Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Sam Reilly #11

The Heisenberg Legacy

Rate this book
On January the 22nd, 1945, a secret weapon of unimaginable power was brought from the quiet town of Haigerloch in Germany’s southwest, and loaded onto a plane waiting at Stuttgart.

Less than a dozen people knew of the weapon’s existence, and even less knew where it was being taken.

The aircraft, its crew, and its remarkable cargo were never seen again.

Until now.

When the wreckage of the aircraft is located in present day Washington D.C. with no sign of its deadly cargo on board, Sam Reilly is called in to investigate.

But the situation soon erupts into something much more dangerous than a simple recovery mission…

289 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 1, 2018

431 people are currently reading
350 people want to read

About the author

Christopher Cartwright

73 books251 followers
Christopher Cartwright writes spellbinding mysteries and suspense novels. Often with a backdrop of ocean adventure. Born in 1983, he has a background as a paramedic, and is an avid sailor and SCUBA diver.

He holds degrees in paramedics, nursing and emergency management.

Chris currently lives in Sydney with his wife and two children.

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
526 (41%)
4 stars
434 (34%)
3 stars
244 (19%)
2 stars
46 (3%)
1 star
24 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
Profile Image for Montzalee Wittmann.
5,235 reviews2,344 followers
August 25, 2018
The Heisenberg Legacy mixes history, terrorism, an old nuke and more in an excellent adrenaline rush! This was an Audible book I requested and the review is voluntary. Love this series! Always full of adventure and action, a hint for treasure or in this case, something a bit more deadly.
Narration spot on as usual by David Gilmore!
28 reviews1 follower
August 17, 2023
This was a vastly different story than I was expecting, though it was interesting to see Sam in a different setting. I liked the prologue story, but it didn’t follow through how I thought. I found the main villain might have been overly teased, though the concept was fun. Overall, not my favorite in the series, but I did like that it felt like I was watching a tv show. I could really visualize a lot of this one!

I love this series. I think they could use a a lot of editing, less details about ships, weaponry, cars, etc. and more emphasis on the intense scenes. Many times throughout the series, I find myself feeling nervous, claustrophobic, in suspense, and flipping pages to get to the next scenes, which I enjoy a lot. Those bits that draw on about specific details, brand names, or mechanics take me out of the action sometimes.

I do also question if there are enough edits to paraphrase information about locations found online. I love that in this series, I find myself googling places I’ve never heard of, and I often find the travel to be the most immersive element. However, when I do a search online to look up a place and get a visual while reading, I often come across a very very similarly written article to the books.

Two other issues: there is an overarching plot that is the most interesting bit, but in the later books, some of the original details don’t seem to add up anymore. I may not be far enough to see it come together, so take that with a grain of salt. And, the descriptions of female characters can be a little jarring. Every woman seems to be fit, with lithe muscles and perfect teeth and a Lara Croft personality. Even more bookish, older, or one-off female characters are subject to this brush over. I enjoy the individuality of each one’s backstories, but I think some variety in appearance, or at least better initial descriptions than their…physical attributes…would be appreciated, too!

All of that being said, I’ve almost caught up to the currently published book and I have no intention of stopping the series. I loved the Uncharted games, and this reminds me heavily of that style. Action, adventure, thrilling discoveries, and an overarching plot which is generally well thought out.
Profile Image for Maggie Deaton.
751 reviews4 followers
September 23, 2021
Another winner for Reilly and the author, Cartwright!

However, I do take issue with the final conclusions by the author, that basically the internet and international commerce make the threat of nuclear warfare and MAD (mutually assured destruction), and obsolete and unnecessary one. While madmen and zealots walk the earth in positions of power, I feel there can be no true peace or safety, sadly enough. And only the cooler heads with the ability to immediately prevent and destroy plots by true evil by holding keys to " bigger and 'bladder toys' " have the hope of bringing about the true end to war and MAD....JMHO. Still..a great story and very interesting history lesson.....

Profile Image for Gilbert Stack.
Author 96 books78 followers
March 7, 2025
This is one of the best Sam Reilly novels—instantly engaging and an adrenaline rush from start to finish. The opening historical scene follows a Nazi aircraft making a secret run on an unnamed Allied city with a nuclear bomb. The plane crashes before it strikes its target leaving an unknown atomic bomb unaccounted for.

In the present day, a terrorist is threatening Washington, DC with a nuclear bomb. To make matters worse, the terrorist has focused on Sam Reilly and wants to play a peculiar game with him. If Sam wins, no explosion. If he loses...

Sam is run all over Washington DC presumably looking for clues to the location of the bomb, except he's actually uncovering a pretty amazing mystery.

This is a fun one.
Profile Image for Kate Brackett.
Author 3 books4 followers
June 5, 2018
This was a great thriller/mystery! A weapon that could cause unparalleled damage disappeared years ago -along with the crew. Only a handful of people knew about this weapon, and now, years later, it existence re-emerges, along with panic and suspicion. Sam Reilly is called to investigate and discovers this is much more than he had ever hoped to bargain for. This was non-stop, fast-paced action that kept me entertained from beginning until the end. I REALLY liked this book in the series and it is well-written and I will be reading others by this author!
Profile Image for Monroe Bryant.
412 reviews1 follower
May 27, 2023
I listen to audiobooks while I’m driving on a long trip and I listened to this one. One of the worst I have ever heard. Not only was the story unbelievable but the narrator was terrible with his boyish voice and terrible inflections. The author wrote in a very childish manner. How many time do we have to hear “understood”? How about Roger, OK, 10-4, aye aye, or any other response. Not to mention his geographical areas were way off, Sandy Point does not have a depth of 700’. I know authors can take literary license but really, when a reader knows the area it looses most of the story.
Profile Image for Lyn Richards.
572 reviews8 followers
July 19, 2020
This has been my all time favourite Sam Reilly to date. Set in Washington DC, the heart of power in the US and some would say the world. Add in a spot of Nazi history, the possibility of Washington being the site of a previous nuclear bomb site and mix this in wit some modern day terrorism plots makes this one of the most exciting Sam Reilly books.

I was on the edge of my seat whilst listing to the audible version of this book.

Totally immersed in this storyline
152 reviews1 follower
October 9, 2021
Another great read from Christopher Cartwright. Instead of searching for treasure or a relic to save mankind, Sam Reilly is searching for an old nuclear bomb hidden in or near Washington DC. With the city on lockdown, a madman sends him searching for clues to a secret that should be told before he can win the game and get the coordinates to the bomb. Along with a history lesson on the nuclear age, Sam learns more about his family history and his grandfather who started the family business.
Profile Image for Jean.
404 reviews
January 4, 2025
This time Sam is targeted by someone to find answers to questions or Washington DC will be blown up by a WWII german atomic bonb
I don’t know but it seems a bit all over. Sam seems a stressed and concerned and the book talks like every one else is, but then ids are playing in the streets, tourists are still being tourists Sam runs down a street and has to dodge people
I don’t know. Doesn’t seem like a big deal except to Sam. Love the fight scenes with TOM.
24 reviews
May 23, 2018
secrets and lies

another excellent story from Christopher, this one seems more true to life, possibly because some of the events in the story could really happen. politicians keeping secrets, terrorists threats, nuclear weapons, but the main one is the power of the internet. food for thought there. well written Christopher, looking forward to the next one.
Profile Image for Roger.
5,646 reviews28 followers
April 25, 2019
The Heisenberg Legacy, my eleventh read from author Christopher Cartwright & the eleventh book in the highly entertaining Sam Reilly series. Well-written thriller with captivating & well-developed main characters. Reminds me of Dan Brown’s writing. I’ll be reading more by this author as I already own more books in the series! (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).
Profile Image for Lindsay.
1,355 reviews30 followers
May 7, 2020
AUDIOBOOK

Sam is caught up in tangled web regarding a missing nuclear weapon from World War Two has been discovered but when they get to the wreck to recover it they find someone beat them to it. As Sam faces his latest foe it turns out that someone wants to play games with Sam and it depends if they can find out the truth before millions of people are killed by a bomb
Profile Image for Brad.
832 reviews
January 4, 2021
Another Sam Reilly adventure, this time in Washington DC, as he hunts down a WWII German nuclear bomb. I did like this book, but I guess I was disappointed as I could see so much potential in the story, but it just kind of petered out.
Still a good read if you are a Sam Reilly Fan. And this is not part of a story arc and can be read independently.
307 reviews1 follower
October 4, 2021
Way too much describing the bombs and guns. I didn't learns anything about the workings of either. Could have had 6-7 less chapters if some of that was left out. Story strange but I stuck with it. Not too much detail about the destruction of so many places. This is really a book for men though. Three stars would have been plenty.
42 reviews
March 6, 2022
Wondering

As usual, I thoroughly enjoyed the book. However, it took a while to get into the story and follow the plot. There were a few loose ends...what happened to Alex? I think someone who was not familiar with Sam Reilly and his crew's abilities might not be able to follow the action. 🤔
Profile Image for Rosario Barrera.
679 reviews2 followers
November 8, 2022
Game over

Another action packed thriller! I would hace thought that after his adventures saving the world in previous books, there wouldn’t be anything else for Sam Reilly to do. Guess I was wrong. Engaging, and with a totally different outlook, this was a great book. Highly enjoyable!
Profile Image for Margaret.
792 reviews5 followers
January 26, 2023
End of The Beginning

THE Heisenberg Legacy by Christop
her Cartwright is about Sam Reilly's quest to stop the co.plete destruction of Washington DC by a Broken Arrow from the end of WW II. It is an exciting journey of lies and deep secrets from the past. Reality is a closely held secret.
Profile Image for Denise.
3,734 reviews
January 1, 2024
I listened to the audio version of this book but that was not a choice when I posted this review.

Sam has become the playmate of a lunatic in apparent possession of an atomic weapon. Will he be able to win the game, or will he break the rules and bring disaster upon the city of Washington DC?

Based on a fake premise if current events in the Mideast are anything to go by.
100 reviews
June 22, 2024
This will be the 7th of Sam Reilly adventures I've read. Most of them rated 4-5 stars, this one is the worst. We believe scenario has a hint or sliver of possibility but this one does not. There was not one area where any of this could happen.
I will still follow this character hoping this is not recurring.
Profile Image for Karen Kepner.
363 reviews3 followers
June 5, 2018
I enjoyed this book as much as the others by Christopher Cartwright. Fast paced, set in Washington, DC. Historically based, as are all his books and featuring SAM in all his glory. Tom has a lesser role in this book. Lies, hidden truths and lying politicians... what a mix!
Profile Image for P..
Author 1 book11 followers
November 19, 2019
Enjoyable

This was an enjoyable and interesting perspective on the modern era and how it has been shaped by the closing years of the second world war and by the opening chapters of the cold war.
1,068 reviews2 followers
May 13, 2020
Action and adventure

Another good story but while books one through nine were connected, these last two seem disconnected and the main character Sam different, not so much a James Bond, less incredible gadgets.
Profile Image for Sarah Musser mcalister.
467 reviews8 followers
August 24, 2020
This one is pretty good. It's a little intense and a fun read. I was a little disappointed in the ending. I just felt like it was really rushed. My favorite parts of these books are when they go deep sea diving. I liked this book and I will probably be reading more of the series.
94 reviews
December 1, 2021
Thrill ride from beginning to end

The idea that a broken arrow could pop up in Washington is frightening but also very plausible in today's world
How would this be stopped and what are the reasons behind this?

416 reviews1 follower
June 30, 2022
Equality

Can not believe any author would promote achievable world peace through potential war on perceived equal terms. Book a fairy tale that will never become true. Recently human events showed it over again.
3 reviews6 followers
August 8, 2022
I have been *devouring* the Sam Reilly series, but this one was a huge disappointment. Slow paced and boring and so obvious, not to mention being a completely different type of story than the others. If you're enjoying the series you could completely skip this one and not miss anything. :-(
Profile Image for Debbi.
670 reviews
November 2, 2022
Really enjoyed this thriller/mystery except the first 15 minutes of unbelievable minutia about the aircraft the Germans were using to transport the bomb. I almost baled on the book but kept with it and enjoyed the rest very much.
46 reviews
April 10, 2023
Another page turner

Christopher Cartwright's efforts are, for me, clearly unending. A key to fiction is liking, or not, the characters. The team Sam Reilly relies on I continue to like while the plots twist me forward...on to the next with appreciation and anticipation.
Profile Image for Rick  Farlee.
1,155 reviews10 followers
March 15, 2024
CHIRP AUDIOBOOK

Intriguing storyline about Germany developing the atom bomb in 1945, ahead of the Americans and the plot to drop it on the USA. Many years later, the bomb remains near Washington DC unexploded… (Some abrasive language in this book is unnecessary and should have been edited out.)
Profile Image for FredM2.
290 reviews2 followers
July 18, 2024
This was a typical Sam Reilly book only better. It has you guessing from the start. Lots of action and plots to keep you thinking. I really enjoy all the Sam Reilly books and this one was exceptionally good.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.