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The Blackwell Files #6
The Evolution of Evil
The Galapagos Islands: Beautiful, Exotic…and Deadly
Jan Summit, senator’s wife and world-class biologist, has disappeared from her Alzheimer’s research center on the Galapagos Islands. When cryptologist Alton Blackwell is called in to decode the scientist’s last message, he learns of a breakthrough discovery, one that could revolutionize treatment for the debilitating disease.
Alton and wife Mallory, an FBI agent, join an elite force sent to track down the missing scientist. In doing so, they uncover a world of shadowy intrigue—a land where environmentalists, competing pharmaceutical companies, and local Galapagos citizens all battle to suppress the results of Summit’s cutting-edge research. The investigators’ search is further complicated when a string of murders with apparent connections to both the black market in exotic wildlife and Summit’s research begins within days of their arrival.
Following a trail of clues as enshrouded as the islands’ volcanic slopes, Alton and Mallory face mounting danger in their race to recover Summit and track down the culprits who hope to suppress her work. Along the way, they discover that some facts—and some people—aren’t always what they seem.
Jan Summit, senator’s wife and world-class biologist, has disappeared from her Alzheimer’s research center on the Galapagos Islands. When cryptologist Alton Blackwell is called in to decode the scientist’s last message, he learns of a breakthrough discovery, one that could revolutionize treatment for the debilitating disease.
Alton and wife Mallory, an FBI agent, join an elite force sent to track down the missing scientist. In doing so, they uncover a world of shadowy intrigue—a land where environmentalists, competing pharmaceutical companies, and local Galapagos citizens all battle to suppress the results of Summit’s cutting-edge research. The investigators’ search is further complicated when a string of murders with apparent connections to both the black market in exotic wildlife and Summit’s research begins within days of their arrival.
Following a trail of clues as enshrouded as the islands’ volcanic slopes, Alton and Mallory face mounting danger in their race to recover Summit and track down the culprits who hope to suppress her work. Along the way, they discover that some facts—and some people—aren’t always what they seem.
464 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 27, 2015
396 people are currently reading
778 people want to read
About the author
Steven F. Freeman
68 books80 followersThriller/mystery author Steve Freeman is a former member of the US Army's Signal Corps, a thirty-four-year employee of a large American technology company, and an avid traveler who has visited every continent but Antarctica. His novels draw from firsthand knowledge of military service, the tech industry, and the diverse cultures of our world.
He currently lives near Atlanta, Georgia with his wife, daughter, and four dogs.
He currently lives near Atlanta, Georgia with his wife, daughter, and four dogs.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
July 17, 2015
What a joy it is to follow a new author as he develops and grows! Steven F Freeman’s sixth book in his Blackwell Files, The Evolution of Evil, is perhaps his best work yet. Steve, you’re not a rookie anymore!
After thieves break into a research lab on the Galapagos Islands and scientist Jan Summit disappears, cryptologist Alton Blackwell and his FBI agent wife Mallory are recruited to join a team of investigators to find the missing researcher and recover the important Alzheimer’s studies. Working with the local authorities, the team must find the researcher,
who suffers from severe asthma, as soon as possible. Adding to the sense of urgency is the fact that she is also the wife of a powerful US Senator, who is putting pressure on the group to locate his wife ASAP. Has she been kidnapped? Murdered? If she is alive, why haven’t they heard from the kidnappers?
While Alton begins the laborious task of decoding the encrypted research files, Mallory pores over financial records looking for clues, and the rest of the team interviews witnesses. As possible motives and suspects begin to emerge, dead bodies begin to show up in remote spots. Are these murders related to the missing scientist and her theory about a cure for a devastating illness? Or are they simply random killings?
Mr Freeman has introduced a fascinating ensemble of characters this time around. I was particularly interested in a several of them, and in one case, my instincts proved to be correct. Without being given many concrete clues, we are left to our own devices when it comes to solving the crimes in Freeman’s books. In typical fashion, Alton puts it all together after making a discovery or two, which the author does not share with the reader until the mass assembly at the end, a la Hercule Poirot. Having read the previous five novels in the series, I am used to this format and can go with the flow. As Poirot would say, I use “the little gray cells” to consider what other suspects may have to hide that may not be related to the case at hand. But I may have said too much – at any rate, it makes for a tantalizing read, because the pieces of the puzzle fall into place quite nicely.
It sounds like there is a bright future for Team Blackwell. Stay tuned.
I wish to thank Steven Freeman for sending me a copy of his book in exchange for my honest review.
5 stars
After thieves break into a research lab on the Galapagos Islands and scientist Jan Summit disappears, cryptologist Alton Blackwell and his FBI agent wife Mallory are recruited to join a team of investigators to find the missing researcher and recover the important Alzheimer’s studies. Working with the local authorities, the team must find the researcher,
who suffers from severe asthma, as soon as possible. Adding to the sense of urgency is the fact that she is also the wife of a powerful US Senator, who is putting pressure on the group to locate his wife ASAP. Has she been kidnapped? Murdered? If she is alive, why haven’t they heard from the kidnappers?
While Alton begins the laborious task of decoding the encrypted research files, Mallory pores over financial records looking for clues, and the rest of the team interviews witnesses. As possible motives and suspects begin to emerge, dead bodies begin to show up in remote spots. Are these murders related to the missing scientist and her theory about a cure for a devastating illness? Or are they simply random killings?
Mr Freeman has introduced a fascinating ensemble of characters this time around. I was particularly interested in a several of them, and in one case, my instincts proved to be correct. Without being given many concrete clues, we are left to our own devices when it comes to solving the crimes in Freeman’s books. In typical fashion, Alton puts it all together after making a discovery or two, which the author does not share with the reader until the mass assembly at the end, a la Hercule Poirot. Having read the previous five novels in the series, I am used to this format and can go with the flow. As Poirot would say, I use “the little gray cells” to consider what other suspects may have to hide that may not be related to the case at hand. But I may have said too much – at any rate, it makes for a tantalizing read, because the pieces of the puzzle fall into place quite nicely.
It sounds like there is a bright future for Team Blackwell. Stay tuned.
I wish to thank Steven Freeman for sending me a copy of his book in exchange for my honest review.
5 stars
July 8, 2015
Alton and Mallory have another mystery on their hands. Asked by the NSA to assist in finding a missing senators wife who is also a scientist the head to the Galapagos Islands, but once there the mystery is bigger than anyone realized. And it's a race to find the missing person before a medical condition kills her or worse the kidnapper decides she is no longer useful and kills her!
Alton is on the case once again in another great who done it style mystery. You collect the clues with him and the others on his team and it's a race to see who can figure it all out first. And Blackwells record is 6-0 with me never managing to figure it all out before him. And that's one of the top reasons this series it so great you can never figure it out before the author is ready for you to.
So sit back and enjoy the ride.... Unless you can figure it all out before Alton Blackwell!
Alton is on the case once again in another great who done it style mystery. You collect the clues with him and the others on his team and it's a race to see who can figure it all out first. And Blackwells record is 6-0 with me never managing to figure it all out before him. And that's one of the top reasons this series it so great you can never figure it out before the author is ready for you to.
So sit back and enjoy the ride.... Unless you can figure it all out before Alton Blackwell!
July 20, 2015
I loved this book. I love how the author develops his characters with their flaws and strong points. But mostly he has a mastery of description. When he describes something or somewhere, you can actually picture it and feel like you are there. The dialog is great and is matched to the character.
In addition, he has researched his technical points and that makes everything believable. The plot is strong and moves along quickly with a lot of twists and turns, but you won't be disappointed with the ending. I could not put the book down. Great job with another of the Blackwell files.
In addition, he has researched his technical points and that makes everything believable. The plot is strong and moves along quickly with a lot of twists and turns, but you won't be disappointed with the ending. I could not put the book down. Great job with another of the Blackwell files.
August 18, 2016
I hate being the first person to give this a one star review but for me....I knew who the main antagonist was from the very beginning? Perhaps Freeman's style isn't for me. I'm sorry, I don't intend to disrespect the author. It's very clear that he knows his topics, his personal history shines through in some of the moments of breakdown from Alton's perspective. We see a lot of deducing and expertise. But I sometimes feel like we get bogged down in the technicals of how and lose the opportunity for character development (reaction more than intrigue, anger, or annoyance) or depth of plot.
September 28, 2015
This book was a little slow pulling me in. Although I do love the story or Alton and Mallory this was my least favorite of all the books. It was really the last several chapters that pulled me in and kept me reading.
September 23, 2017
A good read but could have been better
This was a good book to read. It is quite entertaining, though it had a few mistakes. There's no Mariachi music in the Galapagos Islands, so that tells me the author did not make research on this. Not a!l Hispanic cultures are Mexican!!! The story was developed OK, but it dragged on for a while, and some of the characters needed more development. Without spoiling the story, the end was rushed, and some characters were disposed of quickly.
The final chapters felt like an Agatha Christie novel, where the protagonist/sleuth gathers everyone to solve the case, and discloses their pecadilloes, while getting the killer to confess.
I stuck with the book, since I wanted to see where the author would go with the story. He did surprise me a bit,
though he could have delved deeper in character and story development.
I may give it a shot and check the other books to see what else the author has to offer.
This was a good book to read. It is quite entertaining, though it had a few mistakes. There's no Mariachi music in the Galapagos Islands, so that tells me the author did not make research on this. Not a!l Hispanic cultures are Mexican!!! The story was developed OK, but it dragged on for a while, and some of the characters needed more development. Without spoiling the story, the end was rushed, and some characters were disposed of quickly.
The final chapters felt like an Agatha Christie novel, where the protagonist/sleuth gathers everyone to solve the case, and discloses their pecadilloes, while getting the killer to confess.
I stuck with the book, since I wanted to see where the author would go with the story. He did surprise me a bit,
though he could have delved deeper in character and story development.
I may give it a shot and check the other books to see what else the author has to offer.
February 5, 2017
When a prominent scientist disappears from her research center on the Galapagos Islands a team from the NSA is dispatched to find her. The team, working with the local police, investigate an interesting list of suspects including another researcher, two pharmaceutical company representatives, an animal rights activist, a poacher of exotic species, and several poor locals looking for a job.
Colorful descriptions of the geological features, flora and fauna of the Galapogos Islands. Alton Blackwell suffered a serious and painful leg injury in Afghanistan but the author mentioned it too often. I have a bad leg too but this was tiresome.
No sex
No violence
Colorful descriptions of the geological features, flora and fauna of the Galapogos Islands. Alton Blackwell suffered a serious and painful leg injury in Afghanistan but the author mentioned it too often. I have a bad leg too but this was tiresome.
No sex
No violence
May 22, 2019
Where does one begin to describe the plot, or the people within the story. A senior wife is in the Galapagos Island working on a cure she hope to break thru shortly, With health issue she has a personal physician. Everything is taken care for her. Till gas bombs enter the lab, and she escaped, the questions that hangs in the air is she alive, she has serve asthma . To add to this is the unusual group assembled to figure out what happen and where she is at. One feels like Alton is in the back group observing, and working to decode her last message. Good story, good characters the flaws they have, and with Alton and Mallory working together.
April 1, 2023
I enjoy Steven Freeman's books and will continue to read them. I find that sometimes communications between characters are so cryptic, it is frustrating. Often a character will call/text the main character to say they have information that will break the case open but instead of sharing that info, they arrange to meet in an hour! Then they are killed and the big clue dies with them. All in all, a good book, though.
June 16, 2017
Pretty decent storyline and I liked that it took place in the Galapagos, my dream travel destination. Some of the dialogue was clunky, but overall, I didn't see the ending coming, and what more can you ask for?
June 3, 2018
Never a dull moment
Alton and Mallory Blackwell formulate a great husband/wife team that thrives on murder and mystery. Steven always provides an excellent read in the Blackwell files novels. Consistently a sure bet!
Alton and Mallory Blackwell formulate a great husband/wife team that thrives on murder and mystery. Steven always provides an excellent read in the Blackwell files novels. Consistently a sure bet!
February 22, 2017
The characters were lacking depth, and the local police were not believable; they read more like American police. Just needed a bit deeper characters and authenticity
December 9, 2018
Great read with twists all the way through the story. Freeman's craft evolves with every novel. Don't miss it!
January 15, 2023
Great character development
Love the evolving characters in this series. Lots of twists, and turns to keep you guessing. Looking forward to the rest of the series.
Love the evolving characters in this series. Lots of twists, and turns to keep you guessing. Looking forward to the rest of the series.
February 12, 2017
Good Plot, Constant Action
Action packed from beginning to end makes this a very entertaining book. My only criticism is the ending which was a bit too much conjecture, although on target, but could be more entertaining if acted out instead of the exaggerated Sherlock Holmes type deduction.
Action packed from beginning to end makes this a very entertaining book. My only criticism is the ending which was a bit too much conjecture, although on target, but could be more entertaining if acted out instead of the exaggerated Sherlock Holmes type deduction.
February 14, 2017
Kidnapped
A long and ardous tale of who did what. Not all is what it seems. Too many clues missing to get there from here.
A long and ardous tale of who did what. Not all is what it seems. Too many clues missing to get there from here.
July 22, 2015
I received this book for the purpose of a fair review.
Overview: Alton and Mallory Blackwell are still settling in on their first year of marriage. Then, they get a call from NSA agent Vega. It turns out that a Dr. Jan. Summit was working on a special cure, and now she has gone missing. Who has her? What do they want from her? And will the team, that Alton and Mallory are on, find her alive? Lucky for the team, the good doctor was a bit paranoid. She encrypted everything.
Likes: Mallory and Alton work well with a team. I don’t think that they really needed to keep finding the bodies. That might have been grounds for a conspiracy. I wonder if they will still be working with The Gooch later on in the series.
Dislikes: This story seemed slower than the others in the series. Perhaps it was because of the emphasis on how Dr. Summit’s research could effect others, including the pharmaceutical companies. And Shoemaker really needs to get his priorities straight. People should come first.
Conclusion: This one may have started slow, but it sped up during the last third. Enjoy the latest installment of The Blackwell Files.
Overview: Alton and Mallory Blackwell are still settling in on their first year of marriage. Then, they get a call from NSA agent Vega. It turns out that a Dr. Jan. Summit was working on a special cure, and now she has gone missing. Who has her? What do they want from her? And will the team, that Alton and Mallory are on, find her alive? Lucky for the team, the good doctor was a bit paranoid. She encrypted everything.
Likes: Mallory and Alton work well with a team. I don’t think that they really needed to keep finding the bodies. That might have been grounds for a conspiracy. I wonder if they will still be working with The Gooch later on in the series.
Dislikes: This story seemed slower than the others in the series. Perhaps it was because of the emphasis on how Dr. Summit’s research could effect others, including the pharmaceutical companies. And Shoemaker really needs to get his priorities straight. People should come first.
Conclusion: This one may have started slow, but it sped up during the last third. Enjoy the latest installment of The Blackwell Files.
February 11, 2017
Poorly written
Superficial characters, plodding plot, and writing fit only for a high school creative writing class. I wanted to like this book but eventually it's flaws were just too great to suffer.
Superficial characters, plodding plot, and writing fit only for a high school creative writing class. I wanted to like this book but eventually it's flaws were just too great to suffer.
February 13, 2017
Interesting idea to read with Galapagos as the setting
February 10, 2017
I'm being generous with two stars - after getting 30% into the book and finding nothing really interesting happening to anyone I remotely cared about, I gave up. Maybe there was a clever story in there somewhere waiting to happen, but the characters were so poorly developed and the action so dull, I just felt I could do much better elsewhere.
July 22, 2015
The Evolution of Evil by Freeman continues the saga of the Blackwells in #6. The setting is the Galapagos Islands where a scientist has gone missing after a robbery. The Blackwells, Alton and Mallory, join forces with an NSA team. Each character is shown as being quite different and, seemingly, indifferent. Then the bodies start to show up and the local police and the Americans are racing against time to find the murderer and the scientist. The culprit is right in front of them with his own agenda and a common thread is work, enough to live comfortably.
July 26, 2015
I have only read a couple books from this series but I could see this go into a TV show or movie. I love the way the series is believable. Alton and Mallory solved a series of crimes that entwined and developed as the story goes along. I think this was great and my favorite part of this book. I would read more from this author. * I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review*
January 25, 2019
Another winner
While this one took a little longer to get "into", I still enjoyed the next adventures of the husband and wife team. Alton and Mallory are a great complement to each other in the mysteries they solve. I enjoy the interaction between husband and wife as they unravel each case. I also enjoy the technology used in each installment. It is a good suspense story and enjoyable read. I look forward to the next installment!
While this one took a little longer to get "into", I still enjoyed the next adventures of the husband and wife team. Alton and Mallory are a great complement to each other in the mysteries they solve. I enjoy the interaction between husband and wife as they unravel each case. I also enjoy the technology used in each installment. It is a good suspense story and enjoyable read. I look forward to the next installment!
February 6, 2017
This is the first book I have read from this series. And although I usually don't enjoy picking up a book in the middle of a series, I did enjoy this one. I didn't feel as though I was walking into the middle of a story, this book was good as a stand-alone and it still gave me a good feel for the main characters. However, I only gave it 4 stars because the "bad guy" was obvious to me way before the end.
January 16, 2017
Good story line, but gets stuck with repetition
I think this needed a good editor to make the story flow better and not be so repetitious. It slowed the story down and I had trouble staying interested. But, since the plot is good, I think it is worth working on to make it a better thriller/ mystery.
I think this needed a good editor to make the story flow better and not be so repetitious. It slowed the story down and I had trouble staying interested. But, since the plot is good, I think it is worth working on to make it a better thriller/ mystery.
January 5, 2025
This is the first book that I have read by this author. I really enjoyed it. The characters are believable and interact with each other nicely. The plotline had me captivated from start to finish. Previous events were briefly referred to during the story, but I felt that it doesn't impact your enjoyability if you haven't read books 1-5 first. I definitely recommend this series!
November 10, 2016
I liked it. good series too.
January 30, 2017
Good read
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews