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Think Tank #1
The Calypso Directive
For one hundred and fifty-five days, Will Foster has been locked in medical quarantine without his consent. The doctors claim he is infected with a deadly virus, but this is a lie. Encoded in his DNA is a mutation that provides immunity from disease for all who possess it, source code that Vyrogen Pharmaceuticals aims to commercialize as a multi-billion dollar gene therapy.
Against all odds, Foster escapes his laboratory prison and steals a virulent strain of bubonic plague as insurance. To help him unravel the mystery inside him, Foster contacts the only person he can trust--a former lover and microbiologist living Vienna-- and the two become fugitives, hunted across the heart of Europe.
Under the guise of averting a plague pandemic, Vryogen hires an elite, underground Think Tank to track down Foster. But when the team sets a trap for Foster, they discover they're not the only ones in the hunt. In a race against two deadly assassins, can the brilliant minds of the Think Tank unravel the truth before time runs out for their quarry?
In a novel where conscience clashes with greed, loyalty with suspicion, and paranoia with reality, THE CALYPSO DIRECTIVE deftly explores the issues of genetic exploitation and piracy. Captivating, controversial, and courageous, Andrews debut is sure to thrill and leave you wondering what secrets are locked in your DNA.
Against all odds, Foster escapes his laboratory prison and steals a virulent strain of bubonic plague as insurance. To help him unravel the mystery inside him, Foster contacts the only person he can trust--a former lover and microbiologist living Vienna-- and the two become fugitives, hunted across the heart of Europe.
Under the guise of averting a plague pandemic, Vryogen hires an elite, underground Think Tank to track down Foster. But when the team sets a trap for Foster, they discover they're not the only ones in the hunt. In a race against two deadly assassins, can the brilliant minds of the Think Tank unravel the truth before time runs out for their quarry?
In a novel where conscience clashes with greed, loyalty with suspicion, and paranoia with reality, THE CALYPSO DIRECTIVE deftly explores the issues of genetic exploitation and piracy. Captivating, controversial, and courageous, Andrews debut is sure to thrill and leave you wondering what secrets are locked in your DNA.
337 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 1, 2012
34 people are currently reading
1636 people want to read
About the author
Brian Andrews
40 books1,151 followersBrian is a US Navy veteran, nuclear engineer, and former submarine officer. He graduated from Vanderbilt University with a degree in psychology, holds a Master's in business from Cornell University, and is a Park Leadership Fellow. He is a principal contributor at Career Authors, a site dedicated to advancing the careers of aspiring and published writers: www.careerauthors.com.
He is half of Andrews & Wilson, the New York Times, USA Today, Wall Street Journal, & #1 Amazon best-selling co-author team behind the TIER ONE series. New in 2025:
- DARK RISING: (APRIL)
- SONS OF VALOR 4: (7/22)
- THE ADVERSARY: Tier One #9 (11/4)
- EXECUTIVE POWER (11/25)
In addition to their novels, Andrews & Wilson have multiple projects under development for film and television with major motion picture studios including Tier One, Dark Intercept, 4 Minutes, Portal, Glitch, and The In Between.
Find Brian online at:
Web: www.andrews-wilson.com
Instagram: @andrewsandwilson
Twitter: @BAndrewsJWilson
Sign-up for his newsletter at www.andrews-wilson.com to stay informed about all his new releases or "Follow" his Amazon Author page!
He is half of Andrews & Wilson, the New York Times, USA Today, Wall Street Journal, & #1 Amazon best-selling co-author team behind the TIER ONE series. New in 2025:
- DARK RISING: (APRIL)
- SONS OF VALOR 4: (7/22)
- THE ADVERSARY: Tier One #9 (11/4)
- EXECUTIVE POWER (11/25)
In addition to their novels, Andrews & Wilson have multiple projects under development for film and television with major motion picture studios including Tier One, Dark Intercept, 4 Minutes, Portal, Glitch, and The In Between.
Find Brian online at:
Web: www.andrews-wilson.com
Instagram: @andrewsandwilson
Twitter: @BAndrewsJWilson
Sign-up for his newsletter at www.andrews-wilson.com to stay informed about all his new releases or "Follow" his Amazon Author page!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
October 1, 2024
Awesome to hit a stretch of very good stories for a change.
June 14, 2012
I won a copy on Goodreads Firstreads.
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes action/adventure stories or medical thrillers.Fans of Michael Crichton or Mission Impossible should definitely give it a try.
This is an adventure story with lots of action.It may remind you of a lot of other books from this genre, but that would be misleading.While it may share elements with other books,it definitely has its own voice.There is the medical thriller aspect, lots of thrills and action,suspense,and some great characters.
It all starts with a man who has a genetic mutation that could be worth a fortune.When he escapes from a corrupt research facility, the hunt begins.Ruthless bounty hunters are hot on his trail.There is also the secret Think Tank trying to discover the truth.This group is like the old Mission Impossible TV show(for those younger than me, think the Leverage TV show).With their newest recruit,they want to find the truth and do the best thing possible even if it goes against their client's wishes.
The book is smart even though it is mainly an action story.By this I mean there is good science and well-thought out reasons for what happens in the story.It might even make you think about what is happening in the real world with DNA and how it is being marketed.
Gremlins did manage to get into the printing of the book.They caused a dozen or so glitches throughout the book.Nothing major though, just small things like dropping a word or not capitalizing "I".One in particular caught my attention.They mention the town Asheville ,N.C. which is very near to where I live.Unfortunately he made the common mistake of leaving out the first"e".Gremlins are evil.
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes action/adventure stories or medical thrillers.Fans of Michael Crichton or Mission Impossible should definitely give it a try.
This is an adventure story with lots of action.It may remind you of a lot of other books from this genre, but that would be misleading.While it may share elements with other books,it definitely has its own voice.There is the medical thriller aspect, lots of thrills and action,suspense,and some great characters.
It all starts with a man who has a genetic mutation that could be worth a fortune.When he escapes from a corrupt research facility, the hunt begins.Ruthless bounty hunters are hot on his trail.There is also the secret Think Tank trying to discover the truth.This group is like the old Mission Impossible TV show(for those younger than me, think the Leverage TV show).With their newest recruit,they want to find the truth and do the best thing possible even if it goes against their client's wishes.
The book is smart even though it is mainly an action story.By this I mean there is good science and well-thought out reasons for what happens in the story.It might even make you think about what is happening in the real world with DNA and how it is being marketed.
Gremlins did manage to get into the printing of the book.They caused a dozen or so glitches throughout the book.Nothing major though, just small things like dropping a word or not capitalizing "I".One in particular caught my attention.They mention the town Asheville ,N.C. which is very near to where I live.Unfortunately he made the common mistake of leaving out the first"e".Gremlins are evil.
May 24, 2012
ScienceThrillers.com review: The Calypso Directive is a debut science thriller by Brian Andrews, a U.S. Navy submariner and all-around smart guy who did his homework on this one. As described in the back cover summary, this novel is a variant on the thriller theme of wronged/imprisoned/framed good guy escapes evil government/corporation/syndicate and goes on the run to clear his name/save his life/etc.
Andrews brings some exciting additions to this storyline. First, and for us at ScienceThrillers.com foremost, science is an integral part of the plot. DNA fiction junkies will love the centrality of genomics and infectious disease science. Personally I was thrilled to find immunology front and center; a new type of lymphocyte plays a role, and there’s plenty of talk about immune responses (most of it accurate and quite comprehensible to the lay reader).
Second, Brian Andrews creates a new super-secret intelligence group/agency, The Think Tank. Does the thriller world need another Sigma Force (James Rollins) or Chess Team (Jeremy Robinson) or MI-6 (of James Bond stories) type team of geniuses? Of course! I loved the Tank, partly because the ethical leanings/moral foundation of the organization as a whole are murky, but the individual team members are all heroic. I hope another Think Tank novel is in the works.
Andrews writes terrific action sequences. The best, most compelling parts of the book are the tension-filled recitations of dialogue among team members across their super-high-tech communicators during field operations. The opening sequence, in which the mysterious patient escapes his quarantine prison, is a winner too.
Characters in the novel are constantly telling lies and playing mind games, which creates plenty of interest for the reader. However, at times the effect is confusion. Andrews creates depth in some of the characters by avoiding black & white moral categories, but I was left wanting a bit more guidance in how to interpret/react to some of them, especially Nicolara, the Tank’s founder. Good guy or bad guy? On a similar note, the ending is dramatic but a little confusing to this reader. The last ten pages or so didn’t give me the satisfaction I like at the end of a long chase. Last point of criticism: Thrillers often stretch the limits of credibility but The Calypso Directive has a coincidence that goes too far–the ex-girlfriend, who happens to be a molecular biologist, who also happens to be living in Europe.
Biohazard rating: 4 out of 5. There’s lots of science here, and when the author is relaying factual information or explaining a topic, he’s accurate. However, when the background science is applied to the plot, improbable becomes impossible. For example, there’s discussion about an H1N1 infection that doesn’t make much sense. But unless you have a sophisticated understanding of immunology and epidemiology, you probably won’t notice.
OVERALL: An action-packed science thriller with lots of my favorite subject (immunology!), a page-turning read that introduces an intriguing new organization, The Think Tank. It is the author’s debut novel and has some flaws that I sense will be corrected as he continues to develop as a writer. I rate Brian Andrews as an author to watch.
NOTE: Sample Brian Andrews’ writing with his novella Ring of Flowers, which tells the backstory behind the mutation in The Calypso Directive.
Andrews brings some exciting additions to this storyline. First, and for us at ScienceThrillers.com foremost, science is an integral part of the plot. DNA fiction junkies will love the centrality of genomics and infectious disease science. Personally I was thrilled to find immunology front and center; a new type of lymphocyte plays a role, and there’s plenty of talk about immune responses (most of it accurate and quite comprehensible to the lay reader).
Second, Brian Andrews creates a new super-secret intelligence group/agency, The Think Tank. Does the thriller world need another Sigma Force (James Rollins) or Chess Team (Jeremy Robinson) or MI-6 (of James Bond stories) type team of geniuses? Of course! I loved the Tank, partly because the ethical leanings/moral foundation of the organization as a whole are murky, but the individual team members are all heroic. I hope another Think Tank novel is in the works.
Andrews writes terrific action sequences. The best, most compelling parts of the book are the tension-filled recitations of dialogue among team members across their super-high-tech communicators during field operations. The opening sequence, in which the mysterious patient escapes his quarantine prison, is a winner too.
Characters in the novel are constantly telling lies and playing mind games, which creates plenty of interest for the reader. However, at times the effect is confusion. Andrews creates depth in some of the characters by avoiding black & white moral categories, but I was left wanting a bit more guidance in how to interpret/react to some of them, especially Nicolara, the Tank’s founder. Good guy or bad guy? On a similar note, the ending is dramatic but a little confusing to this reader. The last ten pages or so didn’t give me the satisfaction I like at the end of a long chase. Last point of criticism: Thrillers often stretch the limits of credibility but The Calypso Directive has a coincidence that goes too far–the ex-girlfriend, who happens to be a molecular biologist, who also happens to be living in Europe.
Biohazard rating: 4 out of 5. There’s lots of science here, and when the author is relaying factual information or explaining a topic, he’s accurate. However, when the background science is applied to the plot, improbable becomes impossible. For example, there’s discussion about an H1N1 infection that doesn’t make much sense. But unless you have a sophisticated understanding of immunology and epidemiology, you probably won’t notice.
OVERALL: An action-packed science thriller with lots of my favorite subject (immunology!), a page-turning read that introduces an intriguing new organization, The Think Tank. It is the author’s debut novel and has some flaws that I sense will be corrected as he continues to develop as a writer. I rate Brian Andrews as an author to watch.
NOTE: Sample Brian Andrews’ writing with his novella Ring of Flowers, which tells the backstory behind the mutation in The Calypso Directive.
June 18, 2012
The book starts off somewhat slowly, and with no sense of urgency. The story is interesting and there is much to explain, so the slow start was understandable. The second half of the book is written very well, and the action accelerates quickly. I couldn't turn the pages fast enough to find out what would happen to the hero and heroine. It is difficult to write action scenes satisfactorily, but Andrews does so. The end of the book is written well and leaves the possibility of sequel. I am frequently disappointed with the endings of books, movies, etc, but the finale of this book did not disappoint whatsoever.
I thoroughly enjoyed the book, and look forward to future books by Brian Andrews. I won this book in a Goodreads First Reads giveaway. Thank you to Brian Andrews for personalizing the book for me.
I thoroughly enjoyed the book, and look forward to future books by Brian Andrews. I won this book in a Goodreads First Reads giveaway. Thank you to Brian Andrews for personalizing the book for me.
September 11, 2020
Very good thriller involving Big Pharma shenanigans and a guy with a genetic anomaly that gives him immunity against any pathogen. Will Foster doesn't want to be a guinea pig, though, and has been kept in the dark about why he's been kidnapped and subjected to horrific tests, so he manages to escape the facility he's been kept in, which turns out to be in Prague. He has one ally -- but her company has been bought out by the pharmaceutical company that kidnapped him, so can he trust her? Meanwhile, the pharma exec has sent out three groups to search for him, so he's really up against it. Very suspenseful, and, of course, quite timely at the moment, when we'd all like a bit of Will's immune system...
March 29, 2012
I ordered this book on online, and they shipped it to me last week before the release date? Anyway, I was hooked after the first chapter, and I read it in four days. The story is somewhat reminiscent of Bourne Identity (i.e., a guy trying to piece together a mystery while he is being chased). Besides the main character, Will, there is this think tank group that gets involved and it reminded me of the TV show Alias. I found the supporting characters to be more interesting than the main characters. This is one of those books where the author teaches you something about a rare subject, in this case the immune system. Overall, a fun read and I highly recommend it.
November 23, 2015
Mostly I enjoyed this book. There were some issues that I had with it but overall, I felt that it was worth reading.
Enjoyable:
Overall the story had a lot of action, more so later on in the book, if somewhat improbable in places. It had a mix of everyday people as well as people specifically trained for these type of activity. The action was well written and exciting. If the beginning seems a bit slow and you think about putting it down, I would suggest to keep reading because it does pick up. There is a lot of set-up and exposition.
The characters that were developed were interesting and those that weren't as developed made you wonder more. Although, there were a lot to keep track of, some were major and others were brief.
I don't normally read adventure novels that rely solely on medical so I felt a little out of my element but I didn't feel that the information relayed was too overwhelming for a novice.
The debates that the story could spark, or the debates that influenced the story, are intriguing. Does anyone really have the right to patent our genes, and what does that mean that they can do with the information of personal biological makeup? Although I had heard this before (granted, it was on a sci-fi T.V. show so I wasn't sure if it was accurate), this was a much more negative portrait than I had thought about.
I liked that some of the characters were murky when it came to motivations, loyalties, and mission. And I do hope that we get more novels about The Tank, it really did seem that the author was setting us up for more, by explaining so much to the readers with AJ's tour of the facility.
Issues:
The editing. There were many grammatical errors and while some I ignored (uncapitalized I), the errors in the quotations drove me crazy. The issue was when the quote continued into another paragraph was not quoted so I wasn't sure if we were missing the end quote and starting new information paragraph or still speaking so it took more focus and back and forth to figure out what was happening. My main thing was that this book was a printed book, not a e-book. I am much better at ignoring grammatical issues in e-books because I have come to expect it, which is why I choose the hard copy as much as possible.
The coincidence of having an ex-girlfriend in the biological field in a close country.
The constant switching between focus/mindset of the characters was annoying, especially because so much of what I wanted to know-what side The Tank and its personnel was on was-completely hidden wavelength except AJ who was new. If you are going to use everyone's POV then use everyone's. Some points the POV was separated by line breaks and other times it wasn't. Pick and choose. I often find this in first time authors. They usually grow out of it.
I wasn't crazy about the end. It was slightly cliff-hanger if the author intends to create a series, but there was also a resolution, a resolution that I didn't really care for.
Again, despite the issues, overall I enjoyed this book, although in the beginning I wasn't sure I would. I would recommend to anyone who enjoys thrillers.
Enjoyable:
Overall the story had a lot of action, more so later on in the book, if somewhat improbable in places. It had a mix of everyday people as well as people specifically trained for these type of activity. The action was well written and exciting. If the beginning seems a bit slow and you think about putting it down, I would suggest to keep reading because it does pick up. There is a lot of set-up and exposition.
The characters that were developed were interesting and those that weren't as developed made you wonder more. Although, there were a lot to keep track of, some were major and others were brief.
I don't normally read adventure novels that rely solely on medical so I felt a little out of my element but I didn't feel that the information relayed was too overwhelming for a novice.
The debates that the story could spark, or the debates that influenced the story, are intriguing. Does anyone really have the right to patent our genes, and what does that mean that they can do with the information of personal biological makeup? Although I had heard this before (granted, it was on a sci-fi T.V. show so I wasn't sure if it was accurate), this was a much more negative portrait than I had thought about.
I liked that some of the characters were murky when it came to motivations, loyalties, and mission. And I do hope that we get more novels about The Tank, it really did seem that the author was setting us up for more, by explaining so much to the readers with AJ's tour of the facility.
Issues:
The editing. There were many grammatical errors and while some I ignored (uncapitalized I), the errors in the quotations drove me crazy. The issue was when the quote continued into another paragraph was not quoted so I wasn't sure if we were missing the end quote and starting new information paragraph or still speaking so it took more focus and back and forth to figure out what was happening. My main thing was that this book was a printed book, not a e-book. I am much better at ignoring grammatical issues in e-books because I have come to expect it, which is why I choose the hard copy as much as possible.
The coincidence of having an ex-girlfriend in the biological field in a close country.
The constant switching between focus/mindset of the characters was annoying, especially because so much of what I wanted to know-what side The Tank and its personnel was on was-completely hidden wavelength except AJ who was new. If you are going to use everyone's POV then use everyone's. Some points the POV was separated by line breaks and other times it wasn't. Pick and choose. I often find this in first time authors. They usually grow out of it.
I wasn't crazy about the end. It was slightly cliff-hanger if the author intends to create a series, but there was also a resolution, a resolution that I didn't really care for.
Again, despite the issues, overall I enjoyed this book, although in the beginning I wasn't sure I would. I would recommend to anyone who enjoys thrillers.
May 12, 2012
This review is based on a free copy of the book received from the author through the Goodreads Advance Reader process.
I originally thought this story was about the Calypso Detective but the real name better describes this book.
Will foster is our protagonist and he is not having a great day. A fact that repeats the last 154 days he has been held incognito against his will based on an assertion that he carries a disease that would be fatal to anyone he comes in contact with. The only problem is that that is a big fat lie.
Focusing over the past few weeks Will, referred to as patient 65 by his captures, has determined an escape plan which he executes perfectly and escapes. Now he must find an old friend who may be able to help him figure out what is going on.
In fact the pharmaceutical fir that imprisoned him has determined that his DNA contains a gene of super resistance that could change the world of medicine overnight. They have been working frantically while Will was imprisoned to isolate and hopefully reproduce this gene, with no success to date.
Now that he has escaped they want their golden goose back and hire an outside firm to track him down and retrieve him. While they think they have found him when they go to retrieve him they run into another group with the same idea. That’s great ! all Will needs is two groups of experts trying to capture him.
Who is the real antagonist ?
Who has sent the second group after him ?
This is a thrilling read while at the same time positing questions about the person versus their potential benefit to society. In other words, do they lose so we all win ?
A great read
I originally thought this story was about the Calypso Detective but the real name better describes this book.
Will foster is our protagonist and he is not having a great day. A fact that repeats the last 154 days he has been held incognito against his will based on an assertion that he carries a disease that would be fatal to anyone he comes in contact with. The only problem is that that is a big fat lie.
Focusing over the past few weeks Will, referred to as patient 65 by his captures, has determined an escape plan which he executes perfectly and escapes. Now he must find an old friend who may be able to help him figure out what is going on.
In fact the pharmaceutical fir that imprisoned him has determined that his DNA contains a gene of super resistance that could change the world of medicine overnight. They have been working frantically while Will was imprisoned to isolate and hopefully reproduce this gene, with no success to date.
Now that he has escaped they want their golden goose back and hire an outside firm to track him down and retrieve him. While they think they have found him when they go to retrieve him they run into another group with the same idea. That’s great ! all Will needs is two groups of experts trying to capture him.
Who is the real antagonist ?
Who has sent the second group after him ?
This is a thrilling read while at the same time positing questions about the person versus their potential benefit to society. In other words, do they lose so we all win ?
A great read
April 17, 2012
A book I could not put down! Calyplso Directive kept me on the edge of my seat to the end of the book. I can't wait to read Brian Andrews' 'Ring of Flowers' as well! Being a molecular and cellular biology student, I found this book absolutely fascinating as well as entertaining. It will be suggested to staff and students alike throughout the bio department! An amazing story that really makes you think about what could happen as we gain more and more biological information. Recommended for everyone interested in the 'what ifs' of life!
I won this book on Goodreads First Reads.
Carrie A. Watson
I won this book on Goodreads First Reads.
Carrie A. Watson
April 10, 2012
This book was very different from any other book I read before. It was very enjoyable and kept me captivated from start to finish. The main point about the book is the for 155 days, Will Foster was locked up in quartine because the doctors claimed he had a deadly virus. But that was a total lie, his DNA is a mutation that provides immunity from all diseases. Against all odds, Foster escapes his laboratory prison and steals a virulent strain of bubonic plague as insurance. To help him unravel the mystery inside him, Foster contacts the only person he can trust--a former lover and microbiologist living in Vienna-- and the two become fugitives, hunted across the heart of Europe.
December 28, 2023
A nice little adventure story about a man who has no problems with Covid.
May 10, 2013
Brian Andrews in his new book, “The Calypso Directive” published by Arcade Publishing brings us into the life of Will Foster.
From the back cover: An unprecedented genetic mutation, an underground think tank, and an unscrupulous pharmaceutical company collide in this dazzling debut thriller.
For one hundred and fifty-five days, Will Foster has been locked in medical quarantine without his consent. The doctors claim he is infected with a deadly virus, but this is a lie. Encoded in his DNA is a mutation that provides immunity from disease for all who possess it, source code that Vyrogen Pharmaceuticals aims to commercialize as a multi-billion dollar gene therapy.
Against all odds, Foster escapes his laboratory prison and steals a virulent strain of bubonic plague as insurance. To help him unravel the mystery inside him, Foster contacts the only person he can trust–a former lover and microbiologist living in Vienna– and the two become fugitives, hunted across the heart of Europe.
Under the guise of averting a plague pandemic, Vryogen hires an elite, underground Think Tank to track down Foster. But when the team sets a trap for Foster, they discover they’re not the only ones in the hunt. In a race against two deadly assassins, can the brilliant minds of the Think Tank unravel the truth before time runs out for their quarry?
In a novel where conscience clashes with greed, loyalty with suspicion, and paranoia with reality, THE CALYPSO DIRECTIVE deftly explores the issues of genetic exploitation and piracy. Captivating, controversial, and courageous, Andrews debut is sure to thrill and leave you wondering what secrets are locked in your DNA.
I have to admit I just enjoy to no end these kind of thrillers where the hero is on the run pursued by a bunch of killers who sole objective is his elimination. Brian Andrews has pumped up the plot even more as Will Foster has a sample of bubonic plague that he will use before he is killed. Paranoia increases when Vryogen, who has their killer on the hunt, hires The Think Tank to send another killer after Will. Now the chase is on across Europe and all Will wants to do is stay alive. “The Calypso Directive” is a riveting, page-turning thriller as the life of Will Foster is in deadly danger practically from page one. Mr. Andrews packs in a huge amount of action, adventure, and suspense as Foster tries to figure out a way to turn the tables on his pursuers and bring down the company that is trying to kill him. May I never get myself into this kind of situation because I could never get out. Good thing Mr. Andrews could figure out the way out and give us a wild ride while getting there. Give yourself plenty of time to enjoy this book as you will want to finish it before going to bed. “The Calypso Directive” is an exciting adventure from start to finish.
If you would like to listen to interviews with other authors and professionals please go to www.kingdomhighlights.org where they are available On Demand.
To listen to 24 hours non-stop, commercial free Christian music please visit our internet radio station www.kingdomairwaves.org
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the author. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
From the back cover: An unprecedented genetic mutation, an underground think tank, and an unscrupulous pharmaceutical company collide in this dazzling debut thriller.
For one hundred and fifty-five days, Will Foster has been locked in medical quarantine without his consent. The doctors claim he is infected with a deadly virus, but this is a lie. Encoded in his DNA is a mutation that provides immunity from disease for all who possess it, source code that Vyrogen Pharmaceuticals aims to commercialize as a multi-billion dollar gene therapy.
Against all odds, Foster escapes his laboratory prison and steals a virulent strain of bubonic plague as insurance. To help him unravel the mystery inside him, Foster contacts the only person he can trust–a former lover and microbiologist living in Vienna– and the two become fugitives, hunted across the heart of Europe.
Under the guise of averting a plague pandemic, Vryogen hires an elite, underground Think Tank to track down Foster. But when the team sets a trap for Foster, they discover they’re not the only ones in the hunt. In a race against two deadly assassins, can the brilliant minds of the Think Tank unravel the truth before time runs out for their quarry?
In a novel where conscience clashes with greed, loyalty with suspicion, and paranoia with reality, THE CALYPSO DIRECTIVE deftly explores the issues of genetic exploitation and piracy. Captivating, controversial, and courageous, Andrews debut is sure to thrill and leave you wondering what secrets are locked in your DNA.
I have to admit I just enjoy to no end these kind of thrillers where the hero is on the run pursued by a bunch of killers who sole objective is his elimination. Brian Andrews has pumped up the plot even more as Will Foster has a sample of bubonic plague that he will use before he is killed. Paranoia increases when Vryogen, who has their killer on the hunt, hires The Think Tank to send another killer after Will. Now the chase is on across Europe and all Will wants to do is stay alive. “The Calypso Directive” is a riveting, page-turning thriller as the life of Will Foster is in deadly danger practically from page one. Mr. Andrews packs in a huge amount of action, adventure, and suspense as Foster tries to figure out a way to turn the tables on his pursuers and bring down the company that is trying to kill him. May I never get myself into this kind of situation because I could never get out. Good thing Mr. Andrews could figure out the way out and give us a wild ride while getting there. Give yourself plenty of time to enjoy this book as you will want to finish it before going to bed. “The Calypso Directive” is an exciting adventure from start to finish.
If you would like to listen to interviews with other authors and professionals please go to www.kingdomhighlights.org where they are available On Demand.
To listen to 24 hours non-stop, commercial free Christian music please visit our internet radio station www.kingdomairwaves.org
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the author. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
September 5, 2012
THE CALYPSO DIRECTIVE is a fast-paced thriller by Brian Andrews. You can keep your vampires, zombies, and werewolves. This is the REAL scary stuff.
I received a free, autographed copy of THE CALYPSO DIRECTIVE from Mr. Andrews with an intriguing “P.S. 25% of you is patented!” as part of my personal autograph. I was hooked before I even began to read. LOL
From back cover:
“An unprecedented genetic mutation, an underground think tank, and an unscrupulous pharmaceutical company collide in this dazzling debut thriller.”
I might have given five stars but for the many, though mostly minor, typos being a distraction (e.g. p. 47: “Everyone down here calls me Jeanie; … You can [call?] me Eng, or …”; p.59: Inside his pocket, he [was?] fingering the stun gun nervously.”; p.171: admist instead of amidst; p.208: almost an entire paragraph repeated twice. The last was the only one of that type; most all were of the first two examples).
The pace of the story doesn’t allow but only the briefest distraction, however. Brian Andrews has written a real page-turner and I found myself easily caught up in the action.
The story begins with Will Foster locked in medical quarantine (Will is descended from the Fosters of Mr. Andrew’s novella, RING OF FLOWERS.).
After Will escapes, taking with him a virulent strain of bubonic plague as a bargaining chip, a couple of thugs are hired to find him. When he eludes them as well, a Think Tank is put on the case.
Will doesn’t know why he was locked up, what he is doing in a foreign country without a passport, nor who he can trust.
From inside front dust jacket:
“In a novel where conscience clashes with greed, loyalty with suspicion, and paranoia with reality, THE CALYPSO DIRECTIVE deftly explores the issues of genetic exploitation and piracy…”
I’m looking forward to more by Brian Andrews. I can readily see the potential of a series using recurring characters and the Think Tank as Baldacci did with Oliver Stone and the Camel Club. Recommended for all adults. There’s enough here for many genres - action/adventure, thrillers, genetics, etc.
I received a free, autographed copy of THE CALYPSO DIRECTIVE from Mr. Andrews with an intriguing “P.S. 25% of you is patented!” as part of my personal autograph. I was hooked before I even began to read. LOL
From back cover:
“An unprecedented genetic mutation, an underground think tank, and an unscrupulous pharmaceutical company collide in this dazzling debut thriller.”
I might have given five stars but for the many, though mostly minor, typos being a distraction (e.g. p. 47: “Everyone down here calls me Jeanie; … You can [call?] me Eng, or …”; p.59: Inside his pocket, he [was?] fingering the stun gun nervously.”; p.171: admist instead of amidst; p.208: almost an entire paragraph repeated twice. The last was the only one of that type; most all were of the first two examples).
The pace of the story doesn’t allow but only the briefest distraction, however. Brian Andrews has written a real page-turner and I found myself easily caught up in the action.
The story begins with Will Foster locked in medical quarantine (Will is descended from the Fosters of Mr. Andrew’s novella, RING OF FLOWERS.).
After Will escapes, taking with him a virulent strain of bubonic plague as a bargaining chip, a couple of thugs are hired to find him. When he eludes them as well, a Think Tank is put on the case.
Will doesn’t know why he was locked up, what he is doing in a foreign country without a passport, nor who he can trust.
From inside front dust jacket:
“In a novel where conscience clashes with greed, loyalty with suspicion, and paranoia with reality, THE CALYPSO DIRECTIVE deftly explores the issues of genetic exploitation and piracy…”
I’m looking forward to more by Brian Andrews. I can readily see the potential of a series using recurring characters and the Think Tank as Baldacci did with Oliver Stone and the Camel Club. Recommended for all adults. There’s enough here for many genres - action/adventure, thrillers, genetics, etc.
July 15, 2012
A great addition to the thriller fiction books. It had a feel of the Jason Bourne books with some of Leverage the television series.
I will admit that it felt slow at the start with a lot of exposition and explanation. The concept though was intriguing, focusing on the possibility of one man having the key to immunity to all diseases and viruses. The question of what should be done with such information is certainly interesting and thought provoking and it is touched upon throughout the book. The spotlight is also thrown on pharmacy companies and how they are looking at the bottom line rather than curing - a disturbing and real situation.
The technical discussions were a little difficult to read if you aren't familiar with the terminology and there were times where I felt the author was overly descriptive of places. For example, when the characters are in Prague, it didn't feel like a natural description of the place that moved the story along, but rather that the author was trying to be as descriptive as possible to prove he knew what he was talking about.
The second half of the book is better, since most of the explanations and such are out of the way and the focus is on the characters and action. Will Foster, the man everyone is after, is a good hero type, but really, its the team of people from the Nicolora Foundation sent after him that really piqued my interest. Not only are they really fun, well rounded people who I want to know more about, but they were enjoyable characters I wanted to see more of as they tried to unravel the mystery of Will Foster and his place in this larger game that is going on. This part of the book becomes almost like a thriller movie, with great chase scenes and set-ups and the pace is fun and exciting.
I won't say the ending was fully satisfactory to me, but it did leave the possibility of more books along this line. If the team from Nicolora are in it, I will definitely pick it up!
I will admit that it felt slow at the start with a lot of exposition and explanation. The concept though was intriguing, focusing on the possibility of one man having the key to immunity to all diseases and viruses. The question of what should be done with such information is certainly interesting and thought provoking and it is touched upon throughout the book. The spotlight is also thrown on pharmacy companies and how they are looking at the bottom line rather than curing - a disturbing and real situation.
The technical discussions were a little difficult to read if you aren't familiar with the terminology and there were times where I felt the author was overly descriptive of places. For example, when the characters are in Prague, it didn't feel like a natural description of the place that moved the story along, but rather that the author was trying to be as descriptive as possible to prove he knew what he was talking about.
The second half of the book is better, since most of the explanations and such are out of the way and the focus is on the characters and action. Will Foster, the man everyone is after, is a good hero type, but really, its the team of people from the Nicolora Foundation sent after him that really piqued my interest. Not only are they really fun, well rounded people who I want to know more about, but they were enjoyable characters I wanted to see more of as they tried to unravel the mystery of Will Foster and his place in this larger game that is going on. This part of the book becomes almost like a thriller movie, with great chase scenes and set-ups and the pace is fun and exciting.
I won't say the ending was fully satisfactory to me, but it did leave the possibility of more books along this line. If the team from Nicolora are in it, I will definitely pick it up!
June 6, 2012
A Terrific Thriller!
The novel starts off with a daring escape sequence and the pace never slows down. It is the kind of book you want get back to reading as soon as possbile. I would categorize this book as a science thriller, but don't let that scare you. The author delves into the science behind how the immune system works, and I always enjoy novels where I learn something besides just rooting for the characters.
The heart of the story follows Will Foster (an Average Joe) who unknowingly possesses a genetic mutation that the villain wants to steal and turn into a billion dollar pharmaceutical. Foster is beaten down, on the run, and he must unravel the mystery before time runs out for him. If you enjoy novels with lots of moving puzzle pieces that keep you guessing to the end (like the James Rollins Sigma Books, or David Baldacci novels) then you will enjoy this book.
Also worth mentioning, the author did something that I think is pretty cool. He wrote a free short story, called Ring of Flowers, that ties into this novel. I actually discovered Ring of Flowers first, which is how I stumbled upon this book, but I recommend reading the novel first (it makes more sense that way). Overall, both are great reads and you won't be disappointed!
The Calypso Directive
The novel starts off with a daring escape sequence and the pace never slows down. It is the kind of book you want get back to reading as soon as possbile. I would categorize this book as a science thriller, but don't let that scare you. The author delves into the science behind how the immune system works, and I always enjoy novels where I learn something besides just rooting for the characters.
The heart of the story follows Will Foster (an Average Joe) who unknowingly possesses a genetic mutation that the villain wants to steal and turn into a billion dollar pharmaceutical. Foster is beaten down, on the run, and he must unravel the mystery before time runs out for him. If you enjoy novels with lots of moving puzzle pieces that keep you guessing to the end (like the James Rollins Sigma Books, or David Baldacci novels) then you will enjoy this book.
Also worth mentioning, the author did something that I think is pretty cool. He wrote a free short story, called Ring of Flowers, that ties into this novel. I actually discovered Ring of Flowers first, which is how I stumbled upon this book, but I recommend reading the novel first (it makes more sense that way). Overall, both are great reads and you won't be disappointed!
The Calypso Directive
July 30, 2012
I really enjoyed this book. I had never read a book along these line; the medical mystery stuff. I loved micro when I took it so I decided to give this book a shot. It was easy to read and follow and explained some of the science behind it so a plus for readers who know nothing about immunology or microbiology. The plot was great and all the sub-plots fit. It was very action packed and kept me coming for more. I also liked that it was accurate. I recently watched a program about the topic so it added to my interest. I found the characters easy to like. I kept rooting for them.
It was an easy read and people intimidated by the biology/medical stuff shouldn't pass it by.
The thing I didn't like, and why I gave 4 stars, was that it had a very "a-team" movie feel when the Think Tank was doing their thing and I couldn't understand how this one guy was just thrown into it with no training. It just bothered me.
The end... It distressed me! After all this rooting for them... but it defiantly caught me by surprise so it was very bitter sweet. I kept telling myself, "knock her up, knock her up...". I'm not all for out of wedlock babies but I am thrilled he did. lol This is my favorite book right now. Between it and the novella, I am very excited to see more from this author. He did a wonderful job.
It was an easy read and people intimidated by the biology/medical stuff shouldn't pass it by.
The thing I didn't like, and why I gave 4 stars, was that it had a very "a-team" movie feel when the Think Tank was doing their thing and I couldn't understand how this one guy was just thrown into it with no training. It just bothered me.
The end... It distressed me! After all this rooting for them... but it defiantly caught me by surprise so it was very bitter sweet. I kept telling myself, "knock her up, knock her up...". I'm not all for out of wedlock babies but I am thrilled he did. lol This is my favorite book right now. Between it and the novella, I am very excited to see more from this author. He did a wonderful job.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 12, 2012
This was a Goodreads giveaway freebie. Thank you to both the author and Goodreads.
This was a fast-paced thriller that starts with a bang and doesn't take a breath to slow down. A lot of the DNA/immuno-stuff I wasn't familiar with but seems to be pretty thouroughly researched and the author explains it well without letting it bog down the story.
The main characters are easy to root for, though between the pace and the length of the book along with the number of characters, I felt like I would have liked to see many of them at a lot deeper level.
All in all, a fun and quick read - thank you again!
This was a fast-paced thriller that starts with a bang and doesn't take a breath to slow down. A lot of the DNA/immuno-stuff I wasn't familiar with but seems to be pretty thouroughly researched and the author explains it well without letting it bog down the story.
The main characters are easy to root for, though between the pace and the length of the book along with the number of characters, I felt like I would have liked to see many of them at a lot deeper level.
All in all, a fun and quick read - thank you again!
May 29, 2013
THE CALYPSO DIRECTIVE is one of the most exciting and refreshing science thrillers I have read in years! Brian Andrews has clearly established himself as a rising star of the thriller genre with his debut novel. He is able to blend legitimate science and medicine with nail biting action and adventure in a way not easily done and very remoniscent of Michael Crichton. I found it difficult to put this book down as Andrews drives the plot along at a break neck pace, all the while expanding your imagination and knowledge of science and developing believable characters.
I hope this book sets the stage for a long series of novels for this incredible author.
I hope this book sets the stage for a long series of novels for this incredible author.
March 28, 2020
Wow!
This was so well written. The technical medical parts were written in such a way to where it was easy to understand. I learned so much from this! Will Foster. I can not express how much I loved this character! What happened to him was beyond heartbreaking, and I so hope we get more of him. Also, the Think Tank group....the reader starts off thinking one way about them, only to have their opinion slowly shift. Excellent written!
This was so well written. The technical medical parts were written in such a way to where it was easy to understand. I learned so much from this! Will Foster. I can not express how much I loved this character! What happened to him was beyond heartbreaking, and I so hope we get more of him. Also, the Think Tank group....the reader starts off thinking one way about them, only to have their opinion slowly shift. Excellent written!
August 8, 2014
I'll admit that this book took me a little while to get into. It did get exciting once it got going though and soon I couldn't put it down. While the ending did drive me a little crazy, I did enjoy the twist. Worth a read. *I won this book in a GoodReads First Reads giveaway*
January 4, 2018
Trust no one
This book grips you from the beginning, I couldn't put it down. Medical espionage at its finest. Technical but not overwhelming, I felt like I was treated to some fascinating mini lectures, without the sterile classroom setting. Highly enjoyed it.
This book grips you from the beginning, I couldn't put it down. Medical espionage at its finest. Technical but not overwhelming, I felt like I was treated to some fascinating mini lectures, without the sterile classroom setting. Highly enjoyed it.
February 11, 2020
The Calypso directive was excellent, as are all the books by Brian Andrews. I read this book after reading all of his other books, and I was not disappointed. The only remark that I would make is that “ring of flowers“ was unnecessary.5 stars.
September 6, 2012
Looks and sounds awesome cant wait to read it..
August 10, 2023
This was originally published in 2012 so it is an early Brian Andrews novel. The plot was a solid 4 stars. The writing is definitely less polished than his work on the Tier One, Shepherds, Sons of Valor, and Sandbox series. I'm glad I read this early Andrews' book because I find it fascinating to follow a writer's development over a decade or more. Andrews' writing has grown exponentially with each book.
There are some logic gaps in this book which don't appear in his later books. There are also unnecessary syntax and wordiness (like the use of RS Social, RS Bio, and RS Physical during Think Tank dialogue between different personnel). I found it was disruptive to the flow of the story. The story would be same if only their names were used.
As others have mentioned, I was disappointed in the ending. I was hoping the second book in the Think Tank series would follow up where this left off, but reading the synopsis for the next book that doesn't appear to be the case.
Since this was a free audible book, it was worth my time to read. It appears the audible version of the second book will be out next month which is probably why this one was free. I'll read it to see how Andrews' writing style matured from this early 2012 book to the 2016 sequel. All of his other 2016 books are solid reads so I'm curious about this sequel.
Lastly, the narrator did not help this book. The narrator made Will sound like an old man. Accents were not well done. Characters were not well differentiated. I would preorder the sequel except that Audible is not listing the narrator. I'm not sure I want to listen to this narrator again. If it is the same narrator, I think I will read the second book vs listening.
There are some logic gaps in this book which don't appear in his later books. There are also unnecessary syntax and wordiness (like the use of RS Social, RS Bio, and RS Physical during Think Tank dialogue between different personnel). I found it was disruptive to the flow of the story. The story would be same if only their names were used.
As others have mentioned, I was disappointed in the ending. I was hoping the second book in the Think Tank series would follow up where this left off, but reading the synopsis for the next book that doesn't appear to be the case.
Since this was a free audible book, it was worth my time to read. It appears the audible version of the second book will be out next month which is probably why this one was free. I'll read it to see how Andrews' writing style matured from this early 2012 book to the 2016 sequel. All of his other 2016 books are solid reads so I'm curious about this sequel.
Lastly, the narrator did not help this book. The narrator made Will sound like an old man. Accents were not well done. Characters were not well differentiated. I would preorder the sequel except that Audible is not listing the narrator. I'm not sure I want to listen to this narrator again. If it is the same narrator, I think I will read the second book vs listening.
December 30, 2019
i'm not sure how to really rate this one. i found this bio-medical thriller well written. certainly it was a compelling storyline with very topical medical and ethical interest. i was engaged with the characters: the bad guys were bad, the good guy was good, the femme fatale was mysterious.
but the ultimate resolution left me disappointed, and some of the characters actions didn't seem to make sense to me. like they were events that the author wanted to include somehow because he had written them, then went back and tried to fit them in somewhere.
anyway, in the end i was left feeling a bit unsatisfied. i don't feel like i wasted my time though, i did enjoy the ride most of the way.
but the ultimate resolution left me disappointed, and some of the characters actions didn't seem to make sense to me. like they were events that the author wanted to include somehow because he had written them, then went back and tried to fit them in somewhere.
anyway, in the end i was left feeling a bit unsatisfied. i don't feel like i wasted my time though, i did enjoy the ride most of the way.
August 20, 2022
Once I got into the story and the character development, this became a book that I could not put down. Brian is a good writer and he weaves a very compelling web that his characters have to climb their way through. The story of necessity includes lots of references to technical genetic and immunology terms that I wasn't sure I would get, but by the middle of the story, I really understood the angst that the genetics and immunology created. It will be interesting to follow the protagonist, AJ, through his career with the organization and to learn with him if his new company is one of the good guys or not. I look forward to book 2 in the series.
December 21, 2018
I'm not sure if Brian Andrews thought he was getting Ray Porter (as in his Ember series) but landed on Ray Childs instead. The audio version was atrocious. Childs' primary narration has been Greek Classics. This book is an action/thriller, not Plato.
Normally, I rate bad audiobooks that I've at least read completely a 2, but this story was so mutilated by the narrator that it loses a point.
The second in the series is no better, IMO. This is tragic in that there are good stories hiding in there.
Normally, I rate bad audiobooks that I've at least read completely a 2, but this story was so mutilated by the narrator that it loses a point.
The second in the series is no better, IMO. This is tragic in that there are good stories hiding in there.
October 8, 2022
Great book
Wow, will admit that I ended up reading mores pages everyday. Just could not put the book down, the pages just kept turning faster and faster to see what would happen next. Thank you Brian Andrews for such an amazing story, the extra few chapters at the end are amazing.
Wow, will admit that I ended up reading mores pages everyday. Just could not put the book down, the pages just kept turning faster and faster to see what would happen next. Thank you Brian Andrews for such an amazing story, the extra few chapters at the end are amazing.
December 12, 2024
Have run out of Andrews and Wilson books to read so thought I’d try this one. Not nearly as good. 2 hours in listening to it and it’s really not too clear what’s going on or what the major plot is. I give up.
Read
March 25, 2025Dnf. A man escapes after being a hostage for several weeks and undergoing medical trials. Very detailed descriptions of places and chase scenes, not much actual story development. A bit blokey for me.
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