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Depth and Detail
Pandemic Hacker 2 follows a stubborn and resilient woman who transforms her body to be unrecognizable to her enemies; she and her AI partner work to take down an extortion and trafficking group. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The original story idea was to have a hacker who figured out something significant that was part of the plot. It was my first novel, and learning about the process, I changed the plot. The original technical idea is part of the story and subplot, but not the main plot. I also wanted to create a character who wasn’t like the hackers on TV (click, click, click, I’m in.) There is depth and detail to the technology that a group of readers doesn’t get anywhere else. Then, to make it enjoyable, what if she found something, a group that was hidden, that operated outside of the law because they had corrupted the groups that could stop them (FBI). How could she navigate that kind of world? The pandemic setting helps and hurts in different ways, allowing me to present the reader with various viewpoints about our world.
Martha is a woman with strength and determination who refuses to give up. What do you think makes her a valuable and worthy heroine?
She is confident in her ability to do the special operations stuff. She is confident in her hacking, especially with Zoe’s help. She has a compulsion to clean. She grew up poor and won’t spend money on herself, even though she has millions. Partially because of the pandemic, she only has one read friend. She can’t just make friends with new people and expose them to the killer organization. She is learning and growing in Pandemic Hacker 2. By the end of the book, there are several people now part of the group fighting the bad guys. She is looking forward to living again, not just surviving. The ending aims to convey the completion of the journey that began with her asking if all the pain and being alone are worth it.
I find that authors sometimes ask themselves questions and let their characters answer them. Do you think this is true for your characters?
Yes. But my questions are sometimes odd to others. How could someone travel across the country in a few days without being tracked? How would you send a specific, untraceable message to the FBI that you are sure they will see and notice? What evil actions and behaviors would motivate people to help a stranger if they knew helping would be dangerous for themselves?
Where does the next book in the series take the characters?
The first two books dealt with the evil group and revolved around corrupt authorities. The idea for the next book is to explore cleaning up an organization that could be of help. That could start to turn the tide. Who can you trust, who can’t be corrupted? Can you help the good guys so they can help you?
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The group leaders operate with impunity. Their security and IT teams are formidable. But Martha is determined to dismantle their empire, stealing their ill-gotten money and learning their secrets. With each strike, the group’s IT experts get closer to knowing her and Zoe’s identities.
The engagements are not just on the internet. Every physical disruption puts everyone in danger. Rejoining with Claire, the chase has become a high-stakes game of cat and mouse. Both sides believe they’re the top predator.
Innocent lives can be destroyed. Is the best option to expose the leaders to the authorities or work to remove the hydra heads of the organization? Martha must navigate the physical world, while Zoe works to dominate the virtual one.
Pandemic Hacker 2
Pandemic Hacker 2 picks up with Martha recovering in a secretive clinic in Mexico City, her body rebuilt after brutal surgeries that make her unrecognizable. What begins as a personal transformation quickly escalates into a battle with an extortion group exploiting patients who change their identities. At her side is Zoe, the AI she created, who takes on human personas like Aunt Tilly, Angela, and Andy to shield its true nature while navigating the human world. Together, they weave through deception, hacking, and survival. The book blends the gritty details of Martha’s physical recovery with the tension of digital warfare and the looming threat of being hunted, creating a fast-paced thriller that never lets up.
The descriptions of Martha’s surgeries and recovery were raw and vivid. I could feel her pain, her frustration, and her determination bleeding through the page. The way the author wrote her interactions with Zoe was fascinating. The AI was curious, literal, and sometimes naïve, and that contrast made their conversations both touching and eerie. The hacking sequences and background-building explanations were interesting, but occasionally slowed the momentum with heavy detail.
What worked for me the most was Martha herself. She is flawed, stubborn, and relatable, yet her resilience made me root for her even when she pushed people away. I liked the dynamic with Merisel, the nurse who reluctantly became part of Martha’s world. Their relationship brought in much-needed warmth and humor. It often felt like I was catching my breath only to be thrown headfirst into the next storm. That rhythm created suspense, but it also left me wanting a deeper pause to connect with Martha beyond her mission.
Pandemic Hacker 2 is a gripping and tense continuation of the series. It’s not light reading, but it’s engaging and thought-provoking. I’d recommend it to readers who enjoy cyber-thrillers, stories of reinvention, or tales that merge high-tech intrigue with raw human grit. If you like protagonists who refuse to give up no matter how much the odds stack against them, this book will hit the mark.
Pages: 284 | ASIN : B0FNRWGBRZ
LITERARY TITAN 