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End of Secrets
Though her specialty is foreign cyberterrorism, CIA agent Kera Mersal finds herself plunged into a bizarre domestic case. Singers, writers, and artists are disappearing, leaving no trace in a world where everyone leaves a digital footprint. Posing as a journalist, Kera attempts to track the artists’ last-known movements.
On a hunt that takes her from the underground art scene to a rogue domestic spying program, Kera finds her investigation on a deadly collision course with ONE Corp., the world’s largest multimedia conglomerate. As she’s drawn deeper into the investigation, she discovers that an enigmatic young ad exec, a wealthy playboy, and a mysterious website may connect the missing artists and ONE’s growing power. And with each discovery comes confirmation of a terrifying truth—no one’s secrets are safe.
A smartly suspenseful and timely thriller, End of Secrets dives into the depths of our culture’s two most relentless obsessions: entertainment and profit.
401 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 1, 2014
372 people are currently reading
2490 people want to read
About the author
Ryan Quinn
25 books155 followersRyan Quinn is the best-selling author of the novels The Good Traitor, End of Secrets, and The Fall.
A native of Alaska, Quinn was an NCAA DI Champion while on the University of Utah Ski team. He worked in book publishing for five years in New York City and now lives in Los Angeles where he writes and trains for marathons.
A native of Alaska, Quinn was an NCAA DI Champion while on the University of Utah Ski team. He worked in book publishing for five years in New York City and now lives in Los Angeles where he writes and trains for marathons.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 242 reviews
November 28, 2014
I never understand the value of a review that merely recaps the book, I can get that from inside of the dust jacket (were this a physical book), but you know what I mean.
Could I have written this? No, I'm not that good. Did I enjoy it? Yes, in that it's somewhat compelling, but it lacks some level of detail or something with which the reader can grab onto and relate.
Whoa, full on access to electronic data virtually everywhere! Yeah, well good thing this takes place in New York (London would have worked too) as there needs to be cameras on the street everywhere. And, having seen the "exposes" on 60 Minutes and other shows touting NSA's ability to gather data and relate it to relevant, but individually irrelevant data, is fascinating and true to life.
But once we know they can do this, it's just a backdrop scene to the story, which includes amazing things -- people disappear! -- amazing artwork magically appears! -- and it's all related, somehow, in someway that is never really clear or explained, you just accept it.
People get killed, but that's kinda, well, uh, I guess when it all wraps up at the end, it's supposed to make sense. Picture Dr. Evil stroking his white cat saying, "keel them," except that there is no Dr. Evil, but there is an ominous corporation.
Not to give away the story or spoil anything, but for our protagonist, how'd she travel internationally without regular NSA, CIA, DHS, etc. not catching her? Where'd her buddy go? Does she have money? You can just disappear for the sake of your art??? C'mon. If you're going to "go there" give us a taste of how/where/next step info so we can go, "ohhhhhh, that was clever."
We never get to do that.
(And no, I didn't figure it out yet, but if I had paid more attention to Loc 51, it would have saved me the time it took to Google Gnos.is, my bad.)
Could I have written this? No, I'm not that good. Did I enjoy it? Yes, in that it's somewhat compelling, but it lacks some level of detail or something with which the reader can grab onto and relate.
Whoa, full on access to electronic data virtually everywhere! Yeah, well good thing this takes place in New York (London would have worked too) as there needs to be cameras on the street everywhere. And, having seen the "exposes" on 60 Minutes and other shows touting NSA's ability to gather data and relate it to relevant, but individually irrelevant data, is fascinating and true to life.
But once we know they can do this, it's just a backdrop scene to the story, which includes amazing things -- people disappear! -- amazing artwork magically appears! -- and it's all related, somehow, in someway that is never really clear or explained, you just accept it.
People get killed, but that's kinda, well, uh, I guess when it all wraps up at the end, it's supposed to make sense. Picture Dr. Evil stroking his white cat saying, "keel them," except that there is no Dr. Evil, but there is an ominous corporation.
Not to give away the story or spoil anything, but for our protagonist, how'd she travel internationally without regular NSA, CIA, DHS, etc. not catching her? Where'd her buddy go? Does she have money? You can just disappear for the sake of your art??? C'mon. If you're going to "go there" give us a taste of how/where/next step info so we can go, "ohhhhhh, that was clever."
We never get to do that.
(And no, I didn't figure it out yet, but if I had paid more attention to Loc 51, it would have saved me the time it took to Google Gnos.is, my bad.)
November 2, 2014
Ryan Quinn may not be a prophet of end-times but his suspenseful and riveting techno-thriller End of Secrets is a grim reminder of the times we are living in. While the story and the characters are imagined and a product of his creativity, there is no denying the harsh truth the world could be heading toward such an environment, if not already.
End of Secrets by Ryan Quinn centers on cyber espionage through which personal and sensitive information are obtained, secretly and illegally, without the knowledge and permission of the holder. Information obtained through cyber spying from individuals or entities may be used for economic, political and personal benefit. The National Security Agency (NSA) monitors, collects and decodes information and data. Quinn crafted a timely thriller on how the privacy of individuals are being invaded and used as a weapon against them.
CIA agent Kera Mersal unsuspectingly stumbled on the biggest case of her career when she investigated into the disappearance of several artists. When her investigation leads her to the world’s largest multimedia company, she discovers startling truth, too bizarre to believe and its consequences too horrendous to comprehend. With no one to trust but her gut and instinct, she is bent on exposing the truth.
End of Secrets by Ryan Quinn is about the big bad world of cyberspace. It is about big data, cyber espionage, privacy and technology. In Kera Mersal, Quinn has created a female protagonist who is certainly believable, and fits her role to a t. What makes the book a real treat is the effortless reading made possible by the absorbing plot twists and unexpected turns. This is a thriller everyone should read, especially those who are online most of their waking hours.
End of Secrets by Ryan Quinn centers on cyber espionage through which personal and sensitive information are obtained, secretly and illegally, without the knowledge and permission of the holder. Information obtained through cyber spying from individuals or entities may be used for economic, political and personal benefit. The National Security Agency (NSA) monitors, collects and decodes information and data. Quinn crafted a timely thriller on how the privacy of individuals are being invaded and used as a weapon against them.
CIA agent Kera Mersal unsuspectingly stumbled on the biggest case of her career when she investigated into the disappearance of several artists. When her investigation leads her to the world’s largest multimedia company, she discovers startling truth, too bizarre to believe and its consequences too horrendous to comprehend. With no one to trust but her gut and instinct, she is bent on exposing the truth.
End of Secrets by Ryan Quinn is about the big bad world of cyberspace. It is about big data, cyber espionage, privacy and technology. In Kera Mersal, Quinn has created a female protagonist who is certainly believable, and fits her role to a t. What makes the book a real treat is the effortless reading made possible by the absorbing plot twists and unexpected turns. This is a thriller everyone should read, especially those who are online most of their waking hours.
December 30, 2017
I enjoyed the book overall. But it moved choppily which prompted frenzied reading periods followed by yawns and occasional skimming. The premise of cyber espionage and Big Brotherism will appeal to conspiracy theorists.
December 24, 2014
I received this book through Net Galley. I found this a very enjoyable read. Fast paced and very well written. The topic is very current, cyber security and spying on the general public through our internet use. The story had elements of the Snowden/Wikileaks affair, there was a little bit of a Banksy type character, a bit of a Big Brother feeling and I felt it expands and brings the basis of the Fahrenheit 451 story to the future, using computers instead of books. The topic is so current, is pop culture the only culture that matters asks one of the main characters. We all should consider how true that is.Is the future a place where will be valued digitally? Will we be faced with privatized espionage? This book will really get you thinking about what's happening right now. Who is watching us, tracking our key strokes, watching us on cameras on the streets and more importantly, what are they going to do with that information? Have you figured it out, as the book says?
December 24, 2014
Have you figured it out yet? Who is John Galt?
Let's begging by saying that I did enjoy the book. It was a fast read that kept me entertained and I do want to know more about what happens Kera Mersal and JD Jones.
However, and here goes the reason for the 3 starts. The plot is neither a discovery of the dangers of technology (however doesn't know this is possible is leaving on another planet), nor is the way it develops anything new. This book from page one reminded me too much of Atlas Shrugged. Yes, this is tech and that was capitalism or libertarianism, but the philosophical questions are presented in the same way, with the same flow.
It was an ok read for an airplane, but I would not make an effort to read the follow up.
Let's begging by saying that I did enjoy the book. It was a fast read that kept me entertained and I do want to know more about what happens Kera Mersal and JD Jones.
However, and here goes the reason for the 3 starts. The plot is neither a discovery of the dangers of technology (however doesn't know this is possible is leaving on another planet), nor is the way it develops anything new. This book from page one reminded me too much of Atlas Shrugged. Yes, this is tech and that was capitalism or libertarianism, but the philosophical questions are presented in the same way, with the same flow.
It was an ok read for an airplane, but I would not make an effort to read the follow up.
December 4, 2014
I chose this as my free "Kindle First" book for November. It looked like an exciting read what with the idea of corporate/government espionage, but there was too much stuff in here that let me down. Like the gay sex scene. Totally unnecessary and only thrown in there for the shock value IMO. Also the monologues about art were a little too dramatic and over the top for me. The flow was good, and the idea was good, but yeah. The unnecessary stuff ruined it for me. Wish someone had written a review warning me about it.
January 27, 2015
Mildly interesting, but the author just didn't make me believe, and there were too many unanswered questions.
March 25, 2016
If you enjoy a good conspiracy then this book is for you. A clandestine government agency no one knows about people disappearing an anonymous tagger no one has ever seen. Good story.
October 14, 2018
Moves very slow, didn’t like most of the characters, not written well, and the story itself is choppy.
August 8, 2017
I had no idea what I was getting into but rather enjoyed it! The characters were easy to relate with and the mystery kept me interested. All-in-all, a pleasant surprise!
November 19, 2014
First book by Ryan Quinn I’ve read. I got this book as part of the Kindle first program, where 4 books are offered each month pre-publication.
The premise is unique: artists are disappearing, possibly as suicides. Dropping off the grid, they are gone with no trace. Former CIA cyberterrorist analyst Kera Mersal is tasked with looking into this. However, she now works for a private investigation corporation that is tied to the CIA and other agencies.
The plot progresses well, interacting with contemporary issue of how public our lives are. Using social media, gps location, activity tracking, and public/private security cameras, the book posits that we can be known by sophisticated “hawkeye” software. And as the data available increases, we approach the end of secrets. The company that has all the data has all the power.
It does raise the question of whether we should protect our privacy, both on-line and in the real world. The implication is that we at least to be aware of what we put out there on the web, and also to be cognizant of what is around us, such as cameras that are looking back at us and giving others a picture of who we are and what we are doing. If nothing else, this message warrants careful consideration.
One weakness in the book is the superficiality of the characters. We don’t learn enough about Mersal or her fiancé, who has a key role to play, despite getting distanced from Kera as the book progresses. The book leaves some plot holes, and ends without explaining the key phrase used throughout.
Grade: B
The premise is unique: artists are disappearing, possibly as suicides. Dropping off the grid, they are gone with no trace. Former CIA cyberterrorist analyst Kera Mersal is tasked with looking into this. However, she now works for a private investigation corporation that is tied to the CIA and other agencies.
The plot progresses well, interacting with contemporary issue of how public our lives are. Using social media, gps location, activity tracking, and public/private security cameras, the book posits that we can be known by sophisticated “hawkeye” software. And as the data available increases, we approach the end of secrets. The company that has all the data has all the power.
It does raise the question of whether we should protect our privacy, both on-line and in the real world. The implication is that we at least to be aware of what we put out there on the web, and also to be cognizant of what is around us, such as cameras that are looking back at us and giving others a picture of who we are and what we are doing. If nothing else, this message warrants careful consideration.
One weakness in the book is the superficiality of the characters. We don’t learn enough about Mersal or her fiancé, who has a key role to play, despite getting distanced from Kera as the book progresses. The book leaves some plot holes, and ends without explaining the key phrase used throughout.
Grade: B
February 5, 2015
This was a good book. Even though it was written in third person, I was constantly drawn into the mind of the protagonist, Kera. This had some of the intrigue of Tom Clancey...
The way she trusted no one because of the advise of someone who shouldn't have been trusted was a strange dynamic. I like the way several personalities - several completely different personality types were introduced. Natalie Smith's quick wit and tongue gave several memorable quotes. Charlie Canyon and Rafa both had some really insightful, thought provoking points. I like JD's cynicism. All things considered. I liked this book. It convinced me to give The Fall a try, another book by the same author.
The way she trusted no one because of the advise of someone who shouldn't have been trusted was a strange dynamic. I like the way several personalities - several completely different personality types were introduced. Natalie Smith's quick wit and tongue gave several memorable quotes. Charlie Canyon and Rafa both had some really insightful, thought provoking points. I like JD's cynicism. All things considered. I liked this book. It convinced me to give The Fall a try, another book by the same author.
Read
November 9, 2014Meh. Exciting premise -- the end of privacy in a hyper-digital world -- but I want all the messiness, all the details, all the loose ends addressed when an author is ambitious enough to tackle such issues from a CIA / agency perspective. I watch too much Homeland not to ask more questions than the author is ready to answer. ;) Although I appreciated the subtopics of art, and ideas, and creation, there were too many one-dimensional characters I couldn't relate to. Overall kind of hollow experience reading this one.
December 17, 2014
Cameras every where we go and our digital devices...
Digital footprints and eavesdropping, companies and government agencies know what we all doing. Did we surrounded our private lives completely? Maybe now or in the near future HawkEye going to follow our every move? Kera and Jones worked in this field and they knew they can't just pursue life, if they did it wasted life. Very interesting book, you'll be reading and thinking a lot.
Digital footprints and eavesdropping, companies and government agencies know what we all doing. Did we surrounded our private lives completely? Maybe now or in the near future HawkEye going to follow our every move? Kera and Jones worked in this field and they knew they can't just pursue life, if they did it wasted life. Very interesting book, you'll be reading and thinking a lot.
August 2, 2015
It took a little time for me to really get into the story, but then I really liked it. Like any good suspense novel, it's hard to know who the good guys are and who the bad guys are. I did figure some things out before they were fully revealed, but overall, the story was very compelling. I also liked having a smart female protagonist in the book. If you're looking for a good espionage thriller, this is worth your time.
January 13, 2016
An interesting Spy Story
Ryan Quinn has written a very complicated spy story showing what is possible in our high tech world. End of Secrets required a bit of sci-fi fiction to put it all together and at times lost me in the complicated jargon. I found myself questioning the premises used and was definitely ready when the final page arrived.
Ryan Quinn has written a very complicated spy story showing what is possible in our high tech world. End of Secrets required a bit of sci-fi fiction to put it all together and at times lost me in the complicated jargon. I found myself questioning the premises used and was definitely ready when the final page arrived.
November 16, 2014
Not a whole package
I was really into a great build up story line with nice character development but was left quite disappointed with a weak ending that tied up nothing for any characters.
I was really into a great build up story line with nice character development but was left quite disappointed with a weak ending that tied up nothing for any characters.
January 15, 2019
Intriguing
If you have the slightest interest in how information is manipulated by governments and the media or a love for the arts, this suspenseful take on the spy game will capture and hold your interest.
If you have the slightest interest in how information is manipulated by governments and the media or a love for the arts, this suspenseful take on the spy game will capture and hold your interest.
March 11, 2019
Whilst this didn't quite end up where I though it was going from the early chapters i.e. asking the question who do you want or is there any difference between the various parties who are gagging to slurp the digital dead skin cells shed by people going about their daily lives? The bastard love child of Facebook and Google that is ONE, accountable only to profit hungry shareholders or Hawk, an arms length creation of the CIA or, to a lesser extent, Gnos.is a murky, untraceable website operated by unknown parties, which appears to have the inside track on many breaking news stories.
The balance between who might be the least unacceptable of these organisations is shifted around quite nicely by the author and even the homilies on the nature of art, the digital age and self-actulisation which were sprinkled through the book, didn't seem too condescending.
Whilst I found the conclusion acceptable, for want of a better word, the mechanism was not robust enough to be completely satisfying as it relied heavily on a certain party's credibility, which felt had not been achieved to the extent needed to justify the outcome.
The fallout has been left uncertain and characters left in limbo, presumably to lead into the next in the series and whilst I'm not a fan of this ploy, I did enjoy this one enough to give 'The Good Traitor' a go.
The balance between who might be the least unacceptable of these organisations is shifted around quite nicely by the author and even the homilies on the nature of art, the digital age and self-actulisation which were sprinkled through the book, didn't seem too condescending.
Whilst I found the conclusion acceptable, for want of a better word, the mechanism was not robust enough to be completely satisfying as it relied heavily on a certain party's credibility, which felt had not been achieved to the extent needed to justify the outcome.
The fallout has been left uncertain and characters left in limbo, presumably to lead into the next in the series and whilst I'm not a fan of this ploy, I did enjoy this one enough to give 'The Good Traitor' a go.
March 20, 2017
An enjoyable dystopian thriller may sound like an oxymoron, but Ryan Quinn's End of Secrets is quite delightful to those who are love to delve into the dark side. This was one of the more difficult books for me to review because the writing is a bit uneven. There could awkward phrases that made me cringe, as if the author was trying too hard... but then I'd come across brilliantly phrased philosophical truisms that I had to highlight and contemplate much after finishing this novel. I ultimately found the later to outweigh the former, and the reader is ultimately swept away with the plot. It is not as fast moving as some thrillers until the final dozen or so chapters when the pace really picks up. The internal plot is one of a maturation disillusionment (much like Clarice Starling in Silence of the Lambs) and the external plot delivers as a well-constructed thriller with many unique and interesting story lines that kept me engaged throughout. I certainly look forward to reading another novel by Ryan Quinn.
August 21, 2017
I got this book for free from Amazon back in 2014 (maybe from the Kindle First program?).
It's about government and corporate espionage in the time of massive data mining of all sorts of sources of information.
It feels a lot like Person of Interest, but without trying to prevent what WILL happen.
It's interesting to have the disappearances mixed in and the artists.
This is an interesting thriller.
It's about government and corporate espionage in the time of massive data mining of all sorts of sources of information.
It feels a lot like Person of Interest, but without trying to prevent what WILL happen.
It's interesting to have the disappearances mixed in and the artists.
This is an interesting thriller.
March 31, 2018
Since I'm in an espionage kind of mood, I decided to continue diving into my kindle's depths to find another. This was a Kindle First title I picked up in November 2014. I dunno. The pace was okay, the characters were maybe a bit thin but were still engaging, and the story was fine. But there were no surprises and nothing substantive enough to really capture my attention or add to my perspective. Nothing new here.
November 5, 2018
I kept waiting for "Who is John Galt?" to show up somewhere and finalize the plundering of Atlas Shrugged.
The book kept my attention until I could guess every plot twist (having read Ayn Rand) and I came to the conclusion that heroine was actually a terrible spy. I have no idea why she was so fascinating to the Latin American Atlas Shrugged rip-off character, because we never found out a single interesting thing about her.
When I realized we were winding down into non-closure and a sequel was forthcoming, my disappointment was complete.
The book kept my attention until I could guess every plot twist (having read Ayn Rand) and I came to the conclusion that heroine was actually a terrible spy. I have no idea why she was so fascinating to the Latin American Atlas Shrugged rip-off character, because we never found out a single interesting thing about her.
When I realized we were winding down into non-closure and a sequel was forthcoming, my disappointment was complete.
July 25, 2017
I won this book through a goodreads giveaway and am not required to give a positive review .
As far as I can tell, from reading other reviews, this is either a book you will love or hate. I loved it! It was fascinating, intriguing and kept me hooked until the end. Personally, I highly recommend this book if you are interested in thrillers or espionage type books.
As far as I can tell, from reading other reviews, this is either a book you will love or hate. I loved it! It was fascinating, intriguing and kept me hooked until the end. Personally, I highly recommend this book if you are interested in thrillers or espionage type books.
May 8, 2018
Easy read
Disclaimer: this is not my favorite genre. I don’t read suspense and thrillers in general. The story felt technical to me with all the cyber security. I didn’t care deeply about the characters. It was a puzzle to be solved and I didn’t feel satisfied after the end. Good story concept though.
Disclaimer: this is not my favorite genre. I don’t read suspense and thrillers in general. The story felt technical to me with all the cyber security. I didn’t care deeply about the characters. It was a puzzle to be solved and I didn’t feel satisfied after the end. Good story concept though.
September 27, 2017
If you read Atlas Shrugged... same book
Same book, different eras, different god that shrugged this time around, i guess. Differences so minor it makes no difference. Really disappointed.
Same book, different eras, different god that shrugged this time around, i guess. Differences so minor it makes no difference. Really disappointed.
November 24, 2017
Simplistic, derivative thriller that requires you to be either fairly credulous and/or accepting of great big gaping plot holes. Author has an extremely annoying tendency to provide way too much detail when it doesn't matter, and not enough where it might have actually done some good.
April 15, 2018
Is this book a movie yet?
This book should be made into a movie. Technology meets a plot filled with espionage, suspense and secrets all tied together with the question of who can really be trusted. This action-packed, new-age novel did not disappoint!
This book should be made into a movie. Technology meets a plot filled with espionage, suspense and secrets all tied together with the question of who can really be trusted. This action-packed, new-age novel did not disappoint!
January 6, 2019
I felt this was slow to start, well, I found it hard to get into for the first few chapters. However, once I did connect with the story, although I wouldn't describe it as a page turner, it did hold my attention throughout.
January 19, 2019
This book was very hard for me to follow and I only finished it because that's what I do. It seemed to be all over the place and many unnecessary plot scenes. A little more explanation during the story would have helped me understand more what was going on. I felt generous giving it two stars.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 242 reviews