The first and most bizarre event nearly becomes a monumental catastrophe when something goes awry at an American theme park, wreaking havoc on visitors looking for nothing more than a sun-splashed holiday. In a different part of the country, a USAF F-15 pilot, escorting another jet in the skies over the Midwest, inexplicably loses control of his plane, endangering the lives of several people and deeply puzzling those following his mission on the ground. Then, in the misty calm of a coastal California evening, the world’s premier scientist on the subject of artificial intelligence gets a strange phone call. When he hangs up, he quietly grabs his coat and leaves for an after-dinner stroll from which he never returns. It’s up to Hawke and the brilliant former inspector Ambrose Congreve to find out what could possibly be happening. But how does one identify—and fight—an enemy one can’t see, a real phantom? Even these seasoned operatives are mystified. Is there really such a thing as an ultra-intelligent machine, a cyberweapon that can shift the geopolitical balance of power? In a hunt that takes him from Palo Alto, California, to the Russian frontier, to Cambridge University and the glistening Mediterranean aboard his newly christened and armed super-yacht Blackhawke, Alex Hawke is joined by the unstoppable Stokely Jones and his ex-CIA buddy Harry Brock as he moves closer to unmasking the scientist behind these extraordinary events, going nose-to-nose with an enemy unlike any he’s fought before—and may never again. “A hero to rival Bond by an author to rival Cussler.” — The Bookseller (U.K.)
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"I love that Hawke is back and if possible even more of a badass than ever. Stokely Jones gets married and the descriptions of the sea battle is pretty awesome. It does start out a little convoluted because it jumps around from place to place. Well worth the read once you get back to Hawke and the speed of the novel picks up." — Ben (4 out of 5 stars)
"I love that Hawke is back and if possible even more of a badass than ever. Stokely Jones gets married and the descriptions of the sea battle is pretty awesome. It does start out a little convoluted because it jumps around from place to place. Well worth the read once you get back to Hawke and the speed of the novel picks up."
" I thought this was another good book from author Ted Bell. I just enjoy the hell out of this character, Hawke. A modern day James Bond, but with an awesome haircut. "
" This book should be read by pretty much everyone. although, in my book, I have 612 pages.... Oh well! More for me! :) "
" I really had a hard time finishing this one. His earlier Hawke books were so much better. "
" This was a good book, but not quite as good as I was expecting. "
" The plot kept me reading; the writing/character development is too shallow for me. "
" Tough to get through...could have been great. Lots of potential but poor execution "
" I have read all of his books and have enjoyed all of them except this one. The two plots in the book were poorly developed and he could have had a book for each of the plots. Not a good read. "
" I enjoy the series. While Phantom was not my favorite, it was a good read. Would recommend it and would have rated it a 3.5 given the option. "
" totally enjoyable. interesting to equate cyberwar and singularity. never considered that. "
" brilliant thriller as good if not better than vince flynn "
" The Alex Hawke series continues to impress. Great thought provoking, edge of your seat, spy thriller. "
" Not as good as others he has written. Too SciFi for me! "
" WOW!! a mind bender! really makes you think about AI and all that could happen. As Mr. Bell states, sometimes fiction is too close to fact! (okay slightly paraphrased.) "
" Not a bad read as far as adventure novels go. Did not like completely stereotypical portrayal of Russia. Granted its a work of fiction to begin with, but basic fact checking would go a long way in making the book more enjoyable. "
" With the exception of the tortuous graphic beginning, I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. Get past the beginning to reap the rewards of two stories woven into one. 8 of 10 stars "
" This was not as good as some of the author's previous books. "
" Fabulous suspense novel. Scary! The way things are going cyberwar could happen just like this book depicts. "
" Didn't actually finish it; just wasn't to my taste. I found the dialog a bit stilted, and the plot rather unbelievable. "
Ted Bell is an American author of suspense and young adult adventure novels. He is best known for his New York Times bestselling series of spy thriller novels featuring the character Alex Hawke. He lives and works in Palm Beach, Florida, and Aspen, Colorado.
John Shea’s career includes more than forty films, most notably the Academy Award-winner Missing. His television work includes Lois and Clark and Mutant X, and he has appeared in more than twenty-five plays on and off Broadway and in London’s West End.
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