think they know the worst case scenario for a cyber attack and the ones who never thought too much about the topic.
June 20, 2015
Have learned a lot through this book and the adventures they took to solve the crimes committed. I can say that computers, cave exploration and diamonds will forevermore be looked at differently now due to this fabulous book and I thank the author for giving me that chance to read this fir honest review...Thank you for all your hard work and information and for keeping us safe in the computer world...
April 7, 2019
This book is the perfect book to hand to your grandma if you are a cyber security professional. It is a thriller on the same level as Tom Clancy, the cyber shenanigans that the good guys and the bad guys perform are realistic but not too technical, and the story is fast paced and entertaining. A network defender could hand this to his relatives and say, "Minus the cloak and dagger, this is what I do."
May 20, 2015
Super quick read that was really enjoyable! I loved all the details the book went into on how the hacks or programs worked, nothing was glossed over.
June 14, 2016
A shame. So much realistic promise, only to be ruined by completely unrealistic protagonist.
September 16, 2016
forced my way half way through this book. boring, immature, not believable.
May 13, 2020
Do you like the feeling of staying up until 2 AM, because you just can't put the thriller down from your hands?
Do you like twists and turns galore, conspiracies, and finally putting the book down while going "holy crap" and resolving to read more the next morning?
Do you like cyber, or (like me) know nothing about it but think it's super cool to learn about?
Most importantly, do you like epic grandpas??
If you answered yes to any of the above, ding ding ding! The Florentine Deception is a book for you. The title says it all, to be honest. There's a mysterious item called a Florentine, many deceptions follow, and you, the reader, get to experience every step of it along the way. I can't spoil too much, but let me just say that there are secret passages, lots of climbing, and a memorable trip to the morgue. All of these come with lots of references to LA and UCLA, and as a student it was super cool to imagine the scenes in the same halls that I take my final exams in.
The characters are a strong point too. Alex, the main character, is rich, adventurous, and clearly a daredevil. Of course, there's an epic grandpa, who gets a highlight for the ages that managed to crack me up for a full minute. Other side characters like Steven and Linda are fun, and the villain is a truly dastardly fellow.
Of course, the book isn't perfect. While I liked the characters as a whole, there could have been some more development by the end of the story – it seems like the characters mostly remain stagnant. At some points descriptions can get confusing if you've never been in a cave or on a rock climbing wall before. Some parts feel a little slow because of the need for exposition about complex cyber topics – it's a tricky balance that the author manages well, but it's not perfect.
Is it a hyper-realistic story? Nope. Is it a good story? Heck yeah! Highly recommend giving it a go – it evokes memories of spending childhood days holed up reading for hours upon hours.
Do you like twists and turns galore, conspiracies, and finally putting the book down while going "holy crap" and resolving to read more the next morning?
Do you like cyber, or (like me) know nothing about it but think it's super cool to learn about?
Most importantly, do you like epic grandpas??
If you answered yes to any of the above, ding ding ding! The Florentine Deception is a book for you. The title says it all, to be honest. There's a mysterious item called a Florentine, many deceptions follow, and you, the reader, get to experience every step of it along the way. I can't spoil too much, but let me just say that there are secret passages, lots of climbing, and a memorable trip to the morgue. All of these come with lots of references to LA and UCLA, and as a student it was super cool to imagine the scenes in the same halls that I take my final exams in.
The characters are a strong point too. Alex, the main character, is rich, adventurous, and clearly a daredevil. Of course, there's an epic grandpa, who gets a highlight for the ages that managed to crack me up for a full minute. Other side characters like Steven and Linda are fun, and the villain is a truly dastardly fellow.
Of course, the book isn't perfect. While I liked the characters as a whole, there could have been some more development by the end of the story – it seems like the characters mostly remain stagnant. At some points descriptions can get confusing if you've never been in a cave or on a rock climbing wall before. Some parts feel a little slow because of the need for exposition about complex cyber topics – it's a tricky balance that the author manages well, but it's not perfect.
Is it a hyper-realistic story? Nope. Is it a good story? Heck yeah! Highly recommend giving it a go – it evokes memories of spending childhood days holed up reading for hours upon hours.
February 22, 2019
Intriguing for the technologically adept.
July 15, 2020
DAMN 😍😍 WHAT THE HELL IT'S AN EXTREMELY SUPER AWESOME THRILLER, DAMN IF IT WAS A FOOD I WOULD EAT IT IN A FRACTION OF SECOND ❤️😋😍
May 25, 2021
Few first chapters seems too boring, but then after got the case everything become thrilled!
September 1, 2022
Reads like fan fiction aimed at a ya audience.
May 29, 2016
The Florentine Deception by Carey Nachenberg Alex Fife is rather bored. He had the luck and the skills to start a successful company young and then sell it for a very pretty profit. Now at 25, he needs a new challenge. Cleaning up an old PC for a charity is not quite the challenge he was looking for, but he stumbles upon references to the Florentine, an item an antiques dealer was trying to sell on the black market. Alex’s hunt for the Florentine turns out to be a bigger challenge than he had in mind.
Alex and Steven, who have been best friends for some years, initially dug into the Florentine mystery out of boredom and curiosity. Richard Lister, the now deceased antiques dealer, was involved in some shady things. Alex and Steven hatch a plan to check out his house, which is for sale. Hillary, Steven’s wife, thinks they’re a bit nuts but swiftly gets caught up in the excitement. One discovery leads to another as the action spirals up. However, the stakes also continue to rise as it becomes apparent they aren’t the only one looking for the Florentine.
This was a pretty fun read. I enjoyed that Alex and crew thought they were looking for one thing and as things progressed, it became apparent they were looking for something completely different. Us readers know from the book’s description that this will happen, but it was fun to see how the author made his characters work it out. This story is mostly about the action, though there is some character development for Alex and Steven. There’s also a touch of romance, which was fine, though I didn’t feel that it particularly added to the book.
There’s plenty of computer geek speak in this book, which is what I was expecting, since Alex and most of his friends are computer scientists of one flavor or another. I enjoyed watching Alex use his expertise to collect info on the Florentine and also in laying traps for the bad guys. However, there were a few times when Alex was explaining some basic things (such as fire walls) to other computer savvy folks and that just came off as out of character. I think the author wanted these things laid out clearly for the reader, in case they aren’t computer nerds, but it came off as a bit clunky.
In contrast, the author did a great job in explaining some basics about caving. Alex has a few friends, including the most interesting Linda, who are caving folks and this techno-thriller requires some cave exploration. Hooray! Steven is not a caving person, so Alex has the perfect newbie to explain some basics to. However, there were times when Alex got a little dense on the subject. For instance, he thought it was pretty ingenious of his friend Potter to bring along glow sticks, which I would think would be a basic in most caving survival packs. Then there was that scene where Alex and crew gave up a little too easily for my taste. I felt the author was eager to move on to the next section of the book.
Now let’s talk about the morgue and Alex’s grandfather (Papa). This was by far my favorite scene of the book. Papa was so funny and yet took his role in the task so seriously! I really enjoyed this morgue caper as Alex and crew gathered further information. I’m glad the author didn’t make light of morgue security because it provided so much opportunity for Alex and Papa to have these tense, yet ridiculous, conversations.
Over all, this was a light, fun read. There were some clunky bits here and there. However, this is balanced out by the morgue scene and ratcheting-up tension and action of the story. Once the true nature of the Florentine is figured out by Alex, there’s a race on to either capture the Florentine or counteract it. The ending wraps up all the questions (except for those concerning Alex’s future love life) for this tale and leaves the door open for future installments. It would be interesting to see what Alex and crew go after next time.
I received a copy of this book at no cost from the author (via iRead Book Tours) in exchange for an honest review.
The Narration: Nick Podehl was a good fit for Alex. He had that successful mid-20s feel to the voice that made Alex come through clearly. The narrator had to do several accents – Puerto Rican, Russian, Philipino, vague Arab, Ukranian, and regional American accents – and he did them well. His female voices were realistic.
Alex and Steven, who have been best friends for some years, initially dug into the Florentine mystery out of boredom and curiosity. Richard Lister, the now deceased antiques dealer, was involved in some shady things. Alex and Steven hatch a plan to check out his house, which is for sale. Hillary, Steven’s wife, thinks they’re a bit nuts but swiftly gets caught up in the excitement. One discovery leads to another as the action spirals up. However, the stakes also continue to rise as it becomes apparent they aren’t the only one looking for the Florentine.
This was a pretty fun read. I enjoyed that Alex and crew thought they were looking for one thing and as things progressed, it became apparent they were looking for something completely different. Us readers know from the book’s description that this will happen, but it was fun to see how the author made his characters work it out. This story is mostly about the action, though there is some character development for Alex and Steven. There’s also a touch of romance, which was fine, though I didn’t feel that it particularly added to the book.
There’s plenty of computer geek speak in this book, which is what I was expecting, since Alex and most of his friends are computer scientists of one flavor or another. I enjoyed watching Alex use his expertise to collect info on the Florentine and also in laying traps for the bad guys. However, there were a few times when Alex was explaining some basic things (such as fire walls) to other computer savvy folks and that just came off as out of character. I think the author wanted these things laid out clearly for the reader, in case they aren’t computer nerds, but it came off as a bit clunky.
In contrast, the author did a great job in explaining some basics about caving. Alex has a few friends, including the most interesting Linda, who are caving folks and this techno-thriller requires some cave exploration. Hooray! Steven is not a caving person, so Alex has the perfect newbie to explain some basics to. However, there were times when Alex got a little dense on the subject. For instance, he thought it was pretty ingenious of his friend Potter to bring along glow sticks, which I would think would be a basic in most caving survival packs. Then there was that scene where Alex and crew gave up a little too easily for my taste. I felt the author was eager to move on to the next section of the book.
Now let’s talk about the morgue and Alex’s grandfather (Papa). This was by far my favorite scene of the book. Papa was so funny and yet took his role in the task so seriously! I really enjoyed this morgue caper as Alex and crew gathered further information. I’m glad the author didn’t make light of morgue security because it provided so much opportunity for Alex and Papa to have these tense, yet ridiculous, conversations.
Over all, this was a light, fun read. There were some clunky bits here and there. However, this is balanced out by the morgue scene and ratcheting-up tension and action of the story. Once the true nature of the Florentine is figured out by Alex, there’s a race on to either capture the Florentine or counteract it. The ending wraps up all the questions (except for those concerning Alex’s future love life) for this tale and leaves the door open for future installments. It would be interesting to see what Alex and crew go after next time.
I received a copy of this book at no cost from the author (via iRead Book Tours) in exchange for an honest review.
The Narration: Nick Podehl was a good fit for Alex. He had that successful mid-20s feel to the voice that made Alex come through clearly. The narrator had to do several accents – Puerto Rican, Russian, Philipino, vague Arab, Ukranian, and regional American accents – and he did them well. His female voices were realistic.
October 10, 2017
Seems Repetitive
It comes across as a plot forcefully written around a small, 30 min plot. A lot of shortcuts in the story.
It comes across as a plot forcefully written around a small, 30 min plot. A lot of shortcuts in the story.
May 29, 2016
Alex Fife is rather bored. He had the luck and the skills to start a successful company young and then sell it for a very pretty profit. Now at 25, he needs a new challenge. Cleaning up an old PC for a charity is not quite the challenge he was looking for, but he stumbles upon references to the Florentine, an item an antiques dealer was trying to sell on the black market. Alex’s hunt for the Florentine turns out to be a bigger challenge than he had in mind.
Alex and Steven, who have been best friends for some years, initially dug into the Florentine mystery out of boredom and curiosity. Richard Lister, the now deceased antiques dealer, was involved in some shady things. Alex and Steven hatch a plan to check out his house, which is for sale. Hillary, Steven’s wife, thinks they’re a bit nuts but swiftly gets caught up in the excitement. One discovery leads to another as the action spirals up. However, the stakes also continue to rise as it becomes apparent they aren’t the only one looking for the Florentine.
This was a pretty fun read. I enjoyed that Alex and crew thought they were looking for one thing and as things progressed, it became apparent they were looking for something completely different. Us readers know from the book’s description that this will happen, but it was fun to see how the author made his characters work it out. This story is mostly about the action, though there is some character development for Alex and Steven. There’s also a touch of romance, which was fine, though I didn’t feel that it particularly added to the book.
There’s plenty of computer geek speak in this book, which is what I was expecting, since Alex and most of his friends are computer scientists of one flavor or another. I enjoyed watching Alex use his expertise to collect info on the Florentine and also in laying traps for the bad guys. However, there were a few times when Alex was explaining some basic things (such as fire walls) to other computer savvy folks and that just came off as out of character. I think the author wanted these things laid out clearly for the reader, in case they aren’t computer nerds, but it came off as a bit clunky.
In contrast, the author did a great job in explaining some basics about caving. Alex has a few friends, including the most interesting Linda, who are caving folks and this techno-thriller requires some cave exploration. Hooray! Steven is not a caving person, so Alex has the perfect newbie to explain some basics to. However, there were times when Alex got a little dense on the subject. For instance, he thought it was pretty ingenious of his friend Potter to bring along glow sticks, which I would think would be a basic in most caving survival packs. Then there was that scene where Alex and crew gave up a little too easily for my taste. I felt the author was eager to move on to the next section of the book.
Now let’s talk about the morgue and Alex’s grandfather (Papa). This was by far my favorite scene of the book. Papa was so funny and yet took his role in the task so seriously! I really enjoyed this morgue caper as Alex and crew gathered further information. I’m glad the author didn’t make light of morgue security because it provided so much opportunity for Alex and Papa to have these tense, yet ridiculous, conversations.
Over all, this was a light, fun read. There were some clunky bits here and there. However, this is balanced out by the morgue scene and ratcheting-up tension and action of the story. Once the true nature of the Florentine is figured out by Alex, there’s a race on to either capture the Florentine or counteract it. The ending wraps up all the questions (except for those concerning Alex’s future love life) for this tale and leaves the door open for future installments. It would be interesting to see what Alex and crew go after next time.
I received a copy of this book at no cost from the author (via iRead Book Tours) in exchange for an honest review.
The Narration: Nick Podehl was a good fit for Alex. He had that successful mid-20s feel to the voice that made Alex come through clearly. The narrator had to do several accents – Puerto Rican, Russian, Philipino, vague Arab, Ukranian, and regional American accents – and he did them well. His female voices were realistic.
Alex and Steven, who have been best friends for some years, initially dug into the Florentine mystery out of boredom and curiosity. Richard Lister, the now deceased antiques dealer, was involved in some shady things. Alex and Steven hatch a plan to check out his house, which is for sale. Hillary, Steven’s wife, thinks they’re a bit nuts but swiftly gets caught up in the excitement. One discovery leads to another as the action spirals up. However, the stakes also continue to rise as it becomes apparent they aren’t the only one looking for the Florentine.
This was a pretty fun read. I enjoyed that Alex and crew thought they were looking for one thing and as things progressed, it became apparent they were looking for something completely different. Us readers know from the book’s description that this will happen, but it was fun to see how the author made his characters work it out. This story is mostly about the action, though there is some character development for Alex and Steven. There’s also a touch of romance, which was fine, though I didn’t feel that it particularly added to the book.
There’s plenty of computer geek speak in this book, which is what I was expecting, since Alex and most of his friends are computer scientists of one flavor or another. I enjoyed watching Alex use his expertise to collect info on the Florentine and also in laying traps for the bad guys. However, there were a few times when Alex was explaining some basic things (such as fire walls) to other computer savvy folks and that just came off as out of character. I think the author wanted these things laid out clearly for the reader, in case they aren’t computer nerds, but it came off as a bit clunky.
In contrast, the author did a great job in explaining some basics about caving. Alex has a few friends, including the most interesting Linda, who are caving folks and this techno-thriller requires some cave exploration. Hooray! Steven is not a caving person, so Alex has the perfect newbie to explain some basics to. However, there were times when Alex got a little dense on the subject. For instance, he thought it was pretty ingenious of his friend Potter to bring along glow sticks, which I would think would be a basic in most caving survival packs. Then there was that scene where Alex and crew gave up a little too easily for my taste. I felt the author was eager to move on to the next section of the book.
Now let’s talk about the morgue and Alex’s grandfather (Papa). This was by far my favorite scene of the book. Papa was so funny and yet took his role in the task so seriously! I really enjoyed this morgue caper as Alex and crew gathered further information. I’m glad the author didn’t make light of morgue security because it provided so much opportunity for Alex and Papa to have these tense, yet ridiculous, conversations.
Over all, this was a light, fun read. There were some clunky bits here and there. However, this is balanced out by the morgue scene and ratcheting-up tension and action of the story. Once the true nature of the Florentine is figured out by Alex, there’s a race on to either capture the Florentine or counteract it. The ending wraps up all the questions (except for those concerning Alex’s future love life) for this tale and leaves the door open for future installments. It would be interesting to see what Alex and crew go after next time.
I received a copy of this book at no cost from the author (via iRead Book Tours) in exchange for an honest review.
The Narration: Nick Podehl was a good fit for Alex. He had that successful mid-20s feel to the voice that made Alex come through clearly. The narrator had to do several accents – Puerto Rican, Russian, Philipino, vague Arab, Ukranian, and regional American accents – and he did them well. His female voices were realistic.
May 28, 2016
Do you enjoy action-oriented mysteries and reality-based cyber-thrillers? Are you ready to step into a story where performing a good deed leads to an exciting but extraordinarily dangerous adventure – one where nothing is quite what it seems?
Casey Nachenberg – the inventor of Norton Antivirus and Chief Engineer at Symantec Corporation – has written his first novel, the The Florentine Deception, a book that contains the perfect mix of ingredients for an entertaining summertime caper!
The Florentine Deception introduces us to Alex Fife – a young techno-wiz turned millionaire who retired at age 25 after selling his college start-up company. Now he spends his days trying to figure out what to do with his life. Alex craves excitement but most days, his biggest thrills come from his love of activities such as rock-climbing and spelunking.
All of that changes, however, the day that Alex’s father asks him to clean up an old computer that he wishes to donate to a family in need. As Alex begins the rather mundane task of removing viruses and personal data from the computer, he discovers a piece of rather sophisticated malware that completely captures his attention and causes him to investigate its origins.
In the process, Alex discovers that the previous owner of the computer was an antiques smuggler who has been involved in some rather nefarious dealings in the past, and has apparently become involved in a transaction involving a mysterious item called the Florentine.
Alex is excited about this initial discovery, because he believes that the Florentine is a missing diamond that is quite valuable and in high demand. Convinced that he has the makings of a real live treasure hunt on his hands, he is willing to do whatever it takes to embark on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure with his best friend Steven and pursue every lead possible – including buying the previous owner’s estate in Malibu!
Before long, however, terrible things begin to happen all around Alex, and Alex begins to suspect that there is more to the Florentine than he originally imagined. What started out as an exciting game for Alex and his friends to embark upon soon becomes a matter of life and death as the true nature of the Florentine is revealed.
Because of the author’s background and technical expertise, one aspect of this book that I found particularly interesting was the information on cyber-security issues that were woven throughout the novel. I also enjoyed tracking all of the Southern California locales that Alex and his friends visit throughout their adventures, as I am familiar with many of them!
On the other hand, one thing I did not like was the excessive number of potty-mouthed outbursts and religious expletives that were used throughout the book. They expletives did not add anything to the book or reveal anything about the characters – they merely detracted from the story.
Bad language aside, The Florentine Deception is a fun story to read or listen to on a lazy summer day – particularly when you consider that the author is generously donating all of his proceeds from the sales of The Florentine Deception to charities to help underprivileged and low-income students!
To learn more about this book, please visit Create With Joy.
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the publisher for review purposes. However, the opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
Casey Nachenberg – the inventor of Norton Antivirus and Chief Engineer at Symantec Corporation – has written his first novel, the The Florentine Deception, a book that contains the perfect mix of ingredients for an entertaining summertime caper!
The Florentine Deception introduces us to Alex Fife – a young techno-wiz turned millionaire who retired at age 25 after selling his college start-up company. Now he spends his days trying to figure out what to do with his life. Alex craves excitement but most days, his biggest thrills come from his love of activities such as rock-climbing and spelunking.
All of that changes, however, the day that Alex’s father asks him to clean up an old computer that he wishes to donate to a family in need. As Alex begins the rather mundane task of removing viruses and personal data from the computer, he discovers a piece of rather sophisticated malware that completely captures his attention and causes him to investigate its origins.
In the process, Alex discovers that the previous owner of the computer was an antiques smuggler who has been involved in some rather nefarious dealings in the past, and has apparently become involved in a transaction involving a mysterious item called the Florentine.
Alex is excited about this initial discovery, because he believes that the Florentine is a missing diamond that is quite valuable and in high demand. Convinced that he has the makings of a real live treasure hunt on his hands, he is willing to do whatever it takes to embark on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure with his best friend Steven and pursue every lead possible – including buying the previous owner’s estate in Malibu!
Before long, however, terrible things begin to happen all around Alex, and Alex begins to suspect that there is more to the Florentine than he originally imagined. What started out as an exciting game for Alex and his friends to embark upon soon becomes a matter of life and death as the true nature of the Florentine is revealed.
Because of the author’s background and technical expertise, one aspect of this book that I found particularly interesting was the information on cyber-security issues that were woven throughout the novel. I also enjoyed tracking all of the Southern California locales that Alex and his friends visit throughout their adventures, as I am familiar with many of them!
On the other hand, one thing I did not like was the excessive number of potty-mouthed outbursts and religious expletives that were used throughout the book. They expletives did not add anything to the book or reveal anything about the characters – they merely detracted from the story.
Bad language aside, The Florentine Deception is a fun story to read or listen to on a lazy summer day – particularly when you consider that the author is generously donating all of his proceeds from the sales of The Florentine Deception to charities to help underprivileged and low-income students!
To learn more about this book, please visit Create With Joy.
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the publisher for review purposes. However, the opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
August 11, 2015
With a growing backlog of books to read, The Florentine Deception was bumped to the very top of my list. I was really excited to jump into what my friends called a relatively realistic Techno-thriller. Working in IT and having a strong interest in computer security, many of my friends had recommended this book to me.
When I discovered that Carey was donating the proceeds to charity, I purchased the book immediately and was intrigued about the story.
I was met with slight disappointment as my friends had hyped the book up, I went in thinking it could very well be one of my favorites. While it fell a bit short of my expectations, it was an excellent read and I highly recommend it.
The story was a bit less technical than I was hoping. The technology in the book was thankfully, pretty accurate. There were no major flaws that can often frustrate me while reading. The story was paced pretty quickly with short chapters. I was pulled into the story and engaged, being one of the few books I've read in the last year that had me thinking about it while I wasn't reading. I did really enjoy the characters and the plot. I definitely would've say it's going to win any awards for deepest plot or best written book for the year but if you are interested in the story and the topic, it'll likely be well worth your time and the read.
I would say that the story is certainly "plausible" without being a stretch to believe it. At the same time, it was not as realistic as many people had told me. While I enjoy Sci-Fi, it was amazing to read a book where the technology is grounded to the modern times. The treasure hunt was enjoyable and thrilling at times. It wasn't as good as say, Ready Player One, but stands on it's own.
I can say that I really enjoyed the book, even without it quite meeting the expectations from the hype I had heard. For those who are more technical, you'll find a grounded and fairly accurate representation of technology and potential threats. The book is well worth the read and I'd say easily justifies the purchase price, especially with proceeds going to charity. It may not claim a place on my list of "top favorite books of all time" but is certainly one of my favorites for the year and I would highly recommend it to those who are interested in the synopsis.
Should Carey Nachenberg publish another book, I will definitely be reading it as well.
When I discovered that Carey was donating the proceeds to charity, I purchased the book immediately and was intrigued about the story.
I was met with slight disappointment as my friends had hyped the book up, I went in thinking it could very well be one of my favorites. While it fell a bit short of my expectations, it was an excellent read and I highly recommend it.
The story was a bit less technical than I was hoping. The technology in the book was thankfully, pretty accurate. There were no major flaws that can often frustrate me while reading. The story was paced pretty quickly with short chapters. I was pulled into the story and engaged, being one of the few books I've read in the last year that had me thinking about it while I wasn't reading. I did really enjoy the characters and the plot. I definitely would've say it's going to win any awards for deepest plot or best written book for the year but if you are interested in the story and the topic, it'll likely be well worth your time and the read.
I would say that the story is certainly "plausible" without being a stretch to believe it. At the same time, it was not as realistic as many people had told me. While I enjoy Sci-Fi, it was amazing to read a book where the technology is grounded to the modern times. The treasure hunt was enjoyable and thrilling at times. It wasn't as good as say, Ready Player One, but stands on it's own.
I can say that I really enjoyed the book, even without it quite meeting the expectations from the hype I had heard. For those who are more technical, you'll find a grounded and fairly accurate representation of technology and potential threats. The book is well worth the read and I'd say easily justifies the purchase price, especially with proceeds going to charity. It may not claim a place on my list of "top favorite books of all time" but is certainly one of my favorites for the year and I would highly recommend it to those who are interested in the synopsis.
Should Carey Nachenberg publish another book, I will definitely be reading it as well.
February 20, 2016
A scary technothriller that feels like non-fiction, which is terrifying.
Alex Fife is a multi-millionaire former computer virus buster. He’s also a fan of a good treasure hunt. The Florentine Deception is the perfect combination of both of these worlds. Mixing in old school treasure hunting with new school computer technology, The Florentine Deception weaves in and out of some amazing (and terrifying) worlds that feel more like non-fiction than fiction.
The narration was done by Nick Podehl, and holy crap does he kill it. I honestly think I’ve listened to a book or two narrated by him before, but I will definitely be checking him out in the future. The characters were 100% believable and the voices he gave them were very fitting for each character. Even the female voices were pretty good, which isn’t easy to accomplish as a male narrator.
I consumed this book like it was real. Alex Fife and the situations that he gets himself in were just crazy. But the scariest part was that everything that Nachenberg wrote is totally plausible. That’s what makes The Florentine Deception so scary.
Alex was so incredibly likable as a character. The way he was written made me really like him and all of his interactions with the other characters in the book. His roommates and friends were all the perfect additions to his life. Not one single person felt out of place in this novel. A feat in itself.
The techno/computer things in this were written by someone with A LOT of knowledge, but they are easy to read. They don’t read like a computer manual or anything. It’s actually borderline elegant.
I won’t spoil anything for you, but I was extremely pleased with the ending. A few times throughout I wasn’t sure how it was going to end, but I was happy with the choice that Nachenberg went with.
Overall, a wonderful technothriller that was full of twists and turns that had me begging for more. Nachenberg is a name to remember, especially when it comes to mixing reality with our new computer-oriented world.
I was given a free copy of this by the author in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion.
Did you enjoy this review? To see more like it check out Brian's Book Blog
Alex Fife is a multi-millionaire former computer virus buster. He’s also a fan of a good treasure hunt. The Florentine Deception is the perfect combination of both of these worlds. Mixing in old school treasure hunting with new school computer technology, The Florentine Deception weaves in and out of some amazing (and terrifying) worlds that feel more like non-fiction than fiction.
The narration was done by Nick Podehl, and holy crap does he kill it. I honestly think I’ve listened to a book or two narrated by him before, but I will definitely be checking him out in the future. The characters were 100% believable and the voices he gave them were very fitting for each character. Even the female voices were pretty good, which isn’t easy to accomplish as a male narrator.
I consumed this book like it was real. Alex Fife and the situations that he gets himself in were just crazy. But the scariest part was that everything that Nachenberg wrote is totally plausible. That’s what makes The Florentine Deception so scary.
Alex was so incredibly likable as a character. The way he was written made me really like him and all of his interactions with the other characters in the book. His roommates and friends were all the perfect additions to his life. Not one single person felt out of place in this novel. A feat in itself.
The techno/computer things in this were written by someone with A LOT of knowledge, but they are easy to read. They don’t read like a computer manual or anything. It’s actually borderline elegant.
I won’t spoil anything for you, but I was extremely pleased with the ending. A few times throughout I wasn’t sure how it was going to end, but I was happy with the choice that Nachenberg went with.
Overall, a wonderful technothriller that was full of twists and turns that had me begging for more. Nachenberg is a name to remember, especially when it comes to mixing reality with our new computer-oriented world.
I was given a free copy of this by the author in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion.
Did you enjoy this review? To see more like it check out Brian's Book Blog
May 20, 2016
I checked out the categories listed for The Florentine Deception and they were bang on - Mystery, Techno-thriller, Amateur Sleuth. You could add in a little unrequited love, but that really was a very small side plot.
The forward by Eugene H Spafford, PhD - an expert in security and cyber crime - was an eye opener for me. The scenario created by author Carey Nachenberg - also an expert incyber-security field - was one Spafford had long been concerned about. He even presented a paper on it to senior personnel from from several government agencies and commercial firms over two decades ago. No one believed it could happen. Now here was another expert who independently came to the same conclusion. So while this is a great read with lots of excitement, just remember there is a core of possibility here. It could happen.
As I have a son working as a programmer with a start-up company, the character of Alex Fife in particular really hit home to me. Creating that new program that will sell for huge dollars still happens and the individuals who pull it off, especially if they can do it without bringing in investors, end up very wealthy at a very young age. While the other two from his company seemed to find their rhythm, Alex found himself at a loss and distracted.
Rock climbing and caving were the only thing he seemed to enjoy. That is until the day he grudgingly started to fix up old garage sale computer his dad wanted to give to a needy family. Something was odd here. His interest piqued, he started to explore a mystery not understanding the water he was dipping his toe into was shark-infested.
The mystery continues to grow as he and his friends start to search for the mysterious Florentine through a hidden safe, a long forgotten cave and a university lab. As they continue to come closer to the truth, hidden codes are discovered, people are injured and lives are lost. The truth is shocking and the timing short. With no time to turn it over to the NSA, Alex reaches out to an old mentor to help him find a solution. Will they finish in time?
The forward by Eugene H Spafford, PhD - an expert in security and cyber crime - was an eye opener for me. The scenario created by author Carey Nachenberg - also an expert incyber-security field - was one Spafford had long been concerned about. He even presented a paper on it to senior personnel from from several government agencies and commercial firms over two decades ago. No one believed it could happen. Now here was another expert who independently came to the same conclusion. So while this is a great read with lots of excitement, just remember there is a core of possibility here. It could happen.
As I have a son working as a programmer with a start-up company, the character of Alex Fife in particular really hit home to me. Creating that new program that will sell for huge dollars still happens and the individuals who pull it off, especially if they can do it without bringing in investors, end up very wealthy at a very young age. While the other two from his company seemed to find their rhythm, Alex found himself at a loss and distracted.
Rock climbing and caving were the only thing he seemed to enjoy. That is until the day he grudgingly started to fix up old garage sale computer his dad wanted to give to a needy family. Something was odd here. His interest piqued, he started to explore a mystery not understanding the water he was dipping his toe into was shark-infested.
The mystery continues to grow as he and his friends start to search for the mysterious Florentine through a hidden safe, a long forgotten cave and a university lab. As they continue to come closer to the truth, hidden codes are discovered, people are injured and lives are lost. The truth is shocking and the timing short. With no time to turn it over to the NSA, Alex reaches out to an old mentor to help him find a solution. Will they finish in time?
June 24, 2015
This is an excellent travelling book. The story has clean-break chapters and is easy to follow. When it comes to books, I don't agree with a 3-Star rating as being "critical", but rather it is an entertaining, quick read.
It is difficult to talk about this story since the cover art and the description point to a different story than which is found within the book. If you leave out the middle bulk of the book, this is a plausible concept turned into a short story around cyber espionage and the attempt to cripple parts of the world. Competitors for destruction are heavily involved, as is the race to nullify the plans.
The middle, or bulk of the book, is a treasure-hunt, urban thriller. Alex Fife is a well-off cyber-security expert that has already made his mark in the industry. Still in his twenties, he seems to be floating day to day without much direction. He and his friends become entangled into solving the riddle of the Florentine's location.
Unfortunately, the stakes are much higher than they can imagine and the race becomes more about their survival.
In my opinion, Alex Fife is a fictional Carey Nachenberg. Computers, rock-climbing, and California play monumental rolls in this tale. The concept is plausible and the author has written himself into the hero role. Authors often 'write what they know' and I'm convinced that Nachenberg is knowledgeable and passionate about computers, climbing, and his state of California.
Character development is pretty thin. After completing the book I didn't really feel any growth from the characters or any feelings for them. There was reaction and remorse but it was more transactional vs. transformative. I enjoyed the story.
I lost track of how many times Alex passed out. I received a copy of this book for review purposes.
Note - The author is donating proceeds of this book to charity. No, that isn't a reason to buy a book - but if you are on the fence, well...
It is difficult to talk about this story since the cover art and the description point to a different story than which is found within the book. If you leave out the middle bulk of the book, this is a plausible concept turned into a short story around cyber espionage and the attempt to cripple parts of the world. Competitors for destruction are heavily involved, as is the race to nullify the plans.
The middle, or bulk of the book, is a treasure-hunt, urban thriller. Alex Fife is a well-off cyber-security expert that has already made his mark in the industry. Still in his twenties, he seems to be floating day to day without much direction. He and his friends become entangled into solving the riddle of the Florentine's location.
Unfortunately, the stakes are much higher than they can imagine and the race becomes more about their survival.
In my opinion, Alex Fife is a fictional Carey Nachenberg. Computers, rock-climbing, and California play monumental rolls in this tale. The concept is plausible and the author has written himself into the hero role. Authors often 'write what they know' and I'm convinced that Nachenberg is knowledgeable and passionate about computers, climbing, and his state of California.
Character development is pretty thin. After completing the book I didn't really feel any growth from the characters or any feelings for them. There was reaction and remorse but it was more transactional vs. transformative. I enjoyed the story.
I lost track of how many times Alex passed out. I received a copy of this book for review purposes.
Note - The author is donating proceeds of this book to charity. No, that isn't a reason to buy a book - but if you are on the fence, well...
May 23, 2016
I agreed to review this book based on the fact the author is generously donating all proceeds to charity which is a very noble gesture. I also should declare that it is an audio version. So based on those two factors I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect.
This a fabulous fast paced, fun adventure, with smidgens of humour scattered among the technical elements. Basically a modern day take of a treasure hunt or a race against time.
Alex is the main character is a cool dude, he has taken on the task of ‘cleaning’ an old computer so his father can give it to a needy family. While doing so he unearths some emails and the chase begins. I don’t pretend to be well informed in the cyber world as far as computer technicalities and security is concerned but it’s not essential to enjoy this story. The author explains it all in detail all the while making it interesting, jaw-dropping and seem entirely possible!
The action is spot on, the suspense keeps you hooked and wanting to know what could possibly happen next. I really enjoyed the rock climbing concept .. not something I could do but the description was brilliant. A very clever piece of writing and the narrator was excellent. I din’t once get bored or feel as though I would be better ‘reading’ it myself. It was a wholly enjoyable experience and will encourage me to listen to more audio versions. It would also make a great movie I think.
Thanks to the author and iRead Book Tours for the opportunity to take part in exchange for my honest opinion. I have also purchased this to help reach the goal of books sold for such a worthy cause.
This a fabulous fast paced, fun adventure, with smidgens of humour scattered among the technical elements. Basically a modern day take of a treasure hunt or a race against time.
Alex is the main character is a cool dude, he has taken on the task of ‘cleaning’ an old computer so his father can give it to a needy family. While doing so he unearths some emails and the chase begins. I don’t pretend to be well informed in the cyber world as far as computer technicalities and security is concerned but it’s not essential to enjoy this story. The author explains it all in detail all the while making it interesting, jaw-dropping and seem entirely possible!
The action is spot on, the suspense keeps you hooked and wanting to know what could possibly happen next. I really enjoyed the rock climbing concept .. not something I could do but the description was brilliant. A very clever piece of writing and the narrator was excellent. I din’t once get bored or feel as though I would be better ‘reading’ it myself. It was a wholly enjoyable experience and will encourage me to listen to more audio versions. It would also make a great movie I think.
Thanks to the author and iRead Book Tours for the opportunity to take part in exchange for my honest opinion. I have also purchased this to help reach the goal of books sold for such a worthy cause.
May 19, 2016
For starters, this is the first audio book I have ever “read”. It was quite a different and unique experience. (PS: The narrator was awesome!) I do, however, feel like I missed some things and would love to get my hands on the actual book to read so I can see what parts I missed (I am a very visual learner.)
Now for the actual book…
The foreword had my attention immediately which really set the book’s tone. (You must read the forward!)
We are warned from the get go that this story could very well be realistic and frankly, my anxiety spiked. It would not be so far fetched to believe that something like that has occurred already or is currently occurring or going to occur.
The story line definitely keeps you on the edge of your seat.
If you enjoy audio books, the audio book is great. If audio books aren’t for you, pick up the ebook or physical copy of the book. You aren’t going to want to miss this one!
Now for the actual book…
The foreword had my attention immediately which really set the book’s tone. (You must read the forward!)
We are warned from the get go that this story could very well be realistic and frankly, my anxiety spiked. It would not be so far fetched to believe that something like that has occurred already or is currently occurring or going to occur.
The story line definitely keeps you on the edge of your seat.
If you enjoy audio books, the audio book is great. If audio books aren’t for you, pick up the ebook or physical copy of the book. You aren’t going to want to miss this one!
August 27, 2018
A fun technically-oriented mystery / thriller. Moves along nicely, plenty of action and good deductions. However, the story line is a little too perfectly set up to leverage the strengths of our likeable protagonist. Part of the action requires breaking into a hospital and whaddayaknow, the girlfriend is a nurse and grampa is a patient there. Spelunking and rock-climbing are necessary and pow our guy and his friends are freeclimbers. Significant disposable income is required to create the setting; our guy is a software gazillionaire. Need a weapons expert? Check, closest friend provides. Need a hacker? Just happen to know the worlds foremost expert. As the story progressed I got more and more irritated with the coincidences.
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