PeaceMaker
Dan Ronco
(Reviewer - Rebecca Brown)
2004 Winterwolf Publishing
ISBN: 0975271148

In a bid for global domination, a software corporation infects the Internet with an intelligent virus.

Well, the computer doesn't do it on its own, it's got Dianne Morgan, CEO of the largest computer software company, who is one lethally-minded, childhood-warped woman with a serious itch to rule the world, by any means possible, including murder. She is surrounded by minions & moles who do her bidding (or not), with or without persuasion. & of course, there are her competitors.

Then there's Ray Brown, erstwhile drunk, colleague, husband & dad who sees his son being destroyed by his computer. As a computer engineer Ray knows this shouldn't be happening, especially since he was one of the original designers of the Atlas operating system. Now he has stumbled upon a conspiracy, & is fighting for sobriety, family, his friends & his life.

Then there's Dianne's arch-enemy who is also out to rule “da woild”, which means he's got to eliminate Dianne & her company.

For a debut thriller, PeaceMaker is quite inventive: lots of computer-speak, sex, violence & betrayals ... & a need for editing, especially in the dialogue which often turns into lectures on how computers work, & what the evil-doers are intending.

All in all, PeaceMaker is a rip-snortin' adventure set in the future when computers literally control our everyday life (as if they don't already) & what people will do (or not) for total power. I especially liked the news items with which each chapter begins.

Quite well thought out & an earnest effort, more a thriller than science fiction.
(08/15/04)

Rebecca