Codebreaker

Rating:
Summary: If you like codes and codebreaking . . .
Review: A huge disappointment. I don't know how the author or the publisher have the nerve to title the book this way. There wasn't a single instance of more than casual decoding of any code whatsoever. Furthermore it was not very suspenseful.

Rating:
Summary: A great book to take to the beach!
Review: Katherine Myers is a sign language interpreter, mother and novelist. She is involved with the deaf community, computers, interpretive theater and photography. Code Breaker is her seventh novel, and qualifies as an adventure spy novel with a few twists. Meg Parrish, who works as a cryptographer for NSA's Central Security Service in Portland, Oregon, has had a major trauma in her life every five years. She is both gifted as a codebreaker and haunted by her tragedies, which makes her a likely target for both government and private groups intent on taking her life after she stumbles on to a series of mysterious codes. Meg works undercover at Signet Corporation, where she is assigned to look for a mathematical vulnerability in the encryption code. So far she has been unable to locate the codes, but then opportunity beckons when Beverly, Willis Dent's, the owner of Signet, secretary, goes home ill. Meg breaks into Dent's computer, but in her haste makes a serious mistake: "She meant to copy the files to the CD, but in her haste accidently clicked on `move' instead of `copy.' In one second the folder was moved out of Dent's computer and into the drive. Meg gasped and realized her mistake. What had she done? At this point there was no time left to stop the process and restore the folder to his computer. The minutes were ticking methodically towards the five o'clock checkout time, much like the timer on a bomb. She had no other choice than to let the information move out of his computer and onto the CD." This mistakes sets Meg up for intensive danger, and the reader is taken on a tour of several states and a range of perplexing labyrinths as Meg seeks refuge, freedom from her past, an escape from her predicament and love. Katherine Myers juxtaposes science with the unknown to come up with a sort of X-Files story that is both believable and unbelievable at the same time. Meg's character is irresistible in her vulnerability and strength, and the plot line is fascinating. Ms. Myers is obviously well acquainted with the deaf community and weaves their subculture into the story to add depth and an interesting slant. Code Breaker is a great book to take to the beach.

Shelley Glodowski Reviewer

Rating:
Summary: A great book to take to the beach!
Review: Katherine Myers is a sign language interpreter, mother and novelist. She is involved with the deaf community, computers, interpretive theater and photography. Code Breaker is her seventh novel, and qualifies as an adventure spy novel with a few twists. Meg Parrish, who works as a cryptographer for NSA's Central Security Service in Portland, Oregon, has had a major trauma in her life every five years. She is both gifted as a codebreaker and haunted by her tragedies, which makes her a likely target for both government and private groups intent on taking her life after she stumbles on to a series of mysterious codes. Meg works undercover at Signet Corporation, where she is assigned to look for a mathematical vulnerability in the encryption code. So far she has been unable to locate the codes, but then opportunity beckons when Beverly, Willis Dent's, the owner of Signet, secretary, goes home ill. Meg breaks into Dent's computer, but in her haste makes a serious mistake: "She meant to copy the files to the CD, but in her haste accidently clicked on 'move' instead of 'copy.' In one second the folder was moved out of Dent's computer and into the drive. Meg gasped and realized her mistake. What had she done? At this point there was no time left to stop the process and restore the folder to his computer. The minutes were ticking methodically towards the five o'clock checkout time, much like the timer on a bomb. She had no other choice than to let the information move out of his computer and onto the CD." This mistakes sets Meg up for intensive danger, and the reader is taken on a tour of several states and a range of perplexing labyrinths as Meg seeks refuge, freedom from her past, an escape from her predicament and love. Katherine Myers juxtaposes science with the unknown to come up with a sort of X-Files story that is both believable and unbelievable at the same time. Meg's character is irresistible in her vulnerability and strength, and the plot line is fascinating. Ms. Myers is obviously well acquainted with the deaf community and weaves their subculture into the story to add depth and an interesting slant. Code Breaker is a great book to take to the beach.

Shelley Glodowski Reviewer

Rating:
Summary: A Gripping Journey of a Read!
Review: Katherine Myers quickly pulls you into the life of Meg Parris, a brilliant cryptographer but emotionally stunted woman. Suddenly, you find yourself wanting to know all about Meg and what will happen to her. Meg finds herself on the run with a private investigator, Ross, after she takes a series of codes during her undercover work as a CSS agent. Meg grapples with her fears and the possibilities of life she's long ignored due to those fears. Meg and Ross discover not only a common connection with a group of youngsters with strange abilities who could be the answers to Meg's mental demons but each other. Myers deftly takes you on an exciting journey across three states and through Meg's internal struggles. It's a trip well worth taking - one that once you've started will keep you hooked until the end.

Rating:
Summary: A Gripping Journey of a Read!
Review: Katherine Myers quickly pulls you into the life of Meg Parris, a brilliant cryptographer but emotionally stunted woman. Suddenly, you find yourself wanting to know all about Meg and what will happen to her. Meg finds herself on the run with a private investigator, Ross, after she takes a series of codes during her undercover work as a CSS agent. Meg grapples with her fears and the possibilities of life she's long ignored due to those fears. Meg and Ross discover not only a common connection with a group of youngsters with strange abilities who could be the answers to Meg's mental demons but each other. Myers deftly takes you on an exciting journey across three states and through Meg's internal struggles. It's a trip well worth taking - one that once you've started will keep you hooked until the end.

Rating:
Summary: Fast-paced, good tech thriller
Review: This one reminds me of the genius of Katherine Neville (The Eight [0345366239], A Calculated Risk [0345386825]), who features strong, leading lady protagonists facing mysterious circumstances and using their know-how to fight, unravel, and solve heavy-duty problems of the metaphysical and physical nature. Codebreaker's leading sleuth is Meg Parrish, who excels at breaking codes and becomes entangled in a surreal, high-intensity chase (from/to herself as well as some evil dudes). Great book.