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Deadly Inception
When Ash, a British spy, sets a trap for enemies thousands of miles away he unleashes conflict, and danger on his doorstep. Caught in the back draught is Maggie, an Airforce drone pilot with a fearful inheritance.As their English village becomes a deadly arena, they are up against a highly networked global billionaire marketing war drones, data and AI to control populations.Fate has placed Ash and Maggie in a position to challenge. But that means a contest without rules, with the odds against them already predicted…..
457 pages, Paperback
Published March 28, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
May 2, 2024
Deadly Inception is a fast-paced thriller set against a backdrop of electronic warfare, espionage and corruption. Among other things, the novel addresses ethical issues raised by drone warfare – and the massive concentration of capital that has allowed billionaires to exercise disproportionate influence over the development of technology.
The author has an eye for technical detail: a drone launched from a submarine ‘will identify a target, from its profile, even the unique engine noise, send back the exact location speed and bearing [and] illuminate it to guide a torpedo’. Some new types of drone function effectively as ‘assassination tools’. The entire hull of a battleship can serve as a listening device: ‘from the cacophony of the ocean [sifting] for sounds that could only be machine made.’
Chapters have cliff-hanger endings, the plot is leavened with unexpected twists and the narrative style is lively throughout. The hero’s nemesis favours him with ‘a cobra eyed look of hate’; the passenger in a Ferrari is a young woman in a short skirt ‘whose scarlet lips matched the car perfectly’.
A thoughtful and entertaining yarn.
The author has an eye for technical detail: a drone launched from a submarine ‘will identify a target, from its profile, even the unique engine noise, send back the exact location speed and bearing [and] illuminate it to guide a torpedo’. Some new types of drone function effectively as ‘assassination tools’. The entire hull of a battleship can serve as a listening device: ‘from the cacophony of the ocean [sifting] for sounds that could only be machine made.’
Chapters have cliff-hanger endings, the plot is leavened with unexpected twists and the narrative style is lively throughout. The hero’s nemesis favours him with ‘a cobra eyed look of hate’; the passenger in a Ferrari is a young woman in a short skirt ‘whose scarlet lips matched the car perfectly’.
A thoughtful and entertaining yarn.
November 28, 2024
Right from the start the reader knows they are in good hands. The writing is sharp, witty and intelligent with a strong spy plot that keeps you turning pages. It's obvious that Dawes knows his stuff. He has done his research into AI and drone technology and has a good grasp (first hand maybe as he was a BBC correspondent) of the Middle East setting. But this research never weighs down the pace. It's a good chunk of a read but still keeps you wanting more. There's potential here for a series. I'll be keeping my eyes out for the next one.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews