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Jake Bendel Thrillers #2
Waterborne
A thought-provoking thriller about a very real threat to the essence of life: water. You'll be forced to consider how you'd react if you were cornered and trapped in a terrifying, life-threatening situation. Jake Bendel and a cunning team of experts create a five-plant desalination system - all powered by environmentally friendly molten salt reactors - providing clean, healthy drinking water to millions of thirsty Californians. But the dark side of humanity sees this as a chance for revenge against the United States. A genius weaponizes the system, threatening to kill more Americans than all of World War II.
The clock is ticking. Can Jake and the FBI stop the terrorists before more innocent people are murdered in the name of the Jihad? WATERBORNE will grab you by the throat and pull you into a vicious struggle that will define the fate of the world for generations to come.
The clock is ticking. Can Jake and the FBI stop the terrorists before more innocent people are murdered in the name of the Jihad? WATERBORNE will grab you by the throat and pull you into a vicious struggle that will define the fate of the world for generations to come.
341 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 12, 2019
428 people are currently reading
7170 people want to read
About the author
J. Luke Bennecke
5 books91 followersJ. Luke Bennecke is a veteran civil engineer with a well-spent career helping people by improving Southern California roadways. He has a civil engineering degree, an MBA, a private pilot's certificate, and is CEO of an engineering firm. In his role as philanthropist, he awards scholarships annually to high school seniors.
In addition to his debut novel, bestseller and award-winning Civil Terror: Gridlock, Bennecke has written several other novels and screenplays, a creative process he thoroughly enjoys. His second Jake Bendel thriller, Waterborne, was published originally in 2021 by Black Rose Writing and received several awards. Echo From a Bayou is his newest published suspense thriller with a supernatural twist.
Bennecke resides in Southern California with his wife of over 33 years and three spunky cats. In his leisure time he enjoys traveling, golfing, voiceover acting, and spending time with his grown daughters.
Bennecke is a member of International Thriller Writers and looks forward to attending ThrillerFest every year in New York.
In addition to his debut novel, bestseller and award-winning Civil Terror: Gridlock, Bennecke has written several other novels and screenplays, a creative process he thoroughly enjoys. His second Jake Bendel thriller, Waterborne, was published originally in 2021 by Black Rose Writing and received several awards. Echo From a Bayou is his newest published suspense thriller with a supernatural twist.
Bennecke resides in Southern California with his wife of over 33 years and three spunky cats. In his leisure time he enjoys traveling, golfing, voiceover acting, and spending time with his grown daughters.
Bennecke is a member of International Thriller Writers and looks forward to attending ThrillerFest every year in New York.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews
April 23, 2021
Check out all of my reviews at: https://www.avonnalovesgenres.com
WATERBORNE by J. Luke Bennecke is the second book in the Civil Terror thriller series featuring Civil Engineer Jake Bendel. This is an action packed, fast paced thriller set in the immediate future that is equal parts thought provoking, edge-of-your-seat thrilling, but also a fun read with characters good and bad that remind me of an over-the-top movie adventure. While you can read this book as a standalone, I believe all the main characters and their motivations are better understood if you read the first book, “Civil Terror: Gridlock” first.
Jake Bendel is “the” civil engineer in California who has big ideas and answers to many of California’s and the nation’s climate problems. Jake is working to get five desalination plants up and running which are powered by an environmentally friendly nuclear reactor to solve the shortage of fresh water problem and the nuclear waste problem together.
A criminal mastermind works to weaponize the water flowing from the plants with a waterborne virus that effects not only humans, but plant life, also. Can Jake, his friends and the FBI discover who is behind this plot and find a way to neutralize the virus and save the infected?
I really enjoy reading this series of thrillers! Mr. Bennecke writes a protagonist who makes being a civil engineer exciting and demonstrates the many solutions they work on for the good of civilization. Jake is an average man thrown into extraordinary circumstances and danger. The premise of the book is interesting, realistic and thought provoking. It is easy to read and fast paced with plenty of thrills, but it is the characters that pull me in and keep me turning the pages. The characters are over the top, especially the evil antagonists and so are the FBI agents.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. For me, this series of books are an action-adventure thrill ride based on a realistic premise.
WATERBORNE by J. Luke Bennecke is the second book in the Civil Terror thriller series featuring Civil Engineer Jake Bendel. This is an action packed, fast paced thriller set in the immediate future that is equal parts thought provoking, edge-of-your-seat thrilling, but also a fun read with characters good and bad that remind me of an over-the-top movie adventure. While you can read this book as a standalone, I believe all the main characters and their motivations are better understood if you read the first book, “Civil Terror: Gridlock” first.
Jake Bendel is “the” civil engineer in California who has big ideas and answers to many of California’s and the nation’s climate problems. Jake is working to get five desalination plants up and running which are powered by an environmentally friendly nuclear reactor to solve the shortage of fresh water problem and the nuclear waste problem together.
A criminal mastermind works to weaponize the water flowing from the plants with a waterborne virus that effects not only humans, but plant life, also. Can Jake, his friends and the FBI discover who is behind this plot and find a way to neutralize the virus and save the infected?
I really enjoy reading this series of thrillers! Mr. Bennecke writes a protagonist who makes being a civil engineer exciting and demonstrates the many solutions they work on for the good of civilization. Jake is an average man thrown into extraordinary circumstances and danger. The premise of the book is interesting, realistic and thought provoking. It is easy to read and fast paced with plenty of thrills, but it is the characters that pull me in and keep me turning the pages. The characters are over the top, especially the evil antagonists and so are the FBI agents.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. For me, this series of books are an action-adventure thrill ride based on a realistic premise.
September 25, 2024
This fast-paced thriller intrigued me, frightened me, and kept me on the edge of my seat. How would this virus affect the population and crops?
The crux of this story takes place over a few days, but the whole book spans about two weeks, from the initial chapter until the end. The story begins with Jake being kidnapped, leaving a diner, and injected with a drug that makes him susceptible to coercion, but he won't remember anything that he said or did afterward. That is until weeks later when his project with a water plant starts to go awry. That is when everything starts unraveling.
While it isn't necessary to read the first book by this author, Civil Terror: Gridlock, I think it would be very helpful. I will admit I was a bit confused at the beginning, not understanding the relationship between Jake and Viktor, how their lives intersected and why there was such animosity between the two. However, I did finally put the pieces together, but had I read the first book, I wouldn't have felt discombobulated in the beginning.
The book does have some technical jargon peppered throughout, but I didn't find it to be overwhelming or take away from the story. I enjoyed getting to know the characters and their relationships with one another. There are some surprising twists in the story, so don't think you have it all figured out! We do know who is behind everything early in the book and there is a surprise near the end that has me intrigued and ready to read the next book to find the answer.
This book hits a range of emotions and is well done. Sure, some of it may not be realistic, but that is the great thing about fiction: you can make anything possible, and in the future, it just might become a reality.
We give this 4 paws up.
The crux of this story takes place over a few days, but the whole book spans about two weeks, from the initial chapter until the end. The story begins with Jake being kidnapped, leaving a diner, and injected with a drug that makes him susceptible to coercion, but he won't remember anything that he said or did afterward. That is until weeks later when his project with a water plant starts to go awry. That is when everything starts unraveling.
While it isn't necessary to read the first book by this author, Civil Terror: Gridlock, I think it would be very helpful. I will admit I was a bit confused at the beginning, not understanding the relationship between Jake and Viktor, how their lives intersected and why there was such animosity between the two. However, I did finally put the pieces together, but had I read the first book, I wouldn't have felt discombobulated in the beginning.
The book does have some technical jargon peppered throughout, but I didn't find it to be overwhelming or take away from the story. I enjoyed getting to know the characters and their relationships with one another. There are some surprising twists in the story, so don't think you have it all figured out! We do know who is behind everything early in the book and there is a surprise near the end that has me intrigued and ready to read the next book to find the answer.
This book hits a range of emotions and is well done. Sure, some of it may not be realistic, but that is the great thing about fiction: you can make anything possible, and in the future, it just might become a reality.
We give this 4 paws up.
August 2, 2020
“Civil Terror – Waterborne” is part of a series, but there is a quick review of past events so new readers will easily follow along. The plot is current and believable; it deals with a critical social, environmental, and political problem – water.
Bennecke structures the book to depict the same scene multiple times, from the point of view of each participant. Readers learn what all the characters see, hear, and feel, and know what other characters do not. Jake Bendel engineered the concept of treating seawater with energy created by a new form of inexpensive, safe nuclear power. Water is a precious commodity, a basic human resource needed for California’s booming population. Three plants are finished and ready to go online. These will provide clean purified water that just a few weeks previously had contained ocean fish contently swimming.
The pace is frantic; the abduction that took less than ten seconds, hangs over everything. Tension mounts, and things happen that no one expects. There are explosions, near death events, threats, financial identity theft, surveillance, murders, and worst of all, a dead cat. The danger finally becomes clear; everyone is getting sick, but the resolution is not easily accomplished.
Bennecke created a non-stop thriller with the feel of a nightly news incident. There is action, drama, and peril on every page. I received a review copy of “Civil Terror Waterborne” from J. Luke Bennecke, and Jaytech Publishing. It was compelling and terrifying in its implications. I could not put it down, and I certainly did not stop to get a drink of water (shudder).
Bennecke structures the book to depict the same scene multiple times, from the point of view of each participant. Readers learn what all the characters see, hear, and feel, and know what other characters do not. Jake Bendel engineered the concept of treating seawater with energy created by a new form of inexpensive, safe nuclear power. Water is a precious commodity, a basic human resource needed for California’s booming population. Three plants are finished and ready to go online. These will provide clean purified water that just a few weeks previously had contained ocean fish contently swimming.
The pace is frantic; the abduction that took less than ten seconds, hangs over everything. Tension mounts, and things happen that no one expects. There are explosions, near death events, threats, financial identity theft, surveillance, murders, and worst of all, a dead cat. The danger finally becomes clear; everyone is getting sick, but the resolution is not easily accomplished.
Bennecke created a non-stop thriller with the feel of a nightly news incident. There is action, drama, and peril on every page. I received a review copy of “Civil Terror Waterborne” from J. Luke Bennecke, and Jaytech Publishing. It was compelling and terrifying in its implications. I could not put it down, and I certainly did not stop to get a drink of water (shudder).
March 30, 2021
This book is the second installment of the series, featuring Jake, an engineer and “Big Man” in the California climate crisis. He has spearheaded designing and building five water treatment plants, that take ocean (salt) water and purify it to essentially end the California drought crisis.
Unfortunately, Jake has some history with criminal mastermind Viktor, who killed Jake’s wife in the first installment of the book. Viktor becomes involved with attempting to contaminate the water in the plants with a biological weapon affecting the men who drink it. The book is a huge game of cat and mouse between Jake and Viktor, and other twists and turns thrown in.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I didn’t feel that the first book was a necessary need, as a lot of needed details were provided. It may have helped a little with understanding Jake’s backstory and motivations, but overall not necessary to understand and enjoy this story. Some of the writing got a little technical, but things were “dumbed down” for the novice reader (my knowledge of engineering, for example, is pretty limited.). I would recommend this to people who want an entertaining read, with a lot of action, twists and turns, and enjoy speculative fiction (as some of the concepts and technology mentioned in the book are not available or mainstream, as of yet.).
Thank you to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinions!
Unfortunately, Jake has some history with criminal mastermind Viktor, who killed Jake’s wife in the first installment of the book. Viktor becomes involved with attempting to contaminate the water in the plants with a biological weapon affecting the men who drink it. The book is a huge game of cat and mouse between Jake and Viktor, and other twists and turns thrown in.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I didn’t feel that the first book was a necessary need, as a lot of needed details were provided. It may have helped a little with understanding Jake’s backstory and motivations, but overall not necessary to understand and enjoy this story. Some of the writing got a little technical, but things were “dumbed down” for the novice reader (my knowledge of engineering, for example, is pretty limited.). I would recommend this to people who want an entertaining read, with a lot of action, twists and turns, and enjoy speculative fiction (as some of the concepts and technology mentioned in the book are not available or mainstream, as of yet.).
Thank you to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinions!
March 12, 2021
I haven’t had the pleasure of reading any of the other Jake Bengal books so felt at a bit of a disadvantage as I like to get to know the characters as they grow.
But after this one I may have to have a look to find more in this series.
What would happen if a virus is put in the water supply? We need water, we rely on water, so this would and does cause problems. Set in California it’s up to Paige, Jake and Cavanaugh of the FBI to look at and solve how the virus was added. Can they stop it in time before it infects the whole of California. In the middle is Victor who they believed to be dead!
This is a fast paced gripping read as the heroes try to stop terrorists from winning. This is a story that certainly makes you think, possibly more so as we are living through a pandemic. Water is something we all need to survive, so if someone pollutes that how can we survive. A heart pounding read, that at times will have you gripped.
I would like to thank #netgalley and #blackrosewriting for an ecopy of this book in exchange for an honest, fair and unbiased review.
But after this one I may have to have a look to find more in this series.
What would happen if a virus is put in the water supply? We need water, we rely on water, so this would and does cause problems. Set in California it’s up to Paige, Jake and Cavanaugh of the FBI to look at and solve how the virus was added. Can they stop it in time before it infects the whole of California. In the middle is Victor who they believed to be dead!
This is a fast paced gripping read as the heroes try to stop terrorists from winning. This is a story that certainly makes you think, possibly more so as we are living through a pandemic. Water is something we all need to survive, so if someone pollutes that how can we survive. A heart pounding read, that at times will have you gripped.
I would like to thank #netgalley and #blackrosewriting for an ecopy of this book in exchange for an honest, fair and unbiased review.
September 23, 2024
Civil engineer Jake Bendel wakes up with a sore spot on his neck and no memory of the night before, and that's only the start of his problems. See, Jake is the head of a project that is destined to forever change California's water supply system, and, hopefully end the perpetual drought that the state lives in. But before he can finish the project, Jake is attacked and taken by a group of terrorists.
The terrorists inject him with a drug that makes him forget their interactions and the following morning, Jake awakes with no memory of what transpired the night before. This is a problem, because the terrorists obviously took Jake for a reason. When that reason is revealed, Jake has to be the one to stop their plot to poison the state's water supply and save millions of lives, with little help from any other source.
This is one hell of a novel and one that I seemed to devour! J. Luke Bennecke's writing is tense, well-plotted and fast-moving. He seems to have a gift for writing action scenes in a way that paints a picture inside of the reader's head.
One of my favorite aspects of this novel were the characters. I loved how Jake Bendel seemed like a normal, everyday guy that had to save the world. Jake was no action hero spouting one-liners, but a middle-aged father who was simply trying to do what he thought was best. His friend, Paige was funny, clever and knowledgeable, but she was also a normal person trying her best to return to her life after suffering a trauma.
These are characters that I can not only relate to, but root for and that makes this book seem so much more intimate and exciting to me. 'Waterborne,' is one to watch out for!
The terrorists inject him with a drug that makes him forget their interactions and the following morning, Jake awakes with no memory of what transpired the night before. This is a problem, because the terrorists obviously took Jake for a reason. When that reason is revealed, Jake has to be the one to stop their plot to poison the state's water supply and save millions of lives, with little help from any other source.
This is one hell of a novel and one that I seemed to devour! J. Luke Bennecke's writing is tense, well-plotted and fast-moving. He seems to have a gift for writing action scenes in a way that paints a picture inside of the reader's head.
One of my favorite aspects of this novel were the characters. I loved how Jake Bendel seemed like a normal, everyday guy that had to save the world. Jake was no action hero spouting one-liners, but a middle-aged father who was simply trying to do what he thought was best. His friend, Paige was funny, clever and knowledgeable, but she was also a normal person trying her best to return to her life after suffering a trauma.
These are characters that I can not only relate to, but root for and that makes this book seem so much more intimate and exciting to me. 'Waterborne,' is one to watch out for!
March 7, 2021
This was my first Jake Bendel book but it won’t be the last! I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and the Publishers in exchange for this review, however the views are my own.
I was hooked right away. I devoured this book over a couple hrs spread over the course of my busy Saturday. I couldn’t wait to find out how everything turned out.
The premise is that a virus that genetically modules DNA is injected into the water supply in California. We follow Paige and Jake along with Cavanaugh from the FBI on their quest to solve how this happened. At the heart of it is Viktor who they thought was dead.
This book is a quick read and you won’t want to put it down.
I was hooked right away. I devoured this book over a couple hrs spread over the course of my busy Saturday. I couldn’t wait to find out how everything turned out.
The premise is that a virus that genetically modules DNA is injected into the water supply in California. We follow Paige and Jake along with Cavanaugh from the FBI on their quest to solve how this happened. At the heart of it is Viktor who they thought was dead.
This book is a quick read and you won’t want to put it down.
January 31, 2022
A truly thrilling read that is chillingly reminiscent of the times we’re living in today, especially when it comes to climate change and Covid-19.
April 26, 2021
A quick escape read that kept me turning the pages until the very end. Engineer Jake Bendel and FBI agent Cavanaugh are fighting against the clock to stop an old enemy from affecting Californian men with a virus that will adversely affect future generations. Having not read the first book featuring these characters, I was a bit confused in the beginning as the author kept referring to the events of the earlier book but I quickly became immersed in this story. I did find the ending a bit of a letdown as it felt rushed. I found the authors notes at the beginning on the difference between Light-water nuclear reactors and Molten Salt Reactors fascinating and something I hope to hear more about. This book reminded me of Nelson DeMille’s or Dan Silva’s novels but not quite as polished so I rounded up from 3.5 stars. Next up to read is the first book, Civil Terror: Gridlock. I want to thank Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
October 1, 2024
If you are looking for a fresh take on a thriller, 'Waterborne,' is the book for you. There is something that sets this book apart from any other thriller that I have ever read – the information.
The realistic take on a terrorist threat, and the research that, I assume, the author must have done in order to write this was so complete and so well done that I found myself Googling whether or not this could really happen after I was done reading! Spoiler Alert: according to Google, it's a real possibility.
That'll be my last spoiler for this review, but I will tell you about the plot so that you can be as informed as I am. Jake Bendel is the project manager for a water purification system that involves clean nuclear energy. This plan includes the building of five purification plants, three of which are already completed at the start of the novel. These plants are supposed to supply water to the entire state of California, hopefully ending their perpetual drought problem.
It all sounds great, right? Unless the wrong people get hold of the system somehow. And, of course, that's exactly what happens.
A terrorist group kidnaps Jake, holding him overnight and pumping him full of a drug that makes him forget the entire experience. Jake has limited information – and even less time – to work out exactly how the terrorists plan to taint the state's water supply, and how exactly to stop them.
This one is worth the read if only to learn more about the potential future of the nations water supply. Granted, hopefully terrorists wont actually attack it in real life! J. Luke Bennecke created a genuinely exciting thrill ride of a story, and one that I know I will be thinking about for a long time to come!
The realistic take on a terrorist threat, and the research that, I assume, the author must have done in order to write this was so complete and so well done that I found myself Googling whether or not this could really happen after I was done reading! Spoiler Alert: according to Google, it's a real possibility.
That'll be my last spoiler for this review, but I will tell you about the plot so that you can be as informed as I am. Jake Bendel is the project manager for a water purification system that involves clean nuclear energy. This plan includes the building of five purification plants, three of which are already completed at the start of the novel. These plants are supposed to supply water to the entire state of California, hopefully ending their perpetual drought problem.
It all sounds great, right? Unless the wrong people get hold of the system somehow. And, of course, that's exactly what happens.
A terrorist group kidnaps Jake, holding him overnight and pumping him full of a drug that makes him forget the entire experience. Jake has limited information – and even less time – to work out exactly how the terrorists plan to taint the state's water supply, and how exactly to stop them.
This one is worth the read if only to learn more about the potential future of the nations water supply. Granted, hopefully terrorists wont actually attack it in real life! J. Luke Bennecke created a genuinely exciting thrill ride of a story, and one that I know I will be thinking about for a long time to come!
September 16, 2024
Jake Bendel has quite the life! What a ride you'll have with this book. From explosions to car chases to poisonings and global terrorism, there are no holds barred with this one. I hadn't read the previous book in this series, but I had no problem jumping right into this one and taking off on this wild ride. With all kinds of shenanigans going on and Jake trying to save the world from an old, resurrected nemesis, he still manages to fight off a death-defying virus, protect his loved ones and devise a few mastermind plots of his own.
With a story that could be ripped from today's headlines and that feeds on many of our current fears, this is a timely read that you'll quickly become engrossed in, to the point that you'll be just as frantically turning pages as Jake is frantically chasing the bad guys. If you love action thrillers that don't let up and give you life and death moments on just about every page, don't miss this one.
With a story that could be ripped from today's headlines and that feeds on many of our current fears, this is a timely read that you'll quickly become engrossed in, to the point that you'll be just as frantically turning pages as Jake is frantically chasing the bad guys. If you love action thrillers that don't let up and give you life and death moments on just about every page, don't miss this one.
May 4, 2021
Set in a futuristic time, this action-packed story spans over roughly two weeks. The investigation happens in less than 48 hours.
This the second book in the series, and the author has given enough information from the earlier book to fill in the gaps.
Dr. Jake Bendel is a man with a good heart, but he is no superhero. He is a very regular guy with anxieties from the tragedies of his life. But Jake keeps them at bay. He is an engineer, and it reflects the way he talks and interacts with his team. Paige is his closest friend and shared a similar fate in his personal life as Bendel (again, it relates to Book 1).
Bendel’s archenemy is Viktor, whose idea of revenge has consumed him. He is stubborn and will do everything to stop Bendel.
The book has a small pool of characters, and it very easy to navigate through them. There’s a sense of impending danger, and this tension pushes the reader through the book. The writing is easy to read and free-flowing. Not for a moment reader will lose their attention. The book starts with a punch and carries its thrill until the end. The author described the scenes well, and readers can imagine them with ease. The first page also gives facts related to the MSRs and nuclear reactors.
I will read book one to understand the characters better, even though one can enjoy this one without reading the first book.
Waterborne is an edge-of-the-seat thriller, Jake Bendel has to run against time to save the people of Earth.
My rating for the book is 3.5 stars.
Thank you, NetGalley and Black Rose publishing for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
This the second book in the series, and the author has given enough information from the earlier book to fill in the gaps.
Dr. Jake Bendel is a man with a good heart, but he is no superhero. He is a very regular guy with anxieties from the tragedies of his life. But Jake keeps them at bay. He is an engineer, and it reflects the way he talks and interacts with his team. Paige is his closest friend and shared a similar fate in his personal life as Bendel (again, it relates to Book 1).
Bendel’s archenemy is Viktor, whose idea of revenge has consumed him. He is stubborn and will do everything to stop Bendel.
The book has a small pool of characters, and it very easy to navigate through them. There’s a sense of impending danger, and this tension pushes the reader through the book. The writing is easy to read and free-flowing. Not for a moment reader will lose their attention. The book starts with a punch and carries its thrill until the end. The author described the scenes well, and readers can imagine them with ease. The first page also gives facts related to the MSRs and nuclear reactors.
I will read book one to understand the characters better, even though one can enjoy this one without reading the first book.
Waterborne is an edge-of-the-seat thriller, Jake Bendel has to run against time to save the people of Earth.
My rating for the book is 3.5 stars.
Thank you, NetGalley and Black Rose publishing for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
July 23, 2020
The water, the food chain, had been poisoned and they were trying to kill the person who could fix the problem. The big question, then, who is “they”?
Jake Bendal had designed a system that could produce clean water from the Pacific Ocean waters off the coast of California and cheap and safe energy using Molton Salt Reactors which recycled the salt from the waste created while purifying the ocean’s saltwater. A win for many, but “they” wanted to put a stop to it by creating a virus that changes the sperm that would create the next generation of children and would destroy the next year’s crop production - a virus that was spread through a poison found in the freshwater coming from Jake Bendal’s facilities that created both freshwater and clean/safe energy.
The book was a good story from the very beginning. Part of a series, the book can almost be read alone - yet by not reading the earlier book in the series and missing the next book in the series, this reader felt like he was missing parts of the story. I will be watching for the next book. Part 1, Civil Terror:Gridlock was published in 2018. No hint as to when to expect book 3 of the series was provided. I am hoping that I will not have to wait for the two to three years that separated book 1 and book 2.
For the reader looking for his or her next thriller, J. Luke Bennecke’s Civil Terror:Waterborne would make a great choice.
______________
This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions expressed are my own.
Jake Bendal had designed a system that could produce clean water from the Pacific Ocean waters off the coast of California and cheap and safe energy using Molton Salt Reactors which recycled the salt from the waste created while purifying the ocean’s saltwater. A win for many, but “they” wanted to put a stop to it by creating a virus that changes the sperm that would create the next generation of children and would destroy the next year’s crop production - a virus that was spread through a poison found in the freshwater coming from Jake Bendal’s facilities that created both freshwater and clean/safe energy.
The book was a good story from the very beginning. Part of a series, the book can almost be read alone - yet by not reading the earlier book in the series and missing the next book in the series, this reader felt like he was missing parts of the story. I will be watching for the next book. Part 1, Civil Terror:Gridlock was published in 2018. No hint as to when to expect book 3 of the series was provided. I am hoping that I will not have to wait for the two to three years that separated book 1 and book 2.
For the reader looking for his or her next thriller, J. Luke Bennecke’s Civil Terror:Waterborne would make a great choice.
______________
This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions expressed are my own.
August 21, 2023
Bio Terrorism in California
What if a mega-destructive virus was introduced into our water supply. One so horrific that it genetically altered human emotions for generations to come. Dr. Jake Bendel, engineer, is working on ways to help California solve there energy problems through the use of hydro-electric power. He’s designed desalination plants that not only removes the salt from ocean water and turns it into drinking water l, it also will supply fresh water for agriculture.
Enter the villains who, using a drug designed to make a person highly open to suggestion but also leaves them not remembering what it was they did or how they contributed to the activity.
So begins our story. One easy to follow read. One tough FBI Senior Agent, one engineering marvel, and one specific Evil dude (with a billionaire financing his evil plans).
I suggest you might want to pick this on up, it’s pretty darn good!
What if a mega-destructive virus was introduced into our water supply. One so horrific that it genetically altered human emotions for generations to come. Dr. Jake Bendel, engineer, is working on ways to help California solve there energy problems through the use of hydro-electric power. He’s designed desalination plants that not only removes the salt from ocean water and turns it into drinking water l, it also will supply fresh water for agriculture.
Enter the villains who, using a drug designed to make a person highly open to suggestion but also leaves them not remembering what it was they did or how they contributed to the activity.
So begins our story. One easy to follow read. One tough FBI Senior Agent, one engineering marvel, and one specific Evil dude (with a billionaire financing his evil plans).
I suggest you might want to pick this on up, it’s pretty darn good!
September 13, 2023
Heaven help us if this ever happens--unfortunately it could!! Science has come a long way--and there are probably people who would use the knowledge for terrible reasons and outcomes. And although we usually think of foreign terrorists--it could be rich, greedy business people-or a combination of the two--It brought to mind the saying " The enemy of my enemy is my friend. "
There is a lot of action in this book, I could not put it down!
There is a lot of action in this book, I could not put it down!
Want to read
January 21, 2020This is quite good. It has all the right elements -- engaging plot, good dialog, interesting characters, etc. The story is complicated enough to be engaging plus there are some good twists along the way. A solid thriller. Recommended.
Thanks very much for the ARC for review!!
Thanks very much for the ARC for review!!
June 29, 2021
This suspense thriller was a timely read that centers on a waterborne illness that only affects certain people in a specific area. Surprising developments in the story keep it moving at a great pace! A lot of action as well keeps it interesting!
September 23, 2024
If you want a suspenseful, action-packed book that will leave you guessing until the last page, 'Waterborne,' by J. Luke Bennecke is the book for you!
Jake Bendel is a civil engineer and the project manager for a groundbreaking series of water treatment plants that are being built in order to address California's drought problem. Jake has been tangling with the governor over this project for months, but now it is almost complete and he is relieved to be nearly done. However, before he can finish, another problem arises – and this one is quite a bit more serious.
Jake is kidnapped. He is taken by terrorists who wish to damage his project and poison the state's water supply. The terrorists give Jake a drug that makes him forget everything that they told him, leaving him woefully behind in figuring out their plan.
At the same time, Jake is being terrorized from a different source, a former criminal who recently attacked him and his friend – and who now seems to be back in their lives for reasons that can only be nefarious. Things are getting bad for Jake, and they get even worse when he is poisoned himself and must track down the head of the terrorist organization and put an end to his plans once and for all!
'Waterborne,' is not just a pulse-pounding thriller, but also an exploration of our nation's water supply system and how vulnerable it is to attack.
It was clear right from the get-go that Bennecke did his research when writing this book. I can't remember the last time that I learned so much while reading a thriller – maybe never! I haven't read anything from this author before, but I'm very excited to see what he comes out with next!
Jake Bendel is a civil engineer and the project manager for a groundbreaking series of water treatment plants that are being built in order to address California's drought problem. Jake has been tangling with the governor over this project for months, but now it is almost complete and he is relieved to be nearly done. However, before he can finish, another problem arises – and this one is quite a bit more serious.
Jake is kidnapped. He is taken by terrorists who wish to damage his project and poison the state's water supply. The terrorists give Jake a drug that makes him forget everything that they told him, leaving him woefully behind in figuring out their plan.
At the same time, Jake is being terrorized from a different source, a former criminal who recently attacked him and his friend – and who now seems to be back in their lives for reasons that can only be nefarious. Things are getting bad for Jake, and they get even worse when he is poisoned himself and must track down the head of the terrorist organization and put an end to his plans once and for all!
'Waterborne,' is not just a pulse-pounding thriller, but also an exploration of our nation's water supply system and how vulnerable it is to attack.
It was clear right from the get-go that Bennecke did his research when writing this book. I can't remember the last time that I learned so much while reading a thriller – maybe never! I haven't read anything from this author before, but I'm very excited to see what he comes out with next!
September 16, 2024
An edge-of-your-seat thriller that will leave any reader asking questions about what exactly is in our water supply, 'Waterborne,' by J. Luke Bennecke is destined to be the best book that you have read all year!
This story really kicks off with a bang as the main character, Jake Bendel is drugged and kidnapped from a restaurant with no memory of any of it the next morning. The reader is left in suspense about what exactly happened during the missing time, but it is obvious why Jake was kidnapped: his job.
See, Jake is the project director of a desalination project that is slated to solve California's ongoing drought problems. For many, this project will be a blessing, but the terrorists who kidnapped Jake see it only as an opportunity to cause harm to millions of people.
After coming off a harrowing adventure where he was nearly killed by an assassin in the first book of the series, Jake must determine how far he is willing to go—and how much danger he is willing to put himself into—to help stop these terrorists from tainting California's water supply.
This was a killer novel and one that I definitely intend to re-read.
J. Luke Bennecke has a real talent for inserting just the right amount of tension into his narrative, without making the action too overwhelming. At the same time, I really appreciated Jake as a character, and I loved his relationship with his friend, Paige, who definitely kept me laughing throughout.
This is a five-star read in a tightly-written package. I highly recommend picking it up if you are interested in thrillers, or if you are interested in learning a little something about California's water supply! It's great to read a story from an author who seems really knowledgeable about something so interesting!
This story really kicks off with a bang as the main character, Jake Bendel is drugged and kidnapped from a restaurant with no memory of any of it the next morning. The reader is left in suspense about what exactly happened during the missing time, but it is obvious why Jake was kidnapped: his job.
See, Jake is the project director of a desalination project that is slated to solve California's ongoing drought problems. For many, this project will be a blessing, but the terrorists who kidnapped Jake see it only as an opportunity to cause harm to millions of people.
After coming off a harrowing adventure where he was nearly killed by an assassin in the first book of the series, Jake must determine how far he is willing to go—and how much danger he is willing to put himself into—to help stop these terrorists from tainting California's water supply.
This was a killer novel and one that I definitely intend to re-read.
J. Luke Bennecke has a real talent for inserting just the right amount of tension into his narrative, without making the action too overwhelming. At the same time, I really appreciated Jake as a character, and I loved his relationship with his friend, Paige, who definitely kept me laughing throughout.
This is a five-star read in a tightly-written package. I highly recommend picking it up if you are interested in thrillers, or if you are interested in learning a little something about California's water supply! It's great to read a story from an author who seems really knowledgeable about something so interesting!
September 16, 2024
J. Luke Bennecke is the king of action-packed medical thrillers that leave you more and more breathless with every turned page. I loved the action in this book, and I found myself really connecting with the characters, something that I don't always find myself doing with thrillers.
Jake Bendel is a fifty-one-year-old man, living in Stockton, California who simply wants to live a normal life. Unfortunately for him, that's just not in the cards.
Jake is currently working on a project that, when completed, will solve California's drought for good. But unexpectedly, Jake is attacked by terrorists who wish to poison the state's water supply. Jake is kidnapped and injected with a drug that makes him forget everything that happened to him for the duration of his kidnapping.
Waking the next morning with no idea that anything untoward happened, Jake tries to go about his daily routine. However, destiny has other plans, and soon the terrorists brutal work comes to light. Jake must find a way to stop the terrorists plans from going forward, and save millions of lives. But all of this is taking place while Jake is already on the lookout for an international terrorist who murdered his wife and still has plans to murder him. It's a tough situation, but a guy like Jake may be the only one who can handle it. Or, at least, we can hope so, for our sake!
I couldn't put this book down the whole time that I was reading and I'm sure you'll feel the same way! Bennecke's writing is excellent! He gives just enough information about the water crisis without bogging down the story with too many unnecessary details. I was thrilled, scared, and exhilarated while reading this un-put-down-able thriller! This is one that you will not want to miss!
Jake Bendel is a fifty-one-year-old man, living in Stockton, California who simply wants to live a normal life. Unfortunately for him, that's just not in the cards.
Jake is currently working on a project that, when completed, will solve California's drought for good. But unexpectedly, Jake is attacked by terrorists who wish to poison the state's water supply. Jake is kidnapped and injected with a drug that makes him forget everything that happened to him for the duration of his kidnapping.
Waking the next morning with no idea that anything untoward happened, Jake tries to go about his daily routine. However, destiny has other plans, and soon the terrorists brutal work comes to light. Jake must find a way to stop the terrorists plans from going forward, and save millions of lives. But all of this is taking place while Jake is already on the lookout for an international terrorist who murdered his wife and still has plans to murder him. It's a tough situation, but a guy like Jake may be the only one who can handle it. Or, at least, we can hope so, for our sake!
I couldn't put this book down the whole time that I was reading and I'm sure you'll feel the same way! Bennecke's writing is excellent! He gives just enough information about the water crisis without bogging down the story with too many unnecessary details. I was thrilled, scared, and exhilarated while reading this un-put-down-able thriller! This is one that you will not want to miss!
September 16, 2024
'Waterborne,' by J. Luke Bennecke is one of the most immediately immersive books that I have read all year. From the very first page, I was pulled in by the narrative, and worried about the character of Jake Bendel. Was he really about to be kidnapped by terrorists? Would he make it out alive?
Bendel does make it out alive, but the next morning when he wakes in his own bed, he does not remember any of the events that passed the night before. Bendel was kidnapped because he is the head of a project that is addressing the problems in California's water supply.
Though the project is not entirely done, it is expected to be a huge success and to positively effect the lives of the millions of residents of the state. But unfortunately, where there is progress and opportunity, there are often people who wish to use it for their own gain.
The terrorists who kidnap Bendel want to poison the state's water supply and they intend to use him to do it. Bendel will have to remember what happened to him and work against a ticking clock to stop the terrorists and save millions of lives, all while still recovering from the trauma that was inflicted on him in the first book.
'Waterborne' is very different from your average thriller, mainly because Jake Bendel is a very different type of action hero. As a scientist and a middle-aged man, he certainly came across more relatable than your average lead in these types of books. I found myself rooting for him right away and really sympathized with the stress and anxiety that he was going through.
I definitely recommend this roller coaster ride of a novel to anyone who loves a good read. But you might want to buckle your seat belt first.
Bendel does make it out alive, but the next morning when he wakes in his own bed, he does not remember any of the events that passed the night before. Bendel was kidnapped because he is the head of a project that is addressing the problems in California's water supply.
Though the project is not entirely done, it is expected to be a huge success and to positively effect the lives of the millions of residents of the state. But unfortunately, where there is progress and opportunity, there are often people who wish to use it for their own gain.
The terrorists who kidnap Bendel want to poison the state's water supply and they intend to use him to do it. Bendel will have to remember what happened to him and work against a ticking clock to stop the terrorists and save millions of lives, all while still recovering from the trauma that was inflicted on him in the first book.
'Waterborne' is very different from your average thriller, mainly because Jake Bendel is a very different type of action hero. As a scientist and a middle-aged man, he certainly came across more relatable than your average lead in these types of books. I found myself rooting for him right away and really sympathized with the stress and anxiety that he was going through.
I definitely recommend this roller coaster ride of a novel to anyone who loves a good read. But you might want to buckle your seat belt first.
September 16, 2024
“Running his fingertips along each of the four loaded mags inside the pocket of his leather jacket, he calculated the time to empty all sixty rounds. At three rounds per second and another three seconds to swap each mag, he could finish in just over half a minute.”
From page one of 'Waterborne,' by J. Luke Bennecke you are plunged straight into the action. A man named Jake Bendel is sitting at a restaurant waiting for his friend when he is approached and kidnapped by a man who does not seem to have good intentions, to say the least. However, the following morning, Jake wakes up in his own house, totally unaware that anything has happened to him.
The terrorists have injected him with a drug that makes you forget chunks of time. Of course, the terrorists don't kidnap just anyone, and we quickly learn that Jake is the head of a project that is supposed to revolutionize California's water supply system. A project that the terrorists want to have control over.
Poisoning millions of people in one of the biggest states is just the type of thing that any terror group might attempt to accomplish, but this one is on the verge of actually doing it, and Jake has to race against the clock to stop them. However, when he is injected with the poison as well, things get a little bit messier and time begins to tick down while millions of lives hang in the balance. Jake will have to rely on his wits and determination to get the job done and save all those people.
The tension in this book was amazing. Bennecke is a really talented author with an impressive focus on the scientific aspect of his story. It's pretty clear that a lot of research went into writing this, and it paid off! A killer novel!
From page one of 'Waterborne,' by J. Luke Bennecke you are plunged straight into the action. A man named Jake Bendel is sitting at a restaurant waiting for his friend when he is approached and kidnapped by a man who does not seem to have good intentions, to say the least. However, the following morning, Jake wakes up in his own house, totally unaware that anything has happened to him.
The terrorists have injected him with a drug that makes you forget chunks of time. Of course, the terrorists don't kidnap just anyone, and we quickly learn that Jake is the head of a project that is supposed to revolutionize California's water supply system. A project that the terrorists want to have control over.
Poisoning millions of people in one of the biggest states is just the type of thing that any terror group might attempt to accomplish, but this one is on the verge of actually doing it, and Jake has to race against the clock to stop them. However, when he is injected with the poison as well, things get a little bit messier and time begins to tick down while millions of lives hang in the balance. Jake will have to rely on his wits and determination to get the job done and save all those people.
The tension in this book was amazing. Bennecke is a really talented author with an impressive focus on the scientific aspect of his story. It's pretty clear that a lot of research went into writing this, and it paid off! A killer novel!
June 20, 2021
This book reads like a spy novel for young adult males. If you are part of that audience, you might enjoy this book. As an avid reader and writer, I did not enjoy this book. There was entirely too much exposition, too much telling instead of showing, and too many outlandish events that made it impossible for me to suspend my sense of disbelief. At times I often felt like this should be the second book in a series.
The book starts with 4 facts. These facts REALLY work to get you interested in the book. Unfortunately, there is too much exposition in the beginning of the book to really get the reader invested in the characters. So...brilliant premise, lousy execution. The criminals are dull and stupid.
There were too many times where the writing in this book seems forced. Too many times where the author has included something because it is suggested as something a book needs...like a count down, for instance.
Brilliant hook, lousy execution.
The book starts with 4 facts. These facts REALLY work to get you interested in the book. Unfortunately, there is too much exposition in the beginning of the book to really get the reader invested in the characters. So...brilliant premise, lousy execution. The criminals are dull and stupid.
There were too many times where the writing in this book seems forced. Too many times where the author has included something because it is suggested as something a book needs...like a count down, for instance.
Brilliant hook, lousy execution.
August 19, 2024
J. Luke Bennecke’s Waterborne charts the knotty existence of a civil engineer who must navigate a multifaceted conspiracy of bioterrorism and radical ideology shrouded in the guise of social welfare and a utopian vision.
The story unfolds in Stockholm, California, where the FBI's most-wanted sniper, Gunther, is reveling in his next target, Jake Bendel. A civil engineer and widower scarred by the sorrows of past years, Jake is in a whirlwind only to take a worse course with time. Not only does he wake up in his room with memory loss of recent events and a welt on his neck but also, he discovers that there has been tampering with the security system, which assures his paranoia about his safety. Lo and behold, the tension is only beginning to mount relentlessly: a letter from the IRS reveals that Jake owes a substantial amount of money in back taxes, an event troublesome enough to worsen financial burdens.
Yet, the worst is on the brink. Not only does his friend Dave disappear under cryptic circumstances, but a dangerous virus able to alter human DNA is set loose: a waterborne virus associated with water treatment plants that Jake helped design. Each orchestrated event as a way to destabilize Jake and hurt his ally points to one thing: a force is out to exploit Jake, unleash chaos, and instigate complete pandemonium. The complications for Jake in the future are clear-cut in the light of a menacing message that says, "You are Next."
In the grip of such fate-altering events, there is set loose a high-stake thriller that weaves in conspiracy and the threat of a viral outbreak. It is through the intertwining of journeys of the various subjects that the thriller propels: Cavanaugh, a diligent FBI agent who would conform to the rules of the workforce no matter what, adding to the frustration of Jake amid a gridlock case; and Linda Bennet, a perpetrator and victim, blackmailed into creating and spreading a virus that can modify human DNA. Linda's revelation validates an anticipated scenario: a spark of public fear and paranoia is soon to ignite, with civil unrest looming near. With multifaceted agendas, personal grudges and greed at play, Jake is to navigate a web of deception, marked by masterminds on the road to manipulation, ideological extremism, and personal motives.
Waterborne is an accumulation of thriller, mystery, crime, and psychological drama, which takes a terrain to a social commentary of the vile aspect of human self-superiority and zeal for dominance over others. Referencing Hitler and Himmler, it explores how the intention for a utopian society, at the cost of ethical boundaries and human rights, can lead a society to dystopian outcomes.
The antagonist’s endeavor to take on the "burden" to save humanity, albeit stuffed with his selfish motives, parallels the imperialist ideology. In asserting the superiority of their vision, the masterminds throughout the story present a modern form of imperialism, not in territorial conquest but in the dominance of human minds and even the future of humanity. It is the tug of war between ethics versus ambition and humanism versus authoritarian control that pushes the narrative forward, affirming that the intentions don't always justify the ends.
Bennecke has shaped the narrative to cater to a readership across different genre lines. As the discourse on futuristic technologies and their implication for society serve lovers of techno-thrillers, fans of psychological dramas can appreciate the deep and complex psychological profiles of antagonists and protagonists alike.
Quill says: Waterborne reflects on ambition and ethics, calling for readers to muse on the trade-offs between achieving grand self-righteous goals and the ethical compromises involved in attaining them.
The story unfolds in Stockholm, California, where the FBI's most-wanted sniper, Gunther, is reveling in his next target, Jake Bendel. A civil engineer and widower scarred by the sorrows of past years, Jake is in a whirlwind only to take a worse course with time. Not only does he wake up in his room with memory loss of recent events and a welt on his neck but also, he discovers that there has been tampering with the security system, which assures his paranoia about his safety. Lo and behold, the tension is only beginning to mount relentlessly: a letter from the IRS reveals that Jake owes a substantial amount of money in back taxes, an event troublesome enough to worsen financial burdens.
Yet, the worst is on the brink. Not only does his friend Dave disappear under cryptic circumstances, but a dangerous virus able to alter human DNA is set loose: a waterborne virus associated with water treatment plants that Jake helped design. Each orchestrated event as a way to destabilize Jake and hurt his ally points to one thing: a force is out to exploit Jake, unleash chaos, and instigate complete pandemonium. The complications for Jake in the future are clear-cut in the light of a menacing message that says, "You are Next."
In the grip of such fate-altering events, there is set loose a high-stake thriller that weaves in conspiracy and the threat of a viral outbreak. It is through the intertwining of journeys of the various subjects that the thriller propels: Cavanaugh, a diligent FBI agent who would conform to the rules of the workforce no matter what, adding to the frustration of Jake amid a gridlock case; and Linda Bennet, a perpetrator and victim, blackmailed into creating and spreading a virus that can modify human DNA. Linda's revelation validates an anticipated scenario: a spark of public fear and paranoia is soon to ignite, with civil unrest looming near. With multifaceted agendas, personal grudges and greed at play, Jake is to navigate a web of deception, marked by masterminds on the road to manipulation, ideological extremism, and personal motives.
Waterborne is an accumulation of thriller, mystery, crime, and psychological drama, which takes a terrain to a social commentary of the vile aspect of human self-superiority and zeal for dominance over others. Referencing Hitler and Himmler, it explores how the intention for a utopian society, at the cost of ethical boundaries and human rights, can lead a society to dystopian outcomes.
The antagonist’s endeavor to take on the "burden" to save humanity, albeit stuffed with his selfish motives, parallels the imperialist ideology. In asserting the superiority of their vision, the masterminds throughout the story present a modern form of imperialism, not in territorial conquest but in the dominance of human minds and even the future of humanity. It is the tug of war between ethics versus ambition and humanism versus authoritarian control that pushes the narrative forward, affirming that the intentions don't always justify the ends.
Bennecke has shaped the narrative to cater to a readership across different genre lines. As the discourse on futuristic technologies and their implication for society serve lovers of techno-thrillers, fans of psychological dramas can appreciate the deep and complex psychological profiles of antagonists and protagonists alike.
Quill says: Waterborne reflects on ambition and ethics, calling for readers to muse on the trade-offs between achieving grand self-righteous goals and the ethical compromises involved in attaining them.
September 30, 2024
I was blown away by this thriller! 'Waterborne,' by J. Luke Bennecke is a heart-racing, adrenaline-packed roller coaster of a book from the very first page, where we are introduced to a character who clearly has bad intentions.
Gunther is lying in wait for one very particular man to enter a Chili's restaurant. That man is Dr. Jake Bendel and though he may seem unassuming at first glance, Bendel is actually one of the most important men in the state. See, Bendel is almost finished completing a group of water purification plants that are going to revolutionize the way that the state of California addresses its ongoing drought problem. There are five of these plants, and three are already finished, but Bendel is busy tangling with the governor over the last two.
This is what is on his mind when he arrives at the Chili's to see a friend, and this is why he does not think much of it when a stranger stops him in the parking lot, and why that stranger manages to catch him off guard. Gunther injects Bendel with a drug that makes him forget the rest of the evening.
With no memory of being kidnapped, and no idea what the terrorists want, Bendel has to start from square one with only a limited amount of time to stop the terrorists plot to poison his water purification plants.
I absolutely fell in love with the characters in this book, especially Bendel, who I found very compelling and sympathetic. I really felt for him in his frustrations, and, of course, I was rooting for him to stop the terrorists and win the day!
Bennecke is a really great writer, with a real talent for writing action, while still creating relatable characters. I could read many more of these Jake Bendel books, and I hope that he keeps writing them!
Gunther is lying in wait for one very particular man to enter a Chili's restaurant. That man is Dr. Jake Bendel and though he may seem unassuming at first glance, Bendel is actually one of the most important men in the state. See, Bendel is almost finished completing a group of water purification plants that are going to revolutionize the way that the state of California addresses its ongoing drought problem. There are five of these plants, and three are already finished, but Bendel is busy tangling with the governor over the last two.
This is what is on his mind when he arrives at the Chili's to see a friend, and this is why he does not think much of it when a stranger stops him in the parking lot, and why that stranger manages to catch him off guard. Gunther injects Bendel with a drug that makes him forget the rest of the evening.
With no memory of being kidnapped, and no idea what the terrorists want, Bendel has to start from square one with only a limited amount of time to stop the terrorists plot to poison his water purification plants.
I absolutely fell in love with the characters in this book, especially Bendel, who I found very compelling and sympathetic. I really felt for him in his frustrations, and, of course, I was rooting for him to stop the terrorists and win the day!
Bennecke is a really great writer, with a real talent for writing action, while still creating relatable characters. I could read many more of these Jake Bendel books, and I hope that he keeps writing them!
September 30, 2024
I could not get enough of this propulsive thriller from J. Luke Bennecke. 'Waterborne,' is a story about one man and his desperate quest to stop a terrorist organization from poisoning California's water supply and killing millions of people.
I think what made this book so gripping for me was the fact that the plot was so realistic. The idea of a terrorist group poisoning our water supply is terrifying, for obvious reasons, and it was abundantly clear that Bennecke put a ton of research into how exactly that could happen.
In the book, Jake Bendel is a project manager who is nearly finished working on five water treatment plants that are supposed to permanently fix the water supply for the entire state of California. However, just before he manages to finish them, he is kidnapped and held overnight by a terrorist group.
With no memory of what happened to him when he wakes the next morning, Jake goes on about his normal life, but with the nagging feeling that something is wrong. The treatment plants use seawater with energy created by a new form of cheap, safe nuclear power. And although he is still on track to complete them in record time, Jake is having problems with the governor over the proposed time table.
But that sense of wrongness that he woke with after his forgotten ordeal only begins to grow over time, Jake soon begins to realize the full scale of what the terrorists are trying to do. When he gets injected with the poison himself, all bets are off and he must find a way to stop the organization before time runs out.
'Waterborne,' is an absolute must read! I could not stop reading it and the whole book flew by a little too quickly! I definitely want more!
I think what made this book so gripping for me was the fact that the plot was so realistic. The idea of a terrorist group poisoning our water supply is terrifying, for obvious reasons, and it was abundantly clear that Bennecke put a ton of research into how exactly that could happen.
In the book, Jake Bendel is a project manager who is nearly finished working on five water treatment plants that are supposed to permanently fix the water supply for the entire state of California. However, just before he manages to finish them, he is kidnapped and held overnight by a terrorist group.
With no memory of what happened to him when he wakes the next morning, Jake goes on about his normal life, but with the nagging feeling that something is wrong. The treatment plants use seawater with energy created by a new form of cheap, safe nuclear power. And although he is still on track to complete them in record time, Jake is having problems with the governor over the proposed time table.
But that sense of wrongness that he woke with after his forgotten ordeal only begins to grow over time, Jake soon begins to realize the full scale of what the terrorists are trying to do. When he gets injected with the poison himself, all bets are off and he must find a way to stop the organization before time runs out.
'Waterborne,' is an absolute must read! I could not stop reading it and the whole book flew by a little too quickly! I definitely want more!
October 22, 2024
A Great Book.
Intense, sad, what's happening next. A great read. The lengths the people in this book will go to in accomplishing what they believe to be right and a goal they want to achieve. The fact they have money to use to get their way. I want say more due to spoilers. But a fight against time for the main characters. Written extremely well, I enjoyed reading this book. Look forward to reading the next book and any previous ones I can find. Happy Reading!
Intense, sad, what's happening next. A great read. The lengths the people in this book will go to in accomplishing what they believe to be right and a goal they want to achieve. The fact they have money to use to get their way. I want say more due to spoilers. But a fight against time for the main characters. Written extremely well, I enjoyed reading this book. Look forward to reading the next book and any previous ones I can find. Happy Reading!
March 31, 2021
Waterborne by J. Luke Bennecke is a recommended action/thriller set in the near future and the second novel in the series featuring Jake Bendel.
Jake Bendel with a team of experts has invented a desalination system that will radically innovate the availability of clean, safe water for Californians. The system is powered by environmentally friendly molten salt reactors and once complete the project will consist of five plants running, making ocean water safe to drink. Water will never be a problem for California again. Jake and his team are behind schedule, but are working hard to get the whole system up and running.
In the back of Jake's mind is always the fact that Viktor, a vicious criminal featured in the first book, is still out there, wishing him harm. He is right to be concerned because Viktor does have nefarious plans and eliminating Jake is part of it. Simultaneously, someone has released an unknown virus into the water system, weaponizing the water, and Viktor is the prime suspect. Jake works with the FBI to uncover who is responsible and stop them before all of California is infected, while at the same time Jake needs to watch out for his own safety.
The premise of Waterborne is thought-provoking and the idea of someone weaponizing the water supply is always frightening, which makes it exciting escapism. The premise of the novel and the details require you to suspend disbelief, go with the flow of the action-movie plot, and avoid asking any questions about details. An attack by drone is one of the exciting chase scenes, although it was handled a bit too easily. There is information provided about the plot in the first novel, but I still felt as if I was missing some important details and information by starting with the second book. Also the writing felt off to me. It was as if in all the descriptions of people and places Bennecke tried a bit too hard to be trendy and cool. The character development is also light, but often this doesn't matter in a thriller where the action is the main event. This was previously published as Civil Terror: Waterborne; the first book is Civil Terror: Gridlock.
Disclosure: My review copy was courtesy of Black Rose Writing in exchange for my honest opinion.
http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2021/0...
Jake Bendel with a team of experts has invented a desalination system that will radically innovate the availability of clean, safe water for Californians. The system is powered by environmentally friendly molten salt reactors and once complete the project will consist of five plants running, making ocean water safe to drink. Water will never be a problem for California again. Jake and his team are behind schedule, but are working hard to get the whole system up and running.
In the back of Jake's mind is always the fact that Viktor, a vicious criminal featured in the first book, is still out there, wishing him harm. He is right to be concerned because Viktor does have nefarious plans and eliminating Jake is part of it. Simultaneously, someone has released an unknown virus into the water system, weaponizing the water, and Viktor is the prime suspect. Jake works with the FBI to uncover who is responsible and stop them before all of California is infected, while at the same time Jake needs to watch out for his own safety.
The premise of Waterborne is thought-provoking and the idea of someone weaponizing the water supply is always frightening, which makes it exciting escapism. The premise of the novel and the details require you to suspend disbelief, go with the flow of the action-movie plot, and avoid asking any questions about details. An attack by drone is one of the exciting chase scenes, although it was handled a bit too easily. There is information provided about the plot in the first novel, but I still felt as if I was missing some important details and information by starting with the second book. Also the writing felt off to me. It was as if in all the descriptions of people and places Bennecke tried a bit too hard to be trendy and cool. The character development is also light, but often this doesn't matter in a thriller where the action is the main event. This was previously published as Civil Terror: Waterborne; the first book is Civil Terror: Gridlock.
Disclosure: My review copy was courtesy of Black Rose Writing in exchange for my honest opinion.
http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2021/0...
January 21, 2020
So the first thing that I want to say about Civil Terror: Waterborne is that it is part of a series, book 2 in fact, even though it isn't linked as a series on Goodreads. This meant that I went into the book at a disadvantage. It definitely felt like I was stepping in to the middle of a story so I wouldn't recommend to anyone to try to read it as a standalone.
I'd read the synopsis a few times before requesting and then reading the book and I still hadn't figured out where it was going to fall, whether it would be an action novel or a virus outbreak story.
Civil Terror: Waterborne tells the story of a civil engineer, Jake, who is trying to create systems to provide water to the residents of California, where there has been a shortage for some time. As his system starts to provide the water a virus is put in to the system by terrorists meaning that contaminated water is being provided and drank by unsuspecting citizens who then become unwell with flu type symptoms. The virus is designed to genetically modify males in order to create an elite race of men in generations to come. Jake is helping the FBI to investigate and is getting close to uncovering some leads when he is injected with the virus and becomes unwell. The race to solve the mystery as to who did it and create a cure is on!
The book landed firmly on the action side of things. It basically felt like the book version of an Arnold Schwarzenegger film i.e there was lots of macho action moments and it was all a bit unrealistic.
I really struggled with Paige, one of the other main characters. She just came across as quite undeveloped and her repeated use of the word 'Dude' drove me crazy.
Overall this book left me feeling a bit underwhelmed although I think that was possibly partly down to the fact that I was hoping it would focus more on the virus/epidemic rather than macho action.
It just wasn't my type of book in the end but if you do like action novels then this has a good story line and would probably hit the sweet spot for you.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for an advanced copy of this book in return for an honest review.
I'd read the synopsis a few times before requesting and then reading the book and I still hadn't figured out where it was going to fall, whether it would be an action novel or a virus outbreak story.
Civil Terror: Waterborne tells the story of a civil engineer, Jake, who is trying to create systems to provide water to the residents of California, where there has been a shortage for some time. As his system starts to provide the water a virus is put in to the system by terrorists meaning that contaminated water is being provided and drank by unsuspecting citizens who then become unwell with flu type symptoms. The virus is designed to genetically modify males in order to create an elite race of men in generations to come. Jake is helping the FBI to investigate and is getting close to uncovering some leads when he is injected with the virus and becomes unwell. The race to solve the mystery as to who did it and create a cure is on!
The book landed firmly on the action side of things. It basically felt like the book version of an Arnold Schwarzenegger film i.e there was lots of macho action moments and it was all a bit unrealistic.
I really struggled with Paige, one of the other main characters. She just came across as quite undeveloped and her repeated use of the word 'Dude' drove me crazy.
Overall this book left me feeling a bit underwhelmed although I think that was possibly partly down to the fact that I was hoping it would focus more on the virus/epidemic rather than macho action.
It just wasn't my type of book in the end but if you do like action novels then this has a good story line and would probably hit the sweet spot for you.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for an advanced copy of this book in return for an honest review.
December 2, 2022
fast-paced thriller best read with a glass of ice water
This book is a fast-paced bioterrorism thriller that will keep you up too late at night. I appreciated reading a fictional book that included biology and engineering concepts. As a teacher, I try to get my students to understand that scientific progress can have a dark side of unintended consequences like the example in the book about CRISPR modifying DNA to save lives… or to destroy them (although I wouldn’t recommend this to students because of the violence and gory scenes).
I do often think about how so many people are terrified of big dangerous predators like grizzly bears and sharks but I feel like we are way more likely to be wiped out by something microscopic like a virus or super resistant bacteria or some kind of man-made variant. That thought makes this book even more terrifying to me. It took me awhile to read this book since reading a story about viruses during the COVID-19 pandemic didn’t appeal to me but I’m glad I finally got around to reading it. It’s much better than I anticipated!
One thing that I didn’t like as much was that I felt like there were too many acronyms in the book and that made it hard to read at times. I had to keep looking them up. There are some random words missing and some other grammatical errors but I’m not sure if my copy was a final copy or not. Overall, good book!
This book is a fast-paced bioterrorism thriller that will keep you up too late at night. I appreciated reading a fictional book that included biology and engineering concepts. As a teacher, I try to get my students to understand that scientific progress can have a dark side of unintended consequences like the example in the book about CRISPR modifying DNA to save lives… or to destroy them (although I wouldn’t recommend this to students because of the violence and gory scenes).
I do often think about how so many people are terrified of big dangerous predators like grizzly bears and sharks but I feel like we are way more likely to be wiped out by something microscopic like a virus or super resistant bacteria or some kind of man-made variant. That thought makes this book even more terrifying to me. It took me awhile to read this book since reading a story about viruses during the COVID-19 pandemic didn’t appeal to me but I’m glad I finally got around to reading it. It’s much better than I anticipated!
One thing that I didn’t like as much was that I felt like there were too many acronyms in the book and that made it hard to read at times. I had to keep looking them up. There are some random words missing and some other grammatical errors but I’m not sure if my copy was a final copy or not. Overall, good book!
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