The fox by Frederick Forsyth

"The fox" by Frederick Forsyth - Short of author's standard.

This book is published by Corgi in 2018 and has 352 pages. 

A hacker has penetrated Fort Mead database, most secure database of America, but hasn't changed or stolen anything. The hacker is difficult to trace and good at hiding and is hence dubbed as The Fox.  A long pursuit leads to detention of a British teenager with Asperger Syndrome. Russia's president is controlling government, oligarchs and mafia. He wants to restore Russia as superpower. A plot is hatched. 

What are Russian ambitions? How will UK teach Russia a lesson? What weapon is at their disposal? What role will The Fox play? Is there a traitor?

Sir Ardian, retired Deputy chief of MI6 and now adviser to British PM, leads the British initiative. Yevgeny Crilov, head of SVR (Russian intelligence), leads the Russian initiative. The story takes place in 20129Mar future, in year 2019.

They play a battle of wits, hacking,  sabotage, assassination and international politics. Russia, Iran and North Korea are the rogue states that need to be warned and nowadays the war is not fought on ground, sea or sky. It's fought in cyberspace. 

The story is decent but not exciting. There is limited action and very limited emotions. Cyber war and it's impact on international politics is the main theme. Russia's attempts to regain the status of super power are central to the story.  Russia is the new villain. Character of President of Russia is based on Putin and made darker and vicious. 

How would one end the story? By making The Fox invincible? Na! By killing him? No! Then how? Well you will have to read the book to know it. 

Frederick Forsyth is a master of thrillers but somehow this one, though good of looked at absolutely, falls short of his own standards. 

Year's ago all the western thriller authors had communist USSR as enemy. Later on Islamic terrorists became favourite villains. It was China's turn next for a brief period. Recently Russia is re-emerging as favourite antagonist again. Is this an indication of changing political scenario in world politics?

Why did I read this book? Frederick Forsyth,  bas naam hi kaafi.

What I didn't like? Lack of thrill. 

What did I like? Use of The Fox.

Not a must read, but you can read.