Firewall (The Firewall Spies Book 1)
When a scientist at the world’s top AI company is murdered, a covert CIA operative must recruit a former love interest to help uncover the killer.
“A sleekly crafted, brilliantly paced techno thriller." —Steve Konkoly, WSJ and USA Today bestselling author of the Ryan Decker series
Nations and corporations alike are racing to dominate the world’s artificial intelligence industry...by whatever means necessary.
With its genius CEO and breakthrough technology, the Silicon Valley-based Pax AI Corporation is one of the hottest companies in the sector. But when one of their top scientists is murdered at a prestigious tech conference, company executives and foreign spies are all on the suspect list.
In the aftermath of the killing, CIA officer Colt McShane has been assigned to a joint counterintelligence unit based in San Francisco. The unit’s leadership believes that an international espionage ring has been stealing classified technology from Pax AI.
Now they want Colt to use his past relationship with Pax AI executive Ava Klein to penetrate the company’s inner circle, and uncover the mole.
But as Colt learns more about Pax AI’s classified programs, he discovers just how powerful—and dangerous—their new technology can be. As the struggle for AI dominance grows ever more competitive, the factions vying for power are becoming desperate to achieve victory.
In the fight for absolute power, there can be only one winner. Each side has their own spies and secrets.
Whose side will win? And what secrets will they reveal?
With FIREWALL, USA Today bestselling author Andrew Watts brings you a fast-paced, cerebral mystery that's part spy novel, part technothriller, and sure to keep you guessing every step of the way.
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“Murder, espionage, and technology collide at breakneck speed in this tightly plotted and fast paced thriller. I absolutely loved it.” —Jason Kasper, USA Today bestselling author of The Enemies of My Country
"For years, authors have been knocking at the door Tom Clancy shut with his passing. Andrew Watts didn't knock. He grabbed a breaching shotgun and took the damn hinges off! Jack Ryan can rest easy now that Colt McShane has arrived." —Brian Shea, author of the Boston Crime Thriller series
Reviews (179)
Watts At His Best
It's an Andrew Watts book, so you know that you're going to get rich character development, intriguing plots, and an ending you didn't see coming! The initial romance on the beginning hooked me clear into the middle of the plot, where a twist was waiting. I really took the bait and loved it! The context of the story revolves around the development of AGI - Artificial General Intelligence - and I have to say that, at times, it is downright scary to read. Watts employs his usual standard of deep, contextual storytelling that is still gripping to a lay reader (you don't need to be a computer engineer). Overall, my only regret with this book, is that it had to end and I have to wait till next year for a new title!
Andrew Watts once again hits it out of the park
I was given a copy of this book in return for an honest review. And was I ever glad that I was. I have read a number of books from Andrew Watt. They have all been excellent. He came through again. He digs into the deep hole of AI and international espionage nd how every power in the world wants to get its hands on the technology. Twists, turns, people not who they seems to be and all the great action made this a wonderful read. If you like spy thrillers, this is for you. One thing I look for in books is language. There was very little language here that made me squeamish. I appreciated that. Definitely a plus.
Andrew Watts has done it again
Artificial Intelligence is not coming - it is here. A recent news story reported that a big tech company had fired their AI Ethicist. Why should we care about the ethical implementation of AI? What do ethics and AI have to do with one another? Andrew Watts paints a vivid picture of the implications in Firewall, his newest offering. The characters and the story will grab you right out of the gate and keep you guessing to the end of this action-packed tale. Firewall is a well told story with a core cast of characters that draw you in and hold your attention. If you read the War Planners series get ready for another wild ride. If you haven’t read his other books this is a great time to see what all the fuss is about. Either way you’re in for a treat.
Andrew Watts just keeps getting better
Andrew Watts has taken another step forward as an author with his latest book. He has a strength of putting enough reality into a plot that you begin to think this really could happen. I'm now wondering if Amazon is paying attention to what I type as a review so it can mold my thought and purchasing processes! (I have no doubt they do that!) The plot was realistic. Characters and their actions/reactions were conceivable. The length fit the topic and had an occasional twist thrown in to keep me guessing. I had other materials to read the last couple weeks but this book kept my interest and the other materials suffered. Congratulations Andrew. This is a winner.
Action thriller you can't put down
If you enjoy an action thriller, where you will find yourself totally immersed in the story after the first few pages, this book is for you. Firewall begins with Colt Mc Shane as a CIA operative whose mission is to infiltrate Pax AI the world's leader in artificial intelligence. Pax AI is on the verge of releasing new technologies that will change the world. Ten years earlier Colt as a Lieutenant on a USS Navy destroyer, while on leave in Tel Aviv meets the love of his life Ava Klein. But due to a set of circumstances the love affair ends only to be rekindled years later in San Francisco at Pax AI. The breakthroughs of Jeff Kim CEO of Pax AI has provoked corporate espionage. Ava and Colt find themselves intertwined with spies from all over the World not knowing who they can trust. Tim Watts brings life to his characters, making you feel you are there smelling the smells and hearing the sounds. You really get caught up in the life of the main characters journey. I only hope Colt, Ava and Jeff will have more adventures together.
Anxiously awaiting the next one!
Andrew Watts got me hooked with the War Planners series. Then, I started with Max Fend. Andrew just keeps getting better and better. This time, it's a glimpse of what our technological future might look like. It's interesting timing as there have been rumors of Bill Gates funding research into nano-tech that could be injected with an immunization (for example.) The premise of Firewall has far more frightening consequences and is eerily similar to the sort of activities our mainstream media is being accused of, today. The very idea of the potential for directing the opinions and thoughts of the general population is a dictator's (politician's?) dream. Firewall builds an intriguing yarn around this concept. Firewall is an attention grabbing blend of technology, spycraft, mystery, action. It throws in a little romance, too. The result is a titillating thrill ride, leaving the reader with a hunger for what comes next. What will Kim do to grow his company? Will Colt get deeper into field operations? What will happen to Ava's career and her relationship with Colt? We'll be looking forward to finding out. I was fortunate to participate in reviewing an advanced copy of Firewall. Though I have already read the book, I purchased the release copy for my library, anyway.
A new series and as good as the last
A rather chilling look at possibly our future. Great characters and plot lines, too real perhaps to ignore as I have read about some of this in other places, A I savior or controller. Really enjoyed the introduction process of the characters and the all too human stumbling of the main propenents of the story.No spoilers but as far as I am concerned a must read and I will surely read the next one
A fun Read
Author Watts makes a bold departure from his War Planners series. Like that series, the book is well written, the characters real and the plot guaranteed to catch your interest. You discover that plot along with the main characters, making you occasionally wish for an organization chart to keep plot and people tied together. I thoroughly enjoyed the read. It was not predictable and each turn of the plot was plausible and interesting. As the story progressed, I found myself going back to read earlier events more closely. Obviously, this is a book 1 and a host of interesting characters are ready to take us forward. I’m looking forward to Book 2 Strongly Recommend.
Half a book
I just finished this book a couple days ago. Its general topic, artificial intelligence (AI), is certainly relevant to our time. Driving 14 hours yesterday I couldn't help but think of the AI I was using just in the vehicle - adaptive cruise control, automatic dimming and brightening headlights, collision avoidance, blind spot monitoring - just as examples. The book, however, is slow for at least the first half and probably more. It does not become a "page turner" until far too close to the end. Then the end of course is primarily the big tease for the next book. You may love this book. I did not. I'm frankly sick of books that seem to be just the setup for the next book. Though I may change my mind in my eternal quest for another book or 6, I do not presently intend to buy volume 2.
A fantastic read!
I was lucky enough to receive an advance copy of this book and truly enjoyed it! I work in technology (my title is "Data and AI Architect" for one of the largest tech companies in the world, so I was pretty skeptical of the plot line when I first saw it. I have to say that Mr. Watts did a wonderful job of balancing the reality of AI with the perils that it brings. This book will be enjoyed by technologists and thrill-seekers alike. I have enjoyed all of his books, but have to say that this one is his best ever! Cannot wait for the next installment in this series!
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