Blackout

June 5, 2017
Europe is plunged into darkness, followed by further disasters, in Elsberg’s U.S. debut, an uneven thriller, which was a bestseller in Germany and elsewhere in Europe. The blackout, which starts in Italy and is caused by computer hackers with vague
dreams of disrupting the world order, quickly spreads north. Elsberg does a good job capturing how life could break down when we lose our main power source. Within days, food riots erupt in major cities, all forms of transportation and communication cease, nuclear power plants leak radiation, and some governments fall to military coups. The plot is told largely through vignettes of various groups of people and their individual struggles. Central among the book’s characters are former hacker and activist Piero Manzano and CNN reporter Lauren Shannon. Together, Piero and Lauren try to find the cause of the power loss, though for a while the authorities suspect that they are involved themselves. The plot’s tension suffers, however, because so little of the story is devoted to the culprits behind the disaster and their intentions. The story’s high point is a one-page shoving match toward the end when one of the hackers is wrestled to the ground and taken into custody. Readers might expect more pop after an entire continent is brought to its knees. Agent: Helen Edwards, Transworld Publishers.

Luis Moreno provides this gripping thriller a subtle yet dazzling performance. The riveting story concerns an anarchist group that brings Europe to a standstill, literally. Then the group moves on to other parts of the globe, completely disrupting power grids. Moreno narrates passionately in strong, controlled tones. Ex-hacker Piero Manzano joins forces with the authorities in trying to resolve the crisis but soon is the victim of a setup. At that point he partners with journalist Lauren Shannon to try to stop the terrorists. The story demonstrates our dependence on energy and the real possibility of the world going dark. Moreno's voice adds drama and verisimilitude to what is already a very scary scenario. S.C.A. � AudioFile 2017, Portland, Maine


It seemed like a normal day for most of the world until the lights went out in Paris, then London, then New York City, at precisely noon, local time. Coincidence or terrorist plot? SAS Anti-Terrorism Specialist Josh Harding gets the nod to track down those involved. Narrator Gordon Griffin's masterful work carries the day. Clear, crisp delivery, tempo, and style draw listeners into this farfetched thriller. Nonstop action from Afghanistan to Arizona is presented in a "you-are-there" tone. Griffin sometimes tries too hard to give new characters unique voices, but his overall work makes for rewarding listening. Fans of Clancy and Ludlum will enjoy BLACKOUT. T.J.M. (c) AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine