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The eBay Detective #2
The eBay Code
An experimental army nuclear reactor mysteriously explodes in 1961 and tons of nuclear debris are hauled away and buried.
Decades later some of this radioactive material goes missing. Brad Stout, a US Army major and expert in radiation defense at the military's premier radiation defense lab, is assigned to monitor sales of radioactive materials on eBay in an effort to prevent terrorists from getting their hands on items that can make dirty bombs. He notes unusual online auctions written in code to bypass eBay censors. As he begins to unravel the code, Brad uncovers a sinister plot to assassinate the president of the United States using the radioactive remains of the reactor. But when? Where?
Pursued by enemy agents, can Major Stout solve the full mystery in time to save the president's life? Based in part on the true story of the little-known SL-1 nuclear disaster, this compelling dramatization will keep you guessing until the final page.
Decades later some of this radioactive material goes missing. Brad Stout, a US Army major and expert in radiation defense at the military's premier radiation defense lab, is assigned to monitor sales of radioactive materials on eBay in an effort to prevent terrorists from getting their hands on items that can make dirty bombs. He notes unusual online auctions written in code to bypass eBay censors. As he begins to unravel the code, Brad uncovers a sinister plot to assassinate the president of the United States using the radioactive remains of the reactor. But when? Where?
Pursued by enemy agents, can Major Stout solve the full mystery in time to save the president's life? Based in part on the true story of the little-known SL-1 nuclear disaster, this compelling dramatization will keep you guessing until the final page.
212 pages, Paperback
First published March 12, 2013
2 people are currently reading
180 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
March 21, 2013
Enjoyable and very quick read. Fast-paced action story rooted in real-life events.
In Book One, Maj. Brad Stout stumbled across the terrorist group which was using eBay to acquire dangerous radioactive material. In this sequel, he’s specifically looking for follow-up and finds it (though, it turns out, with a different group with different goals). And he must decipher the ‘code’ used by those terrorists.
I really like the insertion of those factual distillations of the radiological accidents / problems. Definitely sets the stage for the seriousness of what Brad faces ... as well as developing suitable tension for the story.
Among the new characters to the series are Brad’s very quirky F-I-L, Pierre Boudreaux. Capable and experienced, he’s good-hearted but a real wind-bag. Pierre is also pretty complex: veering from blow-hard braggadocio (in heavy cajun back-bayou dialect) to long spells where he uses the ‘normal’ American language of an educated and perceptive father/husband. But he’s self-aware and seems to deliberately apply his exaggerated cajun personna in times that he needs it (or thinks he does).
Not only do Brad and Pierre hit it off surprisingly well, they soon find themselves teamed together to protect their family, try to solve the eBay code, and hopefully prevent a horrific radiological incident of international significance. You might not expect Brad to involve his newly-met F-I-L in this dangerous activity ... but Brad’s devotion to duty and country overrides any other concerns.
Mary Lou, pregnant with Brad’s twins, is less in the forefront of this book, though she’s quite “present” since she’s always on Brad’s mind. There are a lot of heartfelt emotions (especially between Brad and Mary Lou) among other feelings in this book, but they’re revealed mainly through dialog rather than observable action/behavior.
Brad’s sister, prominent in Book One, is very much in the background in this novel ... except for a key role in the plot (which I can’t reveal here without spoiling things).
In several telephonic tirades which are somewhat difficult to comprehend, there is considerable build-up with the prophetic cajun M-I-L, as she is seemingly lost, zig-zagging across the country, en route to the upcoming wedding. She finally appears, in grand style, at the very end of the book.
Spoiler alert
I thought the setting of the rescue in Germany was terrific, with great detail. I could definitely picture the scene as those key players move into position and have their earliest encounters. The three guys on his ad hoc team in Germany were awesome ... the very kind of guys I’d want on my side if push came to shove.
I also liked the detail of the Camp David compound ... felt as though I were actually visiting.
In Book One, Maj. Brad Stout stumbled across the terrorist group which was using eBay to acquire dangerous radioactive material. In this sequel, he’s specifically looking for follow-up and finds it (though, it turns out, with a different group with different goals). And he must decipher the ‘code’ used by those terrorists.
I really like the insertion of those factual distillations of the radiological accidents / problems. Definitely sets the stage for the seriousness of what Brad faces ... as well as developing suitable tension for the story.
Among the new characters to the series are Brad’s very quirky F-I-L, Pierre Boudreaux. Capable and experienced, he’s good-hearted but a real wind-bag. Pierre is also pretty complex: veering from blow-hard braggadocio (in heavy cajun back-bayou dialect) to long spells where he uses the ‘normal’ American language of an educated and perceptive father/husband. But he’s self-aware and seems to deliberately apply his exaggerated cajun personna in times that he needs it (or thinks he does).
Not only do Brad and Pierre hit it off surprisingly well, they soon find themselves teamed together to protect their family, try to solve the eBay code, and hopefully prevent a horrific radiological incident of international significance. You might not expect Brad to involve his newly-met F-I-L in this dangerous activity ... but Brad’s devotion to duty and country overrides any other concerns.
Mary Lou, pregnant with Brad’s twins, is less in the forefront of this book, though she’s quite “present” since she’s always on Brad’s mind. There are a lot of heartfelt emotions (especially between Brad and Mary Lou) among other feelings in this book, but they’re revealed mainly through dialog rather than observable action/behavior.
Brad’s sister, prominent in Book One, is very much in the background in this novel ... except for a key role in the plot (which I can’t reveal here without spoiling things).
In several telephonic tirades which are somewhat difficult to comprehend, there is considerable build-up with the prophetic cajun M-I-L, as she is seemingly lost, zig-zagging across the country, en route to the upcoming wedding. She finally appears, in grand style, at the very end of the book.
Spoiler alert
I thought the setting of the rescue in Germany was terrific, with great detail. I could definitely picture the scene as those key players move into position and have their earliest encounters. The three guys on his ad hoc team in Germany were awesome ... the very kind of guys I’d want on my side if push came to shove.
I also liked the detail of the Camp David compound ... felt as though I were actually visiting.
April 21, 2013
The Ebay Code by Charles Salter (Volume 2 of The Ebay Detective) is every bit as good as the first book in this series. The author continues the theme of basing his novel on actual events, which makes it so immediate and that much more sinister. Major Brad Stout was appointed as an Ebay Detective at the end of the last novel and the throws himself into his new role enthusiastically. Following up a terrorist threat he needs to decipher a code in order to intercept their deals on Ebay. In this adventure Brad teams up with the interesting and complex Pierre, now his father-in-law, to try and prevent a horrendous international incident involving radioactive matter. Amidst the tension and excitement, there’s domestic happiness and tenderness, family commitment, frustration, moments of humour and much to enjoy.
Salter creates brilliant characters. Every one, however minor, is rounded and has a real role to play. Mary Lou and her parents bring some fresh interest in this story. The plot is exciting, built soundly on real events and everyone’s familiarity with Ebay. From these factual foundations a superbly imaginative story springs, and the action doesn’t end - even at the end. There’s a new development waiting for us there. Settings are superbly depicted, with great attention to detail and adding yet more realism to the story. I don’t think there’s anyone who wouldn’t enjoy this novel as it has all the ingredients an engrossing modern thriller needs. It’s a successful and riveting read.
Salter creates brilliant characters. Every one, however minor, is rounded and has a real role to play. Mary Lou and her parents bring some fresh interest in this story. The plot is exciting, built soundly on real events and everyone’s familiarity with Ebay. From these factual foundations a superbly imaginative story springs, and the action doesn’t end - even at the end. There’s a new development waiting for us there. Settings are superbly depicted, with great attention to detail and adding yet more realism to the story. I don’t think there’s anyone who wouldn’t enjoy this novel as it has all the ingredients an engrossing modern thriller needs. It’s a successful and riveting read.
January 30, 2014
This book kept me up all night, as I could not put it down until I was finished. I even wanted to skip ahead and peek at the back of the book and see how it ends (I'm naughty and I do that sometimes), but refrained from doing so. I enjoy humor in my books, so I really enjoyed the characters of "Dad" and "Ma". Though the book was suspenseful and kept me guessing, it was also light and amusing at times, as opposed to dark and macabre. The author did an excellent job of blending elements together to make a very enjoyable novel.
July 29, 2013
Very good read. Not only does it leave you on the edge of your seat, but it also has a little family/love story tie in. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys mysteries, family humor, and love/sex novels.
February 9, 2014
Won from Goodreads.
I enjoyed this book just as much as I did book 1. It was very well written and had a great plot. I can't wait to read more books by this author and about Major Brad Stout, who I hope becomes a recurring character. Keep 'em coming, Mr. Salter!
I enjoyed this book just as much as I did book 1. It was very well written and had a great plot. I can't wait to read more books by this author and about Major Brad Stout, who I hope becomes a recurring character. Keep 'em coming, Mr. Salter!
December 18, 2013
Good book... Wish I knew what happened with Billy Bupp lol....
** I received this book for free through a First-Reads promotion
** I received this book for free through a First-Reads promotion
January 28, 2014
A very enjoyable book. The book had a great real world feel to it, which made it very believable. Twists and turns in the plot also kept me into it.
April 18, 2015
I won this through Goodreads First Reads Giveaway.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews