Altered Past: A Technothriller Series

by Marc Sheinbaum

Two brilliant but haunted agents plunge into the dangerous world of 21st century technological warfare.

Alina Petrova’s mother died of cancer twenty-five years ago. At least, that’s what Alina was always told.

Set to launch her career in artificial intelligence, the brilliant and beautiful software engineer learns the painful her parents were Russian spies when her mother disappeared in America.

Desperate to find her mother, Alina poses as a Sugar Baby in Chicago, seducing CEOs and planting ransomware, where she uncovers clues that lead her closer to the truth. With the help of her parents former handler, Alexi Romanoff, Alina pieces together her mother's covert life as a spy—and ultimately discovers Romanoff's sinister intentions.

Now, as the FBI closes in and danger lurks at every turn, Alina must race against time before the Russian plot plunges the world of artificial intelligence into chaos. Will she uncover the secret of her mother's disappearance? Or will she become the next victim in a deadly game of espionage? Order your copy now to find out.

334 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 13, 2024

About the author

Marc Sheinbaum grew up in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn. He set out to be a writer from a very young age. But like the characters in his stories, life doesn’t always turn out as planned. Instead, Marc spent over thirty-five years in business, working for a variety of American companies. Now writing again, Marc’s first novel, Memories Live Here, was published in February, 2021. His life-long experiences—and maybe even some of the complex people he’s met along the way--often seem to find their way into his stories.

Marc currently lives with his wife, Hildy, in Westchester County, New York, where he is busy writing his next novel.

Reviews

[Helene Ocko · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just WOW!!!

I read the first book, “Memories Live Here” and I absolutely loved it. I just now finished “Altered Past” and am still absorbing the roller coaster thrill that is this book! Highly recommended to anyone and everyone who loves a great ride!!!

[Lloyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sheinbaum’s 2nd novel is the ultimate suspenseful page-turner! From the streets of Moscow to Chicago, from a young girl looking to find the truth about herself - and her missing mother, from a drug bust gone bad to a page out of “The Americans”, “Altered Past” is an action-packed non-stop contemporary thriller, set in today’s world of artificial intelligence, social media, deep fakes, and the uncertainty of fact vs. fiction. The book is a thoroughly engrossing and captivating read. I couldn’t put it down! Sheinbaum does it again!

[Donadee's Corner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fellow technothriller readers, this is the second book in a new series called "CHERL!"

In "Altered Past," the second book of Marc Sheinbaum's "CHERL" series, readers are plunged into a gripping narrative where the past is not just a memory but a puzzle that protagonist Alina must piece together. The story unfolds with Alina's quest to uncover the truth about her mother's disappearance, a journey that takes her deep into the world of artificial intelligence and espionage. Sheinbaum skillfully blends the elements of a technothriller with a poignant family drama, creating a storyline that is both intellectually stimulating and emotionally resonant. Alina's character is richly developed, her determination fueled by the love for a mother she barely remembers and the shadows of a past shrouded in mystery. As she delves into her mother's life, Alina discovers that the lines between ally and adversary are as blurred as the line between technology and humanity.

The novel's strength lies in its exploration of the human side of technology, posing questions about identity, legacy, and the lengths one will go to for closure. The suspense is meticulously built, with each revelation about Alina's mother adding depth to the narrative and urgency to Alina's mission. Sheinbaum's prose is crisp, and his depiction of AI is nuanced, avoiding the common pitfall of reducing it to mere machinery. "Altered Past" is a compelling read that will satisfy fans of the technothriller genre while offering a fresh take on the themes of family and self-discovery. It is a testament to Sheinbaum's storytelling prowess, delivering a tale that is as thought-provoking as it is thrilling. Readers will find themselves rooting for Alina, not just to solve the mystery but to reclaim her history and shape her future. Embark on an unforgettable journey—grab your copy now!

• ASIN: B0D98V4XSJ
• Publisher: Rough Edges Press
• Publication Date: 8/13/2024
• File Size: 3409 KB
• Print Length: 340 pages
• Genre: Crime & Mystery Science Fiction - Technothrillers

[Sherry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Any fans of The Americans? Set in the present and focused around AI, but still there were moments of that show just kept popping up in my mind.

As a note I did not read book one and had no trouble following the plot. There weren’t even moments I questioned if this was part of a series. So you can easily read it as a stand alone. But that “said” I need to go back and read it.

There’s a little bit of cat and mouse or maybe it’s brain chess. Either way I was gripped by who would come out on top. Alina is very much not one of the good guys but I was drawn to her and wanted her to get what she wanted, information about her mother.

The author does a great job of bringing technology to the forefront but still focusing on human behavior.

The AI system set up in this novel intrigued me. Mind you technology is totally passing me by but I wanted to know more about what they were doing and how they planned to use it.

It felt very low key as I was reading but when I got to the end and thought about it, it was quite a roller coaster ride with twists and revelations that surprised me.

If you’re a fan of techno thrillers or appreciate a fan of cat and mouse suspense, you need to pick this one up.

[Jeanette Donahue · Rating 5 out of 5]

The pacing was great, kept me excited to finish with some twists and turns.

[Jeff H · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic second book. Loved how the author weaved the story in from his first book, writing from a completely different character perspective. Fun and engaging thriller!