Ray Brown, a recovering alcoholic and computer genius is about to become either a hero or a villain. The choice is his.

Dianne Morgan is the CEO of one of the top two software companies in the world; and she is enraged by the government’s humiliating decision in an anti-trust trial. She’s also a member of The Domain, a group of computer programmers dedicated to taking control. . .of the world. They collectively have designed “PeaceMaker,” a virus built into the most popular computer operating system in the world. Its function: to overtake 90% of the world’s computers and cause a disaster, to which Dianne Morgan and company can miraculously appear and offer help. 

Morgan recruits Brown, a former lover, to help her, though Brown distrusts her motives. He agrees, if only to prohibit implementation of the plan, because he has seen one of the possible effects of the program—the personalized computer of his eldest son, David, is infected, and it is in the process of destroying the young man’s mind – and ultimately his life.

But another company knows about “PeaceMaker,” and its goal is more sinister than Morgan’s company. 

Morgan proves to be a sympathetic character at times, but for the most part, she’s psychotic and controls men with blatant sexual advances.

The other female supporting character also turns out to be morally corrupt and enjoys participating in sexual activity in front of an audience.  

The portrayal of these two women, at times, reads like a letter to Penthouse, and it almost caused me to quit reading the book. The scenes did not add to or move the plot forward, and their deletion (i.e. ignore them) actually propels the fast-paced action forward at a more appropriate pace.

The sexual content aside, the book is a fascinating look at a possible future, with scenarios caused by fanatical idealists (terrorists). The premise is thought provoking and disturbing—what if?  

Ray Brown is a grand hero, a flawed man who manages to rise above his self, and in spite of those who want to see him fail, perseveres. I rooted for this nondescript character to overcome the odds, and that’s what makes a novel worthwhile.

In the end, I was glad I didn’t fling the book across the room in exasperation at the gratuitous sex scenes.  

The story is ideal for the big-screen, and I wouldn’t be surprised at its success under a sharp screenplay adaptation.

Bottom line: Intrigue, slightly futuristic, plausible storyline with a likeable hero.  

The author, Dan Ronco, brings to the book his experience with Microsoft and other technology companies at the senior management level. His background in research and product development, as well as knowledge about existing software gives “PeaceMaker” above-average credibility.