Eight stars
First and foremost, a large thank you to N.J. Croft for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.
Always eager to get my hands on a book by N.J. Croft, I gladly accepted this ARC from the author. Croft has been working on the Zack Wilder series for a while, creating a strong protagonist while sending the FBI agent in search of many things, all related to some controversial scientific project. In this piece, while chasing down a missing person, Wilder discovers a laboratory working towards the goals of transhumanism, tapping into eternal life through technology and human fine-tuning. What Wilder discovers is less enlightening and more akin to lab experiments on the underprivileged, leaving a pile of bodies in its wake. A chilling story that pushes the series forward quite effectively.
FBI Special Agent Zack Wilder knows he is being followed and has a pretty good idea why. However, when he is almost killed, he's put on medical leave and left to watch paint dry. He takes a call from his ex-wife, who is worried about her sister, missing in California. With little to do and wanting to keep himself occupied, Special Agent Wilder makes his way to San Francisco.
When he arrives, Special Agent Wilder learns that Chloe is not the only one missing. It appears other homeless people have disappeared off the streets for reasons no one can fully understand. When Special gent Wilder digs a little deeper, he learn about some new drug trials that have started, targeting the homeless as a quick way to make some cash. Could Chloe have become involved in something like this?
As Special Agent Wilder makes his presence known in San Francisco, he encounters another member of the Fulcrum, the group that raised him from childhood. They work on trying to crack things open, which brings them to the Athanasia Foundation, a collective of scientists and wealthy members of society who are trying to cheat death and tap into transhumanism, clearing the pathway to eternal life through cryogenics, genetic mapping, and many other breakthroughs. As Special Agent Wilder tries to infiltrate the group to get answers, he comes upon Chloe, who has changed significantly.
While Special Agent Zack Wilder has no interest in eternal life, he wants to live long enough to bring these people down, with or without the help of the FBI and the Fulcrum. He will have to be slick and stay one step ahead of these scientists and their power hungry elitists, who have secrets for a reason. Croft delves deeply into the science and packs a punch with all the thrills throughout this piece.
N.J. Croft has always appealed to me with her strong themes and scientific exploration, wrapping them all up into something the thriller reader would thoroughly enjoy. The narrative flows well and while there are many scientific and complex issues on offer, it is presented in such a way that the layperson would not struggle As the story gains momentum, there are many moments for the plot to develop and characters to add their own flavouring. While there is little Zack WIlder backstory to be had, Croft is able to present a thing or two to keep the curious reader. wondering, while adding a handful of secondary characters to add depth to an already strong story. I like where this series is headed and Zack Wilder is certainly someone to watch!
Plot points in these sorts of novels require a great deal of attention. While the scientific events are usually quite astounding, there are elements of surprise that can pull the reader in deeper. Croft knows just how to do that, pitting advancement with surprise in equal measure. The stories keep getting better as the underlying themes remain strong and on point. I am eager to see where the series is headed and how Croft will get it there.
Kudos, Madam Croft, for piquing my interest with ease.
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