What do you think?
Rate this book
Sam Reilly #26
The Vostok Enigma
In East Antarctica, a team of scientists drilled a hole in the Vostok ice sheet to take a sample of the subterranean lake 2.2 miles below the surface.
It was the deepest drill ever performed through ice anywhere in the world.
When the results of the core sample were published, it was highly scientific, and revealed a unique snapshot of the Earth’s atmosphere 20 million years ago.
Within hours, elite military teams from the U.S., Great Britain, Russia, and Australia had converged on the site – which meant somebody had revealed what they had really discovered buried beneath the snow…
Something that the world was never meant to know.
It was the deepest drill ever performed through ice anywhere in the world.
When the results of the core sample were published, it was highly scientific, and revealed a unique snapshot of the Earth’s atmosphere 20 million years ago.
Within hours, elite military teams from the U.S., Great Britain, Russia, and Australia had converged on the site – which meant somebody had revealed what they had really discovered buried beneath the snow…
Something that the world was never meant to know.
428 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2022
226 people are currently reading
169 people want to read
About the author
Christopher Cartwright
66 books249 followersChristopher 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.
He holds degrees in paramedics, nursing and emergency management.
Chris currently lives in Sydney with his wife and two children.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
October 8, 2022
Par for the rest of the series...
Which means, mediocre writing, horrible-to-nonexistent editing to fix the many, many errors of sentence and paragraph structure and punctuation, but a really good story. That last part is why I keep reading this series.
I'm wondering if the author would like to employ me, as an editor? Because it's quite obvious that he doesn't currently have an editor at all.
Which means, mediocre writing, horrible-to-nonexistent editing to fix the many, many errors of sentence and paragraph structure and punctuation, but a really good story. That last part is why I keep reading this series.
I'm wondering if the author would like to employ me, as an editor? Because it's quite obvious that he doesn't currently have an editor at all.
February 8, 2023
A Thrilling Read as Always!
Sam and the gang manage to get themselves into another fearsome adventure. From Antarctica to Switzerland, this fast paced story keeps you swiping up. I like Hu, and Dragon's Breath, and hope he's more involved with future novels. I had Google Earth open, as always, whilst I was reading, I like to see the places but Google was a little lacking this time around when it came to Antarctica, faithfully explained in the story. Lol Next please Christopher!
Sam and the gang manage to get themselves into another fearsome adventure. From Antarctica to Switzerland, this fast paced story keeps you swiping up. I like Hu, and Dragon's Breath, and hope he's more involved with future novels. I had Google Earth open, as always, whilst I was reading, I like to see the places but Google was a little lacking this time around when it came to Antarctica, faithfully explained in the story. Lol Next please Christopher!
December 11, 2022
You don't know who they are until you know
A fast thriller that takes you deep under the Arctic miles of ice and they all wanted it. A scientists a spy and Sam what could go wrong. There are blind spots you wonder why they are in the story but our wonderful author can bring it all together in the end. An exciting thriller guns blazing ducking and dodging the bullets and it's a must read. Recommend
A fast thriller that takes you deep under the Arctic miles of ice and they all wanted it. A scientists a spy and Sam what could go wrong. There are blind spots you wonder why they are in the story but our wonderful author can bring it all together in the end. An exciting thriller guns blazing ducking and dodging the bullets and it's a must read. Recommend
October 3, 2022
Buckle up for another amazing ride
What can I say…”I am a Sam Reilly Junkie”. I spent the rain day and 8 hours binge reading The Vostok Enigma. Now I am going to have to wait for another book. Buy it get a comfy chair some snacks and enjoy another fantastic detailed amazing thrill ride..
What can I say…”I am a Sam Reilly Junkie”. I spent the rain day and 8 hours binge reading The Vostok Enigma. Now I am going to have to wait for another book. Buy it get a comfy chair some snacks and enjoy another fantastic detailed amazing thrill ride..
October 7, 2022
Another Winner
Cartwright has another success. This one a high adventure in the frozen wastes of out South Pole! It was a thrilling novel filled with twists and turns some expected some not. And while Elise’s proclamation gets tossed aside for the epilogue I bet we hear a lot more about it soon.
Cartwright has another success. This one a high adventure in the frozen wastes of out South Pole! It was a thrilling novel filled with twists and turns some expected some not. And while Elise’s proclamation gets tossed aside for the epilogue I bet we hear a lot more about it soon.
December 13, 2023
The story was ok. It’s not quite what I expected. Of course this was my first Christopher Cartwright novel and apparently a well known series at that too. So I went into a novel of well established characters that I knew nothing about. Be that as it may it stands well enough on its own as an independent novel for a newcomer who’s just jumped in. Personally it’s just not my cup of tea. Based on the synopsis I mistakenly assumed there’d be some supernatural or paranormal element to the book and there really isn’t. This is more a spy vs spy type thriller story. Perfect for my husband so I am urging him to listen to this audio when he’s free. He’ll love it I’m sure. And I’m glad too, bc I bought a ton of this authors audios when they were on sale. 😏 Good for him, not so much for me.
The narrator is awesome though! I found the story to be just a little herky jerky. Jumping around a bit only to get back to a specific point 4 chapters later and I’d have forgotten the point. But that could just be me not fully invested in the story. I wasn’t happy with the ending either. The ending for the Vostok case or the ending that looks to set up a new case.
The narrator is awesome though! I found the story to be just a little herky jerky. Jumping around a bit only to get back to a specific point 4 chapters later and I’d have forgotten the point. But that could just be me not fully invested in the story. I wasn’t happy with the ending either. The ending for the Vostok case or the ending that looks to set up a new case.
January 9, 2024
I thought I knew where this book was going by the middle. Nope. Nice sharp left turn there Mr. Cartwright!
Listened over winter break and into the new year. I enjoy the Sam Reilly books - although the author can get a bit repetitive in their description. I don't need to know a person is out of breath when you say they're running for their life. And then you tell me they're straining for breath, as if they were running for their life. I love the descriptions of the place settings and I found that I google where the events take place and the kernels of history that the author puts in the book. Absolutely fascinating.
(Yes it's the same review for prior books, because it's true for all the books IMO.)
Listened over winter break and into the new year. I enjoy the Sam Reilly books - although the author can get a bit repetitive in their description. I don't need to know a person is out of breath when you say they're running for their life. And then you tell me they're straining for breath, as if they were running for their life. I love the descriptions of the place settings and I found that I google where the events take place and the kernels of history that the author puts in the book. Absolutely fascinating.
(Yes it's the same review for prior books, because it's true for all the books IMO.)
November 9, 2022
The main topic of this novel was several national groups vying to retrieve an ancient artifact buried deep in Antarctica. That seemed like an exciting premise, and one that several other authors have written about. Although there were several interesting twists to this story, I found that this Antarctic pursuit to be more about people "chasing their tails" than a mission of discovery.
November 14, 2022
Another winner!
The Sam Reilly books are full of adventure, thrills, and just darn fun to read! I just wish that Sam had a little more personal relationship with a S.O. like his best friend Tom. Love all the characters and even a few villains. I highly recommend this series to indulge with a good cup of coffee.
The Sam Reilly books are full of adventure, thrills, and just darn fun to read! I just wish that Sam had a little more personal relationship with a S.O. like his best friend Tom. Love all the characters and even a few villains. I highly recommend this series to indulge with a good cup of coffee.
December 23, 2022
The premise is great, but I have a problem when characters in a story make horrible decisions that any thinking person would not. Drives me nuts. I lost interest about half way through when the chapter’s protagonist made a choice so utterly silly that, for me, the book kind of fell apart.
I may return and finish it some day, but for now there are many other books I want to read.
I may return and finish it some day, but for now there are many other books I want to read.
January 1, 2023
Lots of action but short on story
This series has been very good throughout, but this story missed the mark. The action was too drawn out, it took too long to move the story. There were very lengthy scenes of gun fights and chases that began to drag. Hopefully the next book will have a stronger story line
This series has been very good throughout, but this story missed the mark. The action was too drawn out, it took too long to move the story. There were very lengthy scenes of gun fights and chases that began to drag. Hopefully the next book will have a stronger story line
August 13, 2023
One thrill leads to another in this story taking place in Europe and Antarctica simultaneously….All triggered by an unbelievably wealthy megalomaniac who uses lives as pawns in a game. Of course, incredible timing puts the heroes in the right places with the right skills and unique equipment to save the day! Fun, quick read!
October 22, 2024
The story line is fast paced and the premise unusual, but the actual writing and grammar is awful. The author needs an editor! Tense changes in the middle of paragraphs and sentences, too many commas, and his descriptions of military arms and planes, etc, seem to have been copied and pasted from the owners manual. Get an editor and the book would rate 4 or 5 stars
March 2, 2025
The Boston Enigma
Well written and fast paced. New characters were added and made the book even better. I loved the ending. Several stories were going on at the same time. Not a book for a lazy reader. You have to stay sharp to truely enjoy this book. The ending promises that the sequel will be great.
Well written and fast paced. New characters were added and made the book even better. I loved the ending. Several stories were going on at the same time. Not a book for a lazy reader. You have to stay sharp to truely enjoy this book. The ending promises that the sequel will be great.
October 4, 2022
Another smasher
An absolutely thrilling episode of this first class series. A rather drawn out tale with a thrilling ending. Open to continuation,as expected from this excellent author. A must for fans. Absolutely brilliant writing.
An absolutely thrilling episode of this first class series. A rather drawn out tale with a thrilling ending. Open to continuation,as expected from this excellent author. A must for fans. Absolutely brilliant writing.
October 11, 2022
The book seemed familiar until about halfway through, but I don’t recall which book it compared to. The second half was more interesting to me and typical Sam. The character of Anastasia and Natalya were well developed and interesting storyline.
November 6, 2022
Not my cup of tea
I am about 3/4 through the book and I've decided I won't go further. Color me stupid for going this far but this is terminally idiotic. Kind of like Clive Cussler
I am about 3/4 through the book and I've decided I won't go further. Color me stupid for going this far but this is terminally idiotic. Kind of like Clive Cussler
April 1, 2023
Cartwright hit another home run.
Not sure who was on Reilly’s side or an enemy. Antarctica has been used by many authors recently and Cartwright has you feeling the winds and super cold temperatures.
Not sure who was on Reilly’s side or an enemy. Antarctica has been used by many authors recently and Cartwright has you feeling the winds and super cold temperatures.
August 12, 2023
Confused plot
I had to work hard to finish this book. Perhaps I would have enjoyed it more if I had read the earlier books in the series. I found the plot to just wander and jump without much reason or foundation.
I had to work hard to finish this book. Perhaps I would have enjoyed it more if I had read the earlier books in the series. I found the plot to just wander and jump without much reason or foundation.
Read
September 10, 2023First Christopher Cartwright book
First time reading this author. I liked the pace of the book and the character development. I enjoyed the story line that allowed the unpredictable outcomes. Definitely will pick up another.
First time reading this author. I liked the pace of the book and the character development. I enjoyed the story line that allowed the unpredictable outcomes. Definitely will pick up another.
Read
September 13, 2023Great plot that is unpredictable
A good read that keeps the reader engaged with sporadic twists. And turns throughout the book. I've read better Reilly books but very worthwhile.
A good read that keeps the reader engaged with sporadic twists. And turns throughout the book. I've read better Reilly books but very worthwhile.
November 2, 2023
a good read
A really good read.from the first sentence to the epilogue.everything I want in a book, action/adventure/violence/intrigue spy’s ,very well written,and for a change a female heroine shared the main part.
A really good read.from the first sentence to the epilogue.everything I want in a book, action/adventure/violence/intrigue spy’s ,very well written,and for a change a female heroine shared the main part.
February 28, 2024
Exciting, well written book
Adventure filled, twists & turns in every chapter. You don't know who to trust. International soldiers & mercenaries on a search for a craft buried in the ice in Antarctica.
Adventure filled, twists & turns in every chapter. You don't know who to trust. International soldiers & mercenaries on a search for a craft buried in the ice in Antarctica.
March 6, 2024
The premise was interesting, but the book lost me with a plot point so dumb that I checked out. Don't all spies have like, codes or something? (even Top Secret!'s Do you know any good white basketball players? works). After that, I just didn't care.
August 5, 2025
Action Packed.
I’ve been searching for my next Favorite story teller. After devouring every Daniel Silva and Clive Cussler book available, Cartwright stepped up. I look forward to the chapter.
I’ve been searching for my next Favorite story teller. After devouring every Daniel Silva and Clive Cussler book available, Cartwright stepped up. I look forward to the chapter.
October 4, 2022
Great job!
Whay an interesting story! Great characters and plot! Sam Reilly just gets better and more intense with each adventure! This is a good one!
Whay an interesting story! Great characters and plot! Sam Reilly just gets better and more intense with each adventure! This is a good one!
October 8, 2022
Kick A** Story...
I'm never disappointed! I love Sam and Tom. Actually all the characters are great. I love the story line every single time. Every book is a new adventure.
I'm never disappointed! I love Sam and Tom. Actually all the characters are great. I love the story line every single time. Every book is a new adventure.
October 8, 2022
exciting!
Love the adventure. Loved the setting! This is a must read if you like excitement on every page. Love it!
Love the adventure. Loved the setting! This is a must read if you like excitement on every page. Love it!
October 10, 2022
Another great read
As usual, you just have to accept somethings but at least this time it was a three things happening that came together in the end
As usual, you just have to accept somethings but at least this time it was a three things happening that came together in the end
October 16, 2022
The Vostok Enigma
Good read. Sometimes a little too campy and far fetched, but still an interesting story. 5 more words required, but I have none.
Good read. Sometimes a little too campy and far fetched, but still an interesting story. 5 more words required, but I have none.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews