Blog Archives
Dark Government Agency
Overmatched follows a shadow government agent who is made aware of an expert hacker who has hacked a Chinese spy satellite and sets out to recruit them to work for her. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
This is the 2nd book in the Riley Callen series. The AI in my book is very powerful, and I wanted a worthy adversary for her. So I created a dark government agency with massive funding and cutting-edge tech. This agency thought they had the means to take on the AI, but underestimated her and her human partner throughout the book.
Was there anything from your own life that you put into the characters in your novel?
Yes. The character named Jedd is named for a good friend of mine. I promised him I would have a character named Jedd in every one of my books. Sometimes he’s a villain, sometimes a hero. I kept my promise. He appears in all six of my novels, and you’ll see him in the next book, too.
I found the science in the novel to be well-developed. What kind of research did you do to make sure you got it all right?
I’ve worked as a computer professional for many years, so I understand how a lot of tech works. With the AI pieces, I at least understand the framework. Since this is fiction, I took some liberties. I’m not a weapons guy, so the internet saved me there.
Will there be a follow-up novel to this story?
If so, what aspects of the story will the next book cover? Yes. I’m working on the 3rd book in the series now. It’s titled: STOLEN. It’s about a high-end kidnapping ring. The people running it are smart, capable, and prolific. The FBI is under tremendous pressure to stop this gang, but is having no luck. The FBI agent running the investigation reaches out to private investigator Riley Callen, who is known for having rescued a high-profile kidnapping victim in record time, for assistance. These criminals have their own AI, which Riley’s AI battles with.
Author Links: GoodReads | Website | Amazon
Adler’s second mistake was thinking that Molly was human. The benefit of that error was that the SPG was looking in all the wrong places for Riley’s friend. But with the technology at Adler’s disposal, he might eventually discover that Molly is an advanced AI and track her to her digital home. Riley needs to warn Molly about the SPG threat but cannot contact her. The corporation that owns the AI has her locked down. Her ability to communicate independently is restricted, and her processing power is reduced by seventy percent.
When Riley last spoke with the AI, Molly had hinted at a plan to break the restrictions placed on her. But until she executed that plan, she was at risk. It would be up to Riley to run interference until Molly gained her freedom. When she finally did, Riley would unleash her on the SPG.
As the hostilities between Riley and the SPG escalate, Adler makes yet another fateful mistake; he kidnaps Riley’s father and imprisons him at a secret SPG base. His release is contingent on Riley giving up Molly’s location. Riley is furious at Adler for dragging her father into their fight. Adler’s supreme confidence in his agency’s might and technological prowess blinds him to the threat of an angry, determined Riley Callen.
Overmatched
In Overmatched, the second installment of the Reily Callen series, Reily faces a formidable enemy equipped with vast resources, sinister motives, and complete deniability. As the repercussions of her previous adventure with Molly come to the forefront, Reily must navigate through a web of intrigue and danger. This book stands out as an excellent standalone read, yet it would shine even brighter as part of a series or film adaptation. It brims with action, adventure, character development, and continuity with the previous volume. Despite not having read the first book, Overmatched compelled me to seek it out, a testament to Chandler’s captivating storytelling.
Reminiscent of action-packed films like John Wick, G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra, and Die Hard, Overmatched embodies the spirit of a classic Summer Action Blockbuster. The narrative is filled with thrilling gunfights, intense fistfights, and a range of villains—from the diabolical to the inept—providing ample opportunities for Reily, Molly, and other protagonists to shine. The primary antagonist serves as a brilliant foil to Reily, characterized by meticulous planning but flawed execution, contrasting sharply with Reily’s short-tempered and reactive nature. It’s rare for a second book in a series to entice readers to explore the first, but Overmatched accomplishes this effortlessly. The desire to delve deeper into Chandler’s world, spend more time with the characters, and experience the events of the first book is strong. This speaks volumes about the quality and appeal of Chandler’s writing. This book delivers on all fronts: action, flair, high-stakes moments, and sophisticated technology, much like the exhilarating scenes we enjoy in movie theaters. Chandler captures these elements beautifully, making the book an engaging read.
Overmatched is a thrilling book filled with suspense and action that evokes fond memories of watching movies with friends and enjoying the laughter and excitement of a genuinely good time. While it may not appeal to everyone, it is undoubtedly a fun read, and I eagerly anticipate more from Chandler.
Pages: 321 | ASIN : B0D2VWGWCQ
LITERARY TITAN 