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INTEL 1 #4
The Nash Criterion
Listening Length: 8 hours and 17 minutes
We believed our government was of the people, by the people, and for the people. We were wrong.
A terrorist's last words lead a team of special agents to the discovery of an unimaginable global conspiracy. But time is running out. The numbers are converging. Can a group of fugitive FBI and CIA operatives prevent the coming catastrophe before the world crosses The Nash Criterion?
We believed our government was of the people, by the people, and for the people. We were wrong.
A terrorist's last words lead a team of special agents to the discovery of an unimaginable global conspiracy. But time is running out. The numbers are converging. Can a group of fugitive FBI and CIA operatives prevent the coming catastrophe before the world crosses The Nash Criterion?
342 pages, Paperback
First published July 4, 2016
About the author
Erec Stebbins
29 books147 followersErec Stebbins is a biomedical researcher who writes novels in a variety of genres, focusing on thrillers and science fiction. His work has been praised for its action and thrills alongside a deeper, often philosophical angle. The Internet Review of Books dubbed him "master of the thinking reader's techno thriller".
His novels have been called "unique" and "pulse-pounding" ( The Ragnarök Conspiracy), "altogether profound, reminiscent of Bradbury and Dan Simmons’ Hyperion" (Daughter of Time Trilogy), and "startlingly dark" (Extraordinary Retribution) with five star ratings in Foreword Reviews, San Francisco Book Reviews, Portland Book Review, and others. His Daughter of Time trilogy is a Foreword Reviews' 2015 INDIES Book of the Year Award Finalist.
Amazon Author Page
His novels have been called "unique" and "pulse-pounding" ( The Ragnarök Conspiracy), "altogether profound, reminiscent of Bradbury and Dan Simmons’ Hyperion" (Daughter of Time Trilogy), and "startlingly dark" (Extraordinary Retribution) with five star ratings in Foreword Reviews, San Francisco Book Reviews, Portland Book Review, and others. His Daughter of Time trilogy is a Foreword Reviews' 2015 INDIES Book of the Year Award Finalist.
Amazon Author Page
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
May 29, 2016
What if one conspiracy theory was more than just a theory? What if the sovereign nations around the globe were merely puppets in a game of control and wars, monetary crashes and booms were the manipulations of one secret group? Terrifying thought, isn’t it? We are not talking just politics here, we are talking complete control where every action is choreographed to attain one ultimate goal? Erec Stebbins is back with another tale of rapid-fire action, as one of the world’s darkest secrets is uncovered within the mathematic equations of a once beautiful mind. Are we unknowingly part of The Nash Criterion?
They have remained hidden through generations, a secret group with the power to shape the world as easily as a child shapes clay. Now they have been found out and it wasn’t through the CIA or FBI directly, it was through fugitive agents, daring to break the rules and determined to expose the ruse we have all lived under. This is their story, it is intriguing, sinister, terrifying and far too believable in a world where making connections and giving orders is only one mouse click away. Forget 1984, that was child’s play.
Once again, Erec Stebbins brings his creative brilliance to each page, as he weaves a tale of dark intrigue and ultimate power held in the palms of a handful of people. Could it be that the leaders of nations know of this group, that they are willing puppets? Your head will spin, as the possibilities race through your mind. Definitely powerful and thought-provoking reading from a talented wordsmith.
I received an ARC edition from Erec Stebbins in exchange for my honest review.
Series: INTEL 1 - Book 4 / Armageddon Duology - Book 2
Publisher: Twice Pi Press (July 4, 2016)
Publication Date: July 4, 2016
Genre: Thriller | Suspense | Political
Print Length: 149 pages
Available from: Amazon
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com
They have remained hidden through generations, a secret group with the power to shape the world as easily as a child shapes clay. Now they have been found out and it wasn’t through the CIA or FBI directly, it was through fugitive agents, daring to break the rules and determined to expose the ruse we have all lived under. This is their story, it is intriguing, sinister, terrifying and far too believable in a world where making connections and giving orders is only one mouse click away. Forget 1984, that was child’s play.
Once again, Erec Stebbins brings his creative brilliance to each page, as he weaves a tale of dark intrigue and ultimate power held in the palms of a handful of people. Could it be that the leaders of nations know of this group, that they are willing puppets? Your head will spin, as the possibilities race through your mind. Definitely powerful and thought-provoking reading from a talented wordsmith.
I received an ARC edition from Erec Stebbins in exchange for my honest review.
Series: INTEL 1 - Book 4 / Armageddon Duology - Book 2
Publisher: Twice Pi Press (July 4, 2016)
Publication Date: July 4, 2016
Genre: Thriller | Suspense | Political
Print Length: 149 pages
Available from: Amazon
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com
May 4, 2016
The Nash Criterion is the second novel in a two part series and the fourth book within the Intel 1 series. The action in The Nash Criterion takes off shortly after the ending of the previous novel The Anonymous Signal which means that it would be best to read it before reading The Nash Criterion. I read The Anonymous Signal a year ago and I wished that I had read them back to back because it took a few chapters before everything about The Anonymous Signal came back to me.
Intel 1 is a fictional covert organization made up of primarily intellects and exist under the umbrella of the FBI, somewhat similar to James Rollins’ Sigma Force. Intel 1 is led by John Savas, a former NYPD cop turned FBI after the events of 911. In The Anonymous Signal, Savas and the group at Intel 1 were tracking down a hacker that was causing highly destructive damage to the world’s infrastructure controlled by computers. Intel 1 finally did find their anonymous hacker only to find out that there was something considerably bigger and more ominous than this highly ingenious hacker. The information that they recovered made each one of the Intel 1 members wanted criminals and getting this information to the right people was essential but problematic, as it was difficult to tell who they can trust. A cryptic clue left by mathematician John Nash, was their only hope in saving humanity from total destruction which leads us to The Nash Criterion.
Stebbins has been reducing the size of Intel 1 over the course of the series by killing off some of the characters. Intel 1 has dwindled down to now include John Savas, his wife Rebecca Cohen, computer expert Angel Lightfoote, former CIA operative Sara Houston, and former priest turned killing machine Gabriel Lopez. Paring down the characters is not a bad thing as it gives Stebbins the ability to focus on just a few characters to give them more depth which is difficult to do in a high action thriller which undoubtedly defines this series. I would have to say that two characters in this series, hacker extraordinaire Angel Lightfoote and pistol wielding padre Gabriel Lopez are the highlight of The Nash Criterion. Lopez, which is my favorite character, was first introduced in the second novel of the series, Extraordinary Retribution. Lopez started out the series as a Catholic priest who taught mathematics to school children until he found out that his brother was murdered. Lopez needed to know who killed his brother only to find out that his brother was a CIA agent and was involved in a government cover up. Trying to right a wrong, Lopez is defrocked from the priesthood and becomes a wanted fugitive. Though he is stripped of the cloth, Lopez is still a priest at heart which creates a moral dilemma for him when he is required to take on the bad guys. This often creates humorous situations throughout The Nash Criterion as Lopez contemplates whether he should be carrying a cross instead of an AK-47. It is this character that makes me love this series.
The Nash Criterion is a good ole fashion action thriller which makes for a great distraction and a fun summer read. It will not disappoint.
If you are interested in learning more about the The Intel 1 Series check it out on my blog A-Thrill-A-Week
Intel 1 is a fictional covert organization made up of primarily intellects and exist under the umbrella of the FBI, somewhat similar to James Rollins’ Sigma Force. Intel 1 is led by John Savas, a former NYPD cop turned FBI after the events of 911. In The Anonymous Signal, Savas and the group at Intel 1 were tracking down a hacker that was causing highly destructive damage to the world’s infrastructure controlled by computers. Intel 1 finally did find their anonymous hacker only to find out that there was something considerably bigger and more ominous than this highly ingenious hacker. The information that they recovered made each one of the Intel 1 members wanted criminals and getting this information to the right people was essential but problematic, as it was difficult to tell who they can trust. A cryptic clue left by mathematician John Nash, was their only hope in saving humanity from total destruction which leads us to The Nash Criterion.
Stebbins has been reducing the size of Intel 1 over the course of the series by killing off some of the characters. Intel 1 has dwindled down to now include John Savas, his wife Rebecca Cohen, computer expert Angel Lightfoote, former CIA operative Sara Houston, and former priest turned killing machine Gabriel Lopez. Paring down the characters is not a bad thing as it gives Stebbins the ability to focus on just a few characters to give them more depth which is difficult to do in a high action thriller which undoubtedly defines this series. I would have to say that two characters in this series, hacker extraordinaire Angel Lightfoote and pistol wielding padre Gabriel Lopez are the highlight of The Nash Criterion. Lopez, which is my favorite character, was first introduced in the second novel of the series, Extraordinary Retribution. Lopez started out the series as a Catholic priest who taught mathematics to school children until he found out that his brother was murdered. Lopez needed to know who killed his brother only to find out that his brother was a CIA agent and was involved in a government cover up. Trying to right a wrong, Lopez is defrocked from the priesthood and becomes a wanted fugitive. Though he is stripped of the cloth, Lopez is still a priest at heart which creates a moral dilemma for him when he is required to take on the bad guys. This often creates humorous situations throughout The Nash Criterion as Lopez contemplates whether he should be carrying a cross instead of an AK-47. It is this character that makes me love this series.
The Nash Criterion is a good ole fashion action thriller which makes for a great distraction and a fun summer read. It will not disappoint.
If you are interested in learning more about the The Intel 1 Series check it out on my blog A-Thrill-A-Week
July 24, 2020
In this fourth book in the Intel 1 Series by Erec Stebbins there was more than enough action, adventure and suspense to go around as the small group, Savas, Cohen, Angel, Mary, and Gabriel, once again attempt to stem the global manipulation that was threatening the stability of the USA as well as the rest of the world. The characters were once again put through momentous obstacles that continued to define and sharpen their personalities both as a group as individuals. The action is once again violent and described fairly graphic and grisly detail. The suspense is also once again ratcheted up another notch as the series moves towards its thus unknown conclusion. I am more than ready to start book 5 in the series. This is a voluntary review of this book which was included in an Advanced Reader Copy of the series from Hidden Gems Books.
August 13, 2016
Great conclusion to a compelling series that I finally got around to reading. I must admit that I enjoyed the book even more on account of the author being a good friend of mine when we were teenagers and dreamed of becoming writers. Lots of Easter eggs in these books for those of us who know him (names, places, cultural touchstones).
These books read like Ludlum back in the day!
These books read like Ludlum back in the day!
September 19, 2016
Fantastic conclusion to what may be the best series I have read in many years. If there is a God, Stebbins will revisit this compelling group of characters, and then bless us with more action suspense and great writing.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews