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Unauthorized Access
Young computer programmer Rob Donovan receives an emergency call from his boss at the First Malden Bank in Boston after the first successful cyberattack in American banking history scrambles thousands of account records. First Malden’s survival is on the line as furious customers and voracious reporters descend on the bank. Rob is part of the team trying to fix the damage, until the FBI charges him with the crime and brings his world crashing down. Facing prison time and the loss of his fiancée Lesley, Rob’s only chance of reclaiming his life lies in cutting through a web of mistrust and betrayal to uncover the startling truth behind the attack.
311 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 5, 2012
90 people are currently reading
801 people want to read
About the author
Andrew McAllister
6 books94 followersAndrew McAllister, Ph.D. writes both fiction and non-fiction, including the relationship advice blog To Love, Honor, and Dismay. He has a psychology degree and over twenty-five years of experience in the IT industry as a professor, consultant, and software company executive. In other words he can fix your computer software … but only if it really wants to change. He lives with his family in New Brunswick, Canada, where he is busy working on his next book. You can email him at AndrewMcAllisterAuthor@yahoo.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 86 reviews
August 11, 2022
I started reading this book this morning and could not put it down, I ahve been reading it all day. It is essentially a cybercrime book but mainly a very fast paced thriller. It starts mainly as a Cyberattack on an American Bank, which causes chaos as people's accounts are wiped out. When the FBI are called in they quickly decide that the attacker is Rob Donovan one of the computer experts at the bank. Protesting his innocence, Rob is believed by no one and goes on the run to try to prove his innocence. But there is so much more to this book and there are many twists and turns that no one could see coming. Andrew McAllister's writing style draws you right into the story and had me on the edge of my seat wondering what would happen next. I loved the characters and could picture each and everyone of them. For a man, McAllister describes the women well (sorry I don't mean to be sexist here, it's a compliment). I felt I knew each and every character personally, whether they were on the side of good and evil, and sometimes you were stunned by which side they were actually on. I would say this book was equally for both men and women, and would be enjoyed by both. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who likes a good story and a high octane thriller.
May 14, 2013
Grade: B
L/C Ratio: 20% Literary / 80% Commercial
Thematic Breakdown:
30% - Action thriller
20% - Relationships
15% - Technology
10% - Boston
10% - Violence
10% - Finance
5% - Journalism
Addictiveness: Medium
Movie Potential: 2 Thumbs Up
Re-readability: Low
While there's no shortage of tension or action in Unauthorized Access, the plot begs for a higher dose of mystery. Andrew McAllister starts the book with a thrilling depiction of cybercrime, but then he immediately reveals the culprit and the reasoning for his devious actions. Even still, the novel keeps the reader engaged thanks to the depth of the main characters and a careful interweaving of storylines.
Noteworthy Quote:
“The only reason I don’t shoot you right now,” Landry said through clenched teeth, “is that it’s really bad business to kill clients.”
L/C Ratio: 20% Literary / 80% Commercial
Thematic Breakdown:
30% - Action thriller
20% - Relationships
15% - Technology
10% - Boston
10% - Violence
10% - Finance
5% - Journalism
Addictiveness: Medium
Movie Potential: 2 Thumbs Up
Re-readability: Low
While there's no shortage of tension or action in Unauthorized Access, the plot begs for a higher dose of mystery. Andrew McAllister starts the book with a thrilling depiction of cybercrime, but then he immediately reveals the culprit and the reasoning for his devious actions. Even still, the novel keeps the reader engaged thanks to the depth of the main characters and a careful interweaving of storylines.
Noteworthy Quote:
“The only reason I don’t shoot you right now,” Landry said through clenched teeth, “is that it’s really bad business to kill clients.”
July 8, 2012
Unauthorized Access is a delightful read. I read the whole thing in a single go after downloading the Kindle version (at an extremely attractive price!) The story follows Rob Donovan who is framed for launching a cyber-attack against the bank for which he works. Rich with believable action and characters with lots to lose, this story is a fast-paced, easy to read bit of pop entertainment.
I have to admit that if the e-book version was not so reasonably priced, I might not have given it a chance, but I’m glad I did. The book had two warning signs that made me wary of giving it a try: First of all, it was self-published. These days, there are many very good books and authors that follow the self-publishing route, but there are also many, many that are just plain awful. When contemplating picking up a book by a first-time author, it’s nice to see that it is good enough to gain the approval of a publishing house, and has already been gone over by a copyeditor. I’m glad to say that this book is well-paced, and grammatically sound, with only the very rare typo with the same rate that I find in first-run professionally copyedited works.
The second item that gave me pause before picking the book up was the fact that it was a novel about computer hacking by a computer scientist. Even some of the most prolific and popular authors out there have fallen into the trap of oversharing when it comes to their original profession. I’m sure you’ve all read a medical thriller inundated with far too much medical jargon written by a physician, or a labyrinthine legal tome that only a fellow lawyer could navigate. It’s simply a matter of knowing too much and succumbing to the desire to share it all at once. This book, though, doesn’t fall into that trap at all. It may have a computer-based premise, but the novel is entirely the story of the protagonists, not their computers.
Given my initial assumptions, I must say that I feel as if I owe the author an apology. Unauthorized Access is a fun romp in the Action-Adventure/thriller genre. I would definitely pick up a second novel, if it were to appear on the e-bookstore shelves (especially if it were similarly priced!)
My verdict: 5/5 encrypted jump drives.
I have to admit that if the e-book version was not so reasonably priced, I might not have given it a chance, but I’m glad I did. The book had two warning signs that made me wary of giving it a try: First of all, it was self-published. These days, there are many very good books and authors that follow the self-publishing route, but there are also many, many that are just plain awful. When contemplating picking up a book by a first-time author, it’s nice to see that it is good enough to gain the approval of a publishing house, and has already been gone over by a copyeditor. I’m glad to say that this book is well-paced, and grammatically sound, with only the very rare typo with the same rate that I find in first-run professionally copyedited works.
The second item that gave me pause before picking the book up was the fact that it was a novel about computer hacking by a computer scientist. Even some of the most prolific and popular authors out there have fallen into the trap of oversharing when it comes to their original profession. I’m sure you’ve all read a medical thriller inundated with far too much medical jargon written by a physician, or a labyrinthine legal tome that only a fellow lawyer could navigate. It’s simply a matter of knowing too much and succumbing to the desire to share it all at once. This book, though, doesn’t fall into that trap at all. It may have a computer-based premise, but the novel is entirely the story of the protagonists, not their computers.
Given my initial assumptions, I must say that I feel as if I owe the author an apology. Unauthorized Access is a fun romp in the Action-Adventure/thriller genre. I would definitely pick up a second novel, if it were to appear on the e-bookstore shelves (especially if it were similarly priced!)
My verdict: 5/5 encrypted jump drives.
July 13, 2012
Andrew McAllister has hit a home-run with Unauthorized Access.
The concept is interesting. The storyline captivating. The characters intriguing.
I could not put this book down, and when I did I was constantly wondering what would happen next.
If you are a fan of suspense, or love a good thriller. You need to pick yourself up a copy. It will have you on the edge of your seat.
$2.99 is a complete steal for a book like this!
An excerpt from my blog review:
"From page one I was impressed with Mr. McAllister's writing style. It was descriptive, witty and overall had a great flow. The character dialogue was natural, and you almost felt immersed IN the story, rather than just reading it. This book would make an amazing movie! (Listen up Hollywood!)
It's a book that while entertains, certainly makes you think! In this day in age with terrorism, cyber-theft, and relying on technology are YOU prepared should your bank suddenly be sent into a panic? This book may have you hollowing out a teddy bear for stashing emergency funds. (Sorry Ted!)"
I wish Andrew McAllister the best with the release of his book and look forward to reading any other novel he writes!
The concept is interesting. The storyline captivating. The characters intriguing.
I could not put this book down, and when I did I was constantly wondering what would happen next.
If you are a fan of suspense, or love a good thriller. You need to pick yourself up a copy. It will have you on the edge of your seat.
$2.99 is a complete steal for a book like this!
An excerpt from my blog review:
"From page one I was impressed with Mr. McAllister's writing style. It was descriptive, witty and overall had a great flow. The character dialogue was natural, and you almost felt immersed IN the story, rather than just reading it. This book would make an amazing movie! (Listen up Hollywood!)
It's a book that while entertains, certainly makes you think! In this day in age with terrorism, cyber-theft, and relying on technology are YOU prepared should your bank suddenly be sent into a panic? This book may have you hollowing out a teddy bear for stashing emergency funds. (Sorry Ted!)"
I wish Andrew McAllister the best with the release of his book and look forward to reading any other novel he writes!
July 8, 2012
Unauthorized Access is a very satisfying thriller. Different, yet very believable, Andrew McAllister has come up with one seriously scary scenario.
The story begins with a classic scene set-up – it is the only part of the book where the thriller label doesn’t apply. What starts up as potentially the best day in Rob Donovan’s life turns into his worst nightmare. He finds himself in jail for a crime he didn’t commit and, worst of all, no one seems to believe him when he insists he is innocent.
I won’t give away the plot, because the surprises just keep coming. Just when you think it cannot get any worse, some other twist makes Rob’s situation even worse. Andrew McAllister is a master of suspense and he’s got the changes in pace absolutely spot on. If you haven’t taken a break before the middle, forget it – you won’t want to put it down.
This book is a truly good read and I would recommend it to anybody who enjoys the thrill of a chase, of things gone wrong and of uncontrollable criminal power. You’ll be questioning more than who your friends might be after reading it. I enjoyed every minute of it.
The story begins with a classic scene set-up – it is the only part of the book where the thriller label doesn’t apply. What starts up as potentially the best day in Rob Donovan’s life turns into his worst nightmare. He finds himself in jail for a crime he didn’t commit and, worst of all, no one seems to believe him when he insists he is innocent.
I won’t give away the plot, because the surprises just keep coming. Just when you think it cannot get any worse, some other twist makes Rob’s situation even worse. Andrew McAllister is a master of suspense and he’s got the changes in pace absolutely spot on. If you haven’t taken a break before the middle, forget it – you won’t want to put it down.
This book is a truly good read and I would recommend it to anybody who enjoys the thrill of a chase, of things gone wrong and of uncontrollable criminal power. You’ll be questioning more than who your friends might be after reading it. I enjoyed every minute of it.
July 4, 2014
A well-told tale but I'm not entirely sure the plot wasn't one or two bits short of a byte. At a pinch I could believe Tim's part in inserting his code into the program without it being discovered, but I found Rob's attitude and Lesley's easy acceptance of his guilt just too far-fetched.
Logic drives the IT world and its application ought to have come to the thought processes of the bank's computer people. Rob was good at his work where attention to the tiniest detail is vital and he would NEVER have left the obvious evidence, even if the police believed it, and he had a decent motive (which he didn't).
Also Landry was, at base, a lot more incompetent than he should have been. For example, a pro would have decided Rob didn't know any keywords within ten minutes of them being alone.
Overall, I liked the writing style and would give Andrew McAllister another chance or two. He can tell a tale. I didn't fall deeply in love with the story, it was more like a one-night-stand: pleasant but not entirely satisfying.
Logic drives the IT world and its application ought to have come to the thought processes of the bank's computer people. Rob was good at his work where attention to the tiniest detail is vital and he would NEVER have left the obvious evidence, even if the police believed it, and he had a decent motive (which he didn't).
Also Landry was, at base, a lot more incompetent than he should have been. For example, a pro would have decided Rob didn't know any keywords within ten minutes of them being alone.
Overall, I liked the writing style and would give Andrew McAllister another chance or two. He can tell a tale. I didn't fall deeply in love with the story, it was more like a one-night-stand: pleasant but not entirely satisfying.
July 15, 2012
Unauthorized Access is a good thriller. I was leary that it would be too "computer tech" to hold my interest but that was not so. The cyber crime was just the catalyst to a rollercoster of events which introduces you to the characters and plot which will draw you in. I found it to be the perfect summer read.
March 6, 2014
Started out as a great read. Was even planning on emailing the author to remark on the great book.....but the ending was very weak. I really get frustrated when a book pulls me in for 85% of the story only to have an ending thrown together. Hard to find good business-related fiction. Thought this was going to be one I recommended...
March 13, 2017
Who are You going to Trust?
A young bank employee finds himself caught up in miasma of lies, deceptions, and misunderstood communications with folks he works with and his girl friend.
A young bank employee finds himself caught up in miasma of lies, deceptions, and misunderstood communications with folks he works with and his girl friend.
June 9, 2017
This is the second time I've tried to read this book in as many years. I still can't get myself to finish it. The premise sounds exciting, the other reviews convinced me to try again-- the execution is just so poorly done I can't justify wasting my time on it.
February 12, 2021
This book is a passable thriller-romance. It was, however, entirely predictable from nearly the beginning. And, it irritated me a bit that Rob, the main character, predictably did what he did in the end after how he was treated. But, all in all the book was a quick read and amusing.
May 10, 2021
Interesting and Fast Paced
This book was incredibly interesting and fast paced. I thought the story lacked a little bit of something. Not quite sure what but it felt like there could have been something else. However, I did enjoy the book and was glad I read it!
This book was incredibly interesting and fast paced. I thought the story lacked a little bit of something. Not quite sure what but it felt like there could have been something else. However, I did enjoy the book and was glad I read it!
July 15, 2021
Kept me on the edge of my seat.
Excellent, fast paced thriller. Well written. What Rob was going through kept me awake at night. Believe able, and scary that such a thing could happen to an innocent person.
Excellent, fast paced thriller. Well written. What Rob was going through kept me awake at night. Believe able, and scary that such a thing could happen to an innocent person.
September 19, 2025
Absolute page-turner, once I started I couldn't put it down. I found it perfectly fast-paced and it was clear that McAllister knows what he's talking about when he goes into the cyber-security aspects of the cyber crime.
October 7, 2025
Pfffff.
El planteamiento empezó ok, un thriller informático parecía algo interesante. A medida que avanzaba y se desarrollan los personajes, me empezó a parecer un petardo. Tim y Lesley hacen que te apetezca dejar el libro. Pero bueno aguanté.
El planteamiento empezó ok, un thriller informático parecía algo interesante. A medida que avanzaba y se desarrollan los personajes, me empezó a parecer un petardo. Tim y Lesley hacen que te apetezca dejar el libro. Pero bueno aguanté.
May 13, 2017
Wonderful thriller
June 28, 2017
Loved the book. it starts well, the middle part is all good. The way towards the end was a bit slow and winding.
November 5, 2012
“Thrill. Excitement. Agony. Three words I will use to describe how I felt while reading Unauthorized Access. Agony: because I can feel how hard it must be for the characters involved. Thrill: because, oh good heavens, this book is just full of it. Excitement: well, I was really excited to know how the main characters will deal with the situation. I loved it! I recommend this book." – Ara of My Book and My Coffee
I’m fully aware that this is fiction because I kept reminding myself that it is. Otherwise, it will be totally unfair and disturbing. But of course, I’m also aware that this is the kind of story that is not at all impossible to happen in real life. And that, ladies and gentlemen, frightens me a lot. Anyway, let’s discuss, shall we? :)
So, about the whole story – I am very impressed. The story is really complicated; I mean, while reading, I was like “Oh no… That’s not good. Someone has to know…”. As a reader, I was really looking forward to read more. It’s really convincing and as I’ve mentioned above, I felt the agony some of the characters must have gone through. If this was a real story, I would have believed the obvious things, too. Shame on me, right? But who knows, if it’s too obvious, then I’ll probably think otherwise.
The real deal here is not a secret. As a reader, you’ll know what’s going on. You know who did it. You know who’s who. You know why he or she did it. That’s why I can’t help but keep on reading to see how it will all pan out. Based on the description, Rob is charged with ‘the crime’. The question will be – Did he really do it? Is it foul play? Who could it be, right? And how will he try to defend himself? How will the story end? Will there be a happy ever after for Rob and Lesley? You can find out as well when you read it :) Don’t want to give any spoilers! :D
Again, with the story line, I have no problem with it. The ending was unexpected but I think it’s just practical. There were unfinished bits, I feel. But I think it’s really alright. I would think that all of those unfinished bits can be resolved in the next book – if there is. :)
Sadly, the main character, Rob Donovan, is not my absolute favorite. Don’t get me wrong; he is an interesting character but I thought that he could have done more. I needed more from him. From my point of view, as a reader, I would really need to be captivated with Rob’s character – but that was not the case here. He’s alright; but wasn’t able to invest in this character. I liked Lesley's, Rob’s fiancée, character. There’s a part in the book where I got really annoyed at her, as in ‘rolling-my-eyes’ moment. But she redeemed herself. And I was really glad that she did.
Weird thing? My absolute favorite is Rob’s ex-girlfriend, Kirsten. I love her in so many ways. She has very little part in this book but she’s cool and speaks her mind. I think she still likes Rob and she’s there when Rob needed him (when he needed her the most, actually). :D
To sum it all up, I did love this book. I really did. It was an awesome experience, reading this book. And I would really recommend it to everyone who loves to read thriller / crime books. Please know that there are violent ‘scenes’ but I think they are rather tolerable.
I’m fully aware that this is fiction because I kept reminding myself that it is. Otherwise, it will be totally unfair and disturbing. But of course, I’m also aware that this is the kind of story that is not at all impossible to happen in real life. And that, ladies and gentlemen, frightens me a lot. Anyway, let’s discuss, shall we? :)
So, about the whole story – I am very impressed. The story is really complicated; I mean, while reading, I was like “Oh no… That’s not good. Someone has to know…”. As a reader, I was really looking forward to read more. It’s really convincing and as I’ve mentioned above, I felt the agony some of the characters must have gone through. If this was a real story, I would have believed the obvious things, too. Shame on me, right? But who knows, if it’s too obvious, then I’ll probably think otherwise.
The real deal here is not a secret. As a reader, you’ll know what’s going on. You know who did it. You know who’s who. You know why he or she did it. That’s why I can’t help but keep on reading to see how it will all pan out. Based on the description, Rob is charged with ‘the crime’. The question will be – Did he really do it? Is it foul play? Who could it be, right? And how will he try to defend himself? How will the story end? Will there be a happy ever after for Rob and Lesley? You can find out as well when you read it :) Don’t want to give any spoilers! :D
Again, with the story line, I have no problem with it. The ending was unexpected but I think it’s just practical. There were unfinished bits, I feel. But I think it’s really alright. I would think that all of those unfinished bits can be resolved in the next book – if there is. :)
Sadly, the main character, Rob Donovan, is not my absolute favorite. Don’t get me wrong; he is an interesting character but I thought that he could have done more. I needed more from him. From my point of view, as a reader, I would really need to be captivated with Rob’s character – but that was not the case here. He’s alright; but wasn’t able to invest in this character. I liked Lesley's, Rob’s fiancée, character. There’s a part in the book where I got really annoyed at her, as in ‘rolling-my-eyes’ moment. But she redeemed herself. And I was really glad that she did.
Weird thing? My absolute favorite is Rob’s ex-girlfriend, Kirsten. I love her in so many ways. She has very little part in this book but she’s cool and speaks her mind. I think she still likes Rob and she’s there when Rob needed him (when he needed her the most, actually). :D
To sum it all up, I did love this book. I really did. It was an awesome experience, reading this book. And I would really recommend it to everyone who loves to read thriller / crime books. Please know that there are violent ‘scenes’ but I think they are rather tolerable.
September 2, 2013
I've always enjoyed a great "whodunit" book; the kind that keep you guessing from the first page to the last. Face it though, there are a lot of suspense sub-genres: Romantic, Military, Political Thriller, International... you name it, it's out there.
Recently a new member joined our writing group, Andrew McAllister, and he writes suspense. I was curious which sub-genre he was into. I didn't need to wonder too long because upon learning that I was a book blogger/reviewer, Andrew asked if I would read and review his novel, Unauthorized Access. I quickly said yes... and wondered if I'd been too eager. No offense, I love suspense, though not necessarily ALL its sub-genres. Did he write the kind I like? Oh well, I'd said yes and I'm a woman of my word. So I would give it an honest try.
He sent me the e-book version (an advantage of being a reviewer), which I set aside as I already had one book on the go. When I picked it up, I was in for the surprise of my life. First of all, Andrew's book is not a "whodunit" story. He tells his readers from the beginning `who did what'. Still, I was totally captivated with this novel.
Unauthorized Access is the story of Rob Donovan, a computer programmer who is framed for a successful cyber-attack on an American bank. Customers are furious; some close their accounts and take their business elsewhere. The bank's survival depends on Rob to fix the damage with a team. That is, until he's charged him with the crime. Facing jail time, not to mention the loss of Lesley, the love of his life, Rob needs to figure out who set him up. The only way he can do this, however, is to find him--or her first.
I couldn't put this book down. I read it--at work between calls--in three days which is very unusual for me. I normally take a week or more. I literally devoured this book.
For a first novel, I found it to be incredibly well written and full of "Oh no! What next?" It's a real page turner. Andrew McAllister does a fantastic job with his clear descriptions of the characters and places, thus bringing the reader into the story with him. He's also very unpredictable, something I love about suspense novels. Every time I thought something was going to happen, he threw a plot twist and something else took place instead. That's my kind of books.
The biggest problem I've come across since finishing that book last Thursday, was finding another great book, one that at least compares with this one. I'm still looking.
I say, Kudos to you, Andrew, for a job superb job on a first novel.
Recently a new member joined our writing group, Andrew McAllister, and he writes suspense. I was curious which sub-genre he was into. I didn't need to wonder too long because upon learning that I was a book blogger/reviewer, Andrew asked if I would read and review his novel, Unauthorized Access. I quickly said yes... and wondered if I'd been too eager. No offense, I love suspense, though not necessarily ALL its sub-genres. Did he write the kind I like? Oh well, I'd said yes and I'm a woman of my word. So I would give it an honest try.
He sent me the e-book version (an advantage of being a reviewer), which I set aside as I already had one book on the go. When I picked it up, I was in for the surprise of my life. First of all, Andrew's book is not a "whodunit" story. He tells his readers from the beginning `who did what'. Still, I was totally captivated with this novel.
Unauthorized Access is the story of Rob Donovan, a computer programmer who is framed for a successful cyber-attack on an American bank. Customers are furious; some close their accounts and take their business elsewhere. The bank's survival depends on Rob to fix the damage with a team. That is, until he's charged him with the crime. Facing jail time, not to mention the loss of Lesley, the love of his life, Rob needs to figure out who set him up. The only way he can do this, however, is to find him--or her first.
I couldn't put this book down. I read it--at work between calls--in three days which is very unusual for me. I normally take a week or more. I literally devoured this book.
For a first novel, I found it to be incredibly well written and full of "Oh no! What next?" It's a real page turner. Andrew McAllister does a fantastic job with his clear descriptions of the characters and places, thus bringing the reader into the story with him. He's also very unpredictable, something I love about suspense novels. Every time I thought something was going to happen, he threw a plot twist and something else took place instead. That's my kind of books.
The biggest problem I've come across since finishing that book last Thursday, was finding another great book, one that at least compares with this one. I'm still looking.
I say, Kudos to you, Andrew, for a job superb job on a first novel.
April 18, 2013
Personally I like my crime novels realistic. In many genres the author can get away sometimes with wild imagination, like a ring to bind them all and so forth, but the crime writer needs two feet on the ground. The numbers need to be right. The coincidences kept to a minimum. The timing needs to be perfect. Andrew McAllister certainly delivers when it comes to realism. While reading his novel “Unauthorized Access” a large bank in my country suffered the consequences of a cyber attack, and quite a chaos ensued for the public. This is one of the reasons “Unauthorized Access” is a good read: the issue of banks being under attack is a clear and present danger and concerns us all. Of course that’s only a start: McAllister takes it from there with skill and insightfulness. Protagonist Rob is believable to me because he has this familiar incapacity to manipulate people. His colleagues believe he’s guilty and instead of begging them for help — which would be a clever thing to do — he just gets irritated and leaves. Just an ordinary guy.
McAllister also charmed me with the way he adds little bits of ambiance to sketch the characters; for example a recognizable popsong or a movie reference; I can sympathize with a guy who likes Supertramp and mumbles Arnold Schearzenegger oneliners. The plot works fine for me: the threat of a cyber attack on a bank is real, as I mentioned, so I followed the proceedings eagerly, wondering how it would unfold. And it does so in a true action thriller way, I feel. There’s romance, jealousy and violence building up towards the end, quite a unique blend. And an explosive one too. In the final chapters I was taken by surprise — a realistic reversal of fortunes that occurs when people interact. “Unauthorized Access” delivers in a classic way: the last part where the Gordian knot gets untied is fast and suspenseful. I advise you to keep a close eye on both your bank account and your spouse while you’re reading “Unauthorized Access”. Because you may be so hooked that you won’t notice someone else take possession of them.
McAllister also charmed me with the way he adds little bits of ambiance to sketch the characters; for example a recognizable popsong or a movie reference; I can sympathize with a guy who likes Supertramp and mumbles Arnold Schearzenegger oneliners. The plot works fine for me: the threat of a cyber attack on a bank is real, as I mentioned, so I followed the proceedings eagerly, wondering how it would unfold. And it does so in a true action thriller way, I feel. There’s romance, jealousy and violence building up towards the end, quite a unique blend. And an explosive one too. In the final chapters I was taken by surprise — a realistic reversal of fortunes that occurs when people interact. “Unauthorized Access” delivers in a classic way: the last part where the Gordian knot gets untied is fast and suspenseful. I advise you to keep a close eye on both your bank account and your spouse while you’re reading “Unauthorized Access”. Because you may be so hooked that you won’t notice someone else take possession of them.
April 11, 2013
I downloaded Unauthorized Access during the author's free promotion so I could support him as a fellow author. I intended to take a look at the novel so I'd know something about his work. I had already decided a few thrillers ago that this was not my genre of choice. So, I was pleasantly surprised that I enjoyed Unauthorized Access. I had to ask myself why this thriller appealed to me when I had stopped reading others with more intricate plots and complicated characters.
Andrew McAllister included enough technical information so I could believe in the possibility of the crime without including details of it that I would not understand. He managed to describe intimate moments without giving me too much information. Characters sometimes were coarse in their choice of words, but they got their point across without using the typical four-letter words in so many novels. The rough scenes between characters were entirely believable without causing me to cringe.
What the author included is just as important to me as what he left out. His choice of words and almost flawless presentation caused me to get caught up in the novel and carried along easily. His style is clean and economical. He includes just enough of the right kind of detail. I never once thought he could have left something out. The storyline is not new, and the characters are familiar. However, the author's writing style, more than the premise of the novel, held my attention. I believe his style, along with the confidence to write more intricate plots, will serve him well in the future. This is an impressive first novel.
I do not write reviews unless I can honestly recommend a book. If you've wished someone would write a thriller that provided escape without details you'd rather not read, Unauthorized Access will not disappoint.
February 24, 2014
Rob and Tim, friends since grade school, wind up working for the. same Boston bank as computer programmers after college. Rob's girlfriend of seven years works for a television station as a reporter, and her uncle is Rob's boss. Tim is one of those quiet brooding reclusive types, percolating rage just below the surface, and he secretly hates Rob for stealing the girl away from him in high school. It was the only 22 days Tim felt fulfilled and accepted as a complete person. Just after Rob is told he's in line for a big promotion helping the girl's uncle with a due diligence feasibility report on another bank's worthiness to merge with his own, he asks the girl to marry him. Then the excrement hits the fan. The bank gets an email from a revolutionary group, threatening to destroy classified computer account records. Executives try to handle the matter internally, fearing bad publicity. Several cyberattacks cause customers to lose records of their accounts. Tim is the real source of the threats and the cybercrimes, he has planted evidence which he hopes will frame Rob. Rob's fiancee is conflicted, she wants to believe him, but the circumstantial evidence is compelling. Meanwhile a rogue investigator, hired by the girl's uncle to find the culprit and get the keyword which would break encryption and restore customer accounts records, gets violent. Several people wind up dead before the fast-paced tale is wrapped up. I like this author, a Canadian Ph.D. with expertise in psychology. He doesn't fail to properly proofread his copy before sending it to the printer, and he knows how to properly use the subjunctive. This wasn't a great book, but it was a highly enjoyable page-turner that helped me pass the time while I await the Spring thaw.....and wait, and WAIT.
April 21, 2013
There isn't much rest for the reader in this technothriller. We're in on the action from the beginning of the plot to frame programmer Rob Donovan, which only ratchets up the tension until the book is simply impossible to put down. It's the ultimate in it-just-can't-get-worse-and-then-it-does storytelling.
I warn you, there is no easing in to this story. It begins with the bad guy setting his plot in motion and doesn't stop until the reader, almost, can't take any more tension. My heart was pounding as things kept going from bad to worse. To Oh. Crap. No.
Suspense-filled with dynamic, believable characters and a frightening premise, it's one of the best books I've had my hands on at 5:00am in a while. Kudos to Mr. McAllister for costing me a lot of sleep.
Admittedly, I didn't hold out a lot of hope for this novel. It has several (potential) marks against it: 1. self-published 2. by a psychologist 3. with massive IT experience. The possibility of being inundated with typos, psychobabble, and tech-talk more than crossed my mind.
I couldn't have been more wrong. This is tightly written fiction. Lean and mean, there isn't a word that doesn't work to advance the plot and build tension. And no more errors than the average offerings from top-shelf publishers.
It just goes to prove that self-published doesn't have to mean sloppy. And good writing is good writing, regardless of the author's 'other' jobs. I cannot recommend this book highly enough.
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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary electronic galley of this book from the author. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
I warn you, there is no easing in to this story. It begins with the bad guy setting his plot in motion and doesn't stop until the reader, almost, can't take any more tension. My heart was pounding as things kept going from bad to worse. To Oh. Crap. No.
Suspense-filled with dynamic, believable characters and a frightening premise, it's one of the best books I've had my hands on at 5:00am in a while. Kudos to Mr. McAllister for costing me a lot of sleep.
Admittedly, I didn't hold out a lot of hope for this novel. It has several (potential) marks against it: 1. self-published 2. by a psychologist 3. with massive IT experience. The possibility of being inundated with typos, psychobabble, and tech-talk more than crossed my mind.
I couldn't have been more wrong. This is tightly written fiction. Lean and mean, there isn't a word that doesn't work to advance the plot and build tension. And no more errors than the average offerings from top-shelf publishers.
It just goes to prove that self-published doesn't have to mean sloppy. And good writing is good writing, regardless of the author's 'other' jobs. I cannot recommend this book highly enough.
~*~*~
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary electronic galley of this book from the author. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
March 19, 2013
Friendship, love, jealousy, betrayal and redemption make this book one of the best in portraying human nature at it's best and worst. This could happen in real life and the way people react in this story is what would probably happen if this was real. I found myself getting emotionally involved in the story. I got disappointed with some of the characters for jumping to conclusions so fast, with exception of Kirsten and Rob's parents. Kirsten was my favorite. I wished things had ended differently between her and Rob but that is not how things work in real life. The author's intention was not to fantasize the situation but to report the story it as it would be were it to happen. This book has evoked a lot of comments about the characters from readers and that is what a good book does. Well done.
November 3, 2014
I feel a little let down by what I thought was going to be cyber crime novel. It is but more crime than cyber and after the initial set up it is more the lone hero against the conspiracy which includes the FBI, boss and best friend. The cyber bit is barely explained at all basically consisting of clever geek inserts code which no one can decrypt leading to bank melt down. Clearly back ups cache cleansers source code vaults have not been heard of or conveniently ignored. Yes it's an inside job with the fault falling on a best friend who the programmer had held a grudge against for ten years. The thirller part is neatly done but the whole thing just lost impetus and became run of the mill including the showdown at the end. Boy gets girl bad guys dead.
Probably 2.5 overall but I wanted more tech in this thriller.
Probably 2.5 overall but I wanted more tech in this thriller.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 9, 2014
This book was good. The writing kept making you turn the page (or tap the screen, respectively). But for the first half of the book, you didn't know who the bad guy was. Tim felt justified in what he did. He got the short end of the stick for so long that he felt compelled to do what he did. Rob had everything. His professional life was about to take off, he was engaged, etc. But to do that to someone you claimed was your friend? And don't EVEN get me started on Lesley. She should be a politician the way she changes her story. Ugh. Don't read this book for her or you will hate your whole life. But I love cyber-drama...sooo I thought this book was pretty freaking cool in that aspect.
March 21, 2013
This was a fun read. I enjoyed the concept and the flow of the story. The pacing was good and there were enough twists to make it feel real without making it seem like twists were being inserted for the sake of having a twist.
I would like to have seen a little more character development for the main character Rob and his girlfriend Lesley. By the end of the book I really didn't care if Rob went to jail or not and I was not too interested in him getting back together with Lesley. It wasn't that he seemed like a bad guy, I just didn't know enough about him to care. I thought that Lesley quit on him way too easy and early for him to take her back.
I would like to have seen a little more character development for the main character Rob and his girlfriend Lesley. By the end of the book I really didn't care if Rob went to jail or not and I was not too interested in him getting back together with Lesley. It wasn't that he seemed like a bad guy, I just didn't know enough about him to care. I thought that Lesley quit on him way too easy and early for him to take her back.
November 9, 2013
The story is kept very simple and there is no such thing called "climax" in this entire book! The story moves in a fast pace without leaving the main theme. Its yet another triangular love story where in the negative role is well shown in the earliest chapters.
It shows how much a person can harm you when you trust such a person the most. There are chapters that makes you a page turner, there are chapters which makes you laugh and ending has been kept simple if not dragging.
I was disappointed that the story didn't have much about computer and technology as the name suggests. That was the only negative I feel about this book.
Happy reading :)
It shows how much a person can harm you when you trust such a person the most. There are chapters that makes you a page turner, there are chapters which makes you laugh and ending has been kept simple if not dragging.
I was disappointed that the story didn't have much about computer and technology as the name suggests. That was the only negative I feel about this book.
Happy reading :)
February 15, 2014
Unauthorized Access is a book I had a hard time putting down. Sometimes books that revolve around computer crimes are too technical to really get into but Unauthorized Access has just the right blend of computer, crime, suspense and even a touch of romance. The characters and the setting are totally believable and the details about how banking and computer IT work just add to the real life feel. If you’re looking for a suspense thriller that is very easy to believe and keeps you guessing until the end, Unauthorized Access is definitely a book you need to pick up today.
I received a free download from Amazon.
I received a free download from Amazon.
March 24, 2014
I loved the premise and there is a sense of excitement, but was not the page-turner I thought it would be. It starts off exceedingly well, but trails off into a more pedestrian work the further towards the end you get. The climax was fairly predictable, and the last scene at the cabin lacked a lot of the drama I would have expected.
The author did a good job with character development, although I found myself rooting for the antagonist for much of the book as I didn't find the protagonist likeable. The other characters played their parts well, and overall, created a solid story.
Overall, it is a good book, and I would recommend it with the above caveats.
The author did a good job with character development, although I found myself rooting for the antagonist for much of the book as I didn't find the protagonist likeable. The other characters played their parts well, and overall, created a solid story.
Overall, it is a good book, and I would recommend it with the above caveats.
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