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Alex Vane #2

The Inverted Pyramid

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Journalist Alex Vane has finally found stability. He's living with a fiery massage therapist and co-managing a website that investigates the inner workings of the media. But when he breaks a story detailing low-level political corruption in Washington, a source hints at a vaster conspiracy, one that may reach all the way to the top of the fast-approaching 2004 presidential election.

At a conference in Seattle, Alex runs into an old friend--and flame--Media Studies Professor Camila Gray. But just as they begin to reconnect, Alex's business partner disappears, leaving Alex only one clue: the name of a hacker who was recently murdered in New York City.

Alex and Camila travel to Alex's hometown, where they race to untangle a web of connections between the dead hacker, the disappearance of Alex's partner, and the death of Alex's parents seven years earlier. But all the while, a mysterious source is pulling the strings of their investigation, of the election, and possibly of their lives.

290 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 22, 2017

1054 people are currently reading
1082 people want to read

About the author

A.C. Fuller

31 books138 followers
Once a journalist in New York, A.C. Fuller now writes stories at the intersection of media, politics, and technology. Before he began writing full time, he was an adjunct professor of journalism at NYU and an English teacher at Northwest Indian College.

He lives with his wife, two children, and two dogs near Seattle. For a free copy of one of A.C.'s books, check out: http://www.acfuller.com/readerclub/

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews
Profile Image for Vicki.
1,206 reviews180 followers
November 10, 2017
Alex Vane is once again facing his anonymous source in a book packed with secrets, old crimes, and unfinished business. Alex and Greta are together and happy while Lance and James are working with Alex in their online new site. With the internet new and changing they have become pioneers in that information superhighway.

When a text comes in to Alex it begins a confusing and fast paced investigation. Old secrets help lead Alex and friends into danger. Kidnappings, dark places and election drama fill each page.

I am not sure how I missed this book, but I am so glad I read it. It is so well written and so energetic. I just adore Alex and I think I adore him even more now that I see why he is the way he is. Old enemies also come into play and shed even more light in the past.

A.C. Fuller is an all time favorite author and even more impressive is that he is an indie author. This series is amazing.
Profile Image for Donna.
1,344 reviews9 followers
May 25, 2017
An excellent second instalment in the Alex Vane series. I won't go into plot information - you can get that in the book preview (and I'm sure other reviews will mention it) and I hate spoilers! - but there are several things I want to mention that I thought were brilliantly incorporated into it. The return of some characters from book 1 in unusual ways (mysterious enough for you?!), the links to the death of Alex's parents which necessitates a return to his hometown, and the general mix of journalism, politics, computer advances and hacking, action, adventure, and personal relationships. The writing is excellent, and the characters really merge with the story to spring to life in my imagination like a film, making me want to keep watching/reading without stopping, from beginning to end! I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes reading books incorporating any of the themes, or is just looking for something a bit different, and definitely anyone who liked book 1 of the series - you'll love this one! Now I'm looking forward to reading book 3!!
Profile Image for Cobwebs-in-Space-Ice.
5,616 reviews324 followers
April 22, 2017
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review THE INVERTED PYRAMID April 26
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Mallory Heart Reviews
Apr 21 (1 day ago)

to me
Review of THE INVERTED PYRAMID
By A. C. Fuller
(An Alex Vane Media Thriller, Book 2)

The title of this second in the series about journalist Alex Vane, partner in an Internet news site and former print journalist, refers to the journalistic practice of placing the most important facts at the beginning of the article: Who? What? When? Why? How?
Just as authors learn to incorporate a hook to catch readers' attention and interest in the very first pages, which is called, naturally, a “reader's hook,” so too do journalists write to capture the reader's attention. This is probably more important in contemporary society than it even was in the days of print journalism, because Web site viewers will flip through pages and click at whatever catches their attention, which is easily lost or misdirected.

Alex Vane and his business partner James travel from Manhattan to Seattle to attend a highly-hyped Digital Media Conference. While there, they encounter Alex's former love, Camila, but more drastically, they are targeted. An unknown source warned them before leaving New York City that attending the conference would put them in danger, and indeed, James disappears from the hotel after a visit to a former media tycoon Alex suspects of multiple murder. While Alex is trying to locate James, an anonymous source informs him that he must investigate his former childhood home, Bainbridge Island, off Seattle. In the process, Alex will learn that all the past history he considered factual is in fact a tissue of illusions.

THE INVERTED PYRAMID has to my mind one of the evillest fictional villains I've encountered in quite a while. His very presence at any point in the story made my skin crawl and delivered chills to my spine. Due to this invididual, I could classify the story as horror because of its implacability of evil—almost like a force of nature. Chilling!
Profile Image for Lindsey.
62 reviews
January 15, 2019
This book was quite interesting. There were times when I didn't quite understand some of the technical terms used, but overall, great plot, interesting characters, and a well-edited book.
Profile Image for Carlos Mock.
906 reviews11 followers
December 29, 2023
The Inverted Pyramid (Alex Vane Media Thriller, #2) by A.C. Fuller

This is a stand-alone book. You don't need to read the 1st book to read this second volume.

'"We hear it over and over. Every new medium holds great promise for journalism, which also means the greatest promise for the free flow of information. For the ability of humans to live freely, to self-actualize. And each turns out to be a major letdown. After each technology disappoints, we have to play that loser game-show sound: wah wah wah wahhhhh. Fooled again. And with the Internet, we're all Charlie Brown, hoping that this time the football won't be yanked away,"' p 58 -59

Journalist Alex Vane alongside James Stacey and Lance Brickman are the owners of News Scoop. They had managed to beat the New York Times on a major story that the Times had decided to can. Now they are following a major story: a murder cover-up and a 2004 campaign blackmail to both John Kerry and George W. Bush.

Alex attends a conference and runs into an old friend - and flame - Media Studies Professor Camila Gray. But just as they begin to reconnect, Alex's business partner disappears, leaving Alex only one clue: the name of a hacker who was recently murdered. A source hints at a vaster conspiracy, one that may reach all the way up to the fast-approaching presidential election.

Alex and Camila travel to Alex's hometown to find answers, where they race to untangle the connections between the dead hacker and the disappearance of Alex's partner. But all the while, a mysterious source is pulling the strings of their investigation, of the election, and possibly of their lives.

The story is narrated from the third-person point of view, but it's a mess. The characters are flat, uninteresting. I never cared for them. There are too many tangents - too many sub-plots that take away from the main story. It's a very short book - 282 pages on Kindle - but it feels like it runs forever.

I was very disappointed and would advise people to stay off the book.
Profile Image for Satrajit Sanyal.
566 reviews3 followers
February 20, 2018
The Inverted Pyramid is the second book in the Alex Vane Media Thriller series. This can be read as a standalone but I suggest you read the previous book first. It will give you the information you need to fully understand this book. I enjoyed this book and had a hard time putting it down. There is violence.

This is one of those rare books where I wish I could add an additional plus, or star, to the score, to indicate something special. It's a good story, a journalistic political thriller, with a Deep Throat mystery entwined, and well written. It is a compulsive read. But the real joy comes from the characterizations, people so real I feel I'd recognize them if i met them, a couple i felt i might have met already.

I sometimes think that the measure of an excellent author lies in how good his/her villain is in the book. The more vile, realistic and an imminent threat, the more your identification with that of the victim/hero/heroine. If anything, Bice is probably the kind of authentic thug most likely to scare me out of my wits any time, mostly because he is cunning and mostly insane. He is unpredictable. And a killer, albeit one with a semblance of remorse after a kill. That remorse, however, is him bluffing himself into thinking is still human.

A.C. Fuller created a monster in the guise of a human.
Profile Image for Teresa Collins.
1,080 reviews18 followers
May 18, 2017
How do you know you have stumbled upon a great author? You find yourself devouring his/her book. You don't even bother to tell yourself, "Just one more chapter" because you know it's a lie; you'll read until somebody makes you stop. You find yourself reading instead of doing those unessential things like eating, sleeping, and taking care of family (everybody in this house is an adult; they can take care of themselves). You find yourself getting REALLY angry because the author has put one of YOUR people in danger. How dare he/she. Doesn't he know this person is important? What's wrong with him?! One such author is A.C. Fuller. I thought he had reached his pinnacle in The Anonymous Source, but I was wrong. He has outdone even his high standards in The Inverted Pyramid. He has created a story that will not let go once it has you in its grasp. It has everything you have ever wanted in a crime story and then some. It delivers everything it promises in spades: suspense, thrills, craziness, fear, love, regret, self-delusion, self-awareness, mystery, scandal, conspiracy, just to name a few of the stops on this thrill ride. Don't miss it. I was given a free copy of this book by the author at my request and I voluntarily chose to review it
Profile Image for Kay.
1,398 reviews
July 29, 2017
Following on the first Alex Vane Media Thriller comes this chilling story of a very nasty killer circling around the hard nut of the book--Alex's private nightmare and his journalism mission with his publication, News Scoop. The scenes are sharp and scary—the reader sees it all but not over-described, threatening, moving quickly.
Some readers don’t like it when a villain is a psychopathic murderer, but the creation of Bice's twisted psyche is awfully well done. He fascinates in that horrible way the best-portrayed mad men and murderers do. He's also well done as a guy who's nuts for a reason. Alex’s girlfriend, Camila, is someone I'd like to have lunch with, having ditched being a pill like she was in the first novel of the series.
Alex is a character I want to see more of—he is no hero, he's a journalist doing his job, and he is ordinary all while being persistent and professional and caring about the women (and men) in his life and dealing with big questions, like fatherhood and the horror of his parents' death ... but still professional, though torn by the intersection of his pro-journalist life with his private-nightmare life. He comes off with perfect pitch, to my mind.
Cannot wait for this series to keep on going!
Profile Image for Dave.
636 reviews9 followers
January 16, 2019
This was an OK thriller/ murder mystery. We know who the killer is through most of the story, and it seems he wants to be caught, since he alternates between outright evil and generously letting his pursuers catch him. It took a long time to read this, mostly because it never really grabbed me. The hero, Alex Vane, is a somewhat dislikable jerk and I never cared much what happened to him. This is the second book in the series I've read, but I think it was my last! There are too many other books to read that hold my interest and have me sitting on the edge of my chair. This one was tiresome.
Profile Image for Gus Philpott.
Author 2 books6 followers
February 18, 2019
Very good thriller. Now I wish I had accepted the suggestion to read The Anonymous Source (Alex Vane #1) first.
Profile Image for Rosemary.
3,777 reviews64 followers
June 26, 2019
The Inverted Pyramid - a review by Rosemary Kenny

Although written more than a decade ago, AC Fuller's second book in the Alex Vane Media Thriller series,The Inverted Pyramid, is bang up-to-date with its topics of the rise of internet journalism, corruption in politics and its connections with and influence of big business on the first two - think of Donald Trump's sudden rise to power, despite having no political experience whatsoever and the accusations of corruption and outside interference.
Told from Alex's POV, we learn how he's torn by the pressures of an investigative media career, [with co-owner James in their online publication News Flash] and
often struggles to find time for his live-in, (massage therapist) girlfriend Greta Mori, which she feels occasionally inhibits true intimacy and trust.
Yet Alex continues doggedly with his quest for answers:someone's been sending him galvanising texts with clues to potentially the biggest scoop ever published.
The murder of a key informant and a psychopathic killer's possible link to the death of his parents twenty years earlier, leads to deadly danger for Greta, James, Alex's old flame Professor Camila Grey, (who partners him in his search for the truth) - and a fight for survival for Alex himself!
Who will live to tell the tale?

A story that will not let go once it has you in its grasp, I found the tension - aided by the short chapters - exponentially ramped up from the very beginning. I really liked how the characters and their various situations/emotions were cleverly styled to be engaging, but never sentimental and often heart-in-your-mouth electrifying.
Definitely a novel that would translate well to the big screen, as a successor to blockbusters like Enemy of the State, Frost/Nixon and The Net. The Inverted Pyramid, (which refers to the printed media habit of putting the most important story as a front-page headline, with lesser stories fitted in around it or on inside pages) grabs you by the throat, keeps you gasping on the edge of your seat throughout and is the most unputdownable thriller I've read this year - get it now!
Profile Image for Ellen Behrens.
Author 9 books20 followers
March 19, 2021
Couldn't finish

The media hook intrigued me enough to purchase "The Inverted Pyramid" but the opening skewered my suspension of disbelief when one character is portrayed as watching another from "a block away" near Ground Zero in New York City on a busy 9/11 anniversary. The observing character seems to know what the other man is saying (seeing someone from that far away is unbelievable; seeing them well enough to read their lips really was over the top).

Despite that, I stayed with the book, willing to excuse the early issue (as a fellow writer, I know I've made my share of errors) but then the narrative slowed to a crawl, presumably while the author introduced the main character and key secondary characters. By the third chapter I couldn't help feeling I was missig important details because I hadn't read the first book in the series (this is the second). Though the author's note said reading the first isn't necessary but could help, I realized reading the first IS necessary if for no other reason than the author doesn't provide enough background on key elements for this to be definitively standalone.

When I have to work too hard to "get" what's going on, to "get" what the important relationships are among the characters, I decide it's not worth it and close the book.

This might be a fine book -- the writing is above par for most books of this type and the plot seemed promising -- but if you're tempted, read the first book in the series first.
Profile Image for Lynda Kelly.
2,181 reviews99 followers
July 24, 2021
Another in this series I really enjoyed. Although in book 1 I only spotted one mistake, whereas there are more in this one, which is a little disappointing. Not enough for me to pack it in, however.
I found myself pretty baffled right at the beginning when Sarin made an agreement to meet someone, then on the next page decided he'd stay where he was briefly, "then go straight home" I thought he was heading to Battery Park so no idea why this was written. There were odd words dropped from sentences, as in 'he'd taken it in stride' then he writes brick-and-mortar and it's usually bricks and complementary not complimentary. I did make a note, too, that the word dissonance was getting a little overused and that venetian needs to be capitalised and a couple of questions lost their punctuation.
I liked the passage about a parent losing a child.....sad but very thought-provoking and also the statistical mention when sportsmen have cheated.....ruined the whole idea, as he said. A real shame.
It was nice to meet Alex and the gang of people around him once again. I enjoyed the friendship between Camila and Greta as well. The ending left me sniffing loudly and I am looking forward to reading the next in this series. Nice too that he dedicated the book to his pal that helped him on it.
I do like his covers as well, with the instalment number recorded on the little running man. Hope he retains those.
Profile Image for Rosemary.
3,777 reviews64 followers
June 26, 2019
The Inverted Pyramid - a review by Rosemary Kenny

The Inverted Pyramid, (which refers to the printed media habit of putting the most important story as a front-page headline) is the most unputdownable thriller I've read this year!

Told from Alex's POV, we learn how he's torn by the pressures of an investigative media career, [with co-owner James in their online publication News Scoop] and often struggles to find time for Greta Mori, his live-in girlfriend. Yet despite her concerns, Alex continues doggedly with his quest for answers to potentially the biggest scoop ever published, making her doubt his potential as a father for her unborn baby.
The murder of a key informant and a psychopathic killer's possible link to the death of his parents twenty years earlier, leads to deadly danger for Greta, James, Camila Grey, (Alex's old flame who partners him in his search for the truth) - and a fight for survival for Alex himself!

I found the tension - aided by the short chapters - exponentially ramped up from the very beginning. I really liked how the characters and their various situations/emotions were cleverly developed to be engaging and often heart-in-your-mouth electrifying. Get The Inverted Pyramid by AC Fuller today...it's a 5-star winner - and even better there are 4 other books in the series!
Profile Image for Paula Galvan.
752 reviews
March 27, 2023
The Inverted Pyramid is another explosive edition in the Alex Vane Media series. Alex, once a court reporter for The New York Standard, is now part of News Scoop, a pioneer online news outlet he runs out of a New York apartment with his friends, James and Lance. They all believe online reporting is the new wave of the future. Of course—as we know today—they're right. Alex lives with Greta, his new girlfriend, and finally puts his brush with death and his infatuation with Camila Gray in Hawaii behind him. But his old adversary, Denver Bice, isn't done with Alex. After a hacker's death and James's kidnapping, Alex embarks on a new fact-finding journey to his hometown of Bainbridge Island to investigate his parent's tragic death years ago. Alex's world explodes again as he discovers his mother's brief relationship with Bice set everything in motion before he was born. Well-written and fast-paced, this book has lots of action, media tech info, and complex characters, making it a fascinating story. Good to the last page.
Profile Image for Susan.
1,455 reviews
November 13, 2017
The Inverted Pyramid is the second book in the Alex Vane Media Thriller series. This can be read as a standalone but I suggest you read the previous book first. It will give you the information you need to fully understand this book. I enjoyed this book and had a hard time putting it down. There is violence.

The book blurb adequately describes the storyline so I'm not going to repeat that all info here. The author did a great job of explaining what is going on and describing the setting of the story. He also does a good job of summarizing the first book for new readers. There are a lot of clues in the storyline that keep you guessing what twists and turns will be revealed next. It definitely kept me riveted all the way to the end. I look forward to reading more of AC Fuller's books.
459 reviews3 followers
August 26, 2019
Who Knew Journalism Could Be So Dangerous?

Alex Vane has a story that will uncover corruption in politics in a very ugly manner. But how do you write it without all of the facts? And who is this mystery person who is calling and texting clues that confuse more than help? Alex is still unsure of who he really is and that, coupled with his deepening relationship with Greta, leaves him feeling more confused. My momma had a phrase for folks like Alex, "Either s* *t or get off the pot.!" I'd never be able to be a journalist because I don't possess that kind of confidence or strength of assured ability that it takes to write and print news that people need and/or want. Great character development, moving and intense storyline. Just great writing!
Profile Image for Jay Williams.
1,718 reviews32 followers
November 30, 2017
The story involves reporters operating on the leading edge of publication through the internet. While it provokes thought about the emerging role of breaking, on-line information, the message is wrapped into a continuing interaction between a psychotic executive and one of the three partners in NewsFlash, an on-line news company. The action swings between New York City and the Seattle area. The characters are a little stereotypical, but the major players have a little more depth. The style of writing covers the action well, but limits the environmental descriptions. The ending is in questing right up to the final chapter, with violence and suspense all along the way.
1,632 reviews11 followers
July 2, 2019
The 2nd story takes off from the ending of the Anonymous Source. The story has a muder committed by the same individual responsible in the prior story.

The story has Alex and James going to a conference in Seattle. Unknown to them, the individual that has caused all of the problems will also be there. While at the conference, James is abducted. Camilla and Alex search for clues to find him. They wind up going to Alex's boyhood town where all sorts of events occur. Here Alex is also abducted, but both he and James are freed.

There are other intertwining activities going on and you will need to read the book to find out.

Looking forward to reading more by this author.
Profile Image for Jodi Pomerleau.
612 reviews8 followers
April 30, 2021
I slogged through this novel. I didn't hate it but I didn't love it. The characters are not endearing to me, so I didn't feel invested in their stories. Denver Bice however, is evil incarnate. How does he get away with the stuff he does? It is inconceivable that the police would have no power to arrest him, or even just interrogate him! The Anonymous Source is back in this novel and Alex Vane is off on a discovery tour as a result. Not sure I will continue with this series, but for sure I am taking a break from it.
33 reviews
February 5, 2020
Fair to middling

Having really enjoyed my free copy of book 1 in the series I was happy to pay to read the next Alex Vane thriller, now I'm not so happy. The book was okay, but not as good as the first one. There wasn't enough of a believable storyline to keep the pages turning. It became a bit of a slog which was disappointing. I had wanted to find out more about the characters but by the time this story finished I couldn't really care.
98 reviews
October 23, 2017
Great Read!

I love Alex Vane and the cast of characters in this series. The author creates well developed, interesting and cool characters! The story is riveting and grips you right at the beginning and holds you right up to OMG what an ending!! Read this book! Better yet, read the whole series!!
Profile Image for BP34.
6,196 reviews44 followers
November 11, 2017
Wow, A.C. Fuller never ceases to amaze me as an author.. Another great book that is so well written and has great characters. You feel like you are right there with them experiencing every moment. A great read and one that had me page turning until the end.. I received an arc copy and voluntarily chose to review this book.
Profile Image for Carol.
308 reviews5 followers
January 3, 2019
Continues on from the first book (definitely need to read this trilogy in order). Still really good (I sometimes find 2nd books in a series are not as good as the 1st) and I read this one through Audible.. which really put a great spin on it as the narrators include both female and male voices. On with number 3.. can't wait to see what happens!
Profile Image for Cindy B. .
3,899 reviews221 followers
March 29, 2022
3-1/2 * All the plots in the first 3 books are interesting and well written. 2nd book is edging on anti Christian and 3rd is very much so. All end well however the “but” for each is referenced before. Some sexual situations intimately described BUT with the “everything’s acceptable” tome you know it means just that.
572 reviews5 followers
August 6, 2022
Full of the unexpected

This book is one rollercoaster ride after another. The characters, even the deranged ones, are amazing. The pages won't turn or scroll fast enough as you are led from one fiasco to another as this story unfolds in unexpected ways. Wonderful story, wonderful characters! This book leaves you with a lot to ponder about our political world.
Profile Image for 4DX CENTER.
48 reviews74 followers
October 10, 2022
Signs of the times

Art reflects life, and sometimes it becomes a lesson in futurism. This book, this series, definitely sees ahead to the digital era of transparency in the information superhighway, complete with data hacks and wikileaks. For those readers younger than GenX, you can experience some of what the transition from "old school" to modern media feels like.
Profile Image for Chris .
141 reviews
May 22, 2017
A.C. Fuller has written another great story that will keep you turning pages all night. A lot of suspense as you wait for each secret to be revealed and try to solve the mystery. I think I enjoyed this as much if not more than the first book, and I'm looking forward to the third.
Profile Image for Sisiely.
321 reviews
June 7, 2017
It was good to catch up with Alex and the gang after the first book and see where they're at. This book still relates to September 11. But now Alex and gang are now a successful online company.

There were hints of what was going on in book 1 and nice to see the resolution.
318 reviews2 followers
December 23, 2018
Another exciting adventure

Intense from the start. Well written with believable characters and intriguing plots that keeps you guessing until the end. Would recommend this for anyone who loves a great book.
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