[Read 10/2007] Science Fiction. 2007

Halting State by Charles Stross is a great read. This book reminds me of Spook Country by William Gibson however the tech in Stross’ book is more believable and this is much more of an SF/Police procedural. The book is in the uncommon? “second person”, i.e., “you” perspective. Three viewpoints are shown: Scottish detective Sue Smith, forensic accountant Elaine, and programmer Jack.

Basically the book opens with a bank robbery. However the “bank” is within a virtual world of an online RPG. This heist will wreak havoc with the in-game economy and will result in millions of *real* dollars being lost if the heist becomes known to gamers. Elaine is called in by the game company to help find the bad guys – because in addition to being an accountant she is also a gamer. However, Elain is into LARP (live action role playing) where she dresses up and uses heavy period (and real) swords. Jack is hired to act as her online gaming “guide”. Jack not only plays RPG’s but writes the software for a major online RPG company.

As Elaine and Jack team up to solve the case, there is a lot of tech and plot spun up with them. The book is set in 2018 and the tech extrapolation is believable. Stross’s use of current jargon also helps immerse the reader in the story.

HIGHLY recommended.