Descartes' Demon by Ross Hightower & Deb Heim
TITLE INFORMATION
Descartes’ Demon
Ross Hightower & Deb Heim
Quizzical Spirit Press, 303 pages
9798993871400, 02-07-2026
Overall Rating = 4.75
Storyline & Concept = 4.5
Writing & Delivery = 5
Editorial = 4.75
Descartes’ Demon centers on two tech geniuses, Nik and "The Technician," who are head-to-head in a high-stakes digital crime charade. Nik, operating publicly as the CTO of a premier cybersecurity company, is working privately on an AI interface, which he has named after his wife, Alix. The Technician, meanwhile, works in the shadows as a hired hacker involved with dangerous people, who is after something of Nik’s. The authors cleverly weave real-world issues of AI's influence and the ethical consequences of power into the narrative, prompting readers to ponder the philosophical question: what is real?
The reader is hooked from the start as the conflict quickly escalates and the stakes get higher. The novel intricately weaves through murder, kidnapping, and the dangers of the dark web, with each event driving the tension. Clever analogies, sharp wit, and moments of dark humor offer respite from the underlying menace, while colorful characters introduced throughout the novel bring depth. Despite initial skepticism about the novel’s supernatural elements, Nik’s 'figments' enrich the narrative by adding layers of subtle humor and mystery to the storyline.
In this highly engaging digital crime novel, the vividly drawn characters, witty narratives, and heightened conflict leave the reader craving more adventures with Nik and Alix. I would recommend this novel to anyone looking for a timely thriller that keeps you on your toes from start to finish.
Sublime Line: “Fast paced and sharply written, with wit that cuts through the tension, this timely novel delivers high-stakes digital crime.”
Sublime Book Review
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