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Brody Taylor Thrillers #3
Taking Up Serpents
Would you kill yourself to save your loved one?
When Brody Taylor receives a 'death letter' from a fellow elite hacker, sent a week after his murder, its contents present Brody with an offer even he can't refuse. With the investigation being led by his girlfriend, DI Jenny Price, Brody faces an unexpected personal and professional conflict of interest. Meanwhile, unaware of the victim's true occupation, Jenny is stumped. How and why would a disabled Afghan War veteran be poisoned in his own home by one of the world's most deadly snakes?
Working side by side, but with very different objectives, Brody and Jenny uncover a global cyberterrorist conspiracy. To prevent the cyberweapon from releasing its deadly payload, Brody realises he'll need to lie to Jenny once again, knowing the truth will destroy their relationship. But with tens of thousands of innocent people scheduled to die within twenty-four hours, does he have any choice?
Forget nuclear, chemical and biological weapons. The modern-day weapon of mass destruction is digital. And we're all at risk.
When Brody Taylor receives a 'death letter' from a fellow elite hacker, sent a week after his murder, its contents present Brody with an offer even he can't refuse. With the investigation being led by his girlfriend, DI Jenny Price, Brody faces an unexpected personal and professional conflict of interest. Meanwhile, unaware of the victim's true occupation, Jenny is stumped. How and why would a disabled Afghan War veteran be poisoned in his own home by one of the world's most deadly snakes?
Working side by side, but with very different objectives, Brody and Jenny uncover a global cyberterrorist conspiracy. To prevent the cyberweapon from releasing its deadly payload, Brody realises he'll need to lie to Jenny once again, knowing the truth will destroy their relationship. But with tens of thousands of innocent people scheduled to die within twenty-four hours, does he have any choice?
Forget nuclear, chemical and biological weapons. The modern-day weapon of mass destruction is digital. And we're all at risk.
408 pages, Paperback
First published October 27, 2016
19 people are currently reading
67 people want to read
About the author
Ian Sutherland
5 books237 followersIan Sutherland is a crime thriller author. Leveraging his career in the IT industry, Ian's stories underscore the threats we face from cybercrime as it becomes all too prevalent in our day-to-day lives.
Learn more about Ian at www.ianhsutherland.com.
Learn more about Ian at www.ianhsutherland.com.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
March 18, 2019
Really enjoy this series. Appreciate the programming references and hacker information, which seem plausible.
I'm not very knowledgeable on different writing styles, so don't know what to call this. I do know it gets very tedious to me when a book series repeats it in every book. That style is when the writer tries to create suspense/tension by throwing obstacles in the path of the main characters putting them in harms way. Especially happens just as they are about to solve the mystery or while racing to save the world. Ian Sutherland has written in this manner in all three books and it is beginning to "bug" me. Andrew Maine also writes this way in the Jessica Blackwood series and it really "bugged" me by the end of that series.
But the rest of the storyline is excellent and I'm looking forward to the next in series.
I'm not very knowledgeable on different writing styles, so don't know what to call this. I do know it gets very tedious to me when a book series repeats it in every book. That style is when the writer tries to create suspense/tension by throwing obstacles in the path of the main characters putting them in harms way. Especially happens just as they are about to solve the mystery or while racing to save the world. Ian Sutherland has written in this manner in all three books and it is beginning to "bug" me. Andrew Maine also writes this way in the Jessica Blackwood series and it really "bugged" me by the end of that series.
But the rest of the storyline is excellent and I'm looking forward to the next in series.
November 29, 2017
4.5 stars - a great techno thriller.
This was another awesome book from Ian Sutherland. Brody Taylor (aka Fingal in the hacking world) is back. Six weeks after the events of the first book he is applying for a job at GCHQ as he figures this will help him take down Vorovsky Mir (VM), the Russian hacking network. Its leader, known as Contag10n was responsible for his friend Danny's death.
Meanwhile, his girlfriend, DI Jenny Price, is looking into two deaths where people have been killed by black mamba snakes. Yep, its a strange one. Then Brody gets a 'death message' (sent after the author's death) from Bionicm@n known in the hacker community and third on VM's death list. The message points Brody to info about VM so naturally he is keen to follow up but first he has to find out who Bionicm@n is (or was) in real life.
Incredibly, he turns out to be one of the snakebite deaths that Jenny is investigating so the plot thickens and thickens, and then thickens some more. There is a dastardly plot afoot and if Brody can only extricate himself from the clutches of, you guessed it, the deadly black mamba, he might just be able to foil it. Quite convoluted and filled with technobabble I suppose its not for everyone, but I just loved it. Although it didn't end on a cliffhanger there is potential for another book as there seems to be unfinished business. I would certainly read another book (or any number really) in this series.
This was another awesome book from Ian Sutherland. Brody Taylor (aka Fingal in the hacking world) is back. Six weeks after the events of the first book he is applying for a job at GCHQ as he figures this will help him take down Vorovsky Mir (VM), the Russian hacking network. Its leader, known as Contag10n was responsible for his friend Danny's death.
Meanwhile, his girlfriend, DI Jenny Price, is looking into two deaths where people have been killed by black mamba snakes. Yep, its a strange one. Then Brody gets a 'death message' (sent after the author's death) from Bionicm@n known in the hacker community and third on VM's death list. The message points Brody to info about VM so naturally he is keen to follow up but first he has to find out who Bionicm@n is (or was) in real life.
Incredibly, he turns out to be one of the snakebite deaths that Jenny is investigating so the plot thickens and thickens, and then thickens some more. There is a dastardly plot afoot and if Brody can only extricate himself from the clutches of, you guessed it, the deadly black mamba, he might just be able to foil it. Quite convoluted and filled with technobabble I suppose its not for everyone, but I just loved it. Although it didn't end on a cliffhanger there is potential for another book as there seems to be unfinished business. I would certainly read another book (or any number really) in this series.
May 4, 2018
I really enjoyed this book its right up there with the best techno thrillers
look forward Brody Taylor returning to us soon hopefully
look forward Brody Taylor returning to us soon hopefully
June 3, 2017
'Forget nuclear, chemical and biological terrorism, the modern-day weapon of mass destruction is digital... and we're all at risk'. With that frightening warning Ian Sutherland launches into the third of his techno-thriller series - and it is one thrill-a-minute ride complete with a giant hitman whose chief weapon is the deadly black mamba snake. Sutherland's hacker Brody Taylor is the geek's James Bond, using his skills to help the police and particular his girlfriend Detective Inspector Jenny Price. If she realised how some of Brody's methods breached legal and ethical boundaries, though, she might have to reconsider their relationship. Sutherland really ramps up the drama in this follow up to Invasion of Privacy, which deserves to catapult him right to the forefront of the genre. There are some surprises in store for fans, even down to the fact Brody Taylor is an assumed name. Sutherland's subject matter is eerily topical, and he can see things coming before they happen in real life. For instance, who would have thought a few months ago that a systems hack could threaten to make the NHS impotent or influence the elections of a United States President? Top stuff.
June 2, 2017
I enjoyed reading this thriller about a 'white hat' hacker and his developing relationship with a sharp, hot female police detective. As a retired technology person myself, the technology aspects, which proliferated the plot, rang true. While I have no direct experience with hacking smart devices, I can easily accept that it is possible, maybe even likely. The suspense and excitement in the story surround a plot with a timeline, in which thousands may die if the plot is not stopped. The technology element made this tale new and different, without which it would have been a run of the mill, mundane thriller. Sometimes I pick up a book and cannot put it down, but this was not such a book. I read it in one-hour chunks over a period of several days, without the driving compulsion to finish no matter what hour of the night it is. Nonetheless, I would be interested in reading more of Sutherland's stories to see what other hacking scenarios his hero, Brody, can get himself involved in.
June 7, 2017
DNF: 50%
The mystery was intriguing enough to get me halfway through. But the relationship drama was a bit much and somewhat cliche. The plot got more and more far fetched and after a key scene halfway through became simply unbelievable for me and I gave up.
The mystery was intriguing enough to get me halfway through. But the relationship drama was a bit much and somewhat cliche. The plot got more and more far fetched and after a key scene halfway through became simply unbelievable for me and I gave up.
April 14, 2018
I loved this book. Whilst it thought the 2nd book in the series (Invasion of Privacy) was a bit slow, it was clearly setting the scene of characters for this book. Taking up Serpents was extremely well written with a great pace. I hope there will be more Brody Taylor books
May 17, 2022
I have read all 3 and eagerly await the 4th. FANTASTIC read and something that authors who have series out could incorporate in their stories a white hat detective finding bent coppers in their station
June 2, 2017
Wasn't sure about this book at first, but the end is quite good. I had to stay up and finish it last night.
January 10, 2018
This was an amazing read! It had everything I need in a story. Computer forensics, friends, saving the world and lots of action. I am really enjoying this series.
November 20, 2016
The more I read about technology the more worried I get. The advances in computing and its capabilities no doubt help us enormously, but it also seems to make us more and more vulnerable to theft, fraud, being spied on and, if this book is to be believed, murder.
“Taking Up Serpents” is a work of fiction but, as it is written by someone with an extensive background in the security aspects of technology, it has a lot of credibility in terms of its plot. I have no idea if what Ian Sutherland describes is actually possible, but the idea that it might be is pretty scary stuff. It left me with a considerable desire to go “off grid”, but I think that is almost impossible to do and one of the reasons for that is at the heart of this book in more ways than one
This is the third outing for Brody Taylor, a “white hat” computer hacker who uses his skills for good rather than for malicious purposes. Alongside him is Detective Inspector Jenny Price, who is not just his girlfriend but is also Jiminy Cricket to his Pinocchio.
I have to be very careful in how I word this review, as it would be very easy to give away too much and spoil other readers' entertainment, so I hope you’ll forgive me if I’m a bit circumspect.
Brody receives an e-mail, sent to him using an automated system because its writer, James Butler, is probably dead. The e-mail is from a “black hat” hacker, who goes by the name of Bionicm@n, one who breaks into systems illegally for fun or profit. The e-mail promises Brody an inside track on Vorovsky Mir, the Russian mafia gang who are deep into all sorts of computer crime and who are responsible for the death of the boyfriend of Danny’s former flatmate. As Brody is sworn to take them down it is an offer he can’t resist.
What is strange is the manner of Butler’s death. He was the victim of several bites from a deadly black mamba snake; not the sort of thing one normally finds in Highgate, where Butler lives. At the same time Jenny Price is summoned to another murder scene where the victim has also been killed by a deadly snake bite; four deadly bites in fact. What connects the two crimes, who committed them and what connects them to the mysterious Klara, a Russian firmware programmer?
Not surprisingly the rest of the book is spent answering those questions. If the answers aren’t found then hundreds of thousands of lives are at stake. There are plenty of conundrums to be unravelled, one of which I found to be particularly clever, which is supposed to lead Brody to the information promised by Butler. Techno geeks may get it quicker than I did, but the clues were there and just needed interpreting.
And that’s about all I can tell you without giving too much away, except to say if you have a phobia about snakes its best not to read this book just before bedtime.
Brody and Jenny are making their third appearances in print, so they are well developed characters. They have their strengths and their weaknesses, which spark off each other in both positive and negative ways. The plot is well structured and believable and rattles along at a good pace for the most part. I found myself turning the pages quickly, anxious to find out what was going to happen next. The book moves towards two satisfyingly climatic endings, just as the previous Brody book did, as befits a story with two strong protagonists.
If you missed books 1 and 2 don’t worry, you won’t lose anything from this book, but if you want to read the stories in order then you’ll enjoy Taking Up Serpents all the more.
“Taking Up Serpents” is a work of fiction but, as it is written by someone with an extensive background in the security aspects of technology, it has a lot of credibility in terms of its plot. I have no idea if what Ian Sutherland describes is actually possible, but the idea that it might be is pretty scary stuff. It left me with a considerable desire to go “off grid”, but I think that is almost impossible to do and one of the reasons for that is at the heart of this book in more ways than one
This is the third outing for Brody Taylor, a “white hat” computer hacker who uses his skills for good rather than for malicious purposes. Alongside him is Detective Inspector Jenny Price, who is not just his girlfriend but is also Jiminy Cricket to his Pinocchio.
I have to be very careful in how I word this review, as it would be very easy to give away too much and spoil other readers' entertainment, so I hope you’ll forgive me if I’m a bit circumspect.
Brody receives an e-mail, sent to him using an automated system because its writer, James Butler, is probably dead. The e-mail is from a “black hat” hacker, who goes by the name of Bionicm@n, one who breaks into systems illegally for fun or profit. The e-mail promises Brody an inside track on Vorovsky Mir, the Russian mafia gang who are deep into all sorts of computer crime and who are responsible for the death of the boyfriend of Danny’s former flatmate. As Brody is sworn to take them down it is an offer he can’t resist.
What is strange is the manner of Butler’s death. He was the victim of several bites from a deadly black mamba snake; not the sort of thing one normally finds in Highgate, where Butler lives. At the same time Jenny Price is summoned to another murder scene where the victim has also been killed by a deadly snake bite; four deadly bites in fact. What connects the two crimes, who committed them and what connects them to the mysterious Klara, a Russian firmware programmer?
Not surprisingly the rest of the book is spent answering those questions. If the answers aren’t found then hundreds of thousands of lives are at stake. There are plenty of conundrums to be unravelled, one of which I found to be particularly clever, which is supposed to lead Brody to the information promised by Butler. Techno geeks may get it quicker than I did, but the clues were there and just needed interpreting.
And that’s about all I can tell you without giving too much away, except to say if you have a phobia about snakes its best not to read this book just before bedtime.
Brody and Jenny are making their third appearances in print, so they are well developed characters. They have their strengths and their weaknesses, which spark off each other in both positive and negative ways. The plot is well structured and believable and rattles along at a good pace for the most part. I found myself turning the pages quickly, anxious to find out what was going to happen next. The book moves towards two satisfyingly climatic endings, just as the previous Brody book did, as befits a story with two strong protagonists.
If you missed books 1 and 2 don’t worry, you won’t lose anything from this book, but if you want to read the stories in order then you’ll enjoy Taking Up Serpents all the more.
October 23, 2016
Full Disclosure, I was provided an advanced copy of this book by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Sutherland does it again!
Taking up Serpents continues the story of Brody Taylor, white hat hacker approximately 6 weeks after the close of “Invasion of Privacy”. Still reeling from the loss the events of the past few weeks including having his online identity compromised and almost being murdered at the hands of the Russian mafia, Brody attempts to move on and resume life in the real and virtual worlds. At the urging of friend and fellow hacker Victor Gibb, Brody applies for a position working alongside him within the GCHQ. If he lands the job, it would put him in the best position to track down the Vorovskoy Mir and gain a measure of revenge for the events of the recent past. Things take a turn for the worse when Brody finds himself the recipient of a death letter sent by another user of the CrackerHack forum. Did the Vorovskoy Mir succeed in knocking off another one of their most wanted list, or is there more to the story than meets the eye? What Brody initially thinks is just the Russian Mafia knocking off a rival turns into something much direr upon gaining access to the computer of the dead hacker. Brody needs to work within and also around the confines of the law to stop an event whose reach would potentially have a global impact.
When you can pick up a book and feel like you’re catching up with old friends, that is the sign of a well written story. Taking Up Serpents was that book for me and because of that it was very easy to dive right back into the world of Brody Taylor and feel like I’d never left. From the main characters to the bit players, everyone had a part to play and all characters were unique in their own little ways. While the killer wasn’t much of a secret in this book as opposed to “Invasion of Privacy”, the mystery revolved around the why. It was interesting to see once again how the lines between Brody’s online persona of “Fingal” and his real life efforts blurred almost to the point of disappearing at times as the race to find and save future targets heated up. I also loved the angle of a possible terrorist plot that didn’t necessarily revolve around Muslim extremists. I feel that especially in this age, it is important for us to remember that extremism exists everywhere and not just in one corner of the world.
With all of the action, suspense and intrigue that basically defined “Invasion of Privacy”, I was really wondering how Ian Sutherland was going to follow it up. I must say that I was not disappointed and am eagerly awaiting the next installment so I can immerse myself in Brody Taylor’s world yet again.
Sutherland does it again!
Taking up Serpents continues the story of Brody Taylor, white hat hacker approximately 6 weeks after the close of “Invasion of Privacy”. Still reeling from the loss the events of the past few weeks including having his online identity compromised and almost being murdered at the hands of the Russian mafia, Brody attempts to move on and resume life in the real and virtual worlds. At the urging of friend and fellow hacker Victor Gibb, Brody applies for a position working alongside him within the GCHQ. If he lands the job, it would put him in the best position to track down the Vorovskoy Mir and gain a measure of revenge for the events of the recent past. Things take a turn for the worse when Brody finds himself the recipient of a death letter sent by another user of the CrackerHack forum. Did the Vorovskoy Mir succeed in knocking off another one of their most wanted list, or is there more to the story than meets the eye? What Brody initially thinks is just the Russian Mafia knocking off a rival turns into something much direr upon gaining access to the computer of the dead hacker. Brody needs to work within and also around the confines of the law to stop an event whose reach would potentially have a global impact.
When you can pick up a book and feel like you’re catching up with old friends, that is the sign of a well written story. Taking Up Serpents was that book for me and because of that it was very easy to dive right back into the world of Brody Taylor and feel like I’d never left. From the main characters to the bit players, everyone had a part to play and all characters were unique in their own little ways. While the killer wasn’t much of a secret in this book as opposed to “Invasion of Privacy”, the mystery revolved around the why. It was interesting to see once again how the lines between Brody’s online persona of “Fingal” and his real life efforts blurred almost to the point of disappearing at times as the race to find and save future targets heated up. I also loved the angle of a possible terrorist plot that didn’t necessarily revolve around Muslim extremists. I feel that especially in this age, it is important for us to remember that extremism exists everywhere and not just in one corner of the world.
With all of the action, suspense and intrigue that basically defined “Invasion of Privacy”, I was really wondering how Ian Sutherland was going to follow it up. I must say that I was not disappointed and am eagerly awaiting the next installment so I can immerse myself in Brody Taylor’s world yet again.
October 28, 2016
I first read an Advanced Review Copy of Sutherland's new book, Taking Up Serpents,a thriller featuring his cyber expert, Brody Taylor. Brody's life is in danger and his choices put also at risk his significant other, a detective who helps him through the thrilling dangers. I am not doing credit to this extremely well-written thriller. I halfheartedly expected to be bored or confused because I am only a step beyond computer novice. Neither adjective applies, however.
The author does an excellent job with the technical explanations. While I could not explain his actions or replicate them, at least I understood what Brody was doing because his actions were brilliantly, i.e.simply presented. The pacing of the story was fast, and the characters were realistic.
Yes, snakes do figure into the novel, and yes, Brody has the opportunity to avert world-wide disaster.
'Nuff said, I hope,to pique your interest. I do encourage you to buy this book when it becomes available on Amazon the 27th. When I am able to review, it will be a definite 5 stars.
I then read his short story, Social Engineer, his first work presenting this character. It is a good introduction to his character and the situations he encounters. The love interest is not the same and I can see a growth in some of the relationships Brody has from this first one to the latest one. Brody has the potential to be a Jack Reacher or John Puller though his cyber world is quite different. I do hope to see this character in films.
The author does an excellent job with the technical explanations. While I could not explain his actions or replicate them, at least I understood what Brody was doing because his actions were brilliantly, i.e.simply presented. The pacing of the story was fast, and the characters were realistic.
Yes, snakes do figure into the novel, and yes, Brody has the opportunity to avert world-wide disaster.
'Nuff said, I hope,to pique your interest. I do encourage you to buy this book when it becomes available on Amazon the 27th. When I am able to review, it will be a definite 5 stars.
I then read his short story, Social Engineer, his first work presenting this character. It is a good introduction to his character and the situations he encounters. The love interest is not the same and I can see a growth in some of the relationships Brody has from this first one to the latest one. Brody has the potential to be a Jack Reacher or John Puller though his cyber world is quite different. I do hope to see this character in films.
December 11, 2016
As expertly as the previous stories in the series, Brody Taylor weaves his way through a thicket of plausible technology and suspenseful digital and real-life peril. I got around a third of the way through reading here and there, then settled down to finish the rest in an evening!
While the tech is not only spot-on realistic and pulled from today's headlines (at least in the security community), I do think this book cuts the technical details out a bit more than the previous ones. Not quite as much social engineering from Brody and not quite as nitty gritty on the tech. Which I think is intentional, but the complex-tech-simplified-for-everyone angle was the best part of previous books to me. I know it may seem more approachable to a wider audience now but I think it was before anyway due to the excellent and really not-techie explanations of complex stuff.
Still quite enjoyable and I'm looking forward to the next in the series!
While the tech is not only spot-on realistic and pulled from today's headlines (at least in the security community), I do think this book cuts the technical details out a bit more than the previous ones. Not quite as much social engineering from Brody and not quite as nitty gritty on the tech. Which I think is intentional, but the complex-tech-simplified-for-everyone angle was the best part of previous books to me. I know it may seem more approachable to a wider audience now but I think it was before anyway due to the excellent and really not-techie explanations of complex stuff.
Still quite enjoyable and I'm looking forward to the next in the series!
January 3, 2018
Here we have another compelling thrillathon from Ian Sutherland, his third cyber-crime novel that I've enjoyed. Great stuff!. I really wasn't sure when I read the blurb about snakes and forced suicide. What on earth? But Sutherland draws you into his cyber world with a sure hand and creates his own reality, which sucks you into waves of danger and excitement. You completely relate to his real, likeable, and sometimes very dislikeable characters. Brody and Jenny and her team are here again, along with Jenny's nemesis the ghastly Da Silva. We explore the worlds of GCHQ, various IT departments, the Russian Mafia, Christian Scientists, the Dark Net, even the techniques of baristas. At times I was beside myself with fear, at others weeping with relief. It's completely absorbing and compelling. I can't wait for the next one!
July 26, 2022
I've read the other two books and really enjoyed them, so I had high hopes going into this one. It didn't fail.
I enjoyed the pacing of the book. It kept me on my toes without feeling like I was trying to drink from a firehose. The twists and turns were obvious in a few cases, but came out of nowhere in others. The author did a good job of wrapping up this story, while still leaving hooks for future books.
My one issue was the end of the book. The actions of Jenny's boss were unexpected, and out of character. I almost feel like the author wrote himself into a corner and had to throw something, ANYTHING, to resolve the issue.
I enjoyed the pacing of the book. It kept me on my toes without feeling like I was trying to drink from a firehose. The twists and turns were obvious in a few cases, but came out of nowhere in others. The author did a good job of wrapping up this story, while still leaving hooks for future books.
My one issue was the end of the book. The actions of Jenny's boss were unexpected, and out of character. I almost feel like the author wrote himself into a corner and had to throw something, ANYTHING, to resolve the issue.
November 6, 2016
Loved this thriller. Well written and suspenseful with an unusual character (love him) who handles dangerous situations with his computer (he's a hacker - a white hat - good guy) instead of with his knuckles or guns. I ordered the free Novella and was hooked. After the first novel, I signed up for his newsletter so I would not miss the release of this sequel. Highly recommended.
November 6, 2016
Tense and fun page turner
I compromised my sleep for several days to finish this one. Lately thrillers have not been my thing because of the recent popularity of the unreliable narrator. This one earns its twists honestly and in the end you will happily acknowledge you could have figured it out- you just didn't ;)
I compromised my sleep for several days to finish this one. Lately thrillers have not been my thing because of the recent popularity of the unreliable narrator. This one earns its twists honestly and in the end you will happily acknowledge you could have figured it out- you just didn't ;)
October 28, 2016
Another absolutely fantastic week with a superb cast of characters. I had no idea this was out, but can seriously say that Sutherland's lost nothing and knows how to upscale his works. Spectacular, hackery fun!
December 4, 2016
Ian Sutherland's latest and best book yet. Someone is killing people with snakes, and a world wide threat is coming. Brody Taylor uses his hacking skills to help the authorities.put a stop to it all.
January 29, 2017
Gripping suspense in this fine addition to the series. Technological realism was still spot-on, though less of a focus. Will definitely continue reading and recommending this series!
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews