Firewall

By: Andrew Watts

Narrated by: Michael Wolff

Length: 10 hrs and 42 mins

Publisher's summary

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.

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 Pax AI’s 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. Everyone involved has their own spies and secrets.

Whose spy will win? And what secrets will they reveal?

©2021 Severn River Publishing (P)2021 Andrew Watts

Good book

Good spy type story, a few holes; however good. Did not like narration. PG rated so good.

Had to stop listening

I really tried with this book but it’s so badly written and it sounds like it’s narrated by an AI robot. The idea of the story was good and I got half way through, but when I realised I preferred driving in silence rather than listening to the book, then I guessed it was time to give up.

Disappoinitng ending

Overall a reasonable story but let down by a very weak ending. Feel like its setting up for a sequel that I wont be listening to

Great corporate/ govt, espionage thriller!

Loved the story and the characters. Story jumps backwards several times to fill in backstory but doesn't detract from I pace or action in the main story. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, listened on Audible, if that matters.

Good cyber counter espionage story

Andrew Watts novels always keep me listening they keep a good pace and are always interesting and this audiobook Firewall is no different.

Have some spare time ready this will keep your attention and though the narration while not my favorite it is good enough to not distract from the story.

poor narration, not a convincing voice

weak performance overall. At times a dull reading lacking sufficient drama and mood of the characters. Watered down story telling.

Another OUTSTANDING book by Watts

This is the ninth book by Watts that I’ve read (War Planner series and Max Fend 1&2). Firewall is a continuation of my opinion of Watts as a first rate writer of this genre. I highly recommend this book.

Another great book by Andrew Watts

I've enjoyed reading all of mr. Watts books. his ability to combine current events with a compelling plot are always enjoyable.

Monotone reading

The story line could have been good, but the reading was so monotonous that it made it difficult to stay interested.

Very slow start. Picks up toward the end.

Some action near the beginning but then very slow through tens of chapters of science fiction about AI technology. The narration is mediocre. The action toward the end picks up and the players' roles are exposed. Supporting cast members get shot and/or killed but it's really hard to care about them because their bodies just get left behind without a backwards glance. Colt stumbles through the story as the lead character but is never really doing anything heroic or even effective. He leaves the shooting and rescuing to others and is mostly just standing there in dumb surprise when the action starts--and when it finishes.

Finally, of course, the story ends with a teaser. But I can't make myself care enough about what happens next to spend a credit on the next book.

The robotic narrator

the start of the story had promise. but listing to the narrator, is like listing to the text to speech on my computer.

Narration is the worst I have ever listened to

The book seemed like it would have been interesting to me, but the narration was so bad that I gave up after a couple of hours. I may try again on my kindle.

Terrible narration

As another review mentioned, the narration was so automaton I gave up. That is really automaton.... sorry had to make this feed back over 15 words. 😂

Not the best.

The story wasn’t that original but the layers on top got so confusing. Character development was low and the twists were a pain to follow with little indication as to why we’d gone down that route. When things happened I was asking myself “who dunnit” but not out of an “I’m looking forward to finding out”, more an we “eh??” way.
Others may like the book and wonder what I’m on about. I won’t rush to find another by this author I’m afraid.

Narrator had no personality…maybe a robot?

I gave this half an hour. Probably is a good book but the narrator needs to actually put some passion into his performance. I had to give up with it.

Okay

It was extremely formulaic but did not require any concentration and obviously there is a place for that some days.

a good page turner

was not sure at the beginning but quickly became intrigued. a great mix of a thriller and a loved story and kept me guessing to the end.

Enjoyable and thought provoking

Interesting and at times thrilling listen. A good few twists and turns. With all the news about AI in the new recently I found this and interesting listen. I enjoyed the fact that the threat of AI concentrated on potential misuse by humanity rather than the threat of Cybernet.

Excellent

Frighteningly topical while reading todays newspapers. It all seems to be happening
Early June 2023

So possible (maybe)

Time went so fast. Long story line but well worth it.
Outstanding drone start to finish.