“Net Force – Hidden Agendas” is one more addition to the list of “Net Force” series written in collaboration with Steve Pieczenik. Of late, Clancy seems to be obsessed with the idea of cashing on the popularity of his hit books and seems to be hell bent on writing sequels or converting the same into a “series”, which, as can be seen in his recent novels, is definitely having an undesirable effect on the way his books sell. Lets hope he learns a thing or two from the washout that this particular book was.
This work leaves off shortly after the conclusion of the original Net Force book drawing on the same cast of characters. Welcome to the year 2010 where Computers, Hackers and Virtual Reality are the new mantras. In order to tackle the rising incidence of cyber crimes, the US Congress creates a computer security agency in collaboration with the FBI: The Net Force, headed by Alex Michaels and ably supported by half a dozen motley crew of cyber smart professionals who have their own set of jealousies and prejudices stacked up against each other.
Somewhere deep in the recesses of a Congress member’s staff, Thomas Hughes, head of staff of Congressman Jason Robert White is brewing up a plan that is as sick and unimaginative as a child playing with a top. With the help of Platt, a cyber criminal, Hughes plans to divert the attention of the Net Force by posting the “recipe” for the preparation of highly toxic and lethal chemical bomb and by disclosing the names of top undercover agents of the CIA on the internet.
Meanwhile, a virus is unleashed that throws the federal financial systems into chaos and the Net Force operatives must hunt the wily hacker through the twists and turns of cyberspace. In the midst of all this chaos, Hughes siphons off a Hundred Billion Dollars and transfers the amount to his secret bank accounts, all the while sitting in an obscure West African country, safely out if reach of the FBI. One may be tempted to ask what Hughes intends to do with the dough...well the reason is very stupid and childlike, so I wont even bother mentioning it here.
The book runs into five hundred pages (thanks mainly to the big font size) and is filled with confusing incidents relating to vague characters who keep popping in and out as if they were giving “Guest Appearances”. Frankly, I felt like dumping the book into a sewer right after the first 3 chapters, but decided to gamely hang on, in anticipation of some sudden twist that might infuse some life into this otherwise dull and lifeless book. It carries none of the trademark style and stamp of the master storyteller who has given us some real racy thrillers like “The Hunt for Red October” and “Red Storm Rising” among others.
I think that it is high time that Clancy returns to his solo writing style because these collaborative works leave a lot to be desired. Clancy has the ability to spin a complex web of plots and characters, which is something that has been left behind since both the Op-Center books and these new Net Force series.
I suggest you not to read this book even if you have to spend time sitting idly...which is anyday better.