The Contamination Code: A Scientific Betrayal

by Flynn Cooley

When Chief Detective David Warren arrives in Millbrook, he finds a town in the shadow of progress. NextGen Solutions promises economic revival, but a sinister pattern emerges as mysterious illnesses plague residents near the facility. When Dr. Sarah Miller, who discovered disturbing links between water contamination and illness patterns, is found murdered, Warren knows he's stumbled onto something darker.
Teaming up with Detective Maria Rodriguez, whose military background proves invaluable, Warren uncovers NextGen's true identity. As Rodriguez's daughter Sofia falls ill with similar symptoms, the investigation becomes personal. They discover NextGen's CEO Victoria Palmer is actually Eleanor Vale, a former DARPA researcher with a dangerous agenda.
Racing against time, Warren and Rodriguez must expose a nationwide conspiracy called Operation Phoenix before NextGen can contaminate Millbrook's entire water supply. But as they dig deeper, they realize this is just the beginning of a much larger government conspiracy – one that's been decades in the making.
In this heart-pounding thriller, Warren and Rodriguez navigate a web of corporate corruption, military secrets, and sinister experiments, where the truth flows as deadly as the water itself.

146 pages, Hardcover

Published March 25, 2025

Reviews

[Ganesh Subramanian · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book begins with Detective David Warren arriving at the small town of Milbrooks with many townspeople especially children infected by a strange disease that defies any cure. This seems connected to the goings on in the premises of Newbrook Inc. a company that has established its business in the town and gives job opportunities to everyone in the city, thereby having the Mayor’s support for its operations. The case is similar to what David faced in Oakwood another small town where another company was responsible for a similar disease. He slowly unravels the truth and finds a bigger plot with the fingers pointing to the highest echelons of the Government. This book is better read after reading the first book, The Quiet Killer and it would help you understand the background. The story moves quickly, and sometimes it is difficult to keep up with the many terminologies tossed around. Luckily for David, he has plenty of clues and help at the right time to get to the bottom of the mystery. Overall the story is an interesting read but the basis is quite a stretch to imagine
Thank you ‎for providing this book for review via Booksprout. All opinions are my own.

[Merry Chapman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This is the third book in the Detective David Warren series that keeps you on the edge of your seat from the very beginning. We are dealing with a sinister government plot for control. When the reason the people in Millbrook are taken down by a mysterious illness is discovered by Dr. Sarah Miller, she is murdered and now we have Detective Warren and his partner, Detective Maria Rodriguez digging into the case, especially when it becomes personal for Detective Rodriguez. This book is scary because in a way, I can see this happening. This entire series is fantastic and this book is an amazing addition. I highly recommend the whole series. I received an ARC of this book but the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.

[Colleen Bursley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Flynn Cooley has a winner with this one. This is the first book of the Detective David Warren series that I have read and I found it to be very intriguing, scary, and a book that keeps you wanting to keep reading.
NextGen a cover company developing methods to control populations and to implement genetic altering factors that can be filtered to those populations through air filtration and water systems. This story will make you wonder how easy it would be for an unscrupulous organization to infiltrate community resources to activate such devious and destructive programs.
I am sharing an honest review of The Contamination Code as an ARC reader.
This is an excellent book and well worth taking a look at.

[Trina Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

OH WOW this was entertaining page turner and the suspense was insane and intense. I was on the edge of my seat and I couldn’t even put it down. Now Detective David Warren came to this small town of Milbrooks where he saw many townspeople especially children infected by a strange disease that defies any cure. Could they solve this crisis and will a cure be found. It was twisted and turns and will truth come out who was behind this mission of destruction.
I definitely recommend this book and you won’t be disappointed. I received advance copy of this book via Bookfunnel and am voluntarily leaving my honest opinion. Trina Jones

[Big Fat Hairy Man · Rating 4 out of 5]

When sick kids and murder pop up in Millbrook, it's up to detectives Warren and Rodriguez to follow the clues and sort through the suspects and motives in order to uncover the truth. As they continue to plow along, the conspiracy grows and the stakes become personal. This is a fast-paced, thriller mystery with plenty action and suspense to keep the reader engaged.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Roger · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Contamination Code: A Scientific Betrayal (Detective David Warren Series Book 3), my third enjoyable read from author Flynn Cooley. “I received a Kindle copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review." The gifting of this book did not affect my opinion of it. I look forward to reading more from this author with The Subversion: A Scintillating Thriller (Detective Lucas Smith Series Book 1) next on my TBR list. (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018.

[Bren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chief Warren's transfer to Millbrook has him walking straight into another situation similar to Oakwood only this time it's mostly affecting vulnerable children. I couldn't tear myself away from this book between the mysterious sickness plaguing the children and finding out who's behind the poisonings I was sucked down deep searching for clues myself and the discoveries are shocking.

[karin whitehead · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this novel on another author's promo. This is my review. Detective is sent to Millbrook to find out what is happening at the Next Gen is doing. What he and others find is chilling. Well-written, fast paced and great characters. Makes you think about what our government is doing, what the world powers are doing. A terrifying read.

[Kat M · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fantastic novel and worked as a sequel in this series. The characters ters had that element that I was hoping for and enjoyed from the first page. Flynn Cooley wrote a scientific and fantastic world with characters that I cared about.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sharmani Jayaram · Rating 5 out of 5]

The town of Millbrook is hit with a mysterious epidemic that has Chief Warren investigating this new case. Corruption, murder, secrets an and epidemic causing chaos. A fast-pace and  suspense in this spine chilling read. I received this ARC copy and recommend this book to other readers

 

[Julie Angstadt · Rating 5 out of 5]

What happens when a group decides to change people by using the municipal water? And, not only changing their thoughts, but also changing their genetic makeup-up to be carried to future generations? Is it an experiment? How vulnerable are we? Was hard to put the book down,

[Lynda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This is something that could be happening now or at any time in any country. Very scary to think about. This story just draws you in and the pages just go faster and faster as you are drawn into the hunt to stop it from continuing!

[Shirley Baerken · Rating 3 out of 5]

Whilst it was a good story, there was a lot of repetition in the telling. The story opens your eyes as to how "easy" it is to control others if the government of the day wishes to do so. Scary!!!! It certainly makes you think..........

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read in this series and boy does it make you think. A secret Government agency is experimenting using a town's water systems to genetically alter people, terrifyingly gripping, I couldn't put it down. Highly recommended.

[Kandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a scary and very intense story. What an imagination this author has. Just Wow!

[Eveie Hickman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a continuation of the previous book, corruption and power weave their way through towns killing innocents. All in the name of control, one person mad dream destined to be thwarted. But the deceit and coruption goes far deeper than anyone imagined.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.