Customer Reviews

Spyder Web

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This book was one of best books I ever read. I like espionage stories but since I'm a programmer, I want technology to be a big part of the story. This had both and it's hard to find these two things combined sometimes. Great action, more or less non-stop the whole way. This was a lot of fun and intelligent to boot. Has Grace written anything else? I want more.

I bought this book thinking that it would be better than Tom Clancy's attempt at Internet terrorism. Alas it was just as bad, with simplistic technology twists, and the reliance of a Navy Seal character for the tense action. The story is simple, with nothing in it other than a sense of purpose to keep you turning the page. If you want a decent techno-thriller I recommend the Cryptonomicon. This is squarely for the younger audience who are still wanting to read simple tales with simple characters.

The beginning to Spyder Web was somewhat confusing, but the action scenes kept me interested. The techno-stuff was intriguing and since I'm not techno-literate I was willing to accept whatever Tom presented. When the story line began to fall into place the novel moved more quickly, however when the love interest appeared it bogged down and the dialogue became sappy. And the ending... well, I thought I had mistakenly picked up my wife's latest Nora Roberts novel. Still, I'm waiting for the next Grace adventure. I may wait for the paperback.

Great Characters, plot, action, location and writing. This book has all the elements of a good read. Brings together US, Britain, China and Russia. Plenty of twists from technology within the understanding of the less than technologically proficient. Good Story. Looking for the next book. Does remind me a bit of Clive Cussler.

Hooked on books.

We enjoyed "reading" this audio book while on an 8 hour trip. It was diffficult sorting out all of the characters in the beginning, but they began to emerge in a logical manner later. Our hero's involvement in a raid to avenge his mentor as a Navy Seal seemed to be an unnecessary part of the story other than, perhaps to impress with the physical skills of him before launching into the real story text which was largely technical in nature. That portion of the book dealt with our heros mental abilities in assisting in the solution and bringing the bad guys to their end. Not a bad book, but not up to the more experienced Tom Clancy. I liked Ulterior Motive by Dan Oran as a first book even more...also a tech thriller but written more logically. Still, a good first book!

My problem with this book is the characters. Does everybody have to be a super-man or super-woman? I like characters I can Identify with, not super-powered brainiacs who could rule the world if they chose to. Its hard to identify with ex-navy SEALs who also have advanced degrees in every discipline known to man. It was like watching an episode of Baywatch where the characters were smart and good-looking.

I appreciate that the other reviewers like the fast-paced plot, and it is well written, but the dialog sounds like a bad soap opera ("As you know, Bob, I..."). It was hard to finish. Buy it at a discount if you like these kind of thrillers, but if you want characters, look elsewhere.

This has just been re-issued in the UK despite being a few years old now.

The author uses an ex Navy SEAL as his lead, now a computer expert working in his Dad's company. But then duty calls as he is needed to use both his SEAL and computing skills to avoid the naughty Chinese getting hold of a critical computer programme. Throw into the mix the FBI, Homeland Security, ex Russian spies, MI5, International hackers and you get the idea. The style is a kind of Clancy, lots going on as you see different perspectives on the story. The main character, our ex SEAL Kilkenny, appears in chunks and does not carry the whole story, which is good as I thought him the weakest aspect of the story. He came over as too clean cut and noble and just too perfect. All men admire him, all women adore him, he does everything brilliantly, lethal yet humble etc etc.
Otherwise this thriller works, just. A bit overly technical at times but with a fair cast of characters and a reasonable plot, this is no stunner, but it ain't bad. A three star thriller, but for me nearer the bottom end of three rather then the top, for this kind of thing to work, you really have to engage with the lead character and I didn't.

I found this to be a very enjoyable read. Although the plot was complex, the author did a nice job of bringing everything together. Being in the IT business, I found the references to technology interesting. However, if you are not in the least interested in technology, the references may not sit so well. But if you can overlook that, the story itself is pretty good and well worth the read.

I came across Tom Grace's name in "Books" magazine...in which his name was mentioned in an article with some heavy hitters like Clancy, Cornwell, Cook, etc. So I decided to buy his book. I was unable to put it down...and god help the person who disturbed me when I was reading it. I am excited that he has been signed for 3 more books. Mr. Grace, keep them coming like "Spyder Web" and you are sure to be a member of the thrill-writer's elite.

I loved this book. I was surprised that a writer would have such an understanding of complex technology. And I loved the reference in the book to another of my favorite authors! A fun book to read!