Broken Genius is a fast-paced techno-thriller that keeps you guessing and following the characters are met by numerous challenges to discover what is really happening. Great story and a great debut. I'll be looking forward to other books by Drew Murray.
I downloaded a free copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review.

After leaving his old life as CEO of a tech unicorn in Silicon Valley after becoming involved with a hostage negotiation gone wrong, Will Parker pivots and utilises his significant talents to assist the FBI’s Cyber Special Ops division. After getting called in to investigate a strange murder case, Will quickly realises that this isn’t simply a homicide – it’s a much larger web of events that ties back to his haunting past.

This was a good book overall. It was an easy read, and the frequent tech references were a nice touch. The overall plot itself, while enjoyable, was a bit “meh” – predictable, and the book lacks any real twists that make you fall off your chair. The antagonists were pretty unremarkable and somewhat expected. Additionally, there were a few plot devices that were introduced somewhere in the middle of the book, but then either not really expanded upon or forgotten altogether (as an example, I’m thinking about the Russian mob characters halfway through the book – a few pages were spent explaining them and then nothing until the very end, where they are mentioned in passing again briefly. Realistically, the story is exactly the same with/without them included).

In summary, a good book that was an easy, quick read. I rate it 3.5/5 stars.

My sincere thanks to Oceanview Publishing and NetGalley for their provision of an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Broken Genius
by Drew Murray

3 Stars

A wandering tale that fails to properly engage the reader.

The plot follows FBI Cyber Agent Will Parker as he investigates a murder at Comic Con. Working with smart local homicide detective Dana Lopez and FBI stuffed-shirt Thomas Decker, Will discovers the victim was holding an auction for a radio-active computer on the Dark Web—and the bidding is still live.

With bidders including a legendary Chinese hacker, Russian criminals sent by the Kremlin, and a corporate executive, Will follows a trail of blood and high-tech breadcrumbs.

The story is predicable and lacks the direction to draw a reader in.

This title has been reviewed by www.books-reviewed.weebly.com

This title was provided by Netgalley and the publisher in return for an open and honest review.

#BrokenGenius #NetGalley

Mistakes, redemption, and murder at Comic-Con? What more could you ask for? This book held my attention far more than I care to admit (mainly because it's embarrassing I couldn't stop thinking about it until I reached the very last page). It truly grabbed and held my attention for the long haul.

I do love a good FBI procedural and even though this was way beyond my technology expertise, I enjoyed it a great deal. Protagonist Will made a mistake in his early years that inadvertently caused the death of a young kidnapping victim and vows to do better so he joins the FBI as a special agent. Now the case is a murder at Comic Con and the belief is it's tied to a deal with the Japanese surrounding a "super computer" that was thwarted years ago when a tsunami hit the island and destroyed much of it. So will is back in his element as a tech wizard who is brilliant at breaking codes and passwords that no one else can. Lots of action in this novel and it moves along at a great pace. I'm guessing there's a sequel in the works as well!

A few months ago, there was a Big Idea feature about Broken Genius, by Drew Murray, on John Scalzi’s blog. I liked that the whole article was described as a series of “now how do I solve this plot problem”, it tickled my interest, I asked for it on NetGalley, and I did get it, yay 🙂

Special Agent Will Parker used to be a known Silicon Valley CEO; he’s now part of the FBI Cyber division. He gets called to investigate a murder at a Comic Con event – a murder that is linked to the possible reappearance of a portable quantum computer that was considered lost during the Fukushima nuclear plant accident.

Broken Genius is a very competent techno-thriller. The tech and the Comic Con are believable, and the story itself has enough plot at the right pace to make the reading very enjoyable. The characters are likeable – maybe a bit on the cliché side, but eh, still pretty cool. I was somewhat annoyed that I guessed one of the major plot points way earlier than the protagonists did – I’m normally VERY BAD AT THIS, so maybe there was one or two clues too much there 😉

But anyway. I have a pretty high suspension of disbelief in general, but it’s rare that I find fiction where modern-day technology plays a significant role, and that doesn’t make me roll my eyes loudly (yes, it’s absolutely a thing.) Broken Genius does that and is very enjoyable – it’s not the book of the year (or even the month) but is very much worth considering if you’re in the mood for a techno-thriller 🙂

this book was really unique compared to other mystery books that I read, as I really enjoyed reading this. I look forward to what the author has next.

An impressive debut by Drew Murray.
A techno-thriller that feeds your nerd brain, this book is a must-read for those who love everything nerdy and mystery.
The characters are well-portrayed. The pacing is good - a little slow as the story starts but picks up pace halfway through. The ending is brilliant. The twists and turns kept me guessing. The chase for the Unicorn is no doubt, the best part of this story.

a fast paced cyber thriller. The mystery kept me guessing until the end. Will Parker, special agent to the FBI and works to avenge his past while solving a kidnapping and find the missing computer.

RATING 3.5 STARS


Is escaping the past as simple as choosing the future?

Will Parker left the life he knew to be an FBI special agent. He witnessed a brutal murder and his business crumbled all in one day with the loss of the Fukushima Unicorn. He is a broken genius as he aims for redemption working for the FBI as a computer specialist,

A case opens up with the murder of Caplan who may have obtained the Fukusmima Unicorn and was selling it to the highest bidder. Parker and his partner Decker are on the scene for different reasons.

A few players in this high tech thriller that play well off each other. Parker is witty, smart and confident in his abilities but also vulnerable with all that he has lost. The case becomes urgent before the Fukushima is sold for the wrong reasons. Apparently the tech can do good along with tremendous harm. There is a little chemistry between Parker and the local police lead officer Dana. But all 3 work together against time to find the killer. This thriller brings to light privacy acts and how high tech can fight crime but also take away our freedoms. Compelling fast paced.

A special thank you to Oceanview Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest revie

An entertaining mystery with a decent McGuffin at its heart. Will Parker is now a FBI Special Agent in the Cyber Crimes Division, but back in 2011, he was the CEO of a big Tech company about to purchase a quantum computer from a Japanese firm when two accidents happened. First he goofed in a bit of coding while assisting the FBI in locating a serial killer and a girl died. Second was an earthquake in Japan that lead to a nuclear meltdown right near the Japanese tech firm Will was about to purchase. The cutting edge quantum computer disappeared. But now it seems to have surfaced at a Comic Con in Indiana. A vendor there had it up for auction on the Dark Web, but managed to get himself murdered. Will and Decker, another FBI Special Agent, are on the hunt for the Fukushima Unicorn. Broken Genius manages to have fun with con culture, tech culture, and police culture all while providing a quickly read mystery that satisfies my mystery itch.

Thanks Netgalley for introducing this book to me!

Author #Drew Murray has a debut novel ‘#Broken Genuis out for summer. A thriller it’s about the personal redemption of Will Parker who has made a disastrous mistake in his past. One so bad that it cost a college student her life. And then you add in he at the time was a young CEO of a big tech company.
Now in present time Will has a career in the FBI cyber Division. But once again things are happening.....
Thank you,
#Netgalley,#Drew Murray and #Oceanview Publishing

I just finished this book and was quite impressed. The way the story was laid out kept your interes right till the end. In this story, it starts with Will Parker discussing events that occurred in March of 2011 when he was head of a thriving company who was trying to assist the FBI with finding the location of a Kidnapped victim. While searching for his location, Will was viewing the kidnappers computer where he witnessed the slaying of the victim. Also at that same time, an earthquake occurred created a tsunami in Japan which caused a nuclear power plant to meltdown and destroy a company that Will was going to acquire.

Back to present time, Will is woken up and directed to report to a scene in Indiana where a murder had occurred. Will was asked because of the possibility that the Fukushima computer, that was the main reason that Will wanted to buy that company. When Will got to Indiana, he worked with a female Detective who was responsible in finding the killer. It was later determined, that the computer was being auctioned through the Dark Web. Because of the nature of the computer which was quite advanced, it was felt that had to stop it from falling in the wrong hands. Through teamwork, they ultimately were able to locate the computer, but that was only one part of the puzzle. In addition, the individual who was killed and had the computer, had his daughter kidnapped, and she was to be released only after the individual got the computer. A plan was developed.

To understand who the parties were that were interested in the computer and who ultimately in the end obtained it, then you must read this book which I recommend highly.

I'm really hoping Will Parker sticks around for awhile. I'm always in love with geeky members of the crime fighting crews! This book was just enough to keep me satisfied without overwhelming me with things that draw away from the story!

I enjoyed reading this book given to me by Net Galley for an honest review. Will Parker is a special agent of the FBI specializing in cyber crimes of the highest level. But before he became an agent, he was a CEO of a computer company. Something terrible went wrong and he is trying to atone for it.
The book is interesting – someone is murdered at a comic con and they bring Will in to help solve it. He uses his expertise as an agent and computer wiz to help figure it out. He also has many connections and contacts which he uses to help him.
I enjoyed the mystery and the writing. The plot of why the victim was murdered is farfetched. It kept me reading and I recommend the book.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Drew Murray, and Oceanview Publishing for an ARC in exchange for an honest book review of Broken Genius. My thoughts and opinions are 100% my own and independent of receiving an advance copy.

What if you were a genius. Not just any genius, but the brightest, smartest guy in the room. Your whole life you win. Until one day you don’t. And that one time you don’t, someone dies. Will tried to help the police with a serial killer and because of his mistake, the girl died. The day this happened his company was supposed to acquire technology from Japan that would have changed the world. That day the tsunami hit and the nuclear plant had a meltdown. The revolutionary device disappeared.

We next meet Will when he is called in to solve a case. He is now a Special Agent for the FBI. This case requires his special skill set. A murder has happened at Comi-Con. The device that has been untraceable all these years is now on the black market waiting to be sold in an auction. Now every criminal from all over the world wants to get their hands on this device. Will has help from another FBI agent, who has his own agenda, the local police, who happens to be a beautiful woman and Will’s own crack techies. But will his trauma affect his ability to do his job? Or will he be responsible for another young girl’s death?

This is my type of book. The back story was well done and set Will up to be a broken man who wants to only use his talents to do good in this world. His fall from grace was rough. humbling him and at the same time making him fearful. The new mystery was multi-layered and full of action and suspense. There were twists and turns as the story unfolded. Having it take place during Comic-Con was an extra cool layer that I loved. All of the computer hacking and international espionage was also right up my alley. There was some attraction between Will and the local policewoman, but it was subtle and didn’t take over the storyline at any point, which was fine with me. I’m not a fan of romance blooming in the middle of a takedown. Sex? Maybe, ya but I hate googly eyes being made over dead bodies. Stay professional people!

It isn’t a heavy book, more on the lighter side. The story moves along and there are enough characters to keep in interesting and not so many that you can’t remember who’s who. It was exciting and interesting all the way through. I can imagine lots more adventures for Special Agent Will and I would read them! This would make a fantastic movie. Hollywood, anyone listening?

Mr. Murray manages to combine several themes in his book and by doing so creates a unique character to draw the reader's attention. Will Parker is a special agent with the FBI. He is super rich, having made his own fortune with the creation of an innovative software company. He is extremely well versed in the world of high tech and the production of next generation super computers. He also brings an intellect that sees the hidden factors in solving the cases he is given by his supervisor. Definitely an imaginative individual that is perfect to use as the main character in a well told story.
As the action opens Will is called by his supervisor to go over to a comic con show in the US Midwest and work with others in a situation involving a murder, the kidnapping of the murdered man's young daughter and the clandestine auction of a prototype super computer that Will was working on prior to joining the FBI. Meeting him at the location are the local police, including one beautiful young detective, a stuffed shirt fellow special agent of the FBI and other members of the local police.
That the lady detective working with him will supply a love interest goes without saying and their interaction spices up the book. The stuffed shirt special agent provides help and a bit of being a foil for Will. The villain is a notorious Chinese hacker and there is a contingent of Russian criminals sent by the Kremlin. Make no mistake though, the author has done a good job in making the people and events mix properly to bring his readers a first novel that is an ad for running and grabbing subsequent books by him. Very well done.

Broken Genius by Drew Murray is a tech thriller with a lot of action. After an incident, Will uses his computer knowledge to become a special FBI agent that works with Decker trying to find a murderer and an elusive unicorn, a quantum computer that went missing during a nuclear accident. The writing held my interest and I didn't feel that I needed a computer dictionary to understand the computer talk. This book will be a good addition for anyone who reads thrillers.

Fast paced and fun

This is the kind of story I like – a tech genius withdraws from his tech world after his error leads to the horrific death of an innocent woman. To assuage his guilt Will Parker joins the FBI cybercrime division. But he remains a fabulously wealthy tech superstar and uses his skills and contacts in the tech world to solve a crime committed at a Comic Con in some unnamed midwestern city. Very cool. I liked the book a lot and hope to read more about Special Agent Will Parker.

Really enjoyed I was drawn right in.Characters that jump off the page,they are larger then life.The writing the plot Kept me turning the pages.An author I will be following.#netgalley #oceanviewpublishing