The Knucklehead of Silicon Valley

By: G. Craig Vachon

Narrated by: G. Craig Vachon

Length: 10 hrs and 5 mins

Publisher's Summary

Ralph Gibsen isn’t your typical spy. In fact, he may not be a spy at all. He's lumpy, blundering and abysmal at chatting up the fairer sex. Yet, he is attracting a significant amount of attention from the intelligence community. 

After all, as a 30-year Silicon Valley mainstay, he can phish your passwords, bust firewalls, and has developed software used by millions to circumvent government censorship. And now, he thinks he has stumbled upon a cabal who is pushing to misuse his own technology for world domination. 

Ralph helps create an educational Tool that maps a learner’s neurological processes and pinpoints the exact moment a student learns. But the Tool can also manipulate people’s beliefs. At least, that what several influential people think. 

Soon, Ralph finds himself the target of increasingly complex attacks on his businesses, reputation, freedom, and life. Ralph enlists an eclectic group of ‘frenemies’ to thwart this nefarious plot. 

McKenna may or may not still work for the CIA. Beautiful Eva may work for the Chinese government, who wants the Tool for themselves. Even Ralph’s lovely wife Jen could be involved... Ralph simply isn’t equipped to figure it out. And the world is closing in.

©2019 G. Craig Vachon (P)2020 G. Craig Vachon

Gibsen is an oddly compelling protagonist

Not quite an Everyman, he nevertheless frequently finds himself in over his head. The author delivers a complex, meandering plot with frequent hops between years and continents and a wryly conspiratorial worldview that feels more akin to Thomas Pynchon than Tom Clancy

Absolutely devoured the book

Absolutely devoured the book. The plot is fresh and smart. It pulled me in right away… a thoroughly entertaining, fast-paced spy thriller that will hook you, leave you breathless with the happenings, and then amaze you with spurts of humor. A total PAGE-TURNER!!! Can’t wait to read his upcoming books

Entertaining and Fictionalized

More fact than fiction than perhaps the author even knows. I received this as a gift and found ‘myself’ appearing in the book. Because he has always been a good friend, I will pretend I didn’t read it. In fairness however, it was entertaining and fictionalized enough to spare us all any malfunctions to our brake lines or other unfortunate ‘wet ops’ experiences. I look forward to another installment of what I am sure will be an ongoing series.

Loved this book

An easy, funny, joyous read that feels so true and possible it’s scary! The storyline is highly credible… a great antidote to the usual “perfect” heroes in spy thrillers. Congratulations Craig

Fun Tech Spin on a Spy Adventure

Fun lighthearted story that combines insider tech, world travel, and a bit of sci-fi mystery! It's the perfect combination of stretching what so many people from entrepreneurs to consultants could just POSSIBLY experience ;) It's especially fun to have the audiobook read by the author as you occasionally get laughs or extra emphasis that make you feel like a good friend could be telling you the crazy tale over drinks.

Too true, too wry, too funny

It’s all so incredible it almost could be true. Acutely observed and brought to life in the audiobook version, I loved this creative story

Highly recommended

Rough start

I was told that this was a great book that had some interesting perspectives on regards to personal security and foreign spies. However, I attempted to listen to this book and it was difficult to listen to because it was very repetitive in the beginning. I will attempt to finish this book but I hope it doesn't say bro throughout the entire book.

Terrific fun. Lol thriller

Who would have thought a comedic spy thriller could be so fun? Great characters and plot. Intrigue, educational and laughter.

If you like high tech,spy thriller and some comedy

If you like high tech, spy thrillers and some comedy, this is the book for you. The adventures of Ralph—a clumsy, international man of mystery—will not disappoint. And, you might learn a little bit about venture capital along the way.

great love story

So. I’m grumpy, all I wanted was to read a few pages to start this book before going to bed, next thing I know I finished the book and it’s 4:30 in the morning, and I have a workday and a party coming up. I blame you for this whole day 🙂 Also, you promised me a spy thriller, but gave me a great love story instead. Seriously though, awesome. Just don’t start it in the evening, unless you don’t value your sleep.