{"product_id":"halting-state-paperback","title":"Halting State - Paperback","description":"\u003cp\u003eby \u003cb\u003eCharles Stross\u003c\/b\u003e (Author)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\"\u003ci\u003eHalting State \u003c\/i\u003e is] a near-future story that is at once over-the-top and compellingly believable.\" - Vernor Vinge, author of\u003ci\u003e Rainbows End \u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eIn the year 2018, Sergeant Sue Smith of the Edinburgh constabulary is called in on a special case. A daring bank robbery has taken place at Hayek Associates--a dot-com start-up company that's just floated onto the London stock exchange. But this crime may be a bit beyond Smith's expertise. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e The prime suspects are a band of marauding orcs with a dragon in tow for fire support. The bank is located within the virtual reality land of Avalon Four, and the robbery was supposed to be impossible. When word gets out, Hayek Associates and all its virtual \"economies\" are going to crash hard. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e For Smith, the investigation seems pointless. But the deeper she digs, the bigger the case gets. There are powerful players--both real and pixelated--who are watching her every move. Because there is far more at stake than just some game-head's fantasy financial security...\u003ch3\u003eAuthor Biography\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eCharles Stross was born in Leeds, England in 1964. He holds degrees in pharmacy and computer science, and has worked in a variety of jobs including pharmacist, technical author, software engineer, and freelance journalist. He is now a full-time writer.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNumber of Pages:\u003c\/strong\u003e 336\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 0.9 x 6.74 x 4.18 IN\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublication Date:\u003c\/strong\u003e July 01, 2008\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Books by splitShops","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42687314198591,"sku":"9780441016075","price":9.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0105\/8226\/1823\/files\/762fb88bde325ea65fed8db0ac7e8775.webp?v=1764978191","url":"https:\/\/dhl-adrianne.myshopify.com\/products\/halting-state-paperback","provider":"BBB","version":"1.0","type":"link"}