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Oct 25, 2016gvenkatesh rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
A fast-moving, well-researched story that reads more like a TV movie adopted for a novel than the other way around. It brings in a number of timely concepts in this era of social media with worries about Privacy, CyberSecurity, Corporate greed, Social Engineering, and Foreign intervention in US Politics... even terrorism concerns. To bring in all of that into a coherent single novel is a challenge that the author pulls off successfully. While the novel can be easily read and is reasonably entertaining with good writing style, it has a few shortcomings that leaves one less than satisfied. The character development doesn't hook the reader enough to care much about what happens to the two main characters on the run. The run from the Police itself, given the circumstances, might seem forced. Consequently, when FBI fails to capture them in the middle of the book, a reader might focus on their incompetence than be thankful the protagonists escaped (FBI and Police must detest authors and script writers that always make them go through a lot of "tactical" moves with impressive armament but leaving an alley open for people to escape after ducking out of the nearest window or staircase). In movie lingo, it seems like there is a lack of chemistry between the two main characters with the author relying more on their past to create a connection than the present. There is not much in the novel to challenge the reader as a good mystery or thriller might. One just goes along for the ride like watching an action movie with the only unknown being what predicament the characters get into next. Nevertheless, it is commendable as a debut novel. Local audiences in Silicon Valley with liberal political leanings will probably appreciate the novel more for the context and conclusion. Disclosure: Have met the author in a social setting and am personally acquainted with some of the people the author has relied on for help with the novel.