The Genesis Code

by Lisa von Biela

THE GENESIS CODE, the mind-blowing techno-thriller debut novel from Lisa von Biela.

Obedience and submission…uploaded directly to the brain…

When Mark Weston is hired by OneMarket, the prestigious and premier supplier of global equity trading systems, owned by international business tycoon Simon Harris, he thinks he’s found his dream job. Great pay, amazing benefits—and sure, the hours are long and the demands on his time are often extreme—but it means financial security for him and his wife Sheila, a new life and a new beginning, a fast track to success with a great company.

But deep within the walls of the enigmatic OneMarket, there is something unthinkable happening that only a select few are aware of, the development of a new kind of invasive technology dubbed THE GENESIS CODE, that could not only expand Simon Harris’ empire, but create a new, more efficient and obedient workforce. Mark and his coworkers have unknowingly become part of a horrifying experiment they may never be able to escape, and time is running out.

A new kind of worker…a new kind of hybrid…a new kind of corporate slave…

THE GENESIS CODE…Upload complete.

Genres: Science Fiction, Thriller, Cyberpunk, Technology, Thriller Suspense

382 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2013

About the author

Lisa started writing dark fiction just after the turn of the century. Her very first short story appeared in Greg F. Gifune’s small press ’zine The Edge in 2002. After working in Information Technology for 25 years, Lisa dropped out of everything—including writing—to attend the University of Minnesota Law School. She graduated magna cum laude in 2009, relocated to Washington State, and began her second career as a legal aid attorney helping homeowners during the Great Recession/first foreclosure crisis. Retired now, she spends her time writing, painting, scratch baking, and honing her photographic skills.

Lisa’s novel-length works are best described as near-future dystopian thrillers that explore the dark side of a particular technology or development. Targets of her fiction include: implantable brain chips (THE GENESIS CODE), human cloning (THE JANUS LEGACY), manufactured pathogens (BLOCKBUSTER), food chain mutations (BROKEN CHAIN), for-profit prison systems (DOWN THE BRINK), pathogenic cell phone technology (INCIDENTAL FINDINGS), and climate change (SCORCHED EARTH). On the other hand, her novella-length works take a different tack. They range from a straight present-time thriller, no dystopia (MOON OVER RUIN) to downright supernatural (ASH AND BONE, SKINSHIFT).

Reviews

[Stu Corner · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really good Corporate/Techno-thriller.

I read this a few years ago, back when Darkfuse was a good thing... hehe. This time I tried the audiobook. It was tense, fast-paced, and anxiety-inducing.

The story is a good one; A guy takes a new job at a high-end-high-paying corporate job to help his family get out of debt, after medical bills leave them in ruins. The company is so demanding that they employ a secret department, to start implanting employees with microchips in order to improve productivity. All goes to plan obviously...

The only issue I have here is the ending... Just when things are getting really tense, the chapter ends, and then there is an epilogue! It just felt a bit rushed. All-in-all, though, a great read!

3.5 Stars rounded up.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars, rounded up to 5 for an excellent debut novel.

This is not a casual, pick up and put down, read. This is a compulsive read-until-you-reach-the-final-page book! Lisa's style reminds me somewhat of a cross between James Rollins and Michael Creighton. What makes this story all the more horrifying in its implications is the question it raises--could this actually be happening now, unbeknownst to us?

Mark Weston begins in a high-pressure job at OneMarket, intent on working off debt accumulated by his now-deceased father-in-law. What he doesn't anticipate is a new, secretive, technology that the company is developing... and his role in its process.

A captivating edge-of-your-seat novel. My only minor complaint is that the "final" of sorts seemed a bit too short for my liking. Still, that didn't detract from this excellent debut novel from Lisa Von Biela. I'll be watching for her next release. :)

[Courteney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This is not a typical book I would probably read but the cover caught my attention and I couldn't help myself since I have been looking to expand my book world. The book was well written and it kept me hooked the whole time. I had trouble putting it down once I started reading it. I really liked the technical aspect to it and found it very interesting since technology is such a huge part of our daily lives but I liked that it was written in a way that was easy to understand. I found that I was very excited for Mark and Sheila when he got hired at OneMarket and hearing all the benefits definately made me jealous. Even though they were both well prepared for the long hours he would have to work I was still a little surprised at first at just how long those hours really were. I felt this book related well to everyday life for many people and the issues we all deal with like finances, jobs and balancing work and family. This was a great book and I am glad I had the chance to read it. I would definately recommend this as a must read book. I can't wait to see what comes next and will deinately be interested in reading more from this author. This was such a great debut novel and I highly recommend it.


Since I'm supposed to disclose in my review that I received the book for free through Goodreads First Reads I will but I would like to state that it in no way impacted my review on the book (because if I didn't like it I would say so whether it was free or not) and I am really glad that I was chosen.

[Rob Twinem · Rating 5 out of 5]

I t has been a very long time since I have read such a wonderful dark corporate conspiracy novel. I recall many years ago discovering Fever by the renound Robin Cook and was particularly taken in by the chase mentality of the book...a lone father, a cancer specialist discovering his daughter has leukemia and his battle against a conspiracy within a large corporation, his race against time. Now if we forward to recent times Scott Sigler publised the brilliant Infected which contained not only a great story (the central character Perry being infected by an alien virus) but made terrific use of horror and dark humour with a splattering of SF. The Genesis Code is an equally "edge of the seat" unputdownable read. Yes I know that lots of reviewers use this idiom but The Genesis Code is a worthy recipient of this accolade. It is a fast paced story, that never lets up, has a great list of both good and bad characters, excellent plot and a very satisfying conclusion. Mark Weston is starting a new job at OneMarket, the premiere worldwide provider of global trading solutions guaranteeing to their clients that there will never be any "downtime" and that computer "gremlins" are a thing of the past (oh right....we believe you!) Mark needs this job because his wife Sheila is in fear of Altzheimers Disease (her father died of the disease) and their finances are non existant. This is the answer to Mark and Sheilas prayers, the only problems seems to be that he will be expected to "sell his soul" to OneMarket in return for all the cash and incentives. The beauty of reading this book is that you know (and probably Mark as well) that it will all go wrong nothing is ever what it seems and no individual is programmed to work 24/7...all work and no play :(

The entrepreneurial head of OneMarket Simon Harris has acquired some cutting edge technology known as "The Genesis Code" an invasive technology which offers the ability to plant information in an employees brain, a truly machiavellian concept and a dangerous tool in the hands of a twisted mind...the inventor Josh Taylor! "The entire population of employees tricked into receiving a chip capable of forcing information into their minds. Downloading technical information specific to their jobs was one thing, but how long would it be before less benign uses came along? Mind control, behavioral adjustments, attitude shifts. If Harris didn't mandate them he was sure Tyler would test them out in his newfound pool of human lab subjects" Mark is a recipient of the genesis code together with a fellow worker and the result, you will not be surprised to know is catastrophic...Will Mark be saved from the evil clutches of Harris and Taylor? Will the lovely Sheila get her man back along with a few badly needed dollars? Will the bad boys get their just rewards?...all is revealed in a riveting, fast and at times bumpy ride...but well worth hanging on for :)

There is however one incident which I puzzle to understand and question if it added value to the story. Mark on his first day meets Toni Hanson, Manager of New Recruits, a rather cold, crisp, bloodless strikingly beautiful lady. At a later stage in the book, and feeling somewhat neglected by Sheila, Mark and Toni have a brief impulsive affair. There is no further mention of this incident, and no one is ever aware that it happened...so why did it occur? and what was its contribution in the overall telling of the story. Apart from this rather strange episode The Genesis Code is more than worthy of 5 stars, an amazing first novel from Lisa von Biela and I look forward to her future publications.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read most of the reviews for THE GENESIS CODE after I read the book. It was hard to put down, but the need of some sleep forced me to (I had to go back several pages to retrieve what I had read in pre-sleep!!)

After reading several chapters, my first thought was John Grisham's "the Firm". That thought stayed with me thought out the book with the added detail of information implants. These implants could have been a boon to the OneMarket financial business, except for two major things. One is that there was no testing done with the implants before they were used and the second thing is GREED. ( of the reviews I read, no one mentioned greed.). IMHO, I believe GREED was the force that lead 98% of the characters in this book.

THE GENESIS CODE is a well written novel, with believable characters. If you like techno-thrillers, you will enjoy this one! Highly recommended.

[Deacon D. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one is a slick techno-terror tale about a young couple who are unwittingly drawn into a nightmarish scenario.

When Mark Weston accepts a position at a well-known company in an attempt to provide a secure future for his wife, Sheila, who is troubled by her family medical history, he understands the challenges he faces...extreme time demands and a near-zero tolerance for error. But, Mark believes the sacrifices will be worth it, and that he can achieve financial independence within a few years. What Mark doesn't know is that he is about to become a human test subject for a device designed to create the perfect work force...at any cost.

In 'THE GENESIS CODE', Lisa von Biela has crafted a fast-paced and well-plotted thriller that is made all the more terrifying by its plausibility...an impressive first novel, and I look forward to more from this talented writer.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this book as a Goodreads first read. This book,a high-tech thriller, takes the reader into the corporate world of OneMarket - where the work schedule is nearly inhuman - but the rewards, well, let's just say, are beyond most people's wildest dreams. Mark Weston needs this job to pay off a huge medical debt and get his and his family's life back on track. Even though he has very serious doubts, he joins this world. He soon finds himself an unwilling and unaware)participant in a conspiracy of corporate greed and med-tech expirementation.
I found this to a fast-paced thriller, full of twists and turns. While the writing could have been a bit sharper, I enjoyed it quite a lot.

[Bill · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am glad that this “techno-thriller” was offered thru the DarkFuse ebook club because otherwise I may have missed it. While this may not be one of my typical reads, it is a very good debut novel from Lisa von Biela.

An evil corporation, an egotistical CEO, a mad doctor, human guinea pigs and experiments gone wrong…really wrong. There was some interesting science going on here and the motivations of the characters were drawn out very well, which made the story that much more believable. I enjoyed this one and look forward to more from this author.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really got drawn in to this story! I could really relate to the characters (who doesn't know someone who works too hard, or a company that expects too much from its employees?). I liked the technological aspect too; it really made me think about the possibilities - and the potential for abuse - of new technologies.

[Sully · Rating 4 out of 5]

well, the plot was pretty dark,but it was fun to read. I liked it. it was pretty suspensfull at times. The ending could have been a bit stronger, though. it was rather anti-climatic, really. But all in all, it was a good book and I would suggest it as a short read.

[Alan Ryker]

A real page-turner of a debut novel.

[Nancy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Von Biela's chilling premise regarding the possible misuse of technology to control the human brain seems frighteningly plausible. However, the book just didn't really work for me. It is totally plot-driven and sacrifices a number of other essential story-telling elements just to keep the story moving. I still have no idea where this was supposed to have taken place except that there are bike trails and the mountains are within a 4 hour drive. Throughout most of the book, although there are references to a call center and an applications team, it often seems like only about half a dozen people work for this global company housed in a 5 story building. The organization seems incredibly flat - the handful of senior management staff seem to make all decisions and interact directly with the rank and file employees (only two of whom feature in the story), which seems bizarre. And I found it really hard to believe that a salary of less than 6 figures would be enough for employees to essentially give up their entire lives to the company, ruining marriages, friendships, their health, being on call 24/7, leaving the office only to sleep at night and return in the morning. I have had this book on my to-read list for a long time and looked forward to my local library finally getting a copy, but sadly, it turned out to be a pretty big disappointment.

[Vultural · Rating 3 out of 5]

Von Biela, Lisa - Ash And Bone

Eileen, ex jailbird, chances upon the remote coastal hamlet of Cromwell.
She finds a hotel for sale, abandoned but in suitable condition.
An investment of sorts, and Cromwell is a perfect place to lay low.
The story follows a traditional route of a building with a history.
Midway, gears shift. Actually, characters shift. Eileen disappears from the narrative, replaced by newsman Frank, passing through, looking for a night’s rest.
He senses a mystery and roots around, although nothing shattering emerges.
Frank is an inept reporter, and the buried secrets you will pick up quicker than he did.
The book has some interesting elements, but overall it reminds one of the “movie of the week” installment.
Predictable, fills a hole, then done.

[Alex Sheldon · Rating 5 out of 5]

A corporate office thriller concept that hits all my interest buttons, and Lisa von Biela delivers in the best possible way.

I wouldn't have minded a slightly more drawn-out ending of the 'consequences' and in-depth character fallout, but the author still wraps things up well enough to keep this a solid satisfactory novel.

[Ann237 · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story line was great. It tells of a man who joins a new company, that pretty much requires that he dedicates his life to them. The perks they offer along with his salary was hard to resist. But there is something more going...how much more will he have to dedicate?

[Todd Russell · Rating 3 out of 5]

There's a funny story by Jeff Strand in his short story collection Dead Clown Barbecue called "Work/Life Balance" that absurdly mirrors the opposite of a theme explored in this debut techno-thriller. I read Strand's short in between chapters of this book and chuckled at his trademark wit in covering a corporate culture which takes adherence to the work/life model to a bizarre, outlandish extreme. In The Genesis Code, an odious corporate employer seeks to increase worker productivity (name a corporation who doesn't) and by sharp contrast of the Strand short story: less home and social life equals more work.

The story begins with protagonist Mark Weston interviewing and accepting a job at tech company OneMarket. Been a while since I've read a novel that begins with a job interview, but I know there's been at least a few since The Shining. Not a very exciting place to start a story, especially a thriller, but I hoped story-wise it would improve. Slowly, things did, as we began to learn more about Mark, his relationship with his wife, the pressure cooker employer OneMarket and a strange doctor and his assistant also employed there.

At times in the narrative, I was reminded of the writing style of Robin Cook. Some of what Cook does I'm a huge fan--particularly the way he weaves complex medical information into stories--but sometimes he's a bit vanilla with characterization. I liked how the author wove weighty computer terms into the narrative without draining the momentum. Cook's characters sometimes can methodically, sometimes repetitively, analyze their inner thoughts, probing too much how they feel about certain situations and 'what if's' in the story versus using action. Generally, I find character action more creative and readable than excessive character musings.

References in the text to 'The Genesis Device' reminded me of the Star Trek II Wrath of Khan. Yes, I became distracted making comparisons to other creative works--most of which I liked.

The story doesn't move as fast as most thrillers and the technology aspect, while it was plenty geek-speak infused, wasn't really that thought-provoking until the final chapter. I'm used to more amazing technology in a techno-thriller than what distills to a familiar tale of human experimentation.

The characterization was a bit dry at times, and yet overall it succeeded. I cared what happened to Mark and his wife, to the point of being irritated that one dramatic character conflict introduced wasn't explained (don't read the spoiler that follows unless you've read the whole book) What happened with the affair? Was this a side effect of the implant? A case of human weakness coming from a cheating spouse? Was it programmed? Why was this necessary? How did it contribute to increasing the tension in the story or providing any further dimension to the character?

Despite a few bumps, there was a skilled build-up of suspense, culminating in an ending that wrapped up the central plot points and left the author room to explore a sequel in the future, if desired.

For a debut thriller, this was a decent read. Certainly a lot of potential. It's my understanding this has roots as a short story (?) that was nurtured into a novel. For this reader, I think it would have made a better novella than short story or novel. It would have tightened up the pacing and done away with some of the unnecessary scenes that didn't add to the story, advance the plot or further define the characters. I would read another work by this new author. 3 stars. 4,779 Kindle locations.

[Dianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Technology that can control your mind and actions, making you the perfect employee? With a few key strokes, you forget non-essential things, but understand more about your job? That’s the reality of the world created in Lisa von Biela’s novel, The Genesis Code ! The ultimate weapon for success in a dog-eat-dog world is just a ‘slice, insert, seal, and tweak’ away, according to the egomaniac doctor who has created a small implant chip that is being tried out at OneMarket, a hugely successful tech company run by a power/money hungry CEO. Unfortunately, the ‘good’ doctor neglected to mention the chips have never been tried on humans before, not that it would have mattered to said CEO.

Caught up in the middle of this heinous plot is Mark Weston, who, against his better judgment, is just hired to a high-pressure job at OneMarket. It pays extremely well and Mark thrives on challenges, but as time goes on he is in over his head, his marriage is suffering, his health is suffering and he has no life to speak of, outside of the office. When he can no longer sleep well and his job performance starts to slip, he sees the company doctor for a temporary sleeping aid, only to be sedated and have the implant put in without his knowledge. His work performance rapidly soars, but something is horribly wrong with his memory, his temper and his personality is changing. One other employee was tricked into being another guinea pig and he died. As this is revealed to Mark by another doctor at OneMarket, the chip is removed and he is in a fight for his life! Will he make it away from OneMarket alive? Is there permanent damage to his brain? Does he have a future?

Lisa von Biela had me on the edge of my seat, with her plausible sci-fi tale! Her attention to details regarding the chip, Mark’s job, the pressure he was under and the changes he underwent at the hands of the twisted creator of the chip were nailbitingly gripping! For that, this is a definite 5 star read! What/who led Mark to this job was, well, achingly aggravating and overwrought with drama. His wife’s character was melodramatic, bossy, demanding, whiny, and I found myself gritting my teeth every time her dialogue came up. So, I thought, does this mean Ms. Von Biela did an awesome job with her characters? For me, yes and no, the wife was over the top. (minus 1 star) Her sister was amazingly likeable! The writing style is crisp, intense and the pace is often break-neck! (plus.5 stars)

A review copy was provided by NetGalley and Darkfuse in exchange for my honest review!

Publication Date: February 5, 2013
Publisher: Darkfuse
Paperback ISBN-13: 9781937771768
Page Length: 382
My Rating: 4.5 Stars
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[Kim (Wistfulskimmies Book Reviews) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the story of Mark. His father-in-law has just died from early onset Alzheimers Disease, and there is a fear his wife, Sheila, may contract the disease as well. With that in mind, he takes a high powered job at OneMarket, an internet based trading company. Renowned for treating their staff like workhorses, all his time is suddenly taken up with work, to the detriment of his home life and marriage. Unbeknownst to him though, he is in the middle of a conspiracy to create an even more productive workforce with the aid of implants to the brain. He and his partner have been chosen for the trials. Then his partner suddenly dies, and he is in a race against time to stop the same thing happening to himself, and bring down the powers that be.

This is the sort of sci-fi techno thriller I usually steer clear of. Coming from DarkFuse though, I was sure it would be more than that, and I wasn't wrong. I was hooked from the first page and nearly wore out my Kindle finger racing to find out what happened next!The good guys were likeable, the bad guys were sinister and creepy. There was a definite undercurrent of 'what if' running through the story and that made it all the more chilling. I understand this is the authors debut novel - well, I think this is a fantastic debut! The technobabble is spot on, but never gets in the way of the story, instead it enhances it, and the pace flows relentlessly. I thoroughly enjoyed this and am eager to read more from this author.

[Robert Krone · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an excellent novel! I don't think I have ever read a techno-thriller in the past, but the plot sounded interesting, so because of that and all the good things I was reading about the quality of this I decided to give it a try. Am very glad that I did. It is obvious that the author knows what she is talking about when it comes to the technology stuff, as well as how things can be at a company like OneMarket. Some things were exaggerated for the story, of course, but not so much as to make it unbelievable. In fact, I could easily see a company trying something along the lines of what happened in this story if they thought for a second that they could away with it!

Between this novel and a novella I am reading that is also a techno-thriller I now have another genre of books that I look forward to checking out some more.

If you enjoy techno-thrillers or this book sounds interested I highly recommend checking it out!

[Debra Jeakins · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE GENESIS CODE BY LISA VON BIELA , in my opinion is a ten on the creepy,it could very well happen in reality, meter! Imagine having a computer chip inserted into your cranium that will upload information you need to do your job. Sounds great,right? Think of the time saved on trying to learn. Picture now an owner of a company wanting more from that chip, no disobedience , no thinking its time to go home,no thinking, no thinking,no thinking..........

What rates it a ten on my creepy meter? Just picture a CEO or a President saying this chip is mandatory! Everyone will get one,no saying no! Think it couldnt happen? Read THE GENESIS CODE .The narration by Daniel Dorse was excellent and put just the right tone to make the audio version even better.

I recieved this audiobook free in exchange for an honest review.

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was just almost too good. Hard to put it down and get real life done. Just an awesome book. I can't say enough about it. the premise was rivetting, original, and scarily possible. The characters were realistic, as was the dialogue, and the plot moved at just the right pace. Just so well-done. Can't wait to read more by this author.

[Tara Bush · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was an interesting story, but difficult to relate to. The villians were just too uncaring, selfish and one dimensional. The progression of the story wasn't surprising. It was a good yarn, nonetheless, but I just can't give it more than three stars.

[Amanda]

Won as part of the Goodreads first reads program. Can't wait to read it!

[Bob · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very enjoyable techno-thriller. It kept me on the edge of my chair. Highly recommended.

[Merrill · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was totally awesome! the moment you read the first page it grab you in a tight hold and won't release until you find out the exciting conclusion. I am hoping that there will be a sequel.