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Tales of Adversego #4
The Turing Test
Energy infrastructure around the world is under attack and cybersecurity super-sleuth Frank Adversego must solve a riddle with no apparent answer: when the only attackers capable of staging the assaults are also the targets, who can the attacker be?
Part of the answer becomes clear as power plants, coal mines, refineries and tankers continue to be destroyed: someone – or something – has decided to single-handedly save the world from climate change. As Adversego closes in on his opponent, the attacker does the same in a race to the finish that only one of them can survive.
"Andrew Updegrove brings a rare combination of drama, satire and technical accuracy to his writing. The result is a book you can't put down that tells you things you might wish you didn't know"
- Admiral James G. Stavridis, retired Commander, U.S. European Command and NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe, and current Dean of the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy
Part of the answer becomes clear as power plants, coal mines, refineries and tankers continue to be destroyed: someone – or something – has decided to single-handedly save the world from climate change. As Adversego closes in on his opponent, the attacker does the same in a race to the finish that only one of them can survive.
"Andrew Updegrove brings a rare combination of drama, satire and technical accuracy to his writing. The result is a book you can't put down that tells you things you might wish you didn't know"
- Admiral James G. Stavridis, retired Commander, U.S. European Command and NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe, and current Dean of the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy
- GenresThrillerMystery Thriller
268 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 12, 2017
232 people are currently reading
268 people want to read
About the author
Andrew Updegrove
12 books71 followersMy career as a fiction writer began when a line of interior dialogue occurred to me while walking my dog in the rain. That line turned into a character, and that character turned into the foundation for my first book. A second and a third followed (and then a fourth and a fifth, with the sixth on the way), based on the same character: an "everyman" cybersecurity specialist who is brilliant but socially challenged. Each book is a satirical thriller that highlights the risks of our continuing dependency on technology in general, and the Internet in particular. The exploits in the books have demonstrated a disturbing tendency to later actually happen in the real world.
When I'm not writing, I'm working with high tech clients, including those that create the standards and systems that make cybersecurity possible. When I'm not writing or predicting the next cyber-disaster, I'm likely to be roaming the back country of the American southwest in my Jeep, scouting out settings for his next book. I spend summers on an island off the coast of Maine and winters in southwest Florida.
When I'm not writing, I'm working with high tech clients, including those that create the standards and systems that make cybersecurity possible. When I'm not writing or predicting the next cyber-disaster, I'm likely to be roaming the back country of the American southwest in my Jeep, scouting out settings for his next book. I spend summers on an island off the coast of Maine and winters in southwest Florida.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 24 reviews
November 1, 2017
Ever read Stephen King late at night, alone, and find yourself casting anxious glances toward the shadows? I’m not going to give away plot, but The Turing Test will have you glancing at your internet-connected devices with the same apprehension.
It’s rare when I get so involved with a book that I forget to do something important. But the morning after losing myself past bedtime in the suspense and surprises of this one’s conclusion, I awoke to find I had failed to set up the coffee pot for my essential caffeine eye-opener. Fair warning: reserve this one for when you have freedom to lose track of time and duties.
I’m drawn to the adventures of Frank Adversego by Updegrove’s suspenseful tale-spinning and his subtle humor. But there’s more. The series offers wake-up calls to real dangers that prowl the digital universe, probing for opportunities to burst into our lives. Without pounding on the table, the series warns that mankind seems headed for huge social and economic disruptions caused by advanced societies’ reliance on physically vulnerable cloud computing and on poorly protected connections to a Darwinian internet. And next? Artificial Intelligence.
In each of his novels, Updegrove has raised the alarm, but not the volume. He’s able to make serious points while often having tongue in cheek. He’s willing to wrestling with moral issues: How much bad is justified to accomplish a great good? Who should bear the burden of that bad? Plus an unexpected treat: he plays a shrewd, bittersweet riff on the state of American politics. Who’d have expected that in a cyber-thriller?
With the Frank Adversego series, Andrew Updegrove has created a sub-genre: the teaching thriller. I’m looking forward to the next one! And I’m going to keep my computer and my phone turned off if I’m not actually using them.
Really!
It’s rare when I get so involved with a book that I forget to do something important. But the morning after losing myself past bedtime in the suspense and surprises of this one’s conclusion, I awoke to find I had failed to set up the coffee pot for my essential caffeine eye-opener. Fair warning: reserve this one for when you have freedom to lose track of time and duties.
I’m drawn to the adventures of Frank Adversego by Updegrove’s suspenseful tale-spinning and his subtle humor. But there’s more. The series offers wake-up calls to real dangers that prowl the digital universe, probing for opportunities to burst into our lives. Without pounding on the table, the series warns that mankind seems headed for huge social and economic disruptions caused by advanced societies’ reliance on physically vulnerable cloud computing and on poorly protected connections to a Darwinian internet. And next? Artificial Intelligence.
In each of his novels, Updegrove has raised the alarm, but not the volume. He’s able to make serious points while often having tongue in cheek. He’s willing to wrestling with moral issues: How much bad is justified to accomplish a great good? Who should bear the burden of that bad? Plus an unexpected treat: he plays a shrewd, bittersweet riff on the state of American politics. Who’d have expected that in a cyber-thriller?
With the Frank Adversego series, Andrew Updegrove has created a sub-genre: the teaching thriller. I’m looking forward to the next one! And I’m going to keep my computer and my phone turned off if I’m not actually using them.
Really!
December 20, 2017
My review of THE TURING TEST by Andy Updegrove
Frank Adversego is a private detective with a difference. He’s hopeless with women, runs a knackered old car, is deeply into the cyber world, and is good at his job. When a mysterious attack takes out three electricity generating plants worldwide, he suspects someone, possibly a super power, has hacked into the plants’ computer systems. His professional interest peaked, he offers his services to the NSA, the national security service, but finding out who is behind the attacks and why is more difficult than he first thought.
I’m not computer savvy, and programming is a closed book to me, but ‘The Turing Test’ opened my eyes to the very real dangers I already suspected existed with letting computers control much of our world. What happens when things go wrong, when someone gets just a bit too clever and programmes something they can’t control?
I loved this story. The characters are flawed and real, the scientific knowledge convincing, the pace never flags, and the plot kept me interested and engaged from beginning to end.
If you enjoy books about the cyber world and artificial intelligence with a strongly relevant twist, I highly recommend this one. https://www.amazon.com/Turing-Test-Ar...
Frank Adversego is a private detective with a difference. He’s hopeless with women, runs a knackered old car, is deeply into the cyber world, and is good at his job. When a mysterious attack takes out three electricity generating plants worldwide, he suspects someone, possibly a super power, has hacked into the plants’ computer systems. His professional interest peaked, he offers his services to the NSA, the national security service, but finding out who is behind the attacks and why is more difficult than he first thought.
I’m not computer savvy, and programming is a closed book to me, but ‘The Turing Test’ opened my eyes to the very real dangers I already suspected existed with letting computers control much of our world. What happens when things go wrong, when someone gets just a bit too clever and programmes something they can’t control?
I loved this story. The characters are flawed and real, the scientific knowledge convincing, the pace never flags, and the plot kept me interested and engaged from beginning to end.
If you enjoy books about the cyber world and artificial intelligence with a strongly relevant twist, I highly recommend this one. https://www.amazon.com/Turing-Test-Ar...
November 20, 2017
Ack!
I really liked the topic of this story, it was interesting with allot of potential. I know I said in my last review that I like how you integrate a bit of learning along with the story, but I personally feel you over did it this time around. And there was so much more story that could have been written instead of the text book literature we read. Is ten, I don't normally write a bad review, and I don't think the book was bad... It just left out allot of the fun we could have shared!
I really liked the topic of this story, it was interesting with allot of potential. I know I said in my last review that I like how you integrate a bit of learning along with the story, but I personally feel you over did it this time around. And there was so much more story that could have been written instead of the text book literature we read. Is ten, I don't normally write a bad review, and I don't think the book was bad... It just left out allot of the fun we could have shared!
February 7, 2018
When a series of attacks against CO2 admitting sources following announcements of their affect on the climate Frank Adversego is asked to join a NSA task force to track down the culprits. As the attacks escalate Frank and an assistant begin to get an idea on where the worldwide attacks are coming from. They seem to be too well organized and happen too quickly after what seem to be a triggering event to be from a human source and Frank begins to suspect there is a rogue AI program behind them and it is becoming more dangerous as time goes on. An interesting premise and a good story.
May 3, 2018
AI Turing
This KU library standalone selection tackles the dangers and dilemmas of developing artificial intelligence. When power plant failures begin popping up around the globe, Frank Adversego asks to join the team that has been formed to discover who is behind the almost simultaneous attacks. But his research leads him to conclude it's a what, not a who, and to a reclusive genius living and working in the basement of the NSA.
This is another enlightening addition to the series.
This KU library standalone selection tackles the dangers and dilemmas of developing artificial intelligence. When power plant failures begin popping up around the globe, Frank Adversego asks to join the team that has been formed to discover who is behind the almost simultaneous attacks. But his research leads him to conclude it's a what, not a who, and to a reclusive genius living and working in the basement of the NSA.
This is another enlightening addition to the series.
July 9, 2018
A Good Finale to a great series
To every good thing must come an end... or does it? While is seems that Frank has ended his cyber detective work, we can only hope for more. This has been another well written tale of what could happen at any time from present to future. As frightening as this may seem, it makes for a great read and I hope you enjoy this series as much as I have!
To every good thing must come an end... or does it? While is seems that Frank has ended his cyber detective work, we can only hope for more. This has been another well written tale of what could happen at any time from present to future. As frightening as this may seem, it makes for a great read and I hope you enjoy this series as much as I have!
July 21, 2018
The Turing Test passes
If you understand computerised speech better than I do, you will be thrilled by this story. Can AI be developed to be able to run the world? A basic answer is no but it's much more complicated than that. I really could not follow all the discussions along that line. What I got the biggest charge was the political discussion about whether or not there is such a thing as global warming and what to do about it.
If you understand computerised speech better than I do, you will be thrilled by this story. Can AI be developed to be able to run the world? A basic answer is no but it's much more complicated than that. I really could not follow all the discussions along that line. What I got the biggest charge was the political discussion about whether or not there is such a thing as global warming and what to do about it.
October 2, 2018
Tough story to review. Overall the flow is solid, but unfortunately it gets bogged down in endless preaching about climate change and stereotypical representations of any who don't go along with this view of the world. Also the author seems to like to show off knowledge far beyond that demanded by the story. Sticking to the story and adding unique, but limited details along the way would be a better approach.
September 1, 2019
When compared to the author's previous books in this series, this book seemed a little slow. I also found the plot to be rather predictable. It was like I saw each event in the plot coming long before it manifested. The ending in particular was fairly apparent. I mean it had to end the way it did, so it was just a matter of the details of how the outcome was accomplished. I did enjoy the book and I am happy to recommend it.
January 14, 2018
AI Oh My,,
Scary, exciting, masterful, educational. Taking AI to its ultimate conclusion, the Turing Test kept me going for two days. I couldn’t put it down. Stephen Hawking is correct AI is dangerous as this story shows if there are no safeguards in place to manage its capability. I give this one five stars.
Scary, exciting, masterful, educational. Taking AI to its ultimate conclusion, the Turing Test kept me going for two days. I couldn’t put it down. Stephen Hawking is correct AI is dangerous as this story shows if there are no safeguards in place to manage its capability. I give this one five stars.
March 4, 2020
An excellent description of the potential problems of creating an intelligent machine. A blend of fiction and a considerable amount of non-fiction makes this a captivating story from beginning to end. Some technical topics which I, as a former instructor of Artificial Intelligence, found interesting but nothing too complex and nicely explained for those with no background knowledge.
February 10, 2022
Here's a good read for "thinkers", even lazy thinkers like me.
I'm an AVID reader, but I don't think I can claim to be a SERIOUS reader-if I were I'd do some research into the the AI (Artificial Intelligence) material that is a strong thread through out the story.
Thanks for a very interesting trip through the land of geeks.
I'm an AVID reader, but I don't think I can claim to be a SERIOUS reader-if I were I'd do some research into the the AI (Artificial Intelligence) material that is a strong thread through out the story.
Thanks for a very interesting trip through the land of geeks.
October 4, 2017
Best book I have read in years!
This book was absolutely superlative. The technology was engrossing, the moral dilemmas were absolutely Kafkaesque and the characters particularly endearing.
I have not read such a good book in years.....decades, even.
This book was absolutely superlative. The technology was engrossing, the moral dilemmas were absolutely Kafkaesque and the characters particularly endearing.
I have not read such a good book in years.....decades, even.
August 17, 2018
An enjoyable read
Fun and believable. A good reminder that as we continue to push A.I. forward that there will be consequences as we can't see all the possibilities. Technical concepts were well explained yet not over simplified for those who are into tech
Fun and believable. A good reminder that as we continue to push A.I. forward that there will be consequences as we can't see all the possibilities. Technical concepts were well explained yet not over simplified for those who are into tech
January 21, 2019
Ability
While I enjoyed this book,I feel someone who knows more about computers and how they work would really enjoy the descriptions in the book. t least glad of the action in it. Read and enjoy.
While I enjoyed this book,I feel someone who knows more about computers and how they work would really enjoy the descriptions in the book. t least glad of the action in it. Read and enjoy.
August 19, 2019
4.5, nothings perfect
The most thought provoking novel I’ve read in some time, in several ways. The philosophy of AI, moral dilemmas, even some insightful political philosophy and memorable characters. Highly recommended!
The most thought provoking novel I’ve read in some time, in several ways. The philosophy of AI, moral dilemmas, even some insightful political philosophy and memorable characters. Highly recommended!
December 20, 2020
Interesting ethical quandary.
What if you could save the earth from climate change, but to do so a few people had to die? And if you don't... People will die.
How do you convince a computer smarter than anyone what the right choice is. (Also there is a very Trump politician)
What if you could save the earth from climate change, but to do so a few people had to die? And if you don't... People will die.
How do you convince a computer smarter than anyone what the right choice is. (Also there is a very Trump politician)
August 27, 2017
Outstanding story! Really enjoyed it...premise real enough to consider...and writing style made it flow easily without stretching your imagination.
December 27, 2017
Andrew Updegrove's Frank Adversego Series is a
MUST READ! If you enjoy well written Thrillers
you do not want to miss this series.
MUST READ! If you enjoy well written Thrillers
you do not want to miss this series.
August 9, 2018
I enjoyed reading Andrew Updegrove's cyber crime adventure novels. Frank Adversego is an interesting and likeable character in a good thriller book series.
April 23, 2019
Slow beginning but fun plot line and characters
While it seemed a bit slow at first, once the plot took off it was entertaining, reasonably plausible, and fun reading
While it seemed a bit slow at first, once the plot took off it was entertaining, reasonably plausible, and fun reading
September 1, 2020
Enjoyed the story of a computer program that wants to take over the world.
December 11, 2020
Good read
This is a thrill ride about the future of the computer. Makes you wonder how close we are to the end of life as we know it. A must read.
This is a thrill ride about the future of the computer. Makes you wonder how close we are to the end of life as we know it. A must read.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 24 reviews