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Startup Thriller #1
The Term Sheet
“It’s Da Vinci Code meets Silicon Valley, I love it!” ~Eliot Peper, Startup Thriller Author of the popular Uncommon Stock trilogy
_____________________________________________________
THE FATE OF THE COUNTRY DEPENDS ON THE DECISIONS OF ONE AMBITIOUS ENTREPRENEUR.
_____________________________________________________
David Alexander always dreamt of starting his own company. But in the exciting world of tech startups, where venture capital rules and billion-dollar businesses are the holy grail, things can and do collapse — in the blink of an eye...
David’s thrown into this world and his adventures spiral him into a dark hole of terrorist plots, government espionage and classified information. It’s not as elegant a universe as he had first thought.
One wrong decision could put the country in jeopardy, collapse David’s company, or even cost him his life.
_____________________________________________________
THE TERM SHEET is a fast-paced technothriller about entrepreneurship, startups, encryption, and the delicate balance between national security and individual privacy. Its complex characters explore thought-provoking questions about the role of technology in an ever-changing society. Step into the high-stakes game played by today’s technology innovators, who push the envelope and risk it all. Get ready, this thrilling book gives you a taste of what startups are really like.
_____________________________________________________
David Alexander, a young programmer in Portland, Oregon, loathed his job. Computer programming had always come naturally, but being an employee never suited him. So he tried entrepreneurship instead.
After making a series of embarrassing blunders, David finally hit on a startup idea that stuck: encrypted chat. Sure there were alternatives, but as Edward Snowden has shown us, most of them (willingly or unwillingly) have backdoors for spies and bad guys.
A new approach made David’s app one of the most secure options out there, which caught the attention of many people, including Shawn Douglas from the Secret Service.
Shawn Douglas worked with eight different presidents, preventing twenty assassination attempts, forty-three terrorist plots and two bullets. When he was promoted to a desk job overseeing and organizing travel, he picked up on a cryptic email thread that hinted at a threat to the President’s life.
In a race to unravel the conspiracy, Shawn and David both have to make some difficult decisions.
Will Shawn stop the terrorists in time? Will David be able to navigate his startup out of a crisis and keep his entrepreneurial dream alive? Or will fate deal them both a crushing hand? Read the book to find out.
_____________________________________________________
THE FATE OF THE COUNTRY DEPENDS ON THE DECISIONS OF ONE AMBITIOUS ENTREPRENEUR.
_____________________________________________________
David Alexander always dreamt of starting his own company. But in the exciting world of tech startups, where venture capital rules and billion-dollar businesses are the holy grail, things can and do collapse — in the blink of an eye...
David’s thrown into this world and his adventures spiral him into a dark hole of terrorist plots, government espionage and classified information. It’s not as elegant a universe as he had first thought.
One wrong decision could put the country in jeopardy, collapse David’s company, or even cost him his life.
_____________________________________________________
THE TERM SHEET is a fast-paced technothriller about entrepreneurship, startups, encryption, and the delicate balance between national security and individual privacy. Its complex characters explore thought-provoking questions about the role of technology in an ever-changing society. Step into the high-stakes game played by today’s technology innovators, who push the envelope and risk it all. Get ready, this thrilling book gives you a taste of what startups are really like.
_____________________________________________________
David Alexander, a young programmer in Portland, Oregon, loathed his job. Computer programming had always come naturally, but being an employee never suited him. So he tried entrepreneurship instead.
After making a series of embarrassing blunders, David finally hit on a startup idea that stuck: encrypted chat. Sure there were alternatives, but as Edward Snowden has shown us, most of them (willingly or unwillingly) have backdoors for spies and bad guys.
A new approach made David’s app one of the most secure options out there, which caught the attention of many people, including Shawn Douglas from the Secret Service.
Shawn Douglas worked with eight different presidents, preventing twenty assassination attempts, forty-three terrorist plots and two bullets. When he was promoted to a desk job overseeing and organizing travel, he picked up on a cryptic email thread that hinted at a threat to the President’s life.
In a race to unravel the conspiracy, Shawn and David both have to make some difficult decisions.
Will Shawn stop the terrorists in time? Will David be able to navigate his startup out of a crisis and keep his entrepreneurial dream alive? Or will fate deal them both a crushing hand? Read the book to find out.
338 pages, Paperback
First published October 5, 2015
86 people are currently reading
1078 people want to read
About the author
Lucas Carlson
14 books161 followersLucas Carlson is a bestselling novelist. He takes his first-hand experiences as an entrepreneur and computer programmer, and turns them into thrillers that pack a punch and are hard to put down.
His writing has often been compared to Michael Crichton, Joseph Finder, Harlan Coben and Blake Crouch. They deal with technology and business themes and how they affect society.
Carlson lives in San Diego with his family.
His writing has often been compared to Michael Crichton, Joseph Finder, Harlan Coben and Blake Crouch. They deal with technology and business themes and how they affect society.
Carlson lives in San Diego with his family.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
June 28, 2016
"The large American elms and Norway maples filled out the autumn landscape with yellow, orange, and red. The ginkgo biloba gave off a spectacular yellow show. Paperbark maples stood like bright red fire engines with dark red splintering bark. The bending birches glowed neon yellow on stark white. The smoke bushes could be found as shrubs or small trees. As they faded through fall, long stalks with fuzzy pink and brown hairs popped out, creating the illusion of a purple smoke."
David Alexander didn't forget to notice the beauty of the urban forest of inner southeast Portland as he set out on a walk to clear his mind burdened with many worries – we soon find out while walking with him through The Term Sheet: A Startup Thriller Novel by Lucas Carlson.
David is a young man in his early twenties who wants an easy way out of life of ordinary people. He doesn't want a regular job and the faith of mediocrity, pressured by his unquestionable talent for programming and desire to follow his dreams. Geek by nature, at times he seems to be out of touch with this world, but in truth he never stops thinking big, even when people he loves most characterize him as just a dreamer. Dreamer he may be, but what is wrong with dreaming as long as we dare to strive towards our goals, big or small, ready to pay the price of success or failure, ridicule or admiration, abandonment, alienation?
David was paying the price, a big one, because huge things were at stake on his way to seizing his entrepreneurship dream. It was not only the question of alleviating himself out of poverty into the world of financially stabilized and millions-dollars-successful young entrepreneur, the morality of national security versus human rights, or the right of individual for his privacy, to be more precise, was at stake as well.
Hitting and holding on a startup idea of encrypted chat and email have cost David dearly. The love of his girlfriend, friendship and companionship with his best friend and partner, an easily given promise to take care of his sick sister, everything was submitted to making one of the most secure options out there for which the big shots of a corporate world fought not choosing ways and means to get David, his company and a desired product.
Unlike some books of the same or similar genre, this likeable technothriller is deprived of tough and strong muscular superheroes who are bombing, exploding, shooting and car-crashing their way out of impossible situations. It is like a slow, pleasant dance with everyday people who could be our next-door neighbors (or even us!) dancing gracefully their way out of their problems. The Term Sheet: A Startup Thriller Novel has its moments of well-balanced and timely action, which only adds to its realism and the severity of fate of its characters.
David, Andrew and other characters in this Lucas Carlson's first novel are believable characters, their situations and actions are believable, and The Term Sheet: A Startup Thriller Novel is a believable novel. The loss of our privacy is also believable and the fact that we are nothing but modern slaves controlled and manipulated both by governments and big corporations alike gives a huge slap on the back of justifiability of Carlson's novel. Many debates will be going on about who is more important – a nation or its individuals. Some might say they both are. But not at the cost of the other!
Living encrypted life is not too much appealing, nothing more than looking back over your shoulder in constant fear from an unknown pursuer, or putting your faith, as David did, "in a man who had nearly kidnapped him and a guy who had already abandoned him once."
Kudos to the writing and publishing of The Term Sheet: A Startup Thriller Novel, with another quoted paragraph which will wrap up this review. Although both paragraphs, at the beginning and at the end of the review, are completely irrelevant in the scheme of terrorist and capital plots, government espionage, advanced technology, broken relationships and unavoidable casualties, they are a hint, an idea or maybe a promise where Carlson's literary talent might take us in his new books.
"The early spring felt like summer. David knew the showers would return soon, but he loved the rare respite where people could leave their jackets and sweaters behind and throw caution to the wind. Even the plants and trees forgot what came next. The cherry blossoms burst with white snow and the daphnes bloomed in fragrant bushes. It seemed as if only the wise rose knew better."
Compliments to the book cover, which gives the whole story an expressive visual identity.
BJ
www.bernardjan.com
David Alexander didn't forget to notice the beauty of the urban forest of inner southeast Portland as he set out on a walk to clear his mind burdened with many worries – we soon find out while walking with him through The Term Sheet: A Startup Thriller Novel by Lucas Carlson.
David is a young man in his early twenties who wants an easy way out of life of ordinary people. He doesn't want a regular job and the faith of mediocrity, pressured by his unquestionable talent for programming and desire to follow his dreams. Geek by nature, at times he seems to be out of touch with this world, but in truth he never stops thinking big, even when people he loves most characterize him as just a dreamer. Dreamer he may be, but what is wrong with dreaming as long as we dare to strive towards our goals, big or small, ready to pay the price of success or failure, ridicule or admiration, abandonment, alienation?
David was paying the price, a big one, because huge things were at stake on his way to seizing his entrepreneurship dream. It was not only the question of alleviating himself out of poverty into the world of financially stabilized and millions-dollars-successful young entrepreneur, the morality of national security versus human rights, or the right of individual for his privacy, to be more precise, was at stake as well.
Hitting and holding on a startup idea of encrypted chat and email have cost David dearly. The love of his girlfriend, friendship and companionship with his best friend and partner, an easily given promise to take care of his sick sister, everything was submitted to making one of the most secure options out there for which the big shots of a corporate world fought not choosing ways and means to get David, his company and a desired product.
Unlike some books of the same or similar genre, this likeable technothriller is deprived of tough and strong muscular superheroes who are bombing, exploding, shooting and car-crashing their way out of impossible situations. It is like a slow, pleasant dance with everyday people who could be our next-door neighbors (or even us!) dancing gracefully their way out of their problems. The Term Sheet: A Startup Thriller Novel has its moments of well-balanced and timely action, which only adds to its realism and the severity of fate of its characters.
David, Andrew and other characters in this Lucas Carlson's first novel are believable characters, their situations and actions are believable, and The Term Sheet: A Startup Thriller Novel is a believable novel. The loss of our privacy is also believable and the fact that we are nothing but modern slaves controlled and manipulated both by governments and big corporations alike gives a huge slap on the back of justifiability of Carlson's novel. Many debates will be going on about who is more important – a nation or its individuals. Some might say they both are. But not at the cost of the other!
Living encrypted life is not too much appealing, nothing more than looking back over your shoulder in constant fear from an unknown pursuer, or putting your faith, as David did, "in a man who had nearly kidnapped him and a guy who had already abandoned him once."
Kudos to the writing and publishing of The Term Sheet: A Startup Thriller Novel, with another quoted paragraph which will wrap up this review. Although both paragraphs, at the beginning and at the end of the review, are completely irrelevant in the scheme of terrorist and capital plots, government espionage, advanced technology, broken relationships and unavoidable casualties, they are a hint, an idea or maybe a promise where Carlson's literary talent might take us in his new books.
"The early spring felt like summer. David knew the showers would return soon, but he loved the rare respite where people could leave their jackets and sweaters behind and throw caution to the wind. Even the plants and trees forgot what came next. The cherry blossoms burst with white snow and the daphnes bloomed in fragrant bushes. It seemed as if only the wise rose knew better."
Compliments to the book cover, which gives the whole story an expressive visual identity.
BJ
www.bernardjan.com
November 6, 2016
Good techno thriller, starting story for the Big Data. David has been writing programs since middle school, he's stubborn and wants to make money fast. Many of his ideas left him broke, lost his girlfriend and can't take care of his sister. Relationship with his closest friend is on and off. Program he wrote will encrypt all the emails to friends and social media. Terrorist will love this.
Second main character is Shawn Douglas, after years of service with Secret Service, put behind the desk. His supervisors won't give him the credit years of front line experience thought him, he has been following all the cryptic message and the possible attempted assassination of the president. Wants to investigate and find out more, but he has to do it on his own.
This book is about our privacy vs. Homeland security.
Thank you Lucas Carson, for this free book.
Four stars.
Second main character is Shawn Douglas, after years of service with Secret Service, put behind the desk. His supervisors won't give him the credit years of front line experience thought him, he has been following all the cryptic message and the possible attempted assassination of the president. Wants to investigate and find out more, but he has to do it on his own.
This book is about our privacy vs. Homeland security.
Thank you Lucas Carson, for this free book.
Four stars.
January 22, 2016
Modern Day Technothriller authors better watch out, Lucas Carlson is coming…
Be thrown into a world of coders, venture capitalists, the FBI, CIA, and more. David Alexander is always looking for the next best thing when he comes up with an idea for an easy to use encrypted chat client. He doesn’t really want to follow through on the idea, but his best friend convinces him to and the rest is history. Mixed into this fast-paced business/startup thriller is a terrorist plot that weaves in and out of the story.
If you don’t know who Jeffrey Kafer is and you listen to audiobooks, especially fast-paced thrillers like this one… you should. Kafer is a great narrator, who helps already great books become even better. The production quality is perfect with no errors. Literally every time I finish a book narrated by Kafer I go to his books on Audible to try and figure out what I’m listening to next.
This book was great, a real page-turner. I found myself sitting and just being totally entranced by the world that Carlson created. You definitely run the gambit of feelings for David’s character. There are things that he does that make you hate him, and things that make him incredibly lovable. And that’s always great out of a leading character for a book.
My only complaint is jumping around in time. I don’t know if in the book it explains where/when they are or if you’re just supposed to piece it together. As an audiobook listener, it’s hard to go from present to the past without a little warning (Chapter __ isn’t always enough).
Overall, Carlson has written a really great book that weaves in terrorist plots with encryption. Takes coding and makes it fun and interesting (by always talking around it). But I can definitely tell that Carlson has had some experience either in the startup world and/or with coding and encryption. The premises here are all too real, and the story is incredibly plausible.
Also, on a super funny side-note, after I started reading this I was reading Facebook and a story in a tech magazine popped up talking about how you can now buy jellyfish and their tank online. SUPER creepy.
Carlson’s writing style reminded me a lot of Joseph Finder (who’s stories I absolutely love). Mixed in with someone else, but I can’t put my finger on it. If you’re looking for a quick read on a flight or on the train/subway — pick this up. You won’t regret it, but you will think about the texts you send to your friends.
Be thrown into a world of coders, venture capitalists, the FBI, CIA, and more. David Alexander is always looking for the next best thing when he comes up with an idea for an easy to use encrypted chat client. He doesn’t really want to follow through on the idea, but his best friend convinces him to and the rest is history. Mixed into this fast-paced business/startup thriller is a terrorist plot that weaves in and out of the story.
If you don’t know who Jeffrey Kafer is and you listen to audiobooks, especially fast-paced thrillers like this one… you should. Kafer is a great narrator, who helps already great books become even better. The production quality is perfect with no errors. Literally every time I finish a book narrated by Kafer I go to his books on Audible to try and figure out what I’m listening to next.
This book was great, a real page-turner. I found myself sitting and just being totally entranced by the world that Carlson created. You definitely run the gambit of feelings for David’s character. There are things that he does that make you hate him, and things that make him incredibly lovable. And that’s always great out of a leading character for a book.
My only complaint is jumping around in time. I don’t know if in the book it explains where/when they are or if you’re just supposed to piece it together. As an audiobook listener, it’s hard to go from present to the past without a little warning (Chapter __ isn’t always enough).
Overall, Carlson has written a really great book that weaves in terrorist plots with encryption. Takes coding and makes it fun and interesting (by always talking around it). But I can definitely tell that Carlson has had some experience either in the startup world and/or with coding and encryption. The premises here are all too real, and the story is incredibly plausible.
Also, on a super funny side-note, after I started reading this I was reading Facebook and a story in a tech magazine popped up talking about how you can now buy jellyfish and their tank online. SUPER creepy.
Carlson’s writing style reminded me a lot of Joseph Finder (who’s stories I absolutely love). Mixed in with someone else, but I can’t put my finger on it. If you’re looking for a quick read on a flight or on the train/subway — pick this up. You won’t regret it, but you will think about the texts you send to your friends.
October 4, 2015
It’s Da Vinci Code meets Silicon Valley, I love it! I've been looking forward to reading The Term Sheet ever since I heard Lucas Carlson was working on it over a year ago. Lucas is a veteran tech entrepreneur and this novel draws on his real experiences and weaves them into a pulse-pounding page-turner.
The story follows a tech entrepreneur and a government agent as they wrestle with themselves and dark forces beyond their control while trying to build a new technology company and avert a global disaster at the same time. As an author of startup fiction myself, I'm thrilled to see The Term Sheet burst onto the scene. After just a few pages you'll find you can't stop.
The story follows a tech entrepreneur and a government agent as they wrestle with themselves and dark forces beyond their control while trying to build a new technology company and avert a global disaster at the same time. As an author of startup fiction myself, I'm thrilled to see The Term Sheet burst onto the scene. After just a few pages you'll find you can't stop.
June 21, 2016
A Techno-thriller That Will Make You Think -- Hard!
