SPLICER: A Mystery Suspense Biotech Thriller

by Theo Cage, Russ Smith (Editor)

A MURDER MYSTERY DNA TECH THRILLER in the style of Michael Crichton.The CIA calls it a “Frankenstein app” – a new desktop device that any terrorist, in a matter of hours, could use to build a new virus, create a deadly new disease or completely modify human engineering. With a few screen touches, it would be possible to create a monster with the potential to kill millions. A biotech start-up, GeneFab, owns the patent on the Splicer, but everyone from international terrorists, the CIA and a mysterious US government agency, are fighting to steal the technology. The billionaire behind GeneFab is found garrotted in the parking lot of an exclusive business club. The prime suspect is a former employee who quickly lawyers up with one of the hottest criminal defenders in the city – pugnacious and troubled Janey McEwan. McEwan soon becomes embroiled in a battle between a crack team of professional killers and her penniless client – who she happens to be falling in love with. The story reaches its dark climax on a craggy mountain in the wilds of Canada – the doomsday retreat of a shadowy CIA legend – a place they call Ragnarock.

Genres: Thriller, Mystery, Fiction, Ebooks

354 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 16, 2014

Reviews

[Max Overton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Any thought that Theo Cage could not repeat the thrill of his previous book was swept out of my mind as I read Splicer. The invention of a gene-splicing technique that promises everything is the premise of this fast-paced novel. Imagine if a disease could be cured by tinkering with the DNA code; but also imagine that whole new diseases could be created in the same way – and the technique available to governments, companies, individuals, and terrorists.
The head of the company that has developed the Splicer is killed, and the code that will unlock the Splicer is missing. The two programmers who helped develop the code are on the run with every man’s hand against them. One of them, ‘Rusty’ Redfield, is framed for the murder of his boss, and he must track down the real killer while evading people who believe he holds the key to the secret. They want to extract the secret of the code from his mind before killing him, or else kill him to prevent the secret of the Splicer ever becoming known.
Splicer is another fast-paced thriller from the hand of Theo Cage. The last third literally had me staying up late to find out what happened as the non-stop action hurtled Rusty and me toward a blood-soaked ending. Highly recommended.

[Tabitha Chamberlain · Rating 2 out of 5]

Truly it wasn't a bad read at all, however the blurb for the book doesn't seem to have anything to do with the actual book. I was excepting a techno thriller and got more of a court drama mixed in some action adventure with almost NO techno stuff at all. I don't think I even seen the term "Frankstein app". but for the back of the book. Is it a good read? Over yes, it is from a Canadian author which writes as if the reader is familiar with the area. Doesn't it have anything to do with techno thriller? Absolutely not.

[Jennifer Vehige · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story had potential. However, the e-version I read had so many typos that I had to remind myself that it was not my task to edit the book but just read it. there were also several gaps in the story that I think had more to do with the way the author wrote than with the editing. the gaps made the story difficult to keep up with.

[Jamie Pancake · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about a new app that was developed by a Bio Tech company, GeneFab, that is the most sought after invention in the world. Many companies would love to get their hands on it for it capabilities in war, or its ability to engineer a deadly disease that can be used against the enemies of its' owners. After one of the top executives for GeneFab is murdered, there are many layers of this sinister plot that are unfolded by those who wish to acquire the app, and those who want it to be destroyed.

[Richard Bradley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good Story

This is a good story and well worth reading. It gets a little confusing a few times like the storyline just disappears and then suddenly reappears. Still out is worth the time.

[Stacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was looking for a book different than types I had been reading lately, and I'm so glad I had the opportunity to read this one. Rusty and Janey are searching for one of the programmers of Splicer to clear Rusty's name after he's framed for the murder of the president of the company that was working on the program. They aren't the only ones looking for him, however, and soon the pair are being hunted by people that people that want the program for themselves and people who want to stop the program from being spread.

This was a fast paced novel with many twists and turns. Just when you thought you had things figured out, you realize you don't. It keeps you on your toes, guessing as to who the bad guys really were. It has a little bit of everything: action, suspense, a little bit of romance. Basically there's something in here for everyone.

I highly recommend this. It was my first time reading something by this author, and after reading this, I'm definitely willing to give Theo's other works a try.

**A free copy was provided by the author via LibraryThing in exchange for an honest review**

[Passion1kiss · Rating 5 out of 5]

Splicer is fast-paced, techno-thriller with non-stop action. With the invention of a gene-splicing technique that can manipulate DNA and promises everything such as a cure for incurable diseases, can also create more deadly ones. Just with a click of a mouse it will be available to companies, individuals, governments and terrorists.

So...when the head of the company that has developed the Splicer is killed, and the code that will unlock the Splicer is missing, we are about to be strapped on a thrill ride that will have many twists and turns.

‘Rusty’ Redfield, is framed for the murder of his boss, and he must track down the real killer while being hunted by people that want the program for themselves and those who want to prevent the secret of the Splicer to ever becoming known...Just when you thought you had things figured out, you realize you really don't.

Very gripping. Highly recommended.

**I received this book in exchange for an honest review.**

[Bob · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first Theo Cage book I have read and I have only two negative thoughts, both -1/2 star deduction. There were way to many conflicts between your and you're. Any competant Beta reader or editor should have eliminated this error - an alternative would be to use the Grammar Checker program that comes with Word. The other -1/2 star reduction was because there were a couple of instances when I felt the pace of the novel dragged, even when the action continued.

I thought the premise of the story was very good. I was surprised that there was so little technology in this tech novel, but Cage was able keep the suspence up with just the threat of such biotech engineering. Actually, I'm not totally convinced this spooky possibility hasn't already had a public trial - but that's for my conspiracy minded friends.

The touch of romance was tastefully done.

I recommend this book, unreservedly.

[jwals · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a review copy of this book thru LibraryThing Members giveaway

The Splicer, a desktop unit that would give users unprecedented power to manipulate DNA, In a matter of hours, a terrorist could build a new virus, create a deadly new disease or completely modify human engineering. With a few screen touches, it would be possible to create a monster with the potential to kill millions.
Rusty Redfield is framed for the murder of Jeff Ludd, CEO of GeneFab, the biotech company that had produced the Splicer.
Along with his attorney Jayne McEwan, he sets out to find the real killer.
This is the second book I’ve read by Theo Cage (Satan’s Road, reviewed June 2014)
The plot is quite reasonable, but I could not warm to the characters at all, and the story was longer than it need be.

[Bill Thibadeau · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read Buzzworm by this author and was very impressed. Luck was bestowed upon me and I won this book in exchange for an honest review.

You can find synopses of the gist of the book by reading other reviews. What this book does is to craft a somewhat complex mystery surrounding the primary character. In this story, the primary character is very likeable and has a good sense of humor surrounding his plight. I found this book to be almost as good as Buzzworm. I did think this book had a bit of superfluo9us items that just did not fit into the plot so I only gave it four stars. That is still a good rating and I do certainly recommend this book to those that enjoy great characters and a good mystery. Now onto my next Theo Cage book.

[Joanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an easy and enjoyable read, though at times formulaic in its whodunnit/mysterious bad guys storyline. And as others have mentioned before me, there isn't much in the story about the technology mentioned in the blurb.

I've tried to rate this without taking into consideration how poorly edited this e-book was. There were so many misspellings, grammatical errors and poor punctuation it was seriously difficult to get through some pages. Whoever edited this e-book needs a good sacking. Hopefully the paper book is better for other readers.

[Albert · Rating 3 out of 5]

The description of the book wasn’t exactly fair. I don’t think it’s a spoiler to point out what WASN’T in the book: any significant role of the Splicer technology, except as a plot device. And the main character isn’t Jane the criminal defender, but her client, who’s barely mentioned in the synopsis blurb.

In the end, it’s a decent mystery novel about who killed a billionaire. 3 stars.

[Jai · Rating 4 out of 5]

Diabolic or evangelic software could change our lives and people are willing to kill to obtain it. But what will they do with it? Another gripping book by Theo Cage. Recommended.

[Sweetpea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book from LibraryThing in exchange for an honest review. Enjoyable read, love all of his books!