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Cardiac
What if the one thing meant to keep you alive was used to kill you?
Embattled CEO Jack Getty is nervous. This is his final chance to save his company. He is announcing his firm's breakthrough discovery at the world’s largest annual biotech conference. A discovery that trials show will extend human life by 75%. But as Jack approaches the podium, he suffers a major heart attack and collapses onto the stage, stunning the conference attendees.
Jack is rushed to the emergency room where surgeons implant the latest Wi-Fi enabled pacemaker, saving his life in the process. What Jack doesn’t know, however, is that an underground hacking group has its sights set on manipulating his “secure” pacemaker to get information only he can provide. Despite the hackers unrelenting terror, Jack refuses to give them what they want and soon starts to uncover the true motives of this mysterious and powerful group.
Fast-paced and complex, this medical/techno thriller twists and turns as it stays one step ahead of the reader. Readers will find it a heart-pounding novel that dances on the fringe of the dangers lurking within today's modern technologies.
Embattled CEO Jack Getty is nervous. This is his final chance to save his company. He is announcing his firm's breakthrough discovery at the world’s largest annual biotech conference. A discovery that trials show will extend human life by 75%. But as Jack approaches the podium, he suffers a major heart attack and collapses onto the stage, stunning the conference attendees.
Jack is rushed to the emergency room where surgeons implant the latest Wi-Fi enabled pacemaker, saving his life in the process. What Jack doesn’t know, however, is that an underground hacking group has its sights set on manipulating his “secure” pacemaker to get information only he can provide. Despite the hackers unrelenting terror, Jack refuses to give them what they want and soon starts to uncover the true motives of this mysterious and powerful group.
Fast-paced and complex, this medical/techno thriller twists and turns as it stays one step ahead of the reader. Readers will find it a heart-pounding novel that dances on the fringe of the dangers lurking within today's modern technologies.
304 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 23, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
January 21, 2017
Well, this one is going to make people look twice at the marvels of medicine! Imagine receiving a lifesaving medical device that could turn on you at the press of a key should someone decide you are in the way of their agenda?
Jack, a hard-driving, successful CEO is about to turn the world on its heels with a breakthrough biotech discovery. He is also facing a hostile takeover of his company. That was the perfect combination for a heart attack that nearly killed him. It was the latest WiFi enabled pacemaker that saved his life. It will be a group of hackers who will manipulate his pacemaker to use Jack as a puppet for their own nefarious needs. Is this a corporate act of sabotage or could it be something more sinister and twisted?
Technology could kill Jack at the push of a key and technology could save Jack when he needs it most. In a game of cat and mouse, time is of the essence and the clock is ticking…can Jack turn the tables on evil and save his own life, his company and his family?
Hold on tight to the edge of your seat, CARDIAC by Jeffrey Monaghan is part science fiction and part too realistic to ignore! No muscled warriors will jump to the aid of this corporate leader with a heart. One manipulative and twisted villain is pulling the strings and he is not about to let Jack live.
Gripping, imaginative and full of intrigue, Jeffrey Monaghan has a hit for those who like medical thrillers and to think “what-if?” Medical and technical inventions, meant for good become twisted at the hands of evil. Could this happen in reality? Grab a comfortable chair, you won’t want to stop reading until the very last page.
I received this copy from Jeffrey Monaghan in exchange for my honest review.
My rating: 4.5 Stars
Publisher: DLW Publishing (May 23, 2016)
Publication Date: May 23, 2016
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
Print Length: 304 pages
Available from: Amazon
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com
Jack, a hard-driving, successful CEO is about to turn the world on its heels with a breakthrough biotech discovery. He is also facing a hostile takeover of his company. That was the perfect combination for a heart attack that nearly killed him. It was the latest WiFi enabled pacemaker that saved his life. It will be a group of hackers who will manipulate his pacemaker to use Jack as a puppet for their own nefarious needs. Is this a corporate act of sabotage or could it be something more sinister and twisted?
Technology could kill Jack at the push of a key and technology could save Jack when he needs it most. In a game of cat and mouse, time is of the essence and the clock is ticking…can Jack turn the tables on evil and save his own life, his company and his family?
Hold on tight to the edge of your seat, CARDIAC by Jeffrey Monaghan is part science fiction and part too realistic to ignore! No muscled warriors will jump to the aid of this corporate leader with a heart. One manipulative and twisted villain is pulling the strings and he is not about to let Jack live.
Gripping, imaginative and full of intrigue, Jeffrey Monaghan has a hit for those who like medical thrillers and to think “what-if?” Medical and technical inventions, meant for good become twisted at the hands of evil. Could this happen in reality? Grab a comfortable chair, you won’t want to stop reading until the very last page.
I received this copy from Jeffrey Monaghan in exchange for my honest review.
My rating: 4.5 Stars
Publisher: DLW Publishing (May 23, 2016)
Publication Date: May 23, 2016
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
Print Length: 304 pages
Available from: Amazon
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com
March 27, 2017
The book opens with the main character, CEO of a pharmaceutical company, Jack Getty about to give a speech to a large crowd at a conference regarding his company, where he sees it heading in the future, and their latest product.
Just before he goes on stage, Jack is given something to drink. He is told that it will stop his mouth from drying, and not let any mucus buildup in his throat during his speech. However, that is not all that was in the drink, subsequently Jack collapses on stage.
Blue lighted to hospital with a suspected heart attack, Jack ends up having to have a pacemaker fitted to save his life. His wife visits and agrees to let him break the news of his health to their two sons.
The pacemaker, though isn’t a normal one, this one is wifi enabled and can, and does, become taken over by people whose goal is to control Jack and, hold him for ransom.
The story moves on at a nice pace, the language was easy to follow and I loved the mystery surrounding those who were technically playing with Jack’s life. I did find it hard to believe that Jack could survive the attacks on his health, but this did not spoil my enjoyment of the book.
I also liked the secondary plot of an ex employee wanting to take revenge on him. A fantastic thriller that may just get your heart racing!!
Reviewed on www.whisperingstories.com
Just before he goes on stage, Jack is given something to drink. He is told that it will stop his mouth from drying, and not let any mucus buildup in his throat during his speech. However, that is not all that was in the drink, subsequently Jack collapses on stage.
Blue lighted to hospital with a suspected heart attack, Jack ends up having to have a pacemaker fitted to save his life. His wife visits and agrees to let him break the news of his health to their two sons.
The pacemaker, though isn’t a normal one, this one is wifi enabled and can, and does, become taken over by people whose goal is to control Jack and, hold him for ransom.
The story moves on at a nice pace, the language was easy to follow and I loved the mystery surrounding those who were technically playing with Jack’s life. I did find it hard to believe that Jack could survive the attacks on his health, but this did not spoil my enjoyment of the book.
I also liked the secondary plot of an ex employee wanting to take revenge on him. A fantastic thriller that may just get your heart racing!!
Reviewed on www.whisperingstories.com
February 12, 2017
This is the most captivating novel I have read in some time. The novel started out with a bang and the action never stopped. The twists and turns in the plot kept me pushing to the end.
This novel portrays the kind of nightmare no one wants to go through. Imagine having the latest wi-fi reporting pacemaker inserted in you only to find that someone has control over it. They want information from you and can torture you until you give in to their demands.
I really like Monaghan's writing style. Even though the scenes were action packed the writing was not over done. That made the whole novel seem very realistic and very readable. The characters were well drawn. The villains really come across as nefarious. Jack, on the other hand, is a likable hero. I hope there will be more featuring him.
The plot is well thought out and tight. There were no unnecessary scenes nor long character ruminations to slow down the action. The plot was not perfect as I felt there was another person in the company who could have very easily provided the information the bad guys wanted. But, other than that, an exciting novel that kept me avidly reading to the surprising end.
I recommend this novel to readers who enjoy a captivating plot and writing style.
I received a complimentary egalley of this book through Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours. My comments are an independent and honest review.
This novel portrays the kind of nightmare no one wants to go through. Imagine having the latest wi-fi reporting pacemaker inserted in you only to find that someone has control over it. They want information from you and can torture you until you give in to their demands.
I really like Monaghan's writing style. Even though the scenes were action packed the writing was not over done. That made the whole novel seem very realistic and very readable. The characters were well drawn. The villains really come across as nefarious. Jack, on the other hand, is a likable hero. I hope there will be more featuring him.
The plot is well thought out and tight. There were no unnecessary scenes nor long character ruminations to slow down the action. The plot was not perfect as I felt there was another person in the company who could have very easily provided the information the bad guys wanted. But, other than that, an exciting novel that kept me avidly reading to the surprising end.
I recommend this novel to readers who enjoy a captivating plot and writing style.
I received a complimentary egalley of this book through Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours. My comments are an independent and honest review.
November 3, 2016
It was a while ago since I’ve read a thriller and I’m usually happily surprised when I notice I’m turning the pages quickly to find out what happens next. “Why don’t I read more of these?!”, is something I ask myself then. Only to wait another 6-12 months before starting the next one. Ah, the intricate mind of a bookworm!
My experience with this one started off nicely. I was sucked into the story and totally creeped out about the Wi-Fi enabled pacemaker. Imagine people being able to fiddle around with your heart rate while you're just totally helpless. It's almost like magic, where an evil wizard (or a Star Wars Sith Lord) is able to stop your heart by the power of thought/telekinesis. Except, unlike magic, this is an existing piece of technology in the real world and could be a genuine threat to some of us.You can read more about it in this article which was published in Science.
So we've seen this concept before in an episode of Homeland in which Vice President William Walden is assassinated by a terrorist who hacks into his internet-enabled pacemaker and accelerates his heartbeat until he has a heart attack. This book takes the whole thing a couple of steps further and I have to say, kudos to the author here for delving into such a frightening subject!
Aren't there any 'buts'? Of course, there are; you all know I'm a feisty nitpicker when it comes to books!
The cons for me:
Too many details
There's a scene in which Jack is feeding his dog in full detail. I thought there was a point to it, but nope, just feeding the dog. Then, there's this scene:
I think this is just a toe-cringing piece of dialogue with way too many details in it. The fact that Jack has just had a heart attack and an attack on his pacemaker a couple of pages before this scene takes place, simply makes it very improbable to have a trivial conversation about meatballs and the Red Sox with your wife like this. Might just be me, though!
Plotholes
There are quite a few of these, actually. Gaps of missing information or things just not adding up. At one point, Jack's wife isn't informed about anything because "it would only make her worry too much". And then, all of a sudden, Jack and Cynthia are coming up with a plan together to get to the perps. One would think that telling his wife about it in between would be something worth mentioning?
Then there are Jack's two sons who just randomly pop up whenever the story requires it. Especially his youngest son, who is just playing Minecraft on his laptop upstairs all day? While this is not unrealistic behaviour in itself (been there!), it's more the fact that when shit really hits the fan, the boy just continues to be up in his room. And left alone after someone else in the house has been kidnapped. Which brings me to the next con.
Underdeveloped characters
The side characters are pretty underdeveloped. I couldn't connect with them at all because they were as unpredictable as a wasp after a glass of Cuban coffee. Yet at the same time, some characters were too predictable when it comes to remaining at the same location for the mere sake of it being convenient for the storyline.
Stilted dialogues
As already mentioned up here, the dialogues were toe-cringingly bad at times. It wasn't of a Fifty Shades of Grey level, mind you, but just...off. Like a badly performed play.
Credibility
Sometimes, things just didn't make sense at all or were being too far fetched for me to remain fully absorbed in the story.
After seeing all these cons, you must be thinking this is a pretty crappy book. But I wouldn't take it that far. It kept me entertained and especially the first half was a rollercoaster of page flipping emotions. Like a good thriller is supposed to be. It's why I'm giving it 2.5 brownies, meaning my rating is somewhere between 'it was okay' and 'I liked it'. If you're not a die-hard thriller fan, but instead rather unfamiliar with the genre, I can definitely recommend giving this one a go. Uncomplicated entertainment with a scary concept to ponder on afterwards (and during). If you're already reading a lot of thrillers, you should probably skip this one because it wouldn't add up to your high standards.
TL; DR
Very interesting concept. A bit poorly executed at times, though. Recommended for mystery/crime newbies and people in want of a fast paced read.
Thanks to Jeffrey Monaghan for providing me with a copy of his book in exchange for an honest review!
My experience with this one started off nicely. I was sucked into the story and totally creeped out about the Wi-Fi enabled pacemaker. Imagine people being able to fiddle around with your heart rate while you're just totally helpless. It's almost like magic, where an evil wizard (or a Star Wars Sith Lord) is able to stop your heart by the power of thought/telekinesis. Except, unlike magic, this is an existing piece of technology in the real world and could be a genuine threat to some of us.You can read more about it in this article which was published in Science.
So we've seen this concept before in an episode of Homeland in which Vice President William Walden is assassinated by a terrorist who hacks into his internet-enabled pacemaker and accelerates his heartbeat until he has a heart attack. This book takes the whole thing a couple of steps further and I have to say, kudos to the author here for delving into such a frightening subject!
Aren't there any 'buts'? Of course, there are; you all know I'm a feisty nitpicker when it comes to books!
The cons for me:
Too many details
There's a scene in which Jack is feeding his dog in full detail. I thought there was a point to it, but nope, just feeding the dog. Then, there's this scene:
"Now, go have a seat in the living room and relax. I think there's a new Popular Science in there. I'm making some spaghetti and meatballs for dinner."
"And garlic bread?"
"Of course."
"I thought that's what I smelled. I can't wait. I'm going to turn on the Red Sox game. Let me know if you need help."
"I've got it. You just relax"
I think this is just a toe-cringing piece of dialogue with way too many details in it. The fact that Jack has just had a heart attack and an attack on his pacemaker a couple of pages before this scene takes place, simply makes it very improbable to have a trivial conversation about meatballs and the Red Sox with your wife like this. Might just be me, though!
Plotholes
There are quite a few of these, actually. Gaps of missing information or things just not adding up. At one point, Jack's wife isn't informed about anything because "it would only make her worry too much". And then, all of a sudden, Jack and Cynthia are coming up with a plan together to get to the perps. One would think that telling his wife about it in between would be something worth mentioning?
Then there are Jack's two sons who just randomly pop up whenever the story requires it. Especially his youngest son, who is just playing Minecraft on his laptop upstairs all day? While this is not unrealistic behaviour in itself (been there!), it's more the fact that when shit really hits the fan, the boy just continues to be up in his room. And left alone after someone else in the house has been kidnapped. Which brings me to the next con.
Underdeveloped characters
The side characters are pretty underdeveloped. I couldn't connect with them at all because they were as unpredictable as a wasp after a glass of Cuban coffee. Yet at the same time, some characters were too predictable when it comes to remaining at the same location for the mere sake of it being convenient for the storyline.
Stilted dialogues
As already mentioned up here, the dialogues were toe-cringingly bad at times. It wasn't of a Fifty Shades of Grey level, mind you, but just...off. Like a badly performed play.
Credibility
Sometimes, things just didn't make sense at all or were being too far fetched for me to remain fully absorbed in the story.
After seeing all these cons, you must be thinking this is a pretty crappy book. But I wouldn't take it that far. It kept me entertained and especially the first half was a rollercoaster of page flipping emotions. Like a good thriller is supposed to be. It's why I'm giving it 2.5 brownies, meaning my rating is somewhere between 'it was okay' and 'I liked it'. If you're not a die-hard thriller fan, but instead rather unfamiliar with the genre, I can definitely recommend giving this one a go. Uncomplicated entertainment with a scary concept to ponder on afterwards (and during). If you're already reading a lot of thrillers, you should probably skip this one because it wouldn't add up to your high standards.
TL; DR
Very interesting concept. A bit poorly executed at times, though. Recommended for mystery/crime newbies and people in want of a fast paced read.
Thanks to Jeffrey Monaghan for providing me with a copy of his book in exchange for an honest review!
July 11, 2020
First of all it is not a medical story. The fact that our main character is a CEO of a medical company does not make it a medical thriller .
I Love stories with twists. Every one dose . But some times when you twist something to much - It breaks. That is what I felt reading this book. This is not a big stretch for a writer to set up a complicated story and at the end to point out that the murderer is the unknown neighbor or milkman never mentioned till the end.
There is one main weakness in the all story that dose not make any sense in regard to the main item the group is looking for. You have to find it your self, since it is a spoiler.
Bottom line - pure junk.
Why 3 star ?
Since I was able to finish it....
I Love stories with twists. Every one dose . But some times when you twist something to much - It breaks. That is what I felt reading this book. This is not a big stretch for a writer to set up a complicated story and at the end to point out that the murderer is the unknown neighbor or milkman never mentioned till the end.
There is one main weakness in the all story that dose not make any sense in regard to the main item the group is looking for. You have to find it your self, since it is a spoiler.
Bottom line - pure junk.
Why 3 star ?
Since I was able to finish it....
February 28, 2017
Cardiac starts out with CEO Jack Getty getting ready to take the stage to give a presentation of a new drug that could help with age longevity. He is offered a drink and shortly thereafter he experiences agonizing pain in his chest and the next thing he wakes up in a hospital room after having a pacemaker put in.
Now that in and of itself is not such a big thing, pacemakers are put in routinely. As Jack finds out, on the day he goes home from the hospital, he experiences chest pain again, it does not last long so he thinks it is just something that is a one off. He recuperates and prepares to go back to work. Weeks later he does go back to work and experiences another attack. He is concerned so he goes back to his doctor because of his concern that there is something wrong. He gets a clean bill of health, again. At home while on the computer, he gets a pop up window that he finds to be concerning. After a few conversations with this person, he finds that whoever they are have control over him via his pacemaker. The pacemaker has wifi capability and can be hacked and it has been. The person wants some information regarding a former employee and if Jack does not comply with their wishes....he dies. What follows is a wild exciting ride that puts Jack and his entire family at risk of their lives.
I really enjoyed the fast pace of this book, well written and entirely plausible, especially in this computer age that anything is possible and hacking of devices is a concern. Great read!
Now that in and of itself is not such a big thing, pacemakers are put in routinely. As Jack finds out, on the day he goes home from the hospital, he experiences chest pain again, it does not last long so he thinks it is just something that is a one off. He recuperates and prepares to go back to work. Weeks later he does go back to work and experiences another attack. He is concerned so he goes back to his doctor because of his concern that there is something wrong. He gets a clean bill of health, again. At home while on the computer, he gets a pop up window that he finds to be concerning. After a few conversations with this person, he finds that whoever they are have control over him via his pacemaker. The pacemaker has wifi capability and can be hacked and it has been. The person wants some information regarding a former employee and if Jack does not comply with their wishes....he dies. What follows is a wild exciting ride that puts Jack and his entire family at risk of their lives.
I really enjoyed the fast pace of this book, well written and entirely plausible, especially in this computer age that anything is possible and hacking of devices is a concern. Great read!
February 24, 2017
Jack Getty is about to debut some cutting edge technology that has the possibility of extending human life. But on the day of the debut he has a heart attack and is fitted with a wifi controlled pacemaker. The problem arises when hackers get the control to Jack’s new pacemaker and start terrorizing him and his family. It becomes a race against time for Jack to figure out who is behind the plan and do what needs to be done to stop them from hurting Jack and his family.
This is an action packed race against time. It’s scary to think that technology like the pacemaker is coming out new and the possibilities of how it can be abused make this thriller even better. Jack is a great person and found that I was cheering for him to get the bad guys and save his family. It was easy to get drawn into the plot and hard to put the book down in the middle of all the action.
Jeffrey Monaghan is a new author and he has made a great first novel. I cannot wait to read other books from him. Jeffrey is definitely an author to keep an eye out for.
I received Cardiac from Partners in Crime Tours for free. This has in no way influenced my opinion of this book.
This is an action packed race against time. It’s scary to think that technology like the pacemaker is coming out new and the possibilities of how it can be abused make this thriller even better. Jack is a great person and found that I was cheering for him to get the bad guys and save his family. It was easy to get drawn into the plot and hard to put the book down in the middle of all the action.
Jeffrey Monaghan is a new author and he has made a great first novel. I cannot wait to read other books from him. Jeffrey is definitely an author to keep an eye out for.
I received Cardiac from Partners in Crime Tours for free. This has in no way influenced my opinion of this book.
September 30, 2016
After collapsing on stage at a convention Jack finds himself fitted with a cutting edge pacemaker, which has WiFi capabilities allowing his physician to monitor and adjust accordingly. Unfortunately the same feature is hacked and Jack is held to ransom by a mysterious group who have nefarious intentions.
Not knowing who to trust and protect, Jack and his family are terrorised as he tries to get to the bottom of who these people are and how to save his family and himself from their destruction.
I enjoyed the pace of this fast moving thriller and the suspense and mystery of the story. I found the characters a little flat but I think this maybe a symptom of a fast moving thriller. The technological aspect of the thriller was made easy to understand and dare I sat, some readers will find it oversimplified.
However, as an entertaining mystery suspense thriller this one really did grab my attention and keep me turning pages.
Not knowing who to trust and protect, Jack and his family are terrorised as he tries to get to the bottom of who these people are and how to save his family and himself from their destruction.
I enjoyed the pace of this fast moving thriller and the suspense and mystery of the story. I found the characters a little flat but I think this maybe a symptom of a fast moving thriller. The technological aspect of the thriller was made easy to understand and dare I sat, some readers will find it oversimplified.
However, as an entertaining mystery suspense thriller this one really did grab my attention and keep me turning pages.
June 12, 2017
Whew! What a book! Being in a family that has frequent heart problems, Cardiac really makes you think about how advanced modern medicine can be. If I ever have to have a pacemaker some day I will probably be a bit of nervous wreck!
This is a great book. It is very action packed and it keeps you on your toes wanting more! I had a hard time putting it down! What is better than a book that you NEVER want to put down?! Not much!
Cardiac is a must read! Thanks so much, Jeff Monaghan, for sending this amazing book to me!
*Note: I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
This is a great book. It is very action packed and it keeps you on your toes wanting more! I had a hard time putting it down! What is better than a book that you NEVER want to put down?! Not much!
Cardiac is a must read! Thanks so much, Jeff Monaghan, for sending this amazing book to me!
*Note: I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
July 23, 2018
Tense. The agony of parents feeling they will never see their son again. The lights a parent would go to get to see his kid again.
Tense. Gripping. The agony of parents when their children go missing. Good plot. Shoes the dangers of opening unknown mail.
Tense. Gripping. The agony of parents when their children go missing. Good plot. Shoes the dangers of opening unknown mail.
February 27, 2017
In Cardiac, the first book in the Jack Getty Thriller Series, author Jeffrey Monaghan weaves a fast-paced debut medical techno thriller set in Cambridge, Massachusetts, that follows Jack Getty, the CEO of Algen Incorporated, a biotech company, as he tries to protect his company from a hostile takeover, while dealing with a dangerous hacker group called Mentor, who has taken control over his body via manipulating the latest Wi-Fi enabled heart pacemaker implanted in his chest after he suffers a heart attack at a biotechnical conference in Baltimore. Can Jack find a way to stop the dangerous group's intentions, or will he fatally fall victim to their nefarious demands?
Cardiac is a riveting medical techno thriller that is full of intrigue, action, drama, suspense, kidnapping, murder, and blackmail. Jack's story easily draws the reader in and keeps them captivated and turning the pages. As the reader follows Jack's desperate quest to stop the hostile takeover of his company, and the dangerous demands of the hacker group called Mentor, the multitude of plot twists and turns will keep them guessing what will happen next. You can't help but ponder if this futuristic and cutting-edge medical technological device could someday become a reality.
With a multidimensional cast of characters who leap off the pages; gritty dialogue and vivid interactions; richly detailed description of suburban Boston setting; and a no-holds-barred storyline that keeps the reader sitting on the edge of their seats; Cardiac is one hell of a thrilling story that you won't be able to put down!
Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author / publisher in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Partners In Crime Virtual Book Tours.
http://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot...
Cardiac is a riveting medical techno thriller that is full of intrigue, action, drama, suspense, kidnapping, murder, and blackmail. Jack's story easily draws the reader in and keeps them captivated and turning the pages. As the reader follows Jack's desperate quest to stop the hostile takeover of his company, and the dangerous demands of the hacker group called Mentor, the multitude of plot twists and turns will keep them guessing what will happen next. You can't help but ponder if this futuristic and cutting-edge medical technological device could someday become a reality.
With a multidimensional cast of characters who leap off the pages; gritty dialogue and vivid interactions; richly detailed description of suburban Boston setting; and a no-holds-barred storyline that keeps the reader sitting on the edge of their seats; Cardiac is one hell of a thrilling story that you won't be able to put down!
Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author / publisher in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Partners In Crime Virtual Book Tours.
http://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot...
December 9, 2016
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Cardiac follows the story of Jack Getty, CEO of a fancy drug company and all around good guy. He’s getting ready to speak at a conference when he takes a heart attack. Thankfully, he’s fine, but he’s been given a fancy, new-model pacemaker that works on wi-fi signals. But when it starts acting up, and he begins getting strange messages, he starts to wonder if it’s an issue with his heart, or with someone interfering with the pacemaker.
There is so much that goes down throughout this book that you feel like you need a nap when you’ve finally reached the last page. I don’t think I’ve ever read a book that has left me so exhausted by the end, in the best way possible. This book is set to the speed of a launching rocket ship, which makes it hard to put down, for fear of being sucked into the great unknown of outer space. It makes it a fast read, if only for the desperate desire to find out what on Earth is going on.
This book also plays on our tendency to question new technologies, and plays on our fears of how secure our interactions with technology can be. And it’s done so well. There’s a perfect mix of ‘wow, that’s so cool’ and ‘holy macaroni, batman, why do I even have wi-fi!’. It does make me wonder what sort of response this book would get in a few years, when the tech in this book is long outdated, but it’s perfect for our current time.
The Good Points of Cardiac:
The pacing is amazing. Thrillers should always be paced quickly, because you don’t want to reader spending too much time thinking about it (or I wouldn’t, so they can’t figure it out before it’s revealed). There were a couple of points where I got a bit lost and confused, but I was easily redirected to where I needed to be.
For the first… 30% or so of the book, I thought Monaghan was giving away the whole plot and making the hints stupidly obvious. And then things went down, and I realized that I was falling right into the assumptions I was probably supposed to. The twists and turns in this book are fantastic and so addictive. There are some bigger name thriller authors who need to learn from Monaghan.
There are so many things that happen in this book that belong in this section, but I can’t include for fear of spoilers. So you’ll just need to trust me on this one. There are many amazing plot points in this book.
The Downsides of Cardiac:
For what I think is the first time ever, I will say that the editing was very well done. The writing I did have some issue with. It was fine, but the characters all talked a little like greeting cards. They were very reasonable and well-spoken, even in awful situations, and sounded a little too much like social stories for my taste. Matter of preference, though.
Jack drove me absolutely bonkers. He couldn’t make a decision and stick with it, and what he wanted to do depended on who he spoke to most recently. He was completely reasonable when bad things happened, which just isn’t normal, and he had a bit of a saviour complex. Thankfully, this book focused mostly on what was happening rather than Jack, so it wasn’t too bad.
All in all, I did enjoy this book, and I actually read it in about two hours because I got so sucked into the drama. I enjoyed the fast pace, and loved to watch how the whole thing unfolded, especially once I realized that my assumptions were completely wrong. If you love a thriller that will surprise you at every turn and will suck you into the drama, you should definitely give Cardiac a try!
Cardiac follows the story of Jack Getty, CEO of a fancy drug company and all around good guy. He’s getting ready to speak at a conference when he takes a heart attack. Thankfully, he’s fine, but he’s been given a fancy, new-model pacemaker that works on wi-fi signals. But when it starts acting up, and he begins getting strange messages, he starts to wonder if it’s an issue with his heart, or with someone interfering with the pacemaker.
There is so much that goes down throughout this book that you feel like you need a nap when you’ve finally reached the last page. I don’t think I’ve ever read a book that has left me so exhausted by the end, in the best way possible. This book is set to the speed of a launching rocket ship, which makes it hard to put down, for fear of being sucked into the great unknown of outer space. It makes it a fast read, if only for the desperate desire to find out what on Earth is going on.
This book also plays on our tendency to question new technologies, and plays on our fears of how secure our interactions with technology can be. And it’s done so well. There’s a perfect mix of ‘wow, that’s so cool’ and ‘holy macaroni, batman, why do I even have wi-fi!’. It does make me wonder what sort of response this book would get in a few years, when the tech in this book is long outdated, but it’s perfect for our current time.
The Good Points of Cardiac:
The pacing is amazing. Thrillers should always be paced quickly, because you don’t want to reader spending too much time thinking about it (or I wouldn’t, so they can’t figure it out before it’s revealed). There were a couple of points where I got a bit lost and confused, but I was easily redirected to where I needed to be.
For the first… 30% or so of the book, I thought Monaghan was giving away the whole plot and making the hints stupidly obvious. And then things went down, and I realized that I was falling right into the assumptions I was probably supposed to. The twists and turns in this book are fantastic and so addictive. There are some bigger name thriller authors who need to learn from Monaghan.
There are so many things that happen in this book that belong in this section, but I can’t include for fear of spoilers. So you’ll just need to trust me on this one. There are many amazing plot points in this book.
The Downsides of Cardiac:
For what I think is the first time ever, I will say that the editing was very well done. The writing I did have some issue with. It was fine, but the characters all talked a little like greeting cards. They were very reasonable and well-spoken, even in awful situations, and sounded a little too much like social stories for my taste. Matter of preference, though.
Jack drove me absolutely bonkers. He couldn’t make a decision and stick with it, and what he wanted to do depended on who he spoke to most recently. He was completely reasonable when bad things happened, which just isn’t normal, and he had a bit of a saviour complex. Thankfully, this book focused mostly on what was happening rather than Jack, so it wasn’t too bad.
All in all, I did enjoy this book, and I actually read it in about two hours because I got so sucked into the drama. I enjoyed the fast pace, and loved to watch how the whole thing unfolded, especially once I realized that my assumptions were completely wrong. If you love a thriller that will surprise you at every turn and will suck you into the drama, you should definitely give Cardiac a try!
July 15, 2016
Title – Cardiac
Author – Jeff Monaghan
Genre – MST
230 Amazon Pages
Rating 5 stars out of 5 Posted 7/10/16
This is one of the most intriguing stories I've read this year.
Jack Getty is the CEO of pharmaceutical company Algen. He is about to make a major announcement at an industry conference in front of ten thousand attendees. A young conference assistant convinces him to take a drink of lemon flavored water to moisten his throat before he goes on stage to speak. Minutes later Jack suffers a major heart attack as he approaches the podium. Is the heart attack natural or was it induced?
At Johns Hopkins Hospital he is fitted with the latest wireless technology pacemaker. And that's where the drama begins.
Along the way, Jack suspects his recurring heart problems are induced by outside forces. But the makers of the appliance and his doctor assure him that isn't possible.
While dealing with his heart troubles and the fact that his company needs to release its latest success story, Jack and his family are stalked by a disgruntled employee who wants to slowly kill Jack and his family. But the threat from the lone employee is the least of Jack's problems.
He has an entire group of very organized opponents chasing him for a bit of information he is loathe to give up.
Finally he figures out who is making him suffer and how it is being done. But then the agents of evil step up their game plan and play even rougher.
The editing and sentence structure are excellent.
Character development is thorough and in depth.
The plot is intense and filled with conflict.
The writing style is wordy and overly emotional for my taste, but should appeal to most readers.
I highly recommend Cardiac for a mysterious, suspenseful and thrilling read.
This review was provided in exchange for a free book.
Vigilant Reader Book Reviews.
Author – Jeff Monaghan
Genre – MST
230 Amazon Pages
Rating 5 stars out of 5 Posted 7/10/16
This is one of the most intriguing stories I've read this year.
Jack Getty is the CEO of pharmaceutical company Algen. He is about to make a major announcement at an industry conference in front of ten thousand attendees. A young conference assistant convinces him to take a drink of lemon flavored water to moisten his throat before he goes on stage to speak. Minutes later Jack suffers a major heart attack as he approaches the podium. Is the heart attack natural or was it induced?
At Johns Hopkins Hospital he is fitted with the latest wireless technology pacemaker. And that's where the drama begins.
Along the way, Jack suspects his recurring heart problems are induced by outside forces. But the makers of the appliance and his doctor assure him that isn't possible.
While dealing with his heart troubles and the fact that his company needs to release its latest success story, Jack and his family are stalked by a disgruntled employee who wants to slowly kill Jack and his family. But the threat from the lone employee is the least of Jack's problems.
He has an entire group of very organized opponents chasing him for a bit of information he is loathe to give up.
Finally he figures out who is making him suffer and how it is being done. But then the agents of evil step up their game plan and play even rougher.
The editing and sentence structure are excellent.
Character development is thorough and in depth.
The plot is intense and filled with conflict.
The writing style is wordy and overly emotional for my taste, but should appeal to most readers.
I highly recommend Cardiac for a mysterious, suspenseful and thrilling read.
This review was provided in exchange for a free book.
Vigilant Reader Book Reviews.
October 11, 2016
This is a new book from a new author and I greatly enjoyed reading it. As a thriller it had all of the expected ingredients one hopes to find: an intriguing plot with plenty of twists and turns; strong characters in Jack Getty and his family; believable dialogue throughout the novel and a fast moving, action-packed story with many unpredictable situations that drew me in. Most importantly for me, I was immediately captivated by the beginning of the book and happy with the final denouement at the end. It left me curious to know more about Jack Getty in a future sequel maybe?
When Jack wakes up in hospital after an apparent heart attack, during his company’s launch of a new product, his troubles are only just beginning. The intimidation and life-threatening issues that persist in chasing him and eventually his loved ones, become more and more complex page after page, demanding the reader’s attention. If you enjoy thrillers written by authors like Tom Clancy and Frederick Forsythe then you will become a fan of Jeffrey Monaghan. I found a couple of sentences where the time frame confused me and another glance at the book by a copy editor is needed to clear up some typo/punctuation errors. These latter points prevented me giving this talented and imaginative writer five stars for his excellent debut thriller.
I received a free copy of this book from the author.
When Jack wakes up in hospital after an apparent heart attack, during his company’s launch of a new product, his troubles are only just beginning. The intimidation and life-threatening issues that persist in chasing him and eventually his loved ones, become more and more complex page after page, demanding the reader’s attention. If you enjoy thrillers written by authors like Tom Clancy and Frederick Forsythe then you will become a fan of Jeffrey Monaghan. I found a couple of sentences where the time frame confused me and another glance at the book by a copy editor is needed to clear up some typo/punctuation errors. These latter points prevented me giving this talented and imaginative writer five stars for his excellent debut thriller.
I received a free copy of this book from the author.
December 19, 2016
Holy cow, this book was incredibly fast paced! I was a little tired after racing through this whole book in one sitting. Once I started it I didn't want to stop reading until it was finished. It was well written and edited, which is not something I can normally say about most books I read. I loved the technology aspects of the book, being married to a techy person makes me pay attention to things like that. So I was glued to the pages dealing with all of the techy stuff. It was kind of scary thinking someone could hack and mess with a pacemaker, though.
Jack is the CEO of a big company on his way to a conference when he suddenly has a heart attack. No worries, though, he gets a fancy new pacemaker and all is well. Until he starts getting weird messages and has to wonder if his pacemaker is defective or is someone messing with him?
Jack was an interesting character that couldn't stick to any of his plans. He would make a plan and then change it and that was annoying sometimes. On the other hand, him never sticking to a plan kept me on my toes throughout the book.
All in all, I really liked this book and recommend to everyone looking for a fast paced, action packed book.
Jack is the CEO of a big company on his way to a conference when he suddenly has a heart attack. No worries, though, he gets a fancy new pacemaker and all is well. Until he starts getting weird messages and has to wonder if his pacemaker is defective or is someone messing with him?
Jack was an interesting character that couldn't stick to any of his plans. He would make a plan and then change it and that was annoying sometimes. On the other hand, him never sticking to a plan kept me on my toes throughout the book.
All in all, I really liked this book and recommend to everyone looking for a fast paced, action packed book.
September 15, 2016
After a massive heart attack, Jack Getty is fitted with a wireless pacemaker, the most high tech one out there. As soon as he's home, he begins to suspect that all is not as it should be. This CEO finds himself in a race to protect not only his life, but the lives of his family.
This novel hits the ground running from the opening scene. I especially like that we are not given a long exposition about his background and life before the start, instead it is explained throughout the story. The characters are enjoyable and the writing is tight.
The only complaint I would have is the language, which was stronger than I like.
Anyone who is looking for a fast paced thriller, where you can't be sure who's on your side, this is just the story I would recommend.
I was provided with a free copy from the author in exchange for an honest review. My full review can be found at MoreThanAReview.com where I rate the content of books.
This novel hits the ground running from the opening scene. I especially like that we are not given a long exposition about his background and life before the start, instead it is explained throughout the story. The characters are enjoyable and the writing is tight.
The only complaint I would have is the language, which was stronger than I like.
Anyone who is looking for a fast paced thriller, where you can't be sure who's on your side, this is just the story I would recommend.
I was provided with a free copy from the author in exchange for an honest review. My full review can be found at MoreThanAReview.com where I rate the content of books.
February 18, 2017
Unbelievable! I am still having heart palpitations!
This book was a spine chilling nonstop action read!
Jack Getty, CEO, is about to make a medical breakthrough announcement. But someone else has a different plan. That somebody causes Jack to have an MI as he is about to walk on stage so that he will need a pacemaker, a new WiFi pacemaker. But he soon finds out that someone has control of his pacemaker and is causing him to suffer cardiac events unless he does what they want.
Murder, kidnapping and blackmail are just some of the dynamics of this story.
A gripping and riveting read that blew me away. At times I found myself holding my breath!
This is the first book that I have read by this author but am looking forward to more from him.
CARDIAC is in my Top Ten Books of 2016! Highly recommend!
This book was a spine chilling nonstop action read!
Jack Getty, CEO, is about to make a medical breakthrough announcement. But someone else has a different plan. That somebody causes Jack to have an MI as he is about to walk on stage so that he will need a pacemaker, a new WiFi pacemaker. But he soon finds out that someone has control of his pacemaker and is causing him to suffer cardiac events unless he does what they want.
Murder, kidnapping and blackmail are just some of the dynamics of this story.
A gripping and riveting read that blew me away. At times I found myself holding my breath!
This is the first book that I have read by this author but am looking forward to more from him.
CARDIAC is in my Top Ten Books of 2016! Highly recommend!
February 8, 2017
A fast gripping page turner thriller that I really enjoyed reading this book. It was full of twists and turns. The author did a great job on this book and it left me thinking and wanting more.
The characters were great and and very believable and I could imagine them. This thriller story I felt like I was part of the story. This story had me on my toes.
If you are into a gripping page turner thriller this book is for you. You won’t be disappointed.
I received a ARC to give an honest review
The characters were great and and very believable and I could imagine them. This thriller story I felt like I was part of the story. This story had me on my toes.
If you are into a gripping page turner thriller this book is for you. You won’t be disappointed.
I received a ARC to give an honest review
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