The Secret of Secrets by Dan Brown

 

The last Dan Brown book I read was The Da Vinci Code, and I enjoyed it. On a whim, I decided to read this latest book, number six in the series. I was pleasantly surprised to find it read as a standalone and was almost as good as I remembered The Da Vinci Code being.

Robert Langdon and his romantic partner, Katherine Solomon, are in Prague for a conference where Solomon is presenting a paper on the nature of human consciousness. Solomon is ready to submit her book on the same topic when her publishing house comes under attack, and all copies of her book are deleted. Simultaneously, Langdon finds the body of a prominent Czech scientist, who has been brutally murdered. Katherine disappears, and Langdon is on the run from the Czech police, who think he killed the scientist. The murder appears to be tied to Solomon's discoveries, and it's up to Langdon to find the link and the missing Katherine.

This is a well-researched book that lays out the theory of human consciousness in an understandable way. It explores the science and moral implications of this thought-provoking theory in a manner that captures the imagination. I especially enjoyed the moral implications of using the findings as a military weapon. Brown explores both the positive and negative aspects of this moral dilemma, but leaves it up to the reader to draw their own conclusions. The Secret of Secrets is a suspenseful, thought-provoking read. 

4.5/5 stars.

For more information: 

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Artificial Wisdom by Thomas R. Weaver

 

This is a good science fiction novel set in a dystopian near-future world. It pits AI against humans and throws in a good murder mystery for good measure.

Marcus Tully, an investigative journalist, is given the story of his life: The two candidates vying for world leader of a climate-endangered Earth are an Artificial intelligence named Solomon and former US President Lockwood. Tully may have dirt on Lockwood that could sway the election, but when Solomon's creator is murdered, Tully suspects a broader conspiracy. As Tully begins investigating both the murder and possible corruption, he faces moral and ethical dilemmas in his quest for the truth, as well as a threat to his life.

Numerous subplots made the story hard to follow at times, but for the most part, this is a well-paced, engaging novel. I enjoyed Tully's quest for the truth and the hurdles he faced obtaining it. I especially liked pitting an AI against a human to see who is best at navigating the ecological quagmire that is Earth. I found the ending rather abrupt, but it laid the groundwork for a possible series, which I look forward to. 

4/5 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley and Del Ray, for an a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. 

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Kill Sequence by Steve Griffiths

 

I'm always in the mood for a good techno-thriller, and Kill Sequence is good. It's got great characters and an engaging plot that sucked me right in.

Shawn is a grieving widower holed up in his remote English farm when a stranger at his door tells him someone is coming to kill him. Upon questioning, the stranger, a dandy replete with a posh accent, pinstriped suit, and umbrella, impresses upon Shawn the need to act quickly or be killed. The stranger, Michael, wasn't lying. Not a killer himself, Shawn confronts his "fight or flight" instincts and goes on the offense when a man with a gun shows up on his doorstep.

Thus begins what is a rollicking good story, as Shawn is both the hunter and the hunted in this fast-paced thriller. Shawn is a sympathetic character who is caught up in international intrigue as he tries to find out what happened when his wife was murdered. Although the plot revolves around advanced computer technology and programming, one doesn't have to be a computer guru to enjoy the story. Shawn and Michael make a good team, and Griffiths leaves the door open for future books pairing these two. 

4/5 stars.

For more information:

Amazon