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Sleeper Code
Beneath the calm hum of America’s power grids, a new kind of weapon is awakening.
When a self-learning piece of code—Phantom—is planted deep inside the nation’s critical infrastructure, it lies dormant, invisible, and patient. Until the day it is called to life.
Max Shaw, a brilliant but battle-worn cybersecurity leader at the National Infrastructure Protection Agency, has spent years defending systems most people never see. But when the grid flickers and a single word appears across his screen— AWAKE—he and his team realize the enemy is already inside.
Together with Tara Lin, an MIT-trained code-breaker haunted by her brother’s stolen identity, and Sam Rourke, a field-forged deputy who walks with a limp and the weight of past wars, Max races to trace the infection before it cascades through every network that keeps the nation alive.
From Washington’s hidden command bunkers to data farms buried in the Kansas plains, Sleeper Code delivers a pulse-pounding journey through the invisible battlefield of the twenty-first century—where power, water, and trust itself can vanish with a single keystroke.
Can Max and his team stop a weapon that learns faster than they can think—or has the countdown already begun?
Gripping, authentic, and terrifyingly plausible, Sleeper Code blends cutting-edge cyber warfare with human courage, exploring how far we’ll go to protect the systems—and the people—we love.
When a self-learning piece of code—Phantom—is planted deep inside the nation’s critical infrastructure, it lies dormant, invisible, and patient. Until the day it is called to life.
Max Shaw, a brilliant but battle-worn cybersecurity leader at the National Infrastructure Protection Agency, has spent years defending systems most people never see. But when the grid flickers and a single word appears across his screen— AWAKE—he and his team realize the enemy is already inside.
Together with Tara Lin, an MIT-trained code-breaker haunted by her brother’s stolen identity, and Sam Rourke, a field-forged deputy who walks with a limp and the weight of past wars, Max races to trace the infection before it cascades through every network that keeps the nation alive.
From Washington’s hidden command bunkers to data farms buried in the Kansas plains, Sleeper Code delivers a pulse-pounding journey through the invisible battlefield of the twenty-first century—where power, water, and trust itself can vanish with a single keystroke.
Can Max and his team stop a weapon that learns faster than they can think—or has the countdown already begun?
Gripping, authentic, and terrifyingly plausible, Sleeper Code blends cutting-edge cyber warfare with human courage, exploring how far we’ll go to protect the systems—and the people—we love.
292 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 12, 2025
13 people are currently reading
9 people want to read
About the author
Kevin McGuire
1 book2 followersDr. Kevin McGuire has spent more than 32 years in cybersecurity, protecting our nation’s critical infrastructure systems as both a federal employee and a trusted contractor. His career has placed him on the front lines of digital defense—where technology, policy, and human judgment meet under pressure.
He serves on the Board of the University of Fairfax, where he helps shape programs dedicated to developing the next generation of cybersecurity professionals. His lifelong commitment to the field continues to inspire both his professional work and his writing.
Drawing on decades of real-world experience, Dr. McGuire brings authenticity and depth to Sleeper Code, blending technical precision with the emotional intensity of a human thriller. His stories explore the unseen battles fought every day in the shadows of cyberspace—and the people who quietly keep the modern world running.
He lives with his wife, Traci, and their children—Amanda, Ashleigh, Ryan, and Allie—who remind him daily what’s truly worth protecting. Sleeper Code is his debut novel and the first in a planned trilogy about the fragile intersection of humanity and technology.
He serves on the Board of the University of Fairfax, where he helps shape programs dedicated to developing the next generation of cybersecurity professionals. His lifelong commitment to the field continues to inspire both his professional work and his writing.
Drawing on decades of real-world experience, Dr. McGuire brings authenticity and depth to Sleeper Code, blending technical precision with the emotional intensity of a human thriller. His stories explore the unseen battles fought every day in the shadows of cyberspace—and the people who quietly keep the modern world running.
He lives with his wife, Traci, and their children—Amanda, Ashleigh, Ryan, and Allie—who remind him daily what’s truly worth protecting. Sleeper Code is his debut novel and the first in a planned trilogy about the fragile intersection of humanity and technology.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
December 8, 2025
Book Review: Sleeper Code by Kevin McGuire
Sleeper Code is a taut, high-stakes cyber-thriller that feels chillingly real from the very first page. Kevin McGuire masterfully blends cutting-edge technology with human vulnerability, delivering a story that pulses with tension, intelligence, and frightening plausibility.
At the heart of the novel is Phantom, a self-learning piece of malware buried deep within America’s infrastructure—silent, invisible, and waiting. When it finally awakens, the world Max Shaw has spent his life protecting begins to unravel. Max is a compelling protagonist: brilliant, exhausted, and carrying the scars of defending a battlefield no one else sees. His struggle is both technical and deeply personal.
The supporting cast elevates the story even further. Tara Lin brings sharp intellect and emotional depth as she faces both the malware and the trauma of her brother’s stolen identity. Sam Rourke, hardened but quietly heroic, adds grit and heart as he navigates the shadowy front lines that lie beyond code and screens. Together, the trio forms one of the most memorable cybersecurity teams in recent fiction.
McGuire takes readers from secret government bunkers to vast data farms in the Midwest, pulling back the curtain on the unseen systems that run modern life. The pacing is relentless, the stakes sky-high, and the tech—while sophisticated—remains shockingly accessible and believable. Each chapter ratchets up the tension as Phantom evolves faster than its hunters, raising an unsettling question: what happens when the next war begins with a keystroke rather than a gunshot?
Part thriller, part warning, Sleeper Code is a gripping exploration of cyber warfare, national vulnerability, and the fragile trust that keeps society functioning. Fans of Tom Clancy, Michael Crichton, or Mark Greaney will devour this novel—but anyone who uses electricity, water, or the internet will feel its impact long after turning the final page.
A smart, exhilarating, and hauntingly timely read.
Sleeper Code is a taut, high-stakes cyber-thriller that feels chillingly real from the very first page. Kevin McGuire masterfully blends cutting-edge technology with human vulnerability, delivering a story that pulses with tension, intelligence, and frightening plausibility.
At the heart of the novel is Phantom, a self-learning piece of malware buried deep within America’s infrastructure—silent, invisible, and waiting. When it finally awakens, the world Max Shaw has spent his life protecting begins to unravel. Max is a compelling protagonist: brilliant, exhausted, and carrying the scars of defending a battlefield no one else sees. His struggle is both technical and deeply personal.
The supporting cast elevates the story even further. Tara Lin brings sharp intellect and emotional depth as she faces both the malware and the trauma of her brother’s stolen identity. Sam Rourke, hardened but quietly heroic, adds grit and heart as he navigates the shadowy front lines that lie beyond code and screens. Together, the trio forms one of the most memorable cybersecurity teams in recent fiction.
McGuire takes readers from secret government bunkers to vast data farms in the Midwest, pulling back the curtain on the unseen systems that run modern life. The pacing is relentless, the stakes sky-high, and the tech—while sophisticated—remains shockingly accessible and believable. Each chapter ratchets up the tension as Phantom evolves faster than its hunters, raising an unsettling question: what happens when the next war begins with a keystroke rather than a gunshot?
Part thriller, part warning, Sleeper Code is a gripping exploration of cyber warfare, national vulnerability, and the fragile trust that keeps society functioning. Fans of Tom Clancy, Michael Crichton, or Mark Greaney will devour this novel—but anyone who uses electricity, water, or the internet will feel its impact long after turning the final page.
A smart, exhilarating, and hauntingly timely read.
December 13, 2025
Sleeper Code by Kevin McGuire
Rating:5/5
Review:
👉This book is a chillingly immersive cyber-thriller that taps directly into modern anxieties about how fragile our connected world truly is. From the opening pages, the novel establishes a quiet sense of dread rather than explosive chaos, reminding readers that the most dangerous threats are often invisible. The idea of a self-learning program buried deep inside national infrastructure feels unsettlingly realistic, setting the tone for a story that is as thought-provoking as it is suspenseful.
👉At the center of the narrative is Max Shaw, a cybersecurity veteran worn down by years of fighting enemies no one else can see. McGuire writes Max with depth and restraint, allowing his exhaustion, intelligence, and moral responsibility to shine through naturally. He isn’t driven by glory or heroics, but by the knowledge that failure could cost millions their safety and way of life. This grounding makes the high-stakes plot feel personal and emotionally charged rather than purely technical.
👉The supporting characters add richness and balance to the story. Tara Lin’s sharp mind and emotional scars give the novel both intellectual and human weight, particularly as her personal losses intersect with the broader digital threat. Sam Rourke brings a different kind of strength—physical, quiet, and shaped by past conflicts—serving as a reminder that even cyber wars have real-world consequences. Together, their dynamic creates a believable team built on trust, tension, and shared urgency.
👉One of the novel’s greatest strengths is its ability to explain complex technology without overwhelming the reader. McGuire skillfully weaves technical detail into the action, making the cyber elements feel accessible and frighteningly plausible. The pacing remains tight as the story moves between secure facilities, hidden infrastructure hubs, and the ticking clock of a system on the brink of collapse. Each chapter builds momentum, reinforcing the idea that the enemy is always evolving faster than expected.
👉In the end, Sleeper Code stands out as both an entertaining thriller and a sobering reflection on the world we live in.
Rating:5/5
Review:
👉This book is a chillingly immersive cyber-thriller that taps directly into modern anxieties about how fragile our connected world truly is. From the opening pages, the novel establishes a quiet sense of dread rather than explosive chaos, reminding readers that the most dangerous threats are often invisible. The idea of a self-learning program buried deep inside national infrastructure feels unsettlingly realistic, setting the tone for a story that is as thought-provoking as it is suspenseful.
👉At the center of the narrative is Max Shaw, a cybersecurity veteran worn down by years of fighting enemies no one else can see. McGuire writes Max with depth and restraint, allowing his exhaustion, intelligence, and moral responsibility to shine through naturally. He isn’t driven by glory or heroics, but by the knowledge that failure could cost millions their safety and way of life. This grounding makes the high-stakes plot feel personal and emotionally charged rather than purely technical.
👉The supporting characters add richness and balance to the story. Tara Lin’s sharp mind and emotional scars give the novel both intellectual and human weight, particularly as her personal losses intersect with the broader digital threat. Sam Rourke brings a different kind of strength—physical, quiet, and shaped by past conflicts—serving as a reminder that even cyber wars have real-world consequences. Together, their dynamic creates a believable team built on trust, tension, and shared urgency.
👉One of the novel’s greatest strengths is its ability to explain complex technology without overwhelming the reader. McGuire skillfully weaves technical detail into the action, making the cyber elements feel accessible and frighteningly plausible. The pacing remains tight as the story moves between secure facilities, hidden infrastructure hubs, and the ticking clock of a system on the brink of collapse. Each chapter builds momentum, reinforcing the idea that the enemy is always evolving faster than expected.
👉In the end, Sleeper Code stands out as both an entertaining thriller and a sobering reflection on the world we live in.
December 11, 2025
Amazing and terrifying
The simple yet highly technical details of this book painted a terrifying picture of what were facing in this new and current AI world
This pulls you in and won't let go!!
The simple yet highly technical details of this book painted a terrifying picture of what were facing in this new and current AI world
This pulls you in and won't let go!!
December 12, 2025
Sleeper Code is a highly realistic and technically grounded thriller that will keep you up at night… first because you can’t put it down, and later because of the very real possibilities it explores. A truly well-crafted thriller that combines a suspenseful plot with both technological and human vulnerabilities.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews