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The Linear Cipher
369 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 9, 2026
About the author
Nick Thacker
118 books447 followersNick Thacker is a thriller author from Texas who lives in Hawaii. In his free time, he enjoys reading in a hammock on the beach, skiing, drinking whiskey, and hanging out with his beautiful wife, two dogs, and two daughters.
For more information, visit Nick online at www.nickthacker.com
In addition to his fiction work, Nick is the founder and lead of Sonata & Scribe, the only music studio focused on producing “soundtracks” for books and series. Find out more at www.SonataAndScribe.com.
In addition to his fiction work, Nick is the founder and lead of Sonata & Scribe, the only music studio focused on producing “soundtracks” for books and series. Find out more at www.SonataAndScribe.com.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
July 6, 2026
What is at the Heart?
Nick Thacker's latest Harvey Bennett Thriller, The Linear Cipher, is a deeply satisfying novel about truly good people while also showing you the darkness that lurks in the center of most of Humanity.
Bennett, Julie, and their daughter, Hope, are enjoying a crisp, cold Winter morning in their isolated cabin near the Chugach Mountains in Alaska. Bennett's phone has been ringing since dawn, in an increasing number of call arpeggios.
Julie asks again whether Bennett should answer the phone, and they both agree not to. However, Julie's ubiquitous intuition is telling her something is deeply dangerous and needs their intervention.
On a seemingly instantaneous journey from Alaska to Arizona to Nevada to Greece to Kurdistan and other ports between, Bennett, Julie, Reggie, and Freddie are flown frantically to stop those who would end the world.
Linear Cipher questions the value of Humanity's drive for constant connection. As well, is an artifact more valuable just because it is the oldest ever uncovered? The reader will have to answer these questions themselves.
I'm not saying what, but brace yourself for a HUGE surprise! Hat's off to Nick Thacker for another fabulous Harvey Bennett Thriller. I'm giving this one 5 stars.
Nick Thacker's latest Harvey Bennett Thriller, The Linear Cipher, is a deeply satisfying novel about truly good people while also showing you the darkness that lurks in the center of most of Humanity.
Bennett, Julie, and their daughter, Hope, are enjoying a crisp, cold Winter morning in their isolated cabin near the Chugach Mountains in Alaska. Bennett's phone has been ringing since dawn, in an increasing number of call arpeggios.
Julie asks again whether Bennett should answer the phone, and they both agree not to. However, Julie's ubiquitous intuition is telling her something is deeply dangerous and needs their intervention.
On a seemingly instantaneous journey from Alaska to Arizona to Nevada to Greece to Kurdistan and other ports between, Bennett, Julie, Reggie, and Freddie are flown frantically to stop those who would end the world.
Linear Cipher questions the value of Humanity's drive for constant connection. As well, is an artifact more valuable just because it is the oldest ever uncovered? The reader will have to answer these questions themselves.
I'm not saying what, but brace yourself for a HUGE surprise! Hat's off to Nick Thacker for another fabulous Harvey Bennett Thriller. I'm giving this one 5 stars.
July 13, 2026
Well, you won't get any sleep if you open this book!!!!!! seriously I have a life but when the evening came and i curled up in my bed with my e reader...that was it for me...no sleep!!!! Written well, would be interesting to HEAR this also...the tones and pauses the reader does....
The characters come to life, as with the other books, they are relatable, not superhuman but manage to dig into themselves to get it done! That almost makes me want to strive harder in the little things i need to accomplish in MY life...The emotional elements are relatable, seem actual and probable.
The action of course, well this writer makes THINGS MOVE at a pace you'd better have your seat belt on. I should start with his first book and progress up, see how he has changed and migrated into his style. If I had the books I certainly would...being retired you'd think I'd have time to read all day!! So I appreciate the warmth and humor and humanity the writer and the vulnerability or the characters while expecting them to be stronger, smarter, and have great connections. I wasn't disappoiinted.
I really should go back and start at his #1 and you should too....Di
The characters come to life, as with the other books, they are relatable, not superhuman but manage to dig into themselves to get it done! That almost makes me want to strive harder in the little things i need to accomplish in MY life...The emotional elements are relatable, seem actual and probable.
The action of course, well this writer makes THINGS MOVE at a pace you'd better have your seat belt on. I should start with his first book and progress up, see how he has changed and migrated into his style. If I had the books I certainly would...being retired you'd think I'd have time to read all day!! So I appreciate the warmth and humor and humanity the writer and the vulnerability or the characters while expecting them to be stronger, smarter, and have great connections. I wasn't disappoiinted.
I really should go back and start at his #1 and you should too....Di
July 9, 2026
The Linear Cypher - a review by Rosemary Kenny.
Spy couple Ben and Julie Bennett are on a well-earned winter break when reports of an impending global plot by evil The Faction emerge - and it's action stations to the max, for 'Mr E's' agents - in Nick Thacker's suspenseful thriller, The Linear Cypher. Working with Reggie and Freddie they plunge across the US initially, to see what their nemeses are plotting then to Greece and finally Iraq, to finish the takedown, after many hair-raising near misses and a few revelations that could change everyone's lives going forward.
A spectacular showdown and a satisfying epilogue make The Linear Cipher absolutely unputdownable and a sure-fire bestseller.
Grab a copy today but please - don't have nightmares!
Spy couple Ben and Julie Bennett are on a well-earned winter break when reports of an impending global plot by evil The Faction emerge - and it's action stations to the max, for 'Mr E's' agents - in Nick Thacker's suspenseful thriller, The Linear Cypher. Working with Reggie and Freddie they plunge across the US initially, to see what their nemeses are plotting then to Greece and finally Iraq, to finish the takedown, after many hair-raising near misses and a few revelations that could change everyone's lives going forward.
A spectacular showdown and a satisfying epilogue make The Linear Cipher absolutely unputdownable and a sure-fire bestseller.
Grab a copy today but please - don't have nightmares!
June 21, 2026
What happened to Julie 5 years ago in Cairo?
This book deals with a number of different things tying a number of things together including who Mr. E is and why he knows so much, what happened to Julie in Cairo 5 years ago and why she has blocked it out...
This leads to the ultimate mission to save mankind from a threat that very few know, but has a long history. A number of philosophical questions are touched on, including what is self and what it is to be One...
Surprise, suspense, sacrifice, betrayal, action, giants, revelations, destruction, synchronization, and threats to Hope and Ben and Julie's existence abound in this intriguing tale.
This book deals with a number of different things tying a number of things together including who Mr. E is and why he knows so much, what happened to Julie in Cairo 5 years ago and why she has blocked it out...
This leads to the ultimate mission to save mankind from a threat that very few know, but has a long history. A number of philosophical questions are touched on, including what is self and what it is to be One...
Surprise, suspense, sacrifice, betrayal, action, giants, revelations, destruction, synchronization, and threats to Hope and Ben and Julie's existence abound in this intriguing tale.
June 27, 2026
Without getting into spoilers, let’s just say this as a fun roll, but I felt like the author missed some opportunities to explore how and why Linear A has never been successfully interpreted, and that delving into that could have enhanced the action even more. Julie’s pattern recognition skills could have advanced the plot while accelerating the urgency. I enjoyed this book, but the missed mystery disappointed me somewhat.
June 29, 2026
Is it a terrible thing to offer an end to loneliness and separation?
It depends on how it is accomplished. Becoming a node in a global network of minds that no longer have any personality, desire, or volition seems pretty terrible to me.
It depends on how it is accomplished. Becoming a node in a global network of minds that no longer have any personality, desire, or volition seems pretty terrible to me.
June 12, 2026
A thoroughly enjoyable romp!
I read this book in 2 days and really enjoyed it. Thrillers are not my normal genre but I will be reading more from this author.
I read this book in 2 days and really enjoyed it. Thrillers are not my normal genre but I will be reading more from this author.
June 13, 2026
On my list of favorite aithors
Lots of action. Characters are well developed making a nice balance with the action. Spare writing, doesn't use 10 words if 1 will do.
Lots of action. Characters are well developed making a nice balance with the action. Spare writing, doesn't use 10 words if 1 will do.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews