Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner
01-01-00
Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
R. J. Pineiro
Class/Genre: Mystery High-Tech Millenium Woman Main Character
Forge, Jun 1999, $24.95, 320 pp.
In 1998, a talented hacker Bloodaxe gained vengeance on the officials of Washington DC for firing him by wrecking their computer-based transportation system code. His sabotage left Susan Garnett in a coma and her spouse and daughter dead. It was almost two years before cybercop Susan caught Bloodaxe, who now resides in prison.
Depressed and thinking she has nothing further to live for, Susan contemplates suicide. However, Troy Reid, head of the FBI’s high tech crime unit, interrupts her thoughts by telling her that with twenty days to the millennium, all computers around the world froze for twenty seconds at the same time. The next day, computers freeze for nineteen seconds as if they keep pace with the countdown to the millennium. As the computer clock counts down to potential doom, Susan turns to her worst nightmare Bloodaxe for help as she investigates this strange virus. Soon they trace its origin to the ruins of Tikal, which is an ancient Mayan city located in the Guatemalan jungle. Susan accompanied by Mayan anthropologist Cameron Slater head to the jungle to learn the truth and to shut down a most deadly virus.
01-01-00 is a well-designed millennium high tech thriller. The story line is unique, fast-paced, and never buries the reader in scientific jargon. One of the charms of R.J. Pineiro’s novel is those understandable explanations that always completely flow within the plot. Thus, asides to the audience or simply ignoring the reader never occurs. The complex sub-plots merge into an interesting climax where the modern world converges with the ancient world in a wondrous novel that deserves much acclaim.
Harriet Klausner
Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner
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