The Daedalus Protocol: A Thriller

by Jeff Sheckter

Read Jeff Sheckter's exciting debut novel The Daedalus Protocol.

A deadly pathogen has been unleashed across the globe, killing livestock and destroying crops as it spreads. A near-extinction event from worldwide famine will be certain if it’s not stopped in time.

A mysterious man known only as Daedalus, possessing advanced technology and seemingly unlimited resources, has assembled a crew of notable soldiers and scientists for a mission to stop the coming plague.

Embarking on a perilous archeological odyssey, this elite team, led by SEAL commander Gryphon Oake, delves from the depths of ancient tombs to the heart of the Catholic Church in order to unearth a long-buried treasure required to save the world. Racing against time and a crazed zealot hell-bent on annihilation, they must find the location of the fabled Fountain of Youth to thwart the coming threat.

Unlock the mysteries of this pulse-pounding thriller, as the team deciphers puzzles from the age of the pharaohs and discover the true nature of immortality. To secure our future, they must reach back and uncover the secrets from our past.

Genres: Thriller, Science Fiction

457 pages, Paperback

Published May 11, 2023

Reviews

[Kathryn Roussey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Action Packed Adventure

This story is a movie waiting to be made. I appreciated the limited romantic content and enjoyed the respect and teamwork.

[Kearstin Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was sooo hard to put down

I enjoyed the different POV’s and getting to know each character through their eyes as well as the eyes of others.

This definitely makes you think (because it is possible for the main event of the book to occur )

The group worked so well together to find a solution and to basically save the world

This book included history, and new technology and it added so much depth.

This was thrilling, thought provoking, and well written!

[Meg Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! I groaned every time I had to put down the book because I just wanted to keep reading and see what happened. To me, the plot was like Ocean's Eleven meets National Treasure. Full of suspense, technology, history and teamwork. I wish there was a tiny bit more character development, but what we do know makes for very likeable characters on the good guys side. I love how each one has their own area of expertise and serves the team in their own way. The bad guy is one you love to hate and I definitely kept cheering for him to be defeated. Overall, this book is super exciting and gripping, keeps you engaged and reading until the very end.
4.5 stars from me!

[Anna Ch · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Daedalus Protocol is truly exceptional story, well-crafted characters, and brilliant storytelling. It is not a usual read for me, but I was so glad I got this book! The narrative seamlessly weaves together historical elements and cutting-edge technology. Whether you're into history or high-tech adventures, this book has something for everyone, making it impossible to put down. Jeff Sheckter's talent blending ancient legends with contemporary crises is truly remarkable. It's not just a captivating read; it's an educational and entertaining journey through time, firmly rooted in today's reality. Can't wait for the next book!

[JWo1855 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mix in some Da Vinci Code ancient puzzle solving, an Indiana Jones globe-hopping treasure hunt but with modern technology, while trying to stop a madman from releasing more of a deadly pathogen across the world and you have the thriller that is The Daedalus Protocol by Jeff Sheckter.

There’s only one man with the technology and resources to prevent the global annihilation, a mysterious man known only as Daedalus.

Daedalus assembles a team of the best soldiers, computer programmers and scientists to stop the devastation. Their journey takes them from deep underground beneath New York City, to ancient tombs in Europe, to the heart of Catholic Church, to one of the most sacred religious locations in the world as they follow clues and puzzles that were created after the death of Jesus.

All while the team is being chased by the villain who needs them gone to accomplish his goals.

The Daedalus Protocol had me on the edge of my seat during each leg of their journey. Sheckter’s ability to weave a tale that combined ancient history and relics with modern technology and issues made for a fun and exciting read.

Highly recommend!

………………………………

I won this book from a Jeff Sheckter giveaway on Instagram, but my review is my own.

[Savannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Daedalus Protocol is a high octane thrill ride from the very first page. A wealthy man known only as Daedalus assembles an elite team to find the secrets of a deadly pathogen that, if not stopped, is capable of causing food shortages leading to mass extinction. The team must dive into delve deep into the mysteries of the past to save our present day.

The Daedalus Protocol is a thrilling mashup of your favorite action movie, ancient mythology, and an escape room tied up into one amazing book. If you enjoyed National Treasure, which is a personal favorite of mine, you will love this! The action starts right from page one and never lets up. The characters on the elite team are very likeable. They are a team with diverse fields of expertise to help complete their mission. It is hard to finish this book in one sitting due to the page count, but if you can clear your schedule, do so. You will not want to put this one down folks! Don't walk, RUN, to pick up your copy of The Daedalus Protocol now!

[Sarah W · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this one. I liked all the characters on Daedalus’ team, even Dallas who could be a little dramatic at times. They bounced ideas off one another and worked good together as a group. The advancement in technology was well developed and cool to read about. I liked that there was a perspective from the bad guys from time to time and it wasn’t just focused on one person either. I have heard of the religion’s stories that were talked about but not enough to try and piece the clues myself, however I enjoyed the puzzles and learning a little bit more about topics. It was adventurous and fast paced. All the science was explained in detail, and I loved how the characters without the science background asked questions to help explain it to the reader in a simpler way. I look forward to seeing this series continue and what problem the group will try to solve next.

Thank you @jeffsheckterbooks and @tlcbooktours for the gifted copy.

[Melissa Lozano · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve never read a book that made me feel anxious just by reading a scene. The Daedalus Protocol is an adventure from beginning to end, and will have you flipping page after page to see the fate of some of the most intriguing characters I’ve ever read about.

As I started reading, this was a solid four star for me. At first, I felt that there was just too much information and things were being over explained, but the further I got into the book… the more I realized it was all needed. I’m not a huge religious person, so the explanations of certain things was much appreciated. As was the info dump of everything else because it painted a vivid picture as I read.
Seriously, when is this becoming a movie?

What started off as a four star read transformed into a five star by the time I was finished. If you loved The Davinci Code or National Treasure, you will love The Daedalus Protocol. It was such an adventurous ride that I can’t wait to see where the crew ends up next.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is Avengers meets The Davinci Code and Indiana Jones with advanced technology meets Project Hail Mary meets Greek Mytholoy. This book is classified as a Thriller, but it I would also classify it as Speculative Fiction.

I was gifted this book from the author and was not really sure what to expect. But I honestly could not put this book down. This is has a lot in at 452 pages. Despite the length and breadth of content. the author was able to navigate timelines, history, cultures, science, mythology and mystery into a comprehensive book that while some facts are incredible, do not seem impossible within the pages of the book. The twist at the end was not necessarily a surprise, but completed the book nicely. The characters are interesting with some witty and snarky dialog. The books was fast paced and kept me turning the page to finish the book in 2 days!

[Lacie · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing Read! Right from the start, you are sucked in!
I was able to see this as a Movie, or a short series, while reading!
The scenes are fantastically written!
I even caught myself holding my breath in some chapters!

A definite must read!

An "Author Giveaway"! 🔮

[Michaela Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book kept me on edge during parts and kept me wanting to read more! It’s very descriptive and I had an easy time using my imagination to have visuals.

[Megan Harvell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing! I absolutely loved it.

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

Readers, like myself, know that inspiration can come from anywhere. We must always be prepared for descriptive language and vivid imagery which will be used to illustrate scenes, character traits, and emotions in an effort to engage our senses.

When I was younger, I watched many black-and-white horror classics and the amount and quality of lighting highly influenced the way I prepared myself to view each scene. More often than not, shadows or the mere mention of them prepared me for a dismal mood of extreme discomfort.

This type of vivid imagery is obvious in The Daedalus Protocol which is Jeff Sheckter's debut novel and was presented to me as a puzzle-driven techno-thriller.

The Prologue of The Daedalus Protocol, is 417 BCE, Parthenon, Greece. Here, we readers are powerless witnesses to death.

In all honesty, I was not prepared for this 452-page mystery that details cruel and unusual punishment.

Vivid imagery is used throughout the book and is darkly apparent in Chapter One Present Day, Thirty minutes outside of London, England where we meet the sadistic twins known as the Bough brothers and learn of Marcus' brutal beatings and impending death.

Since I wish to redirect my brain at this time from socially dominant individuals, I will inform you I love that this story affords readers the opportunity to follow clues and puzzles - drawing conclusions based on their own perspectives.

The storyline has complex themes and conversational implicature, making for a story that is constructed like elaborate cinematic sequences that provide insight that goes beyond the surface of what is visible.

Sheckter's writing is thought-provoking. It makes one look at the past, present, and future. One must also recognize psychological distress and consider rights and violations - and look closely at what it is to be human and how one's experiences are a part of humanity.

It is in the 'principalities and powers' realm that readers observe and evaluate Daedalus and Gryphon Oake and team.

I adore that this hauntingly clever read combines ancient history and relics with historical and cultural elements and landmarks as well as Artificial Intelligence and Quantum Computing and concludes in the Library of Alexandria.

Facts vs.Fiction closes out this read and the epilogue relays that insanity, has been recognized throughout history in every known society and yet there is still much we do not know.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun read. The plotline is creative and engaging, and the pacing is good throughout the story. There is never a point where the action slows down or feels dulls. The characters are interesting. The tech used didn't cross the line into being a deus ex machina. I took a star off only because the writing style felt like fanfiction. A lot of this character said this, that character did that but no using words to paint a scene and a mood the way a professional novelist can. It makes sense when you learn this is the first novel of an author who spent a career in other fields. But with some formal training and writing classes, he has the raw storytelling talent to be the next Dan Brown. I plan to read the sequel.

[Lily · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brilliantly spun story that will keep you captivated from start to finish. Sheckter has a gift for bringing a story to life, with a literary lilt to the writing, even though it's a sci-fi thriller. I really enjoyed getting to know the characters and the world they inhabit. The plague they face is a terrifying prospect, and following along in the wake of C19, it's clear that it could easily spread as quickly as it does in the story. The plot moves along smoothly, and the tension stays with you, making it hard to set the book down for even a moment. If you enjoy thrillers or sci-fi, you’re going to enjoy this!

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won this Kindle edition in a Goodreads Giveaway. At first I didn’t think I was going to be able to finish it. This isn’t the kind of book I normally gravitate towards The ancient beginning lurch d into a series of chapters introducing as yet unrelated characters. Once the team was assembled I was a little more on board. The plot is still more high tech and future fiction that I usually enjoy, but the characters were interesting enough to keep me reading. There wasn’t anything really surprising as the plot played out. There were two “big surprises” at the end. One I found disappointing as it was just a set up for the next book. The other was unsatisfying.

[Sarah Ehinger · Rating 2 out of 5]

I won this book as a Goodreads Giveaway. This is one of those books where I wish Goodreads offered half stars in the rating system, as it was probably a 2.5 for me. The storyline was solid and the cast of characters was good. I found the parts of the book where the characters were interacting was a bit too formal and didn't hit the "normal" tone a conversation would, which I found broke the flow for me. That prevented me from giving it a higher rating.

[Sheri T · Rating 5 out of 5]

This thriller has everything! From classics to historical events and high tech, this book is perfect for many readers. @jeffsheckterbooks kept me on the edge of my seat with each chapter. He’s knowledgeable on many topics and eloquently provides readers with descriptive details. He takes both his characters and readers on an exciting and educational adventure!

[Rolf · Rating 3 out of 5]

I actually shouldn't be rating this "book" at all because at the time I entered the drawing I didn't realize it was a Kindle and I don't do Kindle (or any other kind of electronic book) because I like having a hard back in my grubby little paws. My bad. Sorry.

[Timothy · Rating 3 out of 5]

To Come

[Dolores Matthews · Rating 4 out of 5]

A whirlwind of finding clues, keeping ahead of the bad guys and using brains and brawn. The story is interesting and believable, even if it’s unbelievable. Looking forward to the next one.

[Baroon Rai · Rating 1 out of 5]

what a terrible tragedy of a book! full of cliches. it feels made up from end to start.

[Path.Through.Pages · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was gifted a copy of the book by the author but the review is my own.

4 stars for the concept and the incredible detail in the book - 3.5 simply due to personal preference in storytelling. I sometimes found it difficult to maintain narratives as the story moved between characters but that is simply on me, I am very formulaic in how I read but if you enjoy the storyline of this book I don't think you'll have difficulty at all!

Immediately this book reminded me of Assassin's Creed Odyssey mixed with The Last of Us. A dystopian world where a virus (not a fungus for you TLOU fanatics so don't take me too seriously) is running rampant and an Expendables-esque taskforce is brought together to find a cure, following multiple cultures, legends, and myths all the way to the elixir of life.

There is a clear madman behind it all and a clear anti-hero known as Daedalus.

This book is extremely action-packed, I do wish there was a bit more room for character and reader connection. At the very beginning of the book, a titular character experiences a tragic loss and I felt almost like the character's emotions and experience were just... rushed past. There was so much more to come that maybe the author wanted to get the story moving without lingering too long, but it would really have helped me get more invested right from the beginning.

Other than a few things it was for sure a unique and high-octane story!