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Candidate Z: A Thriller
Once the leader of an elite team of cyber-crime investigators, Hunter Lambert was among the FBI’s best and brightest—until unspeakable tragedy left her career and life in ruins. Now she works as a private security consultant, hiring her skills out to the highest bidder while seeking out clues in secret to expose the conspiracy that led to her downfall. After a high-profile assignment goes sideways with deadly consequences, Hunter is approached by a shadowy figure with an intriguing Find out who’s trying to kill him, and he’ll use his vast resources to help her get justice once and for all. The job won’t be easy, though. That’s because the client is Brad Zorne—a Silicon Valley billionaire with a list of enemies both long and powerful. Making matters even more dangerous, Zorne isn’t just running for his life. He’s also running for President of the United States. Praise for Marc D. Giller’s books “Giller. . .hits all the right chords for genre breakneck action, high-tech inventiveness, and a compelling protagonist. A winning blend of crime-noel motifs and computer technology.” --Booklist “Some nice, noirish twists and one badass female character I wish I’d invented myself… Marc Giller certainly knows how to write.” --Richard K. Morgan, Author or ALTERED CARBON ““Strongly styled… Really cleans up your neural-imaging system with radiant tensile energy.” --Kirkus Review “Action-packed [with] cinematic crackle and a crisp pace… Giller consistently entertains.” --Publisher’s Weekly
285 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 13, 2020
72 people are currently reading
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
September 3, 2020
Candidate Z by Marc D. Giller
I approached this book with mixed feelings. It is set in a field that I know a fair bit about and I am used to books in this area being done horribly, horribly wrong. Well, I need not have been too concerned there. Giller has done a generally decent job with the cybersecurity aspects of the book. He bent the truth when the narrative needed it but that is wholly reasonable. It is a thriller, not a manual.
The plot moves along at a fast pace without feeling hurried – and I read the last 80 pages or so without allowing anything to interrupt. It is certainly a page turner. There was one comparison that kept coming to mind over and over as I read the book. It read a LOT like a Dan Brown thriller but Giller is a much better writer than Brown. The characters in Candidate Z are better fleshed out and more believable. Are they a little over the top? A bit but I could forgive that. The research was better than Brown’s. The plot was tighter. The writing was better overall.
In short, if you like Dan Brown but wish that Brown was a better writer, I think that you will enjoy Mr Giller’s book very much. I am no fan of the author’s politics but he has written a damn good book here.
I approached this book with mixed feelings. It is set in a field that I know a fair bit about and I am used to books in this area being done horribly, horribly wrong. Well, I need not have been too concerned there. Giller has done a generally decent job with the cybersecurity aspects of the book. He bent the truth when the narrative needed it but that is wholly reasonable. It is a thriller, not a manual.
The plot moves along at a fast pace without feeling hurried – and I read the last 80 pages or so without allowing anything to interrupt. It is certainly a page turner. There was one comparison that kept coming to mind over and over as I read the book. It read a LOT like a Dan Brown thriller but Giller is a much better writer than Brown. The characters in Candidate Z are better fleshed out and more believable. Are they a little over the top? A bit but I could forgive that. The research was better than Brown’s. The plot was tighter. The writing was better overall.
In short, if you like Dan Brown but wish that Brown was a better writer, I think that you will enjoy Mr Giller’s book very much. I am no fan of the author’s politics but he has written a damn good book here.
January 9, 2021
I read this book for BookTasters. 2.9 stars from me. I'd like to give this book 3 stars, but no, too many ... lacks.
First of all, okay, I don't really understand politics – even for my own country's politics – and I don't know almost anything about AI neither. So, all the uneasiness I felt when I read this book might just because of my less of knowledge, but I'll try to keep as logical as possible towards this review.
Of course, I like the AI things, because I don't understand it at all but I have quite an interest toward it. I can learn more about AI here, but there just not enough research of it. It would be more great if the research went more detailed, or you elaborate/explain it more. I would give this book 3 or even 4 stars by then.
I like the twist at the end. Honestly, I didn't expect something like that as the ending. It might be because I was bored for almost the whole reading that I didn't even expect it.
One thing for sure, I don't like Hunter Lambert at all. She's way too emotional for a (former) FBI agent. I know she went through hard time with her former team, but why should she be too emotional like that now?
As a person who can't ignore the writing, I can't help but bothered that I didn't see the page numbers at all. I couldn't know which page I read if it wasn't for the PDF reader's help. The paragraphs were justified, alright, but it was disorganised. There are too many incorrect words that I can't tolerate those anymore. It can be 3 or more stars if it wasn't for these mistake.
But above all those, I'd like to thanks Marc for writing this book. Thank you. At the very least, this book is one of many things that helps me erased my "phobia" – it wasn't really a phobia, but kinda similar – through politics.
First of all, okay, I don't really understand politics – even for my own country's politics – and I don't know almost anything about AI neither. So, all the uneasiness I felt when I read this book might just because of my less of knowledge, but I'll try to keep as logical as possible towards this review.
Of course, I like the AI things, because I don't understand it at all but I have quite an interest toward it. I can learn more about AI here, but there just not enough research of it. It would be more great if the research went more detailed, or you elaborate/explain it more. I would give this book 3 or even 4 stars by then.
I like the twist at the end. Honestly, I didn't expect something like that as the ending. It might be because I was bored for almost the whole reading that I didn't even expect it.
One thing for sure, I don't like Hunter Lambert at all. She's way too emotional for a (former) FBI agent. I know she went through hard time with her former team, but why should she be too emotional like that now?
As a person who can't ignore the writing, I can't help but bothered that I didn't see the page numbers at all. I couldn't know which page I read if it wasn't for the PDF reader's help. The paragraphs were justified, alright, but it was disorganised. There are too many incorrect words that I can't tolerate those anymore. It can be 3 or more stars if it wasn't for these mistake.
But above all those, I'd like to thanks Marc for writing this book. Thank you. At the very least, this book is one of many things that helps me erased my "phobia" – it wasn't really a phobia, but kinda similar – through politics.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 17, 2020
3.5/5
This book gave me some much-needed action thrill. It was surprisingly comfortable to read and the theme of cop haunted by a past was well-done.
Hunter was such a badass heroine and reminded me of almost every other female FBI I had ever seen on TV and that made the book even more enjoyable. Although I was kind of getting frustrated with the lack of information about her in the first few chapters, it was corrected in the later with some amazing action-packed twist.
Coming to the plot. I would say that it was kind of predictable but I kept wondering for a long time as to who's the good guy and who's the bad one. Half of the time, there was an ominous vibe with the feeling of something bad around the corner and it was so worth it.
The writing was the best part of it all. The emotions, descriptions and the vivid surroundings made the entire story play like a movie in the head. I was fully occupied by Hunter's story although I did feel that a major chunk of the story wasn't really necessary (the daily routines of characters being one for example). However, the author managed to capture every aspect very nicely and the end was a good shot.
I received a copy of this book from the author and booktasters in exchange for an honest review.
This book gave me some much-needed action thrill. It was surprisingly comfortable to read and the theme of cop haunted by a past was well-done.
Hunter was such a badass heroine and reminded me of almost every other female FBI I had ever seen on TV and that made the book even more enjoyable. Although I was kind of getting frustrated with the lack of information about her in the first few chapters, it was corrected in the later with some amazing action-packed twist.
Coming to the plot. I would say that it was kind of predictable but I kept wondering for a long time as to who's the good guy and who's the bad one. Half of the time, there was an ominous vibe with the feeling of something bad around the corner and it was so worth it.
The writing was the best part of it all. The emotions, descriptions and the vivid surroundings made the entire story play like a movie in the head. I was fully occupied by Hunter's story although I did feel that a major chunk of the story wasn't really necessary (the daily routines of characters being one for example). However, the author managed to capture every aspect very nicely and the end was a good shot.
I received a copy of this book from the author and booktasters in exchange for an honest review.
November 17, 2021
I got this book from Booktaster a while ago, and though I spent quite some time to read it due to my busy schedule, I never regretted picking this book.
To put it simply, Candidate Z feels like a movie put into words. The narration flows so smoothly that I don't have any struggle coming up with the pictures in my mind, even in complicated action parts. True, at some parts I had to reread a few times because of the technical language used (sorry, not a tech-savvy here). In the beginning I also thought that Hunter Lambert is way too knowledgeable and can do anything without much trouble, which is not a good thing for your protagonists. But as the story unfolds, this has not been proven.
The plot, though not unconventional, combines several known topics in such a way that it's enjoyable, not redundant. It puts you at the edge of the seat since the beginning. Great job for the author!
To put it simply, Candidate Z feels like a movie put into words. The narration flows so smoothly that I don't have any struggle coming up with the pictures in my mind, even in complicated action parts. True, at some parts I had to reread a few times because of the technical language used (sorry, not a tech-savvy here). In the beginning I also thought that Hunter Lambert is way too knowledgeable and can do anything without much trouble, which is not a good thing for your protagonists. But as the story unfolds, this has not been proven.
The plot, though not unconventional, combines several known topics in such a way that it's enjoyable, not redundant. It puts you at the edge of the seat since the beginning. Great job for the author!
Read
September 14, 2020Hunter Lambert is an ex FBI agent who now freelances as a private security consultant. She is approached by Steve Armand who works for presidential candidate; Brad Zorne; who also doubles as the owner of a Global social media platform, "Friendle."
An assassination attempt has been tried on his life, and so he employs Hunter Lambert to help him uncover the culprit.
Honestly, this is one of the best thrillers i have had the fortune of reading in a while!
The author has a very unique way with words, coupled with an exciting blend of plot twists to create just the perfect masterpiece. Well done! Really looking forward to book two!
An assassination attempt has been tried on his life, and so he employs Hunter Lambert to help him uncover the culprit.
Honestly, this is one of the best thrillers i have had the fortune of reading in a while!
The author has a very unique way with words, coupled with an exciting blend of plot twists to create just the perfect masterpiece. Well done! Really looking forward to book two!
December 19, 2020
This is a high tech, action packed, political thriller. Hunter Lambart reminded me of a female version of Ethan Hunt. The writing is very vivid with action sequences and detailed descriptions of thoughts, analysis, and surroundings. This story kept me on the edge, when I thought the story is over and we found all the answers, it took a different route. Sometimes I felt there’s something more to the plot that would be reveal in the end; especially the details and the conversations with Cassie made me think that she had to be in a high-tech environment, probably like the Stevens from Source Code. This is a very entertaining read. Felt like I watched a mission impossible movie.
January 1, 2021
Hunter,an ex FBI agent is head hunted by a billionaire running for presidency in the US.She is known for her badass skills as a 'sifter',she can smell a trail anywhere on the web.Her acceptance of their job offer puts them at ease as they know what she's capable of and they readily welcome her.
What she is not aware of is that she was set up from the onset.
Very easy going reading thriller that will keep you hooked from page one.
What she is not aware of is that she was set up from the onset.
Very easy going reading thriller that will keep you hooked from page one.
October 14, 2020
An amazing political thriller! Marc D. Giller reminded me to James Patterson - of whom I am a huge fan of his writing. The thrill and twists in the book are the masterpieces and well written. Appreciation to the author. Marc’s writing has made imagination and impossible look so real that it was a book/story to be read quickly. Definitely a must read if you like political background stories.
November 19, 2022
Candidate WSOD
Willing Suspension Of Disbelief … WSOD … we do it when we watch movies or read books like this. It’s all enjoyable as long as you remember it isn’t real and it isn’t possible. But one day will it be??? That will keep you thinking and dreaming long after you finish this story.
Willing Suspension Of Disbelief … WSOD … we do it when we watch movies or read books like this. It’s all enjoyable as long as you remember it isn’t real and it isn’t possible. But one day will it be??? That will keep you thinking and dreaming long after you finish this story.
January 11, 2024
I thought this was a dramatic thriller, action-packed with a lot going on. My issue was that I couldn't really bring myself to connect with or care about any of the characters, and so, as a result, I didn't feel too invested in the story. I finished it, and I thought it was okay, just not my favourite flavour of thriller, if you like.
January 30, 2021
This was not a bad book. It was ok, not my type of reading, but it was still ok. The editing of the book was not good. I gave it three stars because although I felt like it could have been faster-paced, it doesn't mean it was not enjoyable.
February 27, 2021
Great read if youre into fast paced action. Hunter is a great protagonist that faces her fair share of challenges but you'll find yourself cheering her on as she tries to protect high profile CEO Brad whos also running for POTUS. If you like Tom Clancy, you'll love this book.
August 8, 2022
Smart, fantastic political-techno thriller
This is one of the few political thrillers I've read with characters with fully fleshed out personalities. Some editing errors but it doesn't detract from the whole story. Better than a lot of generic standard NYT best sellers I've read.
This is one of the few political thrillers I've read with characters with fully fleshed out personalities. Some editing errors but it doesn't detract from the whole story. Better than a lot of generic standard NYT best sellers I've read.
November 25, 2022
Virtually impossible to put it down!!!
Virtual reality is a nebulous concept fraught with larger than life personalities and even stranger plot twists and even not so artificial...intelligence!!!
Virtual reality is a nebulous concept fraught with larger than life personalities and even stranger plot twists and even not so artificial...intelligence!!!
October 27, 2024
Good read
Way out there and definitely a fantasy! Definitely needs a good editor and proofreader…..the grammatical, spelling and improper wording took a great deal away from the story and was incredibly frustrating!
Way out there and definitely a fantasy! Definitely needs a good editor and proofreader…..the grammatical, spelling and improper wording took a great deal away from the story and was incredibly frustrating!
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews