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"Fascinating and pretty frightening stuff." --Frederick Forsyth, author, "The Cobra"
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
13 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Cyber-war is ripe for depiction in a thriller and Michael Dobbs has clearly researched the field. Unfortunately, in a world where the most devastating cyber-attacks have originated from private groups or criminal organisations, he's chosen to frame the tactics in the geo-political sphere and a result, the plot strains credibility.
The villain is China which, under a nationalist leader envisages bringing his country to global dominance while settling old scores with Britain, Russia and the USA. The unseen Mao Yanming acts through Fu Zhang, who has brought together a group of techno-geeks to bring China's enemies to their knees. Unfortunately Fu Zhang has too much of the Fu Manchu about him - his overt evilness and ambition making it difficult to take him seriously (despite a nasty opening scene). You also wonder why China doesn't go for cyber-espionage instead to maximise commerce opportunities.
China's initial attacks on nuclear facilities and medical systems have attracted the interest of British PM Mark D'Arby, who's arranges a secret meeting with US President, Blythe Harrison and Russian President Sergei Shunin in a remote Scottish castle to agree a strategy. Although the idea of the three leaders meeting in a remote spot without security is preposterous, the main problem is that nothing really happens. The leaders squabble and bargain but their talks have no impact on the plot's other events. Instead, Blythe mopes about her marriage break-up, Shunin bullies his son-in-law and D'Arby chats to Harry Jones, who as the hero is little more than an observer and driver until near the end when someone tries to sabotage the conference.
If you suspend your disbelief however, this is an entertaining enough novel. Events rocket along nicely and the action bounces between different events. A scene where the Sellafield nuclear plant begins to go into meltdown without anyone realising is chilling and the car bombing of Shunin deftly portrayed. Although the characters are brush strokes at best, Harry is suitably world-weary and morally upright to keep you rooting for him. I cringed at the scenes involving the Queen only because fictionalising real people is a personal squick. There's some reference to events in THE LORDS' DAY but you don't need to read it to understand this.
If you're looking for a decent beach novel, this is perfect but anyone seeking a thriller that examines the credible implications of the cyber-threat will find it wanting.
The villain is China which, under a nationalist leader envisages bringing his country to global dominance while settling old scores with Britain, Russia and the USA. The unseen Mao Yanming acts through Fu Zhang, who has brought together a group of techno-geeks to bring China's enemies to their knees. Unfortunately Fu Zhang has too much of the Fu Manchu about him - his overt evilness and ambition making it difficult to take him seriously (despite a nasty opening scene). You also wonder why China doesn't go for cyber-espionage instead to maximise commerce opportunities.
China's initial attacks on nuclear facilities and medical systems have attracted the interest of British PM Mark D'Arby, who's arranges a secret meeting with US President, Blythe Harrison and Russian President Sergei Shunin in a remote Scottish castle to agree a strategy. Although the idea of the three leaders meeting in a remote spot without security is preposterous, the main problem is that nothing really happens. The leaders squabble and bargain but their talks have no impact on the plot's other events. Instead, Blythe mopes about her marriage break-up, Shunin bullies his son-in-law and D'Arby chats to Harry Jones, who as the hero is little more than an observer and driver until near the end when someone tries to sabotage the conference.
If you suspend your disbelief however, this is an entertaining enough novel. Events rocket along nicely and the action bounces between different events. A scene where the Sellafield nuclear plant begins to go into meltdown without anyone realising is chilling and the car bombing of Shunin deftly portrayed. Although the characters are brush strokes at best, Harry is suitably world-weary and morally upright to keep you rooting for him. I cringed at the scenes involving the Queen only because fictionalising real people is a personal squick. There's some reference to events in THE LORDS' DAY but you don't need to read it to understand this.
If you're looking for a decent beach novel, this is perfect but anyone seeking a thriller that examines the credible implications of the cyber-threat will find it wanting.
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
I've been enthralled by many Dobbs novels, but not this one: its ok, but not very credible: it might occupy your time in a waiting room or on a plane ... but otherwise go for one of the others. It seems to end prematurely ... just when its developed the plot. Did Dobbs get bored, realise he was out of his depth, twig that he'd missed the mark ... or is he just disparagingly churning out money?
Format:Hardcover
Very poor. A fair idea behind the book, but very poorly executed. Simplistic and in the end the storyline just fizzled out - a real damp squib. I wonder if the fact that such important people were together was supposed to make the book interesting? The cyber war part of the story was not given the attention it probably deserved. A shame. This was the first book I have read from this author - and I can see no reason to ever try another one!
The main character is continually thinking back over his actions from previous times - a very poor way to try and show that a character "is" actually quite interesting!
The main character is continually thinking back over his actions from previous times - a very poor way to try and show that a character "is" actually quite interesting!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
A fast-paced thriller
I have been a big fan of Michael Dobbs since reading Winston's War which is a classic.Edge of Madness is a fast-paced thriller where once again our hero Harry Jones has a leading... Read more
Published 8 months ago by Alan Reynolds
Not the best Dobbs
SAFE READING - NO SPOILERS
Not the best Dobbs' but right up-to-date with his cyber war. I prefer the early Dobbs', e.g. Read more
Not the best Dobbs' but right up-to-date with his cyber war. I prefer the early Dobbs', e.g. Read more
Published 9 months ago by RR Waller
Damp Squib
HERE LIE SPOILERS
What begins with a plausible and topical threat, turns into a pedestrian thriller, spoiled further by the damp squib of an ending. Read more
What begins with a plausible and topical threat, turns into a pedestrian thriller, spoiled further by the damp squib of an ending. Read more
Published 15 months ago by A. Chell
Harry Jones goes into cyberspace
After reading 'The Reluctant Hero', I was really looking forward to another Harry Jones thriller. Sadly, this didn't rise to the same high standards. Read more
Published 16 months ago by 1fcscout
Not good
Sterotypical drivel - The idea of an MP who happens to be an all action hero just doesn't work. Disappointing, as many of his other books (especialy the ones about Churchill) are... Read more
Published 17 months ago by R Farnham
An engaging premise degenerates into farce
Michael Dobbs has written some good stuff. His Churchill quartet (Winston's War, Never Surrender, Churchill's Hour and Churchill's Triumph), a novelization of Churchill's war... Read more
Published 19 months ago by Joseph Haschka
Dreadful Tripe
Michael Dobbs has turned into Sidney Sheldon! What a lazy book: cardboard characters, tiny plot and so many cliches. Read more
Published 21 months ago by Henry. Partridge
The Edge of Madness
Another bestseller from this great author. Hero Harry gets hauled in again to do someone else's dirty work!! Read more
Published on 1 Jan 2010 by Anne Broad
Light-weight
The rear cover of this book implies a pacey read, but I have to say the novel falls well short of that standard. Read more
Published on 13 Oct 2009 by johnverp
Not quite edge of your seat
I really liked The Lords' Day, and this novel also has Harry Jones at the forefront.
But this novel, whilst holding the interest doesn't really take off, which is a... Read more
But this novel, whilst holding the interest doesn't really take off, which is a... Read more
Published on 11 Oct 2009 by freedomrulesok
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