9800 Savage Road: A Novel of the National Security Agency

by M.E. Harrigan

December, 2000: In a tiny office in the basement of the National Security Agency, a handful of analysts work on a project so secret its existence is known to fewer than a hundred people. They are intercepting Osama bin Laden’s every word as he talks on his satellite phone to al Qaeda cells. What he’s planning is big—a strike against the U.S.—and they know from the intercepts they’ll learn the details any day… any minute. Suddenly, the conversations stop. A Senior Executive is murdered inside the NSA complex, the first in a series of disasters inflicted from both inside and outside the carefully concealed house of spies. Alexandra O’Malley, consummate Intelligence Analyst, must sort through the clues and scramble to stop the escalating crises… but to succeed, she’ll have to break all the rules. In 9800 Savage Road , reality and fiction intersect in a terrifying story of the events leading up to 9/11 from deep within the cloistered walls of NSA. M. E. Harrigan delivers the first insider’s perspective in NSA’s history. She shreds the thick veil of secrecy and explores the thoughts and actions, the dedication and bureaucratic infighting, and the occasional scandals of the hidden workforce. It’s a story of betrayal and treachery, courage and loyalty… so real you’ll wonder how much is true.

Genres: Fiction

288 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Annie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.6

[Amanda Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

In M.E. Harrigan’s debut novel, she writes first-person narrative as a woman who is climbing the ranks within the National Security Agency in the months before 9/11 occurs. Harrigan knows what she’s talking about, as she’s a 27-year veteran of the NSA.
In “9800 Savage Road” Alexandra O’Malley has been gathering intelligence communications by Usama bin Laden and his group for quite a while. It’s December, 2000, and the communications reveal bin Laden is planning something big against a country with large air strike capability, presumably the United States.
All of a sudden, the communications go silent. Apparently bin Laden has figured out his wires were tapped. The United States sends in a man who has been trained on how to fit in to Afghanistan and tap back in to the wire system that will allow America to re-establish listening in on bin Laden. The man they send in happens to be Alexandra’s new boyfriend, Gabe.
Not only does Alexandra break all the rules of the NSA to help Gabe stay safe and accomplish his mission, Alex has to deal with a series of threats and murders that are happening within NSA walls.
Working late one night, Alex decides to go on the hunt for the coldest water fountain within the NSA. This takes her to a different floor in a different wing of the building. What she finds on the way to get a good glass of water is much more than she bargained for.
Alex finds the dead body of one of the senior officers in the NSA hidden in an old area of the building, and he’s not just dead­—he’s been brutally murdered. And quite recently, too, judging by the feel of his blood all over her as she slips and slides through the murder scene.
After reporting the murder, Alex becomes one of the main suspects, hindering her ability to investigate the death on her own. Luckily, or not, another murder shortly after the first appears to exonerate Alex, even though Alex knows the new direction the investigation is going is not right.
Still looking into the murders while trying to help Gabe in Afghanistan, Alex uncovers another terrorist threat closer to home.
Filled with acronyms and technical talk, it’s easy to tell this is written by an insider. Setting aside the technical jargon, the story is interesting, and according to the author some of it is even true. This is a good debut novel with a strong female character that would be interesting as a series.

[Darrenglass · Rating 3 out of 5]

This certainly wasn't a great book, but as someone who teaches a course dealing with the National Security Agency (among other topics) at Gettysburg College, I couldn't help but have my interest piqued by a thriller set inside the NSA written by a Gettysburg alum. The plot is somewhat predictable and the writing is nothing spectacular, but this held my interest and kept me turning the pages, and that was all I needed from a midsummer read.

[Gay · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was recommended to me by a neighbor who actually worked with Ms. Harrigan at the NSA. An interesting mix of truth and fiction, and an amazing look into the world of NSA. I got a little bogged down by all the acronyms and initials but the story was cleverly written, if not quite believable, and the characters were well-drawn. Good for anyone interested in NSA and all the things they do.

[Cin · Rating 3 out of 5]

The beginning is a bit sluggish with lots of mindless, unnecessary details. Overall, it wasn't terrible.

[Chris · Rating 2 out of 5]

She lost me at the part about the main character tossing her glossy red curls. Jeeeeeeez....

[David Wasser · Rating 2 out of 5]

A fairly predictable murder mystery that takes place at Fort Meade, MD, headquarters of the National Security Agency, and written by a retired employee.