Treacherous Hack (A Mike Stoneman Mystery)

Treacherous Hack by Kevin G. Chapman is the seventh book in the Mike Stoneman Thriller series, yet it remains a perfect read as a standalone mystery. This gripping crime thriller is set in the dark, dangerous underworld of New York City’s organized crime, cyber hacking, and political corruption. The story follows Detective Mike Stoneman and his partner, Jason Dickson, as they investigate the brutal murder of Lou Palazzo, a shop owner entangled in a web of data theft, Chinese espionage, and gang warfare. Meanwhile, young cyber-savvy students Ryan Gelb, Will Scarano, and Sarrie stumble upon a stolen data file linked to the murder, risking their lives to uncover hidden secrets. As the investigation unfolds, alliances shift, and the characters race against time to find a lost data file that holds the key to exposing a conspiracy involving Chinese hackers, corrupt officials, and the Mafia. The story culminates in a violent confrontation at Lou’s pawn shop, with police, gangsters, and hackers battling for control of the stolen data.

Kevin G. Chapman has crafted a twisty narrative with unforgettable characters and a web of crime that takes you to unexpected places. The suspense is exacting, and you are left guessing from page to page. The scenes are well-crafted, and the characters are elaborately drawn; most of them are not what they appear to be —secrets, deception, and dealings in the dark. Treacherous Hack explores themes of loyalty, betrayal, crime, and justice. Lou Palazzo’s desperate protectiveness, the gritty resolve of Detectives Dickson and Stoneman, and the youthful determination of Ryan and Will are plot points that captivated me. Apart from the suspense, the pacing is brisk, and the multiple viewpoints heighten the tension, pulling you into a story where technology intersects with violence and deception. This one is a classic, compulsive, taut, and thrilling story, one of those that keeps you awake through the night. Chapman has crafted a real winner in this one.