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Department Fifty-Five #1
The Fourth Option
Doctor Sarah Kiadopolis' PhD work has attracted America's most powerful enemy. Now, everyone she trusts, even her boyfriend, could be using her for what she knows.
The President of the United States is desperate to regain control and Sarah's gravitational theory may be the key. He's assembled the top secret Department 55 to neutralize his unknown adversary.
Peter Howard is one of Greenville's most eligible bachelors when he stumbles onto a secret in the basement of the Poinsett Hotel that entangles him in this conspiracy, but he doesn't know what side he's on.
The Fourth Option, the first of three novels in the Department Fifty-Five series, ties historical events to a clever villain and a dynamics heroine in a plot that moves through a decade, leaving the reader wondering if it's true.
The President of the United States is desperate to regain control and Sarah's gravitational theory may be the key. He's assembled the top secret Department 55 to neutralize his unknown adversary.
Peter Howard is one of Greenville's most eligible bachelors when he stumbles onto a secret in the basement of the Poinsett Hotel that entangles him in this conspiracy, but he doesn't know what side he's on.
The Fourth Option, the first of three novels in the Department Fifty-Five series, ties historical events to a clever villain and a dynamics heroine in a plot that moves through a decade, leaving the reader wondering if it's true.
414 pages, Paperback
First published July 29, 2014
268 people want to read
About the author
Sam Draper
2 books8 followersSam Draper lives with his wife, three kids, and dog in Greenville, South Carolina.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
January 3, 2015
This action book was a lot of fun to read and a great first book for the author (who I know from work). Interesting how he makes historical events appear part of a conspiracy. Lots of action, twists and surprises. He introduced a couple of new characters near the end of the book and we didn't hear all their stories, but maybe he is setting up the background for future novels. Definitely hooked to find out what will happen to some of these characters.
February 20, 2015
I enjoyed some of the sciencey ideas in this book a lot, and the idea of a powerful elite group manipulating the US government is amusing and entertaining. Some of the scenes and conversations involving government officials and institutions were less than convincing, but not to a point where one cannot suspend disbelief and enjoy the story. The science portion of this book was by far the strongest element, which is not surprising given the fact that the author is involved in real life science, according to his bio on the back cover.
I found the characters and the writing style in this book to be the weakest elements. All the female central characters are conventionally sexy and wind up in bed with whichever of the central male characters with whom they spend significant time alone. While the female physicist is nicely stereotype-busting as a sexy, well dressed lady who happens to also be a fantastic theoretical physicist, but her character is either too flat for her to have much personality, or the narrator only understands her at a more surface level. We see a lot about what she and the other pretty female characters are wearing, but not enough of their inner selves to round them out into fully developed characters.
The somewhat weak, flat characters might be less noticable if the writing was smoother and if there was less filler to clog the story and prevent the plot from building momentum. The author falls into the same trap as one of his characters, "trying to catalogue facts without any idea which might be useful." As a result this book sort of hangs halfway between being plot driven and being character driven, and only the science keeps it afloat. The result is still an enjoyable book, but not enough to earn it a 5 star rating from me. I still do recommend it, though, especially if you like cool science ideas with your fiction.
I found the characters and the writing style in this book to be the weakest elements. All the female central characters are conventionally sexy and wind up in bed with whichever of the central male characters with whom they spend significant time alone. While the female physicist is nicely stereotype-busting as a sexy, well dressed lady who happens to also be a fantastic theoretical physicist, but her character is either too flat for her to have much personality, or the narrator only understands her at a more surface level. We see a lot about what she and the other pretty female characters are wearing, but not enough of their inner selves to round them out into fully developed characters.
The somewhat weak, flat characters might be less noticable if the writing was smoother and if there was less filler to clog the story and prevent the plot from building momentum. The author falls into the same trap as one of his characters, "trying to catalogue facts without any idea which might be useful." As a result this book sort of hangs halfway between being plot driven and being character driven, and only the science keeps it afloat. The result is still an enjoyable book, but not enough to earn it a 5 star rating from me. I still do recommend it, though, especially if you like cool science ideas with your fiction.
October 9, 2014
I am always looking for something different, I like to explore first works by new authors. Sometimes I am disappointed, but occasionally I am pleasantly surprised by a book that I really enjoy. This is one of those books. This novel is the first in a series and does a good job of getting the reader excited about seeing where the author will take the story in the rest of the trilogy. The author manages to combine action that is gripping but not over the top, advanced science that is explained in a way that any reader can understand it (who knew protons had so much in common with sailboats!), romance that is not too predictable, and characters that are realistic, not too perfect. The book involves conspiracy on a global scale and the author manages to keep the reader guessing as to who working for whom. By the end of the book I was on the edge of my seat anxious to see if the heroine and hero would manage to... I'll let you read that for yourself, but if you're like me you'll have a hard time waiting for the next book to see what happens next!
February 16, 2017
I’ve never been a big fan of history or conspiracy theory so it did take some effort on my part to become totally immersed in this story. Once I did, the twisting plot kept me interested and wanting to figure out who the good guys were. From the very beginning the historically accurate writing style kept me guessing whether what I was reading was actually fact or fiction. The story itself encompassed almost ten years of the main character’s life and left enough loose ends to make me curious to find out where the next ten years will take her. Overall the storyline was easy to follow and the character personalities seemed believable and identifiable. Not quite a four star but definitely a three-and-half read. I am looking forward to the next book in this series. (Book received through Goodreads First Reads.)
April 9, 2015
Full disclosure, I received this book as part of a goodreads give away.
I rather enjoyed this book. Good conspiracy theory, and left it open for more. The premise of a secret organisation the bosses around the government was great. The mild rewrite of historical events was also good. The plot twisted and turned in fun ways and things didnt go as I had expected.
The characters are well rounded and have depth. Their motivations eventually become clear, once you finally figure out whose working for who and why.
I'm a scientist, but not a physicist, so I wish I knew more about whether the science is nonsense or not, but at the least it was convincingly explained.
In general, a very good book, worth reading if you are into a good conspiracy novel, with alternate historical explanations.
I rather enjoyed this book. Good conspiracy theory, and left it open for more. The premise of a secret organisation the bosses around the government was great. The mild rewrite of historical events was also good. The plot twisted and turned in fun ways and things didnt go as I had expected.
The characters are well rounded and have depth. Their motivations eventually become clear, once you finally figure out whose working for who and why.
I'm a scientist, but not a physicist, so I wish I knew more about whether the science is nonsense or not, but at the least it was convincingly explained.
In general, a very good book, worth reading if you are into a good conspiracy novel, with alternate historical explanations.
December 17, 2014
Won this book through a Goodreads giveaway.
This was probably one of my favorite books I read this year. Combining historical fiction and mystery to create a book that leaves you guessing and was hard to put down. All the main characters were well defined, and with the characters being compartmintalized throughout the story, the reader as well as the characters are left guessing who's working for the good guys and who's not. Ending was a bit standard, but still very enjoyable. Highly recommended to anyone who enjoys a great thriller!
Looking forward to reading the next book in this series.
This was probably one of my favorite books I read this year. Combining historical fiction and mystery to create a book that leaves you guessing and was hard to put down. All the main characters were well defined, and with the characters being compartmintalized throughout the story, the reader as well as the characters are left guessing who's working for the good guys and who's not. Ending was a bit standard, but still very enjoyable. Highly recommended to anyone who enjoys a great thriller!
Looking forward to reading the next book in this series.
January 2, 2015
Good, not great
I selected this book based on a description that it was a "technical thriller".
Things I liked:
The way the story intertwines with actual historical events.
The level of detail used to describe the technical aspects added nicely to the plausibility of the story. The author obviously has a background in science.
The story did indeed draw me in; it was tough to put down at times.
Things I didn't like:
The story tends to drag at certain points.
There seemed to be extraordinary effort given to describing the feelings of the characters at times which detracted somewhat from the technical thriller characterization.
I selected this book based on a description that it was a "technical thriller".
Things I liked:
The way the story intertwines with actual historical events.
The level of detail used to describe the technical aspects added nicely to the plausibility of the story. The author obviously has a background in science.
The story did indeed draw me in; it was tough to put down at times.
Things I didn't like:
The story tends to drag at certain points.
There seemed to be extraordinary effort given to describing the feelings of the characters at times which detracted somewhat from the technical thriller characterization.
October 7, 2015
This was a great read. It was easy to get through and very quick. It pulled me in and kept my attention. I loved the action. Combining historical fiction and mystery to create a book that leaves you guessing and was hard to put down. All the main characters were well defined.
The reader as well as the characters are left guessing who's working for the good guys and who's not.
Definitely hooked to find out what will happen to some of these characters.
I received this book as part of a goodreads give away.
The reader as well as the characters are left guessing who's working for the good guys and who's not.
Definitely hooked to find out what will happen to some of these characters.
I received this book as part of a goodreads give away.
November 9, 2014
Goodreads win. Will read and review once received.
This was a great read. It was easy to get through and very quick. It pulled me in and kept my attention. I loved the action in this book. This is one of those books I sort of didn't want to end. By the end of the book I wanted more and I can see myself reading more from the author in the future.
This was a great read. It was easy to get through and very quick. It pulled me in and kept my attention. I loved the action in this book. This is one of those books I sort of didn't want to end. By the end of the book I wanted more and I can see myself reading more from the author in the future.
October 1, 2016
A great read
Good characters, an exciting plot, I truly enjoyed every page. Technical details and historical intersections with a very different perspective make this book a treat for those who love suspense.
Good characters, an exciting plot, I truly enjoyed every page. Technical details and historical intersections with a very different perspective make this book a treat for those who love suspense.
July 26, 2015
I semi struggled getting through the first 1/3 of the book and then something happened and I had a hard time putting it down. Can't tell you what that something was since I don't love a spoiler...
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews