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Chris Bruen #3
Surveillance
When former computer-crimes prosecutor Chris Bruen and retired hacktivist Zoey Doucet open their San Francisco law firm, it’s the best day of their professional lives. That is, until their first client walks through the door. Ian Ayres is an “ethical hacker” who was hired by a company to test the security of its online systems. On the job, he uncovered some highly classified the existence of a top-secret government surveillance agency and its Skeleton Key, a program that can break any form of encryption. Now Ayres is on the run. And after government agents descend on Chris and Zoey’s office during their potential client’s visit―killing two employees―they, too, are forced to flee for their lives. From California to Ecuador to Mexico, the trio must try to evade a hired assassin, a bloodthirsty drug cartel, and their own government. But how can they escape an adversary that can access every phone call, every email, every video feed? Surveillance is critically acclaimed author Reece Hirsch’s third book in the Chris Bruen series.
314 pages, Paperback
First published March 15, 2016
91 people are currently reading
828 people want to read
About the author
Reece Hirsch
7 books589 followersReece Hirsch is the author of six thrillers that draw upon his background as a privacy attorney. His first book, The Insider, was a finalist for the International Thriller Writers Award for Best First Novel. His two most recent books, Black Nowhere and Dark Tomorrow, feature FBI Special Agent Lisa Tanchik, who investigates cybercrimes. Hirsch was a partner in the San Francisco office of an international law firm and cochair of its privacy and cybersecurity practice. He lives in the Bay Area with his wife. His website is www.reecehirsch.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews
September 27, 2016
SURVEILLANCE, a cyber thriller by author Reece Hirsch’s is the third book in the Chris Bruen series. His first book, The Insider, was a finalist for the 2011 International Thriller Writers Award for Best First Novel. His next three books, The Adversary, Intrusion, and Surveillance, all feature former Department of Justice cybercrimes prosecutor Chris Bruen.
I was fortunate to receive an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.
When former computer-crimes prosecutor Chris Bruen and retired hacktivist Zoey Doucet open their San Francisco Privacy and Security law firm, things can’t get much better! That is, until their first client, Ian Ayres walks through the door….and then their lives take a drastic change and danger is in the wings.
Ian was a former hacker but now has turned to private practice to help businesses test the security of their firewalls and online systems.
“On the job, he uncovered some highly classified information: the existence of a top-secret government surveillance agency and its Skeleton Key, a program that can break any form of encryption. Now Ayres is on the run. And after government agents descend on Chris and Zoey’s office during their potential client’s visit—killing two employees—they, too, are forced to flee for their lives.”
“From California to Ecuador to Mexico, the trio must try to evade a hired assassin, a bloodthirsty drug cartel, and their own government. But how can they escape an adversary that can access every phone call, every email, every video feed?”
Being an IT person with background in mainframe security, I found this cyber-security novel a thrilling and realistic read. This well written novel takes you into the world of spies, black ops and hackers. Who do you trust? If you enjoy watching TV series, “Person of Interest”, you will love this book. Read this series…you won’t be disappointed! Thank you again Reece for an enjoyable nail-biting journey.
I was fortunate to receive an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.
When former computer-crimes prosecutor Chris Bruen and retired hacktivist Zoey Doucet open their San Francisco Privacy and Security law firm, things can’t get much better! That is, until their first client, Ian Ayres walks through the door….and then their lives take a drastic change and danger is in the wings.
Ian was a former hacker but now has turned to private practice to help businesses test the security of their firewalls and online systems.
“On the job, he uncovered some highly classified information: the existence of a top-secret government surveillance agency and its Skeleton Key, a program that can break any form of encryption. Now Ayres is on the run. And after government agents descend on Chris and Zoey’s office during their potential client’s visit—killing two employees—they, too, are forced to flee for their lives.”
“From California to Ecuador to Mexico, the trio must try to evade a hired assassin, a bloodthirsty drug cartel, and their own government. But how can they escape an adversary that can access every phone call, every email, every video feed?”
Being an IT person with background in mainframe security, I found this cyber-security novel a thrilling and realistic read. This well written novel takes you into the world of spies, black ops and hackers. Who do you trust? If you enjoy watching TV series, “Person of Interest”, you will love this book. Read this series…you won’t be disappointed! Thank you again Reece for an enjoyable nail-biting journey.
December 2, 2016
If you can be found anywhere and by a multitude of technologies, how would you hide? Hirsch's familiarity with the tech industry and his research into the NSA turbocharge this page-turning thriller. Recommended, especially for thriller readers.
June 30, 2016
Excellent. Could not put this book down. Something just keeps happening. The scary part was that is could all happen. The internet is so new that most people don't understand it. Privacy is a thing of the past. When you meet someone new, your friends and family tell you their life story. This book really makes you think about things like that.
July 11, 2016
Cyberspace thriller!!
A cyberspace thriller that takes you into a world of greed, cover up and corruption. The story travels from San Francisco, to Mexico and Equador in a fast paced game of cat and mouse.
Lots of high tech detail...way above my head.
A cyberspace thriller that takes you into a world of greed, cover up and corruption. The story travels from San Francisco, to Mexico and Equador in a fast paced game of cat and mouse.
Lots of high tech detail...way above my head.
July 11, 2016
I received this book from Goodreads giveaway .Really good book!! Loved the main character. Everyone should read this.
March 17, 2017
Fascinating Cybercrimes Reading
If you decide to read this book read Book 1, The Adversary and Book 2 Intrusion. Surveillance can standalone, but the back story of Chris Bruen and Zoey Ducet will lure you further in to their exploits if you fully understand their back story. I hope Hirsch writes Book 4.
I chose this book for obvious reasons, it was the third in a series, and I loved the two that came before it. I seriously could not put these books down. Now you need to know this about me, when I find books I like, that is often the case. I like to read books that intrigue me, take me on a journey as if I am part of the story. I want to be thinking about the books when I have completed them, questioning where the author came up with their novel narrative and how they have been able to grasp the concepts and detail on the focus topics and characters lives. In-other-words, I want to authenticate. I like to think I am educated enough to discern fact from fiction. It is grand to read a book where an author follows that very thin line between the two. That is why I liked Surveillance with all of its cyber twists and turns, and all of the books I have read in the Chris Bruen Novel series. You have to simply read between the lines.
I like to learn and discern when I read. Reece Hirsch does a wonderful job of outlining fascinating story lines that suck you in so you can do just that. Read Surveillance. You won't be disappointed.
If you decide to read this book read Book 1, The Adversary and Book 2 Intrusion. Surveillance can standalone, but the back story of Chris Bruen and Zoey Ducet will lure you further in to their exploits if you fully understand their back story. I hope Hirsch writes Book 4.
I chose this book for obvious reasons, it was the third in a series, and I loved the two that came before it. I seriously could not put these books down. Now you need to know this about me, when I find books I like, that is often the case. I like to read books that intrigue me, take me on a journey as if I am part of the story. I want to be thinking about the books when I have completed them, questioning where the author came up with their novel narrative and how they have been able to grasp the concepts and detail on the focus topics and characters lives. In-other-words, I want to authenticate. I like to think I am educated enough to discern fact from fiction. It is grand to read a book where an author follows that very thin line between the two. That is why I liked Surveillance with all of its cyber twists and turns, and all of the books I have read in the Chris Bruen Novel series. You have to simply read between the lines.
I like to learn and discern when I read. Reece Hirsch does a wonderful job of outlining fascinating story lines that suck you in so you can do just that. Read Surveillance. You won't be disappointed.
June 27, 2016
Thank you author Reece Hirsch for this signed copy of Surveillance. Also, thank you to goodreads.com for hosting this opportunity through the First Reads program.
I think this was a really good read. At just south of 300 pages, expect pretty much non-stop action from essentially beginning to end, with a few sections between to catch your breath. I was quickly drawn in to to story and just didn't want to let go.
There is a good character set of believable people, having normal skill sets for their respective jobs. No super-heroes here. Only two quick breaks from this scenario occurred with the final showdown. Ian takes three from a professional marksman at close range and can still make a soccer kick, and Corbin fiddles about with Chris and Zoey too long. but, it's a story, and a very entertaining story at that. That is what it's all about.
The basis of the story is always an interesting one, especially these days. I'd like to know more, but then, no, I don't. Data collection from smart phones alone is breathtaking. Location, name, address, likes, interests, what is bought, how much is paid, etc. All from one little smart device - for the marketing machine. Oh, and don't forget the connection to brain tumors by holding that thing to your head!
Anyway, I highly recommend this book. A good read.
I think this was a really good read. At just south of 300 pages, expect pretty much non-stop action from essentially beginning to end, with a few sections between to catch your breath. I was quickly drawn in to to story and just didn't want to let go.
There is a good character set of believable people, having normal skill sets for their respective jobs. No super-heroes here. Only two quick breaks from this scenario occurred with the final showdown. Ian takes three from a professional marksman at close range and can still make a soccer kick, and Corbin fiddles about with Chris and Zoey too long. but, it's a story, and a very entertaining story at that. That is what it's all about.
The basis of the story is always an interesting one, especially these days. I'd like to know more, but then, no, I don't. Data collection from smart phones alone is breathtaking. Location, name, address, likes, interests, what is bought, how much is paid, etc. All from one little smart device - for the marketing machine. Oh, and don't forget the connection to brain tumors by holding that thing to your head!
Anyway, I highly recommend this book. A good read.
August 10, 2016
Disclaimer: I received an early copy of this book from the author for exchange for an honest review.
I devoured the book, page by page and enjoyed reading the new Chris Bruen story as much as I enjoyed the other two novels in the series.
The story picks up with Chris and Zoe opening their new practice, getting the new office started when their first customer walks in after discovering the existence of a secret government agency. Things get busy as the trio is chased by the operatives from the agency with almost non stop action and surprises until reaching another great ending to the narrative, with a Big Brother/1984 feel to it.
I devoured the book, page by page and enjoyed reading the new Chris Bruen story as much as I enjoyed the other two novels in the series.
The story picks up with Chris and Zoe opening their new practice, getting the new office started when their first customer walks in after discovering the existence of a secret government agency. Things get busy as the trio is chased by the operatives from the agency with almost non stop action and surprises until reaching another great ending to the narrative, with a Big Brother/1984 feel to it.
February 5, 2017
Thanks God I'm in the second half of my life, ....started back in just after the II WW. ,.....
Security !....??....Privacy. ?? ...that is the question !??!
Nice story line, well told !
Thanks Laszlo
Ps. Thanks Reece to sand it to me ,....to put me in thinking mode !
Security !....??....Privacy. ?? ...that is the question !??!
Nice story line, well told !
Thanks Laszlo
Ps. Thanks Reece to sand it to me ,....to put me in thinking mode !
February 14, 2016
There was just one seemingly quiet moment at the start when Chris and Zoey opened Bruen and Associates for the first time. After that it was non-stop action all the way to the end. I read as fast as the actions unfolded, as it couldn't be helped. I'm grateful I started this on a weekend, though I don't think I'll go to the extreme and call in sick if work will get in the way of reading. I still need my paycheck to buy books, after all.
One thing I'm missing from this book/series is the actual courtroom action. It would be a welcome respite to read how all this will be dealt with in court. Yes, it may be argued that the turnout of events is the defense itself, yet still... I'm no lawyer but I am a big fan of legal thrillers, and in my book, legal equals courtroom.
I've read all of Reece Hirsch's works and he has yet to disappoint. Even without an advance copy, he is one author I will always watch the "what's new" section for, and be the first to buy.
One thing I'm missing from this book/series is the actual courtroom action. It would be a welcome respite to read how all this will be dealt with in court. Yes, it may be argued that the turnout of events is the defense itself, yet still... I'm no lawyer but I am a big fan of legal thrillers, and in my book, legal equals courtroom.
I've read all of Reece Hirsch's works and he has yet to disappoint. Even without an advance copy, he is one author I will always watch the "what's new" section for, and be the first to buy.
March 28, 2016
This is a fantastic non stop thrill ride from beginning to end. It is the first book that I have read of the series and I am hooked! It gives us a gobsmacking picture of how all encompassing government surveillance actually is and its capacity to spy on citizens. Chris and Zoe are forced to go on the run after government agents enter their offices and kill people. They are after a client that is an ethical hacker who has come across dangerous information. It is a story of adrenaline charged twists and turns and you can't help but find yourself completely engrossed. This thriller has everything and I loved it. Many thanks to Thomas and Mercer for a copy via netgalley.
August 17, 2017
I was blown away with this story. Everyone was being watched for nefarious purposes. Chris, an attorney, his girlfriend Zoey and Ian have become embroiled in eluding an agency that does not have their best interests in mind. Believe me, that is an understatement! This free, Goodreads Giveaway was very well done. It included lots of information about how we can be observed without our knowledge. It was also full of tons of excitement, and twists and turns in the plot that kept me unwilling to put the book down. My kind of book!
April 27, 2016
There’s a saying that no good deed goes unpunished, and surely something similar to that has to be top of mind when Ian Ayres walks into the San Francisco law firm of Chris Bruen. A so-called “ethical hacker,” someone who hacks into companies at their request to test their cybersecurity and show them where their weaknesses are, Ayres found far more than he bargained for on his last job.
While conducting what he thought was a routine security probe, he came across information that indicates the existence of a highly classified, top-secret government organization, one which has apparently developed a program called Skeleton Key that can break any form of encryption. Unclear whether the program is on the company’s servers intentionally or if they’re being hacked/surveilled, Ayres brings his discovery to their attention. And that’s when all hell breaks loose.
When the company that hired Ayres not only cuts all ties with him but denies having hired him in the first place and accuses him of hacking their system, Ayres knows he’s stumbled onto something far out of his league and that he desperately needs help. Enter Chris Bruen. A former Department of Justice cybercrime prosecutor, Bruen is well known to those in the hacking community, and it’s him Ayres turns to for help. Along with his partner, Zoey Doucet, a former black-hat hacker turned ethical hacker, Bruen has literally just opened the doors of his new private practice for the first day of business when Ayres shows up on the doorstep with his problem, and a whole lot of trouble in tow.
Not wanting to talk in an enclosed space he’s not vetted, Ayres gets Bruen to take a walk with him, during which he relays his story. Initially skeptical, any doubts Bruen has about how serious a rabbit hole Ayres has uncovered are put into stark perspective when upon returning to his office they find two dead employees…and an ominous dark-suited man intent on adding Bruen and Ayres to the body count. And with that, Surveillance, the third entry in the Chris Bruen series, is off to the races.
Fortunately, Doucet was not in the office when the assassin showed up, but her and Bruen being in separate locations when the time arises for them to run, and run now without looking back, means they are scattered in different directions for the majority of the book, each dealing with their own set of problems. Of course, it’s a pretty big set of problems when staying alive means trying to stay one step ahead of a foe who has the ability to tap into every email, phone call, CCTV feed, bank card transaction, or Internet usage you engage in. Heading up the hunt for Bruen, Doucet and Ayres is Sam Reston, a longtime NSA vet now heading up a team at The Working Group, the deceptively innocuous name for the deeply under the radar government agency responsible for the Skeleton Key, and which is desperate to keep its existence secret.
Author Reece Hirsch, himself a partner in an international law firm and co-chair of its privacy and cybersecurity practice, is very familiar with cybersecurity and the lengths people will go to in order to keep secrets. Hirsch has put that practical knowledge, and some serious research, to good use in developing the character of Chris Bruen. By giving Bruen a background as both a teen hacker and former DoJ cybercrime prosecutor, Bruen comes to the table with a unique perspective, able to see things from both sides of the cybersecurity issue. It makes for a compelling lead, as Bruen is not always sure he’s doing the right thing, questioning whether he’s on the proper “moral high ground” as the complex issues of privacy, hacking, and leaking of information ill-gained but arguably crucial to the public’s well-being continually evolve.
And while Surveillance does not lack for a heaping helping of high-tech gadgets and information, as well as globetrotting action—by the time all’s said and done Bruen, Doucet and Reston have been as far-flung as California, Mexico, Ecuador and Russia—it’s the way Hirsch brings those moral questions in to play that elevate Surveillance, and the entire Chris Bruen series, above the run-of-the-mill thriller.
While conducting what he thought was a routine security probe, he came across information that indicates the existence of a highly classified, top-secret government organization, one which has apparently developed a program called Skeleton Key that can break any form of encryption. Unclear whether the program is on the company’s servers intentionally or if they’re being hacked/surveilled, Ayres brings his discovery to their attention. And that’s when all hell breaks loose.
When the company that hired Ayres not only cuts all ties with him but denies having hired him in the first place and accuses him of hacking their system, Ayres knows he’s stumbled onto something far out of his league and that he desperately needs help. Enter Chris Bruen. A former Department of Justice cybercrime prosecutor, Bruen is well known to those in the hacking community, and it’s him Ayres turns to for help. Along with his partner, Zoey Doucet, a former black-hat hacker turned ethical hacker, Bruen has literally just opened the doors of his new private practice for the first day of business when Ayres shows up on the doorstep with his problem, and a whole lot of trouble in tow.
Not wanting to talk in an enclosed space he’s not vetted, Ayres gets Bruen to take a walk with him, during which he relays his story. Initially skeptical, any doubts Bruen has about how serious a rabbit hole Ayres has uncovered are put into stark perspective when upon returning to his office they find two dead employees…and an ominous dark-suited man intent on adding Bruen and Ayres to the body count. And with that, Surveillance, the third entry in the Chris Bruen series, is off to the races.
Fortunately, Doucet was not in the office when the assassin showed up, but her and Bruen being in separate locations when the time arises for them to run, and run now without looking back, means they are scattered in different directions for the majority of the book, each dealing with their own set of problems. Of course, it’s a pretty big set of problems when staying alive means trying to stay one step ahead of a foe who has the ability to tap into every email, phone call, CCTV feed, bank card transaction, or Internet usage you engage in. Heading up the hunt for Bruen, Doucet and Ayres is Sam Reston, a longtime NSA vet now heading up a team at The Working Group, the deceptively innocuous name for the deeply under the radar government agency responsible for the Skeleton Key, and which is desperate to keep its existence secret.
Author Reece Hirsch, himself a partner in an international law firm and co-chair of its privacy and cybersecurity practice, is very familiar with cybersecurity and the lengths people will go to in order to keep secrets. Hirsch has put that practical knowledge, and some serious research, to good use in developing the character of Chris Bruen. By giving Bruen a background as both a teen hacker and former DoJ cybercrime prosecutor, Bruen comes to the table with a unique perspective, able to see things from both sides of the cybersecurity issue. It makes for a compelling lead, as Bruen is not always sure he’s doing the right thing, questioning whether he’s on the proper “moral high ground” as the complex issues of privacy, hacking, and leaking of information ill-gained but arguably crucial to the public’s well-being continually evolve.
And while Surveillance does not lack for a heaping helping of high-tech gadgets and information, as well as globetrotting action—by the time all’s said and done Bruen, Doucet and Reston have been as far-flung as California, Mexico, Ecuador and Russia—it’s the way Hirsch brings those moral questions in to play that elevate Surveillance, and the entire Chris Bruen series, above the run-of-the-mill thriller.
March 18, 2016
This novel will make you think twice about looking things up on the internet, who you call, and going any place with security cameras. Reece Hirsch writes a very compelling novel about how the government is always watching what we do and who we meet, not to mention what we research on the internet, what we buy if it is of interest to them. Hirsch will leave you chewing your fingernails with how she created this stunning techno thriller. In a world where everything we do is completely computerized right down to how we send a text or receive a phone call, it will leave you wondering if you are on a list and what the government knows about you just from a few things off the internet. This novel is as far as you can get from a conspiracy theory or theorist, but will have you wondering by the end of the first chapter.
With a very diverse cast of characters you can relate to or know someone who fits in with them, Hirsch has taken writing a thriller to a whole new level and sets the bar high for others to follow. No matter what they do, Hirsch has written a scene or scenario that they find themselves in and try to get out of without getting caught. Chris and Ian team up to help each other stay alive and to figure out who and why they are targeted for elimination; while Zoey contacts someone who isn’t on the law abiding side to help her stay alive, she finds herself disappearing completely off the grid so they can’t find her. When Zoey reaches her destination, she is met with some hostility. The best plot twist that no one would ever see coming a mile away, this story will keep you on the edge of your seat. With a very sad but hilarious ending, Zoey and Chris make it out and live to see each other again.
Hirsch wrote with just enough romance to keep even the hard core thriller fans captivated yet writing like it was a love story with trials and tribulations he can catch the romantic side of danger without making it a blood and guts kind of thriller.
I hope you enjoy this as much as I have.
Remember- Big Brother is always watching you no matter what!
With a very diverse cast of characters you can relate to or know someone who fits in with them, Hirsch has taken writing a thriller to a whole new level and sets the bar high for others to follow. No matter what they do, Hirsch has written a scene or scenario that they find themselves in and try to get out of without getting caught. Chris and Ian team up to help each other stay alive and to figure out who and why they are targeted for elimination; while Zoey contacts someone who isn’t on the law abiding side to help her stay alive, she finds herself disappearing completely off the grid so they can’t find her. When Zoey reaches her destination, she is met with some hostility. The best plot twist that no one would ever see coming a mile away, this story will keep you on the edge of your seat. With a very sad but hilarious ending, Zoey and Chris make it out and live to see each other again.
Hirsch wrote with just enough romance to keep even the hard core thriller fans captivated yet writing like it was a love story with trials and tribulations he can catch the romantic side of danger without making it a blood and guts kind of thriller.
I hope you enjoy this as much as I have.
Remember- Big Brother is always watching you no matter what!
March 15, 2016
ARC from the author for review.
Reece Hirsch writes a good Cyber Thriller.
Chris and Zoey are back home in San Francisco and seem to be getting settled. They have opened a new Privacy and Security law firm together. Everything is going well as they work to set up and organize the office. That is, until the first new potential client walks through the door and their lives are turned upside down and they are in danger again.
This book revolves around domestic surveillance. Although Chris and Zoey did nothing wrong, they are deemed guilty and a threat to National Security because of the young man that Chris wasn't even going to represent. So begins a race to stay alive.
There is very little real privacy for anyone because of the Internet, cell phones, especially smartphones, the fancy new televisions, computers with and without a webcam, CCTV just about everywhere, etc. How much government domestic surveillance is for our protection and how much is used against us? Who, exactly, is overseeing data collection? It's frightening that a few have so much power over the people, and they decide who lives and who dies.
This book doesn't end with a cliffhanger but it does end with unfinished business. This is a good addition to the Chris Bruen series.
Reece Hirsch writes a good Cyber Thriller.
Chris and Zoey are back home in San Francisco and seem to be getting settled. They have opened a new Privacy and Security law firm together. Everything is going well as they work to set up and organize the office. That is, until the first new potential client walks through the door and their lives are turned upside down and they are in danger again.
This book revolves around domestic surveillance. Although Chris and Zoey did nothing wrong, they are deemed guilty and a threat to National Security because of the young man that Chris wasn't even going to represent. So begins a race to stay alive.
There is very little real privacy for anyone because of the Internet, cell phones, especially smartphones, the fancy new televisions, computers with and without a webcam, CCTV just about everywhere, etc. How much government domestic surveillance is for our protection and how much is used against us? Who, exactly, is overseeing data collection? It's frightening that a few have so much power over the people, and they decide who lives and who dies.
This book doesn't end with a cliffhanger but it does end with unfinished business. This is a good addition to the Chris Bruen series.
June 2, 2017
Former DOJ cybercrimes prosecutor Chris Bruen has opened his own law office and has hired Ian Ayres to test the security of the company’s online systems. Ian uncovers highly classified information that shows the existence of a top-secret government surveillance agency and a skeleton key program that can break any encryption. Now Ian is on the run as well as Chris and Zoey Doucet, employee in charge of the firm’s computer lab. Chris and Ian head to Mexico while Zoey heads to Ecuador with the help of a fellow hacker. The mysterious Working Group has Sam Reston going after Chris and Ian but he has decided to bring the Group’s practices to light as well as the murders it has committed in the name of national security. The Group is suspicious and now Sam is also on the run.
Lots of action-packed suspense!
Lots of action-packed suspense!
June 9, 2017
The first novel was good in the series but these next two novels have not come close. This novel was better than the 2nd offering but still it was a stretch at times and it just swung and missed we me. I t had a good idea but was just not carried out on. some sections seemed as filler and some scenes were a stretch to believe and the ending, I was not wild about. It is doable.
June 1, 2017
A really great story ,scary that it could be true
Enjoyed that there were three different plots going on at one time. Very believable,well written. Made technical stuff easy to understand. Truly a joy to read.
Enjoyed that there were three different plots going on at one time. Very believable,well written. Made technical stuff easy to understand. Truly a joy to read.
March 9, 2016
SURVEILLANCE is the third book in Reece Hirsch’s Chris Bruen series. The titular protagonist of the series, Chris Bruen, is a former Department of Justice cybercrimes prosecutor who has since turned to private practice. In the previous two novels, Chris worked at the fictional law firm of Reynolds, Fincher & McComb LLP in San Francisco. But after his firm's involvement with the Russian mob, suspicions of cyberterrorist associations, and assassination plots, Chris perhaps rightfully decides that it’s time to start his own firm. [These events are covered in Hirsch’s first book THE INSIDER, featuring protagonist Will Connelly, and in the first two Chris Bruen books THE ADVERSARY and INTRUSION, all of which I would highly recommend you read in publication order prior to reading SURVEILLANCE].
Without giving away any spoilers, the sudden violence at the beginning of the book caught me by surprise. In past books, Hirsch tends to rely on a slow build, setting up background details before introducing the main conflict. This time, Chris Bruen finds himself immediately thrust into a situation beyond his control. Ian Ayres, an “ethical hacker,” uncovers a government organization known as The Working Group, a successor organization to the NSA that has developed a “Skeleton Key” that can unlock any encryption. This organization will go to great lengths to keep its existence a secret, including murdering anyone with unauthorized knowledge. Ayres unwittingly drags Chris into this situation after visiting his office, and the two end up on the run and hunted by The Working Group. They are at a severe disadvantage in this game of cat and mouse, as The Working Group can access any camera and cell phone in the country and beyond to track them down.
Like the past two books in the series, Chris’ adventures take him to places far beyond his home base of San Francisco. In THE ADVERSARY he traveled to Europe, in INTRUSION to China, and here the protagonists travel to a variety of locations. One of the interesting things about SURVEILLANCE is the way it splits up Chris and Zoey and sends them on their own adventures. Chris heads for Mexico with Ian Ayres. Zoey flees to Ecuador where she seeks refuge from a psychotic group of hackers who, in addition to threatening her life directly, also unwittingly place a mark on her head when they involve her in a hack of a major drug cartel. A third Edward Snowden type character takes flight to Prague and then to Russia. It certainly covers more ground than in past Bruen books and seems to contain more POVs. Zoey demonstrates an ability to carry her story entirely on her own, and I think that she could make a potential spin-off character depending on where Reece Hirsch decides to go with his novels from here.
There are some moments where I found it difficult to suspend my disbelief, but nothing out-of-the-ordinary for a thriller novel. If you’ve read the past two books then this one won’t disappoint. It satisfyingly continues a series that mixes technology and the law (Hirsch’s practice area) along with action, adventure, and mystery. Released at a time when the FBI is locked in a showdown with Apple over encryption technology (bet they wish they had the Skeleton Key!) the title and theme of SURVEILLANCE serve as a grim reminder that we live in a modern world growing to eerily resemble George Orwell’s 1984. If only we could all be as cool as Chris Bruen in defying the inevitability of such a future! Well done, Reece!
Without giving away any spoilers, the sudden violence at the beginning of the book caught me by surprise. In past books, Hirsch tends to rely on a slow build, setting up background details before introducing the main conflict. This time, Chris Bruen finds himself immediately thrust into a situation beyond his control. Ian Ayres, an “ethical hacker,” uncovers a government organization known as The Working Group, a successor organization to the NSA that has developed a “Skeleton Key” that can unlock any encryption. This organization will go to great lengths to keep its existence a secret, including murdering anyone with unauthorized knowledge. Ayres unwittingly drags Chris into this situation after visiting his office, and the two end up on the run and hunted by The Working Group. They are at a severe disadvantage in this game of cat and mouse, as The Working Group can access any camera and cell phone in the country and beyond to track them down.
Like the past two books in the series, Chris’ adventures take him to places far beyond his home base of San Francisco. In THE ADVERSARY he traveled to Europe, in INTRUSION to China, and here the protagonists travel to a variety of locations. One of the interesting things about SURVEILLANCE is the way it splits up Chris and Zoey and sends them on their own adventures. Chris heads for Mexico with Ian Ayres. Zoey flees to Ecuador where she seeks refuge from a psychotic group of hackers who, in addition to threatening her life directly, also unwittingly place a mark on her head when they involve her in a hack of a major drug cartel. A third Edward Snowden type character takes flight to Prague and then to Russia. It certainly covers more ground than in past Bruen books and seems to contain more POVs. Zoey demonstrates an ability to carry her story entirely on her own, and I think that she could make a potential spin-off character depending on where Reece Hirsch decides to go with his novels from here.
There are some moments where I found it difficult to suspend my disbelief, but nothing out-of-the-ordinary for a thriller novel. If you’ve read the past two books then this one won’t disappoint. It satisfyingly continues a series that mixes technology and the law (Hirsch’s practice area) along with action, adventure, and mystery. Released at a time when the FBI is locked in a showdown with Apple over encryption technology (bet they wish they had the Skeleton Key!) the title and theme of SURVEILLANCE serve as a grim reminder that we live in a modern world growing to eerily resemble George Orwell’s 1984. If only we could all be as cool as Chris Bruen in defying the inevitability of such a future! Well done, Reece!
March 10, 2016
I would like to thank Thomas & Mercer, as well as NetGalley, for a copy of this e-ARC to review. Though I received this ebook for free, that has no impact upon the honesty of my review.
Goodreads Teaser: "When former computer-crimes prosecutor Chris Bruen and retired hacktivist Zoey Doucet open their San Francisco law firm, it’s the best day of their professional lives. That is, until their first client walks through the door.
Ian Ayres is an “ethical hacker” who was hired by a company to test the security of its online systems. On the job, he uncovered some highly classified information: the existence of a top-secret government surveillance agency and its Skeleton Key, a program that can break any form of encryption. Now Ayres is on the run. And after government agents descend on Chris and Zoey’s office during their potential client’s visit—killing two employees—they, too, are forced to flee for their lives.
From California to Ecuador to Mexico, the trio must try to evade a hired assassin, a bloodthirsty drug cartel, and their own government. But how can they escape an adversary that can access every phone call, every email, every video feed?
'Surveillance' is critically acclaimed author Reece Hirsch’s third book in the Chris Bruen series."
Beginning with a bang, this book keeps you on the edge of your seat all the way to the end. There's no doubt that Hirsch has a true talent for creating mysterious thrillers that walk that fine line between fiction and reality. For the events in this story do just that, keeping you firmly engaged in Bruen's life or death race while at the same time planting that kernel of doubt about this story being fictional. Sure the actual story is made up, but isn't it more than possible that it's based upon real events? Starting with a mind-boggling question such as this, incorporating realistic and relatable characters, and placing them all within a world we're intimately familiar with, and Hirsch has crafted a thriller that lingers long after the last page has been turned and the book set down.
Chris Bruen, Zoey Doucet, Ian Ayers, and all the other players in this deadly game of cat and mouse have nuances and shading that make them come alive off the page. Within a few pages they all feel like they might be people you could easily know, or come into contact with during the course of your daily life. They have distinct personalities and quirks. Granted we only see those that come out under extreme duress, but even so they hint at many of the other traits each person possesses - humor, impatience, love, sneakiness, brutality, mellowness, etc. All of which combines to make them easy to relate to, or at least have strong feelings about or for. So of course that makes us root for those we consider to be the good guys, and dread encountering those we think must be the bad guys.
Setting all this in places we know, places we may have been, just brings the possibility of this as reality that much closer to home. A brilliant move, and one that makes it virtually impossible to get away from the underlying issues and ideas exposed by this book. Exceptionally well done, it has made me want to read many more works by Hirsch - as quickly as I can get my hands on them. Even if only to shake loose the ideas this book has implanted in my head!
Goodreads Teaser: "When former computer-crimes prosecutor Chris Bruen and retired hacktivist Zoey Doucet open their San Francisco law firm, it’s the best day of their professional lives. That is, until their first client walks through the door.
Ian Ayres is an “ethical hacker” who was hired by a company to test the security of its online systems. On the job, he uncovered some highly classified information: the existence of a top-secret government surveillance agency and its Skeleton Key, a program that can break any form of encryption. Now Ayres is on the run. And after government agents descend on Chris and Zoey’s office during their potential client’s visit—killing two employees—they, too, are forced to flee for their lives.
From California to Ecuador to Mexico, the trio must try to evade a hired assassin, a bloodthirsty drug cartel, and their own government. But how can they escape an adversary that can access every phone call, every email, every video feed?
'Surveillance' is critically acclaimed author Reece Hirsch’s third book in the Chris Bruen series."
Beginning with a bang, this book keeps you on the edge of your seat all the way to the end. There's no doubt that Hirsch has a true talent for creating mysterious thrillers that walk that fine line between fiction and reality. For the events in this story do just that, keeping you firmly engaged in Bruen's life or death race while at the same time planting that kernel of doubt about this story being fictional. Sure the actual story is made up, but isn't it more than possible that it's based upon real events? Starting with a mind-boggling question such as this, incorporating realistic and relatable characters, and placing them all within a world we're intimately familiar with, and Hirsch has crafted a thriller that lingers long after the last page has been turned and the book set down.
Chris Bruen, Zoey Doucet, Ian Ayers, and all the other players in this deadly game of cat and mouse have nuances and shading that make them come alive off the page. Within a few pages they all feel like they might be people you could easily know, or come into contact with during the course of your daily life. They have distinct personalities and quirks. Granted we only see those that come out under extreme duress, but even so they hint at many of the other traits each person possesses - humor, impatience, love, sneakiness, brutality, mellowness, etc. All of which combines to make them easy to relate to, or at least have strong feelings about or for. So of course that makes us root for those we consider to be the good guys, and dread encountering those we think must be the bad guys.
Setting all this in places we know, places we may have been, just brings the possibility of this as reality that much closer to home. A brilliant move, and one that makes it virtually impossible to get away from the underlying issues and ideas exposed by this book. Exceptionally well done, it has made me want to read many more works by Hirsch - as quickly as I can get my hands on them. Even if only to shake loose the ideas this book has implanted in my head!
February 28, 2016
(advance reading copy)
You may consider yourself a knowledgeable and savvy techie or someone well beyond, but this captivating thriller will reveal how pathetically uninformed you really are about cyberworld capabilities.
Chris Bruen had just opened his privacy and cybersecurity legal firm in San Francisco. When his first client, Ian Ayres, walked through the door both lives changed forever. Ian was a former black-hat hacker before turning to private practice and becoming a white-hat hacker to help businesses cope with black-hat hackers who searched for vulnerabilities in firewalls. During one of his penetration tracing searches, Ian was the first to uncover something never supposed to have been known to anyone. It was a spook project, a spinoff of the NSA, which involved a government presence on the server of the firm which hired him, extracting volumes of data. Ian's contract with the firm immediately ended when he told them what he found, with them accusing him of actually hacking their system.
Because Ian felt uncomfortable telling Chris his story in the office, they went out for a walk. Moments later men in black coats stormed into Chris' office, eliminating everyone working there, but realizing they'd just missed Ian. Ian told Chris he couldn't go back to his apt. because he saw that it was staked out. After the walk, they returned to Chris' office and saw the bodies. Chris' girlfriend, Zoey, also his computer specialist and a former black-hat hacker, was not one of them as she'd gone out for coffee at about the same time Chris and Ian had stepped out. Chris called her, explained what he saw, and told her not to return to the office but to go into hiding.
Sam Reston is an NSA lifer who was transferred from his regular job to head up a black ops team at a remotely-located site called The Working Group. The first assignment for his team is to find Chris, Ian, and Zoey so that they can also be eliminated. His work area, located in a room called a Faraday cage, is a shielded room designed to prevent electromagnetic energy from entering or escaping. It's filled with extensive CCTV and a Cray quantum computer which can process surveillance data at blinding speeds, is able to see views from every CCTV camera in the USA (plus some in Mexico), and break public key RSA encryption. Sam has second thoughts about his job and ends up in Russia, temporarily joining forces with Snowden.
While Chris and Ian are on the run across the country, Sam's crew is able to follow their every move on CCTV, no matter where they go. An NSA hitman is always two steps behind them, each time missing them by only minutes. They're forced to fight off deadly assassin drones. In her attempt to go underground, Zoey contacted a previous black-hat hacker now in Ecuador, who allowed her to join his group. When she learns just how dangerous he has become, she attempts to find a way out.
If we were able to rate a book beyond 5 stars, that is where I'd rate this fast-paced story.
You may consider yourself a knowledgeable and savvy techie or someone well beyond, but this captivating thriller will reveal how pathetically uninformed you really are about cyberworld capabilities.
Chris Bruen had just opened his privacy and cybersecurity legal firm in San Francisco. When his first client, Ian Ayres, walked through the door both lives changed forever. Ian was a former black-hat hacker before turning to private practice and becoming a white-hat hacker to help businesses cope with black-hat hackers who searched for vulnerabilities in firewalls. During one of his penetration tracing searches, Ian was the first to uncover something never supposed to have been known to anyone. It was a spook project, a spinoff of the NSA, which involved a government presence on the server of the firm which hired him, extracting volumes of data. Ian's contract with the firm immediately ended when he told them what he found, with them accusing him of actually hacking their system.
Because Ian felt uncomfortable telling Chris his story in the office, they went out for a walk. Moments later men in black coats stormed into Chris' office, eliminating everyone working there, but realizing they'd just missed Ian. Ian told Chris he couldn't go back to his apt. because he saw that it was staked out. After the walk, they returned to Chris' office and saw the bodies. Chris' girlfriend, Zoey, also his computer specialist and a former black-hat hacker, was not one of them as she'd gone out for coffee at about the same time Chris and Ian had stepped out. Chris called her, explained what he saw, and told her not to return to the office but to go into hiding.
Sam Reston is an NSA lifer who was transferred from his regular job to head up a black ops team at a remotely-located site called The Working Group. The first assignment for his team is to find Chris, Ian, and Zoey so that they can also be eliminated. His work area, located in a room called a Faraday cage, is a shielded room designed to prevent electromagnetic energy from entering or escaping. It's filled with extensive CCTV and a Cray quantum computer which can process surveillance data at blinding speeds, is able to see views from every CCTV camera in the USA (plus some in Mexico), and break public key RSA encryption. Sam has second thoughts about his job and ends up in Russia, temporarily joining forces with Snowden.
While Chris and Ian are on the run across the country, Sam's crew is able to follow their every move on CCTV, no matter where they go. An NSA hitman is always two steps behind them, each time missing them by only minutes. They're forced to fight off deadly assassin drones. In her attempt to go underground, Zoey contacted a previous black-hat hacker now in Ecuador, who allowed her to join his group. When she learns just how dangerous he has become, she attempts to find a way out.
If we were able to rate a book beyond 5 stars, that is where I'd rate this fast-paced story.
May 2, 2016
I enjoyed the previous Chris Bruen technothriller 'Intrusion', about industrial espionage on a Chinese scale. This latest work shows Bruen, a tech-savvy privacy lawyer in San Francisco, opening his new company. A client with apparent paranoia arrives but when they briefly leave the building an assassin enters and shoots the receptionist and computer operator. Maybe the client wasn't overstating his case.
A few reasons are stopping me from giving this book five stars. One is that the main characters, Chris, his client Ian and girlfriend Zoey, spend the rest of the book running away from they really know not what, whom or why. Ian believes that a new hidden department has taken over from the NSA in spying covertly on everyone using CCTV, number plate recognition, phone tapping and more. If it has, wholesale slaughter of people at a law firm would seem more likely to draw attention to the agency than hide it. This also fails to completely convince as a rationale for the plot. Wouldn't such unproven speculations be laughed off as another conspiracy theory? We don't see a megalomaniac or paranoid general, unlike another tech thriller I read recently, so this murdering is just policy. The assassins are faceless men and those issuing orders are characterless. And finally, Zoey and Chris spend almost no time in the same room or chat room so we get no chemistry or partner work from them.
Zoey's break for freedom is more interesting than her partner's because she decides to avoid surveillance by going off grid and meets some deluded, desperate black hat hackers. Okay, I can see why she leaves them, but why put herself back in danger by meeting Chris where she does, under CCTV cameras again? This ending felt forced.
An interesting character is Sam, a seasoned NSA worker, who is transferred to the new agency data centre. Here piped music is played between the double-glazed panes of the windows, soundproofing the rooms. While certain that surveillance helps prevent terrorism, Sam looks around him and foments a little rebellion.
Of late the technothriller writers are presenting an increasingly gloomy look at overall surveillance of the population, mainly but not confined to America. They show massive, inertia filled unelected governments, immune to the voices of politicians, working in the background to increase their knowledge and power. The Snowden leak and other whistleblowing is presented by these authors as the way the media can counter such government schemes and hold faceless departments accountable. Keep writing, folks.
Readers who enjoy such books should like 'The God's Eye View' by Barry Eisler, which invests more time in characterisation.
A few reasons are stopping me from giving this book five stars. One is that the main characters, Chris, his client Ian and girlfriend Zoey, spend the rest of the book running away from they really know not what, whom or why. Ian believes that a new hidden department has taken over from the NSA in spying covertly on everyone using CCTV, number plate recognition, phone tapping and more. If it has, wholesale slaughter of people at a law firm would seem more likely to draw attention to the agency than hide it. This also fails to completely convince as a rationale for the plot. Wouldn't such unproven speculations be laughed off as another conspiracy theory? We don't see a megalomaniac or paranoid general, unlike another tech thriller I read recently, so this murdering is just policy. The assassins are faceless men and those issuing orders are characterless. And finally, Zoey and Chris spend almost no time in the same room or chat room so we get no chemistry or partner work from them.
Zoey's break for freedom is more interesting than her partner's because she decides to avoid surveillance by going off grid and meets some deluded, desperate black hat hackers. Okay, I can see why she leaves them, but why put herself back in danger by meeting Chris where she does, under CCTV cameras again? This ending felt forced.
An interesting character is Sam, a seasoned NSA worker, who is transferred to the new agency data centre. Here piped music is played between the double-glazed panes of the windows, soundproofing the rooms. While certain that surveillance helps prevent terrorism, Sam looks around him and foments a little rebellion.
Of late the technothriller writers are presenting an increasingly gloomy look at overall surveillance of the population, mainly but not confined to America. They show massive, inertia filled unelected governments, immune to the voices of politicians, working in the background to increase their knowledge and power. The Snowden leak and other whistleblowing is presented by these authors as the way the media can counter such government schemes and hold faceless departments accountable. Keep writing, folks.
Readers who enjoy such books should like 'The God's Eye View' by Barry Eisler, which invests more time in characterisation.
March 10, 2016
I’ll start off honestly (sorry Reece)…I don’t even remember how I stumbled across Reece Hirsch’s first book that introduced his character, Chris Bruen. I am very glad that I did, though! From the very beginning of this character’s introduction in The Adversary Hirsch has the reader fully engulfed in his world of cyber crimes and technology, and sets a fast pace that makes it very hard to put these books down.
It’s been just over a year since Intrusion (the second Bruen adventure) was released, and I have been (im)patiently waiting for this next story to drop, so when Mr. Hirsch offered me an advance copy of Surveillance, in exchange for an honest review, I jumped at that chance!
Once I got the copy loaded on to my Kindle, it only took me two evenings to read the book. Reece’s writing style is flowing, easy to read and fast-paced. Chapters fly by as the story unfolds into three parallel story lines (all obviously interconnected to the main plot), and you may find it very hard to put down until the end. So, what is the plot, exactly? Well, so as not to give anything away (let’s face it, this is a thriller [or techno-thriller in my terms] and has twists and turns like any other), let’s just say that the opening day of Chris and Zoey’s new law firm does not pan out like they planned. Events quickly unfold into the discovery of a top-secret, completely-off-the-record US government agency that has hooks into every possible type of surveillance to “keep the country safe”, that puts Chris, Zoey and their first client on the run through California, Mexico and Ecuador trying to avoid their own government and a drug cartel, all while trying to figure out the best way to expose this clandestine organization that is willing to kill in the name of counter-terrorism!
This is definitely Reece Hirsch’s most mature story yet…less “tentative” in descriptions of events, etc. I would put him in my top list of thriller authors for sure after this third Bruen story. The story alone makes one wonder about what’s really happening out there as we live our daily lives…are we really being watched this closely?
I sincerely hope that there are more Chris Bruen stories in Reece’s mind already developing, because every time I finish one of these, I’m ready for the next one right away :)
Oh, and did I mention that in this book, quantum computing is real and working??? You’ll have to pick up a copy on March 15th to get more on that!!!
It’s been just over a year since Intrusion (the second Bruen adventure) was released, and I have been (im)patiently waiting for this next story to drop, so when Mr. Hirsch offered me an advance copy of Surveillance, in exchange for an honest review, I jumped at that chance!
Once I got the copy loaded on to my Kindle, it only took me two evenings to read the book. Reece’s writing style is flowing, easy to read and fast-paced. Chapters fly by as the story unfolds into three parallel story lines (all obviously interconnected to the main plot), and you may find it very hard to put down until the end. So, what is the plot, exactly? Well, so as not to give anything away (let’s face it, this is a thriller [or techno-thriller in my terms] and has twists and turns like any other), let’s just say that the opening day of Chris and Zoey’s new law firm does not pan out like they planned. Events quickly unfold into the discovery of a top-secret, completely-off-the-record US government agency that has hooks into every possible type of surveillance to “keep the country safe”, that puts Chris, Zoey and their first client on the run through California, Mexico and Ecuador trying to avoid their own government and a drug cartel, all while trying to figure out the best way to expose this clandestine organization that is willing to kill in the name of counter-terrorism!
This is definitely Reece Hirsch’s most mature story yet…less “tentative” in descriptions of events, etc. I would put him in my top list of thriller authors for sure after this third Bruen story. The story alone makes one wonder about what’s really happening out there as we live our daily lives…are we really being watched this closely?
I sincerely hope that there are more Chris Bruen stories in Reece’s mind already developing, because every time I finish one of these, I’m ready for the next one right away :)
Oh, and did I mention that in this book, quantum computing is real and working??? You’ll have to pick up a copy on March 15th to get more on that!!!
March 28, 2016
MY REVIEW
This is an extraordinary thriller and suspense. It gives you an insight into just how invasive to our privacy the government can be, and that is scary. The story line is non-stop flood with a pace that makes it hard to remember to breathe.
The characters are very well developed; each one acting, talking, and responding in character. In fact, the whole story is very well written, and quite believable. I found myself quite sympathetic with the main characters. One of them does something very much within character, but it was hard to believed he'd do such a terrible thing. Then he was repaid for it, and it felt like a good justification for his deed. That, to me, is great writing.
The problem a lot of authors have these days is writing with the reader in mind so that what happens to the characters as a result of their actions is felt by the reader as a logical and just consequence regardless whether is it actual justice or not. Case in point would be a married person having an affair, and that results in the break up of his or her marriage. That is justice. Betrayal of trust results in breaking a relationship. Hirsch applies this kind of justice in this story, but it isn't the same scenario because I don't want to spoil the ending.
So you have, in this book, an excellent exploration of trust, betrayal, ingenuity, and triumph. This is well worth the money!
About the book ...
When former computer-crimes prosecutor Chris Bruen and retired hacktivist Zoey Doucet open their San Francisco law firm, it’s the best day of their professional lives. That is, until their first client walks through the door.
Ian Ayres is an “ethical hacker” who was hired by a company to test the security of its online systems. On the job, he uncovered some highly classified information: the existence of a top-secret government surveillance agency and its Skeleton Key, a program that can break any form of encryption. Now Ayres is on the run. And after government agents descend on Chris and Zoey’s office during their potential client’s visit—killing two employees—they, too, are forced to flee for their lives.
From California to Ecuador to Mexico, the trio must try to evade a hired assassin, a bloodthirsty drug cartel, and their own government. But how can they escape an adversary that can access every phone call, every email, every video feed?
Surveillance is critically acclaimed author Reece Hirsch’s third book in the Chris Bruen series.
This is an extraordinary thriller and suspense. It gives you an insight into just how invasive to our privacy the government can be, and that is scary. The story line is non-stop flood with a pace that makes it hard to remember to breathe.
The characters are very well developed; each one acting, talking, and responding in character. In fact, the whole story is very well written, and quite believable. I found myself quite sympathetic with the main characters. One of them does something very much within character, but it was hard to believed he'd do such a terrible thing. Then he was repaid for it, and it felt like a good justification for his deed. That, to me, is great writing.
The problem a lot of authors have these days is writing with the reader in mind so that what happens to the characters as a result of their actions is felt by the reader as a logical and just consequence regardless whether is it actual justice or not. Case in point would be a married person having an affair, and that results in the break up of his or her marriage. That is justice. Betrayal of trust results in breaking a relationship. Hirsch applies this kind of justice in this story, but it isn't the same scenario because I don't want to spoil the ending.
So you have, in this book, an excellent exploration of trust, betrayal, ingenuity, and triumph. This is well worth the money!
About the book ...
When former computer-crimes prosecutor Chris Bruen and retired hacktivist Zoey Doucet open their San Francisco law firm, it’s the best day of their professional lives. That is, until their first client walks through the door.
Ian Ayres is an “ethical hacker” who was hired by a company to test the security of its online systems. On the job, he uncovered some highly classified information: the existence of a top-secret government surveillance agency and its Skeleton Key, a program that can break any form of encryption. Now Ayres is on the run. And after government agents descend on Chris and Zoey’s office during their potential client’s visit—killing two employees—they, too, are forced to flee for their lives.
From California to Ecuador to Mexico, the trio must try to evade a hired assassin, a bloodthirsty drug cartel, and their own government. But how can they escape an adversary that can access every phone call, every email, every video feed?
Surveillance is critically acclaimed author Reece Hirsch’s third book in the Chris Bruen series.
March 3, 2016
"Surveillance" is a very scary read. There are so many rumors, posts and articles floating out there about how the Government is "watching and listening" and reading this book just made me feel very, very uncomfortable. I don't very often give out 5 stars and this is definitely in that category.
"Surveillance" starts out with a bang and just takes you on a serious thrill ride and a ride that takes you from the US to other countries. The main characters are on the run from the US Government who have sent a hit man out to permanently silence them.
The characters of Chris Bruen, Zoey Doucet, Ian Ayres, and Sam Reston are well developed and interesting to get to know. Anton Corbin, the hit man working for the government, who is sent out to take care of the problem is seriously twisted. Just reading about him was scary and made me wonder how many men like him really work for the Government.
This story is so smoothly written and the author does an amazing job with transitioning from different POV's that I never felt lost or confused while reading. This shows an exceptional writing talent and I will definitely keep the author, Reece Hirsch, on my "Read List".
I highly recommend "Surveillance" to anyone who enjoys a well written government thriller. I do recommend reading it over a weekend as you will not be able to put this book down, once you start.
I want to thank the author, Reece Hirsch, for reaching out to me and offering an opportunity to read and review a PDF of "Surveillance".
"Surveillance" starts out with a bang and just takes you on a serious thrill ride and a ride that takes you from the US to other countries. The main characters are on the run from the US Government who have sent a hit man out to permanently silence them.
The characters of Chris Bruen, Zoey Doucet, Ian Ayres, and Sam Reston are well developed and interesting to get to know. Anton Corbin, the hit man working for the government, who is sent out to take care of the problem is seriously twisted. Just reading about him was scary and made me wonder how many men like him really work for the Government.
This story is so smoothly written and the author does an amazing job with transitioning from different POV's that I never felt lost or confused while reading. This shows an exceptional writing talent and I will definitely keep the author, Reece Hirsch, on my "Read List".
I highly recommend "Surveillance" to anyone who enjoys a well written government thriller. I do recommend reading it over a weekend as you will not be able to put this book down, once you start.
I want to thank the author, Reece Hirsch, for reaching out to me and offering an opportunity to read and review a PDF of "Surveillance".
March 7, 2016
Three separate but very related plots come together in this fun, fast-paced, cyber-suspense novel; I enjoyed it a lot! It’s obvious the author knows his stuff, which actually makes this book more than a little scary if even half of the security and spying elements of the story are true. It truly seems there is no such thing as privacy anymore.
I read an advance reader copy of this book which was provided to me by the author...so there’s that disclaimer out of the way. Over the years I have read a lot of these; some are better than others, and some are downright unreadable; this one is nearly flawless. The writing is crisp, clean and clear and the editing was apparently meticulous, as I can’t recall coming across any errors. Kudos to all concerned, as that helped make this a quick read that I didn’t want to put down.
In a touch of whimsy that I really loved, one of the book’s characters has an encounter with real-life traitor/hero (depending on your point of view) Edward Snowden, which I thought added a lot to that particular story line.
Finally, I didn’t realize until I was about halfway through the book - and I don’t know what made me realize it at that point - that this is the continuation of a series. I have not read any of the other books in the series, but it made absolutely no difference to enjoying and understanding this one; it works just fine as a stand-alone.
I read an advance reader copy of this book which was provided to me by the author...so there’s that disclaimer out of the way. Over the years I have read a lot of these; some are better than others, and some are downright unreadable; this one is nearly flawless. The writing is crisp, clean and clear and the editing was apparently meticulous, as I can’t recall coming across any errors. Kudos to all concerned, as that helped make this a quick read that I didn’t want to put down.
In a touch of whimsy that I really loved, one of the book’s characters has an encounter with real-life traitor/hero (depending on your point of view) Edward Snowden, which I thought added a lot to that particular story line.
Finally, I didn’t realize until I was about halfway through the book - and I don’t know what made me realize it at that point - that this is the continuation of a series. I have not read any of the other books in the series, but it made absolutely no difference to enjoying and understanding this one; it works just fine as a stand-alone.
February 24, 2016
This is my first Chris Bruen adventure, but it certainly won't be my last. Surveillance is the third in the Chris Bruen Series. Chris has started his own law firm specializing in privacy and cyber security, and on his first day, as the office is organized by his employees, his first client appears and draws him and his coworker/cybersecurity expert (read "spurt hacker"/girlfriend, Zoey, into running for their lives from an assassin employed by a secret offshoot of the NSA. From the very first chapter, the reader is drawn into the chase, and we hold our breath as Chris, Zoey and the client, Ian, squeeze through slots to escape time after time. The really terrifying aspect of this story is how easily the assassin can follow the three as they try to hide. CCTV cameras are everywhere, and where they are not, the NSA offshoot hacks into their Internet messages or phone conversations to track down their next move. Where can they go to escape?
What a ride! I read this entire book in one sitting. . . I literally had to find out what happened next. The climax chapters are more exciting then anything I've read.
Please excuse me now. I'm going to find the first two books of the series and catch up!
What a ride! I read this entire book in one sitting. . . I literally had to find out what happened next. The climax chapters are more exciting then anything I've read.
Please excuse me now. I'm going to find the first two books of the series and catch up!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 4, 2021
The story started off awesome, but as the story continued to progress, I felt like I was being force fed a political rant. I understand that this story is about "surveillance" and NSA, but good heavens, the repeated, continuous Snowden references were enough, but to actually bring Snowden into the story (yes, one of the characters in the story actually has a conversation with Snowden), I almost quit reading. Snowden's actions do not need to be glorified in fiction or non-fiction. If the author would have stuck to the fictional story and just let us enjoy the twists and turns I would have easily ranked this a 4.5 book. However, with the passive aggressive political statement in the book, it loses stars. I read to enjoy, not to have someone's political agenda forced upon me, which is what I continually felt reading this book. The only reason I continued to read is because I read this book with the promise of an honest review. If you can get over the political nature of this work of fiction, you may enjoy it. I on the other hand just got more annoyed as I read the book, I looked forward to the cartel storyline and Chris and Ian's interactions and skipped through the long-winded lecture on "big-brother".
March 18, 2016
It took me two weeks to read this but really I if I had the time I would have read it in one night and finished. Sadly, I can't do that any more. Within a busy life I read this book every spot I had free whether small or large. The story grabbed me in the first few pages. I'm not normally a fan of serial characters but I make an exception for Reece Hirsch's book and his character Chris Bruen. I'm an IT person with an interest in security/privacy areas and this was a thrilling ready. It shows that Reece has done a lot of research to get the technology and some of the agency back stories correct. I read his first book Adversary and was hooked and somehow I missed two of his books so I'll be going back for those. I don't want to give any of the story away but if you are looking for a great read... this is it! It's a cyber-security thriller that is captivating from the first chapter.
I received an advance copy in exchange for an honest review and that has not at all influence how I feel about this book.
I received an advance copy in exchange for an honest review and that has not at all influence how I feel about this book.
May 19, 2017
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
My first opinion of this book is that Surveillance is, by far, the best book of the series.
Chris and Zoe are still amazing characters, but this time they are taken on different paths.
Yet, they are still running from the same people.
Zoe is taken in by a hacker group thst almost gets her killed, while Chris is just running from the U.S. government.
The story may start out a little slow, but it is not for long.
It is filled with suspense and action.
I absolutely loved reading this book. I couldn't put it down!
Every time I had to put it down for work, I was thinking about it until I could read more.
I was scared that Chris and Zoe were going to die. I felt for Sam and his need to save them (along with Rajiv and Josh).
It is scary to think that the government is, most likely, doing things like this every day.
My first opinion of this book is that Surveillance is, by far, the best book of the series.
Chris and Zoe are still amazing characters, but this time they are taken on different paths.
Yet, they are still running from the same people.
Zoe is taken in by a hacker group thst almost gets her killed, while Chris is just running from the U.S. government.
The story may start out a little slow, but it is not for long.
It is filled with suspense and action.
I absolutely loved reading this book. I couldn't put it down!
Every time I had to put it down for work, I was thinking about it until I could read more.
I was scared that Chris and Zoe were going to die. I felt for Sam and his need to save them (along with Rajiv and Josh).
It is scary to think that the government is, most likely, doing things like this every day.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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