Find out the latest indie author news. For FREE.

ADVERTISEMENT

Formats
Paperback Book Details
  • 9781534774797 1534774793
  • pages
  • $
robert gilberg
Author
Alice Chang
In this debut thriller, an engineer investigates a plane crash only to discover a global conspiracy to hack digital satellite television systems that may involve a woman from his past. It’s 1993 in San Diego. Steve Barton is a semiretired engineer who left his job at Video Secure, a leader in digital satellite TV technology, upon growing frustrated that the company was at the mercy of a ruthless management team looking for a quick payout. A wealthy divorcé who spends his days driving his collection of vintage cars, writing angry letters to the editor, and occasionally piloting small planes, Steve’s quiet life is thrown upside down when he witnesses a plane crash into a mysterious compound in the remote area of Fernbrook, California. Upon investigating the mishap, Steve discovers evidence of a high-level—and illegal—operation to hack into digital satellite TV systems. He also discovers that Alice Chang, a former Video Secure colleague who disappeared abruptly, may have been involved. Steve longs to know what happened to Alice, an intriguing and sharply intelligent woman who, for him, remains the one who got away. He channels his energy into investigating the crash and the leads left behind at the scene, including an encrypted message that may or may not be from Alice. The more he uncovers about the scheme and Alice’s role in it, the more danger he finds himself in.
Reviews
Kirkus

Gilberg is fluent in early ’90s technobabble, though less tech-savvy readers may find it hard to understand. Fortunately, the action and romance that the author weaves around his complicated conspiracy is enjoyable enough that readers should be enthralled even if they don’t entirely comprehend what’s happening on the hacking side. It helps that Steve, Alice, and their scene-stealing friend, Jim Schmidt, a “not-so-reformed ex-hippy with a Ph.D. in computer science from UCSD,” are all incredibly distinct characters with enough personality quirks to be realistic without veering into caricature. They ground the more sensational side of the story in reality.

A fast-paced technology tale with enough international intrigue and luxurious details to rival a James Bond adventure.  

Readers Favorite

Reviewed by Christian Sia for Readers' Favorite

An electrifying tale, a wonderful and masterful blend of romance and suspense, Alice Chang by Robert Gilberg is an entertaining story that will have readers racing through the pages. Abducted, repeatedly drugged, and forced to hack into digital satellite television systems, Alice barely manages to hold onto her courage and to hope against all hope that she can survive another day. She’s been abused in ways she’d never have imagined. Then an opportunity is offered for her to escape after a plane crash and she grabs it, but how far can she go before her captors catch up with her? Steve Barton has never understood what happened to Alice and he can’t forgive himself for losing her. Now, investigating a plane crash, he has a strong feeling that he could be just about to find out something about Alice. His gritty investigation will unveil a powerful network of underground hackers and put his life in danger. You’ll have to read this book to find out how he reconnects with Alice. 

For readers who love densely plotted thrillers with well-developed characters, Alice Chang will be a delight. I loved Robert Gilberg’s unique and compelling narrative voice. The prose is impeccable and readers will be seduced by the stream of consciousness that allows them to penetrate the hidden thoughts of the characters and to experience the inner conflict taking place in them. This novel is well-structured with timely red herrings that keep the reader excited about turning to the next page, the paragraph breaks make for an excellent reading experience. This is a gripping story with great intricacies in the plot and sophisticated characters. There is no stopping once you start reading. 

Formats
Paperback Book Details
  • 9781534774797 1534774793
  • pages
  • $
ADVERTISEMENT

Loading...