David Alexander is a stereotypical millennial geek. He excels at computer programming, but can't (and doesn't want to) adjust to corporate life. He wants to be the next Steve Jobs or Mark Zuckerberg -- develop a start-up that will make him rich fast. After a few failed attempts which have nearly cost him his girlfriend and his best friend, he may have finally hit gold. He's developed a program that will encrypt social media (chats, twitters and e-mails) from prying government eyes. His product gains the attention of several venture capitalists, one of whom has ties to terrorists, who would greatly benefit from such secure communications.
Enter Shawn Douglas, Secret Service agent now promoted to desk duty. He has been following cryptic e-mails that hint at a possible attempt to assassinate the President. Unfortunately, none of his superiors believe the threat is worth checking out. So Shawn continues to investigate on his own and comes upon David's program. Seeing the possibilities for the terrorists to be able to communicate securely, he meets with David to ask for his help.
David, all stubborn pride and youthful ideology, basically tells Shawn to take a hike, that individual privacy trumps government snooping.
As these two butt heads, the terrorists continue with their plan. Who will prevail and at what cost? This story develops the characters skillfully but quickly. With David, the reader can embrace his dream of independent success while wanting to smack him "upside the head" for his selfishness and stubbornness. With Shawn, the reader empathizes with a man of action and experience being shackled to a desk and having to deal with superiors more interested in advancing their own careers than listening to someone who has been in the front lines. It's a very intriguing set up and when you add in the secondary characters, including David's friends and the corporate sharks out for his program, the game is on.
I found this a very thoughtful and somewhat scary first novel, especially after the recent wrangling between Apple and the government over privacy. It deftly uses the issues of privacy vs. homeland security to create a dangerous scenario -- what is the price we are willing to pay for our safety? And is personal security worth the cost of making it easier for our enemies to plot against us? Even after reading this, I still don't like that kind of choice. And, to me, that makes this a book worth reading.
David Alexander is a stereotypical millennial geek. He excels at computer programming, but can't (and doesn't want to) adjust to corporate life. He wants to be the next Steve Jobs or Mark Zuckerberg -- develop a start-up that will make him rich fast. After a few failed attempts which have nearly cost him his girlfriend and his best friend, he may have finally hit gold. He's developed a program that will encrypt social media (chats, twitters and e-mails) from prying government eyes. His product gains the attention of several venture capitalists, one of whom has ties to terrorists, who would greatly benefit from such secure communications.
Enter Shawn Douglas, Secret Service agent now promoted to desk duty. He has been following cryptic e-mails that hint at a possible attempt to assassinate the President. Unfortunately, none of his superiors believe the threat is worth checking out. So Shawn continues to investigate on his own and comes upon David's program. Seeing the possibilities for the terrorists to be able to communicate securely, he meets with David to ask for his help.
David, all stubborn pride and youthful ideology, basically tells Shawn to take a hike, that individual privacy trumps government snooping.
As these two butt heads, the terrorists continue with their plan. Who will prevail and at what cost? This story develops the characters skillfully but quickly. With David, the reader can embrace his dream of independent success while wanting to smack him "upside the head" for his selfishness and stubbornness. With Shawn, the reader empathizes with a man of action and experience being shackled to a desk and having to deal with superiors more interested in advancing their own careers than listening to someone who has been in the front lines. It's a very intriguing set up and when you add in the secondary characters, including David's friends and the corporate sharks out for his program, the game is on.
I found this a very thoughtful and somewhat scary first novel, especially after the recent wrangling between Apple and the government over privacy. It deftly uses the issues of privacy vs. homeland security to create a dangerous scenario -- what is the price we are willing to pay for our safety? And is personal security worth the cost of making it easier for our enemies to plot against us? Even after reading this, I still don't like that kind of choice. And, to me, that makes this a book worth reading.
September 23, 2017
So, I read Big data before this one. And yes, the bar was set pretty high.
But in its own way, this book is as intriguing as its sequel. It introduces a lot of characters that you see playing across in the second story. Enemies will finally win. But they are acquired in this one.
*Spoilers ahead*
The black guy, Luna Valencia is trying to help in the second novel, is the hero in this one. He is trying to set everything right with his family, his girlfriend and his life. But everything is falling apart at the seems. Not just that but he is gaining some major enemies, powerful men who could ruin him in the a click.
Despite the carefully laid out plot and the punch that Lucas Carlson stories have, this one was just missing something. It was a perfect work yes, but not gripping. I can't say it was a dull read but it was also not packed with a thrill and excitement. The ending just came up pretty abruptly. One moment its going in one direction, the next it ended.
Needless to say, it was quite unsatisfactory. Moreover, to create a sequel, the characters in this story were left hanging. But overall, the roller coaster ride was definitely there. I enjoyed it. 'Cause at times, you just need something quite.
But in its own way, this book is as intriguing as its sequel. It introduces a lot of characters that you see playing across in the second story. Enemies will finally win. But they are acquired in this one.
*Spoilers ahead*
The black guy, Luna Valencia is trying to help in the second novel, is the hero in this one. He is trying to set everything right with his family, his girlfriend and his life. But everything is falling apart at the seems. Not just that but he is gaining some major enemies, powerful men who could ruin him in the a click.
Despite the carefully laid out plot and the punch that Lucas Carlson stories have, this one was just missing something. It was a perfect work yes, but not gripping. I can't say it was a dull read but it was also not packed with a thrill and excitement. The ending just came up pretty abruptly. One moment its going in one direction, the next it ended.
Needless to say, it was quite unsatisfactory. Moreover, to create a sequel, the characters in this story were left hanging. But overall, the roller coaster ride was definitely there. I enjoyed it. 'Cause at times, you just need something quite.
January 19, 2016
The Term Sheet by Lucas Carlson
This is Mr. Carlson’s Startup Thriller Novel that I received free in exchange for a honest review. What a thriller it is. Read it!
Do you use the internet to send emails? Do you write personal information? Do you shop on line? Do you go to sites or buy things you rather others not know about? Have you ever wondered who is watching you online? Not if, but who, as “big brother” is obviously following what we do on line. How else would we get advertisements for items we like? How else would you get linked to sites similar to ones you have visited? Yes, “big brother” is out there and we are being watched.
Now what would happen if a program came along that could encrypt what we are doing on line? Would you want it? BUT…would “big brother” want you to have it? To what lengths would “big brother” go to stop this program from being used.
In The Term Sheet follow David Alexander as he tries to get his technology out there. What does he have to suffer through to make it happen? Watch as how what he believes in effects his life with his girlfriend Megan and his best friend Andrew. Will they stand beside him?
This novel was gripping. It held my attention the entire time. It also scares me. The thought that this could be happening today is mind boggling!
01.19.16
This is Mr. Carlson’s Startup Thriller Novel that I received free in exchange for a honest review. What a thriller it is. Read it!
Do you use the internet to send emails? Do you write personal information? Do you shop on line? Do you go to sites or buy things you rather others not know about? Have you ever wondered who is watching you online? Not if, but who, as “big brother” is obviously following what we do on line. How else would we get advertisements for items we like? How else would you get linked to sites similar to ones you have visited? Yes, “big brother” is out there and we are being watched.
Now what would happen if a program came along that could encrypt what we are doing on line? Would you want it? BUT…would “big brother” want you to have it? To what lengths would “big brother” go to stop this program from being used.
In The Term Sheet follow David Alexander as he tries to get his technology out there. What does he have to suffer through to make it happen? Watch as how what he believes in effects his life with his girlfriend Megan and his best friend Andrew. Will they stand beside him?
This novel was gripping. It held my attention the entire time. It also scares me. The thought that this could be happening today is mind boggling!
01.19.16
January 10, 2017
Great Tech Start Up Adventure
Fun and exciting story of a an unfortunate, tech-savvy millennial who solves the privacy problem for chat and email. Even though fails to realize revenue from his product, criminals use it to plan murdering government officials in D.C. The Secret Service is hot on their trail, when the other 3 letter acronyms are chasing their tails.
Dual plotline: company creation and criminal investigation, and how the two dovetail Good characters, good depiction of tech funding process, the angst is almost dripping from the pages at certain points. I've been there. It feels just like that.
Great story. Highly Recommended!
Fun and exciting story of a an unfortunate, tech-savvy millennial who solves the privacy problem for chat and email. Even though fails to realize revenue from his product, criminals use it to plan murdering government officials in D.C. The Secret Service is hot on their trail, when the other 3 letter acronyms are chasing their tails.
Dual plotline: company creation and criminal investigation, and how the two dovetail Good characters, good depiction of tech funding process, the angst is almost dripping from the pages at certain points. I've been there. It feels just like that.
Great story. Highly Recommended!
April 1, 2016
Loved this book! The author did a wonderful job of making me feel like I was right there with the characters! I was sometimes thrilled, sometimes nervous, sometimes sad, sometimes on pins and needles and always wondering how in the world the story would end! Well, I won't spoil anything by telling you how it ends, but I couldn't put it down! I highly recommend this book! Hope to read more from this author! Keep up the good work, Lucas!
November 18, 2015
This is a book I really enjoyed. It included a lot of key items that I enjoy in a book. A solid story and plot line mix with a lot of fun and even laughter. The characters were believable and mixed well together. Having been an entrepreneur in my life I felt the story was believable. I look forward to many more books by this great author.
November 23, 2015
Fun quick read. Read it in one sitting and was very interesting right through the ending. For the author's future novels, I suggest he spend more time developing the antagonist - the ending was easy to see coming since the bad guy wasn't likable in any way. Other than that, no complaints. Good debut novel.
October 19, 2016
this book is intense, thrilling and brilliantly written by Lucas Carlson. It was a non stop thrill ride for all as the investigation and findings lead to many diversions and evidence. It will keep you flipping the pages to find out all that you can. I loved it and if you get your copy today you will too.
February 28, 2021
Fragmentary storytelling made suspension of disbelief challenging
The basic premise is promising, but the story is fragmented into many short chapters that jump around a great deal. There is a "miracle" event that is beyond implausible that makes the ending too neatly wrapped in a bow.
The basic premise is promising, but the story is fragmented into many short chapters that jump around a great deal. There is a "miracle" event that is beyond implausible that makes the ending too neatly wrapped in a bow.
October 18, 2016
Events and questions keep the pages turning. If you've ever dreamed of starting your own company and making it big, The Term Sheet will pull you in even more. Not to mention computer security vs. the Secret Service and a terrorist threat...
October 25, 2016
I didn't know what to expect from this book. But, I was pleasantly surprised. It was a good, fast read. The main character was well developed. And, when you don't know who the good and bad guys are it makes for a good story.
October 12, 2015
Great debut novel!
Intriguing real-life characters coming together in a well woven web of events, ending in a nail biting finish. Loved it.
Intriguing real-life characters coming together in a well woven web of events, ending in a nail biting finish. Loved it.
February 9, 2016
Plot line was good but characters and background were way too long. I enjoyed the book and recommend reading it. Would have given it 5 stars but it was about 50 pages too long for me.
April 27, 2016
Great Read
I'm usually wary of free books but this book was a great surprise. Well written storyline, multiple characters with plots within plots. It really makes you think
I'm usually wary of free books but this book was a great surprise. Well written storyline, multiple characters with plots within plots. It really makes you think
June 3, 2016
This was a great book. The author was able to write about business in a fascinating way that kept me entertained till the ending. I would recommend it.
August 28, 2017
System Corp. Inc. business entailed security solutions. There are employees in 6 countries.
Abigail Onassis (Colombia; CS, psychology), & Brandon Frank work for Shawn Douglas (DHS; Secret Service, Sr. Director of Transportation).
Richard Curtis (DHS; Secret Service Sr. Director) oversees them.
Hillsboro (farming suburb), OR. David Alexander (Cryptobit Founder/CEO, IT programmer) had been invited to Doug Kensington (SC CEO/President) house.
At dinner Doug introduced everyone.
Senator John McKenzie, Eleanor McKenzie (wife), Mayor Potter Brown, Helen Brown (wife), Tom Duncan (Nike board member), & Arnold Anchor (SC CFO).
Later Doug had quite the business venture offer for David.
Why did the President call Shawn?
Portland, OR. Over the phone Doug was going over the term sheet with David.
David Alexa (aka Andrew Smith, Chairman of System, Inc.) & Doug (partner) were looking for business investors for Cryptobit.
Ryan Dillard, Albert Schiller, & Sandy Donovan listened to their offer.
Audrey Kinsey, Atlas Vanguard, & Tom Lewis might be interested also.
What happened to Heather Alexander (daughter/David’s sister, muscular dystrophy)?
I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review, only an honest one. All thoughts & opinions are entirely my own.
A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very well written techno-thriller book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great techno-thriller movie, or better yet a mini TV series. Wasn’t as exciting as I hoped so I will only rate it at 4/5 stars.
Thank you for the free Instafreebie; Author; PDF book
Tony Parsons (Washburn)
Abigail Onassis (Colombia; CS, psychology), & Brandon Frank work for Shawn Douglas (DHS; Secret Service, Sr. Director of Transportation).
Richard Curtis (DHS; Secret Service Sr. Director) oversees them.
Hillsboro (farming suburb), OR. David Alexander (Cryptobit Founder/CEO, IT programmer) had been invited to Doug Kensington (SC CEO/President) house.
At dinner Doug introduced everyone.
Senator John McKenzie, Eleanor McKenzie (wife), Mayor Potter Brown, Helen Brown (wife), Tom Duncan (Nike board member), & Arnold Anchor (SC CFO).
Later Doug had quite the business venture offer for David.
Why did the President call Shawn?
Portland, OR. Over the phone Doug was going over the term sheet with David.
David Alexa (aka Andrew Smith, Chairman of System, Inc.) & Doug (partner) were looking for business investors for Cryptobit.
Ryan Dillard, Albert Schiller, & Sandy Donovan listened to their offer.
Audrey Kinsey, Atlas Vanguard, & Tom Lewis might be interested also.
What happened to Heather Alexander (daughter/David’s sister, muscular dystrophy)?
I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review, only an honest one. All thoughts & opinions are entirely my own.
A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very well written techno-thriller book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great techno-thriller movie, or better yet a mini TV series. Wasn’t as exciting as I hoped so I will only rate it at 4/5 stars.
Thank you for the free Instafreebie; Author; PDF book
Tony Parsons (Washburn)
January 2, 2022
Much of this book was enjoyable and well written (from my perspective), but the overall pacing and story arc was all over the place. A lot of time spent on events and descriptions that didn't have any bearing on the plot, just seemed like filler. I was able to skim many pages without losing any context or plot. Plus the amount of crap that got dumped on David and that he absorbed was annoying. Would have been great if midway through the book he started growing a real backbone (e.g., dump Andrew once and for all, stick to his guns on blowing off Pitch Deck, etc) as well as improving his relationship with Heather. Gradually become a substantially better person during the latter half of the book, would have been so much more satisfying. The fact that he kept pissing and moaning all the way to the end was annoying, didn't feel like he was developing into a strong hero. The Shawn arc was pretty good but would have liked more cool (but believable) clandestine activity.
June 22, 2017
A very good read primarily about a couple of millennials. David Alexander is the coder and his friend Andrew is the one that puts the right people together to finally get a hearing from Venture Capitalists on buying into hist startup that developed both an encrypted chat app as well as encrypted email that didn't require your own pet geek to operate it for you. Mix in a sick sister and a girlfriend who eventually walks out on David and add to the mix the Secret Service that wants David to add a back door to his apps and terrorists who already had one terrorist incident and now wants to car bomb Congress and the White House but wants David's app so they can communicate in secret and you have pretty good thriller to read.
January 1, 2018
What I really liked was the MC. I was slowly getting attached to him. I was sad when he failed and happy when he gained some successes. I just wanted him to catch a break.
I also liked how this book introduced me to the world of startups and even online business. It's a little scary how self-interested corporations can get.
The thing I found unsatisfactory though was the plot. I felt a little disappointed as I was approaching the resolution. I expected something more exciting. Overall, still a good read.
I also liked how this book introduced me to the world of startups and even online business. It's a little scary how self-interested corporations can get.
The thing I found unsatisfactory though was the plot. I felt a little disappointed as I was approaching the resolution. I expected something more exciting. Overall, still a good read.
May 28, 2017
It's an enticing thriller on the business world. It's based in a cyber security startup in Oregon and revolves around the life of 2 friends who are smart but in search of a source of earning. It's gripping and I would say the author did a great job capturing the mind of the reader. Considering the craze of startups these days, I am awaiting some more twisting thrillers from the author. Great for traveling reading on. kindle.
August 20, 2017
Good techno thriller! The main character is a computer programmer turned entrepreneur that develops a program that encrypts all emails and text message data. Imagine what the bad guys can do with a program like that! Very fast paced and only a few slow spots. It is the intro story to the next book, Big Data which I am also very interested in reading.
November 9, 2017
The book started pretty slow for me. Around the halfway point the story seemed to take off. I like the startup world that was explored in the story. I can feel for the difficulties that the main character went through. The secret service agent was pretty boring. The story was good and not great. I might read the sequel.
September 1, 2017
A good book to read
October 18, 2017
Gripping
Really enjoyed this novel. The characters were real, you could feel their wins and losses. The topic was very relevant.
Really enjoyed this novel. The characters were real, you could feel their wins and losses. The topic was very relevant.
March 13, 2018
A great first effort, I am looking forward tio every book Lucas turns out!!
March 12, 2019
Good, quick read. Not too much character development but an interesting story.
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