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":05-Seconds to Die"
A hard-nosed private investigator learns from a former movie star of a plot to take down humanity for greed and profit. P-I Casey Order teams with Ginger Queen and the pair are charged with foiling the plot of a coalition of brutal criminal gangs. With the world’s premier sporting event set to take place in Los Angeles, the criminals plan to execute a massive hack that could devastate economies and wreak havoc across nations. With the help of various law enforcement agencies, their own wits, some strategically placed friends and a lot of luck, can Order and Queen survive?
Filled with relentless action, sharp dialogue, and unexpected camaraderie, “5 Seconds to Die” is an adrenaline-fueled journey that explores the lengths two unlikely heroes will go to protect the world. The clock is ticking—are you ready to hold your breath until the final second?
“Bob Brill has truly crafted an international thriller that reads like a fast-paced movie. “5 Seconds to Die” is a rapidly moving, film noir-style story set in Hollywood. No matter what genre you love, you are in for the thrill (and the chase) of a lifetime in “:05 Seconds to Die.” -Edward Gusts Film Producer The Magpie film company
“Trust a radio reporter to know that seconds count -- especially in this atmospheric noir featuring a PI, a moll, feds, and cartels galore.” -Jonathan Handel Entertainment Reporter
Bob Brill is an award-winning author, writer, radio broadcaster, newsman and filmmaker. He’s written more than a dozen published books, made several short films, written two dozen screenplays, and produced a feature-length documentary.
Filled with relentless action, sharp dialogue, and unexpected camaraderie, “5 Seconds to Die” is an adrenaline-fueled journey that explores the lengths two unlikely heroes will go to protect the world. The clock is ticking—are you ready to hold your breath until the final second?
“Bob Brill has truly crafted an international thriller that reads like a fast-paced movie. “5 Seconds to Die” is a rapidly moving, film noir-style story set in Hollywood. No matter what genre you love, you are in for the thrill (and the chase) of a lifetime in “:05 Seconds to Die.” -Edward Gusts Film Producer The Magpie film company
“Trust a radio reporter to know that seconds count -- especially in this atmospheric noir featuring a PI, a moll, feds, and cartels galore.” -Jonathan Handel Entertainment Reporter
Bob Brill is an award-winning author, writer, radio broadcaster, newsman and filmmaker. He’s written more than a dozen published books, made several short films, written two dozen screenplays, and produced a feature-length documentary.
172 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 25, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
July 8, 2026
:05 Seconds to Die by Bob Brill is a fast, cheeky, old-school private-eye thriller with a modern cybercrime premise and the swagger of a Hollywood action caper. The novel follows Casey Order, a private investigator and former reporter whose life is thrown into chaos when fading actress Ginger Queen approaches him with information about a massive criminal plot involving Armenian mob boss Gerry Artimian, hacker Taco Miller, global crime syndicates, and an $80 billion cyber-heist targeting the Summer Games.
The book’s biggest strength is its voice. Author Casey narrates with a wisecracking, self-aware, noir-adjacent style that constantly nods to old detective fiction, classic Hollywood, spy thrillers, mob movies, and pulp adventure. The tone is deliberately broad and playful with car chases, burner phones, secret meetings, FBI contacts, mob bosses, assassins, hackers, international escapes, and sudden comic asides all sitting side by side. Author Brill clearly enjoys the genre, and that enjoyment gives the novel its energy.
Ginger Queen is one of the more memorable parts of the book. She begins as the glamorous, dangerous client figure, but gradually becomes more than a femme-fatale device. Her faded Hollywood past, vulnerability, courage, and sharp survival instincts give the story an emotional centre beneath the escalating cyber-conspiracy. Casey and Ginger’s dynamic is flirtatious, messy, funny, and occasionally surprisingly tender, especially as the plot moves from Los Angeles to Europe and back.
The thriller plot is intentionally big, almost cinematic in its scale. Artimian’s criminal coalition brings together multiple gangs, hackers, mobsters, and international players, while the stolen flash drive becomes the key to preventing a catastrophic attack. The final stretch, where Rigo and the cyber team race against time and stop the plot with only five seconds left, is wonderfully over-the-top in the best action-thriller tradition.
That said, the novel is not a subtle read. The humour can be brash, the dialogue occasionally exaggerated, and some character descriptions and cultural shorthand may feel dated or blunt to contemporary readers. The pacing is also very episodic, with the story moving from one set-piece to another at high speed. Readers looking for a tightly realistic techno-thriller may find the tone too pulpy, but readers who enjoy action-heavy, wisecracking crime fiction will likely have fun with it.
Overall, :05 Seconds to Die is an entertaining, fast-moving cyber-noir caper that blends private-eye fiction, Hollywood satire, mob thriller, international chase, and digital-age conspiracy. It is loud, funny, chaotic, and proudly cinematic, basically the kind of book that reads as if it already has one eye on the screen.
The book’s biggest strength is its voice. Author Casey narrates with a wisecracking, self-aware, noir-adjacent style that constantly nods to old detective fiction, classic Hollywood, spy thrillers, mob movies, and pulp adventure. The tone is deliberately broad and playful with car chases, burner phones, secret meetings, FBI contacts, mob bosses, assassins, hackers, international escapes, and sudden comic asides all sitting side by side. Author Brill clearly enjoys the genre, and that enjoyment gives the novel its energy.
Ginger Queen is one of the more memorable parts of the book. She begins as the glamorous, dangerous client figure, but gradually becomes more than a femme-fatale device. Her faded Hollywood past, vulnerability, courage, and sharp survival instincts give the story an emotional centre beneath the escalating cyber-conspiracy. Casey and Ginger’s dynamic is flirtatious, messy, funny, and occasionally surprisingly tender, especially as the plot moves from Los Angeles to Europe and back.
The thriller plot is intentionally big, almost cinematic in its scale. Artimian’s criminal coalition brings together multiple gangs, hackers, mobsters, and international players, while the stolen flash drive becomes the key to preventing a catastrophic attack. The final stretch, where Rigo and the cyber team race against time and stop the plot with only five seconds left, is wonderfully over-the-top in the best action-thriller tradition.
That said, the novel is not a subtle read. The humour can be brash, the dialogue occasionally exaggerated, and some character descriptions and cultural shorthand may feel dated or blunt to contemporary readers. The pacing is also very episodic, with the story moving from one set-piece to another at high speed. Readers looking for a tightly realistic techno-thriller may find the tone too pulpy, but readers who enjoy action-heavy, wisecracking crime fiction will likely have fun with it.
Overall, :05 Seconds to Die is an entertaining, fast-moving cyber-noir caper that blends private-eye fiction, Hollywood satire, mob thriller, international chase, and digital-age conspiracy. It is loud, funny, chaotic, and proudly cinematic, basically the kind of book that reads as if it already has one eye on the screen.
June 5, 2025
Bob Brill's “:05-Seconds to Die” is a pulse-pounding thriller that grabs your attention from the start. The story centers around Casey Order, a former reporter turned private investigator, and Ginger Queen, a former movie star. Ginger confides in Casey that she has been romantically involved with Gerry Artimian—a notorious mob boss—for the past two years. Artimian is one of the most ruthless Armenian gang leaders in the nation.
According to Ginger, several of the world’s most dangerous criminal syndicates are coming together, planning to use advanced technology to orchestrate a major heist during the summer games. Artimian is involved in everything from drug trafficking and prostitution to murder, loan sharking, and laundering millions of dollars.
To navigate this dangerous world, Casey seeks help from Rigo Rodriguez, a young tech whiz. Rigo told him about Taco Miller, the legendary hacker known as the "God of all hackers." When Casey infiltrates Artimian’s organization as the head of planning and transportation, he discovers that Taco Miller is the mastermind behind the tech side of the operation. The scheme? To siphon off $80 billion by hacking into the credit card or other devices transactions of unsuspecting spectators—every time someone buys a ticket, souvenir, bottle of water, or beer.
This story had me on edge the entire time. With every chapter, my anticipation grew—I couldn't wait to see what happened next. The book’s cover is striking and well-designed, and I thoroughly enjoyed the dynamic between Casey and Ginger. The atmosphere is taut with tension, and the backdrop setting is well done.
According to Ginger, several of the world’s most dangerous criminal syndicates are coming together, planning to use advanced technology to orchestrate a major heist during the summer games. Artimian is involved in everything from drug trafficking and prostitution to murder, loan sharking, and laundering millions of dollars.
To navigate this dangerous world, Casey seeks help from Rigo Rodriguez, a young tech whiz. Rigo told him about Taco Miller, the legendary hacker known as the "God of all hackers." When Casey infiltrates Artimian’s organization as the head of planning and transportation, he discovers that Taco Miller is the mastermind behind the tech side of the operation. The scheme? To siphon off $80 billion by hacking into the credit card or other devices transactions of unsuspecting spectators—every time someone buys a ticket, souvenir, bottle of water, or beer.
This story had me on edge the entire time. With every chapter, my anticipation grew—I couldn't wait to see what happened next. The book’s cover is striking and well-designed, and I thoroughly enjoyed the dynamic between Casey and Ginger. The atmosphere is taut with tension, and the backdrop setting is well done.
March 30, 2025
05 Seconds to Die by Bob Brill is a quick detective crime fiction read. It has plenty of humor, edge, suspense, and danger to keep readers coming back. After reading this book, I can see why readers beg for another read by this talented writer. Instantly, the main characters, Casey Order (PI) and the famous actress, Ginger Queen make quite a pair. It has a bit of a Pink Panther vibe to the story which I loved. But it spirals head first into mystery, action, and danger. Ginger Queen seeks Casey Order's help in bringing down the crime. 05 Seconds to Die also reminds me of Hercule Poirot in some ways. It is hard to read this book without dying of laughter and wondering in suspense as to what will happen next. I enjoyed these character, the plot, and awesome dialogue. It felt so real. Bob Brill is definitely a writer one wants to add to their favorite writers' list.
I received this copy from the publisher. This is my voluntary review.
I received this copy from the publisher. This is my voluntary review.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews