Part of NUMA Files, book 21
First published 2024
Kurt Austin and Joe Zavala discover mass death among sea creatures in the Indian Ocean. Their investigation takes an unexpected turn when someone steals their research data and flees at high speed. The thief clearly wanted to prevent NUMA from examining the dead whales, but the motive remains unclear. Strange coded messages begin appearing through NUMA's satellite network. The phrases and numbers resemble internal NUMA protocols, suggesting someone with inside knowledge is either helping or manipulating the team. Kurt and Joe must determine whether an ally is reaching out or an enemy is setting a trap. Their investigation leads them into conflict with a cult of cloned men and swarms of genetically modified sea locusts. The team faces threats on two fronts as they work to crack encrypted data and prepare for both physical combat and digital warfare. Max, NUMA's supercomputer, joins the effort to uncover the truth behind the mysterious messages and the deadly sea creatures.
Genres: science-fiction, adventure, mystery, action
Vibes: fast-paced, suspenseful
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, found-family
Setting: Indian Ocean, NUMA
Period: 21st-century
379 pages · Kindle Edition · G.P. Putnam's Sons