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Enigma Series #9
The Enigma Dragon: A CATS Tale
A former U.S. military lieutenant works for ePETRO to support business interests. Mike and Marge control ePETRO, a global oil broker with operations in London and New York. An unexpected audit of ePETRO disrupts plans. Steven Christopher, trusted by Marge and Mike, creatively transfers information off the grid, not on the books. Christopher knows more than he should about merchandise movements and payments. Government officials requested Juan and Julie Rodreguiz to deploy the members of the CATS team across the globe. They find data sharing from Analog Information Mules. Their only clue is a Dragon pendant. The team reveals terrifying threats on their journey to find justice across four continents and twelve cities. Two CATS team operatives vanish. Everyone fears the worst. Lives are at stake. Minimal options remain.
What readers are saying –
“The visual story that their carefully constructed words paint is thorough and clear, I can see Julie, Stephen, Jamie, and the others clearly in my head…I dare say there was one point when I could not believe where they took the story – OMG, I wanted to cry…”
“In many ways, the technology is almost there and probably will be within a decade. The technology presented in The Enigma Dragon may be fictional, but not by much, and gives a hint to what the public could face.”
“Any lover of thrillers or techno-thrillers will enjoy this book a lot. Even science fiction fans, who lean into thrillers, can find something here.”
What readers are saying –
“The visual story that their carefully constructed words paint is thorough and clear, I can see Julie, Stephen, Jamie, and the others clearly in my head…I dare say there was one point when I could not believe where they took the story – OMG, I wanted to cry…”
“In many ways, the technology is almost there and probably will be within a decade. The technology presented in The Enigma Dragon may be fictional, but not by much, and gives a hint to what the public could face.”
“Any lover of thrillers or techno-thrillers will enjoy this book a lot. Even science fiction fans, who lean into thrillers, can find something here.”
436 pages, Paperback
Published July 30, 2023
6 people are currently reading
21 people want to read
About the author
Charles V. Breakfield
36 books75 followersWrites mostly with Rox Burkey as "Breakfield and Burkey"
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
February 8, 2021
Based on the title, The Enigma Dragon--A CATS Tale, by Breakfield and Burkey, I anticipated a complex and mysterious techno-thriller about clandestine operations on the dark web. The book, which I read as a standalone, met my expectations. The narrative is formatted like a jigsaw puzzle in which I had to fit the pieces together from the clues left by the various characters in the tale. The story begins when the husband and wife team, Julie and Juan, pull in various members of the Cyber Assassin Technology Services (CATS) organization to uncover who is running illegal operations on the dark web. Their target is a crude oil shipping company, ePETRO, that works with dangerous clients from around the world bartering to transport uranium. The CATS operations spread across the globe from the Americas, across Europe, and up the Pacific Eastern Asian coast to uncover the truth about ePetro's shady clients. As the CATS team dig deeper into the covert operations, dangerous assassins lurk, determined to thwart their investigation.
The author team of Breakfield and Burkey has written a complex, plot-driven tale from the viewpoint of the various protagonists and villains in the cast. Each scene is written smoothly and gives insight into the various characters. It takes a while at the beginning of the book to get oriented and to become engaged with the various characters playing their roles in the "cat and mouse" game between the ePetro and CATS organizations. Toward the end, I am fully engaged with the myriad of memorable characters, particularly Juan and Julie whose personal circumstances become heart-wrenching toward the climax. Reading the background information from previous books would have possibly helped me to understand the overall structure and purpose of the CATS team which is confusing at the start. Also, there didn't seem to be an inciting event that alerted the CATS team to investigate. Nonetheless, the story is an entertaining techno-thriller that challenged me to piece the clues together as they were revealed.
I recommendThe Enigma Dragon--A CATS Tale to readers who enjoy reading detailed information about the dark web with a myriad of characters working together to stop evil conspirators. To avoid confusion, I recommend that you start with the first book in the series to get a better background on the CATS organization.
The author team of Breakfield and Burkey has written a complex, plot-driven tale from the viewpoint of the various protagonists and villains in the cast. Each scene is written smoothly and gives insight into the various characters. It takes a while at the beginning of the book to get oriented and to become engaged with the various characters playing their roles in the "cat and mouse" game between the ePetro and CATS organizations. Toward the end, I am fully engaged with the myriad of memorable characters, particularly Juan and Julie whose personal circumstances become heart-wrenching toward the climax. Reading the background information from previous books would have possibly helped me to understand the overall structure and purpose of the CATS team which is confusing at the start. Also, there didn't seem to be an inciting event that alerted the CATS team to investigate. Nonetheless, the story is an entertaining techno-thriller that challenged me to piece the clues together as they were revealed.
I recommendThe Enigma Dragon--A CATS Tale to readers who enjoy reading detailed information about the dark web with a myriad of characters working together to stop evil conspirators. To avoid confusion, I recommend that you start with the first book in the series to get a better background on the CATS organization.
May 23, 2018
The Enigma Dragon - A CATS Tale, by Breakfield and Burkey, is the ninth installment in their Enigma series. If you have been with the series for the previous books, much will feel familiar. And just like the entire rest of the series, there are acronyms everywhere, several of which involve tongue-in-cheek dry humor (A CATS Tale?). Just like all the previous books, the action takes place within a fictional, albeit realistic, technological realm.
The plot of the story feels pulled directly from the headlines, but there is a small problem, it appears to be pulled from all the headlines for at least the last twenty years. There are smatterings of fake news, the ominous shadow of North Korean aggression, Russian muscle flexing, instability in the Middle East, terrorism, government and corporate misuse of data, copious amounts of corruption, data security breaches, AI development, economic dislocation, the perils and promise of globalization, and even a taste of the old oil-for-food scandal. It is all fine, but it does add up to a lot.
What really makes this book, however, are the two primary antagonists: Mike Patrick and Marge Barger. These two are metaphorically engaged in lubricating a corrupt machinery with illegally acquired Middle Eastern oil and are an intent on selling uranium to the North Koreans. This may sound simple enough but the plot is adequately complex as described above.
A familiar cast is also back to thwart their devious plans: Julie and Juan Rodriguez, EZ, the entirety of R-Group, and ICABOD. At times, the contrast between Mike/Marge and the 'good guys' feels more than a little forced, as if the writers were really trying to point out ethical/moral differences: old school authoritarian sexist antagonists versus libertine but ethical good guys.
The story's broad theme raises a coherent, timely, and highly relevant question: what happens if data becomes weaponized? Imagine this -- what would happen if every detail on social media, email, pictures on your phone, every keyboard keystroke, and every CCTV camera frame could be collected, categorized, and utilized to control and coerce public and private behavior?
In many ways, the technology is almost there and probably will be within a decade. The technology presented in The Enigma Dragon may be fictional, but not by much, and gives a hint to what the public could face. In a very real sense, the book is deeply, but subtly, terrifying.
The Enigma Dragon - A CATS Tale seems to be intended for Adult readers, but generally only because of the themes and politics. There is sex,
death, violence, and destruction, but these are fairly tame and could probably be reasonably well rendered in a PG-13 environment.
The action could be considered exciting and visceral, but the antagonists are the selling points for this book, lifting the plot out of multiple perspectives and scene-shifting (the action takes place across four continents). Overall, The Enigma Dragon is an above-average book with top notch villains and relevance.
The plot of the story feels pulled directly from the headlines, but there is a small problem, it appears to be pulled from all the headlines for at least the last twenty years. There are smatterings of fake news, the ominous shadow of North Korean aggression, Russian muscle flexing, instability in the Middle East, terrorism, government and corporate misuse of data, copious amounts of corruption, data security breaches, AI development, economic dislocation, the perils and promise of globalization, and even a taste of the old oil-for-food scandal. It is all fine, but it does add up to a lot.
What really makes this book, however, are the two primary antagonists: Mike Patrick and Marge Barger. These two are metaphorically engaged in lubricating a corrupt machinery with illegally acquired Middle Eastern oil and are an intent on selling uranium to the North Koreans. This may sound simple enough but the plot is adequately complex as described above.
A familiar cast is also back to thwart their devious plans: Julie and Juan Rodriguez, EZ, the entirety of R-Group, and ICABOD. At times, the contrast between Mike/Marge and the 'good guys' feels more than a little forced, as if the writers were really trying to point out ethical/moral differences: old school authoritarian sexist antagonists versus libertine but ethical good guys.
The story's broad theme raises a coherent, timely, and highly relevant question: what happens if data becomes weaponized? Imagine this -- what would happen if every detail on social media, email, pictures on your phone, every keyboard keystroke, and every CCTV camera frame could be collected, categorized, and utilized to control and coerce public and private behavior?
In many ways, the technology is almost there and probably will be within a decade. The technology presented in The Enigma Dragon may be fictional, but not by much, and gives a hint to what the public could face. In a very real sense, the book is deeply, but subtly, terrifying.
The Enigma Dragon - A CATS Tale seems to be intended for Adult readers, but generally only because of the themes and politics. There is sex,
death, violence, and destruction, but these are fairly tame and could probably be reasonably well rendered in a PG-13 environment.
The action could be considered exciting and visceral, but the antagonists are the selling points for this book, lifting the plot out of multiple perspectives and scene-shifting (the action takes place across four continents). Overall, The Enigma Dragon is an above-average book with top notch villains and relevance.
May 17, 2018
The pace is quick, but not overwhelming in The Enigma Dragon by Breakfield and Burkey. It’s important when writing a novel with action that you balance it out well with character development and intrigue. While the cast in this tale is quite large, the authors do an excellent job managing them without losing track or muddling them. Those who are avid fans of the Enigma series are sure to recognize some characters as they grace the stage in this book. As deftly as they have before, Breakfield and Burkey lead reads on an exhilarating adventure fraught with terrorists, deals gone badly and all around nefarious actions. It’s not necessary to read all the books in the series to enjoy this one, which is hard to find when you read out of order in a series.
It’s obvious these authors take their jobs seriously. One can only imagine the amount of research, writing, reviewing and editing that would have had to go into making something of this caliber. Because of the large cast, it is easy for a story to be swallowed up by the sheer number of people it has to tell about. However, there is a legend at the beginning of the book to help remind previous readers and introduce new readers to the cast. The character development occurs alongside the exciting adventure without trying to take all the attention. Again, this is not something easily done, especially within the page count that we have been given. This is a demonstration of excellent wordsmithing and careful attention.
Another win for this book is the way in which the story is told. Yes, there is some technical language and acronyms litter the pages, however the important details are explained to the reader in such a way that you do not need to be an expert in these topics in order to understand what is going on in the story or how things work. This is a benefit for readers branching out from their comfort genres and for those who are interested in something a little different from their usual read, but perhaps are nervous at the potentially steep learning curve that accompanies it. Readers don’t have to worry that they’ll need to be constantly looking up information in order to maintain an understanding of what happens in this book. This too is a difficult skill to manage and the authors demonstrate their prowess within the pages.
Whether you’re looking for something new or are a rabid fan of the series, The Enigma Dragon by Breakield and Burkey is a delight to read. It’s engaging, entertaining, and is certain to scratch whatever itch you’re working on. The characters are real and the situations are intense. There’s nothing to want for in this book, and the page count isn’t terribly high. The read is smooth and the large cast is not as overwhelming as it might seem. These are two authors who are good at their craft, and their continued work on this series demonstrates that they know what they’re doing.
It’s obvious these authors take their jobs seriously. One can only imagine the amount of research, writing, reviewing and editing that would have had to go into making something of this caliber. Because of the large cast, it is easy for a story to be swallowed up by the sheer number of people it has to tell about. However, there is a legend at the beginning of the book to help remind previous readers and introduce new readers to the cast. The character development occurs alongside the exciting adventure without trying to take all the attention. Again, this is not something easily done, especially within the page count that we have been given. This is a demonstration of excellent wordsmithing and careful attention.
Another win for this book is the way in which the story is told. Yes, there is some technical language and acronyms litter the pages, however the important details are explained to the reader in such a way that you do not need to be an expert in these topics in order to understand what is going on in the story or how things work. This is a benefit for readers branching out from their comfort genres and for those who are interested in something a little different from their usual read, but perhaps are nervous at the potentially steep learning curve that accompanies it. Readers don’t have to worry that they’ll need to be constantly looking up information in order to maintain an understanding of what happens in this book. This too is a difficult skill to manage and the authors demonstrate their prowess within the pages.
Whether you’re looking for something new or are a rabid fan of the series, The Enigma Dragon by Breakield and Burkey is a delight to read. It’s engaging, entertaining, and is certain to scratch whatever itch you’re working on. The characters are real and the situations are intense. There’s nothing to want for in this book, and the page count isn’t terribly high. The read is smooth and the large cast is not as overwhelming as it might seem. These are two authors who are good at their craft, and their continued work on this series demonstrates that they know what they’re doing.
May 5, 2018
The Enigma Dragon by Charles Breakfield and Roxanne Burkey
In this day and age, almost everyone has a digital footprint. This fact has made the fight against terrorism a tad easier. However, when a group of terrorists decides to go back in time and operate under the cloak of analog network dirt hits the fan. It becomes significantly harder but the CATs have got it handled. They have to track down AIMS (Analog Information Mules) to aid the search.
Marge and Mike run ePETRO together but are keeping secrets from each other. This is never good. Each one looking out for their own selfish interests with no concern for the other or even the global populace in general. They are embroiled in the North Korea missile web that Juan and Julie are trying to untangle. At this point, the only thing Marge and Mike can agree on is their faith and trust in mysterious Steven. It might be sweet but could turn sour very quickly as Steven has few skeletons of his own.
In true Julie fashion, she ventures into ePETRO under the name Jackline Cooper. She is formidable but soon she finds herself in a bind. Juan has to drop his duties with the super computer to go on a rescue mission. Talk about knight in shining armor.
In essence, Enigma Dragon is a compare and contrast situation between analog and digital. Which leaves the populace more vulnerable? Are the bright sides of digital so bright that they cast over the dark ones? What to do about a lack of digital footprint? What will become of Mike and Marge?
Charles and Roxanne have a gift for greasing all the multiple moving parts so they move in tandem seamlessly without tripping over each other. This is truly a gift and makes for an exquisite and delicious literary experience. The little stories within the story. Introduction of the ePETRO story among all the other things that are happening is just genus. It paves way for more installments in the series, thank heavens for that.
The characters are well developed. Marge is especially loathsome, isn’t she? So unbelievable evil and selfish. The other characters are great. The reader is treated to a traditional adult relationship with mutual respect between Juan and Julie. These two are a poster couple for relatably normal. Their portrayal in each of the Enigma books is realistic.
The most beautiful thing about the Enigma books is their ability to hit the ground running. Kick off with action and fast pace. Get the reader’s mind turning. Causing whiplash from all the twist and turns. Do not get it wrong, whiplash is well worth it for the depths this book will take you. Very imaginative with a bit of current world occurrences woven in.
The acronyms though? Some of these are so long. Do they really have t be that long? There
In this day and age, almost everyone has a digital footprint. This fact has made the fight against terrorism a tad easier. However, when a group of terrorists decides to go back in time and operate under the cloak of analog network dirt hits the fan. It becomes significantly harder but the CATs have got it handled. They have to track down AIMS (Analog Information Mules) to aid the search.
Marge and Mike run ePETRO together but are keeping secrets from each other. This is never good. Each one looking out for their own selfish interests with no concern for the other or even the global populace in general. They are embroiled in the North Korea missile web that Juan and Julie are trying to untangle. At this point, the only thing Marge and Mike can agree on is their faith and trust in mysterious Steven. It might be sweet but could turn sour very quickly as Steven has few skeletons of his own.
In true Julie fashion, she ventures into ePETRO under the name Jackline Cooper. She is formidable but soon she finds herself in a bind. Juan has to drop his duties with the super computer to go on a rescue mission. Talk about knight in shining armor.
In essence, Enigma Dragon is a compare and contrast situation between analog and digital. Which leaves the populace more vulnerable? Are the bright sides of digital so bright that they cast over the dark ones? What to do about a lack of digital footprint? What will become of Mike and Marge?
Charles and Roxanne have a gift for greasing all the multiple moving parts so they move in tandem seamlessly without tripping over each other. This is truly a gift and makes for an exquisite and delicious literary experience. The little stories within the story. Introduction of the ePETRO story among all the other things that are happening is just genus. It paves way for more installments in the series, thank heavens for that.
The characters are well developed. Marge is especially loathsome, isn’t she? So unbelievable evil and selfish. The other characters are great. The reader is treated to a traditional adult relationship with mutual respect between Juan and Julie. These two are a poster couple for relatably normal. Their portrayal in each of the Enigma books is realistic.
The most beautiful thing about the Enigma books is their ability to hit the ground running. Kick off with action and fast pace. Get the reader’s mind turning. Causing whiplash from all the twist and turns. Do not get it wrong, whiplash is well worth it for the depths this book will take you. Very imaginative with a bit of current world occurrences woven in.
The acronyms though? Some of these are so long. Do they really have t be that long? There
April 18, 2018
The Enigma Dragon: A CATS Tale is number nine in Charles Breakfield’s and Roxanne Burkey’s action-packed techno-thriller series. Their Cyber Assassin Technology Services (CATS) team has come together at different parts around the globe and work towards discovering the source of North Korea’s missile supply. Juan and Julie Rodriguez issue missions to their operatives to track down individuals known as Analog Information Mules, so they can locate the source. They may not be prepared for what the find.
As always per the usual with the Enigma series books, Breakfield and Burkey have continued to develop their characters as well as bringing on new characters to keep the story fresh. The fact that the story spans the globe and involves so many different settings that it can be hard to keep up with, especially with so many teams, but the authors keep the action and pacing fast. This is book number nine in a long series, so we know the beats at this point.
Speaking of characters, Juan and Julie Rodriguez are the very definition of a power couple and its endearing to have such a strong, but mature romance in a techno-thriller like this. We normally deal with strange loners or jaded individuals, but Juan and Julie are both realistic and very in love. It’s a great taste of the real world in the book and for me, this is where Breakfield and Burkey’s strengths come into play. It was one and continues to be a favorite piece of these books for me.
As with any thriller, there are tons of twists and turns, but the subplot involving Mike and Marge is especially one that truly shapes this book as we go along. I think there’s a great spot of character development that we get from Marge, especially with how she slowly becomes someone the reader will begin to loathe all on their own. Books are often defined by their villains and this is one that does not deviate from that norm and the book is all the better for it.
As with past books, techno-thriller stray from making too much of description and other bits, but the pacing seems to have found its beat in this installment. Any lover of thrillers or techno-thrillers will enjoy this book a lot. Even science fiction fans, who lean into thrillers can find something here. Fans of the series will, of course, enjoy this book, especially as they hang out with these characters again. Who doesn’t enjoy the CATS team?
As always per the usual with the Enigma series books, Breakfield and Burkey have continued to develop their characters as well as bringing on new characters to keep the story fresh. The fact that the story spans the globe and involves so many different settings that it can be hard to keep up with, especially with so many teams, but the authors keep the action and pacing fast. This is book number nine in a long series, so we know the beats at this point.
Speaking of characters, Juan and Julie Rodriguez are the very definition of a power couple and its endearing to have such a strong, but mature romance in a techno-thriller like this. We normally deal with strange loners or jaded individuals, but Juan and Julie are both realistic and very in love. It’s a great taste of the real world in the book and for me, this is where Breakfield and Burkey’s strengths come into play. It was one and continues to be a favorite piece of these books for me.
As with any thriller, there are tons of twists and turns, but the subplot involving Mike and Marge is especially one that truly shapes this book as we go along. I think there’s a great spot of character development that we get from Marge, especially with how she slowly becomes someone the reader will begin to loathe all on their own. Books are often defined by their villains and this is one that does not deviate from that norm and the book is all the better for it.
As with past books, techno-thriller stray from making too much of description and other bits, but the pacing seems to have found its beat in this installment. Any lover of thrillers or techno-thrillers will enjoy this book a lot. Even science fiction fans, who lean into thrillers can find something here. Fans of the series will, of course, enjoy this book, especially as they hang out with these characters again. Who doesn’t enjoy the CATS team?
September 2, 2018
4.5/5.0
This techno thriller is brilliantly written, with heart-stopping action and wonderfully likable characters.
Read full review in the 2018 September issue of InD'tale Magazine.
This techno thriller is brilliantly written, with heart-stopping action and wonderfully likable characters.
Read full review in the 2018 September issue of InD'tale Magazine.
November 30, 2019
What an ultimate thrill ride. It's so well put together, ingenious, and original.
I was blown away by the way the authors constructed this story from beginning to end.
These authors really do write together seamlessly. When I find authors who write together, often I can pick out parts from each one as there is a bit of a difference, but I never would have guessed with this one. A perfectly paired duo.
I was blown away by the way the authors constructed this story from beginning to end.
These authors really do write together seamlessly. When I find authors who write together, often I can pick out parts from each one as there is a bit of a difference, but I never would have guessed with this one. A perfectly paired duo.
January 29, 2020
I so happy to learn that the writers of this book have written many. I’ve started out of order, but I do plan to backtrack!
The themes and plot in this story are wonderfully daring.
Unpredictable and well paced, just what a thriller should be.
The atmosphere was dark and discomforting, the plot involving, and great character development.
The themes and plot in this story are wonderfully daring.
Unpredictable and well paced, just what a thriller should be.
The atmosphere was dark and discomforting, the plot involving, and great character development.
January 29, 2020
I found this novel to be wonderfully written and full of vivid descriptions and emotion.
I like the fact that the authors take something that most people are familiar with and twists it into something new and exciting. It's technology heightened in a way that is scary.
I found their story telling to be compelling and the plot to be fast paced, it kept me on the edge of my seat.
I like the fact that the authors take something that most people are familiar with and twists it into something new and exciting. It's technology heightened in a way that is scary.
I found their story telling to be compelling and the plot to be fast paced, it kept me on the edge of my seat.
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November 11, 2019A fast-paced thriller full of action that will keep you turning the pages. This captivating read is full of mystery and intrigue that is sure to stay with you long after reading. *I received a complimentary copy from RABT Book Tours and the author in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.*
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews