Thursday 21 August 2014

Sofa Spotlight - Digital Fortress, Dan Brown

What's it about?

Susan Fletcher is a cryptologist at the NSA and one Saturday morning she is called into work to help with a matter of national security. The whole book is about what happens in the next twenty four/forty eight hours. The drama centers around the NSA headquarters and also with Fletcher's fiance David Becker, who is in Spain on an NSA mission. Becker doesn't work for the NSA but he has been sent by their commander to track down a ring that has a pass key to a code that, if unbroken, could baffle the intelligence services attempts to maintain America's security. Problem is Becker is being chased by an assassin, and Fletcher is having problems trying to track down a second pass key.

What was good?

The pace was fast, but there was enough time to get to know the characters and take in the story. My favorite character was David Becker, although I think he is the hapless underdog that you are supposed to like. There were a few characters that I would have felt sorry for if they hadn't brought their misfortunes on themselves. I also liked the characters that weren't part of the main drama, such as Jabba and Midge, it was entertaining watching them trying to work out what was going on.

What was bad?

I wanted more from the character of Susan Flectcher, and I really don't buy that someone as high up in US intelligence wouldn't know what 'without wax' means. Other than that it was good and the twists kept me guessing.

Who is it for?

The lover of well paced thrillers. It's an easy entertaining read.


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