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Impala
Someone is stalking Russell Fitzpatrick across town at night. Someone is eavesdropping on his WiFi, watching him at the funeral, waiting in the alley. By the time he finds out why, all the FBI can tell him is that he’s in more trouble than he understands. It seems an old friend has bequeathed him one last gift before departing this earth: digital clues to the location of a stolen fortune.
As his enemies close in from all sides to recover the money he can’t even find, Russ begins to understand that none of the clues are what they seem, and that the only way to find the money is to unravel the mysteries of his friend’s paranoid and slightly deranged mind.
As his enemies close in from all sides to recover the money he can’t even find, Russ begins to understand that none of the clues are what they seem, and that the only way to find the money is to unravel the mysteries of his friend’s paranoid and slightly deranged mind.
260 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 21, 2016
432 people are currently reading
1475 people want to read
About the author
Andrew Diamond
11 books108 followersAndrew Diamond writes mystery, crime, noir, and an occasional comedy. His books feature cinematic prose, strong characterization, twisting plots, and dark humor. Amazon editors named Impala a best of the month mystery, and IndieReader named it to their best of 2016 list. Impala also won the Readers’ Favorite Gold Medal for mystery and the 24th Annual Writer’s Digest award for genre fiction.
Gate 76 was named named to Kirkus Reviews’ Best Books of 2018, while BestThrillers.com selected both Gate 76 (2018) and To Hell with Johnny Manic (2019) to their best of the year lists. The Sellout (2024) won the IndieReader Discovery Award for humor.
His next book, Grid Zero, will be available on June 30, 2025.
You can follow Andrew online at https://adiamond.me
Gate 76 was named named to Kirkus Reviews’ Best Books of 2018, while BestThrillers.com selected both Gate 76 (2018) and To Hell with Johnny Manic (2019) to their best of the year lists. The Sellout (2024) won the IndieReader Discovery Award for humor.
His next book, Grid Zero, will be available on June 30, 2025.
You can follow Andrew online at https://adiamond.me
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
September 22, 2016
Andrew Diamond successfully re-skins the timeless crime novel template about a small-time crook gone legit, only to find he can’t escape his past. As you might expect, the temptations of money, love and the forbidden are nearly impossible to resist, and that makes for great tension. Diamond does an admirable job of explaining technologies like the TOR browser for a mainstream audience, but he’s really at his best when he’s philosophical and introspective. Of what he perceives to be an increasingly disposable culture, Russell’s father says, “Do you see what kind of world we’re building here? What kind of world we’re leaving you? It’s a world where nothing can be repaired. It all has to be replaced.”
Impala is full of similarly hard-hitting insights that ring true. Impala is a must-read for any thriller fan with a computer science-degree, and is highly recommended for the rest of us.
Check out the rest of my review on BestThrillers.com.
Impala is full of similarly hard-hitting insights that ring true. Impala is a must-read for any thriller fan with a computer science-degree, and is highly recommended for the rest of us.
Check out the rest of my review on BestThrillers.com.
June 24, 2017
This book is intriguing, good and altogether satisfying. I especially admired how this Indie author (kudos to Andrew Diamond for taking on the work) handled so many tricky scenes deftly. Many times the bicycle could have leaned too far one way or the other but never did. Thanks for the fun. Look forward to more.
September 23, 2016
Andrew Diamond apparently has a very strong left and right brain and uses them equally well in this novel. On one hand, he has a solid knowledge of deeply technical issues and, on the other, is able to convey a personal and philosophical approach to life that I could both relate to and which caused me to pause and ponder his musings. Even though I have a limited interest in tech, I felt richly educated by his descriptions and humored by the main character's actions and interactions. The main character, though somewhat flawed and unable to make the "right" choices repeatedly, becomes someone to route for. He is like the underdog in a world of much faster and more sinister characters as the plot unfolds. I highly recommend this book. It is a quick read, very well written, and entertaining at the same time.
In full disclosure, I am biased. My last name is Diamond as well, but truth be told, I am a book snob and very picky about what I enjoy reading. So the review is actually very honest...and I should say I like the cover too!
In full disclosure, I am biased. My last name is Diamond as well, but truth be told, I am a book snob and very picky about what I enjoy reading. So the review is actually very honest...and I should say I like the cover too!
February 4, 2024
highly recommend
Wasn't sure I was going to like this story, but once I started reading I didn't want to stop. So many end of chapter cliffhangers, on the edge of your seat page turners and overall exciting book.
Wasn't sure I was going to like this story, but once I started reading I didn't want to stop. So many end of chapter cliffhangers, on the edge of your seat page turners and overall exciting book.
February 4, 2024
Unexpected
From computer nerds to murders & cyber$, love & romance this book has it all. From one player from one country to another you're always on the move. Our world is a scary place anymore. That's why I use cash.
From computer nerds to murders & cyber$, love & romance this book has it all. From one player from one country to another you're always on the move. Our world is a scary place anymore. That's why I use cash.
February 19, 2024
I really enjoyed this book. There were a quite a few twists and turns in the plot which kept it interesting. I went from cheering the heroine to booing her several times but cheered in the end! What a wonderful surprising twist at the end. I do love an epilogue though and would love to know where they ended up :-)
September 9, 2016
I received a copy of this book in a Giveaway. I enjoyed this book, it had a good plot and twists and an offbeat main character (which almost always works for me) and some dark humor. It started a little slow but I think that was because of the technical jargon and actual code included in the first few chapters. I don't think that was needed and that may turn off some potential readers. I worked in the IT field for 25 years and even I didn't want to read that much detail about programming :D Overall lots of fun and a quick read.
January 25, 2024
Russel is pulled into a web of intrigue and deceit by his old partner in crime Charlie and has to solve the riddle of the key to get to millions in Bitcoin stolen from criminals who are out to get him. He uses his hacker skills to get the money and also gets the girl from Charlie and some revenge on the mobsters. All in all a satisfying story with a good ending.
July 13, 2017
It's always a good sign when I can't stop reading. Well, a good sign for the book, but a bad one for my own schedule. That is what happened with Impala. I started reading it yesterday afternoon, stayed up late, and then started right back up this morning--in spite of the many things I was supposed to do...
I have to admit the book was so good it actually surprised me. (And I'm sure I'll take a lot of flack for the next few sentences...) I don't usually read indy authors just because it is so hard to sort the wheat from the chaff. But I took a chance on this book because the blurb was well-written. Well, so was the whole book. Just on a technical level alone it was clean and I didn't spot a single typo. Or maybe I didn't spot any because I was too riveted by the story to notice or care. Either way. . .
Anyhow, this is Diamond's second book so I always like to provide some comparisons when I'm reviewing a relatively new author. The first 2/3s of the book, especially, reminded me of some of my favorites: Palahniuk, Gischler, Neil Stephenson, and even a little of Cruz Smith's Arkady Renko. Yes, I thought Impala was THAT twisted, hip, smart, clever, funny, and readable.
Over and over and over I laughed out loud-- the bicycle scene and "Who Killed the Mockingbird" being two of my favorites. Mixed in with all the humor was some truly beautiful prose--Mr. Diamond does an excellent job of painting pictures with words.
I also greatly enjoyed the entertaining lessons on programming and hacking, not that I could follow a lot of it (reminded me of Stephenson's discussions of high tech-ery and The Calculus in Cryptonomicon). So, it's not too bad when you can amuse a technical incompetent with computer-speak.
Russ is the main character and we see things from his POV. Ah. Russ, Russ, Russ. Where do I start with Russ? He is, as my mother used to say, his own worst enemy. He is clever, funny, thoughtful, and often a jerk. However, Russ and I share one important characteristic: he HATES discourtesy. Yes, and he does something about it, too...
Russ's unwillingness to give ground even when faced with guns and muscle-bound goons reminded me of Arkady Renko, another guy who is his own worst enemy. Like Renko, Russ does not always choose the path of least resistance. Or even a path at all. And boy, does Russ take some beatings for his decisions. Seriously, I felt as if somebody had beaten ME at certain points in the book.
Two of my favorite parts of the book were Russ's internal monologues (love his chats with the FBI) and his ability to turn his scorching IQ on himself from time to time. He knows he has the makings of a very bad man, but he isn't going to submit to that side of himself without a struggle.
It really is hard to put the book down because there is always something going on. It's often difficult to know where things are going next because Russ is out of control. Which makes it exciting. And fun.
I would ding this book half a star for length because I thought it could have been longer. I would have LIKED to read more, especially when it came to the events of the last 1/4 of the book. But because it hardly seems fair to drop a rating a full star because you liked the writing so much you want more, I've given Mr. Diamond the full 5.
This book was a blast and I'd read another by this author in a heartbeat.
I have to admit the book was so good it actually surprised me. (And I'm sure I'll take a lot of flack for the next few sentences...) I don't usually read indy authors just because it is so hard to sort the wheat from the chaff. But I took a chance on this book because the blurb was well-written. Well, so was the whole book. Just on a technical level alone it was clean and I didn't spot a single typo. Or maybe I didn't spot any because I was too riveted by the story to notice or care. Either way. . .
Anyhow, this is Diamond's second book so I always like to provide some comparisons when I'm reviewing a relatively new author. The first 2/3s of the book, especially, reminded me of some of my favorites: Palahniuk, Gischler, Neil Stephenson, and even a little of Cruz Smith's Arkady Renko. Yes, I thought Impala was THAT twisted, hip, smart, clever, funny, and readable.
Over and over and over I laughed out loud-- the bicycle scene and "Who Killed the Mockingbird" being two of my favorites. Mixed in with all the humor was some truly beautiful prose--Mr. Diamond does an excellent job of painting pictures with words.
I also greatly enjoyed the entertaining lessons on programming and hacking, not that I could follow a lot of it (reminded me of Stephenson's discussions of high tech-ery and The Calculus in Cryptonomicon). So, it's not too bad when you can amuse a technical incompetent with computer-speak.
Russ is the main character and we see things from his POV. Ah. Russ, Russ, Russ. Where do I start with Russ? He is, as my mother used to say, his own worst enemy. He is clever, funny, thoughtful, and often a jerk. However, Russ and I share one important characteristic: he HATES discourtesy. Yes, and he does something about it, too...
Russ's unwillingness to give ground even when faced with guns and muscle-bound goons reminded me of Arkady Renko, another guy who is his own worst enemy. Like Renko, Russ does not always choose the path of least resistance. Or even a path at all. And boy, does Russ take some beatings for his decisions. Seriously, I felt as if somebody had beaten ME at certain points in the book.
Two of my favorite parts of the book were Russ's internal monologues (love his chats with the FBI) and his ability to turn his scorching IQ on himself from time to time. He knows he has the makings of a very bad man, but he isn't going to submit to that side of himself without a struggle.
It really is hard to put the book down because there is always something going on. It's often difficult to know where things are going next because Russ is out of control. Which makes it exciting. And fun.
I would ding this book half a star for length because I thought it could have been longer. I would have LIKED to read more, especially when it came to the events of the last 1/4 of the book. But because it hardly seems fair to drop a rating a full star because you liked the writing so much you want more, I've given Mr. Diamond the full 5.
This book was a blast and I'd read another by this author in a heartbeat.
October 19, 2020
Where to begin? I like this book overall, I was able to read it in a day and it kept moving at a great pace. As someone that dabbles in coding, I found it interesting when he put some of the items in there but if you are a long-time programmer or someone who is not IT savvy this book is not for you.
Overall as I previously mentioned it was a quick and fun read, but as others have mentioned the main character I did not like. While on some levels he is sharp and devious other times he is like a four-year-old on a trip, are we there yet, obnoxious. I mean he knows what he is doing but at times cannot shut up when he should and cannot form a thought in the book. I do not mean from my perspective his thought process is in the book mentions him jumping around and not able to focus.
So, in the end, this through me off, I love the book, but will not be reading any more from this author. His character development is great, but there is something about them that you do not really care for them at the same time. Also, I think that his use of sexual situations was off, it added nothing to the book or plot, it seemed that he just wanted to write it in due to the relationship development. To me a book needs to bring you in, which was done, but not spoon feed you every detail, that is why I read and not watch movies, I like to think when I read.
Good read though.
Overall as I previously mentioned it was a quick and fun read, but as others have mentioned the main character I did not like. While on some levels he is sharp and devious other times he is like a four-year-old on a trip, are we there yet, obnoxious. I mean he knows what he is doing but at times cannot shut up when he should and cannot form a thought in the book. I do not mean from my perspective his thought process is in the book mentions him jumping around and not able to focus.
So, in the end, this through me off, I love the book, but will not be reading any more from this author. His character development is great, but there is something about them that you do not really care for them at the same time. Also, I think that his use of sexual situations was off, it added nothing to the book or plot, it seemed that he just wanted to write it in due to the relationship development. To me a book needs to bring you in, which was done, but not spoon feed you every detail, that is why I read and not watch movies, I like to think when I read.
Good read though.
September 20, 2017
Fast paced, intelligently written, and fun. I didn't love every part of the book, but it was good enough that I couldn't put it down.
The tech part is accurate, to the extent that I never noticed any significant errors. And I get distracted by that in a lot of books and movies that try but don't really understand what they are talking about.
Characters are well written, interesting, and at least a little unpredictable.
Biggest dislike; multiple times where the main character is drunk / high, and since you are seeing the world through his eyes, you get the effect a bit. Not really pleasant.
Overall, I very much enjoyed it, and would recommend it to anyone who is interested in and knows at least a little about things like bitcoin and Tor. If you don't even know what those are, it might or might not be a good fit.
The tech part is accurate, to the extent that I never noticed any significant errors. And I get distracted by that in a lot of books and movies that try but don't really understand what they are talking about.
Characters are well written, interesting, and at least a little unpredictable.
Biggest dislike; multiple times where the main character is drunk / high, and since you are seeing the world through his eyes, you get the effect a bit. Not really pleasant.
Overall, I very much enjoyed it, and would recommend it to anyone who is interested in and knows at least a little about things like bitcoin and Tor. If you don't even know what those are, it might or might not be a good fit.
February 16, 2024
The overall plot is sort of like a high-tech, gender-swapped version of the Cary Grant-Audrey Hepburn classic Charade (remade as The Truth About Charlie with Thandiwe Newton and Mark Wahlberg) with computer hacker Russ in the Hepburn/Newton role. Only instead of being a wife he's a former business partner who finds his friend Charlie hid a treasure. Everyone--Russians, Colombians, and the FBI--is looking for it. Charlie's ex-girlfriend Cali is sorta cast in the Grant/Wahlberg role.
Unfortunately this isn't as clever or fun as either of those movies. Russ is drunk and/or high most of the time and beaten up more than Harry Dresden in a couple of early Dresden Files book. So he's not really likable. The mystery has some twists so with a better lead character it would have been better. Not terrible but not great either.
Unfortunately this isn't as clever or fun as either of those movies. Russ is drunk and/or high most of the time and beaten up more than Harry Dresden in a couple of early Dresden Files book. So he's not really likable. The mystery has some twists so with a better lead character it would have been better. Not terrible but not great either.
October 7, 2016
The action stars early in Impala, a frenetic search for a vault of $18 million in bitcoin left behind by a dead hacker, and doesn’t let up until the last page. Seems like every novel has a hacker in it these days, but most of them lack credibility. They push a few buttons on their computer and magically hack into anything they want. It doesn’t work that way. Diamond’s background as a software developer allowed him to craft a believably complex caper of cyber-mystery and mayhem.
February 17, 2025
Enjoyable thriller with a good plot. For the most part the character development was very good with the exception of the relationship/romance between the two protagonists. A little more background on each of the major characters would have provided some insight and context of their actions. Overall a good story and an author that I intend to follow.
April 16, 2019
Eugene Fitzpatrick (narrator, programmer) works with Bill Cred (Google, security/research), Sámara, Richmond, VA., Ethan (36, founder), Brad (28, salesman), Trish (24, office asst.), Tom Jr. developer, Marty Jr. developer, Karim (26, programmer), & Russell “Genie” Eugene Fitzpatrick (Russ, owner).
Charles “The Mad Hatter” Allen Taylor’s (hacker, code developer) rental car went over a cliff in Colombia.
The remaining body was charred to the bones. There was also a hole in the side of his skull.
He had been helping the FBI locate terrorists.
Several articles about him were in the Hacker News.
The Twilight Bazaar (online black market) sells everyone imaginable that is illegal.
2 Russians jumped Eugene & took his computer.
Trish took him to the hospital to get checked out.
What did Eugene & Celia (Charlie’s on/off GF) discuss?
FBI SA Ricardo Steinmetz, & FBI SA Jack Hayes were interviewing Eugene.
Who is Russell “Russ” Rey?
I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review. Only an honest one.
A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very well written techno thriller book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great techno thriller movie, or better yet a mini TV series. I’m not sure I understood the whole story content so I will only rate it at 4/5 stars.
Thank you for the free author; Stolen Time Press; Justkindlebooks; Amazon Digital Services LLC.; book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
Charles “The Mad Hatter” Allen Taylor’s (hacker, code developer) rental car went over a cliff in Colombia.
The remaining body was charred to the bones. There was also a hole in the side of his skull.
He had been helping the FBI locate terrorists.
Several articles about him were in the Hacker News.
The Twilight Bazaar (online black market) sells everyone imaginable that is illegal.
2 Russians jumped Eugene & took his computer.
Trish took him to the hospital to get checked out.
What did Eugene & Celia (Charlie’s on/off GF) discuss?
FBI SA Ricardo Steinmetz, & FBI SA Jack Hayes were interviewing Eugene.
Who is Russell “Russ” Rey?
I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review. Only an honest one.
A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very well written techno thriller book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great techno thriller movie, or better yet a mini TV series. I’m not sure I understood the whole story content so I will only rate it at 4/5 stars.
Thank you for the free author; Stolen Time Press; Justkindlebooks; Amazon Digital Services LLC.; book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
January 15, 2018
The tech part of the book about coding is quite interesting but passive and telling. This is a common issue when it comes to tech heavy books. But there are many classes offered to learn how to avoid this. It becomes hard to connect to the book and the characters the way its written. But then he morphs into a killer who physically batters people with no previous setup that this is something he is capable of doing. I feel like the author set him up to be an unreliable character but you should weave in pieces, little clues, for us to see this.
The sleuthing was interesting and the plot ok. But the character building needed more work. The women felt fake and forced, but ultimately the main character felt like a list, the framing to a new house that was incomplete
The sleuthing was interesting and the plot ok. But the character building needed more work. The women felt fake and forced, but ultimately the main character felt like a list, the framing to a new house that was incomplete
May 25, 2018
A Cyber Scheme
Three friends study it together. One is brilliant. He hacks into other people's sites, including the FBI's. He thinks up a plan to defraud them. He fakes his death but ropes one of the other guys in by dropping clues until he is hooked. Suddenly he is of interest to the FBI, the Russians and Columbians. They know there is big money hidden and want it. He is almost killed several times and is beaten up repeatedly.
He meets the first guy's girlfriend and falls heavily for her. It seems there is no honour among thieves after all. Betrayals, and violent swings from abject poverty to untold wealth keep the characters alive as they find their way through intrigue and eventually discover love and riches.
Three friends study it together. One is brilliant. He hacks into other people's sites, including the FBI's. He thinks up a plan to defraud them. He fakes his death but ropes one of the other guys in by dropping clues until he is hooked. Suddenly he is of interest to the FBI, the Russians and Columbians. They know there is big money hidden and want it. He is almost killed several times and is beaten up repeatedly.
He meets the first guy's girlfriend and falls heavily for her. It seems there is no honour among thieves after all. Betrayals, and violent swings from abject poverty to untold wealth keep the characters alive as they find their way through intrigue and eventually discover love and riches.
January 17, 2024
Heads and Tails
A thoroughly distracting novel. A software producer/designer finds himself getting in to deep strife following the death of a very good friend however the good friend turns out to be instrumental in leading him in to trouble with mobsters from Columbia and Russia, in their attempts to break the signature code on his recently departed fellow computer expert. Apparently 'the key' to the whole situation is bound up with even more trouble than was ever imagined. Now the FBI are involved and the only solution is to flee as far away as possible. His friend's girlfriend, who believes she has been left the answer to the whole mystery double crosses our hero and he becomes a sole fugitive without realising what exactly is happening.
A thoroughly distracting novel. A software producer/designer finds himself getting in to deep strife following the death of a very good friend however the good friend turns out to be instrumental in leading him in to trouble with mobsters from Columbia and Russia, in their attempts to break the signature code on his recently departed fellow computer expert. Apparently 'the key' to the whole situation is bound up with even more trouble than was ever imagined. Now the FBI are involved and the only solution is to flee as far away as possible. His friend's girlfriend, who believes she has been left the answer to the whole mystery double crosses our hero and he becomes a sole fugitive without realising what exactly is happening.
February 5, 2024
A tech-savvy heist story. The author's experience as a software programmer helps in creating a solid plot. He doesn’t dumb it down and doesn't use childish hacking methods to explain the bitcoin robbery.
The physical action scenes were unbelievable, especially when the Hero was inebriated and fuelled with drugs.
The narration style was not to my liking. It was in first person, and at times, in the present tense and sometimes in past tense. The timelines were confusing.
This could have done well without the philosophical meanderings. But this was expected from Andrew Diamond. At times, the book reminded me of 'To Hell with Johnny Manic'.
The physical action scenes were unbelievable, especially when the Hero was inebriated and fuelled with drugs.
The narration style was not to my liking. It was in first person, and at times, in the present tense and sometimes in past tense. The timelines were confusing.
This could have done well without the philosophical meanderings. But this was expected from Andrew Diamond. At times, the book reminded me of 'To Hell with Johnny Manic'.
October 29, 2017
A dead friend leads Russell on a dangerous race that has him trapped between rival Russian and Columbian gangs. The plot started strong with cyber intrigue, puzzles, and computer code. The intrigue disappears and the story goes downhill when Russell finds himself in unfamiliar and he becomes involved with Cali. The story becomes a classic violent tale of good versus bad. Overall, it is a decent adventure.
I received this book through a Goodreads giveaway. Although encouraged, I was under no obligation to write a review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
I received this book through a Goodreads giveaway. Although encouraged, I was under no obligation to write a review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
December 30, 2017
Good thriller!
I enjoyed this book a lot! The beginning was a bit awkward for me but I got through it okay. There was a jump in timeline quite a bit but you get used to it and it's only in the first few chapters. I really enjoyed the main character and all of his flaws and issues with doing what is right. The technical part with software and hacking was actually explained surprisingly well! Some stuff went over my head but that's okay. The thriller part is what kept me and I just had to find out if the main character would get his life back. This is a must read!
I enjoyed this book a lot! The beginning was a bit awkward for me but I got through it okay. There was a jump in timeline quite a bit but you get used to it and it's only in the first few chapters. I really enjoyed the main character and all of his flaws and issues with doing what is right. The technical part with software and hacking was actually explained surprisingly well! Some stuff went over my head but that's okay. The thriller part is what kept me and I just had to find out if the main character would get his life back. This is a must read!
January 10, 2018
Diamond proves he has a knack for writing intrigue in this part mystery, part action novel. The story starts off at an easy pace as you get to know the main character. Russ is an interesting guy with a bit of a sketchy past, but he's moved on from that. However, it's not long before he's sucked into the hijinks of his previous life of crime; getting beat up by Russians and Colombians and finding himself in love with a beautiful woman with a big secret.
This book is a roller coaster ride with an ending you won't believe. Absolutely loved it.
This book is a roller coaster ride with an ending you won't believe. Absolutely loved it.
June 28, 2018
This is one of those books that was difficult for me to put down for very long.
Russ aka "Genie" has left his previous life behind, that is until a series of events has him doing things he never thought he would. But when you find you can't trust anyone, including the police, then what choice did he have.
I enjoyed the story overall. Mr. Diamond had me turning the pages trying to figure out how poor Russ was going to get out of the "fix" he was in.
Warning: If you are sensitive to violence, as well as, adult language and situations then this book may not be for you.
Russ aka "Genie" has left his previous life behind, that is until a series of events has him doing things he never thought he would. But when you find you can't trust anyone, including the police, then what choice did he have.
I enjoyed the story overall. Mr. Diamond had me turning the pages trying to figure out how poor Russ was going to get out of the "fix" he was in.
Warning: If you are sensitive to violence, as well as, adult language and situations then this book may not be for you.
January 23, 2024
Hacking, girls and guns - an enjoyable read
I enjoyed this fast-paced novel about a hacker who’s on a mission to crack a secret code left to him by another hacker colleague. I particularly liked the insights into the world of cryptography and the hacker community. I can buy into the idea that hackers have a small group of people that they trust, and that they have to be constantly on guard in case their group is ‘infiltrated’. When the chase hots up the plot starts to get a bit harder to believe & the relationship between the main characters seems a little over-wrought.
I enjoyed this fast-paced novel about a hacker who’s on a mission to crack a secret code left to him by another hacker colleague. I particularly liked the insights into the world of cryptography and the hacker community. I can buy into the idea that hackers have a small group of people that they trust, and that they have to be constantly on guard in case their group is ‘infiltrated’. When the chase hots up the plot starts to get a bit harder to believe & the relationship between the main characters seems a little over-wrought.
February 28, 2017
This books gives you hope, breaks your heart, gives you some hope to mend that broke heart, breaks it again, shatters it, leaves you in a daze, and then... well, if I said how that ended I'd spoil the book, no?
Russell Fitzpatrick is trying to get his life together after running into the feds while his two other friends, known as Charlie and "Cred" get into some trouble by hacking the FBI database and stealing some files. But it's been four years since Russ as spoken to Charlie and he and "Cred" go on to live normal jobs, Cred working for google and Russ working as a script writer at a software company. Though he feels his life is slightly boring with a job he hates, a girlfriend who bores him and doesn't get him, and "an itch for something more." That all changes after he gets a message saying that Charlie "Hatter" has died. He tries to stay out of it, but after being stalked on multiple occasions, he knows that this involves him. With the Colombians, the Russians, and the FBI after a key they believe he has, Russ has no choice but to live on the run and try to solve this puzzle Charlie clear left for him.
After leaving for San Francisco for Charlie's memorial, he runs into Calliope, more commonly known as Cali, the girl from the image in Charlie's "Dead man's switch." Together they go on an adventure trying to outsmart the Russians and the Colombians, all while attempting to break Charlie's code.
What I love about this book and Diamond's writing is that he finds a way to give you just enough information that you HAVE to read more. His language and information shows just enough that you understand what's going on, but can't tell what's going to happen next. His plot twists and discoveries are done so flawlessly.
Though in one slight issue, the way Russ falls for Cali is unbelievable, but I can overlook that because the way he creates his characters are so dynamic, and throughout the whole book I found myself reading and cheering for a "perfect ending" between Russ and Cali because he made them sync so well. He gave them both such dynamic chemistry that it was hard not to see them together. His rich detail into the characters made it an even more thrilling read.
If anyone is unfamiliar with hacking terms, as I am, along with most computer terms, you might find yourself a bit lost into what a "Dead man's code" is or what encryption is, or how in the world anyone can get away with it. Have no fear! Diamond does his best to explain what these are, and in such a way that this doesn't feel like info dumps. He adds the information in so perfectly.
I definitely recommend this book for anyone who loves amazing plot twists, dynamic characters, a thrilling story line, cyber crime, or looking for a fast read, because this book definitely fits all of these categories.
Russell Fitzpatrick is trying to get his life together after running into the feds while his two other friends, known as Charlie and "Cred" get into some trouble by hacking the FBI database and stealing some files. But it's been four years since Russ as spoken to Charlie and he and "Cred" go on to live normal jobs, Cred working for google and Russ working as a script writer at a software company. Though he feels his life is slightly boring with a job he hates, a girlfriend who bores him and doesn't get him, and "an itch for something more." That all changes after he gets a message saying that Charlie "Hatter" has died. He tries to stay out of it, but after being stalked on multiple occasions, he knows that this involves him. With the Colombians, the Russians, and the FBI after a key they believe he has, Russ has no choice but to live on the run and try to solve this puzzle Charlie clear left for him.
After leaving for San Francisco for Charlie's memorial, he runs into Calliope, more commonly known as Cali, the girl from the image in Charlie's "Dead man's switch." Together they go on an adventure trying to outsmart the Russians and the Colombians, all while attempting to break Charlie's code.
What I love about this book and Diamond's writing is that he finds a way to give you just enough information that you HAVE to read more. His language and information shows just enough that you understand what's going on, but can't tell what's going to happen next. His plot twists and discoveries are done so flawlessly.
Though in one slight issue, the way Russ falls for Cali is unbelievable, but I can overlook that because the way he creates his characters are so dynamic, and throughout the whole book I found myself reading and cheering for a "perfect ending" between Russ and Cali because he made them sync so well. He gave them both such dynamic chemistry that it was hard not to see them together. His rich detail into the characters made it an even more thrilling read.
If anyone is unfamiliar with hacking terms, as I am, along with most computer terms, you might find yourself a bit lost into what a "Dead man's code" is or what encryption is, or how in the world anyone can get away with it. Have no fear! Diamond does his best to explain what these are, and in such a way that this doesn't feel like info dumps. He adds the information in so perfectly.
I definitely recommend this book for anyone who loves amazing plot twists, dynamic characters, a thrilling story line, cyber crime, or looking for a fast read, because this book definitely fits all of these categories.
June 5, 2018
Played by a dead man
Obsessed by the puzzle the main character was undaunted by challenges and the beatings he took from two different international teams of thugs. There are several times in this book where the author provided some of the best descriptions I've read. They lifted me out of the book and into the scene or the feeling that he was describing. The characters are well-developed. There were numerous twists and which made for an interesting story.
Obsessed by the puzzle the main character was undaunted by challenges and the beatings he took from two different international teams of thugs. There are several times in this book where the author provided some of the best descriptions I've read. They lifted me out of the book and into the scene or the feeling that he was describing. The characters are well-developed. There were numerous twists and which made for an interesting story.
January 25, 2020
First, my thanks to goodreads and the book's giveaway sponsors for the opportunity to obtain and read a copy of this book.
For me the book is okay just not a big hit. The story begins with a lot of programming talk which was honestly beyond my knowledge base. However once the main character began searching for answers to questions surrounding a former close associate, it did become more engaging. 3.5 stars
For me the book is okay just not a big hit. The story begins with a lot of programming talk which was honestly beyond my knowledge base. However once the main character began searching for answers to questions surrounding a former close associate, it did become more engaging. 3.5 stars
June 6, 2024
I actually enjoyed the premise and the coding / hacking logic was well explained however it just descended into chaos which I appreciate is the point of the story but the writing became chaotic as well. I had zero sympathy for the protagonists and the "love story" element read like a 15 year old's first crush.
I did work through the book as the pace was good but I wouldn't recommend wasting your time!
I did work through the book as the pace was good but I wouldn't recommend wasting your time!
August 26, 2017
I enjoyed the new twist on the tried and true spy novel / good guy wins in the end and gets the girl. I prefer novels that are not written in the first person. I am still waiting for a novel that has the literary quality that expletives are used for spice and not to get the word count up. But overall an enjoyable read.
October 10, 2017
Absolutely fantastic! Sometimes, your past just won't let you go, no matter how good you are now. Russell Fitzpatrick is learning the it the hard way. Now, it seems everyone is after him.
Andrew Diamond does a masterful job of creating believable characters in a story of dark web commerce, hacking, and dirty cops.
Andrew Diamond does a masterful job of creating believable characters in a story of dark web commerce, hacking, and dirty cops.
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