From New York Times journalist and syndicated comic strip creator Matt Richtel, HOOKED is a visionary thriller for the digital era–and a novel about life, love, and high-tech intrigue on the Left Coast. When medical journalist Nat Idle narrowly survives an explosion in an Internet café after receiving a mysterious note warning him to leave immediately, he becomes enmeshed in the most dangerous assignment of his life. Nat believes that the handwriting on the lifesaving note belongs to his deceased girlfriend, a Silicon Valley venture capitalist he has been obsessively mourning, and so begins a fevered quest to solve the mystery of his lost love. The journey forces him to confront the underbelly of the digital revolution and question his own sanity. Matt Richtel’s first novel will leave you hooked at the end of every chapter. His thriller about love and other addictions is itself a compulsive reading experience, fueled by adrenaline and suspense and influenced by the pace and attitude of the Internet. It is a tour de force of romance and deception, and a haunting commentary on the impact new addictions are having on our lives.
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"very exciting first few pages. Main character escapes an exploding coffee shop. He then goes on to investigate a warning note he got from his supposedly dead ex-girlfriend. Which uncovers a plot about how our electronic devices are becoming addictions." — Stephanie (4 out of 5 stars)
"very exciting first few pages. Main character escapes an exploding coffee shop. He then goes on to investigate a warning note he got from his supposedly dead ex-girlfriend. Which uncovers a plot about how our electronic devices are becoming addictions."
" Was I the only one who knew exactly how this was going to end by the second sentence on page one? I thought not. Its not bad. It's just not terribly original. "
" This book counts among its ancestors 1960's sci-fi like the dark stuff of Harlan Ellison and Robert Silverberg. Add to that a generous splash of new-millenium techno geek (already dated) and the nonstop action of James Patterson ("Buy this book or I'll be forced to kill Alex Cross"). "
" Silly page turner set in beautiful San Francisco. I'm in. "
" Better than talking to myself for 8 hours in car. How much better? If I'd had a sock puppet, the two would be dead even. "
" Quick read and interesting. Basically, you get hooked reading it. "
" this one was pretty boring, slightly confusing, and a bit inconsistent. after a few chapters you see that this is an inexperienced thriller writer, and stop expecting great plot twists. i wouldn't recommend it. "
" This book was really awful. The plot line was insipid. I cannot believe it actually got published. "
" Really enjoyed this, even if the story was a bit implausible. Matt's a truly excellent writer, loved the tone, style, humor, romanticism, etc. "
" One of the best first chapters I have read. I can see how that chapter got it published. The problem is it goes down hill, steeply, after that. "
" This was a strange book. While I like noir type of plots, this one was weird. I wonder why I bothered to finish it. "
" This is great story on how technology can get us into trouble. Suspenseful page turner! "
" book on CD, so i can't really say I've "read" it. "
" Too poorly written to read. The review sounded great but was entirely undeserved. "
" Listened to the audiobook on a long, boring drive, which might have made it seem more interesting than it really was. Holey plot, some inexplicable behavior, a completely nonsensical ending - but okay, it was fun. "
" The writing was a little trite in places, but the plot was interesting especially considering our technology-addicted society. "
" This was an ok book with an interesting theme - could a deadly disease be transferred via computer to the user? The book kept my interest until the end. "
" i enjoyed this mindless thriller, but it wasn't very well written. even though i was interested in the story it was never a page-turner. "
" tech mystery that takes place in san francisco. a little flat. "
" The build up was great but the ending was a bit of a let down. Interesting plot with a lot of potential. But could have been better. "
" I think this book sucked. I honestly could have written a better book. How did this get published? I award this book zero stars. "
" Loving Matt Richtel's writing. He knows how to set a scene, you can feel the bar, the clink of ice in the glasses. Characters are developed very nicely. Can't say enough great stuff about this book. "
" unpublicized mystery thriller, with a touch of romance and tech. "
" Intriguing premise, fun read. If you like techie mysteries, I recommend it. "
" This was pretty readable but I didn't really enjoy his writing style, and the story line felt a little out of date already. "
" A light, fun summer thriller with a great main character. Disclaimer: I am thanked in this book. "
" This book is not half bad. It has some cool concepts. The second half gets weaker, though. I did not care for the ending but still, the author does some nice things, especially with the initial chapters, and its a fun, fast read. "
" One word: eh. Concept had the ability to be awesome. It fell so flat that I am thrilled I didn't pay full price for this book. Ity was stilted...boring...lacked direction and was all around bad. I do not recommend. "
" I enjoyed the story and the author's characters. I could feel the angst of the lead character, but it never got syrupy or maudlin. Give it a try! "
" Preposterous plot with nonstop action but little suspense. I got impatient. "
" A thrillride! It went up and down, and you won't know who to trust or believe until the last second. I don't think you can figure it out. But what a satisfying thriller. "
" scary reading - could this be true??? "
Matt Richtel is a Pulitzer Prize–winning New York Times technology journalist and a novelist. His first book, Hooked, was a critically acclaimed bestseller. His fiction, like his journalism, focuses on the impact of technology on how people live, behave, and love in the twenty-first century. He won the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for national reporting for his series on distracted driving. He lives in San Francisco with his family.
Kirby Heyborne is a musician, actor, and professional narrator. Noted for his work in teen and juvenile audio, he has garnered over twenty Earphones Awards. His audiobook credits include Jesse Kellerman’s The Genius, Cory Doctorow’s Little Brother, and George R. R. Martin’s Selections from Dreamsongs.
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