Duel to the Death:
Title: Duel to the death (Ali
Reynolds #13)
Author: J. A. Jance
Literacy level: Intermediate
Rating:5/5
Published as recently as 2018, Duel to the death is part
of a series of books of Ali Reynolds (14 so far, and a 15th
installment arriving in 2020). After thinking the murder of his best friend was
solved, Stuart Ramey tries to continue his old life as a socially awkward
computer nerd. But what he did not predict was the inheritance of a possible
multi-million dollars’ worth of bitcoin account from his friend's killer, a ploy
from an A.I. (Artificial Intelligence), named Frigg, smart enough to think of
numerous steps ahead for its survival. How will Stuart manage this problem? Who
might be lurking in the shadows looking for something of that caliber? And what
does a Panamanian Drug-lord have anything to do with this rogue A. I.?
Review: Oddly enough, this is my first mystery-thriller read, and it was great. If you are a computer geek or a bitcoin aficionado, this is the book for you. At times, it displays some advanced computer language, but it is quickly explained, for the readers to understand. This has two main focuses, the protagonist and the antagonist, but through the eyes of the antagonist, we experience their life and what leads them to what they’re doing. In some instances, you get stunned at what might happen or who is doing what, nevertheless, it all ties back at the end with a satisfying conclusion. On a deeper note, it explores the moral quandary of what to do with an A.I. that is potentially or already smarter than humans, should it be taught how to differentiate good from evil? Or let it “live” and learn what is free will on its own? It is not a matter of if it will or will not, but how and when. Makes you question technological ideals as well as internalize the possibility of A.I. becoming sentient or even being more human/indistinguishable to ourselves. It is not prominent now, but it is something to ponder from an ethical standpoint.
ISBN:978-1-5011-5099-9