Black Cipher

by Payne Harrison

Black Cipher signals the dawn of the cryptothriller.

Payne Harrison, the author of the best-selling Storming Intrepid and Thunder of Erebus, spins his narrative magic vet again -- this time exploring the fascinating but clandestine world of codebreaking and signals intelligence.

Secluded in the quiet Gloucestershire township of Cheltenham is the hypersecret codebreaking and signals intelligence enclave of the British spy machine. Known as Government Communications Headquarters, it is home to a small army of eavesdroppers, linguists, and codebreakers who secretly probe the airwaves for the defense of the realm.

Within this high-tech fortress is a man of great mystery, urbanity, and elan, whose powers in the field of cryptanalysis are nothing short of legendary. His name is Faisal Shaikh, and when an unusual encrypted message crosses his desk, it is like a siren's song to his codebreaking skills. Calling upon all of his knowledge and intuition, Faisal finally unlocks its secrets, and thereby casts himself as a man who knows too much in the eyes of a powerful, mysterious clique at the highest levels of the British government.

To find the key to the possibly unbreakable Black Cipher messages, Faisal Shaikh embarks upon a global quest -- from Japan to Australia, from Fort Meade to Belfast. His only hope is to tear away the veil that conceals a menacing, invisible government lurking within the halls of Westminster before his time -- and his luck -- run out.

Genres: Fiction, Thriller

337 pages, Hardcover

First published December 13, 1994

About the author

A native Texan, Payne Harrison admits to having a "jaded past" as a newspaper reporter. He holds B.A. and M.A. degrees from Texas A&M and an M.B.A. from SMU, and served as an officer with the U.S. Army in Europe.
His journey to being a New York Times bestselling author started with his sending an excerpt of his book STORMING INTREPID to a New York publishing house, unsolicited and without an agent. That led to a multi-book publishing deal, an appearance on the TODAY show, hitting the Times list, and a paperback auction.
He has had a dual career as a novelist and a forensic litigation consultant, which has required him to use "both hemispheres of the brain."
He and his wife live in Dallas, Texas.

Reviews

[Scott Landis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Improbable but really held my interest

I'm interested in cryptanalysis. While this book really isn't about that, & the globetrotting aspects stretch credulity, it was a really enjoyable read that held my interest

[John Hurst · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interest twist and turns - good read!!

[Tom · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book that had been on my shelf for over 10 years. I finally got around to it... I was entertained, but it is a bit dated at this point. It takes place around 1995 or so and centers on an improbable Clancyesqe plot within the British version of the NSA. I'd read Storming the Intrepid and Thunder of Erebus the author's other works 20 years ago and remembered liking the writing style. I'm afraid this book isn't nearly as exciting, or my tastes have changed in the intervening time.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Slow start but worth plowing through.
Made code breaking exciting and showed what the less glamourous side of the world of spying.
Interesting view from the British side and some of their differences

[Chuck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our hero is a world class cryptanalyst who works in the code breaking
section of the British Intelligence Service. He breaks an "unbreakable"
code and the bad guys decide that he knows too much and must be
eliminated. Good story.

[Brent Werness · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun spy thriller, but it doesn't contain much to distinguish itself in the genre.