CL Pauwels at Large

It’s tough to write a novel full of high-tech jargon and digital action so low-tech readers* can follow along, but Cory Doctorow has the knack in elegant, readable bits and bytes. I thoroughly enjoyed his 2021 Attack Surface, so when I heard about Red Team Blues: A Martin Hench Novel, I didn’t hesitate.

It didn’t hurt that Doctorow’s protagonist, Martin Hench, is 67 years old, a man who appreciates books and fine food and women his own age. No bumbling newbie, or juvenile wonderchild here. Hench’s talents, and enemies, are well-earned.

As a self-employed forensic accountant, Hench’s job title might make readers dread a yawner, but far from it. His computer skills are legendary, and while “He’s not famous, except to the people who matter,” what better reputation could anyone hope for! Hench digs into dark-web cryptocurrency and the shadowy figures who mine it, upsetting some powerfully dangerous people along the way. He’s forced to switch his red-team offense thinking to blue-team defense to stem the rising body count. His compassion for – and appreciation of – the plight of a homeless trio he literally stumbles across is a compelling touch.

I’m not a Luddie by any means, but bitcoin and the like have always eluded me. After Red Team Blues, I almost understand it. And as long as Martin Hench is giving the lessons, I’ll follow along.

Doctorow’s sequel – and Hench’s next case, The Bezel, is on my to-be-read list!

*I’m not one of those low-tech readers or writers – my soon-to-be-released Fatal Errors is about a female hacker! – and after writing that novel, I appreciate how difficult a challenge it is. Details soon!