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Everything Theory #1
Cold Compass
Gabe is a disenchanted twenty year-old that has been dragged down for most of his life by the bizarre legacy his deceased father left behind. At the age of seventeen, Gabe was contacted by government employees that once worked with his father, offering him an outrageous salary if he would take part in an effort to revitalize his father’s work. Bit by bit, Gabe discovers that the work his father was involved in was incredibly strange. His father was viewed by his peers as a mad scientist of sorts, dabbling in controversial projects concerning genetics manipulation, advanced space exploration, time travel, and ESP.
Cold Compass, the first book in the Everything Theory series, opens as Gabe is tasked with his first assignment as an unofficial member of a shadow organization known as the Center for Scientific Anomalous Research (CSAR). With the assistance of a CSAR official posing as an FBI agent, Gabe travels to the small town of Hasper, North Carolina where people are being killed by an ancient evil that lurks beneath the town. As if that wasn’t bad enough, Gabe learns that it could all very well be the result of one of his father’s failed studies.
Along the way, Gabe must also contend with the fact that he is beginning to see ghosts and is being hunted down by an enigmatic figure that calls himself Garrison Sleet. As he slowly unravels the mysteries of his father, Gabe slowly understands that even the evil lurking beneath Hasper is tied to not only his father’s work, but to some integral part of him as well.
Cold Compass, the first book in the Everything Theory series, opens as Gabe is tasked with his first assignment as an unofficial member of a shadow organization known as the Center for Scientific Anomalous Research (CSAR). With the assistance of a CSAR official posing as an FBI agent, Gabe travels to the small town of Hasper, North Carolina where people are being killed by an ancient evil that lurks beneath the town. As if that wasn’t bad enough, Gabe learns that it could all very well be the result of one of his father’s failed studies.
Along the way, Gabe must also contend with the fact that he is beginning to see ghosts and is being hunted down by an enigmatic figure that calls himself Garrison Sleet. As he slowly unravels the mysteries of his father, Gabe slowly understands that even the evil lurking beneath Hasper is tied to not only his father’s work, but to some integral part of him as well.
- GenresAmazon
309 pages, Paperback
First published January 9, 2012
1 person is currently reading
122 people want to read
About the author
Barry Napier
105 books62 followersBarry Napier is the author of The Cooper M. Reid series, The Bleeding Room, Bound, Break Every Chain, Nests, and several other titles. His books span a wide range of genres, from paranormal thrillers to Christian adventure.
He works as a ghostwriter while working on his own titles. He enjoys coffee, ambient music, and irony.
He works as a ghostwriter while working on his own titles. He enjoys coffee, ambient music, and irony.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
February 5, 2020
I must admit to not being a huge supernatural fan. I'm more a casual observer, I readily admit that in most stories you need to take a leap of faith. I think in. Supernatural stories that leap is a massive leap.
That said I found this story engaging enough.
Gabe is a disenchanted twenty year-old, dragged down for most of his life by the bizarre legacy his deceased father left behind. At the age of seventeen, Gabe was contacted by government employees that once worked with his father, offering him an outrageous salary if he would take part in an effort to revitalize his father's work. Bit by bit, Gabe discovers that the work his father was involved in was incredibly strange. His father was viewed by his peers as a mad scientist of sorts, dabbling in controversial projects concerning genetics manipulation, advanced space exploration, time travel, and ESP. On his first assignment as an unofficial member of a shadow organization known as the Center for Scientific Anomalous Research (CSAR), Gabe begins to understand that all of the rumors he had heard about his father were not only true, but severely downplayed. With the assistance of a CSAR official and a reluctant FBI agent, Gabe travels to the small town of Hasper, North Carolina where people are being killed by an ancient evil that lurks beneath the town. As if that wasn't bad enough, Gabe learns that it could all very well be the result of one of his father's failed studies. Along the way, Gabe must also contend with the fact that he is beginning to see ghosts and is being hunted down by an enigmatic figure that calls himself Garrison Sleet. Gabe is well aware that all of these events are linked to his father's work. As he begins to realize the grand scope of the projects his father was working on, Gabe understands that the only way to bring his father's demented legacy to a close is to complete his work. He must unravel something his father called Everything Theory and, potentially, alter the doomed fate of the world. Gabe slowly understands that even the evil lurking beneath Hasper is tied to not only his father's work, but to some integral part of him as well.
I'm pretty sure supernatural fans will lap it up.
That said I found this story engaging enough.
Gabe is a disenchanted twenty year-old, dragged down for most of his life by the bizarre legacy his deceased father left behind. At the age of seventeen, Gabe was contacted by government employees that once worked with his father, offering him an outrageous salary if he would take part in an effort to revitalize his father's work. Bit by bit, Gabe discovers that the work his father was involved in was incredibly strange. His father was viewed by his peers as a mad scientist of sorts, dabbling in controversial projects concerning genetics manipulation, advanced space exploration, time travel, and ESP. On his first assignment as an unofficial member of a shadow organization known as the Center for Scientific Anomalous Research (CSAR), Gabe begins to understand that all of the rumors he had heard about his father were not only true, but severely downplayed. With the assistance of a CSAR official and a reluctant FBI agent, Gabe travels to the small town of Hasper, North Carolina where people are being killed by an ancient evil that lurks beneath the town. As if that wasn't bad enough, Gabe learns that it could all very well be the result of one of his father's failed studies. Along the way, Gabe must also contend with the fact that he is beginning to see ghosts and is being hunted down by an enigmatic figure that calls himself Garrison Sleet. Gabe is well aware that all of these events are linked to his father's work. As he begins to realize the grand scope of the projects his father was working on, Gabe understands that the only way to bring his father's demented legacy to a close is to complete his work. He must unravel something his father called Everything Theory and, potentially, alter the doomed fate of the world. Gabe slowly understands that even the evil lurking beneath Hasper is tied to not only his father's work, but to some integral part of him as well.
I'm pretty sure supernatural fans will lap it up.
July 29, 2013
This review is cross-posted from Papyrus Independent Author Reviews (http://papyrus.calebblake.net/2013/07/29/cold-compass-by-barry-napier/)
With one word, Gabe Warren has committed himself to a secret government organisation for a purpose he doesn't understand. All because of who he is - and who his father was.
Cold Compass is the first novel in a series about a young man whose mysterious background makes him important to a covert government operation investigating "disturbances". The story leaves the details deliciously up in the air, dropping breadcrumbs for the reader to follow as the story progresses.
This is a classic television series opener. Hints of X Files, Warehouse 13, Ghost Whisperer and other programs spring to mind while reading and although the story fits a mould, this didn't deter me at all. As a story, I thought it was worthy of some time investment.
The novel includes the opening case, the introduction of a mysterious antagonist and some revelations about the covert operation and Gabe Warren's past. There were a couple of times where I felt the story structure failed a little. In the first of Gabe Warren's supernatural encounters, a particularly tense moment was all but destroyed by the inclusion of an untimely flashback.
A potential issue I have is that what the reader doesn't initially know, and is revealed over the course of the story, is the major selling point of the book. There is going to be significant pressure on future volumes to continue to "come up with the goods".
Because this kicks off a series, the major players are introduced to the reader and although there are not too many surprises, there aren't any real disappointments either.
Gabe, as the protagonist, ticks off the necessary boxes to remain interesting. He has conflicted feelings towards his scientist father, who worked on secret government operations and died, abandoning him and his mother. He has capabilities that he is only just becoming aware of and, to add drama, has authority issues. He was familiar, but in a good way - the kind of character I like observing in different situations.
The head of his little team and Gabe's CIA bodyguard make up a trio and it looks like there's reasonable scope for exploring each of them more over a series of stories. I was happy with the development of these characters.
There's also an antagonist and it looks like he's probably going to remain the nemesis of our heroes, providing the larger story arc for the series. I liked this character in that not too much was revealed, leaving plenty of scope. He was also genuinely creepy.
Unfortunately, although I rather liked the plot and the characters in Cold Compass, I can not say the same for the writing. When the primary aim was the propel the plot from A to B, the narrative was effective enough if not particularly sophisticated. I don't have an issue with simple, if it gets the job done and supports a story I want to read. However, as soon as there was a need to intensify mood or illustrate a scene more fully, the author fell short with clunky prose that often made me wince.
I constantly felt that in the more descriptive passages, the need to illustrate outweighed the need for the words to make sense. Unfortunately, not observing the latter disrupts the success of the former. I felt like it was left to me to pick up the pieces and reconstruct the image the author intended. This might make for an interesting writing exercise, but does nothing for me as a reader.
Cold Compass was, for me, a fairly solid story with serviceable characters that were let down by ineffective prose. In the end, the writing transformed something that should have been largely enjoyable into hard work.
Not everyone places the same level of importance on the writing when compared to the story being told. This is a reasonable position to take and those who feel like this might not suffer from the same level of disappointment. However, for those who treat effective prose as a key to the success of a story, I don't think this novel is going to bring satisfaction.
I have been instructed by those above me to allow you one last chance to change your mind. I am offering you that option now. If you want out, just say so. But after you leave this office and I make a call, this project is officially underway.
With one word, Gabe Warren has committed himself to a secret government organisation for a purpose he doesn't understand. All because of who he is - and who his father was.
Cold Compass is the first novel in a series about a young man whose mysterious background makes him important to a covert government operation investigating "disturbances". The story leaves the details deliciously up in the air, dropping breadcrumbs for the reader to follow as the story progresses.
This is a classic television series opener. Hints of X Files, Warehouse 13, Ghost Whisperer and other programs spring to mind while reading and although the story fits a mould, this didn't deter me at all. As a story, I thought it was worthy of some time investment.
The novel includes the opening case, the introduction of a mysterious antagonist and some revelations about the covert operation and Gabe Warren's past. There were a couple of times where I felt the story structure failed a little. In the first of Gabe Warren's supernatural encounters, a particularly tense moment was all but destroyed by the inclusion of an untimely flashback.
A potential issue I have is that what the reader doesn't initially know, and is revealed over the course of the story, is the major selling point of the book. There is going to be significant pressure on future volumes to continue to "come up with the goods".
Because this kicks off a series, the major players are introduced to the reader and although there are not too many surprises, there aren't any real disappointments either.
Gabe, as the protagonist, ticks off the necessary boxes to remain interesting. He has conflicted feelings towards his scientist father, who worked on secret government operations and died, abandoning him and his mother. He has capabilities that he is only just becoming aware of and, to add drama, has authority issues. He was familiar, but in a good way - the kind of character I like observing in different situations.
The head of his little team and Gabe's CIA bodyguard make up a trio and it looks like there's reasonable scope for exploring each of them more over a series of stories. I was happy with the development of these characters.
There's also an antagonist and it looks like he's probably going to remain the nemesis of our heroes, providing the larger story arc for the series. I liked this character in that not too much was revealed, leaving plenty of scope. He was also genuinely creepy.
Unfortunately, although I rather liked the plot and the characters in Cold Compass, I can not say the same for the writing. When the primary aim was the propel the plot from A to B, the narrative was effective enough if not particularly sophisticated. I don't have an issue with simple, if it gets the job done and supports a story I want to read. However, as soon as there was a need to intensify mood or illustrate a scene more fully, the author fell short with clunky prose that often made me wince.
I constantly felt that in the more descriptive passages, the need to illustrate outweighed the need for the words to make sense. Unfortunately, not observing the latter disrupts the success of the former. I felt like it was left to me to pick up the pieces and reconstruct the image the author intended. This might make for an interesting writing exercise, but does nothing for me as a reader.
Cold Compass was, for me, a fairly solid story with serviceable characters that were let down by ineffective prose. In the end, the writing transformed something that should have been largely enjoyable into hard work.
Not everyone places the same level of importance on the writing when compared to the story being told. This is a reasonable position to take and those who feel like this might not suffer from the same level of disappointment. However, for those who treat effective prose as a key to the success of a story, I don't think this novel is going to bring satisfaction.
May 10, 2013
Jim rated this 4.7, I rated it 4.5. Good book!
April 28, 2015
Good story
You're given just enough background on Gabriel's father to help the story line without giving too much away. Definitely left wanting more.
You're given just enough background on Gabriel's father to help the story line without giving too much away. Definitely left wanting more.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews