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Decryption Gambit: Mineral of Silence
A techno thriller where world order is turned upside down by the discovery of a rare earth mineral in China. How can a rare earth mineral result in attacks on digital systems protected by data encryption. Passwords, currency, internet transactions to name only a few digital assets all falling prey to attack. Intriguing characters and a thrilling storyline guide you through this captivating experience leaving you questioning if and when this could actually occur. This book was written to heighten awareness of how technical advances in quantum computing can turn this fictional story into reality.
359 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 29, 2025
8 people are currently reading
4 people want to read
About the author
Doug Collins
15 books21 followersWith a Bachelor of Mathematics and a distinguished background in cyber security and audit, Doug Collins brings a unique, analytical precision to the literary world. Now a retired business owner and former creator of
educational software, he has pivoted from analyzing complex digital systems to crafting compelling narratives. While he has traded corporate strategy for storytelling, his passion for high-performance engineering remains constant; when not writing, he can be found enjoying cars,
motorcycles, and the company of his dogs.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
February 25, 2026
CyberThriller_Fan
"I don't usually read techno thrillers but a friend pushed this into my hands and I could not put it down. The idea that a single mineral discovery in China could unravel every encrypted system we depend on felt completely far-fetched, until Collins made me believe every word of it. Finished it in two sittings and immediately started looking up quantum computing. Terrifying in the best possible way.
"I don't usually read techno thrillers but a friend pushed this into my hands and I could not put it down. The idea that a single mineral discovery in China could unravel every encrypted system we depend on felt completely far-fetched, until Collins made me believe every word of it. Finished it in two sittings and immediately started looking up quantum computing. Terrifying in the best possible way.
February 25, 2026
ReadingBetweenTheLines_Marta
"Collins clearly knows his subject matter and it shows. The technical detail never bogs the story down, it actually makes the stakes feel uncomfortably real. My only critique is that the middle section slows slightly before the third act kicks back into gear, but by the finale I had completely forgotten about it. The ending left me genuinely uneasy about my own passwords.
"Collins clearly knows his subject matter and it shows. The technical detail never bogs the story down, it actually makes the stakes feel uncomfortably real. My only critique is that the middle section slows slightly before the third act kicks back into gear, but by the finale I had completely forgotten about it. The ending left me genuinely uneasy about my own passwords.
February 25, 2026
QuietlyTerrified_BookReviewer
"I finished this three days ago and I'm still thinking about it. Not in a vague 'that was good' way — in a 'I changed three passwords and read two articles about the rare earth supply chain' way. That is the mark of a thriller that actually did its job. Collins wanted to make readers question if and when this could happen. He succeeded. I am questioning it constantly.
"I finished this three days ago and I'm still thinking about it. Not in a vague 'that was good' way — in a 'I changed three passwords and read two articles about the rare earth supply chain' way. That is the mark of a thriller that actually did its job. Collins wanted to make readers question if and when this could happen. He succeeded. I am questioning it constantly.
January 27, 2026
Decryption Gambit: Mineral of Silence is a vivid, imaginative techno-thriller that uses rich, descriptive language. It’s easy to imagine the scenes the author paints and it makes the book captivating. The story is intense, imaginative, and believable. A very interesting look at the direction the world could go in if we become too immersed in technology!
February 12, 2026
Decryption Gambit: Mineral of Silence is a masterfully crafted techno-thriller that feels both cutting-edge and chillingly plausible. Doug Collins takes a bold, high-concept idea—the discovery of a rare earth mineral capable of undermining global encryption—and turns it into a fast-paced, thought-provoking story that’s impossible to put down.
February 12, 2026
This novel delivers a chilling “what if” scenario where a rare earth mineral changes the balance of world power. Collins weaves complex technology into an accessible and thrilling story filled with intrigue and tension. The idea that encrypted systems could suddenly become vulnerable makes this an unsettling and compelling read.
February 12, 2026
Doug Collins turns a complex topic into an exciting narrative that is both entertaining and educational. Decryption Gambit: Mineral of Silence raises awareness about the real-world implications of quantum computing while delivering a suspenseful plot and strong characters. A smart thriller that makes you think long after the story ends.
February 12, 2026
Decryption Gambit: Mineral of Silence is a gripping techno-thriller that explores the fragile foundations of global digital security. Doug Collins skillfully blends suspense with cutting-edge technology, showing how advances in quantum computing could upend encryption as we know it. Fast-paced and thought-provoking, this book keeps you questioning how close fiction is to reality.
February 13, 2026
Decryption Gambit: Mineral of Silence by Doug Collins is a gripping techno-thriller that explores the terrifying implications of quantum computing and digital vulnerability. The discovery of a rare earth mineral in China sets off a chain reaction that threatens global encryption systems. Fast-paced and thought-provoking, this novel feels alarmingly plausible.
February 13, 2026
Doug Collins delivers a high-stakes thriller where technology becomes the ultimate weapon. The premise—encryption systems collapsing due to quantum breakthroughs—creates nonstop tension. With intriguing characters and a chillingly realistic concept, Decryption Gambit keeps you questioning how secure our digital world really is.
February 13, 2026
This novel blends science, geopolitics, and cyber warfare into a compelling narrative. Collins skillfully uses the discovery of a rare earth mineral to explore the fragile foundation of modern encryption. It’s not just entertaining it’s a wake-up call about the future of quantum computing and global security.
February 25, 2026
TechReaderPDX
"As someone who works in cybersecurity, I can tell you this scenario is not as fictional as you might hope. Collins has done his homework. The rare earth angle is genuinely clever, using the physical world to crack the digital one is the kind of threat vector that keeps people in my field up at night. Gripping read and an important one.
"As someone who works in cybersecurity, I can tell you this scenario is not as fictional as you might hope. Collins has done his homework. The rare earth angle is genuinely clever, using the physical world to crack the digital one is the kind of threat vector that keeps people in my field up at night. Gripping read and an important one.
February 25, 2026
NightOwlPageTurner
"Read this on a red-eye flight and arrived at my destination having slept zero minutes and having zero regrets. The characters pulled me in immediately and the plot doesn't let go. What I loved most is that Collins isn't just writing a thriller, he's writing a warning. And he makes that warning feel urgent without ever becoming preachy about it.
"Read this on a red-eye flight and arrived at my destination having slept zero minutes and having zero regrets. The characters pulled me in immediately and the plot doesn't let go. What I loved most is that Collins isn't just writing a thriller, he's writing a warning. And he makes that warning feel urgent without ever becoming preachy about it.
February 25, 2026
JustAReaderFromOhio
"Okay I'll admit the quantum computing stuff went over my head in places but Collins is good at making you feel the danger even when you don't fully understand the mechanics. Kind of like how you don't need to understand exactly how a bomb works to know you should run. Exciting, smart, and the kind of book that makes you side-eye your bank app.
"Okay I'll admit the quantum computing stuff went over my head in places but Collins is good at making you feel the danger even when you don't fully understand the mechanics. Kind of like how you don't need to understand exactly how a bomb works to know you should run. Exciting, smart, and the kind of book that makes you side-eye your bank app.
February 25, 2026
GlobalPoliticsNerd_27
"The geopolitical dimension here is what elevates this above a standard techno thriller. It's not just about the technology, it's about who controls it, what nations are willing to do to keep that control, and what happens when the balance shifts overnight. Collins understands that the scariest threats aren't explosions. They're quiet. Mineral of Silence is the right title.
"The geopolitical dimension here is what elevates this above a standard techno thriller. It's not just about the technology, it's about who controls it, what nations are willing to do to keep that control, and what happens when the balance shifts overnight. Collins understands that the scariest threats aren't explosions. They're quiet. Mineral of Silence is the right title.
February 25, 2026
BookishMomOf3_Claire
"I bought this for my husband and ended up reading it myself first. Neither of us expected to find ourselves Googling rare earth minerals at 11pm on a Wednesday but here we are. The characters feel real, the threat feels real, and the ending made us both look at each other and say 'that could actually happen.' Fantastic book.
"I bought this for my husband and ended up reading it myself first. Neither of us expected to find ourselves Googling rare earth minerals at 11pm on a Wednesday but here we are. The characters feel real, the threat feels real, and the ending made us both look at each other and say 'that could actually happen.' Fantastic book.
February 25, 2026
ThrillerChaser_Mike
"Solid entry in the techno thriller genre. Reminded me of early Tom Clancy in the way it takes a very specific technical premise and builds a genuinely human story around it. The villain's motivation is more nuanced than I expected, Collins doesn't go for the easy evil. The cat-and-mouse dynamic in the second half is excellent. Will be watching for what Collins writes next.
"Solid entry in the techno thriller genre. Reminded me of early Tom Clancy in the way it takes a very specific technical premise and builds a genuinely human story around it. The villain's motivation is more nuanced than I expected, Collins doesn't go for the easy evil. The cat-and-mouse dynamic in the second half is excellent. Will be watching for what Collins writes next.
February 13, 2026
Decryption Gambit: Mineral of Silence offers more than technical intrigue—it introduces strong, layered characters navigating a world on the brink of digital collapse. The storyline is thrilling yet believable, making it hard to put down. A must-read for fans of intelligent techno-thrillers.
February 14, 2026
A gripping techno, thriller with a fascinating premise. Decryption Gambit: Mineral of Silence blends cutting, edge technology, global politics, and realistic stakes into a fast, paced, thought, provoking read. Both entertaining and unsettling, it makes you wonder how close this future really is.
December 31, 2025
A hidden gem
Heavy reading but a powerful message on the potential risks and benefits of quantum science and technology. A highly contemporary exploration.
Heavy reading but a powerful message on the potential risks and benefits of quantum science and technology. A highly contemporary exploration.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews