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Playing With Death
FBI Special Agent Rose Blake has faced evil and survived.
Haunted by a failed undercover mission, Rose can't shake the memory of her close encounter with a ruthless serial killer - one who could strike again without warning.
The call to investigate a suspected arson attack that's left a man dead is a welcome distraction. It's not the kind of case usually assigned to the FBI, but nothing about this crime is usual. As Rose digs deeper, she finds herself confronting the sort of imagination her son might see in the fantasy worlds of his video games.
But when your opponent is a killer, nothing feels like a game. . .
400 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 13, 2017
About the author
Simon Scarrow
173 books2,204 followersSimon Scarrow is a UK-based author, born in Nigeria, and now living in Norfolk. He completed a master's degree at the University of East Anglia, and, after working at the Inland Revenue, went into teaching as a lecturer at City College, Norwich.
He is best known for his "Eagle" series. This is Roman empire military fiction, starting with the second invasion of Britain, and continuing with subsequent adventures in every corner of the empire. The stories are told through the eyes of two centurions, Macro and Cato. To date there are eighteen books in the series.
Scarrow has also written a series of four novels on the Napoleonic wars, focusing on the lives of Wellington and Napoleon.
He is best known for his "Eagle" series. This is Roman empire military fiction, starting with the second invasion of Britain, and continuing with subsequent adventures in every corner of the empire. The stories are told through the eyes of two centurions, Macro and Cato. To date there are eighteen books in the series.
Scarrow has also written a series of four novels on the Napoleonic wars, focusing on the lives of Wellington and Napoleon.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews
August 23, 2017
Started off enjoying the story then it went of track for me not my cup of tea.
September 3, 2023
I read a couple of books by this writer which took place at the eve of WW2, and they were excellent. A look upon the other output from this writer proved to be a lot of sword and sandal books, not directly my taste. However this book was also on the list.
What I understand is that this is supposed to be a first book in a series and was originally intended as a tv series. As that never happened the various people decided to write a novel. I do not know if the series of books or tv show will ever happen.
The book is actually more actual than when it was released. When you look at the topics used in this story namely IA and the role of social media in our daily lives.
Rose Blake is an special agent in the FBI, has a son with Asperger, her husband works for the re-election for a senator. Some time back Rose was involved in the case of a serial killer who did get away and that still hurts.
Now it seems he is back and Rose and her colleagues have a shot at arresting him this time. It is at this point that Rose gets a very unlikely and dark companion hunting this serial killer.
The book has a certain darkness about it and goes down an unexpected route, which was certainly interesting.
Scarrow has a lightness in writing even the darker moments which makes it an easy book to read.
An original book and a dark premise for the future of serial killers out there.
What I understand is that this is supposed to be a first book in a series and was originally intended as a tv series. As that never happened the various people decided to write a novel. I do not know if the series of books or tv show will ever happen.
The book is actually more actual than when it was released. When you look at the topics used in this story namely IA and the role of social media in our daily lives.
Rose Blake is an special agent in the FBI, has a son with Asperger, her husband works for the re-election for a senator. Some time back Rose was involved in the case of a serial killer who did get away and that still hurts.
Now it seems he is back and Rose and her colleagues have a shot at arresting him this time. It is at this point that Rose gets a very unlikely and dark companion hunting this serial killer.
The book has a certain darkness about it and goes down an unexpected route, which was certainly interesting.
Scarrow has a lightness in writing even the darker moments which makes it an easy book to read.
An original book and a dark premise for the future of serial killers out there.
May 2, 2018
Este livro surpreendeu-me imenso pela positiva. Foi um leitura a qual não consegui parar de ler. Fala da inteligência artificial e das suas consequências como também da humanidade e dos seus desejos obscuros num thriller de perder a respiração até ao último momento. Fala também de como uma infância perturbada pode seguir caminhos inesperados e ter consequências catastróficas.
July 19, 2017
A really great serial killer thriller here with a truly dark side, some memorable characters and a tendency to make you keep looking over your shoulder.
I loved it because I love the dark stuff - Playing With Death has an intriguing central premise to it, a technological speculative element that is all too realistic - that mixed in with some classic storytelling and some bang on the money characters make this an excellent twisty read which I devoured.
It is clever and addictive with some thought provoking themes and an intelligent mystery element that keeps you turning those pages for the resolution.
Definitely recommended for crime fans! No messing.
I loved it because I love the dark stuff - Playing With Death has an intriguing central premise to it, a technological speculative element that is all too realistic - that mixed in with some classic storytelling and some bang on the money characters make this an excellent twisty read which I devoured.
It is clever and addictive with some thought provoking themes and an intelligent mystery element that keeps you turning those pages for the resolution.
Definitely recommended for crime fans! No messing.
July 18, 2018
Devo dizer que nunca pensei que o livro fosse assim! Quando li o resumo do livro pensei numa coisa completamente diferente! Muito bom, não o larguei enquanto não acabei de o ler!
May 28, 2017
This is an edgy, pacy, futuristic and oh so very polished cyber thriller. At its centre is the author's idea of what life could be like beyond "Second Life" (virtual world for the sad and lonely geeks!) The skin suit: a totally immersive online experience from software giants Wadesoft....."where the person wearing the suit can be made to feel the physical sensations of whatever software simulation the program is running...." Once the user enhances his body by wearing the skin he can enter the Streamplex where all his needs and wants can be realized in a virtual environment.
FBI agent Rose Blake has failed in her mission to capture and incarcerate Shane Koenig, a killer who performs the most heinous deaths on this victims before uploading the video to his KKillKam site which is viewed by those who troll the shadowy side of the internet...the darknet. She has no time to dwell on past mistakes and must now use all her energy to investigate a suspected arson. However when a body is discovered Rose will commence a journey that will see her become engrossed in a world of online fantasy and video games, a world without rules or regulation and a world where she will encounter unexpected help in the form of project DIVA (an intelligence that can think for itself and make decisions) amidst "an orgy of virtual massacre and destruction."
Having not read Simon Scarrow's historical novels ( a mistake I plan to rectify) I was intrigued by his latest offering an almost futuristic crime thriller which goes beyond the virtual world giving a glimpse of what might be possible and how those possibilities create a frightening but not unreasonable scenario. I felt a certain warmth towards agent Blake her love for her son Robbie and her worry about husband Jeff who held lustful thoughts for the lovely Pandora and when not reciprocated purchases his own skin suit, enters Streamplex there hoping to realize his dark inner self. This novel is filled with intelligent, perceptive thought and analysis, a compassionate hero and a deadly foe who will stop at nothing to damage and destroy. Will Shane Koenig by finally stopped? Will Rose successfully navigate the virtual world of Streamplex? Will Jeff be saved from his overworked labido? All will become clear in an exciting and very fulfilling conclusion that leaves open the possibility of further novels in the series. Thanks to netgalley for this gratis copy in exchange for an honest review and that is what I have written.
FBI agent Rose Blake has failed in her mission to capture and incarcerate Shane Koenig, a killer who performs the most heinous deaths on this victims before uploading the video to his KKillKam site which is viewed by those who troll the shadowy side of the internet...the darknet. She has no time to dwell on past mistakes and must now use all her energy to investigate a suspected arson. However when a body is discovered Rose will commence a journey that will see her become engrossed in a world of online fantasy and video games, a world without rules or regulation and a world where she will encounter unexpected help in the form of project DIVA (an intelligence that can think for itself and make decisions) amidst "an orgy of virtual massacre and destruction."
Having not read Simon Scarrow's historical novels ( a mistake I plan to rectify) I was intrigued by his latest offering an almost futuristic crime thriller which goes beyond the virtual world giving a glimpse of what might be possible and how those possibilities create a frightening but not unreasonable scenario. I felt a certain warmth towards agent Blake her love for her son Robbie and her worry about husband Jeff who held lustful thoughts for the lovely Pandora and when not reciprocated purchases his own skin suit, enters Streamplex there hoping to realize his dark inner self. This novel is filled with intelligent, perceptive thought and analysis, a compassionate hero and a deadly foe who will stop at nothing to damage and destroy. Will Shane Koenig by finally stopped? Will Rose successfully navigate the virtual world of Streamplex? Will Jeff be saved from his overworked labido? All will become clear in an exciting and very fulfilling conclusion that leaves open the possibility of further novels in the series. Thanks to netgalley for this gratis copy in exchange for an honest review and that is what I have written.
November 9, 2017
'FBI Special Agent Rose Blake has faced evil and survived….’
Playing with Death is a novel written by Simon Scarrow and Lee Francis. Published by Headline in July 2017, it is the first in a new series featuring Rose Blake, an FBI agent who has been left haunted by the memory of failed mission that she feels completely responsible for.
Receiving high praise ~ ‘If Stephen King had collaborated with Michael Crichton on a thriller, it might have been as good as this’ Peterborough Evening Telegraph, I was intrigued..
The premise of Playing With Death is completely different from anything I have read before. It is a thriller. It is a novel that features a very creepy serial killer. It features an FBI agent who is struggling with her confidence. Yet it is also a thriller for the techies out there, with quite a fascinating look at society and how we deal with the power of the online world.
Rose Blake is an FBI agent with a past that she cannot shake off. After an unsuccessful mission to capture a very frightening and psychopathic serial killer, Rose is left with internalizing the ‘what if’ scenario. Struggling to deal with the guilt, Rose has been seeing a therapist. Her job in the FBI requires all agents to be on the top of their game at all times and Rose is all too aware that she will soon find herself confined to a desk job, unless she can prove otherwise to the powers that be.
Her marriage to Jeff has it’s own difficulties with Rose feeling somewhat distanced from him. Jeff is now the Social Media Manager for a high-ranking politician, resulting in his frequent absence from their home. An occupational hazard of this new job also requires increased amount of time following social media feeds 24/7 with no real down-time. Their son Robbie is also impacted by his home life and withdraws more and more into himself. His grades start slipping and he spends increased time with his gaming, allowing him to escape to another place in cyber space.
A family meal is interrupted when Rose receives a call from her boss, with an urgent request that Rose attend a scene where a body has been discovered, having suffered the most horrendous death. Rose is immediately on the case..
Rose arrives on the scene and is faced with a most unusual scenario. There is a dead body but there is no trace of entry, no sign of any break-in yet the condition of the body is horrific. With little clue as to why, how or who, Rose has to consider the possibility of a sadistic murderer on the loose. Is it possible that Shane Koenig is back? Or is this the work of another depraved individual. This time Rose intends to make no mistakes.
Rose embarks on a the most unexpected journey that will truly take her to the most extraordinary places. Faced with a whole new set of parameters, Rose has to look outside of what she least expects and has to face down a killer who is extremely difficult to catch.
Simon Scarrow and Lee Francis have introduced a concept that may be just a little too far ‘out there’ for some readers. There is an element of suspending your reality while reading this book as you let yourself slip into the world of on-line gaming. For me I thoroughly enjoyed doing just that. Now I love technology, but gaming was and will never be my scene. I’m afraid Pac-Man was the full extent of my participation in this world (I’m giving away my age here I think :) ) I have embraced technology in other ways and admit I am ‘one of those’ who always has my mobile in my hand!! Yet, I have an underlying fear of where it will eventually take us as a society as I become more aware on a daily basis of our complete dependence on it.
Playing With Death takes the reader down a very frightening road highlighting how our reliance on technology could be detrimental to society as a whole.
Playing With Death is described as ‘a contemporary thriller’ but I would also suggest that it is an unconventional thriller with a very unusual, dare I say, sting to it’s tail.
Rose Black ‘has faced evil and survived’ but can she do it again?
Well…you will have to read it yourself to find out!
Playing with Death is a novel written by Simon Scarrow and Lee Francis. Published by Headline in July 2017, it is the first in a new series featuring Rose Blake, an FBI agent who has been left haunted by the memory of failed mission that she feels completely responsible for.
Receiving high praise ~ ‘If Stephen King had collaborated with Michael Crichton on a thriller, it might have been as good as this’ Peterborough Evening Telegraph, I was intrigued..
The premise of Playing With Death is completely different from anything I have read before. It is a thriller. It is a novel that features a very creepy serial killer. It features an FBI agent who is struggling with her confidence. Yet it is also a thriller for the techies out there, with quite a fascinating look at society and how we deal with the power of the online world.
Rose Blake is an FBI agent with a past that she cannot shake off. After an unsuccessful mission to capture a very frightening and psychopathic serial killer, Rose is left with internalizing the ‘what if’ scenario. Struggling to deal with the guilt, Rose has been seeing a therapist. Her job in the FBI requires all agents to be on the top of their game at all times and Rose is all too aware that she will soon find herself confined to a desk job, unless she can prove otherwise to the powers that be.
Her marriage to Jeff has it’s own difficulties with Rose feeling somewhat distanced from him. Jeff is now the Social Media Manager for a high-ranking politician, resulting in his frequent absence from their home. An occupational hazard of this new job also requires increased amount of time following social media feeds 24/7 with no real down-time. Their son Robbie is also impacted by his home life and withdraws more and more into himself. His grades start slipping and he spends increased time with his gaming, allowing him to escape to another place in cyber space.
A family meal is interrupted when Rose receives a call from her boss, with an urgent request that Rose attend a scene where a body has been discovered, having suffered the most horrendous death. Rose is immediately on the case..
Rose arrives on the scene and is faced with a most unusual scenario. There is a dead body but there is no trace of entry, no sign of any break-in yet the condition of the body is horrific. With little clue as to why, how or who, Rose has to consider the possibility of a sadistic murderer on the loose. Is it possible that Shane Koenig is back? Or is this the work of another depraved individual. This time Rose intends to make no mistakes.
Rose embarks on a the most unexpected journey that will truly take her to the most extraordinary places. Faced with a whole new set of parameters, Rose has to look outside of what she least expects and has to face down a killer who is extremely difficult to catch.
Simon Scarrow and Lee Francis have introduced a concept that may be just a little too far ‘out there’ for some readers. There is an element of suspending your reality while reading this book as you let yourself slip into the world of on-line gaming. For me I thoroughly enjoyed doing just that. Now I love technology, but gaming was and will never be my scene. I’m afraid Pac-Man was the full extent of my participation in this world (I’m giving away my age here I think :) ) I have embraced technology in other ways and admit I am ‘one of those’ who always has my mobile in my hand!! Yet, I have an underlying fear of where it will eventually take us as a society as I become more aware on a daily basis of our complete dependence on it.
Playing With Death takes the reader down a very frightening road highlighting how our reliance on technology could be detrimental to society as a whole.
Playing With Death is described as ‘a contemporary thriller’ but I would also suggest that it is an unconventional thriller with a very unusual, dare I say, sting to it’s tail.
Rose Black ‘has faced evil and survived’ but can she do it again?
Well…you will have to read it yourself to find out!
February 12, 2019
This book had so much promise, but left me feeling flat.
To start with, the FBI agents come across extremely inept. The answers (or at least some of the answers) seem to be staring them in the face and yet they don't manage to make much, if any headway. They only realise what is happening when the killer confesses their guilt. It left me wondering why I was bothering.
The next thing that put me off this book was the very strong prevalence of social media and technology. It made for uncomfortable reading at times; social media and technology being such a fixture in people's lives that it ruined marriages and caused children to be failing school.
I found myself constantly wishing for this book to be over, which was not a pleasant feeling. By the end, I was sick of it and was anticipating my next read.
As a final niggle, I really didn't like the writing style of 3rd person, present tense. I find it an awkward writing style to manage and found it distracting in places.
I was really excited for this book, as I had waited ages for it to come out in paperback, but I finished it feeling disappointed and like I had wasted my time.
To start with, the FBI agents come across extremely inept. The answers (or at least some of the answers) seem to be staring them in the face and yet they don't manage to make much, if any headway. They only realise what is happening when the killer confesses their guilt. It left me wondering why I was bothering.
The next thing that put me off this book was the very strong prevalence of social media and technology. It made for uncomfortable reading at times; social media and technology being such a fixture in people's lives that it ruined marriages and caused children to be failing school.
I found myself constantly wishing for this book to be over, which was not a pleasant feeling. By the end, I was sick of it and was anticipating my next read.
As a final niggle, I really didn't like the writing style of 3rd person, present tense. I find it an awkward writing style to manage and found it distracting in places.
I was really excited for this book, as I had waited ages for it to come out in paperback, but I finished it feeling disappointed and like I had wasted my time.
June 29, 2017
Wasn't sure what to expect from this having read the authors previous books, but this turned out to be fast paced thriller of the highest quality, centering round Rose an FBI agent and the hunt for a serial killer.
The pace of the story is relentless, its one of those you don't want to put down once started, a thriller for the modern technological age.
Would highly recommend
The pace of the story is relentless, its one of those you don't want to put down once started, a thriller for the modern technological age.
Would highly recommend
August 12, 2018
Genial. Gostei muito. Pareceu que estava a ler um episódio do Criminal Minds. Só espero que se torne, também, numa série.
Obrigado, Simon e Lee, por esta história, bem contada sobre um futuro tecnológico que desejo não se torne realidade.
Obrigado, Simon e Lee, por esta história, bem contada sobre um futuro tecnológico que desejo não se torne realidade.
November 26, 2017
A bit of a dilemma deciding on the rating for this as it was definitely between a 3 and a 4.
July 11, 2021
Wow what a book, a crime thriller but with a Sci fi twist in the fact that 1 of the killers is an Ai that went rogue, really enjoyed this book and recommend it 100%.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 3, 2018
Neste livro acompanhamos uma frenética aventura entre a agente do FBI Rose Blake e o serial killer Shane Koening.
Tudo começa com uma operação em que Rose está como infiltrada para tentar apanhar Shane, frente e frente com um serial killer que gosta de guardar troféus das suas vítimas em casa. Operação essa que corre mal, porque Shane consegue escapar e Owen, o colega de Rose, é alvejado num joelho.
Tempos depois há três crimes que ocorrem, quase seguidos um ao outro, em que o grande suspeito é Shane. Mas o que liga aquelas vítimas a Shane, e o que as liga umas às outras? O que parecem ter em comum é uma ligação à Skin, um fato que se cola ao corpo como se fosse uma segunda pele, um avanço tecnológico da Wadesoft no que toca à realidade virtual. Skin consegue passar aos seus utilizadores, mais do que uma experiência psicológica, toda uma série de sensações físicas.
O que procuram os utilizadores da Skin?
Porque são tão macabras as suas mortes, sem haver qualquer pista de ADN, qualquer vestígio do assassíno nos locais dos crimes? Como conseguiu Shane cometer aqueles crimes sem deixar uma pista?
Tudo isto e muito mais é o que vamos descobrir neste thriller policial de ritmo vertiginoso.
É um livro que se devora muito rapidamente, porque estamos sempre a colocar-nos questões sobre quem é Shane, quais os seus motivos, será mesmo o assassino daqueles três homens, será que Rose desta vez não o vai deixar escapar?
Este livro tem um ritmo um bocado cinematográfico, viramos páginas como se estivéssemos a acompanhar cenas de um filme.
Criei muita empatia com Rose, gostei da sua personalidade e do seu amor pela família apesar da profissão exigente. Ainda que me pareça que não tenha lidado bem com um casamento um bocado falhado.
Este livro não define bem em que espaço temporal se situa. Vamos acompanhando o livro como se a acção decorresse nos dias de hoje, mas mais no final acho que se percebe que a acção decorre algures daqui a uns 30 ou 40 anos. Isto considerando que, quando se revela o que despoletou o instinto assassino de Shane, ele tinha uns 14 anos e já tinha uma conta de Facebook e foi a partir daqui que as coisas começaram.
Considerando a altura em que decorre, parecem não haver grandes avanços tecnológicos (nada de carros voadores e coisas assim) para lá de electrodomésticos wi-fi e a Skin, um modelo avançado de realidade virtual, mas cheio de falhas.
Esta história alerta-nos para os perigos das redes sociais e para os perigos da Internet of Things (porque muito facilmente se consegue penetrar numa rede, num sistema, num computador e contaminar toda a web e o mallware estar presente em todo o lado e ser altamente difícil de o eliminar).
Também vem levantar questões interessantes sobre as novas legislações sobre a protecção de dados pessoais.
Como saberão alguns, a União Europeia alterou a regulamentação sobre a protecção de dados pessoais. Portugal tem até Maio deste ano para transpôr esta Directiva para o sistema jurídico nacional.
A nova legislação vem trazer direitos reforçados aos indíviduos quanto à protecção dos seus dados pessoais e deveres mais exigentes para todas as organizações que tratem de dados pessoais.
E se, por um lado, as pessoas têm mais direito a ver os seus dados pessoais protegidos, por outro a web, a Internet of Things, as redes sociais vêm dificultar este processo, porque se calhar cada vez teremos menos os nossos dados protegidos. Tudo o que está na web é passível de ser controlado.
E depois também se levanta a questão de, com o aumento dos crimes cibernéticos, como vão as autoridades policiais resolver estes crimes se depois há toda uma dificuldade em aceder a dados, porque está tudo encriptado e as empresas que detêm esses dados se recusam a desencriptá-los para ajudar a apanhar um assassino?
A única coisa que podem fazer é usar criminosos, hackers, para tentar aceder ao IP de um criminoso?
Foi um livro que me deixou a pensar nestas questões. É um livro com um assassíno inesperado e surpreendente, que nos faz questionar como é possível que a mente possa ser manipulada daquela forma.
Recomendo vivamente esta leitura, para quem gosta de um thriller e de histórias à volta deste ambiente mais tecnológico!
Tudo começa com uma operação em que Rose está como infiltrada para tentar apanhar Shane, frente e frente com um serial killer que gosta de guardar troféus das suas vítimas em casa. Operação essa que corre mal, porque Shane consegue escapar e Owen, o colega de Rose, é alvejado num joelho.
Tempos depois há três crimes que ocorrem, quase seguidos um ao outro, em que o grande suspeito é Shane. Mas o que liga aquelas vítimas a Shane, e o que as liga umas às outras? O que parecem ter em comum é uma ligação à Skin, um fato que se cola ao corpo como se fosse uma segunda pele, um avanço tecnológico da Wadesoft no que toca à realidade virtual. Skin consegue passar aos seus utilizadores, mais do que uma experiência psicológica, toda uma série de sensações físicas.
O que procuram os utilizadores da Skin?
Porque são tão macabras as suas mortes, sem haver qualquer pista de ADN, qualquer vestígio do assassíno nos locais dos crimes? Como conseguiu Shane cometer aqueles crimes sem deixar uma pista?
Tudo isto e muito mais é o que vamos descobrir neste thriller policial de ritmo vertiginoso.
É um livro que se devora muito rapidamente, porque estamos sempre a colocar-nos questões sobre quem é Shane, quais os seus motivos, será mesmo o assassino daqueles três homens, será que Rose desta vez não o vai deixar escapar?
Este livro tem um ritmo um bocado cinematográfico, viramos páginas como se estivéssemos a acompanhar cenas de um filme.
Criei muita empatia com Rose, gostei da sua personalidade e do seu amor pela família apesar da profissão exigente. Ainda que me pareça que não tenha lidado bem com um casamento um bocado falhado.
Este livro não define bem em que espaço temporal se situa. Vamos acompanhando o livro como se a acção decorresse nos dias de hoje, mas mais no final acho que se percebe que a acção decorre algures daqui a uns 30 ou 40 anos. Isto considerando que, quando se revela o que despoletou o instinto assassino de Shane, ele tinha uns 14 anos e já tinha uma conta de Facebook e foi a partir daqui que as coisas começaram.
Considerando a altura em que decorre, parecem não haver grandes avanços tecnológicos (nada de carros voadores e coisas assim) para lá de electrodomésticos wi-fi e a Skin, um modelo avançado de realidade virtual, mas cheio de falhas.
Esta história alerta-nos para os perigos das redes sociais e para os perigos da Internet of Things (porque muito facilmente se consegue penetrar numa rede, num sistema, num computador e contaminar toda a web e o mallware estar presente em todo o lado e ser altamente difícil de o eliminar).
Também vem levantar questões interessantes sobre as novas legislações sobre a protecção de dados pessoais.
Como saberão alguns, a União Europeia alterou a regulamentação sobre a protecção de dados pessoais. Portugal tem até Maio deste ano para transpôr esta Directiva para o sistema jurídico nacional.
A nova legislação vem trazer direitos reforçados aos indíviduos quanto à protecção dos seus dados pessoais e deveres mais exigentes para todas as organizações que tratem de dados pessoais.
E se, por um lado, as pessoas têm mais direito a ver os seus dados pessoais protegidos, por outro a web, a Internet of Things, as redes sociais vêm dificultar este processo, porque se calhar cada vez teremos menos os nossos dados protegidos. Tudo o que está na web é passível de ser controlado.
E depois também se levanta a questão de, com o aumento dos crimes cibernéticos, como vão as autoridades policiais resolver estes crimes se depois há toda uma dificuldade em aceder a dados, porque está tudo encriptado e as empresas que detêm esses dados se recusam a desencriptá-los para ajudar a apanhar um assassino?
A única coisa que podem fazer é usar criminosos, hackers, para tentar aceder ao IP de um criminoso?
Foi um livro que me deixou a pensar nestas questões. É um livro com um assassíno inesperado e surpreendente, que nos faz questionar como é possível que a mente possa ser manipulada daquela forma.
Recomendo vivamente esta leitura, para quem gosta de um thriller e de histórias à volta deste ambiente mais tecnológico!
July 13, 2017
Review
I approach every Scarrow book with caution, Not because of the quality but because I’ve been fortunate enough to know both brothers for quite a few years and have really enjoyed their books. Simon’s books were among my introductory books into Historical Fiction and as such they have to have a special place in my reading and has helped define the reader i am now. So every new book has the potential as a voracious reader of the genre to find a fault, to pick holes and its never something i feel totally comfortable with. Fortunately Simon rarely offers me the opportunity.
So when something new comes along, Simon Scarrow doing Crime Fiction, i have to think, Hmmmm? ok! lets give it a go. Also a collaboration, and something adapted from a TV series idea…. this could have car crash all over it, and how do i review that?
full review: https://parmenionbooks.wordpress.com/...
I approach every Scarrow book with caution, Not because of the quality but because I’ve been fortunate enough to know both brothers for quite a few years and have really enjoyed their books. Simon’s books were among my introductory books into Historical Fiction and as such they have to have a special place in my reading and has helped define the reader i am now. So every new book has the potential as a voracious reader of the genre to find a fault, to pick holes and its never something i feel totally comfortable with. Fortunately Simon rarely offers me the opportunity.
So when something new comes along, Simon Scarrow doing Crime Fiction, i have to think, Hmmmm? ok! lets give it a go. Also a collaboration, and something adapted from a TV series idea…. this could have car crash all over it, and how do i review that?
full review: https://parmenionbooks.wordpress.com/...
September 6, 2022
Wow, this was a super fun thriller with a touch of sci-fi technology. I enjoyed it a lot. There were a few reveals I didn’t like, but overall it was done really well. I haven’t flown through a 450 page book that fast in a while.
September 30, 2018
Gostei muito!
September 19, 2024
Something slightly different from Simon Scarrow, but as always a thrilling and enjoyable read. I can't wait for the next one from this duo.
March 6, 2021
Alright. So, this book had me hooked from page one until the very last page. The writing was beautiful and it allowed me to watch the book like a movie in my head. I also really love the multiple POVs. Really allowed me to get into everyone’s head and it was done beautifully. There was never a moment where I was bored with the story. It just jumped from one interesting thing to other.
Now, for the negatives. I didn’t feel like the story was wrapped up well enough. I had a few more questions. Also, I just don’t understand why the arson case was necessary to include in so much detail. The only connected of that to Koenig was Diva pushing the blame onto him but I just feel like Diva could’ve been introduced another way. I don’t know I feel like most of the story focused on that which it shouldn’t have. There could’ve been more about Jeff and Rose’s relationship. The climax was kind of predictable. It played out like every movie ever but it was still enjoyable.
Overall, I loved the writing style and the plot and the idea behind the story. There were just some execution errors but I was happy with the overall book.
Now, for the negatives. I didn’t feel like the story was wrapped up well enough. I had a few more questions. Also, I just don’t understand why the arson case was necessary to include in so much detail. The only connected of that to Koenig was Diva pushing the blame onto him but I just feel like Diva could’ve been introduced another way. I don’t know I feel like most of the story focused on that which it shouldn’t have. There could’ve been more about Jeff and Rose’s relationship. The climax was kind of predictable. It played out like every movie ever but it was still enjoyable.
Overall, I loved the writing style and the plot and the idea behind the story. There were just some execution errors but I was happy with the overall book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 11, 2017
Playing with death, by Simon Scarrow, Lee Francis.
This is a crime thriller based upon a quite interesting premise around computer games, the dark web and the potential for AI to overtake human beings. However, although parts of it were really well written, overall I found it lacklustre and flimsy. Not a good read.
This is a crime thriller based upon a quite interesting premise around computer games, the dark web and the potential for AI to overtake human beings. However, although parts of it were really well written, overall I found it lacklustre and flimsy. Not a good read.
August 6, 2017
Simon Scarrow and Lee Francis's tech thriller (the first in a new series) has some interesting ideas but is ultimately a leaden, two-dimensional affair where most men are rapists or sex creeps, the antagonist is every serial killer cliche imaginable, the protagonist dull and worthy and the twists eminently guessable so that it was an effort to get to the end.
April 17, 2018
Gostei bastante, é um policial muito assustador sobre os perigos da realidade virtual, dá que pensar. Só fiquei um bocado desapontado com o final, foi curto e super acelerado... Dizem que vão continuar esta série. Que venha o próximo volume!
August 22, 2017
A terrific thriller from Simon Scarrow
November 19, 2017
good read
December 26, 2017
read on a plane or by the pool!
February 22, 2018
3.7 stars
July 13, 2017
Undercover FBI agent Rose Blake misses her opportunity to apprehend vicious serial killer Shane Koenig/The Backwoods Butcher when her sting operation fails to ensure his capture. Posing as a victim to gain access to his house Rose finds all the evidence she needs to put him away forever, detached limbs and all. Unfortunately, after a daring chase, Koenig escapes into the wilderness and after weeks of searching is not found. Playing with Death kicks off seven months after these events.
Rose’s career has taken a hit due to Koenig and has been confined to desk work since. Out of the blue Rose is called to the scene of an apparently unbelievable case of death by Arson. Her superior wants her opinion on the case and all of its absurdities. A man has burned to death at his computer, no signs of forced entry and no evidence of anyone else ever being in the room. The victim had been badly tortured before his death and the only clue they have in the whole case is the rubber material suit that the victim was wearing. A suit that looks suspiciously like the new Skin virtual reality suit that is due to be released in the coming months.
Simon Scarrow and Lee Francis have definitely crafted a leading-edge thriller that encompasses so many additional genres. From sci-fi, mystery and horror to psychological and dramatic. Playing with Death has so much to offer any adult reader, it is fundamentally focused on technology, cyber crime and mystery, but all these other genres have a solid involvement too.
Both SS and LF have covered a lot of ground in this novel and it does feel like they are pushing the boundaries. This novel is certainly not for everyone. The writing style is incredibly dark, harsh, the violence is graphic and very detailed and there are deeply twisted comedic moments thrown in for good measure. Despite all the chaos Playing With Death is certainly progressive, meshing the villains of the past and the enemies of the future so creatively. There is so much to cover in this review but I am also trying not to give too much away…
My favourite part about this novel has to be the villains. Having an old-school serial killer stalking his prey in the real world, while a complex military A.I is taking over the digital world at an alarming rate. Koenig is a classically conflicted and deeply troubled killer who has Rose in her sights at all times, plotting in the shadows. I won’t go too much into the A.I presence in PWD as that is the focus of the second half on the book. But it is a great addition to the story and it keeps the reader guessing right till the last page. It is a marriage that works so well and I was interested to see where SS and LF were taking this novel. Playing with Death does not paint an inviting picture of the near-future.
With the online world/social media taking up more and more of our lives, the next logical step is virtual reality. I was incredibly impressed with the virtual reality sections of this novel, they were immersive and changed the tone, as well as the atmosphere, of the novel brilliantly. My least favourite element to this novel is Rose. I found her to be difficult to connect with and I never felt invested in her own personal story. All the other characters have quirks or depth but Rose never fulfilled the role of main character for me very well.
Playing with Death is a novel that sets out to scare us about the lack of policing of the internet and how easy it is to be targeted online. It succeeds on this point fantastically. This novel is a chilling reminder to take care online and the importance of safeguarding. Simon Scarrow’s attention to detail, coming from his experience as a historical fiction writer, and Lee Francis’ experience in the world of TV and movies combine together to create a intelligent, bigger picture thriller that successfully made me fear the internet.
I highly recommend Playing with Death to all those readers with a strong stomach. The darker themes are unavoidable and my skin-crawled quite a bit whilst reading this. I have given the novel 4.5/5 stars as it is a great novel that explores some brilliant concepts. I did have some difficulties with the main character Rose, but in the over scheme of the novel, there is so much going on that her story was bound to get sucked up in the chaos. I hope you all get to a chance to pick this up and experience it for yourselves.
Rose’s career has taken a hit due to Koenig and has been confined to desk work since. Out of the blue Rose is called to the scene of an apparently unbelievable case of death by Arson. Her superior wants her opinion on the case and all of its absurdities. A man has burned to death at his computer, no signs of forced entry and no evidence of anyone else ever being in the room. The victim had been badly tortured before his death and the only clue they have in the whole case is the rubber material suit that the victim was wearing. A suit that looks suspiciously like the new Skin virtual reality suit that is due to be released in the coming months.
Simon Scarrow and Lee Francis have definitely crafted a leading-edge thriller that encompasses so many additional genres. From sci-fi, mystery and horror to psychological and dramatic. Playing with Death has so much to offer any adult reader, it is fundamentally focused on technology, cyber crime and mystery, but all these other genres have a solid involvement too.
Both SS and LF have covered a lot of ground in this novel and it does feel like they are pushing the boundaries. This novel is certainly not for everyone. The writing style is incredibly dark, harsh, the violence is graphic and very detailed and there are deeply twisted comedic moments thrown in for good measure. Despite all the chaos Playing With Death is certainly progressive, meshing the villains of the past and the enemies of the future so creatively. There is so much to cover in this review but I am also trying not to give too much away…
My favourite part about this novel has to be the villains. Having an old-school serial killer stalking his prey in the real world, while a complex military A.I is taking over the digital world at an alarming rate. Koenig is a classically conflicted and deeply troubled killer who has Rose in her sights at all times, plotting in the shadows. I won’t go too much into the A.I presence in PWD as that is the focus of the second half on the book. But it is a great addition to the story and it keeps the reader guessing right till the last page. It is a marriage that works so well and I was interested to see where SS and LF were taking this novel. Playing with Death does not paint an inviting picture of the near-future.
With the online world/social media taking up more and more of our lives, the next logical step is virtual reality. I was incredibly impressed with the virtual reality sections of this novel, they were immersive and changed the tone, as well as the atmosphere, of the novel brilliantly. My least favourite element to this novel is Rose. I found her to be difficult to connect with and I never felt invested in her own personal story. All the other characters have quirks or depth but Rose never fulfilled the role of main character for me very well.
Playing with Death is a novel that sets out to scare us about the lack of policing of the internet and how easy it is to be targeted online. It succeeds on this point fantastically. This novel is a chilling reminder to take care online and the importance of safeguarding. Simon Scarrow’s attention to detail, coming from his experience as a historical fiction writer, and Lee Francis’ experience in the world of TV and movies combine together to create a intelligent, bigger picture thriller that successfully made me fear the internet.
I highly recommend Playing with Death to all those readers with a strong stomach. The darker themes are unavoidable and my skin-crawled quite a bit whilst reading this. I have given the novel 4.5/5 stars as it is a great novel that explores some brilliant concepts. I did have some difficulties with the main character Rose, but in the over scheme of the novel, there is so much going on that her story was bound to get sucked up in the chaos. I hope you all get to a chance to pick this up and experience it for yourselves.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 30, 2018
This book nearly lost me at the beginning when due to some dumb mistakes on the part of FBI Agent Rose Blake, a vicious serial killer escapes arrest, and Blake's fellow agent, Owen Malinski is wounded in the leg and left disabled.
I don't mind detectives making mistakes, but the authors, Simon Scarrow and Lee Francis, go out of their way to emphasize that Blake is a seasoned agent, that she has been leading this investigation for months, and that she is the best field agent in her division. Yet, after successfully luring serial killer Shane Koenig into a sting, with practically the first words out of her mouth she nearly blows it by referring to Koenig's job, which he has never mentioned in any of the conversations between the two of them. A dumb mistake, unworthy of a seasoned agent.
Then, when Koenig goes to get some wine, Blake takes advantage of the opportunity to look around his cabin. The authors make a point of telling us that she can't do too much snooping lest the evidence be thrown out because it is "forbidden fruit", obtained illegally without a warrant. So then Blake opens the freezer and finds a collection of body parts. Hello! Whatever happened to forbidden fruit? I'm pretty sure that just about any judge would rule the contents of the freezer inadmissible because they weren't in plain sight.
Again, I don't mind people making mistakes, but don't make a point of telling us about someone's professional expertise, and then have her make stupid, rookie mistakes.
Despite the inauspicious start, I kept reading the book, kind of wanting to see how bad it would get. To my surprise, I was drawn into the story, which picks up seven months later. Blake, who has suffered from PTSD since the Koenig incident, is brought back into the field to investigate a suspicious death: a Department of Defense contractor has been tortured and then burnt to death.
It's a true locked room mystery: CCTV shows that victim Gary Coulter was alone when he died, but his injuries could not have been self inflicted. Autopsy results show that Coulter was wearing a skin tight virtual reality suit when he was killed, a prototype of a defense industry test project. Yet, despite pressuring the FBI team to rapidly resolve the murder, all attempts to learn more about the project or the victim are stonewalled by the DOD.
As Blake leads the investigation team, she is led to an improbable conclusion, that Koenig is responsible for the gruesome murder, when an MP3 of Coulter's death shows up on Koenig's dark web site.
What drew me into the book and kept me reading until I finally could not put it down was the taut and expert investigation as Blake and her team find ways around the various roadblocks that have been put in their way. There is a side case involving a hacker that Kakinski arrests, but who ends up helping with the investigation.
There are also side stories about Blake's attempts to maintain a family life while juggling a highly complex and demanding job. The interplay between her and her teen-aged son, Robbie, is very realistic, and I found the portrayal of Robbie's teen-aged angst believable. I was less impressed with his portrayal as having Asperger's, as I have a child with Asperger's, but to paraphrase, if you know one person with Asperger's, you know one person with Asperger's.
Blake also has to cope with her suspicions that her husband is having an affair, for which she takes partial responsibility due to being so wrapped up in her job.
But the best part, for me, was that Blake was portrayed as extremely competent and professional. No more stupid mistakes such as those that derailed the Koenig investigation. Blake follows legal protocols. She requests back up when appropriate. Before she goes to meet the killer in an isolated location, she lets her team know so they can set up surveillance and try to capture the villain.
I wish all authors would allow their female heroines to be as competent!
I did not like that the killer launched a personal attack on Blake and her family ("This time it's personal!" It's a pet peeve of mine) but in the context of this book it made sense.
This is the first book in the series, and I will probably look up some of the others. I'm taking off a star because of the sloppy beginning, but overall, I really enjoyed this book and want to read more about Rose Blake.
I don't mind detectives making mistakes, but the authors, Simon Scarrow and Lee Francis, go out of their way to emphasize that Blake is a seasoned agent, that she has been leading this investigation for months, and that she is the best field agent in her division. Yet, after successfully luring serial killer Shane Koenig into a sting, with practically the first words out of her mouth she nearly blows it by referring to Koenig's job, which he has never mentioned in any of the conversations between the two of them. A dumb mistake, unworthy of a seasoned agent.
Then, when Koenig goes to get some wine, Blake takes advantage of the opportunity to look around his cabin. The authors make a point of telling us that she can't do too much snooping lest the evidence be thrown out because it is "forbidden fruit", obtained illegally without a warrant. So then Blake opens the freezer and finds a collection of body parts. Hello! Whatever happened to forbidden fruit? I'm pretty sure that just about any judge would rule the contents of the freezer inadmissible because they weren't in plain sight.
Again, I don't mind people making mistakes, but don't make a point of telling us about someone's professional expertise, and then have her make stupid, rookie mistakes.
Despite the inauspicious start, I kept reading the book, kind of wanting to see how bad it would get. To my surprise, I was drawn into the story, which picks up seven months later. Blake, who has suffered from PTSD since the Koenig incident, is brought back into the field to investigate a suspicious death: a Department of Defense contractor has been tortured and then burnt to death.
It's a true locked room mystery: CCTV shows that victim Gary Coulter was alone when he died, but his injuries could not have been self inflicted. Autopsy results show that Coulter was wearing a skin tight virtual reality suit when he was killed, a prototype of a defense industry test project. Yet, despite pressuring the FBI team to rapidly resolve the murder, all attempts to learn more about the project or the victim are stonewalled by the DOD.
As Blake leads the investigation team, she is led to an improbable conclusion, that Koenig is responsible for the gruesome murder, when an MP3 of Coulter's death shows up on Koenig's dark web site.
What drew me into the book and kept me reading until I finally could not put it down was the taut and expert investigation as Blake and her team find ways around the various roadblocks that have been put in their way. There is a side case involving a hacker that Kakinski arrests, but who ends up helping with the investigation.
There are also side stories about Blake's attempts to maintain a family life while juggling a highly complex and demanding job. The interplay between her and her teen-aged son, Robbie, is very realistic, and I found the portrayal of Robbie's teen-aged angst believable. I was less impressed with his portrayal as having Asperger's, as I have a child with Asperger's, but to paraphrase, if you know one person with Asperger's, you know one person with Asperger's.
Blake also has to cope with her suspicions that her husband is having an affair, for which she takes partial responsibility due to being so wrapped up in her job.
But the best part, for me, was that Blake was portrayed as extremely competent and professional. No more stupid mistakes such as those that derailed the Koenig investigation. Blake follows legal protocols. She requests back up when appropriate. Before she goes to meet the killer in an isolated location, she lets her team know so they can set up surveillance and try to capture the villain.
I wish all authors would allow their female heroines to be as competent!
I did not like that the killer launched a personal attack on Blake and her family ("This time it's personal!" It's a pet peeve of mine) but in the context of this book it made sense.
This is the first book in the series, and I will probably look up some of the others. I'm taking off a star because of the sloppy beginning, but overall, I really enjoyed this book and want to read more about Rose Blake.
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