Synopsis/blurb….
A chilling Dark Web
thriller
An anonymous website,
a few clicks, and Joe Henderson’s life is changed forever.
‘The Red Room’ is the
only place where the failings of a weak justice system are righted and where
the line between good and evil becomes blurred. When the lights go up, viewers
bid, criminals are punished, and the Brotherhood of the Righteous broadcasts a
show like no other.
The room has remained
hidden until now, when a video arrives in the inbox of the Metropolitan Police
Cyber Crime Unit. But outclassed, outplayed, and torn apart by corruption, is
there anything Detective Pete Harris and his team can do except watch?
Their only lead may
be the room’s latest bidder, Joe Henderson. Because when Joe found the Red
Room, it found him too, and now the Brotherhood are watching through the wires,
willing to do wrong for a righteous cause.
As they pull Joe deeper
into the dark web, will he find any mercy or a way out? And could he be the Red
Room’s next volunteer?
A really engrossing tale with a trip to the dark side of the
internet - not somewhere I’m intending to visit in my own web browsing. Apparently
the dark net is the haunt of paedophiles, drug dealers, gun runners and the
like. Anything and everything for sale, catering to some of the most extreme
sexual deviancies. An alternate currency the Bit-coin is the method of payment
for these secretive trades.
We have a group of friends out for a drink. After one too
many, Billy shows drunk Joe around the dark net and some sites he has been
visiting. Joe gets hooked and then does some secretive browsing of his own,
getting onto a site where a group of vigilantes host a show requiring audience
participation. The Brotherhood of the Righteous offer up criminals who have been
lightly treated by the justice system, for online bidding where successful
candidates can have the show’s host inflict a torture of their choice, before
the ultimate punishment is inflicted.
We spend time with Joe as he gets sucked into the dark
alternative world and jeopardises his relationship and career. We spend time in
the company of the “Righteous” as they plan their next entertainments and dish
out their own special brand of reality TV justice. We cross paths with drug
dealers, and pimps and child abusers and wife beaters. We watch as a
traumatised and abused teenage girl summons the strength to fight back and flee
as well as spending a bit of time with the team of police officers who uncover
the goings-on after the disappearance of a couple of child killers is brought to
their attention.
I really liked how the author drew the separate strands together
and we had a resolution which was satisfying. There were some interesting
characters along the way. Joe – naïve, foolish, impulsive, reckless, trapped
and in over his head. Daisy - the young abused teenager, battered and bruised
but with an inner strength and most definitely not broken. Pete Harris – a cyber-crimes
police officer and single parent, juggling the demands of the job with the
difficulties of raising a child. And our Brotherhood of the Righteous – a couple
of friends unhappy with criminal justice failures and with the finances and
capabilities to do something about it.
Interesting questions posed about the whole question of
justice and vigilantism. Eye-opening regarding the seamier side of the
internet. Some graphic scenes of punishment which might be a bit too strong for
some readers.
Overall a really impressive read.
4.5 from 5
Chris Thomas has
a website here. (Author page on Bloodhound Books actually.) He is on Twitter - @cthomasauthor1
Read in July 2017
Published – 2017
Page count – 315
Source – review copy received from publisher Bloodhound
Books
Format - Kindle
I can see what you mean about the different strands of the story, Col. And you're right; there are some very, very dark sides to the Internet, aren't there? Glad you enjoyed this one.
ReplyDeleteI did enjoy this one Margot. The unsavoury elements made it a compelling read, but I'm not going to explore the dark web myself. My curiosity has its boundaries!
DeleteSince you enjoyed the writing so much, I might give it a chance, but the subject matter doesn't really appeal.
ReplyDeleteTracy, I did enjoy it but I think it may be a bit too harsh for you.
DeleteIt sounds too fierce for me, though I do always like something about the mysteries of the internet and what is going on out there that we don't see.
ReplyDeleteI think I'm far too much of a coward to explore the dark net. I can't think there is anything on there that appeals to be truthful. Forbidden fruit? Keep it.
DeleteSounds interesting, although like you I have no interest in exploring the dark net in real life.
ReplyDeleteYes, I liked it. I wonder how much research he did on the subject.
DeleteCol - Thanks for the review. This one sounds extra dark.
ReplyDeleteElgin, I suppose the unknown always has a sense of intrigue. I liked this one, with its exploration of the dark side of the net.
Delete