Rogue Code

A Jeff Aiken Novel

By: Mark Russinovich

Narrated by: Johnny Heller

Length: 11 hrs and 29 mins

Publisher's summary

Michael Lewis’ Flash Boys revealed how high-frequency trading has created a ruthless breed of traders capable of winning whichever way the market turns. In Rogue Code, Mark Russinovich takes it one step further to show how their grip on high finance makes the stock market vulnerable to hackers who could bring about worldwide financial collapse.

Cyber security expert Jeff Aiken knows that no computer system is completely secure. When he’s called to investigate a possible breach at the New York Stock Exchange, he discovers not only that their system has been infiltrated but that someone on the inside knows. Yet for some reason, they have allowed the hackers to steal millions of dollars from accounts without trying to stop the theft.

When Jeff uncovers the crime, the NYSE suddenly turns on him. Accused of grand larceny, he must find and expose the criminals behind the theft, not just to prove his innocence but to stop a multibillion-dollar heist that could upend the U.S. economy. Unwilling to heed Jeff’s warnings, the NYSE plans to continue with a major IPO using a new, untested system, one that might be susceptible both to hackers and to ruthless high-frequency traders willing to take any risk to turn a profit.

Now Jeff Aiken must unearth the truth on his own, following the thread to the back alleys of Rio de Janeiro to take on one of the world’s most ruthless cartels.

Praised for his combination of real-world technology and quick-paced action, with Rogue Code Mark Russinovich delivers an intense thriller about a cyber threat that seems all too possible - and the Wall Street traders who might allow it to happen.

Includes a foreword by Haim Bodek, author of The Problem of HFT: Collected Writings on High Frequency Trading & Stock Market Structure Reform.

©2014 Mark Russinovich (P)2014 Macmillan Audio

This Will Probably Happen.

See, Mark Russinovich is the ubber-geek who can speak colloquial English.

You know like meeting a space alien who talks like he came from Philly. He can explain so that I can suddenly mutter… "Good God! We're all in a LOT of trouble."

Here he digs into the space where computer security meets VERY VERY VERY Big Money. And he explains exactly what opportunity (or threat) lurks between the left scissor edge of computer engineering and the right edge of international financial transaction.

First I'm warning you NOT TO LISTEN TO THIS BOOK… first. Go get Russinovich's "Zero Day" first. Because you probably will after you hear this novel. And since it's a continuing ensemble cast, hey… why not enjoy all of the feelings and back-stories as they grow through Mark's second novel, "Trojan Horse" (and his best), and then come here to Rogue Code?

Johnny Heller does a terrific job. I was disappointed though with the Jeff Aiken (hero) - Darlyl Haugen (demoted heroine) relationship's direction. They were so much more interesting twin parts of whole lead character in Zero Day and Trojan Horse. The altered path seemed like some sort of personality-ectomy. Hope the partnership gets renewed.

Oh yeah, that teaser up above… The Steven-King-terror-inducing-talent of Mark Russinovich is that what his stories tell-about will escape from his cloud and will probably happen quite soon, maybe tomorrow. YIPES!

Great thriller

Fellow geeks will love this for the thrilling storyline and technical accuracy. Great easy listen!

Another great book by Mark Russinovich

If you're a fellow geek or just enjoy technology and a good thriller you will really enjoy this book.

I hope there will be more of these

Just the right blend of technology and intrigue. This series is extremely entertaining and blends real world technology with drama and mystery.

Loving the Jeff Aiken series.

With the news of this company has been breached and that company has lost millions of credit card numbers, the Jeff Aiken series fits in quite well with real world events. I recommend the series to anyone into this style of book.

Great read and well written.

I really enjoyed this book. Being in the field of technology and knowing that the author knows what he is talking about made this book a lot of fun to listen to.

Watch out as it may make you paranoid...

Would you consider the audio edition of Rogue Code to be better than the print version?

I haven't read the print version, but I must say that the Portuguese words pronunciation in this book could (should) have been a lot better. I am Brazilian and I had a really hard time understanding most of the portuguese from the audiobook. But on the other hand, this is the ONLY complain I have on this audiobook.

What did you like best about this story?

As usual, all his books are very realistic, not only from a technical stand point, but also in many aspects portrait in the story (economics, politics, etc). Beware, you could become paranoid about your computer and devices security after reading any histories with Jeff Aiken ;)

Any additional comments?

Excellent book. I couldn't stop listening. Finished the book in only 2 sittings. Only complain is that the portuguese pronunciation is wrong almost every time (I am from Brazil, where part of the history happens).

Another excellent performance!

I have enjoyed all three of the Jeff Aiken audio books, and am only disappointed that the fourth is not yet available. While I am relatively new to audio books, I have listened to enough to know that the narrator for this series is well above average, and I believe does an excellent job pulling you into the story and the characters themselves. The story and the Characters themselves are well fleshed out and I actually believe this third book does a better job than the previous two with deep character development. Definitely worth the time and the money! A+

Edge of believability.

Where does Rogue Code rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This is a middle of the road book for me. I'm a techo geek and love high tech fiction, and it is hard to find someone who understands enough to make it realistic, but still write a good story. I am a big Daniel Suarez fan.

Who was your favorite character and why?

No favorite character... Marks Character development is a little blunt... Still needs to polish is writing style here. Unlike some masters like Stephen King, Mark tends to introduce a character, describe their personal appearance bluntly, provide a little background some quirk about their personality... then move on.

Any additional comments?

I enjoy techno fiction, where the author understands technology and crafts a believable story around it. This is my third book I have listened to by Mark. I want to support his work, I just haven't seen a lot of development in his craft. Perhaps, listening too this right after "Time's Eye" by Clarke and Baxter was a mistake. I think he wrote this book after reading "Flash Boys" by Michael Lewis.

Formulaic

Never in doubt about the plot. A decent effort at explaining high frequency trading and the inside workings of an exchange. Narrator was difficult to listen to.