Helpful Score: 3
Emily Doyle, a single mother and computer teacher, has acquired a dangerous secret admirer who has the ability to take control of any car remotely and turn it into a weapon to kill the person inside. At first, the rash of deaths seems random, but Ben Colter, chief investigator, realizes Emily is the key. Together, they race time to find out who the madman is, before his "love" flips over to hatred.
*** This is perhaps Ms. Coffey's most suspensefully frightening novel to date. Tightly coherent action that seems all too real will hold your attention from the first page to the end. ***
The first incident occurs in Albany, New York followed by Providence, San Diego and Miami. In each case the driver insisted the car drove it self. Insurance companies and car manufacturers are concerned though no one has linked the four incidents. Following the fifth event when a school principal's vehicle reportedly did the same thing, the consortium hires Colter Associates to investigate. Ben Colter heads to the new site in Wickfield, Connecticut while the other two associates split the remaining four locations.
In Wickfield, Ben meets computer guru Emily Doyle who he recently offered a job to, but she declined since she is a single parent raising a ninth grader by herself. They are immediately attracted to one another. However, unbeknownst to either, Lyden Gray, a participant in Emily's on-line chat, thinks she is a goddess who he must protect from evil-doers like principals who take up her time as he can hack into any computer program even those in a car.
With wireless cell phones used to set off explosions, the technology seems frighteningly plausible. Thus readers obtain a powerful scary investigative thriller that grips the reader from the moment we comprehend what Lyden achieved from a remote distance with the principal's car. Colter and Emily are intelligent likable protagonists, but the obsessed Lyden steals the show with his dangerous skills that makes one wonder about the safety of a car with all the computer gizmos inside.
*** This is perhaps Ms. Coffey's most suspensefully frightening novel to date. Tightly coherent action that seems all too real will hold your attention from the first page to the end. ***
The first incident occurs in Albany, New York followed by Providence, San Diego and Miami. In each case the driver insisted the car drove it self. Insurance companies and car manufacturers are concerned though no one has linked the four incidents. Following the fifth event when a school principal's vehicle reportedly did the same thing, the consortium hires Colter Associates to investigate. Ben Colter heads to the new site in Wickfield, Connecticut while the other two associates split the remaining four locations.
In Wickfield, Ben meets computer guru Emily Doyle who he recently offered a job to, but she declined since she is a single parent raising a ninth grader by herself. They are immediately attracted to one another. However, unbeknownst to either, Lyden Gray, a participant in Emily's on-line chat, thinks she is a goddess who he must protect from evil-doers like principals who take up her time as he can hack into any computer program even those in a car.
With wireless cell phones used to set off explosions, the technology seems frighteningly plausible. Thus readers obtain a powerful scary investigative thriller that grips the reader from the moment we comprehend what Lyden achieved from a remote distance with the principal's car. Colter and Emily are intelligent likable protagonists, but the obsessed Lyden steals the show with his dangerous skills that makes one wonder about the safety of a car with all the computer gizmos inside.
Helpful Score: 3
This was very well written, definitely kept my attention. The story of a very technological stalker. Makes you think! I enjoyed it very much.
Helpful Score: 3
An intriging novel...can you imagine your car taking contol of itself and killing you? Not creepy, but rather someone controlling the computer in your car. A very good book!
Helpful Score: 1
Cars seem to be remotely controlled. Ben is investigating why. Emily, a computer expert living in a small town discovers she has a stalker. How these two are connected is the crux of this story. Good read, moves quickly, minimal suspense, nice romance. Recommended
Helpful Score: 1
A Porsche careens out of control in a crowded parking lot. A brand-new SUV smashes through a dealership's plate-glass window. A Mercedes races wildly down a pier before diving off the end onto the deck of a yacht. Then two more wrecks. Witnesses report the vehicles had "a mind of their own" before each accident. Five in a row can't be a coincidence. Computer guru Emily Doyle has become the focus of a hacker determined to capture her attention and in some way, she is connected to each of the victims. Ben Colter is the investigator called in by the automakers to find the link. Emily and Ben must unravel the puzzle of the seemingly random attacks, as a twisted mind moves from virtual reality to international terrorism.
A fast, absorbing tale!
A fast, absorbing tale!
Helpful Score: 1
I absolutely HATE reading series books out of their proper order. Didn't know this was part of a series when I started it (though the number in the title should have given me a clue.) That said, I'm really glad that I discovered author 'Jan Coffey.' They tell a fast-moving, gripping story of a life gone out of control-----along with cars, trucks and buses also going out of control!
From back cover: A Porsche careens out of control in a crowded parking lot. A brand-new SUV smashes through a dealership's plate-glass window. A Mercedes races wildly down a pier before diving off the end onto the deck of a yacht. Then two more wrecks. Witnesses report the vehicles had 'a mind of their own' before each accident. Five in a row can't be a coincidence.
Computer guru Emily Doyle has become the single-minded focus of a hacker determined to capture her attention. She recognizes the technology that is being used to gain control of the vehicles--and in some way, she is connected to each of the victims. Ben Colter is the investigator called in by the automakers to find the link. As the casualties mount, Emily and Ben must unravel the puzzle of the seemingly random attacks, as a twisted mind moves from virtual reality to international terrorism.
From back cover: A Porsche careens out of control in a crowded parking lot. A brand-new SUV smashes through a dealership's plate-glass window. A Mercedes races wildly down a pier before diving off the end onto the deck of a yacht. Then two more wrecks. Witnesses report the vehicles had 'a mind of their own' before each accident. Five in a row can't be a coincidence.
Computer guru Emily Doyle has become the single-minded focus of a hacker determined to capture her attention. She recognizes the technology that is being used to gain control of the vehicles--and in some way, she is connected to each of the victims. Ben Colter is the investigator called in by the automakers to find the link. As the casualties mount, Emily and Ben must unravel the puzzle of the seemingly random attacks, as a twisted mind moves from virtual reality to international terrorism.
I thought the premise of this book was intriguing. The carry through of the story and the plot was somewhat weak. I would recommend it to those who like different types of suspense.
loved this book!
...As the casualties mount, Emily and Ben must unravel the puzzle of the seemingly random attacks, as a twisted mind moves from virtual reality to international terrorism.
Edge of your seat page turner!
Excellent computer crime thriller with a bit of romance.
Another great book, it reads very fast.
A Porsche careens out of control in a crowded parking lot. A brand-new SUV smashes through a dealership's plate-glass window. A Mercedes races wildly down a pier before diving off the end onto the deck of a yacht. Then two more wrecks. Witnesses report the vehicles had "a mind of their own" before each accident. Five in a row can't be a coincidence.
Computer guru Emily Doyle has become the single-minded focus of a hacker determined to capture her attention. She recognizes the technology that is being used to gain control of the vehicles--- and in some way, she is connected to each of the victims. Ben Colter is the investigator called in by the automakers to find the link. As the casualties mount, Emily and Ben must unravel the puzzle of the seemingly random attacks, as a twisted mind moves from virtual reality to international terrorism.
Computer guru Emily Doyle has become the single-minded focus of a hacker determined to capture her attention. She recognizes the technology that is being used to gain control of the vehicles--- and in some way, she is connected to each of the victims. Ben Colter is the investigator called in by the automakers to find the link. As the casualties mount, Emily and Ben must unravel the puzzle of the seemingly random attacks, as a twisted mind moves from virtual reality to international terrorism.
Good read. I enjoyed it.
Originally when I read what this book was about I thought it would be lame. I mean cars that drive themselves. But was I wrong. This is very well written and keeps you glued all the way through. It's definetely a must read.
well written, keeps your interest all the way, a little romance but not enough to overpower the storyline, doesn't drag just has a good flow to the story
