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Lana Elkins #3
Unholy Code
The “Summer of Blood” explodes. The U.S. is under siege from foreign jihadists and domestic terrorists. When a brilliant exploit strikes at the heart of the National Security Agency’s own network, former NSA operative Lana Elkins discovers that it came from within the United States itself. More surprising still is the attacker: “Steel Fist,” a cyber-savvy radical white supremacist whose legions feed on his anti-Islamic exhortations. His popularity only grows when a jihadist team carries out a bold, but baffling, attack on the Louisiana coast, bringing ashore a lethal invader no one can see.
Most mysterious of all are Golden Voice, a hacker of unparalleled skill with a murderous agenda and a secret past, and Tahir Hijazi, a Muslim refugee from Sudan with his own shadowy history. When Tahir’s young nephew starts dating Lana’s daughter Emma, Steel Fist calls upon his fans to embark on a new mission: assassinate the entire Elkins family.
As extremists battle each other—with Lana fighting both ends from the middle—the conflict becomes deeply personal, the stakes tragically high.
In Thomas Waite’s edgiest tale yet, battles savage the American heartland, shaking the very foundations of the world’s mightiest nation
Most mysterious of all are Golden Voice, a hacker of unparalleled skill with a murderous agenda and a secret past, and Tahir Hijazi, a Muslim refugee from Sudan with his own shadowy history. When Tahir’s young nephew starts dating Lana’s daughter Emma, Steel Fist calls upon his fans to embark on a new mission: assassinate the entire Elkins family.
As extremists battle each other—with Lana fighting both ends from the middle—the conflict becomes deeply personal, the stakes tragically high.
In Thomas Waite’s edgiest tale yet, battles savage the American heartland, shaking the very foundations of the world’s mightiest nation
302 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 12, 2016
24 people are currently reading
209 people want to read
About the author
Thomas Waite
8 books158 followersTHOMAS WAITE is the bestselling author of the celebrated Lana Elkins thriller series. Lethal Code was declared "Taut, tense, and provocative" by Hank Phillippi Ryan, the Agatha, Anthony, and Mary Higgins Clark Award-winning author, who quickly added "...this frighteningly knowing cyberthriller will keep you turning pages--not only to devour the fast-paced fiction, but to worry about how much is terrifyingly true."
Trident Code followed in form. "Scary good," according to King Features columnist Dale Dauten: "The science and technology are as convincing as they are chilling, with an original trifecta of cyber, nuclear, and environmental terrorism all worked into one wild ride of a plot."
Unholy Code, the third novel in the series, received similar praise. "Rarely does a novel pull me down and strap me in for the long, beautifully turbulent ride like Unholy Code did," said Vincent Zandri, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of The Remains and When Shadows Come.
Waite's first novel, Terminal Value, reached #1 at Amazon. One reviewer wrote, "Terminal Value is to the corporate world what John Grisham's The Firm is to lawyering: a taut, fast, relentless thriller. A most impressive debut novel."
Shadowed, the follow-up to Terminal Value, was released October 2, 2018. Dale Dauten of King Features wrote "Thomas Waite has already established himself as a preeminent writer of riveting thrillers and Shadowed is no exception. From the murky depths of Boston's Charles River to the harrowing wild lands of Kenya, Waite takes readers on a ride so real they'll feel as if they're flying in the co-pilot's seat!"
Waite is a board director of, and an advisor to, a number of technology companies. His nonfiction work has appeared in The New York Times, the Harvard Business Review, The Boston Globe, and The Daily Beast.
Trident Code followed in form. "Scary good," according to King Features columnist Dale Dauten: "The science and technology are as convincing as they are chilling, with an original trifecta of cyber, nuclear, and environmental terrorism all worked into one wild ride of a plot."
Unholy Code, the third novel in the series, received similar praise. "Rarely does a novel pull me down and strap me in for the long, beautifully turbulent ride like Unholy Code did," said Vincent Zandri, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of The Remains and When Shadows Come.
Waite's first novel, Terminal Value, reached #1 at Amazon. One reviewer wrote, "Terminal Value is to the corporate world what John Grisham's The Firm is to lawyering: a taut, fast, relentless thriller. A most impressive debut novel."
Shadowed, the follow-up to Terminal Value, was released October 2, 2018. Dale Dauten of King Features wrote "Thomas Waite has already established himself as a preeminent writer of riveting thrillers and Shadowed is no exception. From the murky depths of Boston's Charles River to the harrowing wild lands of Kenya, Waite takes readers on a ride so real they'll feel as if they're flying in the co-pilot's seat!"
Waite is a board director of, and an advisor to, a number of technology companies. His nonfiction work has appeared in The New York Times, the Harvard Business Review, The Boston Globe, and The Daily Beast.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
July 26, 2016
Spy versus Spy or Hacker versus Hacker versus Hacker and citizens of the world are caught in the middle as radical Islamists bring terror and deadly attacks to the U.S. When a vile White Supremacist begins to flood the net with his messages of hate and intolerance, former NSA operative, Lana Elkins is assigned to track, hack and crack the location of “Steel Fist.” But is he the only hacker out there destroying the secrets of the government or is another vigilante also creating back doors and traps with their own agenda?
Upper echelon computer genius, mother and sort of wife, Lana becomes the target of revenge when her family is marked for death by Steel Fist. When her teen daughter falls for a Muslim boy, nowhere will be safe to hide. Lana is caught between duty to country and the crippling fear of a mother when events steal her daughter from her.
Unholy Code by Thomas Waite is a dark and vicious tale of intrigue, hatred and the mass frenzy one twisted genius can wreak on the masses. Without hesitation, Thomas Waite depicts scenes of graphic violence with cringe-worthy clarity, playing the fears and prejudices of a world in turmoil. His characters flesh and blood, opinionated and often far too mysterious to truly understand as the current events of the day are chewed up and spit out in fictitious form.
His tale is one of sad realism and will cause one to look into their own reactions as they read his well-thought out tale. I found myself asking myself, how much hatred and lack of acceptance of our differences does it take to destroy the world completely and how much goes unreported as we worry about what kind of latte to have? Who are the real villains and who should we be the most afraid of?
Brutal, frightening and thought provoking throughout.
I received this copy from Marlborough Press in exchange for my honest review.
Publisher: Marlborough Press (July 12, 2016)
Publication Date: July 12, 2016
ISBN-10: 1532871120
ISBN-13: 978-1532871122
Genre: Espionage | Terrorism
Print Length: 310 pages
Available from: Barnes & Noble | Amazon
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com
Upper echelon computer genius, mother and sort of wife, Lana becomes the target of revenge when her family is marked for death by Steel Fist. When her teen daughter falls for a Muslim boy, nowhere will be safe to hide. Lana is caught between duty to country and the crippling fear of a mother when events steal her daughter from her.
Unholy Code by Thomas Waite is a dark and vicious tale of intrigue, hatred and the mass frenzy one twisted genius can wreak on the masses. Without hesitation, Thomas Waite depicts scenes of graphic violence with cringe-worthy clarity, playing the fears and prejudices of a world in turmoil. His characters flesh and blood, opinionated and often far too mysterious to truly understand as the current events of the day are chewed up and spit out in fictitious form.
His tale is one of sad realism and will cause one to look into their own reactions as they read his well-thought out tale. I found myself asking myself, how much hatred and lack of acceptance of our differences does it take to destroy the world completely and how much goes unreported as we worry about what kind of latte to have? Who are the real villains and who should we be the most afraid of?
Brutal, frightening and thought provoking throughout.
I received this copy from Marlborough Press in exchange for my honest review.
Publisher: Marlborough Press (July 12, 2016)
Publication Date: July 12, 2016
ISBN-10: 1532871120
ISBN-13: 978-1532871122
Genre: Espionage | Terrorism
Print Length: 310 pages
Available from: Barnes & Noble | Amazon
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com
July 4, 2016
3.5 stars
After reading "Lethal Code", the second book in the Lana Elkins series, I knew I had to read the next book. That ending, wow. I hoped its ramifications would be addressed in this book. They were, to a point. I was hoping for more of the social and practical ramifications but this is a thriller series so the events are more political and action oriented. This book is missing the science fiction aspect that the previous book had and I missed it. "Unholy Code" blends real world events and issues with those in the book's world and gives us a frightening, and frighteningly likely, scenario. The story moves right along at full-speed, jumping POVs, and mixing action, politics, family life, and even romance. There are implausibilities and coincidences but also a dizzying array of twists and turns. I like Lana more the more of her I read. She's clever, smart, tricky, loyal, compassionate, and juggling her family life with her work life, the latter of which could keep her going 24/7 if she let it. There's lots of violence, and some gore; I skimmed quite a few paragraphs. It's not gratuitous though; it serves a purpose. I could see this series being turned into a series of action/adventure movies.
"Unholy Code" offers a scenarios that is possible, suspense mixed with the hero's family life, and is reflective of our times. I enjoyed "Unholy Code"; was entertaining and thrilling.
After reading "Lethal Code", the second book in the Lana Elkins series, I knew I had to read the next book. That ending, wow. I hoped its ramifications would be addressed in this book. They were, to a point. I was hoping for more of the social and practical ramifications but this is a thriller series so the events are more political and action oriented. This book is missing the science fiction aspect that the previous book had and I missed it. "Unholy Code" blends real world events and issues with those in the book's world and gives us a frightening, and frighteningly likely, scenario. The story moves right along at full-speed, jumping POVs, and mixing action, politics, family life, and even romance. There are implausibilities and coincidences but also a dizzying array of twists and turns. I like Lana more the more of her I read. She's clever, smart, tricky, loyal, compassionate, and juggling her family life with her work life, the latter of which could keep her going 24/7 if she let it. There's lots of violence, and some gore; I skimmed quite a few paragraphs. It's not gratuitous though; it serves a purpose. I could see this series being turned into a series of action/adventure movies.
"Unholy Code" offers a scenarios that is possible, suspense mixed with the hero's family life, and is reflective of our times. I enjoyed "Unholy Code"; was entertaining and thrilling.
July 13, 2016
Thomas Waite's "Unholy Code" is a daring take on near-future events and global issues, in a time where few have the courage to villainize Muslim terrorists (are we allowed to use that phrase?) even in fiction. The scenario is horrifying and plausible, with racist rhetoric, cyber hackers, and the spread of both foreign and domestic terrorism. The foreign terrorist's manipulation of the American racist would be gratifying, if the consequence weren't so chilling.
Politics, family life, national security, duty versus personal interest, the heroics of common civilians, and an unexpected (hastily developed?) romance add layers of intrigue to the story.
The villains are compelling and all too believable. The "dark-skinned hordes we've been trying to cull for years just keeping coming. Ammo up, America!" Vinko exhorts his followers.
A minor character named Cal deserves to star in his own novel. (#GottaLoveCal!)
Jimmy McMasters, the honey-haired 22-year-old boater, upstages veterans of the CIA and FBI in a way that Americans love, and who can blame us? A guy whose reputation takes one hit after another manages to rise above all the low expectations of him, with that wild derring-do and resourcefulness that embodies the American spirit. He, too, is worthy of future novels.
The dogs are the best. Not just Cairo, the old Malinois, but a Border Collie who serves the villainous Vinko. The way this dog herds sheep is fun to read, and you know he'll do a lot more than that before the story is over. Google the story of the real-life Cairo, the old Malinois who helped take down Osama bin Laden. Waite has done his research. Again, it's not the main characters, but the minor players I love most in this story, not to mention those who train dogs to work with Navy Seals.
Lana Elkins is a kick-ass heroine. I haven't read the first two books in this series, which may explain why Lana and her team strike me as a bit two-dimensional.
One of the most authentic characters is the one I like least: Lana's 17-year-old daughter, who has few redeeming virtues. Emma knows she's been targeted by assassins but insists on sneaking out to the mall, jeopardizing the lives of others, just to alleviate her adolescent boredom. Shallow, self-absorbed, stupid, but extraordinarily good looking, and loved by her mom, dad, and boyfriend? Meh. She's not worthy of her $50,000 Malinois body guard. I swear this does not make me sound like the awful Vinko who urges his millions of followers to stalk and take down Emma, her boyfriend and her canine guardian. I wouldn't assassinate anyone, but I wouldn't waste taxpayer dollars and the lives of others for one snotty teenager. In the end, we all know it'll be the dog, not the girl, who saves the day.
"Unholy Code" rivets the reader and moves swiftly, in spite of an occasionally jarring shift in POVs. With all the novels being optioned by film makers these days, I see this is as a prime candidate for a series of action/adventure movies.
NOTE: I received an ARC of this novel via Net Galley.
Politics, family life, national security, duty versus personal interest, the heroics of common civilians, and an unexpected (hastily developed?) romance add layers of intrigue to the story.
The villains are compelling and all too believable. The "dark-skinned hordes we've been trying to cull for years just keeping coming. Ammo up, America!" Vinko exhorts his followers.
A minor character named Cal deserves to star in his own novel. (#GottaLoveCal!)
Jimmy McMasters, the honey-haired 22-year-old boater, upstages veterans of the CIA and FBI in a way that Americans love, and who can blame us? A guy whose reputation takes one hit after another manages to rise above all the low expectations of him, with that wild derring-do and resourcefulness that embodies the American spirit. He, too, is worthy of future novels.
The dogs are the best. Not just Cairo, the old Malinois, but a Border Collie who serves the villainous Vinko. The way this dog herds sheep is fun to read, and you know he'll do a lot more than that before the story is over. Google the story of the real-life Cairo, the old Malinois who helped take down Osama bin Laden. Waite has done his research. Again, it's not the main characters, but the minor players I love most in this story, not to mention those who train dogs to work with Navy Seals.
Lana Elkins is a kick-ass heroine. I haven't read the first two books in this series, which may explain why Lana and her team strike me as a bit two-dimensional.
One of the most authentic characters is the one I like least: Lana's 17-year-old daughter, who has few redeeming virtues. Emma knows she's been targeted by assassins but insists on sneaking out to the mall, jeopardizing the lives of others, just to alleviate her adolescent boredom. Shallow, self-absorbed, stupid, but extraordinarily good looking, and loved by her mom, dad, and boyfriend? Meh. She's not worthy of her $50,000 Malinois body guard. I swear this does not make me sound like the awful Vinko who urges his millions of followers to stalk and take down Emma, her boyfriend and her canine guardian. I wouldn't assassinate anyone, but I wouldn't waste taxpayer dollars and the lives of others for one snotty teenager. In the end, we all know it'll be the dog, not the girl, who saves the day.
"Unholy Code" rivets the reader and moves swiftly, in spite of an occasionally jarring shift in POVs. With all the novels being optioned by film makers these days, I see this is as a prime candidate for a series of action/adventure movies.
NOTE: I received an ARC of this novel via Net Galley.
November 14, 2016
“Unholy Code” was published in 2016 and was written by Thomas Waite (http://thomaswaite.com/). Mr. Waite has published four novels.
I received a galley of this novel for review through https://www.netgalley.com. I categorize this novel as ‘R’ because it contains scenes of Violence and Mature Language. The story is set in various locations in contempory period US. The main character is former NSA operative and cyber security expert Lana Elkins.
The US is suffering from several catastrophes (covered in earlier volumes in this series). In this volume, a stealthy cyber terrorist is fermenting unrest and lethal action against Elkins and her teenage daughter. Islamic terrorists have also taken over an oil platform in the Gulf of Mexico and they have spread an epidemic throughout the US. A young man must step up and take action to save the Gulf. Elkins must return to the front lines of the fight against terrorists to save her and her daughter lives.
I enjoyed the 9 hours I spent reading this 300 page Thriller. There was a lot of action in the novel, keeping the reader on the edge of their seat. The ‘hacking’ is a little far fetched, but I did enjoy the story. The cover art more or less matches the story I guess, with the hooded ‘hacker’ lurking in the image. I give this novel a 4 out of 5.
Further book reviews I have written can be accessed at https://johnpurvis.wordpress.com/blog/.
I received a galley of this novel for review through https://www.netgalley.com. I categorize this novel as ‘R’ because it contains scenes of Violence and Mature Language. The story is set in various locations in contempory period US. The main character is former NSA operative and cyber security expert Lana Elkins.
The US is suffering from several catastrophes (covered in earlier volumes in this series). In this volume, a stealthy cyber terrorist is fermenting unrest and lethal action against Elkins and her teenage daughter. Islamic terrorists have also taken over an oil platform in the Gulf of Mexico and they have spread an epidemic throughout the US. A young man must step up and take action to save the Gulf. Elkins must return to the front lines of the fight against terrorists to save her and her daughter lives.
I enjoyed the 9 hours I spent reading this 300 page Thriller. There was a lot of action in the novel, keeping the reader on the edge of their seat. The ‘hacking’ is a little far fetched, but I did enjoy the story. The cover art more or less matches the story I guess, with the hooded ‘hacker’ lurking in the image. I give this novel a 4 out of 5.
Further book reviews I have written can be accessed at https://johnpurvis.wordpress.com/blog/.
June 9, 2016
Brutal at times, This novel deals with racism , religious bias, and often just pure hate and revenge. Not for everyone, but if you can handle it, its a representation of how bad it can get and what good people can do to overcome those who are biased.
January 15, 2024
Unholy Code Lana Elkins Thriller Book 3 by Thomas Waite
352 Pages
Publisher: Marlborough Press, AuthorBuzz
Release Date: July 12, 2016
Fiction, Mystery, Thrillers, Cyber Terrorism, Technothriller, Conspiracy Thrillers, Racism
Jimmy McMasters is a boat captain in Louisiana. It has been four months since the last attack by the Russians blew off a piece of the artic shelf. Jimmy stopped what was believed to be a terrorist attack and is treated as a hero. Steel Fist is a white nationalist racist website. Now, the author has posted information of Lana Elkins along with her daughter Emma, and her Muslim boyfriend. Steel Fist is also releasing information on government agencies and their employees.
A smallpox outbreak is crossing the country. It started with Jimmy and the attempted terrorist attack. The white nationalists’ numbers are growing, and their movement is gaining steam. They are fighting the US government and the Muslim citizens.
The story is fast paced, and the characters are well developed. I was confused when the point of view changed from third person to first person. This book was too close to reality with the racism theme. If you like disaster themed stories, like Titanic, you will enjoy reading this book.
352 Pages
Publisher: Marlborough Press, AuthorBuzz
Release Date: July 12, 2016
Fiction, Mystery, Thrillers, Cyber Terrorism, Technothriller, Conspiracy Thrillers, Racism
Jimmy McMasters is a boat captain in Louisiana. It has been four months since the last attack by the Russians blew off a piece of the artic shelf. Jimmy stopped what was believed to be a terrorist attack and is treated as a hero. Steel Fist is a white nationalist racist website. Now, the author has posted information of Lana Elkins along with her daughter Emma, and her Muslim boyfriend. Steel Fist is also releasing information on government agencies and their employees.
A smallpox outbreak is crossing the country. It started with Jimmy and the attempted terrorist attack. The white nationalists’ numbers are growing, and their movement is gaining steam. They are fighting the US government and the Muslim citizens.
The story is fast paced, and the characters are well developed. I was confused when the point of view changed from third person to first person. This book was too close to reality with the racism theme. If you like disaster themed stories, like Titanic, you will enjoy reading this book.
June 2, 2024
The third and final book in the Lana Elkins cyber thriller series. Having read the first two books in the trilogy, I finally got around to the third. Lana Elkins owns a government contracted cyber security firm with personal connections to U.S. officials. When there are plenty of spy-esque thriller books featuring male leads, especially those being adapted to the screens, it is nice to have a female lead even with weaknesses.
After the events in book two, where terrorists nuked a glacier causing the ocean levels to rise 4 feet, Lana finds herself defending the U.S. from cyber incursions both abroad in the form of ISIS and Al Quada and from at home in the form of neo-Nazi nationalists. Lana has rekindled a relationship with her ex-husband, Don, who is now living with her and their daughter Emma. The teenager has a boyfriend who immigrated from Sudan. It is not long before they become targets of the racists and nationalists.
The story unfolds through various narrators. Some of whom use racist and Islamophobic language. While men do come to the rescue there are just many badass women hacking and fighting.
After the events in book two, where terrorists nuked a glacier causing the ocean levels to rise 4 feet, Lana finds herself defending the U.S. from cyber incursions both abroad in the form of ISIS and Al Quada and from at home in the form of neo-Nazi nationalists. Lana has rekindled a relationship with her ex-husband, Don, who is now living with her and their daughter Emma. The teenager has a boyfriend who immigrated from Sudan. It is not long before they become targets of the racists and nationalists.
The story unfolds through various narrators. Some of whom use racist and Islamophobic language. While men do come to the rescue there are just many badass women hacking and fighting.
December 23, 2016
Book Three of Lana Elkins finds her daughter, who is 17 and in high school, in love with a Sudenese Muslim who goes to her school. His uncle used to be connected to Al-Quid a and ISIS, who now lives in Bethesda, Maryland. The uncle is not at all happy that his Muslim nephew is dating a white, American girl.
Plot thickens when nearly the kid's whole lives can be found on social media. Lana is an American target by ISIS due to her post in cyber security against terrorists. Neo-Nazis target Lana's daughter, Emma, to slaughter on social media and make it look like ISIS did it.
This is a very violent book, bordering on gruesome sickness. It was just a little much for me, although I enjoyed most of the book. It is a bout of non-stop action adventure that makes one pray this never happens on U. S. soil. It is most definitely worth the read.
NetGalley gave me an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Plot thickens when nearly the kid's whole lives can be found on social media. Lana is an American target by ISIS due to her post in cyber security against terrorists. Neo-Nazis target Lana's daughter, Emma, to slaughter on social media and make it look like ISIS did it.
This is a very violent book, bordering on gruesome sickness. It was just a little much for me, although I enjoyed most of the book. It is a bout of non-stop action adventure that makes one pray this never happens on U. S. soil. It is most definitely worth the read.
NetGalley gave me an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
November 27, 2016
I read this as a standalone and I think that's ok. It's a pretty frightening picture of future war, with hackers in the lead. Lana is an interesting character but I was less enthralled with some of the others. This is not my normal sort of read but it is fast paced and engaging. There's a definite market out there for it= you will like it if you enjoy dark thrillers with conspiracies. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.
May 18, 2018
Easy to become involved in thriller with multiple threats needing to be addressed with casualties along the way. Characters all have understood roles with questions occurring as to which are indeed supportive/danger. Recommended 3.5 read
In received my copy through goodreads and thank those responsible for the giveaway which proved me this book.
In received my copy through goodreads and thank those responsible for the giveaway which proved me this book.
September 1, 2017
I read this via a digital copy through Netgalley.
When I read this, I had no idea it was the third in a series. The characters were well-written, and in some cases, easy to relate to.
Unholy Code is a horrifyingly possible near-future.
When I read this, I had no idea it was the third in a series. The characters were well-written, and in some cases, easy to relate to.
Unholy Code is a horrifyingly possible near-future.
April 22, 2018
Goodreads Kindle Copy Win
It is a battle Spy versus Hacker as America becomes the battleground. Who knows which is which as lives are online and trusting the wrong person can leave you to your downfall.
This fast pace story with twists that keep you going.
It is a battle Spy versus Hacker as America becomes the battleground. Who knows which is which as lives are online and trusting the wrong person can leave you to your downfall.
This fast pace story with twists that keep you going.
January 5, 2019
Thriller
Just finished the third Lana Elkins thriller and it was the best so far. I don't typically read thrillers, but chose to read these because of the author. It's suspenseful, written in a style to encourage you to keep reading to see what happens next.
Just finished the third Lana Elkins thriller and it was the best so far. I don't typically read thrillers, but chose to read these because of the author. It's suspenseful, written in a style to encourage you to keep reading to see what happens next.
May 20, 2020
Entertaining and provocative.
Entertaining story and continuation of the Lana Elkins trilogy. Is this the last or is a fourth in its way?
Entertaining story and continuation of the Lana Elkins trilogy. Is this the last or is a fourth in its way?
March 17, 2017
All too potentially real...
Well written fast paced intermixed with enough background to keep the flow without losing a first-time to the series. I smell looking forward to reading more of Waite's stories! Bravo!
Well written fast paced intermixed with enough background to keep the flow without losing a first-time to the series. I smell looking forward to reading more of Waite's stories! Bravo!
July 7, 2016
On characterization: I’m happy with most of the characters here. One of my favorites is the depiction of the white supremacist “Steel Fist,” or Vinko. He’s vile and horrible, but he’s smart and tech-savvy as well. That’s highly unusual in depictions of this sort of character. He’s the one who doxxes Lana and her daughter Emma, encouraging his many online followers to kill them. There’s a reason why Emma gets pulled into this: she’s dating a Muslim, Sufyan, and the two seem to be falling in love. Sufyan’s mysterious uncle Tahir desperately wants to split apart their relationship, and Lana isn’t sure where Tahir’s ultimate loyalties lie. I also like the late-in-the-game introduction of a very competent sheriff’s office–usually you get the ‘bumbling locals’ depiction, but in this case their local law enforcement knows what they’re doing and how to do it well.
There’s one character, however, that I didn’t like at all. It’s a woman who takes over temporarily for a sick agent. She’s the total stereotype of an ambitious shark of a woman ready to do whatever it takes to get what she wants–including threatening to stop payment of the medical bills for a character’s daughter who has cancer.
As seems to be the trend lately, the identity-unknown ultimate bad guy gets sections of first-person PoV so that we can get into the head of the mastermind. Apparently the bad guy has been sending lots of gambling ads to Lana, who’s in Gamblers Anonymous and trying desperately not to give in to her obsession. The bad guy figures it’s a great way to distract Lana from her investigation.
There are just a couple of dialogue things that annoyed me. One is a rant Lana went on that was so long that I kept skipping ahead. In another case Lana had the weirdest reaction to a person she’s speaking with, mentally approving of the woman’s use of big words, as far as I can tell. It’s especially odd because she really should be focusing on what the woman is telling her. It also doesn’t fit with anything else in the book; it feels like it’s thrown in randomly.
There are a couple of places where it helps to have a strong stomach, largely due to a partial torture scene. Also, I’d think that jumping into salt water with some of your skin missing would be more painful than is reflected in the character’s reaction.
Things get to be fast-paced, heated, and dangerous. I loved it. Apart from a few bits and pieces the pacing was spot-on for a thriller.
Book provided free by publisher for review
Original review on my site: http://www.errantdreams.com/2016/07/r...
There’s one character, however, that I didn’t like at all. It’s a woman who takes over temporarily for a sick agent. She’s the total stereotype of an ambitious shark of a woman ready to do whatever it takes to get what she wants–including threatening to stop payment of the medical bills for a character’s daughter who has cancer.
As seems to be the trend lately, the identity-unknown ultimate bad guy gets sections of first-person PoV so that we can get into the head of the mastermind. Apparently the bad guy has been sending lots of gambling ads to Lana, who’s in Gamblers Anonymous and trying desperately not to give in to her obsession. The bad guy figures it’s a great way to distract Lana from her investigation.
There are just a couple of dialogue things that annoyed me. One is a rant Lana went on that was so long that I kept skipping ahead. In another case Lana had the weirdest reaction to a person she’s speaking with, mentally approving of the woman’s use of big words, as far as I can tell. It’s especially odd because she really should be focusing on what the woman is telling her. It also doesn’t fit with anything else in the book; it feels like it’s thrown in randomly.
There are a couple of places where it helps to have a strong stomach, largely due to a partial torture scene. Also, I’d think that jumping into salt water with some of your skin missing would be more painful than is reflected in the character’s reaction.
Things get to be fast-paced, heated, and dangerous. I loved it. Apart from a few bits and pieces the pacing was spot-on for a thriller.
Book provided free by publisher for review
Original review on my site: http://www.errantdreams.com/2016/07/r...
June 12, 2016
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley exchange for an honest review
Unholy Code
Thomas Whaite
Summary:
The “Summer of Blood” explodes. The U.S. is under siege from foreign jihadists and domestic terrorists. When a brilliant exploit strikes at the heart of the National Security Agency’s own network, former NSA operative Lana Elkins discovers that it came from within the United States itself. More surprising still is the attacker: “Steel Fist,” a cyber-savvy radical white supremacist whose legions feed on his anti-Islamic exhortations. His popularity only grows when a jihadist team carries out a bold, but baffling, attack on the Louisiana coast, bringing ashore a lethal invader no one can see.
Most mysterious of all are Golden Voice, a hacker of unparalleled skill with a murderous agenda and a secret past, and Tahir Hijazi, a Muslim refugee from Sudan with his own shadowy history. When Tahir’s young nephew starts dating Lana’s daughter Emma, Steel Fist calls upon his fans to embark on a new mission: assassinate the entire Elkins family.
As extremists battle each other—with Lana fighting both ends from the middle—the conflict becomes deeply personal, the stakes tragically high.
Review:
I really wish I could give this book a higher rating than I am. The plot and characters are complex and feel real. The only problem with this book is that throughout it. there are many sentences that seem to be missing words, so it makes it hard to read. To me, there is nothing worse than grammatical errors. It shows that the editing job is incomplete.
If I was going off just the over all plot this book would be a four point five star book. I love how the over all story flows. The dialogue feels and sounds so real as you read the story.
Conclusion:
Would I recommend this book to others? Yes, but I’ll tell them there are grammatical errors, and if you’re the type of person who can over look them, then this is a great read.
Would I read other books written by this Author? Yes, I’d love to check out other books believing the editing process will be complete.
Is this book a Novel or Novella? Novel and a very nice length.
Is this book priced correctly? The paperback copy is a little pricey for me because I’m a budget book buyer, but the eBook is priced correctly.
Unholy Code
Thomas Whaite
Summary:
The “Summer of Blood” explodes. The U.S. is under siege from foreign jihadists and domestic terrorists. When a brilliant exploit strikes at the heart of the National Security Agency’s own network, former NSA operative Lana Elkins discovers that it came from within the United States itself. More surprising still is the attacker: “Steel Fist,” a cyber-savvy radical white supremacist whose legions feed on his anti-Islamic exhortations. His popularity only grows when a jihadist team carries out a bold, but baffling, attack on the Louisiana coast, bringing ashore a lethal invader no one can see.
Most mysterious of all are Golden Voice, a hacker of unparalleled skill with a murderous agenda and a secret past, and Tahir Hijazi, a Muslim refugee from Sudan with his own shadowy history. When Tahir’s young nephew starts dating Lana’s daughter Emma, Steel Fist calls upon his fans to embark on a new mission: assassinate the entire Elkins family.
As extremists battle each other—with Lana fighting both ends from the middle—the conflict becomes deeply personal, the stakes tragically high.
Review:
I really wish I could give this book a higher rating than I am. The plot and characters are complex and feel real. The only problem with this book is that throughout it. there are many sentences that seem to be missing words, so it makes it hard to read. To me, there is nothing worse than grammatical errors. It shows that the editing job is incomplete.
If I was going off just the over all plot this book would be a four point five star book. I love how the over all story flows. The dialogue feels and sounds so real as you read the story.
Conclusion:
Would I recommend this book to others? Yes, but I’ll tell them there are grammatical errors, and if you’re the type of person who can over look them, then this is a great read.
Would I read other books written by this Author? Yes, I’d love to check out other books believing the editing process will be complete.
Is this book a Novel or Novella? Novel and a very nice length.
Is this book priced correctly? The paperback copy is a little pricey for me because I’m a budget book buyer, but the eBook is priced correctly.
June 6, 2016
Former NSA agent, Lana Elkins, is back! Still cyber sleuthing trying to keep track of the jihadists, homegrown terrorists and the white supremacists especially the one they call "Steel Fist", the head of a radical supremacist organization with millions of dedicated crazies following his every word and Anti-Islamic rantings on the internet.
His popularity only increases when a group of terrorists are apprehended along the Gulf Coast of Louisiana. Apprehended a bit too easily in Lana's eyes, something seems a bit off, and it is for among those apprehended is not a suicide bomber, but something worse.
The story is fast paced, thrilling and the scary thing is it is all possible. While our government is hacking and spying on possible terrorists at home and abroad, those cyber skills aren't limited to the government. Everything and Everyone can be hacked, spied on and not everyone is using this technology to do nice things.
This book has everything, cyber-crimes, ISIS, Al Quaeda, the White Supremacists and no one has a clue who is really behind it all or why it is happening.
Lana will have to be smarter and fight harder than ever before. Will she make it out of this one alive?
Mr. Waite never disappoints, his books always leave me on the edge of my seat and not wanting to get up!
I highly recommend this book and can't wait to see what is next.
I received an advanced copy of this book from Netgalley.
November 12, 2016
Unholy Code by Thomas Waite
This is a frightening thriller that builds on previous novels by Waite but stands alone quite well. There are references to the previous books but no back store. The head of a cyber security agency employed by the U.S. government, Lana, is targeted by Steel Fist and Golden Voice, two cyber villains. The villains want to bring discord to the country as well as carrying grudges focused on Lana.
Without the presidential election debacle of 2016 there may not have been as much believability of this book. The divisiveness of that campaign showed how emotions can be stirred without regard to rational thinking or common sense. The divide and conquer approach to war is clearly illustrated by the author's use of bigotry and bias. Incitement of aspects of society to attack or deride other aspects of our society is used by Steel Fist. Steel Fist is unaware that he may not be as much the master of his domain that he thinks.
Waite includes Islamic extremists attacking the country due to un-natural disaster raising water levels and providing a disrupted coastline open to invasion.
The story also includes some unlikely heroes and love interests.
This was a sadly frightening story based on recent divisive rhetoric and hacking attacks.
It was, however, an exciting read.
Web: http://thomaswaite.com/
This is a frightening thriller that builds on previous novels by Waite but stands alone quite well. There are references to the previous books but no back store. The head of a cyber security agency employed by the U.S. government, Lana, is targeted by Steel Fist and Golden Voice, two cyber villains. The villains want to bring discord to the country as well as carrying grudges focused on Lana.
Without the presidential election debacle of 2016 there may not have been as much believability of this book. The divisiveness of that campaign showed how emotions can be stirred without regard to rational thinking or common sense. The divide and conquer approach to war is clearly illustrated by the author's use of bigotry and bias. Incitement of aspects of society to attack or deride other aspects of our society is used by Steel Fist. Steel Fist is unaware that he may not be as much the master of his domain that he thinks.
Waite includes Islamic extremists attacking the country due to un-natural disaster raising water levels and providing a disrupted coastline open to invasion.
The story also includes some unlikely heroes and love interests.
This was a sadly frightening story based on recent divisive rhetoric and hacking attacks.
It was, however, an exciting read.
Web: http://thomaswaite.com/
November 10, 2016
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This story really started out with a bang. It’s told from multiple points of view and, like I said, it really grabs your attention. Radical Islamic jihadists reach the shores of the United States, then launch one strike after another. Lana Elkins is the cyber expert trying to access their systems and obtain any and all information about their doings. Along the way, she becomes a target, and this is where the story loses credibility and relies too heavily on coincidences to hold the story together. Lana’s daughter is also a target, and you’d think she’d be under house arrest, but you’d be wrong. Lana herself takes her own security very loosely.
Without giving away any spoilers, there are two sub-stories that are brought up, a lot of time is spent on them, then they are just dropped and never resolved. As far as a character connection, I just didn’t find it. All in all, it’s an entertaining read that will make you think about the scary world we live in. The terrorist events depicted are realistic, and the threat of an epidemic is terrifying. There is a lot of graphic violence, so beware if you are sensitive to that.
https://candysplanet.wordpress.com/
This story really started out with a bang. It’s told from multiple points of view and, like I said, it really grabs your attention. Radical Islamic jihadists reach the shores of the United States, then launch one strike after another. Lana Elkins is the cyber expert trying to access their systems and obtain any and all information about their doings. Along the way, she becomes a target, and this is where the story loses credibility and relies too heavily on coincidences to hold the story together. Lana’s daughter is also a target, and you’d think she’d be under house arrest, but you’d be wrong. Lana herself takes her own security very loosely.
Without giving away any spoilers, there are two sub-stories that are brought up, a lot of time is spent on them, then they are just dropped and never resolved. As far as a character connection, I just didn’t find it. All in all, it’s an entertaining read that will make you think about the scary world we live in. The terrorist events depicted are realistic, and the threat of an epidemic is terrifying. There is a lot of graphic violence, so beware if you are sensitive to that.
https://candysplanet.wordpress.com/
June 5, 2016
Cyber Warfare. Islamists. White Supremists. Global flooding. Ten pounds of excitement in a five pound sack.
When a boatload of armed terrorists come crashing ashore in Louisiana, the actions of one surfer dude save a beach full of sunbathers. But something doesn't sit right when they surrender to the local police chief without a fight
Lana Elkins, head of CyberFortress, is back in this third book of the eponymous series, and she's always ready to tackle domestic and foreign threats to America, and personal attacks on her family. Unholy Code never slows down as she delves into the connections between a hate-filled homegrown website and a shadowy jihadist plot, in the middle of America's heartland. Recommended for fans of thrill-a-minute, bang-bang action and off-the-wall characters.
I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
When a boatload of armed terrorists come crashing ashore in Louisiana, the actions of one surfer dude save a beach full of sunbathers. But something doesn't sit right when they surrender to the local police chief without a fight
Lana Elkins, head of CyberFortress, is back in this third book of the eponymous series, and she's always ready to tackle domestic and foreign threats to America, and personal attacks on her family. Unholy Code never slows down as she delves into the connections between a hate-filled homegrown website and a shadowy jihadist plot, in the middle of America's heartland. Recommended for fans of thrill-a-minute, bang-bang action and off-the-wall characters.
I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
July 3, 2016
.n imaginative thriller written in a style guaranteed to maintain the suspense throughout the story. The use of terrorist activity, high-tech hacking, and characters rich in diversity creates a story that defines the present. The United States is under siege from internal and external terrorists, while most of the seaboard is in chaos from the rise in sea levels resulting from a bomb in Antarctica. In this setting normal human greed and hatred combined with bureaucratic stupidity puts Lana Elkins and her family in the crosshairs of a multitude of enemies. Pictures and directions posted by popular on-line activists create extreme danger and no place to hide. The book is guaranteed to raise your pulse.
July 15, 2016
MY REVIEW
Lana rings true as a character. She's believable if a little bit un-girly. I can certainly identify with her terror about her daughter being threatened. I really don't agree with the laize faire of the parents giving their daughter plenty of time to have sex with her boyfriend in her bedroom upstairs. Call me old fashioned, but that is just wrong in my book.
However, the action-packed thrill ride of jihadists, terrorists, cyber-savvy villains, and seemingly a one woman shield between them and the demise of the US... that's still a riveting read.
Reader beware, there's plenty of foul language, sex, murder, and mayhem in this book.
I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Lana rings true as a character. She's believable if a little bit un-girly. I can certainly identify with her terror about her daughter being threatened. I really don't agree with the laize faire of the parents giving their daughter plenty of time to have sex with her boyfriend in her bedroom upstairs. Call me old fashioned, but that is just wrong in my book.
However, the action-packed thrill ride of jihadists, terrorists, cyber-savvy villains, and seemingly a one woman shield between them and the demise of the US... that's still a riveting read.
Reader beware, there's plenty of foul language, sex, murder, and mayhem in this book.
I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
September 7, 2016
A Great Thriller With A Terrifying, Yet Plausible, Plot
Unholy Code is a non-stop thriller with frightening parallels to contemporary America. In a country fraught with suspicion and hate, terrorist both foreign and domestic threaten the nation. “Steel Fist,” a white supremacist is bad enough with his anti-Islamic rantings. But “Golden Voice,” a mysterious hacker with a terrifyingly evil agenda, is even worse. Waite’s use of the first person narrator for “Golden Voice” is powerful and instantly establishes this murderous antagonist for the reader. Even when you think you’ve figured out the story, another twist appears that immediately makes sense. Waite just keeps getting better and better. I can’t wait for his next book!
Unholy Code is a non-stop thriller with frightening parallels to contemporary America. In a country fraught with suspicion and hate, terrorist both foreign and domestic threaten the nation. “Steel Fist,” a white supremacist is bad enough with his anti-Islamic rantings. But “Golden Voice,” a mysterious hacker with a terrifyingly evil agenda, is even worse. Waite’s use of the first person narrator for “Golden Voice” is powerful and instantly establishes this murderous antagonist for the reader. Even when you think you’ve figured out the story, another twist appears that immediately makes sense. Waite just keeps getting better and better. I can’t wait for his next book!
August 10, 2016
Standard disclaimer - received a free copy for review.
Brutal, ugly, xenophobic and culturally biased.
Unfortunately that is the way of the world now.
I will also say family oriented, bravery with differing cultural values accepted and valued.
This book also trumpets the better values of humanity!
What I thought was going to be a simplistic techno-thriller turned out to be a rock and roll espionage and hacking story. Not being a person of trade-craft but one of technology I think the hacking descriptions are somewhat simplistic. The descriptions seem somewhat simplistic.
I am going to have to get the others in this series to catch up on some of the back-story to this one.
Brutal, ugly, xenophobic and culturally biased.
Unfortunately that is the way of the world now.
I will also say family oriented, bravery with differing cultural values accepted and valued.
This book also trumpets the better values of humanity!
What I thought was going to be a simplistic techno-thriller turned out to be a rock and roll espionage and hacking story. Not being a person of trade-craft but one of technology I think the hacking descriptions are somewhat simplistic. The descriptions seem somewhat simplistic.
I am going to have to get the others in this series to catch up on some of the back-story to this one.
August 21, 2016
I received a free copy from NetGalley. If you read to escape reality this is not a book for you. Every current fear has come true; rising coastal waters, biological terrorist attracts, extreme cyber crime and more. Hate and racism are shown at an extreme. A little bit of good is shown with characters acting out of a need to be heroes and/or love but overall a very gloomy book. This is a third in a series and other than not knowing the details of the rising coastal waters it seems to read okay on its own.
July 12, 2016
What an exciting book! Truthfully, reading about Lana and her family scared me, but it was invigorating. Remember, I read Children's Lit, so this adult book had it all for me - sex, foul language and extreme violence. I enjoyed the entertainment of this suspenseful book, and plan to find time to go back to the first two in the trilogy. That's right I've only read Book 3 in Waite's series, but hopefully I'll go back and learn about Lana before she became such a fighting woman!
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