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Lost Frequency: A Novel of Sound, Speed, Power, and Greed
The secret to complete human understanding and world peace may be as close as the ocean...It's a technology with infinite possibilities. DJ Parker, billionaire developer of a proprietary artificial intelligence program, is on the cusp of cracking the miracle code that can usher in a new age of human progress. Amazingly, the technology is ancient, held by a group of beings that have been around for fifty million cetacea--species of aquatic mammals including killer whales.But Parker quickly learns he has dangerous enemies including a Russian conglomerate tied to the Kremlin which is seeking the research for its own nefarious purposes--and which will stop at nothing to get it. With DJ's life in danger and the forces of evil seemingly everywhere, the fate of humankind is up for grabs.A page-turning philosophical thriller, "Lost Frequency" confronts animal rights, human nature, artificial intelligence, and the perils of technology turned loose.
296 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 4, 2018
6 people are currently reading
90 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
April 7, 2019
Parker is a developer of a new type of artificial intelligence. It is set to turn the world on its ear. Then his dad dies and Parker has to go home. This is something he has not done for a very long time. Parker and his dad did not see eye to eye. His dad owned amusement parks which kept whales on display and Parker did not agree with this practice. They actually had not spoken in quite a long time.
After his dad’s death, Parker learns the amusement parks are to be sold, underhandedly I might add…to Russia no less! While all of this is occurring, Parker is steadily trying to learn more about how whales communicate. His artificial intelligence is actually helping with this. Plus, Parker’s autistic brother seems to have a lot of insight into this phenomenon. How? It is a mystery to all involved. And everyone is racing to find out.
There is a lot going on in this tale. It is action packed. With murders and mysterious circumstances…what is not to love! Plus I loved the science in this book….yes I am a nerd! This is very well researched and I definitely learned a tremendous amount about whales.
Super good, high energy read! DO NOT MISS THIS ONE!
I received this novel in audiobook format from the author for a honest review.
After his dad’s death, Parker learns the amusement parks are to be sold, underhandedly I might add…to Russia no less! While all of this is occurring, Parker is steadily trying to learn more about how whales communicate. His artificial intelligence is actually helping with this. Plus, Parker’s autistic brother seems to have a lot of insight into this phenomenon. How? It is a mystery to all involved. And everyone is racing to find out.
There is a lot going on in this tale. It is action packed. With murders and mysterious circumstances…what is not to love! Plus I loved the science in this book….yes I am a nerd! This is very well researched and I definitely learned a tremendous amount about whales.
Super good, high energy read! DO NOT MISS THIS ONE!
I received this novel in audiobook format from the author for a honest review.
April 11, 2019
An enjoyable book combining the beauty of nature with the edge of a techno-thriller.
My full review is at:
http://bit.ly/2Vv4hNF
My full review is at:
http://bit.ly/2Vv4hNF
November 9, 2021
If there were ever a novel I felt qualified to review, it’s "Lost Frequency." Because: it takes place in my home waters, it involves animals I love, and (full disclosure) I’ve written a novel about the same place, animals, and situations. I waited to finish mine before reading "Lost Frequency," so I wouldn’t be tempted to “borrow.” No problem. We started at the same place but took off in entirely different directions.
This is a really ingenious, masterfully-written, artfully-constructed novel. It’s accurate on all the details of the whales, their conditions in captivity, the essential nature of their social lives, and the challenges they face in the wild and in captivity. Those items of authenticity were important for me to immerse myself in the story. But it’s the story that is truly wonderful. Swanson has taken the issue of orcas in captivity and expanded it into the realm of whale-whale and whale-human interaction (the latter at the heart of the title). Others have reviewed the details of plot and characters; I just want to leave my impression that this was a genuinely enjoyable and rewarding reading experience. I now recommend "Lost Frequency" to anyone who reads my book and wants more.
This is a really ingenious, masterfully-written, artfully-constructed novel. It’s accurate on all the details of the whales, their conditions in captivity, the essential nature of their social lives, and the challenges they face in the wild and in captivity. Those items of authenticity were important for me to immerse myself in the story. But it’s the story that is truly wonderful. Swanson has taken the issue of orcas in captivity and expanded it into the realm of whale-whale and whale-human interaction (the latter at the heart of the title). Others have reviewed the details of plot and characters; I just want to leave my impression that this was a genuinely enjoyable and rewarding reading experience. I now recommend "Lost Frequency" to anyone who reads my book and wants more.
June 18, 2019
Barry Swanson has written a taut, suspenseful thriller about an international race to discover a communication tool to translate a Lost Frequency into a language. How will such a tool be used by the victor in this race? Will it sustain good or diabolical purposes? Clues to this discovery lay with pods of whales. Have you ever wanted to talk with whales? Think of what we can learn from each other. Wisdom of the ages, shared. Will the human race thrive from what they learn, or struggle to survive as they use it against each other? And what is the fate of the whales?
A Puget Sound family’s legacy moves to a new generation when David Parker takes the reins. He uses a different approach as he begins covert work researching whale pods and their behavior. This is a perspective that hasn’t been tried before. His technology company team believes it can find the way to decipher and propel this promising advance for humankind. But can their solutions be stolen? And are they even on the right track? If successful, can humankind cooperate and collaborate in its use? As David Parker’s worthy opponent believes, “This is not the way that people interested only in power and influence think. For them, it is zero-sum. Power cannot be split. Power must always end up on one side. That’s the way the game is won.” The people in power are playing this game to win.
The mystery deepens as to just what the tech team is actually solving for. In the meantime foreign spies are infiltrating, stealing secrets, and eliminating anyone who gets in their way. “You are Prometheus, Mr. Parker . . . . Stealing fire from the gods to give to us mortals. Let us hope we do not burn ourselves.” The greatest threat is to David Parker and his family, and that is not something he had bargained for.
The explanation of the research in process is thought provoking. The work is clearly presented by such interesting characters, each with their own deeply held motives and reasons for participating. The descriptions of the whales’ grandeur, beauty, intellect, and lives are heartfelt and inspiring.
The author is a marine naturalist, a steward of the environment, and a singer/songwriter. Barry Swanson lives with his family in the Pacific Northwest on the beautiful Salish Sea. Prepare yourself for an intense thriller. Throughout this adventure, the author’s respect for the worldwide work of researchers, scientists, and for the marine mammals that populate our waters breaches the pages.
A Puget Sound family’s legacy moves to a new generation when David Parker takes the reins. He uses a different approach as he begins covert work researching whale pods and their behavior. This is a perspective that hasn’t been tried before. His technology company team believes it can find the way to decipher and propel this promising advance for humankind. But can their solutions be stolen? And are they even on the right track? If successful, can humankind cooperate and collaborate in its use? As David Parker’s worthy opponent believes, “This is not the way that people interested only in power and influence think. For them, it is zero-sum. Power cannot be split. Power must always end up on one side. That’s the way the game is won.” The people in power are playing this game to win.
The mystery deepens as to just what the tech team is actually solving for. In the meantime foreign spies are infiltrating, stealing secrets, and eliminating anyone who gets in their way. “You are Prometheus, Mr. Parker . . . . Stealing fire from the gods to give to us mortals. Let us hope we do not burn ourselves.” The greatest threat is to David Parker and his family, and that is not something he had bargained for.
The explanation of the research in process is thought provoking. The work is clearly presented by such interesting characters, each with their own deeply held motives and reasons for participating. The descriptions of the whales’ grandeur, beauty, intellect, and lives are heartfelt and inspiring.
The author is a marine naturalist, a steward of the environment, and a singer/songwriter. Barry Swanson lives with his family in the Pacific Northwest on the beautiful Salish Sea. Prepare yourself for an intense thriller. Throughout this adventure, the author’s respect for the worldwide work of researchers, scientists, and for the marine mammals that populate our waters breaches the pages.
August 10, 2019
Truth be told I do not know how to rate “Lost Frequency”. The premise is unique and interesting (I did think about spindle neurons for a long time), but the writing and editing were not as good as I expected. I am familiar with the books setting, the orcas of the Salish Sea, and research on cetaceans so I should be an ideal audience for the story, but why would I not give it five stars? The biggest issue for me was that the book was not as engaging as I had hoped. I was excited to read “Lost Frequency”. I wanted to love the book. But I didn’t.
“Lost Frequency” is definitely a worthwhile read. It just did not live up to the hype for me. I do recommend it, but it is not a book that will blow you away.
“Lost Frequency” is definitely a worthwhile read. It just did not live up to the hype for me. I do recommend it, but it is not a book that will blow you away.
January 27, 2020
One of the best books I’ve ever read. This book is a must read for any reader. The author excelled in teaching facts about killer whales while you didn’t even know it was happening because the story was so entertaining and compelling. I literally couldn’t put the book down, I cannot wait until a sequel! Will there be a sequel? I sure hope so. I also think this would be a great movie, like a James Cameron type. Good on the author to raise awareness about his beloved “Southern Resident Killer Whales”, what a brilliant idea to reach new people around the globe.
April 12, 2019
This is my first taste of a philosophical thriller, and I have to say it was very tastefully done. The focus on orca whales and the clash of their intelligence with human intelligence made for a unique read. While I hadn’t imagined there would be, there is plenty of action and mystery within the pages of this book.
Definitely worth it if you’re looking for something different and thought-provoking.
This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.
Definitely worth it if you’re looking for something different and thought-provoking.
This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.
September 11, 2019
Being an Orca-holic, lover and supporter of the well being of the orca species, I was captivated by this tale of awakening and redemption. If only all captive orcas could be released to sea sanctuaries, to have some small form of freedom in their lives, human kind would somehow become a bit more evolved.
March 25, 2019
A great original idea
The mix of Whales and technology kept it interesting
This book also does a good job shining a spotlight on the real life orca problem
B.j. Does a great job narrating highly recommended
I received a free review audiobook and voluntarily left this review
The mix of Whales and technology kept it interesting
This book also does a good job shining a spotlight on the real life orca problem
B.j. Does a great job narrating highly recommended
I received a free review audiobook and voluntarily left this review
August 17, 2019
Have just finished reading - couldn’t put it down- the emotions and moments of intrigue hit so perfectly at home for me! Can’t thank the author enough for the information and thought provoking nAture of the book - best book I’ve read in years...will definately be re-reading!
January 23, 2020
Great story about fighting for your dreams, and bringing to light the difficult plight of the Southern Resident Killer Whales who live in the Salish Sea. It is also a cry to stop holding those majestic creatures in pens barely larger than a bathtub.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews