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Crucible of Fear: A Thriller
A man's life in chaos. His young daughter at risk. What is a pound of flesh worth?
Dante Ellis is a successful advertising executive on the rise. His world is plunged into a harrowing nightmare after he's targeted by ruthless hackers known only as Dark Messiah.
Dante soon discovers no part of his life too sacred to be used against him, no secret buried too deep. What began as a veiled threat soon descends into a desperate conflict against the will of an unseen enemy.
If you're a fan of Michael Crichton, Preston & Child and Michael Connelly, then you'll enjoy Crucible of Fear.
Dante Ellis is a successful advertising executive on the rise. His world is plunged into a harrowing nightmare after he's targeted by ruthless hackers known only as Dark Messiah.
Dante soon discovers no part of his life too sacred to be used against him, no secret buried too deep. What began as a veiled threat soon descends into a desperate conflict against the will of an unseen enemy.
If you're a fan of Michael Crichton, Preston & Child and Michael Connelly, then you'll enjoy Crucible of Fear.
351 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 6, 2021
32 people are currently reading
66 people want to read
About the author
D.W. Whitlock
4 books27 followersD.W. Whitlock, author of Crucible of Fear, has been a storyteller for most of his life. Starting with short stories scribbled in crayon, animation flip-books, stop-motion and later CG animation for television and video games. While pursuing a career in animation, writing has always been the first step, from short descriptions to detailed backstories. As a life-long reader and book lover, crafting thriller novels felt like the natural evolution of those first forays into writing.
When not writing, D.W. enjoys gaming, spending time with his family and Triumph Motorcycles.
D.W. lives in California with his wife, son and dog, Nikki.
When not writing, D.W. enjoys gaming, spending time with his family and Triumph Motorcycles.
D.W. lives in California with his wife, son and dog, Nikki.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
March 21, 2021
First and foremost, a large thank you to Reedsy Discovery and D.W. Whitlock for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.
Always eager to try something away from my usual genres, I agreed to read this ARC by D.W. Whitlock. The novel poses as a thriller, with a strong tech undertone, perfect for those who like exploring the darker underbelly of online cyber crimes. When an advertising executive is targeted, his life is turned upside down and he soon realises that nothing is off limits when it comes to getting a pound of proverbial flesh. Whitlock leaves the reader thinking throughout in this chilling tale of tech-based blackmail.
Dante Ellis thought that he had it made. A successful advertising executive whose career was still climbing, Ellis was sure success was in his back pocket. When he receives an odd text message one morning, he’s not sure if it is a threat or some joke. However, things soon spiral out of control and Ellis is faced with some chilling realisations. Someone is prepared to go quite far to flex their muscle and bury Ellis’ reputation at the same time.
As the story progresses, the reader is introduced to a number of other characters, all of whom are met some some similar, if less intrusive, attacks on their lives. The perpetrator is soon identified as the faceless ‘Dark Messiah’, showing that nothing is off-limits when technology is used. Through the seemingly harmless use of a dragonfly drone, Dark Messiah is able to keep an eye on those it targets, stirring up trouble or nuisances at the click of a button, with its drones always on scene.
While Ellis continues to get wrapped up in the sticky web that is spun around him, Dark Messiah ups the ante and targets the younger generation. A single parent, Dante Ellis soon has to worry about his daughter’s safety, as Dark Messiah crosses the line and targets the young girl. Her life on the line, Ellis is left to do whatever is asked of him in order to ensure his daughter’s safety.
Who is this faceless entity that calls itself Dark Messiah? What is the reason for targeting these seemingly unconnected group of people? All is revealed in a chilling story that D.W. Whitlock presents to the curious reader. This is one debut that will have many flipping pages well into the night, if only to see who is behind all the mayhem, all while peering around, looking for dragonflies or other ‘watchful eyes’.
I liked the dust jacket blurb of this piece and was sure that I would get sucked in by D.W. Whitlock’s story. While the book started with a bang and never gave me time to breathe, I am not sure I was as sold as some. The piece clipped along and left me wondering throughout, but it was also not as gripping as I would liked. However, I cannot place my finger exactly on what was missing or might have been a means of solving this reading dilemma.
Dante Ellis is surely the central protagonist in this piece, though the story does offer a large collection of characters with which the reader can connect. Ellis finds himself on full display, his life and reputation slowly torn apart throughout the piece. There are glimpses of backstory needed to fill in the gaps of the narrative, though it is the development (or dismantling) of the character that remains the core of the novel’s impetus as it relates to Ellis. The reader finds themselves trying to piece together who or what might want to target the ad executive, while feeling some degree of sympathy for his continual downfall. Whitlock does well to create this connection for those who enjoy linking themselves to characters.
There are plenty of characters and subplots for the reader to enjoy throughout this piece. While the early portion of the novel presents them as unconnected, there is a sense that Dark Messiah has a purpose. The villainous antagonist is ever-present throughout, providing the reader with something to dislike as the story progresses. That being said, there is surely a degree of respect for the evil doing, represented by the seemingly innocent dragonfly drones.
I liked the story to a degree, but was not sold entirely by the plot. As I mentioned above, I cannot pinpoint what was missing, but there was a disconnect that I desperately wanted to see throughout the novel. The premise was sound and the narrative kept moving along nicely, but I could not find myself fully enthralled or connected with what continued to occur. That others loved the piece is no surprise to me. Whitlock has a knack for writing and his crisp chapters pushed the story along with ease. Offering multiple perspectives proves refreshing and adds a layer of ominous sentiment to the overall delivery; that it is not a single person—Dante Ellis—who is suffering at the hands of this faceless entity. I’d likely read something else by D.W. Whitlock down the road, just to see if it might be me and my current mindset that left me less than fully committed.
Kudos, Mr. Whitlock, for a strong debut. I can see many who will thoroughly enjoy this piece, though there needs to be a balancing out. I suppose I am one who offers that, in review form.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
Always eager to try something away from my usual genres, I agreed to read this ARC by D.W. Whitlock. The novel poses as a thriller, with a strong tech undertone, perfect for those who like exploring the darker underbelly of online cyber crimes. When an advertising executive is targeted, his life is turned upside down and he soon realises that nothing is off limits when it comes to getting a pound of proverbial flesh. Whitlock leaves the reader thinking throughout in this chilling tale of tech-based blackmail.
Dante Ellis thought that he had it made. A successful advertising executive whose career was still climbing, Ellis was sure success was in his back pocket. When he receives an odd text message one morning, he’s not sure if it is a threat or some joke. However, things soon spiral out of control and Ellis is faced with some chilling realisations. Someone is prepared to go quite far to flex their muscle and bury Ellis’ reputation at the same time.
As the story progresses, the reader is introduced to a number of other characters, all of whom are met some some similar, if less intrusive, attacks on their lives. The perpetrator is soon identified as the faceless ‘Dark Messiah’, showing that nothing is off-limits when technology is used. Through the seemingly harmless use of a dragonfly drone, Dark Messiah is able to keep an eye on those it targets, stirring up trouble or nuisances at the click of a button, with its drones always on scene.
While Ellis continues to get wrapped up in the sticky web that is spun around him, Dark Messiah ups the ante and targets the younger generation. A single parent, Dante Ellis soon has to worry about his daughter’s safety, as Dark Messiah crosses the line and targets the young girl. Her life on the line, Ellis is left to do whatever is asked of him in order to ensure his daughter’s safety.
Who is this faceless entity that calls itself Dark Messiah? What is the reason for targeting these seemingly unconnected group of people? All is revealed in a chilling story that D.W. Whitlock presents to the curious reader. This is one debut that will have many flipping pages well into the night, if only to see who is behind all the mayhem, all while peering around, looking for dragonflies or other ‘watchful eyes’.
I liked the dust jacket blurb of this piece and was sure that I would get sucked in by D.W. Whitlock’s story. While the book started with a bang and never gave me time to breathe, I am not sure I was as sold as some. The piece clipped along and left me wondering throughout, but it was also not as gripping as I would liked. However, I cannot place my finger exactly on what was missing or might have been a means of solving this reading dilemma.
Dante Ellis is surely the central protagonist in this piece, though the story does offer a large collection of characters with which the reader can connect. Ellis finds himself on full display, his life and reputation slowly torn apart throughout the piece. There are glimpses of backstory needed to fill in the gaps of the narrative, though it is the development (or dismantling) of the character that remains the core of the novel’s impetus as it relates to Ellis. The reader finds themselves trying to piece together who or what might want to target the ad executive, while feeling some degree of sympathy for his continual downfall. Whitlock does well to create this connection for those who enjoy linking themselves to characters.
There are plenty of characters and subplots for the reader to enjoy throughout this piece. While the early portion of the novel presents them as unconnected, there is a sense that Dark Messiah has a purpose. The villainous antagonist is ever-present throughout, providing the reader with something to dislike as the story progresses. That being said, there is surely a degree of respect for the evil doing, represented by the seemingly innocent dragonfly drones.
I liked the story to a degree, but was not sold entirely by the plot. As I mentioned above, I cannot pinpoint what was missing, but there was a disconnect that I desperately wanted to see throughout the novel. The premise was sound and the narrative kept moving along nicely, but I could not find myself fully enthralled or connected with what continued to occur. That others loved the piece is no surprise to me. Whitlock has a knack for writing and his crisp chapters pushed the story along with ease. Offering multiple perspectives proves refreshing and adds a layer of ominous sentiment to the overall delivery; that it is not a single person—Dante Ellis—who is suffering at the hands of this faceless entity. I’d likely read something else by D.W. Whitlock down the road, just to see if it might be me and my current mindset that left me less than fully committed.
Kudos, Mr. Whitlock, for a strong debut. I can see many who will thoroughly enjoy this piece, though there needs to be a balancing out. I suppose I am one who offers that, in review form.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
July 29, 2022
Crucible of Fear is a thrilling story that kept me on the edge of my seat!
This book was one of the first thrillers that truly gripped me from the start. The initial set up was so perfectly done, showing just enough to get me invested and desperate to know how the future events came to pass.
I tore through the first half of this book, but when things began to be revealed, I have to be honest, but I wasn’t as interested. The set up was so well done that when things fell into place I almost felt disappointed?? That’s the main reason I deducted a star. This is a good book but the first half was GREAT while the ending was sort of okay.
Don’t get me wrong I still enjoyed the story a lot and I would definitely read more by this author. In fact I’m excited to see where their writing career goes after this great debut!
*I was given a free copy of this book through Booktasters and this is my honest, voluntary review.*
This book was one of the first thrillers that truly gripped me from the start. The initial set up was so perfectly done, showing just enough to get me invested and desperate to know how the future events came to pass.
I tore through the first half of this book, but when things began to be revealed, I have to be honest, but I wasn’t as interested. The set up was so well done that when things fell into place I almost felt disappointed?? That’s the main reason I deducted a star. This is a good book but the first half was GREAT while the ending was sort of okay.
Don’t get me wrong I still enjoyed the story a lot and I would definitely read more by this author. In fact I’m excited to see where their writing career goes after this great debut!
*I was given a free copy of this book through Booktasters and this is my honest, voluntary review.*
April 7, 2021
4.5 stars- CRUCIBLE OF FEAR by D. W. Whitlock is a near-future, sci-if, techno thriller focusing on thirty-something advertising executive Dante Ellis, and the carnage that is about to become his life.
Told from third person perspective following several intersecting paths CRUCIBLE OF FEAR focuses on artificial intelligence, and organized groups of cyber hackers out to prove they have the ability to control whatever and whomever they want. A futuristic world of camera drones that record and spy, using the recorded booty for blackmail and more, advertising executive Dante Ellis finds himself the ultimate target of betrayal and revenge, never knowing the who, what or why, until the very end. With not only his life, but the life of his daughter now the focus of a group or entity calling itself the Dark Messiah, Dante is on his own when he discovers that the people meant to help have been compromised by the very entity targeting our story line hero.
CRUCIBLE OF FEAR has many similarities to the television show Mr. Robot™. In Whitlock’s world the cyber hackers take aim at several people in an effort to produce enough fear to obey their commands but the ultimate target is Dante Ellis, a man whose past and present is about to implode.
D. W. Whitlock pulls the reader into a complex scenario of cyber crimes, hackers, AI, and computers; a world that resonates with what is, and what could be, but a world where our entire existence can be destroyed by the stroke of a key. A thrilling, suspenseful and intriguing story, CRUCIBLE OF FEAR begins with a bang, then builds slowly revealing the interconnected pathways and characters, ending with the possibility of so much more.
www.thereadingcafe.com
Told from third person perspective following several intersecting paths CRUCIBLE OF FEAR focuses on artificial intelligence, and organized groups of cyber hackers out to prove they have the ability to control whatever and whomever they want. A futuristic world of camera drones that record and spy, using the recorded booty for blackmail and more, advertising executive Dante Ellis finds himself the ultimate target of betrayal and revenge, never knowing the who, what or why, until the very end. With not only his life, but the life of his daughter now the focus of a group or entity calling itself the Dark Messiah, Dante is on his own when he discovers that the people meant to help have been compromised by the very entity targeting our story line hero.
CRUCIBLE OF FEAR has many similarities to the television show Mr. Robot™. In Whitlock’s world the cyber hackers take aim at several people in an effort to produce enough fear to obey their commands but the ultimate target is Dante Ellis, a man whose past and present is about to implode.
D. W. Whitlock pulls the reader into a complex scenario of cyber crimes, hackers, AI, and computers; a world that resonates with what is, and what could be, but a world where our entire existence can be destroyed by the stroke of a key. A thrilling, suspenseful and intriguing story, CRUCIBLE OF FEAR begins with a bang, then builds slowly revealing the interconnected pathways and characters, ending with the possibility of so much more.
www.thereadingcafe.com
May 22, 2021
I was generously given an ebook version of the this book for review by the author.
This was an intense, fast-paced, thriller filled with slightly futuristic tech, with cyber crime at its center.
The first chapter was intense and had me hooked! We were quickly introduced to the main character Dante and a wide cast of side characters, all who are being targeted/blackmailed by the mysterious Dark Messiah. There seems to be no connection between all the characters at first glance, but through all the twists and turns it is quickly revealed.
I have to say this books caused me great anxiety. It had my pulse racing, made me a bit jumpy and to be honest.....notwanting to go online!!! That is a kudos to the author for making it all happen through his great writing!!
This was an intense, fast-paced, thriller filled with slightly futuristic tech, with cyber crime at its center.
The first chapter was intense and had me hooked! We were quickly introduced to the main character Dante and a wide cast of side characters, all who are being targeted/blackmailed by the mysterious Dark Messiah. There seems to be no connection between all the characters at first glance, but through all the twists and turns it is quickly revealed.
I have to say this books caused me great anxiety. It had my pulse racing, made me a bit jumpy and to be honest.....notwanting to go online!!! That is a kudos to the author for making it all happen through his great writing!!
April 22, 2021
A thrilling suspense ride
This thriller is takes the cyber world to the next level when Dante Ellis discovers he has been targeted by a mysterious hacker known as the Dark Messiah. Nothing is sacred and everything can be revealed as this cyber stalker uses all the information available on the internet to exact revenge from his unsuspecting target. This thriller is fast paced and has plenty of suspense and twists along the path. The characters are well developed and the story will pull you in and keep you guessing as to what will happen next. This one is a must read for all the thrill seekers and suspense fans. Check it out folks it is a great one.
