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Ben Morgan Thrillers #1
Cyberstrike: London
7/7/2005: Ben Morgan, a cybersecurity specialist with the Metropolitan police, starts another day at work. It will be the last normal day he ever has.
The Present: In Hong Kong, a crime overlord is offered a deal by shadowy agents from Beijing: his life for a new kind of operation in London.
Morgan, now a part of an off the books cyber-terrorism prevention unit, must do everything to stop its spread.
The Present: In Hong Kong, a crime overlord is offered a deal by shadowy agents from Beijing: his life for a new kind of operation in London.
Morgan, now a part of an off the books cyber-terrorism prevention unit, must do everything to stop its spread.
368 pages, Paperback
Published November 19, 2020
20 people are currently reading
68 people want to read
About the author
James Barrington
45 books75 followersI also write as Max Adams, James Becker, Tom Kasey, Thomas Payne and Jack Steel.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
September 17, 2024
The story begins with the 7/7 London bombings in 2005. As a cyber security specialist with the Metropolitan Police, Ben Morgan is on his way to a meeting when he’s caught up in these dreadful events.
Fast forward to the present, and in Hong Kong, a new and extremely clever operation has just been given the go ahead. This operation doesn’t involve bombs, but cyber security, designed to bring down the City of London. Morgan, now part of the cyber terrorism prevention unit, is going to need his decades of expertise and experience, because he won’t have encountered anything quite like this before.
This was such a unique plot that I’m surprised we haven’t seen something like it in the daily news - or has it happened and been covered up? which of course must happen all the time. We only get to know what the government wants us to know!
It’s clear that the author has great knowledge in the area of cyber security - it shows. Some of the characters are terrifying, as they’d need to be to carry out an operation on such a scale. Really intense at times, this was a very enjoyable read.
* My thanks to Canelo for my ARC. I have given an honest unbiased review in exchange *
Fast forward to the present, and in Hong Kong, a new and extremely clever operation has just been given the go ahead. This operation doesn’t involve bombs, but cyber security, designed to bring down the City of London. Morgan, now part of the cyber terrorism prevention unit, is going to need his decades of expertise and experience, because he won’t have encountered anything quite like this before.
This was such a unique plot that I’m surprised we haven’t seen something like it in the daily news - or has it happened and been covered up? which of course must happen all the time. We only get to know what the government wants us to know!
It’s clear that the author has great knowledge in the area of cyber security - it shows. Some of the characters are terrifying, as they’d need to be to carry out an operation on such a scale. Really intense at times, this was a very enjoyable read.
* My thanks to Canelo for my ARC. I have given an honest unbiased review in exchange *
March 9, 2020
Cyberstrike: London is the first in what appears from the first instalment to be a thrilling, timely and topical new series with cyber warfare at its heart, and boy was this a heart-stopping, adrenaline-fuelled rollercoaster ride of twists and turns, peaks and troughs from beginning to end. The story opens on 7/7 2005 in London with cybersecurity expert Ben Morgan on his way to a Home Office meeting when he is caught up in the merciless and terrifying terrorist events of that fateful day. He is then drafted in by the government as part of the personnel to be issued with the task of preventing another atrocity occurring as part of an urgent secret service committee. The narrative then moves into the present day where in Hong Kong a totally different type of terrorist incident is taking root yet it will have a similarly devastating impact. The objective? To cripple the City of London, well known to be one of the key financial districts in the world.
The book begins with a bang and moves forth at rapid pace with a high-octane, all-action narrative that barely gives you a moment to breathe or compose yourself. Barrington’s writing exudes urgency and drama creating a heart-pounding epic thrill ride that readers of thrillers will simply devour, just as I did. The dual timelines served as a way to illustrate the different type of threats we face both then (2005) and now as well as how threats might evolve. For example, where once the threat was known to be coming from those who might utilise guns or explosives it now seems perpetrators are favouring knives and vehicles due to the ease of acquiring and manoeuvring them. In the near future, the threat due to cyberattacks will play a bigger part.
An exciting and utterly captivating read that highlights the tough job those tasked with our security both then and now are facing and will continue to face. Many thanks to Canelo for an ARC.
The book begins with a bang and moves forth at rapid pace with a high-octane, all-action narrative that barely gives you a moment to breathe or compose yourself. Barrington’s writing exudes urgency and drama creating a heart-pounding epic thrill ride that readers of thrillers will simply devour, just as I did. The dual timelines served as a way to illustrate the different type of threats we face both then (2005) and now as well as how threats might evolve. For example, where once the threat was known to be coming from those who might utilise guns or explosives it now seems perpetrators are favouring knives and vehicles due to the ease of acquiring and manoeuvring them. In the near future, the threat due to cyberattacks will play a bigger part.
An exciting and utterly captivating read that highlights the tough job those tasked with our security both then and now are facing and will continue to face. Many thanks to Canelo for an ARC.
May 14, 2020
One of my favourite thriller writers, his Paul Richter series is very good indeed. With this we get a diversion with a new character and a slightly different direction, cyberterrorism.
Written with help from Professor Richard Benham this is about a small British team combating cyberterrorists by playing them at their own game. A twist on the usual black ops teams that are allowed to play dirty to kill bad guys, this is about use of technology and intelligence. It lacks the pace and strong central character of the Richter thrillers and (by nature of having a subject matter expert co-author) there are, on occasion, some lengthy details about our exposure to technology.
But it’s okay, it does have its thrills, it will make you think.
Written with help from Professor Richard Benham this is about a small British team combating cyberterrorists by playing them at their own game. A twist on the usual black ops teams that are allowed to play dirty to kill bad guys, this is about use of technology and intelligence. It lacks the pace and strong central character of the Richter thrillers and (by nature of having a subject matter expert co-author) there are, on occasion, some lengthy details about our exposure to technology.
But it’s okay, it does have its thrills, it will make you think.
June 30, 2021
I thought that the storyline was quite good but the character development was thin.
April 4, 2021
Cyberstrike: London was a fun read and I would call it a howdunnit instead of a whodunnit. This book is all about cyber crime and cyber terrorism; how the criminals use the technology and how a cybersecurity team tries to catch them. Don't expect any character development because there isn't any. The characters are two dimensional. It was interesting to read though and I will certainly read the second book in the series but I see it as an easy in-between read.
September 12, 2021
The first in the Ben Morgan Cyberstrike series of thrillers. It follows an UK antiterrorist group following the 7/7 attacks at first but then switches to it's own fictional attack. The main character is IT specialist Ben Morgan who is part of the antiterrorist group for some reason. I thought the title cyberstrike indicated that the plot would involve a computer based attack but that is not the case and more a criminals with guns kind of plot. Technology is used but it is not Mr Robot.
July 25, 2021
It’s not exactly bad, but neither is it good. Some sections read like a manual for whichever bit of IT or government process they are discussing.
March 14, 2020
My thanks to Canelo Action for an eARC via NetGalley of ‘Cyberstrike: London’ by James Barrington and Professor Richard Benham in exchange for an honest review.
This is intended to be the first in a series of topical thrillers focusing on cyber crime/warfare featuring Ben Morgan.
It opens with the real life events of the morning of July 7th, 2005. Ben Morgan, a cyber security expert with the Metropolitan Police, is on his way to a meeting at the Home Office. He is on the Underground when the series of coordinated terrorist attacks takes place. The authors manage to capture a strong sense of the panic experienced by those caught up in these incidents.
Following this Morgan is transferred to C-TAC - Counter Terrorism Advisory Committe, a division of the security services, tasked with thwarting future terrorist attacks.
In 2019 a new type of attack is being planned that starts with the kidnapping of a City banker. Yet the kidnappers do not seem to be interested in a ransom. Morgan and his team face a race against time to discover their motives and locate the victim.
A thriller about cyberterrorism is bound to be more cerebral than the usual type of action thriller. There are also plenty of action sequences as the story reaches its exciting climax.
This was a cracking plot that was clearly well researched. I also appreciated the information provided in the Author’s Note breaking down various aspects of the complex British security services.
3.5 stars rounded up to 4.
This is intended to be the first in a series of topical thrillers focusing on cyber crime/warfare featuring Ben Morgan.
It opens with the real life events of the morning of July 7th, 2005. Ben Morgan, a cyber security expert with the Metropolitan Police, is on his way to a meeting at the Home Office. He is on the Underground when the series of coordinated terrorist attacks takes place. The authors manage to capture a strong sense of the panic experienced by those caught up in these incidents.
Following this Morgan is transferred to C-TAC - Counter Terrorism Advisory Committe, a division of the security services, tasked with thwarting future terrorist attacks.
In 2019 a new type of attack is being planned that starts with the kidnapping of a City banker. Yet the kidnappers do not seem to be interested in a ransom. Morgan and his team face a race against time to discover their motives and locate the victim.
A thriller about cyberterrorism is bound to be more cerebral than the usual type of action thriller. There are also plenty of action sequences as the story reaches its exciting climax.
This was a cracking plot that was clearly well researched. I also appreciated the information provided in the Author’s Note breaking down various aspects of the complex British security services.
3.5 stars rounded up to 4.
April 2, 2022
Not a bad read, interesting thriller themed around high level corruption and crime within a small banking community, but part of a wider plan with a more sinister deeper root, and potentially massive global implications if all phases of the plan play out. The book starts of with the 7/7 bombings and slowly moves away from this into the main story - not sure this was really needed. Plus the title 'Cyberstrike' didn't really seem the best title by the end of the book as the 'attack' so to speak seemed more like good old fashioned blackmail and the means of collapsing a financial system (by leaking dirt online).
May 30, 2020
Great read
I have this book a 5 star rating as I really enjoyed reading it from start to finish.
The story started at one point in recent 21st century history moving to present times with a lot of informative information of how cyber crimes and terrorism is being monitored.
There where no boring parts you wanted to rush on with.
The information about various parts of the novel at the end was also as good as the novel.
I have this book a 5 star rating as I really enjoyed reading it from start to finish.
The story started at one point in recent 21st century history moving to present times with a lot of informative information of how cyber crimes and terrorism is being monitored.
There where no boring parts you wanted to rush on with.
The information about various parts of the novel at the end was also as good as the novel.
January 24, 2022
Extremely enjoyable. This is certainly my kind of book. A mixture of factual interesting information mixed in with some fiction to build a story that I devoured.
Whilst perhaps overusing the style of characters discussing a plan but not telling you the reader until it is done it was definitely effective the first few times.
I will recommend this to others and will be sure to keep my eye out for the sequel
Whilst perhaps overusing the style of characters discussing a plan but not telling you the reader until it is done it was definitely effective the first few times.
I will recommend this to others and will be sure to keep my eye out for the sequel
January 13, 2023
A good old fashioned action thriller. Yes there is no character development - but you get what you see! Also none of the current fashion of multiple time lines and narratives.
A great page turner - the action based on reality genre has a refreshing "back to basics" approach set in the current 21st century world, bringing it bang up to date.
As I write this I am hearing of the Russian cyber attack on Royal Mail!
Highly recommended.
A great page turner - the action based on reality genre has a refreshing "back to basics" approach set in the current 21st century world, bringing it bang up to date.
As I write this I am hearing of the Russian cyber attack on Royal Mail!
Highly recommended.
February 20, 2021
I don't usually buy or read thrillers. I think this turned up as a deal for me because so much of my backlist comprises books my husband read. But it had London in the title so I bought it and, much to my surprise, liked it. I like wandering around London and the puzzle aspects of the plot appealed.
January 12, 2025
As a technically minded person, it was refreshing to have a book tackle cybersecurity accurately. The presentation was a little flat, and the story only seemed to have a passing resemblance to the blurb. Nevertheless, it was an engaging enough story to want to finish, I just suspect I probably won't bother with the second book.
May 8, 2021
Loved this book. Great story and slightly different to American authors where the plans are not always immediately explained. Makes you think.
July 25, 2021
Solid by the numbers thriller
October 22, 2021
A nice, uncomplicated easy read thriller
December 13, 2021
Action-packed and very well researched novel, would almost be better as a film than a book!
March 24, 2023
Really enjoyed well worth a read
September 23, 2023
Really good book kept the story going
August 3, 2025
Mid. Reasonable tale but didn't grab my attention as others have
September 6, 2025
fast and quick paced, made me want to read quickly to the end. better than I was expecting
February 25, 2020
My thanks to NetGalley and publisher Canelo for the ARC.
I'm in two minds about this book. On the one side it has indeed got a story, but on the other it read really rather 'dryly', almost like an informative lecture on the 'secret' world of cyber surveillance.
Ben Morgan is a cyber security expert on his way to the Home Office for a meeting when he gets caught-up in the 7/7 London bombings in 2005. Three days later he finds himself as a key part of a secret service committee exploring ways of preventing further attacks.
Present day, and C-TAC - Counter Terrorism Advisory Committee, having been fairly inactive for over 5 years, is called upon again in the wake of the kidnapping of Nicholas Michaelson, a venture capitalist. Ben once again employs his cyber surveillance skills to locate where Michaelson is being held.
Meanwhile, associates of the kidnappers are busy surveilling and blackmailing prominent bankers
What's their plan and who's pulling the strings?
All in all, I found the brainstorming and conjecturing of the 'committee' in coming up with reasons why C-TAC should be involved in a kidnapping rather far-fetched and with very little basis. Additionally, I felt there were just too many convenient explanations to account for such as Ben being au fait with a weapon and military tactics etc. The story seemed to be almost an afterthought to bring some form of adventure to the use of cyber resources by the security services.
If you like reading about secret surveillance equipment and organisations then you'd probably really like this.
I'm in two minds about this book. On the one side it has indeed got a story, but on the other it read really rather 'dryly', almost like an informative lecture on the 'secret' world of cyber surveillance.
Ben Morgan is a cyber security expert on his way to the Home Office for a meeting when he gets caught-up in the 7/7 London bombings in 2005. Three days later he finds himself as a key part of a secret service committee exploring ways of preventing further attacks.
Present day, and C-TAC - Counter Terrorism Advisory Committee, having been fairly inactive for over 5 years, is called upon again in the wake of the kidnapping of Nicholas Michaelson, a venture capitalist. Ben once again employs his cyber surveillance skills to locate where Michaelson is being held.
Meanwhile, associates of the kidnappers are busy surveilling and blackmailing prominent bankers
What's their plan and who's pulling the strings?
All in all, I found the brainstorming and conjecturing of the 'committee' in coming up with reasons why C-TAC should be involved in a kidnapping rather far-fetched and with very little basis. Additionally, I felt there were just too many convenient explanations to account for such as Ben being au fait with a weapon and military tactics etc. The story seemed to be almost an afterthought to bring some form of adventure to the use of cyber resources by the security services.
If you like reading about secret surveillance equipment and organisations then you'd probably really like this.
February 28, 2020
Description
The start of a major new series from a bestselling thriller writer and a renowned cybersecurity expert: Ben Morgan, a cybersecurity specialist with the Metropolitan police, starts another day at work. It will be the last normal day he ever has.
The Present: In Hong Kong, a crime overlord is offered a deal by shadowy agents from Beijing: his life for a new kind of operation in London. Morgan, now a part of an off the books cyber-terrorism prevention unit, must do everything to stop its spread. This is a new kind of war: different goals, tactics, rules, stakes. And Morgan is caught right in the centre.
My Review
Cyberstrike London starts off with Morgon in the train on the way to Queen Anne's Gate when suddenly it goes dark. Everything around him is eerily quiet and the emergency lights turn on making the situation more ominous. We see Morgan trying to maintain order so that the occupants of the train do not panic. Eventually someone outside the train is instructing them to walk to the end of the carriage. As everyone exits the station onto the street Morgan still does not realize the severity of what has happened.
There were parts that were a bit confusing and to me rather slow. There is some room for improvement, but the premise of the book is very interesting.
Overall the novel is one I would recommend if you enjoy reading stories related to terrorism.
The start of a major new series from a bestselling thriller writer and a renowned cybersecurity expert: Ben Morgan, a cybersecurity specialist with the Metropolitan police, starts another day at work. It will be the last normal day he ever has.
The Present: In Hong Kong, a crime overlord is offered a deal by shadowy agents from Beijing: his life for a new kind of operation in London. Morgan, now a part of an off the books cyber-terrorism prevention unit, must do everything to stop its spread. This is a new kind of war: different goals, tactics, rules, stakes. And Morgan is caught right in the centre.
My Review
Cyberstrike London starts off with Morgon in the train on the way to Queen Anne's Gate when suddenly it goes dark. Everything around him is eerily quiet and the emergency lights turn on making the situation more ominous. We see Morgan trying to maintain order so that the occupants of the train do not panic. Eventually someone outside the train is instructing them to walk to the end of the carriage. As everyone exits the station onto the street Morgan still does not realize the severity of what has happened.
There were parts that were a bit confusing and to me rather slow. There is some room for improvement, but the premise of the book is very interesting.
Overall the novel is one I would recommend if you enjoy reading stories related to terrorism.
July 19, 2025
Sadly a DNF at page 102
I try my hardest to give every book I read 100 pages to really grab and if it doesn’t, it’s a no from me. And while the opening chapter set the stakes, everything else fell flat. The entirety of part one was just a lot of exposition and explanation that did nothing to garner much interest from me.
Admittedly the opening chapter of part 2 drew me in again, but then we were back with the main cast and my interest dipped again. Lots of tech talk that didn’t really lend itself to an interesting narrative, and the characters had no real distinct personalities or anything to get invested with them.
If this was all build up for something bigger and more exciting, it took its sweet time getting there. I’m sure some people would love this book but sadly not for me.
I try my hardest to give every book I read 100 pages to really grab and if it doesn’t, it’s a no from me. And while the opening chapter set the stakes, everything else fell flat. The entirety of part one was just a lot of exposition and explanation that did nothing to garner much interest from me.
Admittedly the opening chapter of part 2 drew me in again, but then we were back with the main cast and my interest dipped again. Lots of tech talk that didn’t really lend itself to an interesting narrative, and the characters had no real distinct personalities or anything to get invested with them.
If this was all build up for something bigger and more exciting, it took its sweet time getting there. I’m sure some people would love this book but sadly not for me.
January 21, 2020
This is OK for what it is -- a thriller. So it isn't totally realistic and a little over the top at times. But the author does a good job creating tension. and obviously knows his tech which does help add some realism. Probably best for those that want a cybertech read.
Thanks very much for the ARC for review!
Thanks very much for the ARC for review!
February 11, 2020
Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book. Terrorism is going to be a great factor in or lives probably forever. This take on terrorism in London is intruiging but not new. The conversations were stilted and boring. The excitement level, considering the scenerios was sleepy. This may be wrong to ask but why does author Richard Benham describe himself as Professor?
February 27, 2020
It was a lot of fun. This is a tech thriller gripping and entertaining even if sometimes it's a bit unbelievable.
I liked the storytelling, the well crafted plot and the well researched and realistic technical background.
I want to read other books by this author.
Recommended.
Many thanks to Canelo and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
I liked the storytelling, the well crafted plot and the well researched and realistic technical background.
I want to read other books by this author.
Recommended.
Many thanks to Canelo and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews