Conspiracy.Com: A Novel - Hardcover

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R. J. Pineiro is a computer engineer working on leading-edge microprocessors at Advanced Micro Devices. He is the author of Retribution, Ultimatum, Conspiracy.Com, and Firewall. Pineiro lives in Austin, Texas, with his wife Lory Anne and his son, Cameron.

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Adult/High School-A techno-thriller in which virtual-reality scenarios woven smoothly into the plot inject sufficient energy and intrigue to compensate for shortcomings in character development and dialogue. The investigation of a money-laundering scheme involving the IRS, a giant software development company (SoftCorp), Capitol Bank, and a wealthy entrepreneur with ties to Castro's Cuba takes on lethal overtones as FBI Special Agent Karen Frost's probing reveals evidence of far-reaching complicity. With her primary field agent slain and her options narrowed by efforts to discredit her in DC, she embarks on a desperate scheme to recruit the young and talented, newly hired SoftCorp computer engineer and his wife to assist her in gathering information from inside the corporation. Michael and Victoria Ryan's willingness to cooperate is grounded in their unease at SoftCorp's ruthless invasion of their private lives and their growing sense of horror as they find themselves entangled in the company's illegal activities and murderous pursuits. In a tense stand-off, when Victoria is kidnapped and only Mike can craft a strategy that will win her release, he marshals all of his hacker's skills and programming virtuosity to gain leverage against the financial and governmental forces arrayed against them. The unleashing of hired assassins catapults readers into a crisply drawn finale, with a touch of larceny in the denouement.

Lynn Nutwell, Fairfax City Regional Library, VA

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

A young high-tech exec and his banker wife join forces with a fortyish female FBI agent to take on a ruthless killer with powerful friends and a few high-tech tricks of his own in this cyberspeed thriller. After Mike Ryan completes his doctorate in virtual reality systems, Nasdaq biggies toss money, but an unknown Texas high-tech firm, SoftCorp (one of several nifty bits of wordplay that keep the lingo light), makes the best offer, not only assuring Mike's financial future but also coming up with a job for his wife, Victoria, with Capitol Bank, the firm handling SoftCorp's finances. The lure of money, house, car and unlimited research funding for Mike's work with SoftCorp's only client, the IRS, hook the pair, and they move from California to Austin. Meanwhile, FBI special agent Karen Frost, checking a tip on IRS agents gone bad, finds the mutilated remains of a missing field agent and links his fate to SoftCorp. But when the FBI director is murdered, Frost is left out in the cold, especially when the new man in charge swallows framed evidence that she has turned rogue. Frost uses the Web to contact Mike and Victoria just as they discover their dream home is bugged, and they agree to work with her. But then Victoria is kidnapped, and Frost is actively pursued by her former employers. Pineiro (Shutdown) writes with humor and flair and turns the high-tech field into an accessible playground for the uninitiated. The thrill of hacking and evading capture equates with the rush of dodging bullets as Pineiro manages a major translation of techie dreamworld into mainstream adrenaline rush. (Apr.)Forecast: Already an established name in techno-thrillers, computer engineer Pineiro is due an upgrade in reputation and perhaps sales with this entertaining story.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Pineiro's latest high-tech thriller should please his fans. The FBI has stumbled upon hints that the IRS may be laundering vast sums of money; to collect the evidence it needs, the Bureau recruits a young software expert working for a company whose only client is the IRS. The deal: get us the proof we need and we won't prosecute you as a coconspirator. Like Pineiro's previous novels, this one is very detailed, very technical (Pineiro is a computer engineer by trade), and very intricate. Also like his earlier work, the execution is a little clumsy. More-lifelike characters and less-stilted dialogue would help. But high-tech thrillers are usually driven by their stories, not their characters, so readers looking mainly for action, equipment, and suspense shouldn't be unduly distracted by the novel's artistic shortcomings. The story here is smart, and the technology suitably complex (and, apparently, realistic). Readers who have enjoyed Pineiro's earlier efforts are likely to be entirely pleased with this one. David Pitt
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