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Art Jefferson #4
Simple Simon
An autistic teenager. A ruthless assassin. An FBI agent who must risk everything to protect an innocent person from a savage.
All three are thrust together when Simon Lynch, a sixteen-year-old savant, unknowingly breaks the newest, most secure code developed by the National Security Agency. Corrupt elements within that government behemoth, determined to protect their creation, send Keiko Kimura, a beautiful and brutal terrorist, after the young man. Only FBI Special Agent Art Jefferson stands between the killer and her prey.
As though they were father and son, the bond between Art and Simon turns out to be as crucial to their survival as Art's decades of experience in the FBI. Together, they must evade their pursuers who track them through cyberspace and dog them at every turn.
The action in Simple Simon never lets up until its final, explosive conclusion.
248 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 1996
53 people are currently reading
572 people want to read
About the author
Ryne Douglas Pearson
26 books61 followersRyne Douglas Pearson is an accomplished novelist and screenwriter. He is the author of several novels, including Cloudburst, October's Ghost, Capitol Punishment, Simple Simon, Top Ten, The Donzerly Light, All For One, Confessions, and Cop Killer. He is also the author of the short story collection, Dark and Darker. His novel Simple Simon was made into the film Mercury Rising. As a screenwriter he has worked on numerous movies. The film Knowing, based on his original script, was released in 2009 and opened #1 at the box office. Receiving Four Stars from Roger Ebert, who branded it ‘among the best science-fiction films I’ve seen’, it went on to earn more than $180 million worldwide. He has also done uncredited work on films such as the remakes of The Day The Earth Stood Still and The Eye.
Despite the often ‘dark’ nature of his novels and films, Pearson has been noted to have a ‘sweet, disarming quality’ by Entertainment Weekly–an accusation he has been unable to shake. When not writing he is usually thinking about writing, or touting the wonders of bacon in online conversations. He is addicted to diet soda and the sound of his children laughing. A west coast native, he lives in California with his wife, children, a Doberman Kelpie and a Beagle Vizsla.
Despite the often ‘dark’ nature of his novels and films, Pearson has been noted to have a ‘sweet, disarming quality’ by Entertainment Weekly–an accusation he has been unable to shake. When not writing he is usually thinking about writing, or touting the wonders of bacon in online conversations. He is addicted to diet soda and the sound of his children laughing. A west coast native, he lives in California with his wife, children, a Doberman Kelpie and a Beagle Vizsla.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
August 25, 2012
The book that was the basis for Mercury Rising, with Bruce Willis as an FBI agent taking care of an autistic kid.
I thought the movie followed the book impressively closely, although there were still huge differences. I thought Simon, the autistic child, was very well written and developed and enjoyed his relationship with Art Jefferson (became Jeffries in the movie). In the book, Art and his psychologist wife were African American and taking care of Simon for an extended period of time.
It was often entertaining when they referenced the technology of the day, as the book came out in 1996 and feels dated, with the computers and monitors and payphones and tape players.
The book featured a vicious, murdering, torturing prostitute as one of the main villains, who did not appear in the movie.
I enjoyed it, but I found it more an easy, straightforward read rather than a dark, twisted thriller with shocking plot twists and scary intensity. It wasn't poorly written, but it didn't come alive for me and was not very dark or exciting in any way.
I thought the movie followed the book impressively closely, although there were still huge differences. I thought Simon, the autistic child, was very well written and developed and enjoyed his relationship with Art Jefferson (became Jeffries in the movie). In the book, Art and his psychologist wife were African American and taking care of Simon for an extended period of time.
It was often entertaining when they referenced the technology of the day, as the book came out in 1996 and feels dated, with the computers and monitors and payphones and tape players.
The book featured a vicious, murdering, torturing prostitute as one of the main villains, who did not appear in the movie.
I enjoyed it, but I found it more an easy, straightforward read rather than a dark, twisted thriller with shocking plot twists and scary intensity. It wasn't poorly written, but it didn't come alive for me and was not very dark or exciting in any way.
July 31, 2008
much better than the film
June 25, 2011
Packed with Action and Ingenuity
This review is from: Simple Simon (Kindle Edition)
I just finished reading Ryne D. Pearson's SIMPLE SIMON. I have to say it was a book I found very difficult to put down.
The action begins early in this story as we meet an autistic teen named Simon. Although Simon's social interactions are severely stunted, his doctors have discovered that he has amazing puzzle-solving abilities. As a sort of experiment, one of Simon's physicians gives him a MENSA-type magazine for the super-intelligent, just to see if the puzzle section interests Simon.
As Simon sits in his room flipping through the magazine, a page filled with seemingly random number sequences catches his interest. But it's not just a puzzle. It's the NSA's newest cryptography algorithm -- an "unbreakable" code that goes by the name of KIWI. To Simon's great misfortune, he breaks the KIWI code, then unwittingly informs its creators of his success. Now unethical bureaucrats want him out of the picture.
This all happens in just the first few chapters of SIMPLE SIMON. I won't spoil the story for you by telling the rest. Suffice it to say that the action doesn't let up.
Some readers have noted that this book contains "gratuitous violence." I'm not a big fan of blood and gore myself. And I could have done without a few of the more graphic scenes. But overall, this is a great book with a well-researched and intriguing story -- a human story, a spy story and a story filled with action and suspense.
If you haven't read SIMPLE SIMON, I highly recommend it. (Probably an age 15+ selection, though.) Then watch the movie SIMPLE SIMON inspired - Mercury Rising. That's my next stop.
This review is from: Simple Simon (Kindle Edition)
I just finished reading Ryne D. Pearson's SIMPLE SIMON. I have to say it was a book I found very difficult to put down.
The action begins early in this story as we meet an autistic teen named Simon. Although Simon's social interactions are severely stunted, his doctors have discovered that he has amazing puzzle-solving abilities. As a sort of experiment, one of Simon's physicians gives him a MENSA-type magazine for the super-intelligent, just to see if the puzzle section interests Simon.
As Simon sits in his room flipping through the magazine, a page filled with seemingly random number sequences catches his interest. But it's not just a puzzle. It's the NSA's newest cryptography algorithm -- an "unbreakable" code that goes by the name of KIWI. To Simon's great misfortune, he breaks the KIWI code, then unwittingly informs its creators of his success. Now unethical bureaucrats want him out of the picture.
This all happens in just the first few chapters of SIMPLE SIMON. I won't spoil the story for you by telling the rest. Suffice it to say that the action doesn't let up.
Some readers have noted that this book contains "gratuitous violence." I'm not a big fan of blood and gore myself. And I could have done without a few of the more graphic scenes. But overall, this is a great book with a well-researched and intriguing story -- a human story, a spy story and a story filled with action and suspense.
If you haven't read SIMPLE SIMON, I highly recommend it. (Probably an age 15+ selection, though.) Then watch the movie SIMPLE SIMON inspired - Mercury Rising. That's my next stop.
March 26, 2012
I very much enjoyed this book. I didn't realize it when I bought it, but it was made into a movie called Mercury Rising some years ago. The book is action packed and, in my opinion, well researched. There ARE a lot of characters, some of which could have been eliminated in my opinion, but I feel that the author did a fantastic job of taking us inside the main characters and giving us a glimpse into their hearts. I'd recommend this book to anyone who likes a good thriller.
August 1, 2025
Mercury Rising, based on a book by Ryne Douglas Pearson
6 out of 10
A different version of this note and thoughts on other books are available at:
- https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list... and http://realini.blogspot.ro/
Mercury Rising is not an outstanding film.
But it has some fine moment.
The issue of autism is brought to the fore.
I must note here that I have read in a psychology book that all men are to some degree autistic.
Simon Lynch is a boy that has similarities with the hero of Rainman.
Some of the shortcomings, but a brilliant mind.
While looking in a magazine with games, he is attracted and seems to solve a very complicated enigma.
Which reminds one of The Imitation Game.
In The Imitation Game they selected those who would work to break the Enigma code based on their ability with crosswords and speed with which they solved them.
The NSA published a note thinking that they will check the human response to their powerful cyphering tools.
Some whistleblowers have exposed some of the nefarious activities of the NSA.
But their doings are exaggerated in Mercury Rising.
It makes of course for a more interesting scenario.
The unit in charge with these top secret codes is lead by Nick Kudrow.
He is played by Alec Baldwin...
Who is one of my favorite actors.
In Mercury Rising he is as a mean as in Glengarry Glen Ross.
In Glengarry, Alec Baldwin portrays a heartless executive who teaches the ABC to a group of salesmen:
Always Be Closing
- You see this watch?
- It costs more than your car!
- Fuck you is who I am
- First price is a Cadillac
- Second prize is a set of knives...
- Third prize is...your fired
The part of the nasty official in Mercury Rising is not at the level of the one in Glengarry Glen Ross.
I always thought that there are few good roles for Alec Baldwin...
- Alas
Bruce Willis is not bad in the role of Art Jeffries.
In the first scenes, we see him infiltrated in a group of bank robbers.
His boss makes the wrong, deadly decision and people are killed.
Hence the familiar confrontation between the smarter, better, less humble, more gifted hero and his lousy superior officer.
When Simon calls the NSA number, they have him traced.
The agency - Nick Kudrow that is- is very unhappy with anyone able to read the inaccessible code.
So they send a hit man.
He kills the parents of the genius boy.
Simon hides and therefore escapes.
Art Jeffries is assigned.
His task is to find Simon.
And Bruce Willis Dies Hard and wins over any enemy.
After all he Died Hard four times?
Or was it five?
The good part about a film like this is that it proposes another take on autism.
And other conditions for that matter.
The shenanigans of various agencies and governmental bodies have been exposed before.
My view though is that they generally try to stay on the right side and use the correct methods...
Within limits.
The film is not overwhelming, but it would offer some good entertainment for a forgiving audience.
6 out of 10
A different version of this note and thoughts on other books are available at:
- https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list... and http://realini.blogspot.ro/
Mercury Rising is not an outstanding film.
But it has some fine moment.
The issue of autism is brought to the fore.
I must note here that I have read in a psychology book that all men are to some degree autistic.
Simon Lynch is a boy that has similarities with the hero of Rainman.
Some of the shortcomings, but a brilliant mind.
While looking in a magazine with games, he is attracted and seems to solve a very complicated enigma.
Which reminds one of The Imitation Game.
In The Imitation Game they selected those who would work to break the Enigma code based on their ability with crosswords and speed with which they solved them.
The NSA published a note thinking that they will check the human response to their powerful cyphering tools.
Some whistleblowers have exposed some of the nefarious activities of the NSA.
But their doings are exaggerated in Mercury Rising.
It makes of course for a more interesting scenario.
The unit in charge with these top secret codes is lead by Nick Kudrow.
He is played by Alec Baldwin...
Who is one of my favorite actors.
In Mercury Rising he is as a mean as in Glengarry Glen Ross.
In Glengarry, Alec Baldwin portrays a heartless executive who teaches the ABC to a group of salesmen:
Always Be Closing
- You see this watch?
- It costs more than your car!
- Fuck you is who I am
- First price is a Cadillac
- Second prize is a set of knives...
- Third prize is...your fired
The part of the nasty official in Mercury Rising is not at the level of the one in Glengarry Glen Ross.
I always thought that there are few good roles for Alec Baldwin...
- Alas
Bruce Willis is not bad in the role of Art Jeffries.
In the first scenes, we see him infiltrated in a group of bank robbers.
His boss makes the wrong, deadly decision and people are killed.
Hence the familiar confrontation between the smarter, better, less humble, more gifted hero and his lousy superior officer.
When Simon calls the NSA number, they have him traced.
The agency - Nick Kudrow that is- is very unhappy with anyone able to read the inaccessible code.
So they send a hit man.
He kills the parents of the genius boy.
Simon hides and therefore escapes.
Art Jeffries is assigned.
His task is to find Simon.
And Bruce Willis Dies Hard and wins over any enemy.
After all he Died Hard four times?
Or was it five?
The good part about a film like this is that it proposes another take on autism.
And other conditions for that matter.
The shenanigans of various agencies and governmental bodies have been exposed before.
My view though is that they generally try to stay on the right side and use the correct methods...
Within limits.
The film is not overwhelming, but it would offer some good entertainment for a forgiving audience.
March 30, 2023
«Τα ψέματα έχουν προσωρινή διάρκεια, ενώ η αλήθεια υπάρχει πάντα, έτοιμη να λάμψει σ’αυτόν που θα την αποκαλύψει.» (σελίδα 192)
Ο 16χρονος Σάιμον Λιντς είναι ένα ξεχωριστό παιδί. Απόμακρος και μοναχικός, χρίζει ιδιαίτερης μεταχείρισης και συμπεριφοράς, καθώς είναι αυτιστικός. Εξαιρετικά προικισμένος σε ορισμένους τομείς, ο Σάιμον λατρεύει τα πάζλ, λύνει με αξιοθαύμαστη ευκολία σταυρόλεξα, γρίφους, αινίγματα και σπαζοκεφαλιές και κάνει ακαριαίους αριθμητικούς λογαριασμούς.
Η ζωή του Σάιμον θα αλλάξει ριζικά όταν λύσει έναν γρίφο. Το μήνυμα μετά την αποκωδικοποίηση μιας σειράς φαινομενικά τυχαίων αριθμών και γραμμάτων, έλεγε: «ΑΝ ΛΥΣΕΙΣ ΑΥΤΟ ΤΟ ΓΡΙΦΟ, ΤΗΛΕΦΩΝΗΣΕ ΣΤΟ 18005551398, ΚΑΙ ΠΕΣ ΣΤΟΝ ΤΗΛΕΦΩΝΗΤΗ ΟΤΙ ΕΛΥΣΕΣ ΤΟΝ ΓΡΙΦΟ 99 ΓΙΑ ΝΑ ΠΑΡΕΙΣ ΤΟ ΒΡΑΒΕΙΟ ΣΟΥ.» Και ο Σάιμον έκανε το λάθος και τηλεφώνησε. Εν αγνοία του είχε «σπάσει» τον μυστικό κωδικό για ένα άκρως απόρρητο κυβερνητικό πρόγραμμα, το οποίο είχε σχεδιαστεί για να δώσει στις ΗΠΑ ένα στρατηγικό στρατιωτικό πλεονέκτημα.
Ο Σάιμον κάνοντας το τηλεφώνημα, το μόνο που κατάφερε ήταν να ενεργοποιήσει την Υπηρεσία Εθνικής Ασφάλειας των ΗΠΑ. Η ζωή του βρίσκεται σε κίνδυνο! Ο διοικητής της Υπηρεσίας, Νίκολας Κάντροου, θα στείλει έναν επαγγελματία δολοφόνο να βρει το παιδί και να το σκοτώσει, διότι ο κωδικός που αποκάλυψε ο Σάιμον εξασφάλιζε μυστική την ταυτότητα πολλών πρακτόρων.
Ο ειδικός πράκτορας του FBI, Αρτ Τζέφερσον, θα ανακαλύψει πρώτος το αγόρι και θα κάνει τα πάντα για να το προστατέψει, ερευνώντας παράλληλα για την αλήθεια. Μια αλήθεια που κοστίζει πολλά εκατομμύρια δολάρια και σίγουρα πολλοί δεν θα ήθελαν με τίποτα να αποκαλυφθεί. Άραγε θα τα καταφέρει;
Ένα βιβλίο γεμάτο δράση, ένταση, αγωνία, ίντριγκες, δολοπλοκίες και διεφθαρμένους πολιτικούς και πράκτορες, που σου κρατά αμείωτο το ενδιαφέρον από την πρώτη έως και την τελευταία σελίδα. Το βιβλίο μεταφέρθηκε και στην τηλεόραση και έγινε ταινία το 1998 με τίτλο: “Mercury Rising” με πρωταγωνιστές τους: Μπρους Γουίλις, Μίκο Χιούζ και Άλεκ Μπάλντουιν. Μου άρεσε πάρα πολύ και σας το προτείνω. 8 / 10
Ο 16χρονος Σάιμον Λιντς είναι ένα ξεχωριστό παιδί. Απόμακρος και μοναχικός, χρίζει ιδιαίτερης μεταχείρισης και συμπεριφοράς, καθώς είναι αυτιστικός. Εξαιρετικά προικισμένος σε ορισμένους τομείς, ο Σάιμον λατρεύει τα πάζλ, λύνει με αξιοθαύμαστη ευκολία σταυρόλεξα, γρίφους, αινίγματα και σπαζοκεφαλιές και κάνει ακαριαίους αριθμητικούς λογαριασμούς.
Η ζωή του Σάιμον θα αλλάξει ριζικά όταν λύσει έναν γρίφο. Το μήνυμα μετά την αποκωδικοποίηση μιας σειράς φαινομενικά τυχαίων αριθμών και γραμμάτων, έλεγε: «ΑΝ ΛΥΣΕΙΣ ΑΥΤΟ ΤΟ ΓΡΙΦΟ, ΤΗΛΕΦΩΝΗΣΕ ΣΤΟ 18005551398, ΚΑΙ ΠΕΣ ΣΤΟΝ ΤΗΛΕΦΩΝΗΤΗ ΟΤΙ ΕΛΥΣΕΣ ΤΟΝ ΓΡΙΦΟ 99 ΓΙΑ ΝΑ ΠΑΡΕΙΣ ΤΟ ΒΡΑΒΕΙΟ ΣΟΥ.» Και ο Σάιμον έκανε το λάθος και τηλεφώνησε. Εν αγνοία του είχε «σπάσει» τον μυστικό κωδικό για ένα άκρως απόρρητο κυβερνητικό πρόγραμμα, το οποίο είχε σχεδιαστεί για να δώσει στις ΗΠΑ ένα στρατηγικό στρατιωτικό πλεονέκτημα.
Ο Σάιμον κάνοντας το τηλεφώνημα, το μόνο που κατάφερε ήταν να ενεργοποιήσει την Υπηρεσία Εθνικής Ασφάλειας των ΗΠΑ. Η ζωή του βρίσκεται σε κίνδυνο! Ο διοικητής της Υπηρεσίας, Νίκολας Κάντροου, θα στείλει έναν επαγγελματία δολοφόνο να βρει το παιδί και να το σκοτώσει, διότι ο κωδικός που αποκάλυψε ο Σάιμον εξασφάλιζε μυστική την ταυτότητα πολλών πρακτόρων.
Ο ειδικός πράκτορας του FBI, Αρτ Τζέφερσον, θα ανακαλύψει πρώτος το αγόρι και θα κάνει τα πάντα για να το προστατέψει, ερευνώντας παράλληλα για την αλήθεια. Μια αλήθεια που κοστίζει πολλά εκατομμύρια δολάρια και σίγουρα πολλοί δεν θα ήθελαν με τίποτα να αποκαλυφθεί. Άραγε θα τα καταφέρει;
Ένα βιβλίο γεμάτο δράση, ένταση, αγωνία, ίντριγκες, δολοπλοκίες και διεφθαρμένους πολιτικούς και πράκτορες, που σου κρατά αμείωτο το ενδιαφέρον από την πρώτη έως και την τελευταία σελίδα. Το βιβλίο μεταφέρθηκε και στην τηλεόραση και έγινε ταινία το 1998 με τίτλο: “Mercury Rising” με πρωταγωνιστές τους: Μπρους Γουίλις, Μίκο Χιούζ και Άλεκ Μπάλντουιν. Μου άρεσε πάρα πολύ και σας το προτείνω. 8 / 10
May 21, 2021
The premise for this book was, in my opinion, very stupid.
First, if someone managed to expose a flaw in your billion dollar system, wouldn’t it be more logical to try and fix the flaw rather than attempt to kill the person? So, what if you killed them...will that guarantee that no one else will find the flaw?
Second, the person that cracked the code was an autistic kid who simply expected a reward. Give the kid a gift card and he will be placated. Then fix your damn system!
I only bumped this to a 2 star because I listened to the audiobook narrated by Joe Morton. At least he brought some character into this ridiculous book.
First, if someone managed to expose a flaw in your billion dollar system, wouldn’t it be more logical to try and fix the flaw rather than attempt to kill the person? So, what if you killed them...will that guarantee that no one else will find the flaw?
Second, the person that cracked the code was an autistic kid who simply expected a reward. Give the kid a gift card and he will be placated. Then fix your damn system!
I only bumped this to a 2 star because I listened to the audiobook narrated by Joe Morton. At least he brought some character into this ridiculous book.
January 28, 2018
The novel upon which the movie Mercury Rising was based where an autistic youth (older than in the film) cracks an unbreakable US Government code, placed as a test in a puzzle magazine, with consequent mayhem as nefarious Government agents try to kill him and the FBI agent who is protecting him. This is a fast-paced and tense chase-thriller with a memorable lead character.
January 31, 2018
Brilliant....
September 30, 2020
Decided to read after seeing that Mercury Rising was based on it. Another case of the movie being better than the book!
December 23, 2021
Excellent read!!
April 18, 2023
Quick, fun read!
April 19, 2025
Be sure to visit bookishreads.com for all my reviews and recommendations.
This was a great read! I also thoroughly enjoyed the movie adaptation called 'Mercury Rising' and starring Bruce Willis.
This was a great read! I also thoroughly enjoyed the movie adaptation called 'Mercury Rising' and starring Bruce Willis.
February 7, 2013
Amazon Description: “He's brilliant. Innocent. Helpless. And he's marked for death...
It took years to develop. Cost billions to perfect. A cryptographic system so advanced it safeguards the United States' most vital secrets. It is secure. Impenetrable.
Until sixteen year old autistic savant Simon Lynch happens upon a forgotten snippet of code, his damaged brilliance breaking the cipher with ease and unwittingly marking him for death. Soon, elements of a pathological government security apparatus are hunting him, as is a beautiful, sadistic Japanese assassin working for enemies who will stop at nothing to learn the secret locked in Simon's mind. Only FBI Agent Art Jefferson stands between the innocent young man and these corrupt forces, putting his career, his freedom, and his life on the line to save Simon.”
My Review:
I picked up this book because of its focus on an autistic teen and because I like thrillers. The autistic character was written with depth and understanding without becoming a study in how to write a “special” character. “Simple” Simon was anything but, and his key involvement in the plot was natural and engaging. Art Jefferson, the veteran FBI agent whose latest investigation introduces him to Simon, is a strong figure with the right attributes to meet the challenges presented to him. His short but intense relationship with Simon was moving and really made me care about what happened to these characters.
Simon was not the only special one in the book, however. One of the villains, Keiko Kimura, was quite mentally disturbed. Anyone who enjoys torturing another that much is in need of some serious help. Her sadistic nature was treated as just an evil manifestation, however, without any reasons for her proclivities explored to add depth. Scenes involving Keiko made me squirm, as the torture is quite graphically described.
The pacing was intense, and the plot drove forward in a way that kept me going, if not compelling me to stay up all night reading it. Some pieces detracted from the overall quality, specifically:
-A paragraph describing the Chicago Field Office of the FBI is in present tense, while everything else is in past tense. This was a jarring anomaly, though not really a big deal and not repeated.
-This sentence was awkward and had a redundant description of action: “Kudrow entered quickly, with some haste Rothchild noted, and planted himself a few feet away, hands folded behind his back.” (Ch. 8, p. 91 of Kindle version).
-Typos increased for awhile halfway through, as if the editing/proofreading process was rushed or whoever was doing it was tired.
-The analogies got a little intrusive, especially towards the end as the climax drew near. This description in particular was superflous and slowed the action down: “The whites of Sander’s eyes grew around the dark centers until they looked like plates of alabaster china with dollops of thick gravy in the middle of each.” (Ch. 21 p. 210). A nice exercise in writing but it did not serve the plot one bit. Craft and technique are great, but if you notice them instead of the plot something’s wrong.
Bottom Line:
While not inspired to read the other books in the Art Jefferson series, I enjoyed this one. If you are looking for an escapist ride, this just may be for you.
October 1, 2011
If you don't know this already, Simple Simon was made into the Bruce Willis movie, Mercury Rising. Unfortunately, in my opinion, the movie doesn't hold a candle to the book - as is the case most of the time a novel is changed for the big screen. If you've seen the movie, don't let that deter you from reading the book. There are enough major differences (more than I can count right now) to keep the reading of this novel fresh and suspenseful...
If you don't know the story, there are plenty of reviews that will reveal it for you, but I'm just going to point out what I liked without giving anything else away.
The main character, Art Jefferson, is a guy you can't help liking. His tenderness towards the autistic Simon is more than touching, and the relationship with his wife (yes, in the book he is married) helps make him more of a real person than the gung-ho, punch-my-boss-in-the-face, tough guy character played by Willis. I didn't know that there were three previous Art Jefferson books and, once I figured it out, I got the impression that the character would be even more engrossing once his previous experiences and relationships with other characters were taken into consideration. Those books, Cloud Burst, October's Ghost, and Capital Punishment are now on my read list to be sure.
The side of the story that deals with "Simple Simon", the autistic boy that has unknowingly cracked an ultra-secret NSA code named KIWI (Mercury in the movie, though before I watched the movie again, I thought the title just meant "Things Are Heating Up!") is very emotional. Without given anything away, there were parts in the book where my heart just broke for Simon, and all autistic children for that matter. Pearson does a great job at making that portion of the story very human.
There's also the matter of a certain character that didn't make the film, a bad guy...er...girl, that added something quite twisted and dark to the story, making it even more emotional and gripping.
The whole NSA side of the story was great, making it the techno-thriller it is and topping it off with a twist of government conspiracy so believable that it may leave you uncomfortable next time you watch C-Span or read about certain clandestine operations and DoD budgets...
How Art ends up protecting Simon is much more believable and less Die Hard 2 than the movie. Everything fits together beautifully, from the FBI to the dark corners of the NSA, from Simon to the sadistic third-party killer after him, from Autism to super codes, and everything in between. This was a great read. Dark, emotional, suspenseful, scary, and... worth reading to be sure.
If you don't know the story, there are plenty of reviews that will reveal it for you, but I'm just going to point out what I liked without giving anything else away.
The main character, Art Jefferson, is a guy you can't help liking. His tenderness towards the autistic Simon is more than touching, and the relationship with his wife (yes, in the book he is married) helps make him more of a real person than the gung-ho, punch-my-boss-in-the-face, tough guy character played by Willis. I didn't know that there were three previous Art Jefferson books and, once I figured it out, I got the impression that the character would be even more engrossing once his previous experiences and relationships with other characters were taken into consideration. Those books, Cloud Burst, October's Ghost, and Capital Punishment are now on my read list to be sure.
The side of the story that deals with "Simple Simon", the autistic boy that has unknowingly cracked an ultra-secret NSA code named KIWI (Mercury in the movie, though before I watched the movie again, I thought the title just meant "Things Are Heating Up!") is very emotional. Without given anything away, there were parts in the book where my heart just broke for Simon, and all autistic children for that matter. Pearson does a great job at making that portion of the story very human.
There's also the matter of a certain character that didn't make the film, a bad guy...er...girl, that added something quite twisted and dark to the story, making it even more emotional and gripping.
The whole NSA side of the story was great, making it the techno-thriller it is and topping it off with a twist of government conspiracy so believable that it may leave you uncomfortable next time you watch C-Span or read about certain clandestine operations and DoD budgets...
How Art ends up protecting Simon is much more believable and less Die Hard 2 than the movie. Everything fits together beautifully, from the FBI to the dark corners of the NSA, from Simon to the sadistic third-party killer after him, from Autism to super codes, and everything in between. This was a great read. Dark, emotional, suspenseful, scary, and... worth reading to be sure.
March 13, 2015
Πρόκειται για το βιβλίο στο οποίο βασίστηκε η γνωστή ταινία του 1998 με πρωταγωνιστή τον Μπρους Γουίλις και πρωτοκυκλοφόρησε με τον τίτλο Simple Simon (που κολλάει το Μέρκιουρυ δεν πολυκατάλαβα). Το βιβλίο έχει μεγάλες και βασικές διαφορές σε σχέση με την ταινία, αλλά το γενικό σενάριο είναι ίδιο.
Ο 16χρονος Σάιμον Λιντς είναι αυτιστικός, αλλά άσος στο να λύνει γρίφους, να συναρμολογεί παζλ, να παίζει ντόμινο κλπ. Με τα πολλά πέφτει στα χέρια του ένα περιοδικό που απευθύνεται σε ανθρώπους με υψηλό IQ και καταφέρνει και λύνει έναν απίστευτης δυσκολίας γρίφο. Στην λύση του γρίφου βλέπει ότι πρέπει να καλέσει ένα νούμερο για να παραλάβει το βραβείο του. Όπως καταλάβατε, ο Σάιμον αποκρυπτογράφησε έναν κώδικα του νέου αποκρυπτογραφικού συστήματος Κίουι με το οποίο θα φυλάγονται όλες οι ευαίσθητες πληροφορίες όλων των κρατικών υπηρεσιών των ΗΠΑ. Οι υπεύθυνοι του Κίουι, χάκερς και ανώτατα στελέχη της NSA, θορυβήθηκαν από αυτήν την εξέλιξη και έπρεπε να λάβουν τα μέτρα τους. Γι'αυτό ο Κάντροου, ο υπεύθυνος του τομέα, έστειλε έναν πληρωμένο δολοφόνο στο σπίτι του μικρού. Αλλά κάτι πήγε στραβά. Και κάπου εκεί μπλέκει ο πράκτορας του FBI Αρτ Τζέφερσον. Η ζωή του αυτιστικού εφήβου και του πράκτορα Τζέφερσον θα γίνει δύσκολη, χάρη στην παράνοια κάποιων κυβερνητικών μελών. Και στην μέση βρίσκεται και μια ψυχοπαθής Γιαπωνέζα δολοφόνος που σκοτώνει τα αρσενικά θύματα της με φρικιαστικούς και σαδομαζοχιστικούς τρόπους...
Οι διαφορές με την ταινία: Ο Αρτ Τζέφερσον είναι μαύρος και όχι λευκός, παντρεμένος με μια επίσης μαύρη ψυχολόγο και γιατρό του μικρού Σάιμον, έχουμε μια τρελή Γιαπωνέζα που βασανίζει τα θύματα της με ευνουχισμούς, σπάσιμο ποδιών και χεριών, ξεντεριάσματα κλπ, ο Σάιμον είναι στην εφηβεία και όχι εννιά χρονών και στο τέλος δεν υπάρχει μάχη με τον κακό της NSA αλλά με την τρελή Γιαπωνέζα. Να σας πω την αλήθεια μου άρεσε περισσότερο το σενάριο και η πλοκή του βιβλίου.
Η γραφή του Πίρσον μου φάνηκε πάρα πολύ καλή, με λίγες πινελιές χιούμορ στις περιγραφές εδώ και κει, οι χαρακτήρες δεν είχαν ιδιαίτερο βάθος αλλά για θρίλερ μικρού μεγέθους ήταν μια χαρά ικανοποιητικοί και η δράση σίγουρα ήταν μπόλικη, με πολλές σκηνές γραφικής βίας.
Το βιβλίο το τσίμπησα από το παζάρι του 2010 με μόλις τέσσερα ευρώ και σίγουρα είναι μια πάρα πολύ καλή επιλογή για το καλοκαίρι. Ο συγγραφέας είναι ένας ενδιαφέρων τύπος που έχει γράψει κάποια πολύ συναρπαστικά βιβλία δράσης, ανάμεσα στα οποία και το Top Ten, ένα από τα καλύτερα θρίλερ με σίριαλ κίλερ που κυκλοφορούν εκεί έξω. Δεν έχει μεταφραστεί, δυστυχώς, στα ελληνικά, αλλά έχω το αγγλικό κείμενο σε pdf μορφή στον υπολογιστή μου. Θα του ρίξω μια ματιά στο άμεσο μέλλον.
Ο 16χρονος Σάιμον Λιντς είναι αυτιστικός, αλλά άσος στο να λύνει γρίφους, να συναρμολογεί παζλ, να παίζει ντόμινο κλπ. Με τα πολλά πέφτει στα χέρια του ένα περιοδικό που απευθύνεται σε ανθρώπους με υψηλό IQ και καταφέρνει και λύνει έναν απίστευτης δυσκολίας γρίφο. Στην λύση του γρίφου βλέπει ότι πρέπει να καλέσει ένα νούμερο για να παραλάβει το βραβείο του. Όπως καταλάβατε, ο Σάιμον αποκρυπτογράφησε έναν κώδικα του νέου αποκρυπτογραφικού συστήματος Κίουι με το οποίο θα φυλάγονται όλες οι ευαίσθητες πληροφορίες όλων των κρατικών υπηρεσιών των ΗΠΑ. Οι υπεύθυνοι του Κίουι, χάκερς και ανώτατα στελέχη της NSA, θορυβήθηκαν από αυτήν την εξέλιξη και έπρεπε να λάβουν τα μέτρα τους. Γι'αυτό ο Κάντροου, ο υπεύθυνος του τομέα, έστειλε έναν πληρωμένο δολοφόνο στο σπίτι του μικρού. Αλλά κάτι πήγε στραβά. Και κάπου εκεί μπλέκει ο πράκτορας του FBI Αρτ Τζέφερσον. Η ζωή του αυτιστικού εφήβου και του πράκτορα Τζέφερσον θα γίνει δύσκολη, χάρη στην παράνοια κάποιων κυβερνητικών μελών. Και στην μέση βρίσκεται και μια ψυχοπαθής Γιαπωνέζα δολοφόνος που σκοτώνει τα αρσενικά θύματα της με φρικιαστικούς και σαδομαζοχιστικούς τρόπους...
Οι διαφορές με την ταινία: Ο Αρτ Τζέφερσον είναι μαύρος και όχι λευκός, παντρεμένος με μια επίσης μαύρη ψυχολόγο και γιατρό του μικρού Σάιμον, έχουμε μια τρελή Γιαπωνέζα που βασανίζει τα θύματα της με ευνουχισμούς, σπάσιμο ποδιών και χεριών, ξεντεριάσματα κλπ, ο Σάιμον είναι στην εφηβεία και όχι εννιά χρονών και στο τέλος δεν υπάρχει μάχη με τον κακό της NSA αλλά με την τρελή Γιαπωνέζα. Να σας πω την αλήθεια μου άρεσε περισσότερο το σενάριο και η πλοκή του βιβλίου.
Η γραφή του Πίρσον μου φάνηκε πάρα πολύ καλή, με λίγες πινελιές χιούμορ στις περιγραφές εδώ και κει, οι χαρακτήρες δεν είχαν ιδιαίτερο βάθος αλλά για θρίλερ μικρού μεγέθους ήταν μια χαρά ικανοποιητικοί και η δράση σίγουρα ήταν μπόλικη, με πολλές σκηνές γραφικής βίας.
Το βιβλίο το τσίμπησα από το παζάρι του 2010 με μόλις τέσσερα ευρώ και σίγουρα είναι μια πάρα πολύ καλή επιλογή για το καλοκαίρι. Ο συγγραφέας είναι ένας ενδιαφέρων τύπος που έχει γράψει κάποια πολύ συναρπαστικά βιβλία δράσης, ανάμεσα στα οποία και το Top Ten, ένα από τα καλύτερα θρίλερ με σίριαλ κίλερ που κυκλοφορούν εκεί έξω. Δεν έχει μεταφραστεί, δυστυχώς, στα ελληνικά, αλλά έχω το αγγλικό κείμενο σε pdf μορφή στον υπολογιστή μου. Θα του ρίξω μια ματιά στο άμεσο μέλλον.
May 25, 2012
Perhaps you saw the movie "Mercury Rising" staring Bruce Willis? Director Ron Howard bought the rights to turn this engaging thriller into a movie, and it's no wonder: the story of a 16-year-old autistic genius being protected by a renegade FBI operative against a secret government agency has all the elements of his kind of humanistic blockbuster. The movie was good; the book is better!
Ryne Douglas Pearson had me hooked on the first page of "Simple Simon"! I was skimming various books to pick a novel to start reading when I suddenly realized that I had read over 30 pages; yes, it appears the book picked me! The book is well written with good, believable characters, even the evil ones. The story starts fast, and it has a good rising action throughout which continues to the end of the book. Various nerve wracking twists kept me reading this book; it really is one that was hard to put down. The plot and action is filled with tension and you are kept guessing. The thrill of what's going to happen next really keeps you reading "just one more chapter"! I didn't expect some of the last few twists - although some of the plot I could guess - and the ending quite surprised me. "Simple Simon" is a well written and well developed book; if you are a thriller or mystery fan, this is a book for you!
Sixteen-year-old autistic savant Simon Lynch is a genius with numbers, capable of unraveling any mathematical problem placed before him. He is a lonely and solitary child who lives with his parents in his own peculiar world that no one can understand. Therapists discover that he is good at puzzles, and he is given an "old" book of puzzles for geniuses. He solves it and calls the phone number which the puzzle tells him to do; the Puzzle Center is stunned by the phone call. In reality he has broken the National Security Agency's (NSA) "new" and unbreakable computer code - an "unbreakable" code that goes by the name of KIWI. He is instantly perceived as a threat. After the NSA's first attempt kills his parents, Simon is befriended by a Chicago FBI agent, Art Jefferson. The NSA then tries to eliminate Jefferson by manipulating FBI charges against him and then arranging for Jefferson and his wife's (Simon's new therapist) arrest. Running from the NSA and the FBI, Jefferson and Simon are then beset by a female Japanese sadistic assassin. The rising action builds into a shoot-out on top of Chicago's Sears Tower.
Ryne Douglas Pearson had me hooked on the first page of "Simple Simon"! I was skimming various books to pick a novel to start reading when I suddenly realized that I had read over 30 pages; yes, it appears the book picked me! The book is well written with good, believable characters, even the evil ones. The story starts fast, and it has a good rising action throughout which continues to the end of the book. Various nerve wracking twists kept me reading this book; it really is one that was hard to put down. The plot and action is filled with tension and you are kept guessing. The thrill of what's going to happen next really keeps you reading "just one more chapter"! I didn't expect some of the last few twists - although some of the plot I could guess - and the ending quite surprised me. "Simple Simon" is a well written and well developed book; if you are a thriller or mystery fan, this is a book for you!
Sixteen-year-old autistic savant Simon Lynch is a genius with numbers, capable of unraveling any mathematical problem placed before him. He is a lonely and solitary child who lives with his parents in his own peculiar world that no one can understand. Therapists discover that he is good at puzzles, and he is given an "old" book of puzzles for geniuses. He solves it and calls the phone number which the puzzle tells him to do; the Puzzle Center is stunned by the phone call. In reality he has broken the National Security Agency's (NSA) "new" and unbreakable computer code - an "unbreakable" code that goes by the name of KIWI. He is instantly perceived as a threat. After the NSA's first attempt kills his parents, Simon is befriended by a Chicago FBI agent, Art Jefferson. The NSA then tries to eliminate Jefferson by manipulating FBI charges against him and then arranging for Jefferson and his wife's (Simon's new therapist) arrest. Running from the NSA and the FBI, Jefferson and Simon are then beset by a female Japanese sadistic assassin. The rising action builds into a shoot-out on top of Chicago's Sears Tower.
July 1, 2011
I just finished reading Ryne D. Pearson's SIMPLE SIMON. I have to say it was a book I found very difficult to put down.
The action begins early in this story as we meet an autistic teen named Simon. Although Simon's social interactions are severely stunted, his doctors have discovered that he has amazing puzzle-solving abilities. As a sort of experiment, one of Simon's physicians gives him a MENSA-type magazine for the super-intelligent, just to see if the puzzle section interests Simon.
As Simon sits in his room flipping through the magazine, a page filled with seemingly random number sequences catches his interest. But it's not just a puzzle. It's the NSA's newest cryptography algorithm -- an "unbreakable" code that goes by the name of KIWI. To Simon's great misfortune, he breaks the KIWI code, then unwittingly informs its creators of his success. Now unethical bureaucrats want him out of the picture.
This all happens in just the first few chapters of SIMPLE SIMON. I won't spoil the story for you by telling the rest. Suffice it to say that the action doesn't let up.
Some readers have noted that this book contains "gratuitous violence." I'm not a big fan of blood and gore myself. And I could have done without a few of the more graphic scenes. But overall, this is a great book with a well-researched and intriguing story -- a human story, a spy story and a story filled with action and suspense.
If you haven't read SIMPLE SIMON, I highly recommend it. (Probably an age 15+ selection, though.) Then watch the movie SIMPLE SIMON inspired - Mercury Rising. That's my next stop.
The action begins early in this story as we meet an autistic teen named Simon. Although Simon's social interactions are severely stunted, his doctors have discovered that he has amazing puzzle-solving abilities. As a sort of experiment, one of Simon's physicians gives him a MENSA-type magazine for the super-intelligent, just to see if the puzzle section interests Simon.
As Simon sits in his room flipping through the magazine, a page filled with seemingly random number sequences catches his interest. But it's not just a puzzle. It's the NSA's newest cryptography algorithm -- an "unbreakable" code that goes by the name of KIWI. To Simon's great misfortune, he breaks the KIWI code, then unwittingly informs its creators of his success. Now unethical bureaucrats want him out of the picture.
This all happens in just the first few chapters of SIMPLE SIMON. I won't spoil the story for you by telling the rest. Suffice it to say that the action doesn't let up.
Some readers have noted that this book contains "gratuitous violence." I'm not a big fan of blood and gore myself. And I could have done without a few of the more graphic scenes. But overall, this is a great book with a well-researched and intriguing story -- a human story, a spy story and a story filled with action and suspense.
If you haven't read SIMPLE SIMON, I highly recommend it. (Probably an age 15+ selection, though.) Then watch the movie SIMPLE SIMON inspired - Mercury Rising. That's my next stop.
June 11, 2011
“Simple Simon” is a fast-moving thriller that is difficult to put down. Superbly written and well thought out, the book was a pleasure to read cover to cover. It is a techno-thriller to be sure, but the most beautifully written part is the portrayal of the character of Simon. An autistic teenager, Simon’s life has been highly regulated and structured by his parents and doctors to provide a mechanism for him to cope, to interact with people, and to function within the bounds of his own little world. When that world is suddenly thrown into chaos, Pearson does a wonderful job of showing us how Simon struggles in his own way to keep his life on track and consistently simple despite the absolute whirlwind of destruction spinning around him and everyone with whom he comes in contact. Ironically, he becomes the one point of consistent sanity in a world gone mad. I particularly liked the interaction with his new friend, Art, a man who clearly feels inadequate, but who ultimately rises to the task. I highly recommend “Simple Simon,” and thoroughly enjoyed it.
October 7, 2012
This was the second of the "Art Jefferson Thrillers" that I have read. If I have researched correctly, Simple Simon comes after Capitol Punishment, and it shows in the writing. This novel showed a definite maturing in the the writing. Where Capitol Punishment started slow, Simple Simon was full of action for the entire novel. There were also differences in the overall writing that made this novel seem more mature.
Simple Simon is the story of an autistic teen who inadvertently wreaks havoc on the National Security Agency's new code. Through a coincidental meeting of Dr. Anne Jefferson (nee Preston), Simon, our autistic teen, comes to be under the protection of Art Jefferson. When the NSA realizes what is going on, they need to silence Simon, and the head of Department Z will stop at nothing to do so.
As I said earlier, this novel is action packed from the beginning. The plot is solid and the writing is engaging. It is nice to see a softer side of Art Jefferson as well. I am looking forward to reading more of the novels in this series.
Simple Simon is the story of an autistic teen who inadvertently wreaks havoc on the National Security Agency's new code. Through a coincidental meeting of Dr. Anne Jefferson (nee Preston), Simon, our autistic teen, comes to be under the protection of Art Jefferson. When the NSA realizes what is going on, they need to silence Simon, and the head of Department Z will stop at nothing to do so.
As I said earlier, this novel is action packed from the beginning. The plot is solid and the writing is engaging. It is nice to see a softer side of Art Jefferson as well. I am looking forward to reading more of the novels in this series.
July 3, 2011
I decided to read this book because I loved the movie, Mercury Rising, with Bruce Willis as the story's hero. I enjoyed the book even more!
I'm a sucker for this stuff. Unlikely, but passionate hero. Defenseless victim in need of a defender. And a relentless pursuit by bad guy after bad guy after bad guy. Or in this case, a wickedly bad woman. Plus, I'm a puzzle nut, and Simple Simon weaves its multiple storylines into a plot-maze as intricately tangled as the secret code at its center.
Author Ryne Douglas Pearson had me hooked on the first page with a murder that made my skin crawl, then kept me there with convincing characters, a page-turning story, and his masterful ability to use the right string of words at just the right time. Every time.
If you're a fan of the thriller genre, Simple Simon rises above the norm.
I'm a sucker for this stuff. Unlikely, but passionate hero. Defenseless victim in need of a defender. And a relentless pursuit by bad guy after bad guy after bad guy. Or in this case, a wickedly bad woman. Plus, I'm a puzzle nut, and Simple Simon weaves its multiple storylines into a plot-maze as intricately tangled as the secret code at its center.
Author Ryne Douglas Pearson had me hooked on the first page with a murder that made my skin crawl, then kept me there with convincing characters, a page-turning story, and his masterful ability to use the right string of words at just the right time. Every time.
If you're a fan of the thriller genre, Simple Simon rises above the norm.
February 11, 2011
What do a sadist, an FBI agent, an autistic boy, a dead man, and several secretive government agents have in common? Kiwi. Huh? You'll have to read the book to find out, but when you do you are in for the ride of your life! When Simon Lynch cracks a secret code, the effects are far-reaching. Those who realize what happened are after him and will stop at nothing to get to him. They are willing to destroy anything and everyone in their paths. Even the beautiful but deadly Keiko Kimura has her panties in a bunch yearning to get her hands on the enticing "young man." Special Agent Art Jefferson is Simon's only hope, but now he is the next target. This can't-put-it-down novel will keep you up well past your bedtime until the last page.
April 24, 2012
I started reading this story which went in many directions without any links. I stayed with it and the links finally connected into a believable suspense involving secret encrypted messages to keep the government secrets and communications out of the wrong hands. Obviously there are those who work for the government, but at the same time work on their own to make their riches by selling secrets. The story line is good, but the characters are too many and they are not that well defined to keep the characters straight in one's mind. Also, the writer's style tends to be a little too wordy and tends to burden the reader. Such style distracts from the excitement of the story. I wish I had passed on this book.
February 10, 2013
I stand by my other comments that the Keiko character's atrocities were unnecessary to the plot of this particular story. She would be threatening enough as a regular old assassin without the nipple-carving and other sexual stuff. It was nice to actually have more than one heroic figure in this story. The ending was good, but left completely unresolved what happened to KIWI and whether the governmental agencies were at risk or not. I would give it four stars if the Keiko character was not so atrocious.
January 8, 2014
I enjoyed this book. The beginning was definitely a bit of a shocker to me, but I wasn't offended as were some of the other reviews that I've read. It was a little over the top, but I much prefer that to the many books I've read where the action doesn't really start until page 100. Ryne Pearson did a nice job of launching quickly into the story, and then maintaining the fast pace. The ending was just a little convenient for my tastes, but it didn't detract from an enjoyable read. In all I'd recommend it for a fast, fun story.
September 2, 2010
Ryne Douglas Pearson is the author of two my very favorite books. Simple Simon - the book that was released as a Bruce Willis movie called Mercury Rising, and Top Ten - a book about, yup, serial killers. I know, I know, shocking!
These are the only books I've read by Pearson, but they were both outstanding. I highly recommend them.
These are the only books I've read by Pearson, but they were both outstanding. I highly recommend them.
April 5, 2020
I was a bit taken back by the hit-woman/serial killer, but stuck with it and am glad I did. I really enjoyed the portrayal of the autistic Simon. My only complaint was that there seemed to be to many coincidental relationships - this character just happens to be married to that one, or works for that one. But overall enjoyed it.
July 2, 2008
Easy, fast read. One thing really bugged me-- the author often referred to the hands of the 16(!) year old boy as "small." I think he had to think of the character developmentally as a young boy because the boy was autistic-- but that wouldn't stop him from growing...
September 26, 2014
I did enjoy this story, read it because of the movie, Mercury Rising. Both the story and movie had excellent qualities and some points I didn't care for so much. On the whole I probably preferred the movie, but the book was still quite excellent; tense, with good pacing.
October 3, 2011
This book got better and better as it went along - I couldn't put it down. The suspense and action at the end was incredible.
The first time I've read this author - will definitely add to my list of favorites!
The first time I've read this author - will definitely add to my list of favorites!
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