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Ghost Code
THE MOST DANGEROUS WEAPON IS A LIE
A hidden line of code has infiltrated the world's most advanced military networks, and now it is rewriting reality.
As tensions explode between the United States, China, and Taiwan, an advanced AI begins corrupting the intelligence systems that nations depend on for survival—causing radar tracks to disappear, friendly aircraft to become hostile targets, and missiles to launch at ghosts.
When a renegade scientist is murdered, cybersecurity expert Lana Elkins and her daughter Emma discover his final a cryptic message pointing to Seto Systems, the creator of a revolutionary AI-powered military platform. Its brilliant founder, Danny Collins, believes humanity itself is the flaw and that only artificial intelligence can prevent war.
As an assassin closes in, Lana races to uncover the truth while Emma finds herself trapped inside Seto Systems—poisoned, framed for murder, and surrounded by an intelligence that seems to anticipate her every move.
With trust collapsing, the truth disappearing, and the countdown to war accelerating, Lana and Emma must expose the hidden code before America's most powerful defense system is turned against the nation it was built to protect.
In Thomas Waite's most provocative thriller yet, the United States, China, and Taiwan approach a point of no return as artificial intelligence rewrites the nature of warfare—and the fate of nations.
A hidden line of code has infiltrated the world's most advanced military networks, and now it is rewriting reality.
As tensions explode between the United States, China, and Taiwan, an advanced AI begins corrupting the intelligence systems that nations depend on for survival—causing radar tracks to disappear, friendly aircraft to become hostile targets, and missiles to launch at ghosts.
When a renegade scientist is murdered, cybersecurity expert Lana Elkins and her daughter Emma discover his final a cryptic message pointing to Seto Systems, the creator of a revolutionary AI-powered military platform. Its brilliant founder, Danny Collins, believes humanity itself is the flaw and that only artificial intelligence can prevent war.
As an assassin closes in, Lana races to uncover the truth while Emma finds herself trapped inside Seto Systems—poisoned, framed for murder, and surrounded by an intelligence that seems to anticipate her every move.
With trust collapsing, the truth disappearing, and the countdown to war accelerating, Lana and Emma must expose the hidden code before America's most powerful defense system is turned against the nation it was built to protect.
In Thomas Waite's most provocative thriller yet, the United States, China, and Taiwan approach a point of no return as artificial intelligence rewrites the nature of warfare—and the fate of nations.
319 pages, Paperback
First published October 13, 2026
About the author
Thomas Waite
11 books160 followersTHOMAS WAITE is the bestselling author of the Lana Elkins thriller series: Lethal Code, Trident Code, Unholy Code, and Ghost Code. Blending cutting-edge technology with geopolitical intrigue, his novels explore how artificial intelligence, cyberwarfare, and autonomous weapons are transforming modern conflict.
Lethal Code was declared “Taut, tense, and provocative” by Hank Phillippi Ryan, the USA Today bestselling and multi-award-winning author, who quickly added “…this frighteningly knowing thriller will keep you turning pages—not only to devour the fast-paced fiction, but to worry about how much is terrifyingly true.”
The second book in the series followed in form. “Trident Code is a powerful and nerve-tingling tale, and its authenticity is right up there with Tom Clancy,” said Vice Admiral N.R. Thunman, U.S. Navy (retired) and former Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Submarine Warfare. “Waite gives us brilliant storytelling and a real winner of a book.”
In his review of Unholy Code, Dale Dauten, Syndicated Columnist at King Features, wrote that "Lana Elkins is back and that's great news to Waite's fans (count me in that group). Unholy Code is a wholly riveting thriller with a wickedly clever plot that will sweep you from battles in cyberspace to America's besieged and battered heartland. Waite just keeps getting better."
And Steve Berry, New York Times and #1 internationally bestselling author, said of Ghost Code, "Waite describes a dangerous world explored through a taut and suspenseful plot that delivers on a number of levels. The battle of wits heats up every page, and the web of deceit will keep you guessing until the end."
Waite’s first novel, Terminal Value, reached #1 at Amazon. One reviewer wrote, “Terminal Value is to the corporate world what John Grisham’s The Firm is to lawyering: a taut, fast, relentless thriller. A most impressive debut novel.”
His sequel effort, Shadowed, garnered similar praise. Said another reviewer, “From the murky depths of Boston’s Charles River to the harrowing wild lands of Kenya, Waite takes readers on a ride so real they’ll feel as if they’re flying in the co-pilot’s seat!”
A former business executive and strategic advisor, Waite serves as a board director and advisor to technology companies and nonprofit organizations. His nonfiction has appeared in The New York Times, Harvard Business Review, The Boston Globe, and The Daily Beast.
Lethal Code was declared “Taut, tense, and provocative” by Hank Phillippi Ryan, the USA Today bestselling and multi-award-winning author, who quickly added “…this frighteningly knowing thriller will keep you turning pages—not only to devour the fast-paced fiction, but to worry about how much is terrifyingly true.”
The second book in the series followed in form. “Trident Code is a powerful and nerve-tingling tale, and its authenticity is right up there with Tom Clancy,” said Vice Admiral N.R. Thunman, U.S. Navy (retired) and former Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Submarine Warfare. “Waite gives us brilliant storytelling and a real winner of a book.”
In his review of Unholy Code, Dale Dauten, Syndicated Columnist at King Features, wrote that "Lana Elkins is back and that's great news to Waite's fans (count me in that group). Unholy Code is a wholly riveting thriller with a wickedly clever plot that will sweep you from battles in cyberspace to America's besieged and battered heartland. Waite just keeps getting better."
And Steve Berry, New York Times and #1 internationally bestselling author, said of Ghost Code, "Waite describes a dangerous world explored through a taut and suspenseful plot that delivers on a number of levels. The battle of wits heats up every page, and the web of deceit will keep you guessing until the end."
Waite’s first novel, Terminal Value, reached #1 at Amazon. One reviewer wrote, “Terminal Value is to the corporate world what John Grisham’s The Firm is to lawyering: a taut, fast, relentless thriller. A most impressive debut novel.”
His sequel effort, Shadowed, garnered similar praise. Said another reviewer, “From the murky depths of Boston’s Charles River to the harrowing wild lands of Kenya, Waite takes readers on a ride so real they’ll feel as if they’re flying in the co-pilot’s seat!”
A former business executive and strategic advisor, Waite serves as a board director and advisor to technology companies and nonprofit organizations. His nonfiction has appeared in The New York Times, Harvard Business Review, The Boston Globe, and The Daily Beast.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
October 24, 2026
Ghost Code
I was provided an advanced copy of Ghost Code for an honest review. I’ve read some of Thomas Waite’s other books and enjoyed them, so I was happy to participate.
Ghost Code is an intense and thrilling exploration into the possibilities of artificial intelligence and the potential impact on the military and international politics. The main character, Lana Elkins, starts from her CyberFortress with her daughter, Emma.
Lana receives a message with a strange attachment, but the originator is killed. Military commands in the U. S., Taiwan, and China start seeing strange events on military surveillance systems and radar. The tension between China and Taiwan increases.
From one chapter to the next, Waite takes you through each setting as military leaders try to make sense of events. Lana and Emma jump into working on the message and possible system hack in an AI developer under contract with the U.S. military. Waite brings incredible insight into how each side in the complex political relationships thinks and works.
Of course, the company developing the huge AI system that is somehow involved and experiencing some kind of infiltration called Red Sparrow. Waite takes the reader deep into the dynamics of the tech and politics as the events and personalities involved bring the world to the brink of world war.
Exciting? Yes! Thrilling read? Yes! In the process, you will learn a lot about the political and military dynamics in Southeast Asia. You’ll also get a look at the impact AI could have if not well managed. I highly recommend this read. Enjoy!
I was provided an advanced copy of Ghost Code for an honest review. I’ve read some of Thomas Waite’s other books and enjoyed them, so I was happy to participate.
Ghost Code is an intense and thrilling exploration into the possibilities of artificial intelligence and the potential impact on the military and international politics. The main character, Lana Elkins, starts from her CyberFortress with her daughter, Emma.
Lana receives a message with a strange attachment, but the originator is killed. Military commands in the U. S., Taiwan, and China start seeing strange events on military surveillance systems and radar. The tension between China and Taiwan increases.
From one chapter to the next, Waite takes you through each setting as military leaders try to make sense of events. Lana and Emma jump into working on the message and possible system hack in an AI developer under contract with the U.S. military. Waite brings incredible insight into how each side in the complex political relationships thinks and works.
Of course, the company developing the huge AI system that is somehow involved and experiencing some kind of infiltration called Red Sparrow. Waite takes the reader deep into the dynamics of the tech and politics as the events and personalities involved bring the world to the brink of world war.
Exciting? Yes! Thrilling read? Yes! In the process, you will learn a lot about the political and military dynamics in Southeast Asia. You’ll also get a look at the impact AI could have if not well managed. I highly recommend this read. Enjoy!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Lana Elkins is back! And so is her daughter Emma. Together they take on a megalomaniac intent on saving the world...or perhaps destroying it. Ripped from today's headlines, this fast-paced thriller digs into artificial intelligence, high-tech military contractors, drones, and multiple international actors as two of the most exciting cybersecurity experts strive to bring us back from the brink of war in the Taiwan Straits. You'll race through this book and love every second of it.
David J. Kent
Scientist and Historian, Author of "Lincoln: The Fire of Genius," "Lincoln in New England," "Tesla," and "Edison"
David J. Kent
Scientist and Historian, Author of "Lincoln: The Fire of Genius," "Lincoln in New England," "Tesla," and "Edison"
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews