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Sequence #2
Sequence
The Times Top 5 Thriller Novel of 2011.
Past, present and future collide head on in a unique and twisting thriller.
A naked male, dead in an alleyway with bullets that don’t make sense. A note, written in 13th Century Latin secreted about his person along with the name and room number of an autistic mental patient. Fingerprints burned away and tattoos completely removed. Of all the possible duties, the last task LAPD detective Nick Lambert wanted was the drive to Oakdene to interview the girl. It gets much worse when he discovers that as well as being autistic, she’s also mute.
But when an off-hand comment from the nurse piques Nick’s attention, he can’t help but follow the lead. What he finds will turn his entire world - his entire existence - upside down. Clues to the location of valuable stone tablets, the only tablets described in Exodus as being ‘written by the hand of God’. These are not the Ten Commandments… these are ALL the commandments, and Nick suddenly finds himself at the heart of a centuries old struggle to find, and hide, the kind of extremely valuable information that mankind was never meant to possess.
It is only when Nick realises that he was a key player in the game long before it started, and that he will be a key player long after it is over, will he discover the true importance of those around him.
Nick has inadvertently stumbled into the most important human being who has ever lived. One who will not only change the world once, but will do it over and over again.
He will discover many things about the girl.
What she has to hide is the most important thing of all.
Past, present and future collide head on in a unique and twisting thriller.
A naked male, dead in an alleyway with bullets that don’t make sense. A note, written in 13th Century Latin secreted about his person along with the name and room number of an autistic mental patient. Fingerprints burned away and tattoos completely removed. Of all the possible duties, the last task LAPD detective Nick Lambert wanted was the drive to Oakdene to interview the girl. It gets much worse when he discovers that as well as being autistic, she’s also mute.
But when an off-hand comment from the nurse piques Nick’s attention, he can’t help but follow the lead. What he finds will turn his entire world - his entire existence - upside down. Clues to the location of valuable stone tablets, the only tablets described in Exodus as being ‘written by the hand of God’. These are not the Ten Commandments… these are ALL the commandments, and Nick suddenly finds himself at the heart of a centuries old struggle to find, and hide, the kind of extremely valuable information that mankind was never meant to possess.
It is only when Nick realises that he was a key player in the game long before it started, and that he will be a key player long after it is over, will he discover the true importance of those around him.
Nick has inadvertently stumbled into the most important human being who has ever lived. One who will not only change the world once, but will do it over and over again.
He will discover many things about the girl.
What she has to hide is the most important thing of all.
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First published March 20, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
July 25, 2011
Not my usual genre but Wonderful and thought provoking.
This is my 1st ARC copy i've ever had and i love Adrian Dawson's writing technique. Adrian has a fantastic ability to tell a story from many different view points including past, present and future and the different tangents tie up perfectly. His work is very descriptive and at times i'm trying to close my eyes against the pictures he creates but i'm always left wanting more.
He has a unique style and a very creative intelligence to his work.
At the end of the book he writes "You may choose to believe that i made this whole story up, but if that's the case then I must warn you that you are crediting me with far more creative intelligence than i deserve."
Reading Sequence makes you believe it is happening and so i do credit Adrian with the creative intelligence he deserves.
I would really like to know what the religious beliefs of the Author has!
The only downside is the bad language as i don't swear and find reading swearing difficult.
This is my 1st ARC copy i've ever had and i love Adrian Dawson's writing technique. Adrian has a fantastic ability to tell a story from many different view points including past, present and future and the different tangents tie up perfectly. His work is very descriptive and at times i'm trying to close my eyes against the pictures he creates but i'm always left wanting more.
He has a unique style and a very creative intelligence to his work.
At the end of the book he writes "You may choose to believe that i made this whole story up, but if that's the case then I must warn you that you are crediting me with far more creative intelligence than i deserve."
Reading Sequence makes you believe it is happening and so i do credit Adrian with the creative intelligence he deserves.
I would really like to know what the religious beliefs of the Author has!
The only downside is the bad language as i don't swear and find reading swearing difficult.
May 4, 2011
I've now decided to extend Sequence and make it part of a trilogy....Sequoia is currently in drafting stage...and will be out spring 2012...
September 9, 2011
A naked male, dead in an alleyway with bullets that don't make sense. A note, written in 13th Century Latin secreted about his person along with the name and room number of an autistic mental patient. Fingerprints burned away and tattoos completely removed. Of all the possible duties, the last task LAPD detective Nick Lambert wanted was the drive to Oakdene to interview the girl. It gets worse when he discovers that as well as being autistic, she's also mute.
But when an off-hand comment from the nurse piques Nick's attention, he can't help but follow the lead. What he finds will turn his entire world - his entire existence - upside down. Clues to the location of valuable stone tablets, the only tablets described in Exodus as being 'written by the hand of God'. These are not the Ten Commandments… these are ALL the commandments and Nick suddenly finds himself at the heart of a centuries old battle to find, and hide, the kind of extremely valuable information that mankind was never meant to possess.
It is only when Nick realises he was a key player in the game long before it started, and that he will be a key player long after it is over, that he will discover the true importance of those around him. Nick has no so inadvertently stumbled into the most important human being who has ever lived. One who will not only change the world once, but will do it over and over again.
Within a few pages I just knew I’d have to have my wits about me with Sequence, the new conspiracy/Hi-Tec thriller from Adrian Dawson and follow up to the highly successful Codex. I can safely say I don’t think I’ve read anything quite so complex and entertaining – ever – and although I found parts confusing, mainly due to the high scientific content way outside my comfort zone and the numerous time jumps, there’s no denying that Sequence is an incredible journey across time; past, present and the future included.
Weighing in at well over 500 pages Sequence is bigger than your average book and although I did find the beginning a little sedentary – again due to not getting my brain around the whole concept of the adventure – there came a point where I could hear myself shouting “Eureka”! I won’t say too much about this pivotal moment for fear of spoilers but I will say it involved a mouse called Charlie, Ceramics and Titanium bending! This particular passage was without doubt the moment when my brain kicked in to gear, my imagination went into overdrive and I began to really enjoy the book and its characters.
Talking of which, there are far too many characters to mention here but I must praise the author for Nick’s character. Wonderful characterisation and someone you could see propping up a bar and taking part in “One grumpy man in a bar” week on tv. There are of course others but I’ll let you, the reader, discover the hidden gems for there are many!
Full review on my blog:- http://www.milorambles.com/2011/09/05...
But when an off-hand comment from the nurse piques Nick's attention, he can't help but follow the lead. What he finds will turn his entire world - his entire existence - upside down. Clues to the location of valuable stone tablets, the only tablets described in Exodus as being 'written by the hand of God'. These are not the Ten Commandments… these are ALL the commandments and Nick suddenly finds himself at the heart of a centuries old battle to find, and hide, the kind of extremely valuable information that mankind was never meant to possess.
It is only when Nick realises he was a key player in the game long before it started, and that he will be a key player long after it is over, that he will discover the true importance of those around him. Nick has no so inadvertently stumbled into the most important human being who has ever lived. One who will not only change the world once, but will do it over and over again.
Within a few pages I just knew I’d have to have my wits about me with Sequence, the new conspiracy/Hi-Tec thriller from Adrian Dawson and follow up to the highly successful Codex. I can safely say I don’t think I’ve read anything quite so complex and entertaining – ever – and although I found parts confusing, mainly due to the high scientific content way outside my comfort zone and the numerous time jumps, there’s no denying that Sequence is an incredible journey across time; past, present and the future included.
Weighing in at well over 500 pages Sequence is bigger than your average book and although I did find the beginning a little sedentary – again due to not getting my brain around the whole concept of the adventure – there came a point where I could hear myself shouting “Eureka”! I won’t say too much about this pivotal moment for fear of spoilers but I will say it involved a mouse called Charlie, Ceramics and Titanium bending! This particular passage was without doubt the moment when my brain kicked in to gear, my imagination went into overdrive and I began to really enjoy the book and its characters.
Talking of which, there are far too many characters to mention here but I must praise the author for Nick’s character. Wonderful characterisation and someone you could see propping up a bar and taking part in “One grumpy man in a bar” week on tv. There are of course others but I’ll let you, the reader, discover the hidden gems for there are many!
Full review on my blog:- http://www.milorambles.com/2011/09/05...
September 9, 2011
This was a Goodreads "Firstreads" giveaway book. I absolutely enjoyed it! The author writes a solid thriller aimed to keep you guessing until the very end. I look forward to reading the next book in this series!
September 20, 2011
I have been pondering over writing this review for a couple of days now because I want
to get it so perfect. I want express how amazing I though this book was and how much I
loved it without putting too much repetition or stuff like that in this revieww, so I found a
word to describe this book: Phenomenal. It’s one of the many words you could describe
this marvellous, stupendously, fantastic book with.
Now you see this book blew of my feet. This is an action packed, fast paced thriller filled
with mystery and lore. It’s an amazing novel and for a 500 page book an incredibly fast
read, and honestly I read it in two days, because I couldn’t stop. I even stayed up until
12 O’clock at night reading it.
No this book has way to much in it to place brief of what happened, but it has a lot of
time travel and it is set in the future a lot. I suppose a good way to put it is that it had
everything you want in a book and every good quality an epic novel should have. This
novel was absolutely stunning!
Now from the first chapter I was in the book. I have to admit, it was a bit slow getting
into it but from about chapter five I was very much so sucked into the book and all its
amazingness. The description is all so vivid and perfect, making every part so real and
so there.
Now this book was definitely a step away from my usual Genre of book, but I am so
glad I had the opportunity to read this because I loved it so much, and to miss this book
is to miss a super book of brilliant possibilities.
Now the plot... well it was one heck of a plot, and it takes a while to get your head
around, because there is quite a bit of time travel involved. There is so much crammed
into this book. It has romance, action, lies, mystery, time travel, and it also has an
aspect of every genre on the market including dystopian, sci-fi, religious, fantasy and
lore.
The writing was really nice to read actually. When I first started to read it, I had some
trouble adjusting to the style of writing, but I soon found that it was incredibly enjoyable,
from the smooth prose and description to the quirky, cuss filled dialogue. I admit the
dialogue was actually very fun.
Now this is a very complex book and can get quite complicated because there are so
many numbers involved, and so much time travel, but don’t let that put you off because
once you get your head around it, it’s one hell of a thrill ride. In two words it would have
to be: Bloody Brilliant!
The characters are all so well built up and so strong in sense of emotion, that you feel
so close to them. What I’m trying to say is that they get so well built in your mind they
become, in reality, your friends. Their foundations are all strong and there a fair few
surprises with the characters, some obvious and some not. As for my favourites, they
would have to be Josef Klein, and Alison Bond. Klein comes across so
bad and dominion-ic and at heart he’s still the goody, and Alison for the fact she
is such an amazing person.
I suppose in a way, at the end it’s really Heart-warming, and it has such a lovely ending
it makes it worth the whole book. It is a terribly beautiful story, and I can tell you now
that the Sequence of number has dictated that I absolutely, irrevocably, unconditionally
love this book.
to get it so perfect. I want express how amazing I though this book was and how much I
loved it without putting too much repetition or stuff like that in this revieww, so I found a
word to describe this book: Phenomenal. It’s one of the many words you could describe
this marvellous, stupendously, fantastic book with.
Now you see this book blew of my feet. This is an action packed, fast paced thriller filled
with mystery and lore. It’s an amazing novel and for a 500 page book an incredibly fast
read, and honestly I read it in two days, because I couldn’t stop. I even stayed up until
12 O’clock at night reading it.
No this book has way to much in it to place brief of what happened, but it has a lot of
time travel and it is set in the future a lot. I suppose a good way to put it is that it had
everything you want in a book and every good quality an epic novel should have. This
novel was absolutely stunning!
Now from the first chapter I was in the book. I have to admit, it was a bit slow getting
into it but from about chapter five I was very much so sucked into the book and all its
amazingness. The description is all so vivid and perfect, making every part so real and
so there.
Now this book was definitely a step away from my usual Genre of book, but I am so
glad I had the opportunity to read this because I loved it so much, and to miss this book
is to miss a super book of brilliant possibilities.
Now the plot... well it was one heck of a plot, and it takes a while to get your head
around, because there is quite a bit of time travel involved. There is so much crammed
into this book. It has romance, action, lies, mystery, time travel, and it also has an
aspect of every genre on the market including dystopian, sci-fi, religious, fantasy and
lore.
The writing was really nice to read actually. When I first started to read it, I had some
trouble adjusting to the style of writing, but I soon found that it was incredibly enjoyable,
from the smooth prose and description to the quirky, cuss filled dialogue. I admit the
dialogue was actually very fun.
Now this is a very complex book and can get quite complicated because there are so
many numbers involved, and so much time travel, but don’t let that put you off because
once you get your head around it, it’s one hell of a thrill ride. In two words it would have
to be: Bloody Brilliant!
The characters are all so well built up and so strong in sense of emotion, that you feel
so close to them. What I’m trying to say is that they get so well built in your mind they
become, in reality, your friends. Their foundations are all strong and there a fair few
surprises with the characters, some obvious and some not. As for my favourites, they
would have to be Josef Klein, and Alison Bond. Klein comes across so
bad and dominion-ic and at heart he’s still the goody, and Alison for the fact she
is such an amazing person.
I suppose in a way, at the end it’s really Heart-warming, and it has such a lovely ending
it makes it worth the whole book. It is a terribly beautiful story, and I can tell you now
that the Sequence of number has dictated that I absolutely, irrevocably, unconditionally
love this book.
September 9, 2011
Sequence combines time travel with science, the paranormal , a beautiful archeologist with a severely autistic sister, a power-hungry CEO of a huge corporation, and a self-loathing and slightly alcoholic detective. I know this sounds like a huge mishmash of styles and other books and, with a lesser writer, it would be terrible but somehow Adrian Dawson not only pulls it off but makes it completely addicting - no matter how hard I tried (now that I've finished it, I really must catch up on some sleep), I couldn't put it down.
Comparisons to other writers cannot be avoided, most especially Dan Brown with Sequence's references to the Templars (what is the fascination with these guys anyway) and a famous painting containing secret clues leading to a hidden religious relic. But this book has something that Brown's writing sorely lacks - a sense of humour that helps lift this book high above your average hohum thriller. It should also be added that Dawson is a better writer with no pretensions to providing anything but a really fun and engrossing story.
I also have to say something about the ending. Personally, I get tired of books that mention characters and events and, just when I get invested in the story, they drop them, never to be heard of again. Not so Sequence - everything is wrapped up neatly (and beautifully I might add) and all important questions are answered. At the end, I felt a complete sense of satisfaction with a story well told. If you like stories with lots of twists and turns, plenty of fascinating characters, and a terrific ending, give Sequence a try - you will be glad you did!
Comparisons to other writers cannot be avoided, most especially Dan Brown with Sequence's references to the Templars (what is the fascination with these guys anyway) and a famous painting containing secret clues leading to a hidden religious relic. But this book has something that Brown's writing sorely lacks - a sense of humour that helps lift this book high above your average hohum thriller. It should also be added that Dawson is a better writer with no pretensions to providing anything but a really fun and engrossing story.
I also have to say something about the ending. Personally, I get tired of books that mention characters and events and, just when I get invested in the story, they drop them, never to be heard of again. Not so Sequence - everything is wrapped up neatly (and beautifully I might add) and all important questions are answered. At the end, I felt a complete sense of satisfaction with a story well told. If you like stories with lots of twists and turns, plenty of fascinating characters, and a terrific ending, give Sequence a try - you will be glad you did!
October 11, 2011
The Telegraph (Saturday Review) said "...a philosophical collision of sci-fi and gumshoe noir with a devilishly tricky plot and a narrative bursting with sardonic laughs. It's a brave challenge to the sneery notion that only stupidity sells in sprawling popular fiction and coolly achieves that elusive trinity of pace, intellect and charm.”
The Times (Saturday Review) said "a hugely complex, highly intelligent and always entertaining plot"
SciFi Now! Magazine said "‘fluidly written, endlessly thought-out thriller that keeps you gripped from beginning to end’
EuroCrime's Terry Halligan said "A very powerful story, of an intensity which makes it the best that I've read this year.' view the full review
Milo's Rambles said "I can safely say I don’t think I’ve read anything quite so complex and entertaining – ever"
The win an iPod Nano and Lunatik watch strap competition kicks off t 12.00am GMT Monday 5 September. visit for more details.
The Times (Saturday Review) said "a hugely complex, highly intelligent and always entertaining plot"
SciFi Now! Magazine said "‘fluidly written, endlessly thought-out thriller that keeps you gripped from beginning to end’
EuroCrime's Terry Halligan said "A very powerful story, of an intensity which makes it the best that I've read this year.' view the full review
Milo's Rambles said "I can safely say I don’t think I’ve read anything quite so complex and entertaining – ever"
The win an iPod Nano and Lunatik watch strap competition kicks off t 12.00am GMT Monday 5 September. visit for more details.
January 8, 2015
I like science fiction. I like some extremely silly science fiction. I like some books with an obvious philosophical agenda. What I do not like is books which have no warnings or indications of their ideological stance or books that butcher science to their own ends. Unfortunately, falls into the latter category of books I do not like. I would have been willing to give this two stars, initially, because the writing was terrible in a way that amused me. Then we got to the scientist-bashing and victim mentality. Even the terrible science I could have forgiven, were it not for the "all science is based on disproving the existence of God" theme.
This book was boring and an affront to scientists everywhere. It pretty much clinched my decision that First Reads is largely a waste of my time.
Disclaimer: I received an advance review copy of this book for free through the Goodreads First Reads giveaway program.
This book was boring and an affront to scientists everywhere. It pretty much clinched my decision that First Reads is largely a waste of my time.
Disclaimer: I received an advance review copy of this book for free through the Goodreads First Reads giveaway program.
October 21, 2015
Sequence is a thriller with time travel and it is my first free ARC through Goodreads.
Whilst I enjoyed the book, and whilst I am sorry that I have not prepared a more lengthy review, what I can tell you is that, as a time travel book, it beats The Time Traveler's Wife to hell and back.
I believe that I fall into the same category as Jenn, who said: "I'm also not really a super science-y person nor well versed in Bible related things either - so I think my brain just glosses over those areas and the relevance or accuracy doesn't parse well for me."
Whilst I enjoyed the book, and whilst I am sorry that I have not prepared a more lengthy review, what I can tell you is that, as a time travel book, it beats The Time Traveler's Wife to hell and back.
I believe that I fall into the same category as Jenn, who said: "I'm also not really a super science-y person nor well versed in Bible related things either - so I think my brain just glosses over those areas and the relevance or accuracy doesn't parse well for me."
July 27, 2011
masterful and brilliant- Mr. Dawson ranks with the very top of intelligent thriller writers
A JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB MUST READ
RICK FRIEDMAN
FOUNDER
JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB
A JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB MUST READ
RICK FRIEDMAN
FOUNDER
JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB
December 16, 2019
Une enquête bien ficelée, avec quelques personnages attachant. Des rebondissements qui permettent au lecteur de ne pas s'ennuyer. Il faut être concentré pour ne pas s'emmêler les pinceaux.
December 22, 2021
une histoire complexe avec du voyage dans le temps mais qui tourne autour de mystères ésotériques entre autres...
July 15, 2017
The ambiguous blurb on the cover hides a surprising complexity within. Sequence is a gritty and complex tale, requiring full attention throughout. Told from the two viewpoints (one in the future and one now, with a few 'flashbacks' sprinkled in) the story unfolds on several levels, many times and varying locations. Initially this is somewhat disorientating and almost nonsensical, however once Dawson begins character development in earnest the story becomes more engaging. Never particularly tense, Sequence's high points are sourced from the cleverly conceived and executed plot. The characters offer a little emotional pull, however Sequence can at times be rather wordy, a unnecessary distraction. Ultimately Sequence is a proper sci-fi thriller, big on theory which is well explained and with a plot that is very memorable.
October 22, 2011
It's a well written book with a pretty straight ahead plot once you nail down the timelines. I'm not usually a reader of thrillers - but was intrigued by the time travel aspect. I have to confess that there's more violence than I usually enjoy reading - and though I tend to have a colorful vocabulary, I found the repeated use of "shit" to be excessive & distracting! I'm also not really a super science-y person nor well versed in Bible related things either - so I think my brain just glosses over those areas and the relevance or accuracy doesn't parse well for me. I definitely see the appeal of this story for a particular audience given the intersection of thriller/crime/science/mysticism - and I'm passing it along to my brother because I think he'll enjoy it a lot!
Read
August 20, 2011Obviously I'm biased - I wrote it - but I've already had feedback from people who received an advance copy as a runner up prize in the "Win and iPad" competition for Codex...it has been extremely positive - with some people saying that Sequence is even better than Codex.
If you'd like to read the first 121 pages of Sequence you can do so on my website at this address:
http://www.adriandawson.co.uk/index.p...
I'd love to know your thoughts on Sequence, and also which characters you'd like to see return in Sequatur - the third book in this series.
All best wishes,
Adrian
If you'd like to read the first 121 pages of Sequence you can do so on my website at this address:
http://www.adriandawson.co.uk/index.p...
I'd love to know your thoughts on Sequence, and also which characters you'd like to see return in Sequatur - the third book in this series.
All best wishes,
Adrian
February 14, 2012
This Science Fiction book is pretty mind bending, but time travel tends to be like that. It's also quite a suspenseful tale. I liked the main characters a lot. The book goes back and forth between three time periods and I got confused a few times. I think the same plot could have been done without as much jumping back and forth. For that reason, only four stars.
And a science note: Even though it's fiction, after taking such pains to explain the two slit experiment, there was the vacuum chamber which still somehow carried an electric charge.
And a science note: Even though it's fiction, after taking such pains to explain the two slit experiment, there was the vacuum chamber which still somehow carried an electric charge.
March 7, 2018
La storia si svolge su più piani temporali e da una reliquia religiosa importante l'autore trae spunto per costruire un thriller fanta/storico intrigante,ma anche un po' caotico. All'inizio sono tanti i punti interrogativi mentre si legge,ma da metà libro in poi tutto si fa più incalzante e interessante,fino ad arrivare al colpo di scena finale.
Tanti i personaggi che si incontrano,ma tutti abbastanza delineati nella storia e tutti importanti ai fini della trama.
Un buon romanzo.
Tanti i personaggi che si incontrano,ma tutti abbastanza delineati nella storia e tutti importanti ai fini della trama.
Un buon romanzo.
Read
July 26, 2016Time travel su base scientifica.
Confuso all'inizio, lento in certi punti. Trama intrigante, ma poca empatia con i personaggi. Salvo Nick, il detective della polizia, seppure sia un antieroe, un uomo che si autodistrugge da troppo tempo per ribellarsi a se stesso.
Il finale ha una sfumatura tra il lieto e il macabro-malinconico.
Insomma, non mi ha convinta del tutto.
Confuso all'inizio, lento in certi punti. Trama intrigante, ma poca empatia con i personaggi. Salvo Nick, il detective della polizia, seppure sia un antieroe, un uomo che si autodistrugge da troppo tempo per ribellarsi a se stesso.
Il finale ha una sfumatura tra il lieto e il macabro-malinconico.
Insomma, non mi ha convinta del tutto.
October 22, 2011
I quite enjoyed this book. It reminded me of Michael Crichton's work, but that is not a bad thing. I found the science part really interesting and I liked the characters. I am looking forward to reading more by Adrian Dawson.
Want to read
July 31, 2011I just won a copy from Goodreads. Looking forward to reading it. I will write a review after I've read it. Thank you.
April 16, 2017
A little confusing at the beginning. But gradually one gets the pace and the story just keep going. Personally, i find the ending a little sad.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews