The Enigma Source by Breakfield and Burkey – a #BookReview

Title: The Enigma Source (The Enigma Series Book 10) by Charles V Breakfield and Roxanne E Burkey

Genre: Suspense, Technothrillers

351 Pages

Publisher: ICABOD Press

ASIN: B07GD6S9SP

Publication Date: August 11, 2018

Source: Publisher and NetGalley

Title and Cover: The Enigma Source – Techno-cover

Be prepared for a multi-layered sophisticated, intelligent, and well-plotted technothriller when you crack open this book! I don’t even know where to start…but if I did, and I do, it appears to begin simply enough by painting an idealistic picture of an extremely happy and peaceful couple enjoying their life down on their Georgia farm. They feel, for the most part, safe and secure in their contrived cocoon, appearing to the outside world as any other couple happy to break from the crazy world and slow the pace.

But as is driven home so often, you cannot judge a book or the farm, by its cover. Su Lin is half a world away from her birthplace and old life. She’s a genius with a computer. She created an unbreakable code that, cashed in on a new world of “bitcoin” technology or crypto-currency, could have global repercussions. Her old world now wants that code. All of it. And they crash the sanctity of the farm, causing bodily harm to Andy, her beloved, and only narrowly escaping being kidnapped because Franklin, the guard hog, saved the situation, but not without injury to himself as well.

This is the first of the series I’ve read. I’ve no doubt that all the characters have been well developed in previous series entries, although this heavily plotted narrative stays solidly on focus and can function as a standalone.  And while it’s assumed these characters ebb and flow through the works depending on the plot, there is a co-protagonist group here comprising a crack computer team, heavily backed by ICABOD, their AI (artificial intelligence) supercomputer. ICABOD has a ready store of detailed information and technology. He’s also stretching his personality into occasional humorous asides that both amuse and disarm his originating experts. The team experts include Jacob, whose soon to be betrothed is Petra. Among other characters involved are Andy’s daughter, EZ, Julie and Juan, Otto and Haddy, and Quip. There are several antagonists as well, including Guano (aptly named), and Mathias and Dutch, who Mathias unhappily discovers was a major force in his life when he is no longer there.

Wolfgang, Jacob’s grandfather, suffers a major health issue and slammed into the hospital becomes Jacob’s major focus. Jacob finds what appears to be journals from Wolfgang’s belongings–a fascination with the eighty-year-old books that appear to echo Wolfgang and his two buddies as they relate the discovery of the Enigma code. As Jacob reads from the book, the reader finds a correlation to the story with the present day mission to wade through the nanotechnology and all the implications facing the crypto-currency code with the darknet. As he monitors the old boy, between reading from the book, he creates a genius code of his own to employ in gaining the freedom of Su Lin.

GEES! This thing got SOO complicated! You need a whole dictionary to understand the jargon associated with computer technology and the world of the darknet, which is thankfully supplied at the end of the book. Blockchain technology? It’s all here.

The plot moves into a compelling series of maneuvers designed to free Su Lin and Andy and thwart the implementation of a code which might be suspicious. A ransomware virus? Don’t we already have those?

The plan for the safe return of Su Lin was brilliant as was making sure Guano was never going to be a problem in the future.  The scenarios of all that a global crypto-currency could entail had my head spinning. The obvious knowledge of the digital technology was staggering and if you are looking for a little education, this is where it’s at, along with a fascinating tale of intrigue and rescue that’ll leave you scratching your head. Whaaa?? The scariest part is discovering there is SO much you don’t know! I was given this ebook download by the publisher and NetGalley and thoroughly enjoyed the read. Recommended to all readers who enjoy technology with their thrillers.

Rosepoint Publishing:  Five of Five Stars 

The Authors:

Charles V. Breakfield likes travel in Texas on a motorcycle, World War II history, wine & good food, and voice/data technology. As a colorful and somewhat controversial individual you can find him either in his shop building furniture, writing with his co-author Roxanne E. Burkey, or out riding his motorcycle, but always meeting people looking for suitable character material for the next thriller installment of the Enigma Book Series.

Writing is a passion for (Roxanne E Burkey) Rox that incorporates many of her interests and dovetails nicely with her full time work in customer experience technologies. After successfully writing white papers and technology documentation she wanted a different more fun, less stress writing outlet. Her co-author Charles Breakfield agreed and The Enigma Series began. You are invited to explore their website http://enigmabookseries.com/ and leave/read comments in the Enigma Chronicles Blog area. She enjoys learning, travel, family, outdoor activities, good food, wine sampling, reading, living and visiting good friends which helps to bring diversity and new ideas into the stories.

She is still learning humor and there is hope that she will master it this century!

©2018 V Williams