This thriller is takes the cyber world to the next level when Dante Ellis discovers he has been targeted by a mysterious hacker known as the Dark Messiah. Nothing is sacred and everything can be revealed as this cyber stalker uses all the information available on the internet to exact revenge from his unsuspecting target. This thriller is fast paced and has plenty of suspense and twists along the path. The characters are well developed and the story will pull you in and keep you guessing as to what will happen next. This one is a must read for all the thrill seekers and suspense fans. Check it out folks it is a great one.
April 5, 2021
I would like to thank the author for writing this book. The story of this book is full of mystery and cybercrime. I was always wanted to read such kind of book which involves digital technology and computer hacking.
So, Dante Ellis is the main character in this story, who is an advertising executive and he was progressing in his career. But, sudden his life takes a turn that he didn't predict ever in his life. He becomes the victim of a cyber-attack by a ferocious hacker knows as Dark Messiah. Dante was very scared as he did not understand what's going on with him. He figured out that he didn't do something unfair with someone in the past so why would anyone wants to hurt him. Later, he feels that his young daughter 'Abigail' also at risk, he is now willing to do anything to save his daughter.
The author has done tremendous work in this fiction. This is an incredible thriller, full of suspense and mystery which makes the story more interesting till last. All the characters are very well depicted in this story. The narration flowed smoothly and the language of the book is simple as I didn't face any difficulty while reading the book.
So, Dante Ellis is the main character in this story, who is an advertising executive and he was progressing in his career. But, sudden his life takes a turn that he didn't predict ever in his life. He becomes the victim of a cyber-attack by a ferocious hacker knows as Dark Messiah. Dante was very scared as he did not understand what's going on with him. He figured out that he didn't do something unfair with someone in the past so why would anyone wants to hurt him. Later, he feels that his young daughter 'Abigail' also at risk, he is now willing to do anything to save his daughter.
The author has done tremendous work in this fiction. This is an incredible thriller, full of suspense and mystery which makes the story more interesting till last. All the characters are very well depicted in this story. The narration flowed smoothly and the language of the book is simple as I didn't face any difficulty while reading the book.
March 6, 2021
Whitlock makes his foray in fiction with this impressive, nail-biting entry, a chilling tale of deadly secrets, revenge, and computer hacking.
A series of shocking incidents are wreaking havoc in the lives of many people. Dante Ellis, a highly successful advertising executive, is one of them. After becoming the target of ruthless hackers known as Dark Messiah, Dante finds his life turning upside down. With no clue about the perpetrators’ motive, Dante sets on to look for a rational explanation for the shocking events unfolding around him. As he digs deeper, he discovers there’s no part of his life that’s too sacred to be used against him and no secret buried too deep to surface. What began as a veiled threat soon became a deadly game of wits and cunning. With his daughter’s life in danger, Dante must do everything to stop the enemy or risk losing everything he cares for.
Whitlock adeptly weaves an array of plot strands with well-developed characters, and he is thoroughly skilled when it comes to maintaining a fraught atmosphere. There are a number of subplots, one involving a young father seeing his life turn upside down after an unknown hacker targets him for reasons unknown to him and another focusing on a small-town young woman’s harrowing journey to the city of her dreams, but these fade away as the deadly game of cat-and-mouse escalates between Dante and Dark Messiah.
Whitlock’s chilling depiction of the faceless antagonist makes him a thoroughly sinister figure. He does a masterly job maintaining suspense about the antagonists’ identity and deepens the narrative by integrating poignant emotions into the plot. Replete with relentless suspense and shocking revelations, the narrative moves at lightning pace, offering almost nonstop twists throughout. Whitlock keeps the tension high and the reader guessing right up to the open ending, while resolving every single plot twist.
He skillfully captures the devastating damage the misuse of digital technology can cause along with the lure of social media, influencer culture, and privacy issues in the online world. With its uncomfortably realistic view of technology misuse, authentic technical background, deeply realized characters, and crisp writing that energizes a familiar plot, this unputdownable thriller is not the one to miss.
Fans of Michael Connelly will want to have a look.
A series of shocking incidents are wreaking havoc in the lives of many people. Dante Ellis, a highly successful advertising executive, is one of them. After becoming the target of ruthless hackers known as Dark Messiah, Dante finds his life turning upside down. With no clue about the perpetrators’ motive, Dante sets on to look for a rational explanation for the shocking events unfolding around him. As he digs deeper, he discovers there’s no part of his life that’s too sacred to be used against him and no secret buried too deep to surface. What began as a veiled threat soon became a deadly game of wits and cunning. With his daughter’s life in danger, Dante must do everything to stop the enemy or risk losing everything he cares for.
Whitlock adeptly weaves an array of plot strands with well-developed characters, and he is thoroughly skilled when it comes to maintaining a fraught atmosphere. There are a number of subplots, one involving a young father seeing his life turn upside down after an unknown hacker targets him for reasons unknown to him and another focusing on a small-town young woman’s harrowing journey to the city of her dreams, but these fade away as the deadly game of cat-and-mouse escalates between Dante and Dark Messiah.
Whitlock’s chilling depiction of the faceless antagonist makes him a thoroughly sinister figure. He does a masterly job maintaining suspense about the antagonists’ identity and deepens the narrative by integrating poignant emotions into the plot. Replete with relentless suspense and shocking revelations, the narrative moves at lightning pace, offering almost nonstop twists throughout. Whitlock keeps the tension high and the reader guessing right up to the open ending, while resolving every single plot twist.
He skillfully captures the devastating damage the misuse of digital technology can cause along with the lure of social media, influencer culture, and privacy issues in the online world. With its uncomfortably realistic view of technology misuse, authentic technical background, deeply realized characters, and crisp writing that energizes a familiar plot, this unputdownable thriller is not the one to miss.
Fans of Michael Connelly will want to have a look.
October 4, 2021
“Alexa, could you please scare the crap out of me?”
Artificial intelligence has been an effective villain for over half a century, going back to at least the ‘60s with the legendary HAL-9000 in the “2001: A Space Odyssey” novel and movie.
It never gets old, because as technology continues to improve by the day, so too does A.I.
And that brings us to Dante Ellis. Despite losing his wife, leaving him to raise young daughter Abigail by himself, things are going well for the head of successful advertising firm Ellis Media. Then he receives an odd, anonymous text message, followed by a visit from an old acquaintance, who urgently tries to pass along software he says will protect his company.
He doesn’t pay it any mind, but later that day his life is changed in an unfathomable way when an explicit video shows up online. It’s the first in a series of events targeting Ellis and his family. His adversary is formidable, capable of talking over machines at a moment’s notice, resulting in some grotesque outcomes that leave Ellis in increasingly bad shape. And the more he finds out about his adversary, the more frightening it becomes.
“Crucible of Fear” begins in the middle of the action, and you have to, er, hand it to D.W. Whitlock. The opening chapter immediately pulls you in before whipsawing back to the beginning of the story. You're re-introduced to Ellis in more peaceful times, knowing what's eventually going to happen and eager to find out why. It’s an effective narrative device.
The novel interweaves a number of disparate, yet related plot lines during its first half, though not all of them are resolved in an entirely satisfying manner. A few characters who play key roles in the plot advancement just basically vanish midway through the book. I would have liked to see some more from them, though I'm sure length and pacing played a part in Whitlock's decisions.
Like “2001” before it, the book’s finale is somewhat open-ended, leaving you a bit unsettled. It doesn't feel like blatant sequel-bait, but the opportunity is there if Whitlock wants it.
“Crucible of Fear” is a great read, perhaps a needed warning for our technology-obsessed times. And you’ll never look at drones, or dragonflies for that matter, the same way again.
Artificial intelligence has been an effective villain for over half a century, going back to at least the ‘60s with the legendary HAL-9000 in the “2001: A Space Odyssey” novel and movie.
It never gets old, because as technology continues to improve by the day, so too does A.I.
And that brings us to Dante Ellis. Despite losing his wife, leaving him to raise young daughter Abigail by himself, things are going well for the head of successful advertising firm Ellis Media. Then he receives an odd, anonymous text message, followed by a visit from an old acquaintance, who urgently tries to pass along software he says will protect his company.
He doesn’t pay it any mind, but later that day his life is changed in an unfathomable way when an explicit video shows up online. It’s the first in a series of events targeting Ellis and his family. His adversary is formidable, capable of talking over machines at a moment’s notice, resulting in some grotesque outcomes that leave Ellis in increasingly bad shape. And the more he finds out about his adversary, the more frightening it becomes.
“Crucible of Fear” begins in the middle of the action, and you have to, er, hand it to D.W. Whitlock. The opening chapter immediately pulls you in before whipsawing back to the beginning of the story. You're re-introduced to Ellis in more peaceful times, knowing what's eventually going to happen and eager to find out why. It’s an effective narrative device.
The novel interweaves a number of disparate, yet related plot lines during its first half, though not all of them are resolved in an entirely satisfying manner. A few characters who play key roles in the plot advancement just basically vanish midway through the book. I would have liked to see some more from them, though I'm sure length and pacing played a part in Whitlock's decisions.
Like “2001” before it, the book’s finale is somewhat open-ended, leaving you a bit unsettled. It doesn't feel like blatant sequel-bait, but the opportunity is there if Whitlock wants it.
“Crucible of Fear” is a great read, perhaps a needed warning for our technology-obsessed times. And you’ll never look at drones, or dragonflies for that matter, the same way again.
May 25, 2022
As the title states, this is a thriller.
This book was a combination of Eagle Eye (yeah that movie with Shia LeBouf) and Blackhat (the movie with Chris Hemsworth).
I really had no idea where we were going in this book and I mean that in the best way possible. I thought every single person was suspect.
I liked that while this book was full, and I do mean full of coding speak as well as tech speak, I still was able to understand the meaning while not knowing how hidden links and things work.
I do feel like the ending was somewhat rushed, because the rest of the book was so well put together that by the time the tension was reaching its crescendo, it just kind of plateaued. Additionally, I will say that I was not a super big fan of the Edward Snowden sympathizing talk that occurred in three places, although I do recognize its relevance to the plot line.
This book addresses fear, and goodness I would have hated if this happened to me in real life. Unfortunately, what this book talks about is becoming more and more of a reality with the way technology is progressing.
This book was a combination of Eagle Eye (yeah that movie with Shia LeBouf) and Blackhat (the movie with Chris Hemsworth).
I really had no idea where we were going in this book and I mean that in the best way possible. I thought every single person was suspect.
I liked that while this book was full, and I do mean full of coding speak as well as tech speak, I still was able to understand the meaning while not knowing how hidden links and things work.
I do feel like the ending was somewhat rushed, because the rest of the book was so well put together that by the time the tension was reaching its crescendo, it just kind of plateaued. Additionally, I will say that I was not a super big fan of the Edward Snowden sympathizing talk that occurred in three places, although I do recognize its relevance to the plot line.
This book addresses fear, and goodness I would have hated if this happened to me in real life. Unfortunately, what this book talks about is becoming more and more of a reality with the way technology is progressing.
May 12, 2021
Dante opened up Reel View video editing software. Reel View consisted of a time line window where video and audio clips could be assembled and edited along with two video windows above: Source and Output. He dragged the video from the desktop onto the time line and the source window lit up with a still image from the video, as did the output window. The two images looked the same, but the output window would update based on any changes Dante made. I enjoyed this book and my favorite character was Dante. I was intrigued to find out what was was going to happen next. It was a great book. This thriller great for teens and young adults. It is a bit long book but, it is worth reading. I did wonder if he was going to reunite with his daughter and I was happy with the storyline.
January 23, 2021
I was lucky enough to beta read CRUCIBLE OF FEAR a couple months ago, and I was so happy that I got to work with Whitlock! Some of my favourite aspects of the novel included the descriptive writing style, an interesting story concept different to the typical mystery/thriller novels I usually read, and the way the different characters' stories weaved together all worked really well.
CRUCIBLE OF FEAR stuck with me long after I finished reading, and I highly recommend picking it up and reading it for yourself. You will not be dissapointed!
CRUCIBLE OF FEAR stuck with me long after I finished reading, and I highly recommend picking it up and reading it for yourself. You will not be dissapointed!
January 20, 2021
I was lucky enough to be an early reader for this debut novel from this indie author.
This is a fabulous thriller, full of suspense and mystery. It's fast-paced and every chapter leaves you wanting more.
The characters are fantastically 3-dimensional; I especially enjoyed some of the sharp wit.
If you enjoy high-stakes and shocking action, you'll love this.
I'm also loving how the cover turned out!
This is a fabulous thriller, full of suspense and mystery. It's fast-paced and every chapter leaves you wanting more.
The characters are fantastically 3-dimensional; I especially enjoyed some of the sharp wit.
If you enjoy high-stakes and shocking action, you'll love this.
I'm also loving how the cover turned out!
January 18, 2021
Following Dante through his conflict with the faceless entity Dark Messiah was absolutely thrilling! A fast-paced, engaging story that will leave you staying up late to finish, side-eyeing your phone on your nightstand beside you.
January 19, 2021
This deliciously suspenseful novel heralds a major new talent from a masterful storyteller. With its jam-packed plot and dramatic action, this techno-thriller debut novel is sure to appear on bestseller lists. Pure, reading pleasure at its finest!
April 7, 2021
My thanks to the author D.W. Whitlock for a copy of Crucible of Fear in exchange for an honest review.
I quite enjoyed Crucible of Fear by D.W. Whitlock. I work with computers for my sins, but not in cybersecurity, so I could not tell you the latest hacking methods. But the subject does hold a certain fascination for me.
So to the story. Boy, somebody has got it in for Dante Ellis in this tale. Not content with making off with his right hand, he’s also the subject of a fake porn video and plenty of other nastiness. All caused by a group of hackers known as Dark Messiah. Why was he targeted? Why make off with his hand? We’re not sure at the beginning.
Other people are targeted by the group: Briana Warren has come to Los Angeles from a sleepy town in Nebraska, seeking her fortune as a singer. Spotted by Leish, an influencer on YouTube, she’s been invited to stay at her apartment and make records. Unfortunately, the pair are videoed in a compromising act and Briana is forced to take part in the attack on Dante. On the other hand, Gary Wexler is the subject of a different kind of threats. Beginning with ‘swatting’ where he’s faced by a group of armed police responding to a false alarm. He’s also received hundreds of boxes of porn videos paid for from his own credit cards. Dark Messiah finally forces Gary into helping them by threatening his two small boys.
The hackers also force others to help the group, using threats to them or their families. But they are just pawns it seems and the real target is Dante. Eventually, he asks the FBI for help, and this is where the story turns. I can’t say too much more without giving away too much of the plot but needless to say, it becomes more focused.
Up until this point, the author has mainly been laying the groundwork, giving us an insight into the hacker’s methods, predominantly blackmail but also threats. At one point I was reminded of an episode of Black Mirror entitled ‘Shut up and Dance’ where a group of random strangers were targeted by a hacking group using a virus. But this novel is far darker and the methods Dark Messiah use are far more insidious, especially the dragonflies.
There’s an interesting change of speed around midway through Crucible of Fear when ‘the hunter’ becomes ‘the hunted’ and other characters are introduced although we’ve seen them briefly before. I enjoyed this part of the story as the pace quickened noticeably from the first part of the book.
Character-wise the main role belongs to Dante Ellis. A successful entrepreneur who is bringing up his daughter alone, although he has help from his neighbour who babysits for him in times of need. Although several life-changing incidents have happened to him, he never seems too fazed. He even loses a hand but receives a state-of-the-art ‘bionic’ hand and takes to it like a duck to water. I’m not entirely convinced by him.
On the other hand, I liked Briana. At first glance, you could dismiss her as weak, and to be fair it seemed as if she were there to be taken advantage of. But as the story progresses, her character comes into its own with a penchant for shotguns.
Conclusion
I know a lot of the technology discussed in the story is available now, how widespread it is I couldn’t say, especially the fully autonomous vehicles. So in some respects, I just went with the flow without questioning too much. As said earlier, I quite enjoyed Crucible of Fear. It certainly picks up pace as it progresses and I found myself flying through the last few chapters.
Recommended.
I quite enjoyed Crucible of Fear by D.W. Whitlock. I work with computers for my sins, but not in cybersecurity, so I could not tell you the latest hacking methods. But the subject does hold a certain fascination for me.
So to the story. Boy, somebody has got it in for Dante Ellis in this tale. Not content with making off with his right hand, he’s also the subject of a fake porn video and plenty of other nastiness. All caused by a group of hackers known as Dark Messiah. Why was he targeted? Why make off with his hand? We’re not sure at the beginning.
Other people are targeted by the group: Briana Warren has come to Los Angeles from a sleepy town in Nebraska, seeking her fortune as a singer. Spotted by Leish, an influencer on YouTube, she’s been invited to stay at her apartment and make records. Unfortunately, the pair are videoed in a compromising act and Briana is forced to take part in the attack on Dante. On the other hand, Gary Wexler is the subject of a different kind of threats. Beginning with ‘swatting’ where he’s faced by a group of armed police responding to a false alarm. He’s also received hundreds of boxes of porn videos paid for from his own credit cards. Dark Messiah finally forces Gary into helping them by threatening his two small boys.
The hackers also force others to help the group, using threats to them or their families. But they are just pawns it seems and the real target is Dante. Eventually, he asks the FBI for help, and this is where the story turns. I can’t say too much more without giving away too much of the plot but needless to say, it becomes more focused.
Up until this point, the author has mainly been laying the groundwork, giving us an insight into the hacker’s methods, predominantly blackmail but also threats. At one point I was reminded of an episode of Black Mirror entitled ‘Shut up and Dance’ where a group of random strangers were targeted by a hacking group using a virus. But this novel is far darker and the methods Dark Messiah use are far more insidious, especially the dragonflies.
There’s an interesting change of speed around midway through Crucible of Fear when ‘the hunter’ becomes ‘the hunted’ and other characters are introduced although we’ve seen them briefly before. I enjoyed this part of the story as the pace quickened noticeably from the first part of the book.
Character-wise the main role belongs to Dante Ellis. A successful entrepreneur who is bringing up his daughter alone, although he has help from his neighbour who babysits for him in times of need. Although several life-changing incidents have happened to him, he never seems too fazed. He even loses a hand but receives a state-of-the-art ‘bionic’ hand and takes to it like a duck to water. I’m not entirely convinced by him.
On the other hand, I liked Briana. At first glance, you could dismiss her as weak, and to be fair it seemed as if she were there to be taken advantage of. But as the story progresses, her character comes into its own with a penchant for shotguns.
Conclusion
I know a lot of the technology discussed in the story is available now, how widespread it is I couldn’t say, especially the fully autonomous vehicles. So in some respects, I just went with the flow without questioning too much. As said earlier, I quite enjoyed Crucible of Fear. It certainly picks up pace as it progresses and I found myself flying through the last few chapters.
Recommended.
May 10, 2021
First and foremost, I would love to thank D.W Whitlock for sharing this book in exchange for an honest review. I would also like to thank Booktasters for giving me this opportunity!
What a ride it was! If I have to summarize my experience in one single sentence – This book is a rollercoaster ride worth taking! Once you lift the book in hands, it’s very hard to put it down!
Genre:
It is a techno thriller with hints of futurism and medical advancement. There’s very mild romance, but fully action packed.
Review:
Dante Ellis, a hotshot advertising genius at Ellis Media has everything going for him. Until one fine day- one message, one video changes his life upside down. What initially feels like a hacker’s way of taking revenge spirals into something dangerous and sinister.
As we see Dante scrambling for his life, parallelly, there’s a woman from a small town travelling all the way to the Hollywood in hopes of making it big and an out of work married man with kids. Their lives get entwined with Dante in ways unimaginable.
Lurking in shadows is a hacker called Dark Messiah who seems to have “eyes and ears” everywhere and is hell bent on ruining Dante’s life.
This book catches your attention immediately. The starting few pages make you sweat. Don’t get scared seeing the number of pages. The content is worth reading. In fact, in some novels we see a dull moment when we arrive somewhere in the middle of the novel. But here, we don’t feel that. The scenes change, giving us a movie like experience. It is quick paced and well balanced. Never once, I felt like skipping few pages and going ahead. All the characters get equal time and importance. I love the fact that we get connected to the characters so much that we actually feel their anger, outrage and pain.
The villain Dark Messiah surprised and baffled me at the same time. Usually, I try guessing who could be the villain, but this time I failed. The author manages to maintain the suspense.
What’s amazing in this book is that the author has put so much into research. Be it human psychology, manipulative tactics of advertising, influencer marketing, tech gadgets, AI, cybercrimes or medical – it’s well researched and well written!
I have always felt intrigued about technology and this book gave me that thrills. I learned so much while reading. There are times I wondered too. All this advancement, ease of living, everything available with a click of button – pretty useful but at what cost?
But there are some places in the novel where it gets slightly too technical. It may not bother a person who genuinely has interest in tech and tech related terms, but it can be overwhelming for some readers who haven’t delved deeply into workings of cyber world and hacking. Nevertheless, I would still request to read this book and just Google when needed! Don’t miss this! This book gives a complete experience!
I wish this book be made into a movie without taking any creative liberty with the story. It’s perfect as it is.
“And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you” – I shall never ever forget this phrase!
What a ride it was! If I have to summarize my experience in one single sentence – This book is a rollercoaster ride worth taking! Once you lift the book in hands, it’s very hard to put it down!
Genre:
It is a techno thriller with hints of futurism and medical advancement. There’s very mild romance, but fully action packed.
Review:
Dante Ellis, a hotshot advertising genius at Ellis Media has everything going for him. Until one fine day- one message, one video changes his life upside down. What initially feels like a hacker’s way of taking revenge spirals into something dangerous and sinister.
As we see Dante scrambling for his life, parallelly, there’s a woman from a small town travelling all the way to the Hollywood in hopes of making it big and an out of work married man with kids. Their lives get entwined with Dante in ways unimaginable.
Lurking in shadows is a hacker called Dark Messiah who seems to have “eyes and ears” everywhere and is hell bent on ruining Dante’s life.
This book catches your attention immediately. The starting few pages make you sweat. Don’t get scared seeing the number of pages. The content is worth reading. In fact, in some novels we see a dull moment when we arrive somewhere in the middle of the novel. But here, we don’t feel that. The scenes change, giving us a movie like experience. It is quick paced and well balanced. Never once, I felt like skipping few pages and going ahead. All the characters get equal time and importance. I love the fact that we get connected to the characters so much that we actually feel their anger, outrage and pain.
The villain Dark Messiah surprised and baffled me at the same time. Usually, I try guessing who could be the villain, but this time I failed. The author manages to maintain the suspense.
What’s amazing in this book is that the author has put so much into research. Be it human psychology, manipulative tactics of advertising, influencer marketing, tech gadgets, AI, cybercrimes or medical – it’s well researched and well written!
I have always felt intrigued about technology and this book gave me that thrills. I learned so much while reading. There are times I wondered too. All this advancement, ease of living, everything available with a click of button – pretty useful but at what cost?
But there are some places in the novel where it gets slightly too technical. It may not bother a person who genuinely has interest in tech and tech related terms, but it can be overwhelming for some readers who haven’t delved deeply into workings of cyber world and hacking. Nevertheless, I would still request to read this book and just Google when needed! Don’t miss this! This book gives a complete experience!
I wish this book be made into a movie without taking any creative liberty with the story. It’s perfect as it is.
“And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you” – I shall never ever forget this phrase!
September 20, 2021
I don't know what I was getting into when I started the book, and it took me in for a spin! The book starts with a shocking scene and takes us back two weeks to where everything starts.
Dante Ellis, founder and CEO of a successful advertising company, was suddenly cyber-attacked with a deep fake and a threat in a pivotal moment in his career. Why now? Who could have done this? Why have they done this?
Wanting to get to the bottom of this, Dante hires Shadow Trace, a company which specializes in cyber-security. Unfortunately, they don't seem to find traces of someone trying to hack into his company system, signaling that it could be someone from the inside. Not only that, Dante also realizes that he is being watched at home, and his daughter could be in danger.
The author does a remarkable job showing how something like this can affect the person. The paranoia of who could have done it or what smart devices you can trust, the fear of what else is yet to come, the powerlessness of what you can do against it. It does an excellent job to portrait the helplessness one feels when something like this happens to you. It can happen to anybody, and that is very scary.
Alongside this story, we also meet Briana, a young girl moving to California to go into showbusiness, and her roommate Leish, a social media influencer who promised to help her achieve her dreams. Soon though, Briana starts wondering where are the boundaries, if any, of what is private and what is recorded, and how far are you willing to go to be seen. We also meet Gary, a father who suddenly starts getting a lot of packages delivered which he never ordered, their credit cards maxed out, and threatened that more is to come.
This book will keep you hocked from beginning to end. If you love a good thriller, this is definitely the book for you.
Dante Ellis, founder and CEO of a successful advertising company, was suddenly cyber-attacked with a deep fake and a threat in a pivotal moment in his career. Why now? Who could have done this? Why have they done this?
Wanting to get to the bottom of this, Dante hires Shadow Trace, a company which specializes in cyber-security. Unfortunately, they don't seem to find traces of someone trying to hack into his company system, signaling that it could be someone from the inside. Not only that, Dante also realizes that he is being watched at home, and his daughter could be in danger.
The author does a remarkable job showing how something like this can affect the person. The paranoia of who could have done it or what smart devices you can trust, the fear of what else is yet to come, the powerlessness of what you can do against it. It does an excellent job to portrait the helplessness one feels when something like this happens to you. It can happen to anybody, and that is very scary.
Alongside this story, we also meet Briana, a young girl moving to California to go into showbusiness, and her roommate Leish, a social media influencer who promised to help her achieve her dreams. Soon though, Briana starts wondering where are the boundaries, if any, of what is private and what is recorded, and how far are you willing to go to be seen. We also meet Gary, a father who suddenly starts getting a lot of packages delivered which he never ordered, their credit cards maxed out, and threatened that more is to come.
This book will keep you hocked from beginning to end. If you love a good thriller, this is definitely the book for you.
May 24, 2021
A few months ago, my friend and I were discussing a DELICIOUS meal she had made. I must have mentioned it was DELICIOUS several times because after she left the room, I looked at the television, and it was recommending movies or TV shows with the word DELICIOUS in it. I laughed and called my friend back into the room and showed her. At the time, I thought it was funny.
Crucible of Fear takes something like my incident to a Whole. New. Level. Yes, my TV was listening to me, which was scary enough when I thought about it. The protagonist in this book, Dante, experiences cyberstalking on steroids. Although Dante was the prime target, several other people experienced horrifying threats to coerce them into participating in the cyberstalker’s overall plan.
Several characters in the book could be the cyberstalker – to the point that you are not sure who to trust. I don’t want to give away too much so you will be surprised at the appropriate times.
This book was a fast-reading page-turner for me. I loved the writing because the author uses words sporadically throughout the book that I had to look up. I read a lot and know and understand many words – so when someone can challenge me to more than just reading, I love it. The writing is fantastic.
The main thing that keeps coming to my mind about this book is OH MY GOD. Read it! Then go out and buy stickers to cover the cameras on all your tech. Wrap your phone in aluminum foil. Kick out Alexa and silence Siri. I give this Horrifyingly Possible Scenario a High Tech Five Stars.
A big thank you to the author, D. W. Whitlock, and BookTasters for allowing me the opportunity to read and review this exciting book.
Crucible of Fear takes something like my incident to a Whole. New. Level. Yes, my TV was listening to me, which was scary enough when I thought about it. The protagonist in this book, Dante, experiences cyberstalking on steroids. Although Dante was the prime target, several other people experienced horrifying threats to coerce them into participating in the cyberstalker’s overall plan.
Several characters in the book could be the cyberstalker – to the point that you are not sure who to trust. I don’t want to give away too much so you will be surprised at the appropriate times.
This book was a fast-reading page-turner for me. I loved the writing because the author uses words sporadically throughout the book that I had to look up. I read a lot and know and understand many words – so when someone can challenge me to more than just reading, I love it. The writing is fantastic.
The main thing that keeps coming to my mind about this book is OH MY GOD. Read it! Then go out and buy stickers to cover the cameras on all your tech. Wrap your phone in aluminum foil. Kick out Alexa and silence Siri. I give this Horrifyingly Possible Scenario a High Tech Five Stars.
A big thank you to the author, D. W. Whitlock, and BookTasters for allowing me the opportunity to read and review this exciting book.
May 26, 2021
I'm not an expert on technology by any means but this book made me feel on edge for the whole thing... but I couldn't put it down! in one sitting I'd read 10-15 chapters but I kept wanting to find out what happens next... a really addicting read!
In this day and age, technology is a must. It can open us up to a vast knowledge of information or it can absolutely tear our lives to shreds and in this story, Dante Ellis soon discovers that through the torment that Dark Messiah inflicts.
Some of the technology in the book is meant to be somewhat dystopian but not too far off accurately describing future advancements in technology that's what makes the book so terrifyingly brilliant!
The characters and the storyline are really brought to life by the incredibly detailed and descriptive writing and I am really impressed by this book even though it scared me (I read the ebook version and I held my thumb over my tablet's camera while reading it... I mean paranoid much? 🤣)
I don't want to give any spoilers or any major details of the plot but I can say that this is a nail-biting, edge of the seat, anxiety-inducing, addictive and brilliant read!
However, it was hard to keep up at times and sometimes having to re-read parts to make sense of it) but all in all a fantastic read and very high praise to the author! Well done on a superb novel! I can't wait to see what else you write next! 😁
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - 5 stars
In this day and age, technology is a must. It can open us up to a vast knowledge of information or it can absolutely tear our lives to shreds and in this story, Dante Ellis soon discovers that through the torment that Dark Messiah inflicts.
Some of the technology in the book is meant to be somewhat dystopian but not too far off accurately describing future advancements in technology that's what makes the book so terrifyingly brilliant!
The characters and the storyline are really brought to life by the incredibly detailed and descriptive writing and I am really impressed by this book even though it scared me (I read the ebook version and I held my thumb over my tablet's camera while reading it... I mean paranoid much? 🤣)
I don't want to give any spoilers or any major details of the plot but I can say that this is a nail-biting, edge of the seat, anxiety-inducing, addictive and brilliant read!
However, it was hard to keep up at times and sometimes having to re-read parts to make sense of it) but all in all a fantastic read and very high praise to the author! Well done on a superb novel! I can't wait to see what else you write next! 😁
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - 5 stars
September 14, 2021
What a wonderfully thrilling book this turned out to be. I dove in and was taken hold of quickly as the story began to take shape. It followed events of several different people each having their own version of a living nightmare. Someone was tormenting them, watching them, messing with their lives but who could it be? There were drones watching them, dropping off mysterious packages and delivering messages. Soon instructions were texted for them to follow, with no clear agenda of what they would really be doing. Their futures were at stake, even their loved ones lives were threatened. Each person was desperate to put this nightmare to an end before it was too late. Things for the MC took a bloody turn, and it seemed he was the main focus of all the happenings. He is truly terrorized and there is seemingly no way out. They see him everywhere. They know his moves. He can trust no one. Even the authorities seem to be involved. I found myself wanting to hide all technology in my house, covering all cameras and never wanting a smart appliance or car EVER. The story for me was truly scary as everything here that happened COULD really happen, and for all we know already is. The world has gotten so intertwined with computers, the internet and depend of it for so many aspects of day to day life. It was a fantastic thriller that was written well and spun in a way that it keeps you turning page after page to find out what happens next! I highly recommend reading this if you love a good thriller!
May 11, 2021
Technological advances have benefited our world in immeasurable ways, but there is an ominous flip side : our technology can be turned against us. The storyline resolves around Dante Ellis, who has been trapped in a web of hacking, he has been targeted by a secret hacker, the Dark Messiah.
This thriller talks about the cyber world and how it can affect someone's life. D.W. Whitlock takes readers deep into the digital underground to expose the alarming ways criminals, corporations are using through new and emerging technologies against you and how this makes everyone more vulnerable than ever imagined. This will serve as an urgent call to action that shows how we can take back control over our own devices and harness technology’s tremendous power for the betterment of humanity, before it’s too late.
This thriller is a fast paced and has plenty of suspense and great twists. The characters are very well developed and the story will pull you in. My curiosity to know what will happen next got stronger. This one is a must read for all the thrill seekers and suspense fans. I absolutely enjoyed and was completely hooked with this thriller as it is trying to make us aware about the dangers lurking around in the digital world. If you love reading cyber fiction and thriller with lot of suspense, 'The Crucible of Fear" novel is a perfect choice for you. Wonderful read!
This thriller talks about the cyber world and how it can affect someone's life. D.W. Whitlock takes readers deep into the digital underground to expose the alarming ways criminals, corporations are using through new and emerging technologies against you and how this makes everyone more vulnerable than ever imagined. This will serve as an urgent call to action that shows how we can take back control over our own devices and harness technology’s tremendous power for the betterment of humanity, before it’s too late.
This thriller is a fast paced and has plenty of suspense and great twists. The characters are very well developed and the story will pull you in. My curiosity to know what will happen next got stronger. This one is a must read for all the thrill seekers and suspense fans. I absolutely enjoyed and was completely hooked with this thriller as it is trying to make us aware about the dangers lurking around in the digital world. If you love reading cyber fiction and thriller with lot of suspense, 'The Crucible of Fear" novel is a perfect choice for you. Wonderful read!
May 11, 2021
Holy crow...what a TERRIFIC read! D.W. Whitlock has totally outdone himself with Crucible of Fear: A Thriller. Although this book was recommended, I was a little tentative because cyber stories don't typically rank high on my list of reading preferences. I am so glad I heeded the recommendation!
It was an amazing, superbly written, well-thought-out plot with twists and turns left and right, along with incredible character development (complete with antagonists I loved to hate) and stellar world-building. The author has masterfully woven a sinister tale that's so compelling you don't want to stop to sleep, but gives you nightmares when your eyelids take over. In addition to literally detesting the Dark Messiah and all its players (talk about taking Big Brother to an entirely new level!), I had to grab the tissues for Dante and Abigail, and alternately wanted to scream and cheer at Briana's decisions.
While it is a fictional thriller, it's also an eye-opener with its very frightening yet completely believable possibilities. 5 stars isn't enough! Needless to say, I wholeheartedly endorse Crucible of Fear and very much look forward to more from this author!
It was an amazing, superbly written, well-thought-out plot with twists and turns left and right, along with incredible character development (complete with antagonists I loved to hate) and stellar world-building. The author has masterfully woven a sinister tale that's so compelling you don't want to stop to sleep, but gives you nightmares when your eyelids take over. In addition to literally detesting the Dark Messiah and all its players (talk about taking Big Brother to an entirely new level!), I had to grab the tissues for Dante and Abigail, and alternately wanted to scream and cheer at Briana's decisions.
While it is a fictional thriller, it's also an eye-opener with its very frightening yet completely believable possibilities. 5 stars isn't enough! Needless to say, I wholeheartedly endorse Crucible of Fear and very much look forward to more from this author!
June 4, 2021
Thrillers are my favourite genre to read and I was fortunate to receive a copy of this book for review from the author himself. I truly commend him for weaving this interesting but chilling story that had me pondering upon the implications of the fast-developing sophisticated technologies around us that penetrate our lives beyond comfort.
Dante Ellis leads a successful professional life as an ad executive and his lovely daughter makes up most of his personal life. In the first chapter itself, one is given a scary glimpse of what's to follow. A group of hackers called Dark Messiah stop at nothing to harm him, the reason for which is unclear.
He's devastated physically, professionally, and emotionally, not able to believe anyone and without knowing that the lives of two other characters are entwined with him in a strange way. What unfolds is a nail-biting drama that hurls a big question in our face, "How secure are we?"!
The book is unputdownable and shocks you appropriately after every few pages. The narrative is fast-paced and keeps you hooked till the end. Even though the topic is a bit far-fetched the author makes it believable. I would highly recommend it!
Dante Ellis leads a successful professional life as an ad executive and his lovely daughter makes up most of his personal life. In the first chapter itself, one is given a scary glimpse of what's to follow. A group of hackers called Dark Messiah stop at nothing to harm him, the reason for which is unclear.
He's devastated physically, professionally, and emotionally, not able to believe anyone and without knowing that the lives of two other characters are entwined with him in a strange way. What unfolds is a nail-biting drama that hurls a big question in our face, "How secure are we?"!
The book is unputdownable and shocks you appropriately after every few pages. The narrative is fast-paced and keeps you hooked till the end. Even though the topic is a bit far-fetched the author makes it believable. I would highly recommend it!
June 4, 2021
Thrillers are my favourite genre to read and I was fortunate to receive a copy of this book for review from the author himself. I truly commend him for weaving this interesting but chilling story that had me pondering upon the implications of the fast-developing sophisticated technologies around us that penetrate our lives beyond comfort.
Dante Ellis leads a successful professional life as an ad executive and his lovely daughter makes up most of his personal life. In the first chapter itself, one is given a scary glimpse of what's to follow. A group of hackers called Dark Messiah stop at nothing to harm him, the reason for which is unclear.
He's devastated physically, professionally, and emotionally, not able to believe anyone and without knowing that the lives of two other characters are entwined with him in a strange way. What unfolds is a nail-biting drama that hurls a big question in our face, "How secure are we?"!
The book is unputdownable and shocks you appropriately after every few pages. The narrative is fast-paced and keeps you hooked till the end. Even though the topic is a bit far-fetched the author makes it believable. I would highly recommend it!
Dante Ellis leads a successful professional life as an ad executive and his lovely daughter makes up most of his personal life. In the first chapter itself, one is given a scary glimpse of what's to follow. A group of hackers called Dark Messiah stop at nothing to harm him, the reason for which is unclear.
He's devastated physically, professionally, and emotionally, not able to believe anyone and without knowing that the lives of two other characters are entwined with him in a strange way. What unfolds is a nail-biting drama that hurls a big question in our face, "How secure are we?"!
The book is unputdownable and shocks you appropriately after every few pages. The narrative is fast-paced and keeps you hooked till the end. Even though the topic is a bit far-fetched the author makes it believable. I would highly recommend it!
June 17, 2021
Crucible of Fear, A Thriller by D.W. Whitlock is a warning about social engineering by means of cyberinfrastructure. Dante Ellis, a recent widower and single father, owns a high-tech corporation called Ellis Media. He is a fearless corporate giant with an impeccable brand built on confidence and courage. His perfect image is publicly tarnished by an unknown enemy who will stop at nothing to destroy him.
This was a perfect book for an eight-hour train ride to Miami. I initially thought Dante was going to be arrogant and boring, but I ended up being impressed with how his character developed into a realistic, multifaceted type of guy. There was nothing boring about any of the characters in the action-packed plot either. I was struck by the fact that these things could indeed happen in today's world unless safety measures are put in place.
Speaking of technology, there were a few areas that I had some difficulty following. Other people may be more up-to-date on the techie lingo than me, but I don’t follow anything more advanced than basic personal computing skills. I simply skimmed over those parts and didn’t feel like I missed a thing. I was intently focused on what would happen next.
Although this is not a genre that I am typically drawn to, this book captivated me. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good thriller or a technological dystopia. I think it would make a good movie – a timely one for sure!
This was a perfect book for an eight-hour train ride to Miami. I initially thought Dante was going to be arrogant and boring, but I ended up being impressed with how his character developed into a realistic, multifaceted type of guy. There was nothing boring about any of the characters in the action-packed plot either. I was struck by the fact that these things could indeed happen in today's world unless safety measures are put in place.
Speaking of technology, there were a few areas that I had some difficulty following. Other people may be more up-to-date on the techie lingo than me, but I don’t follow anything more advanced than basic personal computing skills. I simply skimmed over those parts and didn’t feel like I missed a thing. I was intently focused on what would happen next.
Although this is not a genre that I am typically drawn to, this book captivated me. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good thriller or a technological dystopia. I think it would make a good movie – a timely one for sure!
May 19, 2021
Crucible od Fear by D W Whitlock is an edgy thriller where a world is imagined where noone and nothing is private or hidden from technology and everything is recorded by drones and used for blackmail and other nefarious reasons. The protagonist has his life derailed by technology on the greatest day of his career and is blackmailed. His daughter's life is also in danger if he doesn't agree to the demands made by a Dark Messiah. He is not sure whom to trust as many people are either working with the DM or being blackmailed like him. But what can one do when wvery action is being monitored and there is no place safe enough to hide. The plot is gripping and fast. The story so realistic that it doesn't seem fiction and looks like it can happen to anyont in these times of cyber crime.
Suspense at its peak, twists and turns every corner and a new happening every time. A very good read of suspence and thrill readers.
The only problem is that there are too many charcters to keep track of and too many happenings that convolute the plot. So some times you have go back a few pages to again understand the plot.
Otherwise a good thriller
Suspense at its peak, twists and turns every corner and a new happening every time. A very good read of suspence and thrill readers.
The only problem is that there are too many charcters to keep track of and too many happenings that convolute the plot. So some times you have go back a few pages to again understand the plot.
Otherwise a good thriller
April 26, 2021
This book had me riveted with gripping story telling and fast paced action, which aligns with my personal tastes and interests. Despite the cookie-cutter nature of the characters and some of the plot, it was the core concept of this whole thing that kept me reading.
This is a solid and exciting kick-ass techno-thriller. Prepare to be bewildered, the pieces will all come together. And it's a jagged, scary ride D.W. Whitlock takes us on. In terms of plot and pacing, the story is nicely speedy and seems to get into the core plot pretty quickly.
The author weaves a magnificent story will full characters, exciting action, and an impressive, detailed grasp of the technology at hand.
On the whole, I heartily recommend Crucible of Fear, for fans of techno-thrillers in general. People who have been turned off by the unrealistic portrayal of tech in other technology-heavy books might also want to give this book a try, as it sticks very, very close to what is actually available today, tech-wise.
This is a solid and exciting kick-ass techno-thriller. Prepare to be bewildered, the pieces will all come together. And it's a jagged, scary ride D.W. Whitlock takes us on. In terms of plot and pacing, the story is nicely speedy and seems to get into the core plot pretty quickly.
The author weaves a magnificent story will full characters, exciting action, and an impressive, detailed grasp of the technology at hand.
On the whole, I heartily recommend Crucible of Fear, for fans of techno-thrillers in general. People who have been turned off by the unrealistic portrayal of tech in other technology-heavy books might also want to give this book a try, as it sticks very, very close to what is actually available today, tech-wise.
August 2, 2021
“A man's life in chaos. His young daughter at risk. What is a pound of flesh worth?”
This is the first line in the promo copy for Crucible of Fear but, as the story develops, the unknown enemy’s fear tactics enmesh more than just Dante Ellis.
Whitlock takes us deep into his spider’s web of intrigue, harassment, and fear. The reader can see some of the traps laid for the naïve, or the unwary but can only read obsessively as the mystery deepens. Be prepared to fall down the rabbit hole of the dark web, where ‘future wars’ will be waged. “It’s just skirmishes right now. Data theft. Industrial espionage. Misinformation through social media channels, election scams. Cyber-stalking, cyber-harassment, malware, ransomware.”
Sound familiar?
If you are prepared to see how the future is already unfurling, I recommend you read this book. Sleeping afterwards is another story. I received a complimentary copy from the author through Booktasters.
This is the first line in the promo copy for Crucible of Fear but, as the story develops, the unknown enemy’s fear tactics enmesh more than just Dante Ellis.
Whitlock takes us deep into his spider’s web of intrigue, harassment, and fear. The reader can see some of the traps laid for the naïve, or the unwary but can only read obsessively as the mystery deepens. Be prepared to fall down the rabbit hole of the dark web, where ‘future wars’ will be waged. “It’s just skirmishes right now. Data theft. Industrial espionage. Misinformation through social media channels, election scams. Cyber-stalking, cyber-harassment, malware, ransomware.”
Sound familiar?
If you are prepared to see how the future is already unfurling, I recommend you read this book. Sleeping afterwards is another story. I received a complimentary copy from the author through Booktasters.
April 2, 2021
Crucible of Fear
By
D.W. Whitlock
My Review:
Crucible of Fear is a techno thriller written by the author D.W. Whitlock. It is the debut book of the author. Dante Ellis is a highly successful advertising executive and a single parent to his daughter Abigail. One day he received a strange message on his phone:
"The more a thing is perfect, the more it feels pleasure or pain."
He found himself thinking many times what the message could mean. Is it some threat? Soon Dante became the target of a hackers known as Dark Messiah. Dante realized that he doesn't have any secret about which he has to worry. But when Abigail's life gonna be in danger, what Dante will do?
If you love reading stories based on cyber crime, then this is a great pick. Storyline is interesting. Pace of the story is little slow in the beginning. Story took pace after few chapters. World building is nice and I enjoyed reading this novel.
My Rating: 4/5
By
D.W. Whitlock
My Review:
Crucible of Fear is a techno thriller written by the author D.W. Whitlock. It is the debut book of the author. Dante Ellis is a highly successful advertising executive and a single parent to his daughter Abigail. One day he received a strange message on his phone:
"The more a thing is perfect, the more it feels pleasure or pain."
He found himself thinking many times what the message could mean. Is it some threat? Soon Dante became the target of a hackers known as Dark Messiah. Dante realized that he doesn't have any secret about which he has to worry. But when Abigail's life gonna be in danger, what Dante will do?
If you love reading stories based on cyber crime, then this is a great pick. Storyline is interesting. Pace of the story is little slow in the beginning. Story took pace after few chapters. World building is nice and I enjoyed reading this novel.
My Rating: 4/5
May 14, 2021
Set in the not too distant future, technology becomes a double edged sword. In this page turner, Dante, a successful businessman, enjoys all the perks of life that the modern technological world offers, until that same technology is used against him. Starting with a campaign to smear his name, the threats increase and become more dangerous, even life threatening, involving not only himself, but his family. Unsure of who he can trust and where the next attack will come, he struggles to get to the bottom of the mystery before it gets to him. Add two more characters in the same situation and the book becomes impossible to put down. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is willing to stay up late just to finish!
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