Random Access

by Douglas Wynne

The most secret door on the web. He wanted access.
Careful what you wish for.

Dave Shoemaker was just a child when he discovered he could escape his abusive home life through immersion in his favorite video game. Now, after countless hours spent exploring that open world, he's become obsessed with a rumor about a secret cabal of hackers known as the Black Flock—gatekeepers of the most secret door in cyberspace. Dave wants access to the digital utopia they've allegedly built and will risk anything to get it.

When someone slips a thumb drive into his pocket at a rave, he dares to dream that his prayers have been answered. Is the Black Flock behind it? And if so, who is behind them? By the time Dave realizes they’re hacking more than computers, it may be too late to quit the game.

Random Access is a prequel novella that sets the stage for the full length novel His Own Devices.

100 pages, ebook

Published December 12, 2020

About the author

Douglas Wynne is the author the horror thrillers The Devil of Echo Lake, His Own Devices, and the SPECTRA Files trilogy. His short fiction has appeared in numerous anthologies and his writing workshops have been featured at genre conventions and schools throughout New England. He lives in Massachusetts with his wife and son and a houseful of animals.

Reviews

[Bandit · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don’t know why this only has one review. Well, now at least there will be two. Wynne has long been one of my favorite indie authors. The man has the IT factor, that organic storytelling quality. Wynne doesn’t lock himself in a genre either, he hops around like a talented writer-bunny with a penchant for dark fiction. This time he hops right into the techno-thriller territory. Far from my favorite, but for Wynne, I followed and ended up being delighted, excited and all those things you get from a good read.
I never thought I’d enjoy a book about video games. I certainly didn’t enjoy the overrated nostalgia-steeped pile of doodoo that Player One was. But this was good. Fresh, authentic, thrilling good fun. The story follows a 20-year-old gamer down on the outs who gets invited to be a paid tester for a mysterious (and as it turns out sinister, because aren’t they all) organization. It immerses you like a good video game would, I’d imagine, highly detailed and dimensional reality, strong engaging characters, intriguing plot. So much to enjoy.
This is actually a prequel novella for Wynne’s proper length latest novel. And yes, that one is also a techno-thriller. But hey, in for a penny. Plus, the prequel this good, this promising, is the most auspicious invitation. And some invitations, like the protagonist of this story learns, take one so much further than they ever expected. Recommended.

This and more at https://advancetheplot.weebly.com/

[Gail Cook · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn’t sure what to expect at the start of this story and almost gave up on it as it seemed to be full of teens speak that I have long since lost touch with. There was also a rave and drugs mentioned which again I am too old to understand the attraction of.
However I persevered with it and am very glad that I did as this book suddenly drew me in. I found myself willing Dave to first get out of his friend Rahul’s house and then not to accept the random invitation from the thumbstick.
If this is all double dutch to you I assure you that it was to me at first but believe me when I say that after a slow start it gets much better.
Douglas Wynne, the author, writes in a very descriptive style so that his readers can visualise the scenes that he describes as if they are there with the characters.
I now find that I am looking forward to reading the next instalment of Rainbow Dave in “His own devices”.

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dave’s life as a child wasn’t very good. So he escaped through video games. He soon became a part of all of this. Unfortunately not realizing the dangers before it’s too late, will he be able to escape unharmed. A great beginning to a new series.