Write to Doug at douglaserichards1 at gmail dot com, and visit the author's website to be notified of new releases.
Douglas E. Richards is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of science-fiction thrillers that have sold more than three million copies (see list below). Richards has been celebrated for his gripping, thought-provoking works that blend cutting-edge scientific concepts with heart-pounding narratives.
Richards burst onto the literary scene with his debut novel, WIRED, published in 2010. The novel garnered widespread acclaim for its ingenious combination of scientific speculation and thrilling storytelling. This success set the stage for a series of bestselling novels, each marked by meticulous research, riveting plots, and characters that resonate with readers.
Known for his ability to translate complex scientific concepts into accessible and engaging narratives, Richards has become a go-to author for readers seeking an intellectually stimulating and adrenaline-fueled reading experience. His works delve deeply into the ethical dilemmas posed by scientific breakthroughs and the potential impact of technology on society.
A former Director of Biotechnology Licensing at Bristol Myers Squibb and a former biotechnology executive, Richards earned a BS in microbiology from the Ohio State University, a master's degree in genetic engineering from the University of Wisconsin--where he engineered mutant viruses now named after him--and an MBA from the University of Chicago.
The author has two grown children and lives in San Diego, California, with his wife and dog.
Richards loves hearing from readers, and always replies, so feel free to write to him at douglaserichards1 at gmail dot com, and address him as "Doug". You can also Friend Richards on Facebook at Douglas E. Richards Author, or visit his website, where you can sign up to be notified of new releases.
SCIENCE FICTION THRILLERS BY DOUGLAS E. RICHARDS
SERIES
WIRED (Wired 1) AMPED (Wired 2)
MIND'S EYE (Nick Hall 1) BRAINWEB (Nick Hall 2) MIND WAR (Nick Hall 3) UNLEASHED (Nick Hall 4)
SPLIT SECOND(Split Second 1) TIME FRAME (Split Second 2)
THE ENIGMA CUBE (Alien Artifact 1) A PIVOT IN TIME (Alien Artifact 2)
STANDALONE NOVELS
QUANTUM LENS GAME CHANGER INFINITY BORN SEEKER VERACITY ORACLE THE IMMORTALITY CODE UNIDENTIFIED PORTALS THE CURE (To become KU eligible for the first time in 2023) THE BREAKTHROUGH EFFECT
Kids Science Fiction Thrillers (9 and up, enjoyed by kids and adults alike)
Frequency 2, taking place 4 years after the HERMES mission, when 4 brave astronauts sacrificed themselves to save an alien being after an anomalous signal is detected. Ethan Calloway and Dr. Alexanderia Lennox, and others are dispatched to Patagonia, while, at the same time, a new mission to Europa arrives and begins to study the incomprehensible ship, and its even more incomprehensible surviving occupant. The book is thoughtful and fulfilling, a perfect coda for the duology. Books like this are why I love science fiction, particularly if the science is mostly correct, which ads believability to concepts that are WAY outside of the box! This series will resonate with me for many years, the highest compliment I can give! Overall, 5/5 stars, though it deserves more! Highly recommended for fans of hard science fiction and readers of any age with curiosity about the nature of existence and those interested in the best 'First Contact' written to date!
In Frequency 2, Douglas E. Richards continues the high‑velocity techno‑thriller storyline launched in Frequency. The sequel picks up with the same core premise: a world where a small number of people can manipulate others through ultra‑subtle cognitive “frequencies” that bypass normal perception. These frequencies allow persuasion, coercion, and even behavioral override, creating a hidden battleground between those who wield the ability and those trying to stop them.
The book escalates the stakes immediately. The protagonists, ordinary people thrust into extraordinary danger, are forced to confront a rapidly expanding conspiracy that uses frequency‑based influence to infiltrate governments, corporations, and security agencies. Richards leans heavily into the thriller structure: short chapters, constant reversals, and a steady drip of scientific speculation that feels just plausible enough to unsettle.
As the heroes uncover deeper layers of the plot, they realize the threat isn’t just political takeover but a fundamental shift in human autonomy. The antagonists aim to create a world where free will is optional, and obedience can be engineered. The climax pushes toward a global-scale confrontation, with the protagonists racing to expose the truth before society crosses a point of no return.
Frequency 2 works because Richards knows how to fuse science speculation with thriller pacing. The science isn’t window dressing, it’s the engine of the plot, and Richards keeps it grounded enough to feel eerie rather than fantastical. I think the book’s biggest strength is momentum: it never sits still, and the constant tension makes the stakes feel personal even when the plot goes global.
If the first book was about discovery, this one is about consequences. Richards leans into the ethical horror of mind‑level manipulation, and that gives the sequel more weight. It’s still popcorn‑fast, but sharper, more paranoid, and more satisfying.
The beauty of Frequency 2, by Douglas E. Richards and Joshua T. Calvert, begins with clear, mathematical language that describes complex science. Despite horrific violence, the beauty within Human hearts peeks out and deepens the compassion with which we treat each other.
Through a negotiation phase as complex as the technology behind how computers speak to each other, a gentleness and patience are experienced wider and wider among the people of Earth, like the waves of a lake arriving on distant shores.
Plenty of action, thrills, and near disasters are packed into Frequency 2 for all of you adrenaline junkies. You'll get to explore Argentina and the rough Patagonia wilderness. Imagine being on one of Jupiter's ice moons, excavating an alien ship. Both authors excel at keeping the reader on their metaphorical toes.
Ultimately, Frequency 2 is a story about living without limitations. When Love is the guiding force, eyes can see beyond physical boundaries, and even the constraints of Time slip away. Everything experienced through another's senses changes who you are fundamentally.
As the authors say, "That every moment was complete. That nothing was lost because it was never truly separate. Where there was nothing, nothing could be missing. The raindrop returned to the sea, but it was never truly separate from it. “Where I am, there I am.”
Exquisitely philosophical words with which to bring a galactic adventure to a close. At least for now. Multiple 5-star books, second in the duology. Perhaps a series? One can hope.
I gave the first book in the series 5 stars. However, this book I only gave four. I found the unnecessary violence, including hangings, stabbing, multiple shootings, etc., inappropriate for a “feel good “scientific book.”