A Future Spy

The Firewall Spies #3

by Andrew Watts, Dale M. Nelson

Genius tech CEO Jeff Kim has just discovered that the ultrawealthy Hawkinson family stole his advanced AI prediction technology. This technology was his secret possession. A cornerstone in which he would rebuild his life’s work. But now he has serious competition. To solve his problem, Kim decides to reach out to a man he never thought he would speak to again. A Chinese intelligence officer named Liu.

Liu, a seasoned and capable MSS officer stationed in the US, is in charge of many of China’s most important economic espionage operations. And pressure from Beijing has been intense of late.

Chinese tech industry advancements in AI are not progressing fast enough to stop an unprecedented economic collapse. As fears of an angry citizen revolt grow, Chinese leadership has ordered the MSS to gain the code to the new American AI prediction technology by any means necessary.

When Liu investigates the Hawkinson’s operation, he discovers some shocking revelations. The Americans have placed a spy in the Hawkinson’s inner circle. As a series of seemingly unrelated incidents come together in Liu’s mind, he develops one of the most ambitious espionage operations the MSS has ever undertaken.
For it to work, he will have to activate China’s own mole. The crown jewel of Chinese intelligence. A sleeper-agent placed so high up in the US government, they will have access to all of America’s most classified information.

But CIA officers Colt McShane and Fred Ford have caught wind of China’s plan. And now they must find the sleeper agent before their own is identified and killed.

Which spy will be caught first?

Genres: Espionage

ebook

First published January 31, 2023

About the author

Andrew Watts graduated from the US Naval Academy in 2003 and served as a naval officer and helicopter pilot until 2013. During that time, he flew counter-narcotic missions in the Eastern Pacific and counter-piracy missions off the Horn of Africa. He was a flight instructor in Pensacola, FL, and helped to run ship and flight operations while embarked on a nuclear aircraft carrier deployed in the Middle East.

Today, he lives with his family in Ohio.

Reviews

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

This story begins with a Navy pilot in Hong Kong on his honeymoon. His wife is arrested while gambling.

The story picks up later where Colt's department head is being questioned by a senate committee and winds up being fired. The question that is posed is why the U.S. did not know about a weapon that the Russians had and used to destroy an island. On this Island Colt and his partner Ford were able to escape when the attack occurred. Colt and Ford received a new Director who was different from the prior one, Wilcox, who was let go as a result of the senate committee's actions.

Colt and Ford now faced a new problem when they learned that there was a spy working for the Chinese nd at the same time they needed to protect one of their own who was working undercover for the company who had been on the island the Russians destroyed.

The story details the steps Colt took as well as how the Chinese were getting their information and what activities the company that the undercover agent worked and who wanted to stop them and why.

The story ending brings most of the open issues to a conclusion and it is definitely worth reading.

[Arnold · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series. I discovered the first two a few months ago and read both within a week. So I understand the structure of the book. The story line is very captivating, you never truly know who is who and what each agencies’ plans are. The story was structured well, however three quarters into the story it became evidently clear that this book was a filler and that the storylines were not concluding but merely setting up the next one. I feel as though nothing consequential actually happened. By now some of these storylines should have been closed for good. There are at least a couple of characters with untouchable plot armour, which in my opinion devalued the story somewhat. For that reason, it’s a 4.5/5 for me. Rounds up to 5.

That being said, I cannot wait for the next one.

[Roger · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Future Spy (The Firewall Spies Book 3), my tenth read from author Andrew Watts. Reminiscent of the best works of Tom Clancy and Robert Ludlum, an incredibly well-developed, well-written book that takes off like a jet fighter from an aircraft carrier and just keeps flying. The primary characters are well developed. A captivating, page-turning, well-written read. A must-read book! “I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review." The gifting of this book did not affect my opinion of it. I look forward to reading more from this author. (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).

[Darren Bourn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book from the author and his company for being part of his ARC team.

This book continues with two of the world's superpowers racing to control the world's most powerful technology. This is the ability to control life and death via bio technology (xenobots).

This series of novels (Firewall) would be a definite favourite of afficiendos of espionage and spy novels. As I enjoyed this book so much I would easily rate this a solid four and a half stars out of five (which rounds up to five stars).

As with all reviews, this is just my five cents worth.

[Joel Beard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terrific series

This is a terrific series stumbling around the real threats of artificial intelligence, quite scary at times with what is suggested as end goals for terrible people. Many sympathetic characters from the lead American, Colt, to his opposite in Mossad who he's always trying to protect through lots of scary chases in Bern, Geneva, San Francisco, gun battles, underwater escapes. Good writing all around. now I'm about to start the fourth and final one in this series.

[Edgar Guedez · Rating 3 out of 5]

Firewall# 3

This is the best book of the series so far. But to ramp up tension, the authors stretch the plot line beyond the credible and omit obvious things. For instance, the cover of Nadia Blackmon,, a CIA mole inside Hack Tech, is clearly blown and unsustainable but she is kept inside the company even though everybody knows she is a spy. And there are more situations like that regarding other characters.

[MR CHRISTOPHER · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyable

What a cracking read. This is not one of those books that is all top show with nothing beneath the surface. It's full of twists and keeps you wondering where it is going to go next. Great read.

[Mark Mckinnon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great bok in the Firewall series

The book picks up where the last one left off. Great continuation of the series. Keeps the read engaged throughout the whole book. The authors did a great job. Can't wait for the next book in the series.

[Andy Blanche · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once again, splendid stuff. A very modern tale of espionage and high tech threats, particularly AI and quantum computing.

The writers are obviously well informed and well researched and it really shows, alongside the pacy plots. Really enjoyable.

[Tom Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Colt and Ford at their best.

Spies are busy in this series and the storyline is a real thriller. Spies to the right of me, spies to the left but it's not true that the only good spy is a dead spy. Terrific series and a must read.

[Loretta Gabriel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very intriguing and thrilling spy story.

The author has written a very intriguing tale of spying and deception that will keep you engaged and entertained. A fast paced and action packed story.

[Ronaele Whittington, D.S.W. · Rating 5 out of 5]

With AGI will honey traps become obsolete?

Interesting, informative, and complex, this story follows past episodes, weaving characters into future episodes. Skullduggery competes with ethics and human loyalty with every effort toward a better civilization. Fascinating.

[Marlene M. Oaks · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Possible Plot

It could happen, even might be in process of happening right now. The technology might just be getting ahead of us. But the brilliant and intuitive geniuses of the world could maybe save us all.

[Sharon Chakoian · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this thriller series.

[Gary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spies at there best

Great story, action, double crossed, etc. Could be the truth it is so close to it. Well thought out and keeps you hooked.

[Eric H. Choate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good Read

I enjoyed the intertwined “layers upon layers” that are rushing toward a conclusion and how the Al author tied in current events into the background.

[Gary Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

good read

Well written and engrossing as Dales novels usually are, looking forward to reading the next episode. Should keep you reading.

[Peter Dundee · Rating 5 out of 5]

More intruige.

Again, down the rabbit hole and no Wonderland just more high tech and intruige. Really enjoyed the game and it's twists and turns. Can't wait for the next one.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good thriller!

There are a lot of spies here! How do you hack and take control of a Tesla!? Buckle up and hang on! This is quite the ride!

[Doc Tisch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Better and better!

This series keeps getting better and better! Social media doesn’t come close to a good book in a great series!

[cheri t warren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Follow On

Another Great Story in this series. The characters are first class. The story moves like a rocket. Looking forward to the next book.

[Kevin P Greenan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good installment in the series

Watts a d Nelson continue to do a good job of blending suspense, geopolitics and espionage into a fast paced tale.

[Leah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful series! I can't stop reading.

[CeeCee Gettnold · Rating 5 out of 5]

lots of action

[Bob Watkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading A Future Spy because once you stated out reading the Firewall Spies series, this book was able to keep me interested

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rollercoaster ride

Another great novel in The Firewall Spies. Lots of twists and turns. Mossad, a Chinese spy, CIA informant combine to create a must-read novel.

[David Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

It seems like it was just yesterday when I finished reading Agent of Influence, the second installment in the Firewall series. but here it is eight months later, and I’ve just finished A Future Spy, the third installment in the Firewall series. I think I can say without hesitation this is my favorite installment in this series so far, the characters are really beginning to show their true colors making the scenes unfold in very unexpected ways. Colt and Ford make for an interesting team “lead” by Thorne who is finally finding less of the rules and more of get the job done. But the true star of this episode is Nadia. The authors have included a few elements that were sad to see, but in one case so transparent anyone except a lovesick sailor could see it from a mile away, and it made me wonder how many times it happens in real life. If you are new to the Firewall series this isn’t a book to pick up and start without reading the previous books, sure you could do it but there is so much back story missing that you wouldn’t get to know each of the characters as well as the underlying story behind why they are pursuing the Hawkins organization. So do yourself a favor if you are new to this series, start at book one and settle in for one heck of an action-packed ride. I received an advance reader copy of A Future Spy from the publisher and chose to provide this review.

After listening to the audiobook for A Future Spy I felt the need to update my original review. The Firewall series has been one of my favorite series from Andrew Watts, and after listening to Michael Wolfe narrate this episode, I’m further convinced about this being my favorite series from Mr. Watts. Michael does an excellent job bringing Colt and Ford to life by giving each the distinct personality that is felt as you read the stories. Of course, he does an excellent job building the suspense that is inherent in this story and sets the listener on a course that feels like they are right there with each character involved in the action. Thanks to Severn River Publishing for providing me with an audiobook review copy of A Future Spy.

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great addition to the series. Could have used a little more technology to be on a par with the 5 star prequels

[Jim Flagg · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advanced reader copy of this book for my honest review. This book is a continuation a great series. The characters are believable and great that help make the story great. The story moves quickly and keeps the reader interested. I can’t wait for the next book in this series.