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No Such Thing as Evil
Laura Richards, a political science professor, and her husband Ben Richards, an astrophysics professor, unexpectedly find themselves at the center of a dark conspiracy after they adopt Chris Lumiere, the orphaned son of Laura's friend Marian. Following the bizarre circumstances of Chris's birth, Laura and Ben uncover clues revealing an intelligent force surrounding Chris.
Meanwhile, the Circle of Six—a powerful clique of men with otherworldly abilities—are sacrificing kidnapped young women and relying on advanced global technology in their efforts to locate genetically unique fetuses before birth. The group's painstaking plan unfolds on the unsuspecting mother of the first fetus.
Worlds collide when Laura and Ben get in the way, pushed by Chris's inner force with—evidently—a plan of its own.
From the ivy-covered walls of academia to submerged caves, get caught up in No Such Thing as Evil, the first installment of the Circle of Six trilogy.
Meanwhile, the Circle of Six—a powerful clique of men with otherworldly abilities—are sacrificing kidnapped young women and relying on advanced global technology in their efforts to locate genetically unique fetuses before birth. The group's painstaking plan unfolds on the unsuspecting mother of the first fetus.
Worlds collide when Laura and Ben get in the way, pushed by Chris's inner force with—evidently—a plan of its own.
From the ivy-covered walls of academia to submerged caves, get caught up in No Such Thing as Evil, the first installment of the Circle of Six trilogy.
352 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 3, 2015
9 people are currently reading
408 people want to read
About the author
Andrew Hunkins
3 books10 followersMidwest Book Review declared Andrew Hunkins a truly gifted storyteller for his technothriller No Such Thing as Evil, which received the Midwest Independent Publishing Association’s coveted Silver Finalist award. Hunkins defines the technothriller subgenre as the thinking person’s science fiction. MBR Bookwatch acclaimed his debut work as a deftly crafted novel of the first order.
Pulling from decades of experience as a communications technology entrepreneur, Hunkins skillfully weaves real-life sci-tech into near-future worlds using gripping plots and fresh narratives approachable by general adult audiences. Greenspan’s Bookshelf’s own Able Greenspan called No Such Thing as Evil a solidly entertaining read from beginning to end.
Hunkins lives with his wife in Minnesota near their two children. He is often killed by thirteen-year-olds while playing Call of Duty on Xbox but can hold his own alongside squad mates of his own age class. Gummy bears are his favorite candy, especially the clear ones. Visit him and his Fan Force at www.andrewhunkins.com
Pulling from decades of experience as a communications technology entrepreneur, Hunkins skillfully weaves real-life sci-tech into near-future worlds using gripping plots and fresh narratives approachable by general adult audiences. Greenspan’s Bookshelf’s own Able Greenspan called No Such Thing as Evil a solidly entertaining read from beginning to end.
Hunkins lives with his wife in Minnesota near their two children. He is often killed by thirteen-year-olds while playing Call of Duty on Xbox but can hold his own alongside squad mates of his own age class. Gummy bears are his favorite candy, especially the clear ones. Visit him and his Fan Force at www.andrewhunkins.com
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
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February 14, 2022“He felt a thrill unlike the countless other times he’d crossed from the world above to his destination. Finally… after millennia of toil. He brought his hand to the knot of his red silk tie, pressing his fingers into the tight folds of the perfectly shaped knot and elegant dimple. The movement exposed the French cuffs of the white dress shirt under his British-tailored business suit. The gold cufflinks were in the shape of a circle with six diamonds evenly spaced along their circumference and one larger diamond in the center. His hand glided down the front of the tie, ensuring its perfect alignment… He closed his eyes, tipped his head back, and embraced the feeling. In his mind’s voice he recited the ancient hymn.”
What do dark energy, Zoroastrianism, and evolution have in common? The answer: Andrew Hunkin’s science-fiction techno-thriller, “No Such Thing as Evil.”
Except there is most definitely evil in Hunkin’s world. Laura & Ben Richards, college professors, and members of the lucky, employed class find themselves the parents of a friend’s orphan baby boy, Chris Lumiére. A very unusual boy who defies modern medicine’s attempts to scan him, and who somehow exudes an aura of comfort and leadership. The boy’s life runs parallel to, yet inevitably entangled with, the efforts of a dark cult plotting mankind’s next evolutionary leap. Their efforts seem directed by supernatural forces that speak to their leaders during sadistic rituals involving torture and pain.
The plot is dualistic, creating a balance of forces that intensify their differences.
Offering on one hand a wholesome family and strong, positive friendships. The Richards are loving and accepting. They care for their neighbors, their world. They are optimistic and curious. Chris’s friendships are supportive and creative. They are the family we all wish we could be. Supportive, loving, able to compromise and work through disagreement and strife. Their small group, which eventually includes Chris’s three closest friends and a perfect Labrador puppy, are cooperative, inventive, and skilled.
On the other hand, the novel follows Skotino and Tyvold, leaders of the Circle of Six, a dark, sadistic cult shielded by corporate holdings and government infiltration. The Circle’s chapters are difficult to read. They are evil, without a doubt. Hunkin pulls no punches in their torture chambers as he shows how vile, grotesque they are, drilling down on deep psychological terrors. He digs at fears rooted in the collective unconscious: disgust, humiliation, mortification, pain, helplessness. The dark terrors worse than death.
The novel put me off at first, as the opening chapters put you immediately in the oubliette of The Circle of Six’s vile torture chambers, which made my skin crawl in every way. But the chapters are broken into short sections; thus, very quickly I was meeting Laura Richards, a clearly optimistic and good person concerned unselfishly for the plight of her students and neighbors. A relief and palette cleanser.
My other concern was that Hunkins quickly introduces a lot of characters and the novel spans a large chunk of time, but he makes keeping them all straight easy, as each character has a definite personality of their own, and eventually they all start to converge, making their purpose in the mystery clear. Furthermore, those short sections I mentioned made for a quick read as I could read for a bit here and there while busy with daily chores without losing the sense of the narrative. And besides, I was quickly invested in seeing how Skotino would come to a bad end. Surely good will win… right?
Still wondering about dark energy, Zoroastrianism, and evolution? You’ll have to read the book!
What do dark energy, Zoroastrianism, and evolution have in common? The answer: Andrew Hunkin’s science-fiction techno-thriller, “No Such Thing as Evil.”
Except there is most definitely evil in Hunkin’s world. Laura & Ben Richards, college professors, and members of the lucky, employed class find themselves the parents of a friend’s orphan baby boy, Chris Lumiére. A very unusual boy who defies modern medicine’s attempts to scan him, and who somehow exudes an aura of comfort and leadership. The boy’s life runs parallel to, yet inevitably entangled with, the efforts of a dark cult plotting mankind’s next evolutionary leap. Their efforts seem directed by supernatural forces that speak to their leaders during sadistic rituals involving torture and pain.
The plot is dualistic, creating a balance of forces that intensify their differences.
Offering on one hand a wholesome family and strong, positive friendships. The Richards are loving and accepting. They care for their neighbors, their world. They are optimistic and curious. Chris’s friendships are supportive and creative. They are the family we all wish we could be. Supportive, loving, able to compromise and work through disagreement and strife. Their small group, which eventually includes Chris’s three closest friends and a perfect Labrador puppy, are cooperative, inventive, and skilled.
On the other hand, the novel follows Skotino and Tyvold, leaders of the Circle of Six, a dark, sadistic cult shielded by corporate holdings and government infiltration. The Circle’s chapters are difficult to read. They are evil, without a doubt. Hunkin pulls no punches in their torture chambers as he shows how vile, grotesque they are, drilling down on deep psychological terrors. He digs at fears rooted in the collective unconscious: disgust, humiliation, mortification, pain, helplessness. The dark terrors worse than death.
The novel put me off at first, as the opening chapters put you immediately in the oubliette of The Circle of Six’s vile torture chambers, which made my skin crawl in every way. But the chapters are broken into short sections; thus, very quickly I was meeting Laura Richards, a clearly optimistic and good person concerned unselfishly for the plight of her students and neighbors. A relief and palette cleanser.
My other concern was that Hunkins quickly introduces a lot of characters and the novel spans a large chunk of time, but he makes keeping them all straight easy, as each character has a definite personality of their own, and eventually they all start to converge, making their purpose in the mystery clear. Furthermore, those short sections I mentioned made for a quick read as I could read for a bit here and there while busy with daily chores without losing the sense of the narrative. And besides, I was quickly invested in seeing how Skotino would come to a bad end. Surely good will win… right?
Still wondering about dark energy, Zoroastrianism, and evolution? You’ll have to read the book!
April 21, 2016
A futuristic techno-thriller with a human side. Intelligent writing, yet accessible and an entertaining read. Looking forward to the rest of the series - anxiously waiting to hear what happens next!
July 28, 2021
This book was riveting from beginning to end! The author has brilliantly intertwined the storyline between good and evil, all the while drawing attention to, and accentuating the detailed characteristics of each character. I was drawn to some like a moth to a flame, while hoping for the quick demise of the all too present wicked forces at play. Everything just fit, like a puzzle, from one chapter to the next he brought everything together in a manner worthy of piquing the reader’s interest. I would recommend it as a favorite to anyone looking for a creatively imaginative and inspiring read… I can't wait to begin book 2, Evil Alive.
March 31, 2023
Disturbing on so many levels. Not only because the absolutly true potential of AI becoming so engrained in our lives (and actual heads) but also because of humanity and that no matter how technologically advanced we become baser human traits still exist. I would have liked to see more of Chris's friends development into the people they became because I feel that they were important secondary characters. Chris himself was unique and could have also used more fleshing out. He felt flat to me but given his circumstances perhaps that's how he was meant to be.
The science references were beyond my common knowledge so I did have to stop and do some research so I would understand what was going on scientifically. Once I did that though the story flowed more smoothly for me.
Despite not wanting to continue reading it because of some the graphic nature of some scenes I found I couldn't put it down without knowing how it ended.
The science references were beyond my common knowledge so I did have to stop and do some research so I would understand what was going on scientifically. Once I did that though the story flowed more smoothly for me.
Despite not wanting to continue reading it because of some the graphic nature of some scenes I found I couldn't put it down without knowing how it ended.
December 10, 2022
Inconsistent pacing
Very inconsistent pacing. It seemed to take forever to get the story going. Then the pace would pick up only to bog down again. I don't think I'll be seeking out the other books in the series.
Very inconsistent pacing. It seemed to take forever to get the story going. Then the pace would pick up only to bog down again. I don't think I'll be seeking out the other books in the series.
February 4, 2022
see my review on Reader Views: https://readerviewsarchives.wordpress...
May 29, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews