What do you think?
Rate this book
The Back Door Man
All credit cards have stopped working. Today. This morning.What cash you have in your wallet is it. ATMs and bank systems are down. You can’t get gas, groceries … Commerce has essentially come to a halt. Such is the backdrop of THE BACK DOOR MAN.Our society is computercentric. Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn. We’re plugged in. Managing our finances online. Downloading apps for our iPhone. Reading the WSJ on our Kindle.There are things out there on the cutting edge we don’t even know we need to fear. THE BACK DOOR MAN takes us there.We see it through the eyes of James Kolinsky, a simple family man who works in information security. His day goes from bad to worse when he discovers that his greatest fear is his fault and what’s happened to him has happened to millions of others.He’s been set up. His family—make that the world—has been taken hostage. The next twenty-four hours we find out what James Kolinsky is really made of.(THE BACK DOOR MAN is available in French as Hackeur et contre tous and in German as Der Mann an der Hintertür.)
392 pages, ebook
First published September 28, 2011
1730 people are currently reading
1645 people want to read
About the author
Dave Buschi
5 books46 followersDave Buschi is a bestselling technothriller author. His literary works include LUCKY HIGH, REALITY RECODED, INSIDER X, PROPORTIONATE RESPONSE, and THE BACK DOOR MAN.
He writes thrillers and sci-fi novels that grip you from the start, which readers tout as being unputdownable.
He lives in Milton, Georgia with his wife and boys.
You can follow him on Twitter @davebuschi, on Instagram @davebuschi, or check out his blog at www.davebuschi.com
He writes thrillers and sci-fi novels that grip you from the start, which readers tout as being unputdownable.
He lives in Milton, Georgia with his wife and boys.
You can follow him on Twitter @davebuschi, on Instagram @davebuschi, or check out his blog at www.davebuschi.com
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 239 reviews
August 5, 2024
Being the author, I'm a little biased. I had fun writing it.
March 27, 2015
A thrilling ride!
It doesn't get any better than this: Take a middle aged, overweight and overlooked family man who gets pushed a little too far and rebounds with a strength and cunning he thought was long lost. Plot an all too possible global financial meltdown. Add the Russian Mafia and a few other international scum bags thrown in for good measure. And top it off with a housewife who transforms into a Marvel Action hero when her daughter's lives are threatened. The result is a five star action, adventure thriller that was difficult to put down.
It doesn't get any better than this: Take a middle aged, overweight and overlooked family man who gets pushed a little too far and rebounds with a strength and cunning he thought was long lost. Plot an all too possible global financial meltdown. Add the Russian Mafia and a few other international scum bags thrown in for good measure. And top it off with a housewife who transforms into a Marvel Action hero when her daughter's lives are threatened. The result is a five star action, adventure thriller that was difficult to put down.
February 12, 2012
This book is titled 'The Back Door Man' by Dave Buschi. All computers are brought down by international hackers and suddenly the things that we all take for granted no longer work. James Kolinsky, a crack computer analyst, becomes the 'fall guy' in this international scheme and needs to use all his skills to stay one step ahead of the authorities and from those who have framed him. I found this book to be well written and exciting. The author's grasp of computer terminology made the events seem plausible and made it difficult for me to set this book down. It is well worth the cost of downloading and even better if you are Prime member and can get it free.
October 24, 2019
An interesting concept (the concept got it the one and only star) but ruined by exposition, more piles of exposition piled ever higher, and even more explanation and exposition in case I didn't understand it the first few times.
Couldn't force my way through all that mire to see if the end had value.
Story is stuff happening now, not lectures.
Not recommended unless you like being told and told and told again, and again, and again.
Couldn't force my way through all that mire to see if the end had value.
Story is stuff happening now, not lectures.
Not recommended unless you like being told and told and told again, and again, and again.
March 19, 2015
Awesome! I could not put this down!
This book tells the story of (sometimes) how everything happens for a reason... and that if you go after a man's wife and children, you better be prepared to throw all you know about that man out the door because he's not going to stop until they are safe and your dead!!!
This book tells the story of (sometimes) how everything happens for a reason... and that if you go after a man's wife and children, you better be prepared to throw all you know about that man out the door because he's not going to stop until they are safe and your dead!!!
January 29, 2015
This book was made for a movie!
All the while I was reading this, I could see in my mind as a movie. Full of twists that you weren't expecting and am anxious to read another nook by this author.
All the while I was reading this, I could see in my mind as a movie. Full of twists that you weren't expecting and am anxious to read another nook by this author.
March 20, 2014
Beware. If you don't have a bit more than basic skills in IT and especially Networking and IP theory, the technical discussions in this book will have you running for the hills in no time.
If you DO, you might be able to follow the author in the first 2/3 of the book, which is really confusing and badly written.
The plot IS quite good when you look back on it, and the part where there's less tech is quite good.
But all in all, I'm glad this was free, and I'm sorry for the hours I spent reading it which I will never get back.
If you DO, you might be able to follow the author in the first 2/3 of the book, which is really confusing and badly written.
The plot IS quite good when you look back on it, and the part where there's less tech is quite good.
But all in all, I'm glad this was free, and I'm sorry for the hours I spent reading it which I will never get back.
November 3, 2015
The back door man is a story about super hackers and greedy powerful people.
My opinion about this book is that is long, very long. The story is your typical save your life before the bad guys get you, and it has unnecessary descriptions of everything surrounding the characters. In addition, in some parts of the book I even forgot I was reading a fiction story, this was because of the explanations and lessons regarding computer programming.
It could have been a good story, but over explanations were overwhelming for me.
My opinion about this book is that is long, very long. The story is your typical save your life before the bad guys get you, and it has unnecessary descriptions of everything surrounding the characters. In addition, in some parts of the book I even forgot I was reading a fiction story, this was because of the explanations and lessons regarding computer programming.
It could have been a good story, but over explanations were overwhelming for me.
August 6, 2018
Thriller for these times! The Back Door Man... When you pick on the wrong fall guy and all those careful evil plans come crashing down. Loved James and Sue! Great character development where you get emotionally attached to the good guys and really despise the bad guys. Edge of your seat story where one family battles against evil and shows that good can prevail when there is a will and a way. Was literally cheering at the end as James became the hero that we all wish we could be. This has to be made into a movie!
May 8, 2015
Kept me hooked, but...
Good chilling, plausible story. Organized digital crime, Russia, Switzerland, China, UK and U.S. company personal involved in this cyber attack. James Kolinsky and his family in the middle, but James talks to himself little too much. Many unnecessary F.... words. We need more hackers that's honest in this country.
Good chilling, plausible story. Organized digital crime, Russia, Switzerland, China, UK and U.S. company personal involved in this cyber attack. James Kolinsky and his family in the middle, but James talks to himself little too much. Many unnecessary F.... words. We need more hackers that's honest in this country.
March 14, 2014
Wow
Enjoyed the book greatly. kept my thoughts focused on the way the action moved through the book. there was never a dull moment in the book.
Enjoyed the book greatly. kept my thoughts focused on the way the action moved through the book. there was never a dull moment in the book.
November 10, 2023
How to describe this book? It is a dystopian, action thriller! I wasn't entirely sure about it in the first couple of chapters but then I got into it and it is a really good read. I like how the main character of James starts to see all these coincidences. He doesn't believe in coincidence though. He believes everything happens for a reason. It is that belief that forces him on. I don't think I believe in coincidence either. The story is actually quite a scary one as it is something that so easily could happen in our world today. How would we manage if it did? I have no idea but it wouldn't be good.
*************************************
All credit cards have stopped working. Today. This morning.
What cash you have in your wallet is it. ATMs and bank systems are down. You can’t get gas, groceries … Commerce has essentially come to a halt. Such is the backdrop of THE BACK DOOR MAN.
Our society is computercentric. Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn. We’re plugged in. Managing our finances online. Downloading apps for our iPhone. Reading the WSJ on our Kindle.
There are things out there on the cutting edge we don’t even know we need to fear. THE BACK DOOR MAN takes us there.
We see it through the eyes of James Kolinsky, a simple family man who works in information security. His day goes from bad to worse when he discovers that his greatest fear is his fault and what’s happened to him has happened to millions of others.
He’s been set up. His family—make that the world—has been taken hostage. The next twenty-four hours we find out what James Kolinsky is really made of.
*************************************
All credit cards have stopped working. Today. This morning.
What cash you have in your wallet is it. ATMs and bank systems are down. You can’t get gas, groceries … Commerce has essentially come to a halt. Such is the backdrop of THE BACK DOOR MAN.
Our society is computercentric. Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn. We’re plugged in. Managing our finances online. Downloading apps for our iPhone. Reading the WSJ on our Kindle.
There are things out there on the cutting edge we don’t even know we need to fear. THE BACK DOOR MAN takes us there.
We see it through the eyes of James Kolinsky, a simple family man who works in information security. His day goes from bad to worse when he discovers that his greatest fear is his fault and what’s happened to him has happened to millions of others.
He’s been set up. His family—make that the world—has been taken hostage. The next twenty-four hours we find out what James Kolinsky is really made of.
May 29, 2019
Minor Spoilers
00110T0H0000E00110011001110V00A01U1LT1011110110
James Kolinsky isn’t quite the man he once was; he’s out of shape, lacks his own self-righteous ambition, and feels that he never lived up to his true potential. When some worldwide hackers come together to rid the world of financial security, stemming from James’ own place of employment (ComTek), who better to blame than Mr. Kolinsky himself? As you can guess, James has a deadline to meet before banks and Facebook and the stock markets collapse. He must utilize his smarts by cracking algorithms, decoding IP addresses, and tricking the hackers themselves, all while kicking some serious Slavic ass in the heart of ComTeks own ‘Vault.’
I was engaged in the action and the apocalyptic sequences throughout panic-stricken Raleigh. I also became mesmerized by the Greek mythology scattered throughout the novel with Pythagoras and his theorems and Daedalus becoming lost in his own labyrinth. The unnecessary symbolism arrives with the religious references regarding family and James questioning his devotion and faith. It seems that Buschi quickly realizes this, and immediately discredits the passages. Overall, with its underlying tone of corporate greed, BDM was a splendid thriller.
00110T0H0000E00110011001110V00A01U1LT1011110110
James Kolinsky isn’t quite the man he once was; he’s out of shape, lacks his own self-righteous ambition, and feels that he never lived up to his true potential. When some worldwide hackers come together to rid the world of financial security, stemming from James’ own place of employment (ComTek), who better to blame than Mr. Kolinsky himself? As you can guess, James has a deadline to meet before banks and Facebook and the stock markets collapse. He must utilize his smarts by cracking algorithms, decoding IP addresses, and tricking the hackers themselves, all while kicking some serious Slavic ass in the heart of ComTeks own ‘Vault.’
I was engaged in the action and the apocalyptic sequences throughout panic-stricken Raleigh. I also became mesmerized by the Greek mythology scattered throughout the novel with Pythagoras and his theorems and Daedalus becoming lost in his own labyrinth. The unnecessary symbolism arrives with the religious references regarding family and James questioning his devotion and faith. It seems that Buschi quickly realizes this, and immediately discredits the passages. Overall, with its underlying tone of corporate greed, BDM was a splendid thriller.
September 2, 2025
Dave Buschi delivers a sharp, engaging financial technothriller in,The Back Door Man. The novel hooked me with its accessible handling of complex computer and financial concepts—Buschi explains the tech in plain language without ever slowing the pace.
The story follows James, a relatable middle-aged protagonist whose brilliance with computers often goes unrecognized by those around him. That underdog quality makes him easy to root for, especially as the stakes rise. Buschi structures the book with a scene-per-chapter rhythm reminiscent of James Patterson, which keeps the pages turning and the tension steadily building.
As someone who usually reads a novel a week, this one took me a bit longer—not because of the writing, but because I’m busy drafting the second book in my own Nick Justin Chronicles. Once I carved out the time, I found the pacing ramped up effectively, and the scenarios, backed by the author’s command of computer terminology, felt not only plausible but downright unsettling.
In all, The Back Door Man is a smart, well-paced thriller that blends technology, finance, and suspense into an entertaining and thought-provoking read.
The story follows James, a relatable middle-aged protagonist whose brilliance with computers often goes unrecognized by those around him. That underdog quality makes him easy to root for, especially as the stakes rise. Buschi structures the book with a scene-per-chapter rhythm reminiscent of James Patterson, which keeps the pages turning and the tension steadily building.
As someone who usually reads a novel a week, this one took me a bit longer—not because of the writing, but because I’m busy drafting the second book in my own Nick Justin Chronicles. Once I carved out the time, I found the pacing ramped up effectively, and the scenarios, backed by the author’s command of computer terminology, felt not only plausible but downright unsettling.
In all, The Back Door Man is a smart, well-paced thriller that blends technology, finance, and suspense into an entertaining and thought-provoking read.
July 22, 2018
This is an interesting exercise in use of computers to suspend all financial transactions to skim money from all digital sources. The style of writing is very clear and easy to understand. The characters are somewhat interesting, but only the hero is developed in any depth. Buschi likes to throw in an extra paragraph or two when he thinks something needs explanation, but the information doesn't interfere with the story line. The final section of the book is as good as anything I have read, but the early sections drag a little. Overall this is a worthwhile story
February 22, 2021
The Back Door Man is an exceptional cyber-techno thriller! The author draws the reader in slowly, unsuspecting, as the magnitude of this story is gradually revealed. Sometimes, in this age of action heroes’ impossible feats played out in a background of cinematic visual special effects, literary protagonists become ridiculously unbelievable. Dave Buschi has carefully avoided this trap. His prose is easily digestible, as he craftily accelerates the story’s pace to its exciting conclusion.
September 3, 2019
Cyber crime and so interesting!
April 22, 2020
A lot of the computer jargon was beyond me, so glad it could be lost in the excitement I was hooked on.
Great read.
Great read.
May 31, 2018
If you have ever really thought about the world that is computerized--ours--this book should resonate with you. Nothing is safe--nothing is sacred.
James Kolinski, a mild mannered IT guy in a very prestigious company that collects and saves data for almost everyone is overlooked for every promotion---then suddenly he realizes all his money is gone--credit cards do not work--nor do the ATM's. He needs gas to get home-----
His co worker sees him and convinces him to go back to the office-he was contemplating that anyway because he had some cash he had been collecting for his daughter's Brownie troop. Then they start looking and James has been set up--all his records at the company have been changed--AND he realizes that money is being siphoned off from every account everyway and sent somewhere else.
Will James be able to get to the bottom of this and clear his name and set those insidious back doors that someone has doctored back to normal--The really bad guys are out to kill both him and his family--can he protect them--
Who will prevail?
This book has me thinking and quaking in my sandals!!
The Back Door Man
James Kolinski, a mild mannered IT guy in a very prestigious company that collects and saves data for almost everyone is overlooked for every promotion---then suddenly he realizes all his money is gone--credit cards do not work--nor do the ATM's. He needs gas to get home-----
His co worker sees him and convinces him to go back to the office-he was contemplating that anyway because he had some cash he had been collecting for his daughter's Brownie troop. Then they start looking and James has been set up--all his records at the company have been changed--AND he realizes that money is being siphoned off from every account everyway and sent somewhere else.
Will James be able to get to the bottom of this and clear his name and set those insidious back doors that someone has doctored back to normal--The really bad guys are out to kill both him and his family--can he protect them--
Who will prevail?
This book has me thinking and quaking in my sandals!!
The Back Door Man
August 13, 2018
Repetitive, Inconsistent and Confusing
This book should be a thriller, but it doesn't deliver. It's hard to tell what he's trying to say because his phrasing is so clumsy, even incoherent at times. This is full of incorrectly used words, sentence fragments, misused commas, verb tense errors, spelling errors; and an instance where he notated a word with a trademark (TM) once, on the third or fourth mention of the word. The writing is very repetitive and annoying. The over-explaining of everything is distracting. This story does not flow. It's choppy. It was a good concept but not well executed. I liked the tech explanations. I enjoyed the references to Homer's Odyssey, and the Book of Job, because they fit in well and enhanced the story. The part about "what's meant to be" went in a good direction, but it needed smoothing out. I wish the main character's self-talk could have been more rational and more insightful. The author starts out with some kind of end-of-the-economy threat, but then focuses the plot around one man. The threat could have been more incorporated into what was happening to the people around him. I give it 2.5 stars.
This book should be a thriller, but it doesn't deliver. It's hard to tell what he's trying to say because his phrasing is so clumsy, even incoherent at times. This is full of incorrectly used words, sentence fragments, misused commas, verb tense errors, spelling errors; and an instance where he notated a word with a trademark (TM) once, on the third or fourth mention of the word. The writing is very repetitive and annoying. The over-explaining of everything is distracting. This story does not flow. It's choppy. It was a good concept but not well executed. I liked the tech explanations. I enjoyed the references to Homer's Odyssey, and the Book of Job, because they fit in well and enhanced the story. The part about "what's meant to be" went in a good direction, but it needed smoothing out. I wish the main character's self-talk could have been more rational and more insightful. The author starts out with some kind of end-of-the-economy threat, but then focuses the plot around one man. The threat could have been more incorporated into what was happening to the people around him. I give it 2.5 stars.
October 2, 2021
A generally good story, but bogged down by way too much back story and exposition. Also the techno-babble was far too detailed in parts.
I found a number of the scenes were unnecessary (the woman in the alley, to name one) and left me wondering several times if some of these characters would reappear at some point. They don’t provide any future plot points, but they do get mentioned in a ridiculously long summary near the end, in which the main character thinks about almost everything that’s happened to him throughout the book.
I found the ending wrapped up much too quickly. Ninety nine percent of the book takes place in 24 hours, but the last one percent was written in such a way as to make me think the author started writing it at 11 am with a deadline of noon.
Not the worst book I’ve ever read. Certainly not one of the best.
I found a number of the scenes were unnecessary (the woman in the alley, to name one) and left me wondering several times if some of these characters would reappear at some point. They don’t provide any future plot points, but they do get mentioned in a ridiculously long summary near the end, in which the main character thinks about almost everything that’s happened to him throughout the book.
I found the ending wrapped up much too quickly. Ninety nine percent of the book takes place in 24 hours, but the last one percent was written in such a way as to make me think the author started writing it at 11 am with a deadline of noon.
Not the worst book I’ve ever read. Certainly not one of the best.
January 6, 2018
This started out great with a scenario that I have often wondered about because our world is so dependent on technology. But it was the technology that finally had me just skimming through the book. Just too much if you aren’t that savvy. I will say aspects of the story were gripping and suspenseful and that’s what kept me from just putting the book down. Also, there was a lot of violence, intrigue and betrayal. I really don’t like reading about children being threatened with extreme violence, and it was hard to believe that an overweight, out of shape, 40 year old former college wrestler could all of a sudden become the guy who saved not only his family, but pretty much the whole world. The wife though was totally believable
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 8, 2018
A must read!
It’s not often I read a book that I want to tell everyone that they have to read it. But this is one of those books. The Back Door Man is a great story that captures a great everyman hero that has been beaten down in life and is set up to take the ultimate fall by The Man and evil cohorts. Taken advantage of, passed over for promotions, James is all of us working for the system, never seeming to get ahead no matter how many hours we work. They think they have an easy fall guy. They think they can simply erase him and his family. They have no idea of the real man they have messed with. James is that hero that blockbuster movies are made of. I miss reading this book already. Get this book. You will be happy you did.
It’s not often I read a book that I want to tell everyone that they have to read it. But this is one of those books. The Back Door Man is a great story that captures a great everyman hero that has been beaten down in life and is set up to take the ultimate fall by The Man and evil cohorts. Taken advantage of, passed over for promotions, James is all of us working for the system, never seeming to get ahead no matter how many hours we work. They think they have an easy fall guy. They think they can simply erase him and his family. They have no idea of the real man they have messed with. James is that hero that blockbuster movies are made of. I miss reading this book already. Get this book. You will be happy you did.
April 9, 2013
We all know how our modern financial industry is dependent on digital information transfer and secure emergency backup. This fast-paced engaging story describes a fictional scenario whereby that system is crippled by imaginative cyber attackers. Scary stuff!
March 16, 2015
Wow, THIS WAS INCREDIBLE!
I love books, but thrillers are not a top pick for me. I am SO glad I went out of my normal preference this time :)
This book definitely kicks butt!!! Very fast paced and satisfying :)
I love books, but thrillers are not a top pick for me. I am SO glad I went out of my normal preference this time :)
This book definitely kicks butt!!! Very fast paced and satisfying :)
March 26, 2015
Could not put it down. This is a fast-paced thriller that left me shaking. The only thing that slowed it down was the computer language, but I skipped over it and it didn't impair the story at all. Great read.
April 26, 2015
Great story, good read!
An interesting read as the cyber-Geek hero slowly morphs from Walter Mitty to James Bond, with a touch of Ulysses thrown in. The cyberspace setting is realistic and downright scary, and the action never flags. Highly recommend!
An interesting read as the cyber-Geek hero slowly morphs from Walter Mitty to James Bond, with a touch of Ulysses thrown in. The cyberspace setting is realistic and downright scary, and the action never flags. Highly recommend!
April 27, 2012
It could happen. Well written. Fast-paced ... read in 3 days.
September 23, 2012
Fast paced page turner. Great action thriller that makes you really wonder how safe our money really is!! might just start taking more interest in the TV ads selling gold!
March 21, 2015
Wonderful book.
This book was so interesting, I could hardly put it down. It made me hold my breath, wondering how the hero was going to pull it off g
This book was so interesting, I could hardly put it down. It made me hold my breath, wondering how the hero was going to pull it off g
Displaying 1 - 30 of 239 reviews