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Delphi Group #1
The Signal
On a snowy night in December, former NASA engineer Ian Higgs is shot in cold blood on the streets of London, his death drawing the attention of governments on both sides of the Atlantic. Compounding the mystery, his daughter, Amanda, receives an ominous letter that her father mailed to her on the day he was murdered. Amanda is sure that clues contained in the letter will lead to her father's killer.
The United States government, with its own interest in the matter, turns to the Delphi Group. Senior operative Zane Watson is called out of hiding from a black site in Colorado, and the team uncovers a series of clues that leads them across Europe, from a luxury apartment in Vienna to an ancient cathedral in Geneva. In the process, they uncover a sinister plot to harness the power of modern technology toward supernatural ends. The team must race against time to protect civilization from an evil not heard of since the dawn of recorded history.
With the clock ticking and a blizzard raging outside, the forces of good and evil collide at a world-renowned scientific facility. At stake is nothing short of the future of mankind.
The United States government, with its own interest in the matter, turns to the Delphi Group. Senior operative Zane Watson is called out of hiding from a black site in Colorado, and the team uncovers a series of clues that leads them across Europe, from a luxury apartment in Vienna to an ancient cathedral in Geneva. In the process, they uncover a sinister plot to harness the power of modern technology toward supernatural ends. The team must race against time to protect civilization from an evil not heard of since the dawn of recorded history.
With the clock ticking and a blizzard raging outside, the forces of good and evil collide at a world-renowned scientific facility. At stake is nothing short of the future of mankind.
395 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 13, 2014
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607 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 107 reviews
September 16, 2016
The Signal
This was one of the most well thought out and multi faceted adventures I have read, it had all the ingredients, hi tech, sci fi, adventure, a thriller to the end. A great first book from John Sneeden. I can't hardly wait for the sequel that is coming soon. I loved it and you will too.
This was one of the most well thought out and multi faceted adventures I have read, it had all the ingredients, hi tech, sci fi, adventure, a thriller to the end. A great first book from John Sneeden. I can't hardly wait for the sequel that is coming soon. I loved it and you will too.
January 30, 2019
Really enjoyed reading this book !!! Love it !!!
Read
November 8, 2023Dnf at 26%. Far too slow for a spy/scifi thriller.
January 27, 2016
A SIMPLE MAN'S REVIEW:
I'm all about supernatural thrillers and this book sets up a series about a governmental organization that investigates supernatural events. I had high hopes for this book since I would love another series to dive into, but unfortunately, this book didn't live up to those hopes.
The idea behind the story is great (I won't ruin it for you in case you're going to read it) but the execution takes away from the experience. There are far too many cliches, ridiculous conversations, and one-dimensional characters. Part of the problem is that the author tries to interject religion into the story. Don't get me wrong, it can be done in a way in which the religious views are a natural part of the characters and the story. But it's a delicate balance between pulling it off and sounding "preachy". In this book, some of the conversations feel like they came out of a recruiting pamphlet for the Christian church. It didn't add to the characters or story - in fact it took away from it because it didn't seem like authentic behavior.
I don't think I'm going to continue with this series. If this was the author's first attempt, I may read another story outside this series to give him another chance. But I wouldn't recommend starting with this book.
I'm all about supernatural thrillers and this book sets up a series about a governmental organization that investigates supernatural events. I had high hopes for this book since I would love another series to dive into, but unfortunately, this book didn't live up to those hopes.
The idea behind the story is great (I won't ruin it for you in case you're going to read it) but the execution takes away from the experience. There are far too many cliches, ridiculous conversations, and one-dimensional characters. Part of the problem is that the author tries to interject religion into the story. Don't get me wrong, it can be done in a way in which the religious views are a natural part of the characters and the story. But it's a delicate balance between pulling it off and sounding "preachy". In this book, some of the conversations feel like they came out of a recruiting pamphlet for the Christian church. It didn't add to the characters or story - in fact it took away from it because it didn't seem like authentic behavior.
I don't think I'm going to continue with this series. If this was the author's first attempt, I may read another story outside this series to give him another chance. But I wouldn't recommend starting with this book.
February 15, 2016
Really out of left field plot, one-dimensional characters, and annoying writing tics were among the reasons I did not like this book. When the book first began, I thought the good guy was the bad guy. The author didn't appear to set it up that way, it just seemed like a shoddy piece of writing. My biggest pet peeve was how he referred to his characters. The main guy he would call Zane, and then frequently refer to him as "the operative". He would also call his characters by their nationalities a lot, e.g., "the Italian", "the Dutchman", "the American". It got really annoying.
January 6, 2015
A first class espionage thriller with a touch of science fiction and a splash of the occult. I love books that blend genres just enough to keep the reader guessing. Mr. Sneeden does a great job of keeping readers on their toes, and at the edge of their seats. There's a solid ending... At the same time, the conclusion dares the reader not to go looking for the next book at their first opportunity.
December 16, 2016
A great beginning
This first book in the Delphi Group series is intriguing, with interesting characters and CERN as the locale. I am looking forward to reading the next book.
This first book in the Delphi Group series is intriguing, with interesting characters and CERN as the locale. I am looking forward to reading the next book.
June 23, 2020
Excellent...Fast pace...Character development was thorough, and it was not long before you had become Zane Watson, the lead Delphi agent...As an absolute Bible believing man of Christ, I found almost everything today filled with sexual perversions and I cannot count how many books I have pulled from the digital Amazon shelf to find expletives as the very FIRST word or littered throughout the starting paragraph...I am 4 books through this series, and no sex, no cursing, and boy oh boy, this author has done his homework...For a Christian who is still in a coma, and having no spiritual training from their fallen away Sunday (Sunday is NOT the sabbath day) church's...This series is going to blow the LID off of your Bible...And open it up as it was intended...Daniel the prophet said, in those days, knowledge shall be increased, and so it has...Boys and girls, ladies and gentlemen, brothers, and sisters, these ARE the End Times indeed...The Book of Enoch will totally UNLOCK Genesis Chapter 6 for you...And when you do, what is done, cannot be undone...The Bible COMES ALIVE...When you realize the Sons of God were the Watcher Angels sent to watch over mankind, and their lust for human women took them over, and they joined Lucifer and rebelled against the Most High...Then came the Fallen Angels children...Nephilim...Raphaim...This is why Joshua was sent into those towns like Jericho and ordered by GOD to kill every living creature...Not because of sin...Because their DNA had been TAINTED...They were no longer HIS creation...This is why Noah was saved during the flood...Not because Noah was sinless...Because his DNA was not tainted...This author is AWESOME...He has kicked open a door that will open the eyes of Christians worldwide...I have read the first 4 books in FOUR DAYS..!! and of course...Reading the Word is our NUMBER ONE on a list of ONE...But man oh man...This series is fan~freaking~tastic...!!!
June 5, 2020
No spoilers. But this review encompasses the first 3 novels of the Delphi Group.
Book #1 was poorly edited, but in book #2 the writing is much more refined and everything is just that much crisper and cleaner.
They are a nice mix of techno thriller, reality based sci-fi, and a detective story although it is a special operations man/team investigating. Sneeden has done very well to build a world in which the impossible just comes to life and it appears totally acceptable as possible. Solid science mixed with some pure fiction and you have a great thriller.
I read these a while ago, but still the story is fresh in my mind, which shows how much I enjoyed these Delphi Group novels (read the first 3 so far). It was obviously a first entry for the author and deserves better editing (might have just been the Kindle version wasn't edited properly). The plot moves along nicely. Characters are deeply described and developed. The world building and scene construction is top notch...I can picture most of the scenes described with very little effort, which is a sign a gifted writer.
The tie-in with Bible verses and history is a nice touch, for those who aren't easily offended by a writer assuming the Word of God is 100% truthful and accurate...yet he never makes any of those claims, he simply uses the Bible as another source for his characters to delve deeper into the mystery that has beset them. Sneeden ties-in everything with science that is rooted in real practical applications and studies going on currently all across the world, so they have a sort of mix between Phillip K. Dick, Michael Crichton, and Clive Cussler - yes, an odd mixture that Sneeden pulls off oh so well.
Book #1 was poorly edited, but in book #2 the writing is much more refined and everything is just that much crisper and cleaner.
They are a nice mix of techno thriller, reality based sci-fi, and a detective story although it is a special operations man/team investigating. Sneeden has done very well to build a world in which the impossible just comes to life and it appears totally acceptable as possible. Solid science mixed with some pure fiction and you have a great thriller.
I read these a while ago, but still the story is fresh in my mind, which shows how much I enjoyed these Delphi Group novels (read the first 3 so far). It was obviously a first entry for the author and deserves better editing (might have just been the Kindle version wasn't edited properly). The plot moves along nicely. Characters are deeply described and developed. The world building and scene construction is top notch...I can picture most of the scenes described with very little effort, which is a sign a gifted writer.
The tie-in with Bible verses and history is a nice touch, for those who aren't easily offended by a writer assuming the Word of God is 100% truthful and accurate...yet he never makes any of those claims, he simply uses the Bible as another source for his characters to delve deeper into the mystery that has beset them. Sneeden ties-in everything with science that is rooted in real practical applications and studies going on currently all across the world, so they have a sort of mix between Phillip K. Dick, Michael Crichton, and Clive Cussler - yes, an odd mixture that Sneeden pulls off oh so well.
August 20, 2017
A spy type thriller with lots of action and a little SciFi.
This book has lots of interesting characters, that are either good or bad. Of course the good guys are likeable and every body makes for fun reading. It centers around an enemy operative who has plans for the Haldron Collider, plans that go well beyond the search for the elusive Higgs Bossom particle. It veers into exorcism and demons, which are usually enough to turn me off of a book. In this case they make-up such a small part of the book, that it didn't really hurt the story. It has a great futuristic robot in it and portals to other dimensions, which I do enjoy, when they are necessary to the story. If you want a little bit of every thing, this book is for you. I would have said, It didn't captivate me quite enough to want to read the sequel.....that is, until I got to the last few pages. Now I am very curious as to what the "signal" means. That said, this is not a cliff hanger, it's a complete book, but there's more to the story. One thing is for sure: you won't get bored with this one.
This book has lots of interesting characters, that are either good or bad. Of course the good guys are likeable and every body makes for fun reading. It centers around an enemy operative who has plans for the Haldron Collider, plans that go well beyond the search for the elusive Higgs Bossom particle. It veers into exorcism and demons, which are usually enough to turn me off of a book. In this case they make-up such a small part of the book, that it didn't really hurt the story. It has a great futuristic robot in it and portals to other dimensions, which I do enjoy, when they are necessary to the story. If you want a little bit of every thing, this book is for you. I would have said, It didn't captivate me quite enough to want to read the sequel.....that is, until I got to the last few pages. Now I am very curious as to what the "signal" means. That said, this is not a cliff hanger, it's a complete book, but there's more to the story. One thing is for sure: you won't get bored with this one.
September 8, 2022
I jumped into this book with much enthusiasm. The premise was interesting and the reviews were impressive. But, I read just over 100 pages and could not get into the story. It moved at a snail's pace. There was just not enough action in this story to keep me interested. I mean, how many long drawn out conversations can the characters have in this book? And, much of it was just overly descriptive and unnecessary. Case in point:
"'And you think they're here now?' Carmen asked in a skeptical tone, stepping aside to avoid a couple that almost ran into them. She glanced back at them briefly before continuing."
It took 15 pages of text just for Zane and Carmen to traverse a small city square and get to an apartment building.
Additionally, there was a lot of God talk. Mixing in of Christian and churchy verbiage.
This just wasn't for me and I likely won't rush to get another John Sneeden novel when Clive Cussler, Lincoln Child, Douglas Preston, Michael Connelly, and Nelson DeMille can do the trick.
"'And you think they're here now?' Carmen asked in a skeptical tone, stepping aside to avoid a couple that almost ran into them. She glanced back at them briefly before continuing."
It took 15 pages of text just for Zane and Carmen to traverse a small city square and get to an apartment building.
Additionally, there was a lot of God talk. Mixing in of Christian and churchy verbiage.
This just wasn't for me and I likely won't rush to get another John Sneeden novel when Clive Cussler, Lincoln Child, Douglas Preston, Michael Connelly, and Nelson DeMille can do the trick.
March 23, 2018
Because I felt that the author did a good job with his characters, I liked them and found myself not wanting them to die. I liked the aspects of the robot and hope she in, The Portal. I didn't care for the easy ending, I read this fresh and very entertaining book in two days my eyes were red I felt I was cheated. I wanted more. I will definitely have a new author I hope can deliver more. Great debut for a first book, I thought he was an old hand at writing, writing good is hard to do. Please keep doing this, I really enjoyed your first-time novel and I love Sci fi. Thank you. Smiling. I.
Would and will recommend this book to my other book lovers. I hope your next couple of books will bring joy to readers like me all over the world.
Would and will recommend this book to my other book lovers. I hope your next couple of books will bring joy to readers like me all over the world.
May 5, 2018
Good mix of political action, Sci Fi and supernatural
When a former NASA scientist is murdered in cold blood in London, an off the radar special force group, the Delphi Group, goes into action to find out what happened and who did it.
Most of the action takes placed in Switzerland, with Zane and Carmen, Delphi Group operatives, team up Amanda, daughter of the murdered scientist, to solve the mystery.
While barely surviving the usual traps and attacks in this type of story, an amazing plot is uncovered that involves the CERN neutron collider and opening a portal between Earth and the supernatural that would release demons that would reduce humanity to mere slaves.
In short, a god action story with a nice touch of the supernatural thrown in.
When a former NASA scientist is murdered in cold blood in London, an off the radar special force group, the Delphi Group, goes into action to find out what happened and who did it.
Most of the action takes placed in Switzerland, with Zane and Carmen, Delphi Group operatives, team up Amanda, daughter of the murdered scientist, to solve the mystery.
While barely surviving the usual traps and attacks in this type of story, an amazing plot is uncovered that involves the CERN neutron collider and opening a portal between Earth and the supernatural that would release demons that would reduce humanity to mere slaves.
In short, a god action story with a nice touch of the supernatural thrown in.
January 4, 2018
Pretty good story. It stumbles a little bit as it starts as a spy thriller and ends as a sci-fi novel. You kind of know that's coming since it's billed as sci-fi, though. I was a little put off by the beginning of the book because the hero/protagonist is so tritely perfect. I'd much prefer a novel with a skilled but flawed protagonist. It has an interesting premise, though. It's certainly the introduction to a series as the real story only gets started at the end of the book. Everything leading up to that seems like a separate story, and there is a definite feeling that the story is not the real story. I'll probably read the sequels.
December 16, 2021
.
OPINION: —FOR ME, THIS READS AS IF IT WERE WRITTEN BY A 10 YEAR OLD, FOR AN 8 YEAR OLD.
Very boring.
Predictable.
Standard fare.
Trite.
Very annoying.
Lots of “sips” and “sipping.”
Shots always “ring out.” (I HATE that,)
Lots of “sinking in.”
Lots of “shoulder” grabbing and touching.
Book seems about stoopid sht, sips (sipped, sipping), sinking in, and shoulders.
Author seems to know NOTHING about his topic: “Zane removed his pistol, chambered the first round….” A real operator would NEVER NEVER NEVER EVER leave the chamber empty!
I quit reading and returned the book. Too much stoopid bullsht.
.
.
OPINION: —FOR ME, THIS READS AS IF IT WERE WRITTEN BY A 10 YEAR OLD, FOR AN 8 YEAR OLD.
Very boring.
Predictable.
Standard fare.
Trite.
Very annoying.
Lots of “sips” and “sipping.”
Shots always “ring out.” (I HATE that,)
Lots of “sinking in.”
Lots of “shoulder” grabbing and touching.
Book seems about stoopid sht, sips (sipped, sipping), sinking in, and shoulders.
Author seems to know NOTHING about his topic: “Zane removed his pistol, chambered the first round….” A real operator would NEVER NEVER NEVER EVER leave the chamber empty!
I quit reading and returned the book. Too much stoopid bullsht.
.
.
October 9, 2018
Good
Goodheavy London snow. His face was set with purpose, and his breath formed billowing clouds that dissipated in the darkness. He glanced up at a street lamp and noticed the flakes swirling around it like white moths. The Victoria Embankment, which runs along the north side of the Thames, was crowded that night. The snow was the first of the season, and there was excitement in the air. Loud tourists made their way toward Westminster and the historic sites. Locals, usually on their way home after work, swarmed to the local pubs to celebrate winter’s gift.
Goodheavy London snow. His face was set with purpose, and his breath formed billowing clouds that dissipated in the darkness. He glanced up at a street lamp and noticed the flakes swirling around it like white moths. The Victoria Embankment, which runs along the north side of the Thames, was crowded that night. The snow was the first of the season, and there was excitement in the air. Loud tourists made their way toward Westminster and the historic sites. Locals, usually on their way home after work, swarmed to the local pubs to celebrate winter’s gift.
May 29, 2022
The science of reaching a parallel universe
In the United States there are black organizations that protect from the extremely strange and the misuse of science.
The group is made up of members tht range from ex-navy seals, to astrophysics. Together they remove threats that you have only known as rumors or myths. This is a world of violence and secrecy . This is a great book that is the first of a series that is a peek of what could be or maybe is close to the truth. Its an enjoyable read and will keep you guessing.
In the United States there are black organizations that protect from the extremely strange and the misuse of science.
The group is made up of members tht range from ex-navy seals, to astrophysics. Together they remove threats that you have only known as rumors or myths. This is a world of violence and secrecy . This is a great book that is the first of a series that is a peek of what could be or maybe is close to the truth. Its an enjoyable read and will keep you guessing.
March 8, 2018
An ok read
Not a bad story just too plodding in parts. The agents were somewhat inept and that caused one to lose interest in them. The fact that they kept linking up with a civilian in order to keep her safe caused them to be distracted and lose focus. Story line needs to be tightened up. I will read the follow-up book, The Portal to get some answers. Let's hope I will be pleasantly surprised by the next book.
Not a bad story just too plodding in parts. The agents were somewhat inept and that caused one to lose interest in them. The fact that they kept linking up with a civilian in order to keep her safe caused them to be distracted and lose focus. Story line needs to be tightened up. I will read the follow-up book, The Portal to get some answers. Let's hope I will be pleasantly surprised by the next book.
January 9, 2019
Please note the creativity here
Rupert leaned forward and lowered his voice. “Surely you’re joking. That’s all you can tell me?” Ian took a sip of beer before answering. “I’m afraid so. At least for now.” “So, you took a job in Switzerland because it paid well, only to find out the people you worked for were involved in bad things. But you can’t tell me who these people were or what they were doing?”
Rupert leaned forward and lowered his voice. “Surely you’re joking. That’s all you can tell me?” Ian took a sip of beer before answering. “I’m afraid so. At least for now.” “So, you took a job in Switzerland because it paid well, only to find out the people you worked for were involved in bad things. But you can’t tell me who these people were or what they were doing?”
December 17, 2017
Good start to a series
The first book really just introduced you to the Delphi organization and what I assume will be key players in future books. The ‘mystery’ covered in the first book leaves you with a cliffhanger. I’m buying the second book so that should sum up my review of Book One.
The first book really just introduced you to the Delphi organization and what I assume will be key players in future books. The ‘mystery’ covered in the first book leaves you with a cliffhanger. I’m buying the second book so that should sum up my review of Book One.
December 20, 2017
Decent fast paced read
Crisp writing, largely well thought out characters and a mix of science fiction/ faction, technology and what not. I don't feel invested in the book although I do feel invested in Team Delphi, but this is not bad for a weekend read especially if want something not too involving but fast paced and enjoyable.
Crisp writing, largely well thought out characters and a mix of science fiction/ faction, technology and what not. I don't feel invested in the book although I do feel invested in Team Delphi, but this is not bad for a weekend read especially if want something not too involving but fast paced and enjoyable.
January 17, 2018
A great read
This author has an excellent way of giving us tidbits of information that keeps us on our toes every page. And is a is a page turner an d hard to put down A lot of action scenes starting with the death of !r Higgs it just
Esculates Definitely a great novel of good vs evil to keep you on your toes I will be reading more books from this author
This author has an excellent way of giving us tidbits of information that keeps us on our toes every page. And is a is a page turner an d hard to put down A lot of action scenes starting with the death of !r Higgs it just
Esculates Definitely a great novel of good vs evil to keep you on your toes I will be reading more books from this author
June 26, 2018
Not your normal secret government agency thriller.
The Signal being the Delphi Group series. The author has a gift telling a story that grabs you from the beginning and holds your attention to the end.
The characters are developed and fleshed out as the story progresses.
I am really looking forward to the next book.
The Signal being the Delphi Group series. The author has a gift telling a story that grabs you from the beginning and holds your attention to the end.
The characters are developed and fleshed out as the story progresses.
I am really looking forward to the next book.
July 2, 2018
Couldn't put it down
While it is in the sci-fi category, the science is minimal, and not deep enough to slow down the action. A fast moving excellent read that will be hard for you to put down. I bought the second book in the series before finishing this one so that I could jump right into it.
While it is in the sci-fi category, the science is minimal, and not deep enough to slow down the action. A fast moving excellent read that will be hard for you to put down. I bought the second book in the series before finishing this one so that I could jump right into it.
October 5, 2018
The Signal by John Sneeden started great. It was interesting for me beacause I love science fiction and thrillers and this book has both. I mean parallel universes? Yeah I needed to read this one. But I feel cheated beacause the story just ends when the most exciting things start to happen. It feels like a couple of chapters are missing near the end.
July 20, 2025
Characters, action, and dialogue were subpar
This book was filled with questionable actions and characters saying things that were not in line with hardcore agents. There were times when I had to backtrack and see if a character was a trainee or something. Great premise, but really needed a different type of editor.
This book was filled with questionable actions and characters saying things that were not in line with hardcore agents. There were times when I had to backtrack and see if a character was a trainee or something. Great premise, but really needed a different type of editor.
May 15, 2017
Great read!!
This book was a great read from a new author....with more to come it was thrilling and captivating throughout. The ending sent me straight to his next book to see what happens next. Loved it!!
This book was a great read from a new author....with more to come it was thrilling and captivating throughout. The ending sent me straight to his next book to see what happens next. Loved it!!
June 6, 2017
A new kind of science fiction. You will find it hard to put down. It incorporates new ideas of what super colliders can do if you use your imagination.
A new kind of science fiction. You will find it hard to put down once you start reading this book
A new kind of science fiction. You will find it hard to put down once you start reading this book
June 21, 2017
Page turning
Overturning most of the time and a bit Jason Bourne-ish. Interesting concept with the dark magic/spirit connection.looking fwd to having the open ending answered in the next book
Overturning most of the time and a bit Jason Bourne-ish. Interesting concept with the dark magic/spirit connection.looking fwd to having the open ending answered in the next book
November 30, 2017
Could not put down.
Very interesting concept of Search for ETs. The catholic exorcist seemed to be a stretch along with is cult. The hole into another dimension was another stretch. A slow, predictable read.
Very interesting concept of Search for ETs. The catholic exorcist seemed to be a stretch along with is cult. The hole into another dimension was another stretch. A slow, predictable read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 107 reviews