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Thriller in Paradise #1
Vector
A TERRIFYING A PSYCHOPATHIC KILLER, A RUTHLESS CABAL, AND A WEAPON POTENTIALLY MORE LETHAL THAN NUCLEAR WAR..."An intriguing blend of jungle action... and cliffhanger suspense." -San Francisco Chronicle VECTOR is the FIRST book in Rob Swigart’s Thriller in Paradise series. ONLY a tough scientist and a clever island cop can stop them from loosing it on an unsuspecting world! Not often do you see a hard-boiled police procedural that’s also part action-adventure technothriller, but this one’s a knockout--a great mystery with plenty of local Hawaii Detective Cobb Takamura's idea of a busy night is a few drunken tourists and a jaywalker. That is, until the flood of killings begins, when suddenly the tropical paradise he calls home becomes a raging inferno of violence and bloodshed. Seemingly the victims—who all died screaming of unknown causes, have nothing in common. With the help of scientist and martial artist Chazz Koenig, Takamura tracks the deadly conspirators— and their state-of-the-art biological weaponry. Fun for fans of James Michener's classic, HAWAII, Charlie Chaplin, Magnum PI, Hawaii Five-O, Hawaiian Eye, or any mystery series set in Hawaii, especially vintage ones--VECTOR's set in the 80s. Also fun for fans of Michael Crichton-type action-adventure technothrillers with a dash of science fiction for flavor. Amazon reviewers “If you are looking to read a mystery/thriller that will keep you up all night, look no further than Rob Swigart’s A Thriller in Paradise. A well-written novel… “Vector is a super thriller for sure, but the writing that sweeps you along is what makes Swigart one of the top thriller writers today.” REVIEWING THE Who will like Readers who like local color, cross-genre books (science fiction combined with mystery, say), plus a web of intricate sub-plots and characters; and those intrigued by lots of delicious extras, like a bit of magic, perhaps, and humor, like a Japanese-American cop who loves Charlie Chan. WHO WON’T LIKE Readers who are easily confused by lots of characters, sub-plots, and diverse story elements; and who don't like their mysteries crossed with science fiction. "Entertaining!" -Best Sellers "A fast-paced novel with an exciting, climactic ending." -Peninsula Times Tribune
358 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 1, 1986
9 people are currently reading
46 people want to read
About the author
Rob Swigart
38 books35 followersTwo recent books:
Mixed Harvest: Stories from the Human Past came out in late 2019. In unforgettable stories of the human journey, a combination of compelling storytelling and well-researched archaeology underscore an excavation into the deep past of human development and its consequences. Through a first encounter between a Neanderthal woman and the Modern Human to the emergence and destruction of the world’s first cities, Mixed Harvest tells the tale of the Neolithic Revolution, also called the (First) Agricultural Revolution, the most significant event since modern humans emerged. Rob Swigart’s latest work humanizes the rapid transition to agriculture and pastoralism with a grounding in the archaeological record.
Just out: Python, third in the Lisa Emmer series:
by Rob Swigart (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
Book 3 of 4: The Lisa Emmer Series
See all formats and editions
Kindle
$2.99
Read with Our Free App
EVERYONE WANTS A PIECE OF HIM…HE HAS A MILLION
VIDEO FOLLOWERS AND HE’S ONLY SIX YEARS OLD—
To his mom, he’s just sweet Félix, a very special six-year-old. She doesn’t understand him, but she loves him to bits.
To his million young video followers, he’s their beloved science teacher.
To the little-known Delphi Agenda, working, as always, for peace and harmony, he’s not only a prodigy, he’s a prophet with the potential to become more powerful even than Lisa Emmer, the current Delphic Oracle. Perhaps even the power to save the world from humanity’s dumpster fire.
But to a few others who understand how enormous his powers are, he’s a pawn they could put to their own use.
So everyone wants a piece of him. Kidnapping is not off the table.
In fact, it’s pretty likely. He and Lisa, his mentor, can see that coming a mile away.
A crooked Cardinal has his own ideas and Python, a pharmaceutical company run by a pair of sketchy twins, needs him for their own “world-changing” project. Then there’s the fanatical cult that first predicted his birth. They want him back.
The Delphi Agenda’s job is to keep him safe. But does he really need them? Half the fun's watching his innocent brilliance effortlessly deflate the kind of twisted, power-hungry villains that threaten the Agenda and its ideals.
Fans of intrepid women sleuths will love Lisa Emmer, as well as anyone smitten with the romance of the ancient world, action-adventure in historical fiction, and thriller conspiracies.
But this thoroughly modern tale of historical sleuthing has a little something for everybody: a high-tech invention that dances on the edges of sci-fi, excursions to various historical locales in Europe to delight armchair travelers, and a literary trail of crumbs to charm puzzle lovers.
In addition, author Swigart offers a wonderfully hopeful worldview that will intrigue not only mystery readers, but devotees of Merlin Sheldrake, Michael Pollan, and the world of fantastic fungi.
Mixed Harvest: Stories from the Human Past came out in late 2019. In unforgettable stories of the human journey, a combination of compelling storytelling and well-researched archaeology underscore an excavation into the deep past of human development and its consequences. Through a first encounter between a Neanderthal woman and the Modern Human to the emergence and destruction of the world’s first cities, Mixed Harvest tells the tale of the Neolithic Revolution, also called the (First) Agricultural Revolution, the most significant event since modern humans emerged. Rob Swigart’s latest work humanizes the rapid transition to agriculture and pastoralism with a grounding in the archaeological record.
Just out: Python, third in the Lisa Emmer series:
by Rob Swigart (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
Book 3 of 4: The Lisa Emmer Series
See all formats and editions
Kindle
$2.99
Read with Our Free App
EVERYONE WANTS A PIECE OF HIM…HE HAS A MILLION
VIDEO FOLLOWERS AND HE’S ONLY SIX YEARS OLD—
To his mom, he’s just sweet Félix, a very special six-year-old. She doesn’t understand him, but she loves him to bits.
To his million young video followers, he’s their beloved science teacher.
To the little-known Delphi Agenda, working, as always, for peace and harmony, he’s not only a prodigy, he’s a prophet with the potential to become more powerful even than Lisa Emmer, the current Delphic Oracle. Perhaps even the power to save the world from humanity’s dumpster fire.
But to a few others who understand how enormous his powers are, he’s a pawn they could put to their own use.
So everyone wants a piece of him. Kidnapping is not off the table.
In fact, it’s pretty likely. He and Lisa, his mentor, can see that coming a mile away.
A crooked Cardinal has his own ideas and Python, a pharmaceutical company run by a pair of sketchy twins, needs him for their own “world-changing” project. Then there’s the fanatical cult that first predicted his birth. They want him back.
The Delphi Agenda’s job is to keep him safe. But does he really need them? Half the fun's watching his innocent brilliance effortlessly deflate the kind of twisted, power-hungry villains that threaten the Agenda and its ideals.
Fans of intrepid women sleuths will love Lisa Emmer, as well as anyone smitten with the romance of the ancient world, action-adventure in historical fiction, and thriller conspiracies.
But this thoroughly modern tale of historical sleuthing has a little something for everybody: a high-tech invention that dances on the edges of sci-fi, excursions to various historical locales in Europe to delight armchair travelers, and a literary trail of crumbs to charm puzzle lovers.
In addition, author Swigart offers a wonderfully hopeful worldview that will intrigue not only mystery readers, but devotees of Merlin Sheldrake, Michael Pollan, and the world of fantastic fungi.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
February 25, 2025
A very long story, with many beautiful descriptions of places on this Hawaiian island. Also good descriptions of the characters. Some of their relationships, however, were not always clear. Also not so clear was the meaning of the story. There was a lot of going back and forth, some investigations, but not what I would call "police procedural". Even at the end it was not totally clear what had been going on and who to believe. Sorry, but I appreciate stories that are lot clearer. But in all honesty, it was definitely a "page turner" as I kept wondering what would happen next.
August 21, 2019
I liked this book very much. It shows extremely well all the madness that gripped the world during the cold war, dealing with genetic manipulation, really cool.
May 17, 2014
Close, but did not do it for me
I had high hopes going in. I mean, a great title, and a solid background story.
But, it tries to be a science fiction novel, and it isn't. It tries to be a funny police story, and it isn't. It,I guess, to be sincere I'm not sure, tries to be a fantasy/magic novel and it really isn't. It implies in the title and in several parts of the text that it takes place in paradise, but the description of the island is far from paradise, really far.
Then I was left wondering when it took place. At first I thought it was a "present day" novel, because of the description of the science. But then it goes into meetings and regulations that took place in the 70's, and talks about the "Soviets". So, OK, a period piece. But, no, then it goes back to descriptions and tech that is modern, contemporary even, so, in short, I am confused as to when it's set on.
In general, it is a good enough story, with good enough characters and good enough editing (I did find a couple of mistakes that made me back track to make sure it meant something other than what it said).
I can't say I enjoyed it, but did read the whole thing. It may be worth a read, if nothing else is handy.
I had high hopes going in. I mean, a great title, and a solid background story.
But, it tries to be a science fiction novel, and it isn't. It tries to be a funny police story, and it isn't. It,I guess, to be sincere I'm not sure, tries to be a fantasy/magic novel and it really isn't. It implies in the title and in several parts of the text that it takes place in paradise, but the description of the island is far from paradise, really far.
Then I was left wondering when it took place. At first I thought it was a "present day" novel, because of the description of the science. But then it goes into meetings and regulations that took place in the 70's, and talks about the "Soviets". So, OK, a period piece. But, no, then it goes back to descriptions and tech that is modern, contemporary even, so, in short, I am confused as to when it's set on.
In general, it is a good enough story, with good enough characters and good enough editing (I did find a couple of mistakes that made me back track to make sure it meant something other than what it said).
I can't say I enjoyed it, but did read the whole thing. It may be worth a read, if nothing else is handy.
June 26, 2014
I received a free copy in exchange for my honest review. My review contains no spoilers.
The story has a good premise, but it was incredibly confusing. I couldn't decide if it was modern day or sometime during the Cold War. The lead scientist doesn't seem to actually like science and not just a case of burn out...but literally considers science unscientific and says as much. The detective and sidekick reminded of detectives from the 1920's or '30's.
The conclusion I drew was that it was set in modern day Hawaii with people from previous decades and maybe a scientist from the future.
The writing itself was good, but the descriptive prose was a touch much in places.
It had potential, but fell a little short. Not understanding the time frame was a huge stumbling block to understanding the characters, particularly since they seemed to be from different eras.
The story has a good premise, but it was incredibly confusing. I couldn't decide if it was modern day or sometime during the Cold War. The lead scientist doesn't seem to actually like science and not just a case of burn out...but literally considers science unscientific and says as much. The detective and sidekick reminded of detectives from the 1920's or '30's.
The conclusion I drew was that it was set in modern day Hawaii with people from previous decades and maybe a scientist from the future.
The writing itself was good, but the descriptive prose was a touch much in places.
It had potential, but fell a little short. Not understanding the time frame was a huge stumbling block to understanding the characters, particularly since they seemed to be from different eras.
August 30, 2015
Excitement
Instead of a peaceful, quiet island, Chazz is asked to help the police with a series of killings, possibly linked with the scientists on the island.
Instead of a peaceful, quiet island, Chazz is asked to help the police with a series of killings, possibly linked with the scientists on the island.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews