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Hack: A Nik Byron Investigation
1st place award in the 2023 Feathered Quill Book Awards, Mystery/Suspense category
When a top secret and powerful US surveillance technology is stolen and offered for sale on the black market, an exiled reporter races to expose the theft and untangle the plot—before the story is spiked, and he is silenced for good.
Coming off a successful investigation into a major banking scandal, Newshound reporter Nik Byron arrives in Washington, DC, with high hopes for his career. But a disruptive corporate merger and a vengeful boss quickly dash his plans. Relegated to scut work and the graveyard shift, Nik’s career and emotions are in a tailspin. That is, until a late-night explosion levels a high-tech office park—home to some of the nation’s top clandestine programs—and provides Nik with an opportunity to reverse his fortunes. As Nik tries to unravel the mystery at the heart of the explosion, he suddenly finds himself confronting domestic terrorists, rogue American and Chinese spies, mercenaries, and a brilliant but temperamental computer expert.
With the help of a small team of colleagues and his new girlfriend, Samantha Whyte—the chief investigator for the Northern Virginia Sheriff’s Department, who has her own secrets to conceal—Nik follows a bloody trail of bodies from DC to the upper Midwest. But as word gets out that what he has dug up threatens to expose the theft of highly sensitive US technology, now being sold to terrorists and repressive regimes, new enemies close in. How far is Nik willing to go for a story, and how much is he willing to risk to reveal the truth?
When a top secret and powerful US surveillance technology is stolen and offered for sale on the black market, an exiled reporter races to expose the theft and untangle the plot—before the story is spiked, and he is silenced for good.
Coming off a successful investigation into a major banking scandal, Newshound reporter Nik Byron arrives in Washington, DC, with high hopes for his career. But a disruptive corporate merger and a vengeful boss quickly dash his plans. Relegated to scut work and the graveyard shift, Nik’s career and emotions are in a tailspin. That is, until a late-night explosion levels a high-tech office park—home to some of the nation’s top clandestine programs—and provides Nik with an opportunity to reverse his fortunes. As Nik tries to unravel the mystery at the heart of the explosion, he suddenly finds himself confronting domestic terrorists, rogue American and Chinese spies, mercenaries, and a brilliant but temperamental computer expert.
With the help of a small team of colleagues and his new girlfriend, Samantha Whyte—the chief investigator for the Northern Virginia Sheriff’s Department, who has her own secrets to conceal—Nik follows a bloody trail of bodies from DC to the upper Midwest. But as word gets out that what he has dug up threatens to expose the theft of highly sensitive US technology, now being sold to terrorists and repressive regimes, new enemies close in. How far is Nik willing to go for a story, and how much is he willing to risk to reveal the truth?
276 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 12, 2022
27 people are currently reading
1755 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
June 18, 2022
A sudden explosion has Newshound Reported Nick Byron on the case. He finds himself up against terrorists, American and Chinese spies, mercenaries and a brilliant computer expert.
A good try for this debut novel. Its action packed and extremely fast paced. I would have liked if it slowed downed a bit as there were a wide set of characters and often found myself a bit lost.
Overall a really good plot, one that I think many will enjoy.
Thank you Netgalley and OrangeSky Audio for this ARC.
A good try for this debut novel. Its action packed and extremely fast paced. I would have liked if it slowed downed a bit as there were a wide set of characters and often found myself a bit lost.
Overall a really good plot, one that I think many will enjoy.
Thank you Netgalley and OrangeSky Audio for this ARC.
July 25, 2022
In this fun and fast-paced thriller, veteran reporter Nik Byron defies his boss and investigates a Washington D.C. bombing that immerses him in a tangle of nefarious characters, political agendas, and cyber crime. Journo geeks will appreciate the challenges of traditional news types adapting to an online, 24-hour news cycle in an era where the morning paper is always a step behind and where podcasting is taking on a life of its own. Still, the story is everything and Nik goes for it with a vengeance.
Pawlosky has gifted his protagonist with guts, grit, smarts, and self-awareness, making Nik a likable and relatable character. The author has a keen sense for detail which gives us clear glimpses of Nik's life on many levels in his interactions with his colleagues, his ex, a new girlfriend, and his sources. With Hack, Pawlosky's Nik Byron joins the ranks of the genre's other quirky and beloved investigators. Besides, who doesn't love a guy with a dog?
Pawlosky has gifted his protagonist with guts, grit, smarts, and self-awareness, making Nik a likable and relatable character. The author has a keen sense for detail which gives us clear glimpses of Nik's life on many levels in his interactions with his colleagues, his ex, a new girlfriend, and his sources. With Hack, Pawlosky's Nik Byron joins the ranks of the genre's other quirky and beloved investigators. Besides, who doesn't love a guy with a dog?
June 23, 2022
This is a story about a reporter who stumbles onto a big story about an explosion at a top secret DoD contractor. It was a fast moving story that did occasionally have some abruptness. At times the story did jump around a lot. I liked that there was a lot of action and things kept happening. I do think that with another edit this story could have been 5 stars! As it stand, I would recommend it to folks looking for a thriller. The story was such that I continued listening because I wanted to know how it would resolve. The resolution was okay. I will give this book 3.5 stars and round up to 4.
I'd like to thank OrangeSky Audio and NetGalley for this free advanced audiobook in exchange for my honest review.
#HackAudiobook #NetGalley #OrangeSkyAudio
I'd like to thank OrangeSky Audio and NetGalley for this free advanced audiobook in exchange for my honest review.
#HackAudiobook #NetGalley #OrangeSkyAudio
July 5, 2022
This one starts with an explosion and the intrepid reporter who stumbles on a story no one else is reporting. His editor is furious he stays with the story but once he is on to a story he is not letting go and this is a big one. This was a government building or at least housed some government people and appeared the explosion was set off to eliminate them. Militia are involved and crimes are committed across several states before it finally wraps back around to D.C. This was fast paced with some hiccups along the way but overall I didn't want to put it down.
**Received this ARC in audio from the publisher for review via NetGalley**
**Received this ARC in audio from the publisher for review via NetGalley**
July 15, 2022
A very topical novel which will resonate with many who worry about data protection and privacy and just what risks we take when going on line. Nik Byron is a terrific protagonist with enough flaws and misfortune to make him both credible and sympathetic. Pay attention to some of the other characters, too - Samantha is a fascinating creation with a lot more to her than first meets the eye.
March 28, 2022
Very good first novel. I'm often leery of an author's first go, but this was engaging, and included interesting dialog delivered by characters I enjoyed. I bet the thriller fans that pick this up will like it too. Recommended.
Thanks very much for the free ARC for review!!
Thanks very much for the free ARC for review!!
June 26, 2022
3.5 stars, RTC!
July 12, 2022
I usually don't read much fiction but if I do, its usually among this genre. I really loved this book! Mark's writing style great, the characters and evolution of the story is great, and I found myself going deeper and deeper when I should have been going to bed. I think there might be more in this series, I'm looking forward to them...
November 14, 2022
Very interesting techno-spy thriller. Lots of “F” words (unnecessary for plot development). But the narrator’s performance almost obfuscated that glitch in the plot and I thoroughly enjoyable the storyline. 3-1/2 ⭐️⭐️⭐️🔅
September 7, 2022
An easy fast read. A bit disjointed and a soft ending like it was a movie.
November 2, 2022
A mildly interesting book with some inconsistencies that detract from the story. The writing quality is good enough to make the book readable but the plot is a bit thin. Good for passing some time.
July 31, 2023
A good start to what might be a great series.
After the suspicious explosion in a building that housed government contractors, journalist Nik Byron takes the initiative to investigate. The demolished building was home to a company responsible for some new antiterrorism software whose founder has a contentious relationship with government officials. In the course of his investigation, which his boss has told him unequivocally NOT to pursue, Nik finds himself dealing with a host of characters, both good and bad, that might just bring about his demise. Add to that an ex he still has ties with as well as a budding new romance and you've got one heck of a story to dive into.
I really enjoyed this one. Nik, flaws and all, is a likeable character you can't help root for. He's well rounded and intelligent with a come what may attitude. The rest of the cast of characters are intriguing as well. The fast paced story is well written with an easy and concise style that is hard to put down. I highly recommend this one and can't wait to find out what trouble Nik gets himself into next.
Thank you to the author and Wiley Saichek (Saichek Publicity) for the gifted copy for me to read, review and enjoy.
After the suspicious explosion in a building that housed government contractors, journalist Nik Byron takes the initiative to investigate. The demolished building was home to a company responsible for some new antiterrorism software whose founder has a contentious relationship with government officials. In the course of his investigation, which his boss has told him unequivocally NOT to pursue, Nik finds himself dealing with a host of characters, both good and bad, that might just bring about his demise. Add to that an ex he still has ties with as well as a budding new romance and you've got one heck of a story to dive into.
I really enjoyed this one. Nik, flaws and all, is a likeable character you can't help root for. He's well rounded and intelligent with a come what may attitude. The rest of the cast of characters are intriguing as well. The fast paced story is well written with an easy and concise style that is hard to put down. I highly recommend this one and can't wait to find out what trouble Nik gets himself into next.
Thank you to the author and Wiley Saichek (Saichek Publicity) for the gifted copy for me to read, review and enjoy.
July 6, 2022
Hack: A Nik Byron Investigation
Mark Pawlosky
After I read the summary of this book, I was very excited to listen to it however, it did nothing for me. I never connected to the characters or the plot. The book is poorly written. The plot did not flow smoothly. This is the first book I’ve read by Mark Pawlosky.
The main character of this tale is Nick Byron. An explosion leads down on his luck, reporter, Nick Byron, hot on a story. Nick faces, spies, terrorists, the government and much more.
Mark Pawlosky
After I read the summary of this book, I was very excited to listen to it however, it did nothing for me. I never connected to the characters or the plot. The book is poorly written. The plot did not flow smoothly. This is the first book I’ve read by Mark Pawlosky.
The main character of this tale is Nick Byron. An explosion leads down on his luck, reporter, Nick Byron, hot on a story. Nick faces, spies, terrorists, the government and much more.
June 22, 2022
Hack was one of the most boring books I read
this year.
The sentence structure was similar to that of a 12
year old discovering adjectives for the first time;
painfully descriptive without giving the
information that I actually wanted.
The chapter endings were abrupt.
The plot jumped around.
I'm not sure if I'm overwhelmed or
underwhelmed but I'm glad it's over.
On a positive note, I think the story would have
been great if it had been delivered properly.
this year.
The sentence structure was similar to that of a 12
year old discovering adjectives for the first time;
painfully descriptive without giving the
information that I actually wanted.
The chapter endings were abrupt.
The plot jumped around.
I'm not sure if I'm overwhelmed or
underwhelmed but I'm glad it's over.
On a positive note, I think the story would have
been great if it had been delivered properly.
July 15, 2022
In the book Hack, author Mark Pawlosky writes about Nik Byron, a reporter who finds himself at the center of a work-place power struggle, Chinese spies, homegrown terrorist, technology that will change the worlds spying efforts, and more.
This was an ok book. Way too many story lines and you could see the ending a mile away. The audio-book narration was very well done. I received a copy of this audio-book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This was an ok book. Way too many story lines and you could see the ending a mile away. The audio-book narration was very well done. I received a copy of this audio-book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews