The Sixth Day was the first novel I read by Catherine Coulter and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The characters were captivating and the plot was exciting. FBI agents and Covert Eyes team members Nicholas Drummond and Michaela (Mike) Caine are vacationing in England when disaster strikes in London. Several major political figures die mysteriously. When the German Vice-Chancellor dies a drone is spotted hovering over the scene. Are these deaths assassinations? Simultaneously there is a massive hacking problem that affects every computer running MATRIX, the most popular spyware. Coulter also incorporates the story of a missing Voynich Manuscript. Roman Ardelean, founder of MATRIX, beleives he must have this manuscript to save his twin brother's life. Although there were four previous novels in this, A Brit in the FBI series, I felt comfortable with the plot and characters. Coulter's superb novel makes me want to start from the beginning.

I really enjoyed this book. I was glad to have the opportunity from NetGalley to be able to read it in advance.

This book grabs you from the very first sentence and never let’s go. It really looks at the use of drones, computer espionage and just how vulnerable the world of today is to acts of terror and corruption. I had not read any of the other novels in this series but the characters are so well fleshed out that it really doesn’t matter. I like the style and flow of the book and was awake very late reading it!

With all of the current Facebook revelations, the timing of this book is exceptional. It is indeed a strange new world with vulnerabilities no one could have foreseen even a few years ago and plot twists galore. Well executed and bound to be a best seller!

Catherine Coulter and J.T. Ellison return in their fast-paced action thriller series, A Brit in the FBI. Agents Nicholas Drummond and Michaela Caine must cut their vacation short when two high profile politicians are killed in a two day period. They know the game's afoot, but exactly what game and who is behind the attacks is yet to be revealed.

One thing I love about this thriller series is the complex plot lines. Mike and Nicholas are adventure junkies so one simple mystery to solve would not be enough for them! In The Sixth Day, pages from a mystical manuscript have been discovered and it can only be read by special twins. One man is determined to get his hands on the missing pages at any cost because they hold the key to his brother's life. While Mike and Nicholas are looking for the link between victims, Covert Eyes team member Adam Pearce is working the cybersecurity angle, looking for whoever is spying on MI5 and MI6. Roman Ardelean is the epitome of an evil mastermind genius. He uses a special class of computer code to infiltrate the most secure government databases and he has a group of wealthy citizens backing a secret project that could save many lives or throw the world into a state of pandemonium. He's a Romanian Lex Luthor and my favorite villain from the series so far!

While the previous novels of this series have had complex plot lines and mysteries that completely take control of your attention, I thought The Sixth Day gave too much information away before Mike and Nicholas came across it making the flow a bit repetitive. The mystery aspect of the story was very subtle and it felt as though it was quite easy for them to get to the answers of their investigation. Maybe the fact that they were fighting an enemy in the real world and in cyberspace made it seem like the frantic running around chasing leads was a limited part of the novel. The climax was done exceptionally well as Ardelean makes his last stand and Mike and Nicholas fight to save the lives of their loved ones and some very, very important people.

While The Sixth Day is not the most thrilling addition to the Brit in the FBI series, Coulter and Ellison still manage to expertly meld notable aspects of history and culture into an engaging read that will keep you flipping the pages. I adore Special Agents Caine and Drummond as partners, and lovers, and their eagerness to run headfirst into danger to catch a criminal always keeps me coming back for more!
*ARC provided in consideration for review*

Computer Security, Drones and the Voynich Manuscript

Nicholas Drummond and Michaela (Mike) Caine, members of the FBI’s Covert Eyes Team, are vacationing at the Drummond Estate in England. Nicholas, a computer genius, is the first Brit to join the FBI. Before their relaxation can begin a ransomeware attack shuts down the computers in the Drummond family business. Nicholas easily solves the problem and uses his code to correct a wider ransomware attack shutting down government computers.

While the computer crisis is occurring there are several unexplained deaths of business and political leaders. When Mike spots a drone at the scene of one of the murders the hunt is on for who is controlling the drones, and whether the assassinations are tied together.

Besides the modern technical problems, the plot focuses on the Voynich Manuscript. The manuscript has never been translated, but a young researcher, Dr. Isabella Marin, has found some missing pages in the British Museum and believes the manuscript is written in some form of twin talk. There is even a vampire component. One of the technical geniuses, Roman Ardelean, a descendant of Vlad the Impaler (Dracula,) is looking for blood to cure his twin brother’s rare hemophilia.

A clever, fast moving plot draws you into this combination murder mystery, technological thriller and historical puzzle. The characters are likable. Nicholas and his computer geek sidekick, Adam, are fascinating as they set out to solve apparently insolvable computer security breaches. Mike, is beautiful, brilliant, and a good foil for Nicholas.

I recommend this book if you like a real page turner. The settings in England and the US are realistic although some of the activities are quite out of the ordinary.

I received this book from Net Galley for this review.

Another FBI series to enjoy. It pulled me in from the start with strong characters. I felt it was a little slow in places but you could still finish without any problems.

The Sixth Day – Catherine Coulter & J.T. Ellison

I was fortunate to receive this novel as an Advance Reader Copy, in exchange for an objective review.
If you like mystery, intrigue, snappy dialogue and great characters, then this series is for you!!

Special Agents Nicholas Drummond and Michaela ‘Mike’ Caine are back again in the newest installment of ‘a Brit in the FBI’ series.

A clandestine meeting, and the seemingly unrelated deaths of various powerful politicians are at the heart of the next adventure of the Covert Eyes team. Then, another death occurs and a passer-by spots a drone on the scene of the incident, which raises suspicions of the police. At the same time, a powerful virus is found to have infected the computers of intelligence agencies everywhere, making secure communications difficulty.

Meanwhile, Dr. Isabella Marin is busily working on revealing the secrets of an old manuscript – one that no cipher has ever been able to interpret - and is believed to be written via cryptophasia – the secret language between twins. But Dr. Marin has a few secrets of her own.

As the investigation into the mysterious deaths deepens, drones are suspected to be carrying the answers – but who is unleashing them? And why?

This novel carries on at a breakneck pace, as answers lead to more questions, and story lines merge, secrets are revealed, and a man seeks revenge, leading to a breathtaking climax! I could not put this book down! As always, I love the cameo appearances of Savich & Sherlock too!! Fantastic read!! Can’t wait for more from both these authors!!

The book opens in the 1400s during a battle with Vlad Dracul. We find out that his twin half-brothers have some book with magic powers and he sends them away during the battle that takes his live in order to save the book.
Now present day, there is another set of twins who are about to sell an army of drones to the highest bidder. Then we jump to Nick and Michaela who are on vacation in London. Nick is supposed to help his grandfather solve a problem with ransomware that has taken over his company but then they get pulled in to this bigger mystery. And it's possible that the book we read about in the beginning is going to play a part.
I think I'm going to have to stop reading this series. It just keeps feeling more and more disjointed. There were so many things going on in this book, Ellison and Coulter had a hard time weaving it all together.

Two and a half stars
This book comes out April 10
ARC kindly provided by NetGalley

I have loved Catherine Coulter books for years, and this one hasn't changed my mind. Action packed story, with lots of twists and turns. A little confusing in places because of backstory information, but I got used to it pretty quickly. I love seeing familiar characters back and finding out what happened from the last story. Now I can't wait to see what happens to Mike and Nicholas in the next book!

This review is based on a galley copy from netgalley, courtesy of the publisher. All opinions are my own.

FBI special agents Michaela (Mike) Caine and Nicholas Drummond of <i>The Brit in the FBI</i> series are vacationing at Drummond’s family estate in England (of course it’s an estate), when they are asked to look into very strange assassinations and a ransomware attack on Drummond’s father’s company. As members of the FBI special Covert Eyes group they have special talents and resources and are tasked to go anywhere in the world where they are needed.
Ladies and gentlemen: start your engines for <i>The Sixth Day’s</i> wild ride through London. There are several plot lines, but oddly enough they do manage to fit together in a very believable way; as long as you maintain the requisite suspension of belief in regards to the vampire plot line. So let me give you a quick summary of all you will have to prepare yourself for: the aforementioned assassinations and ransomware, more assassinations, the viral infections and security breeches into supposedly the best computer security in the world, attack falcons, manuscripts that can’t be read but talk to certain people, and a drone army. For spoilers sake I’m even leaving a few out.
Sounds crazy, right? Well gather ‘round while I play know-it-all. The US government, until very recently did have the Russian owned Kaspersky Labs computer security company inside most government computer systems. By invitation. Recently our folks realized, Russian government security systems might have gotten their hot little hands on ownership. Ooopsies. The US Air Force is looking into training falcons to take down drones. The Voynich Manuscript does exist, but has never been translated or stolen from the Beinicke library. Micro-dots of LSD are being looked into as a way to calm severe agitation. Ransonware does exist. So, I would have to say Coulter and Ellison do a fantastic job in searching out the obscure and arcane for their books and weaving it all together. Depending on their writing schedule, they might have been prescient too.
I just wish they did a better job with actually putting words to page, so choppy and abrupt. In some places too melodramatic. The characters are so minor; the bad guys are far more interesting and better written. Not much chemistry between the Mike and Nicholas despite their being partners, both romantic and professional. As I’ve written before, I miss the days of Coulter writing romantic suspense.
The chapter headings, especially the ones about falconry, may be among the best I’ve come across. One heading explains the traditional royal precedence for falconry ownership. Actually the chapters on falconry were among the best written and most fascinating. In fact the falcons alone return the stars I took away for the writing and characters.
Coulter and Ellison’s explanations of computer vulnerabilities were clear and understandable, even for the non-techies. Actually their explanations were almost too good and had me eyeing my computer askance.
So this was a mixed bag for me. If you like well done complex plots this is for you. If you like smooth writing and compelling characters, don’t hurry to read it. Unless you are a long time Coulter and Ellison fan as I am.
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I was shocked at how much I liked this book! I have read Catherine Coulter before, and always found her stories, though well plotted, distracting due to antiquated language and syntax. So having not read any of her “Brit in the FBI” series, I expected the same - only to be very, very surprised! Perhaps it is the addition of JT Ellison, but the book had a refresher feel. It was fast-paced, engrossing and just a lot of fun. Mixing fact and fiction (who knew the Voynich Manuscript is such a thing!) with a real world setting, Ms. Coulter and Ms. Ellison set the stage for a very intense roller-coaster of a read that will have you reading well into the night!

FBI Agents Michaela Caine and Nicholas Drummond are partners professionally and in their personal life. Nicholas is not only British but part of the peerage, due to inherit a title from his father. As the couple are in Britain for a break, a couple of sudden deaths of political figures lead to Mike and Nick suddenly being thrust into the high tech world, with computer systems of the government being hacked and drones flying around creating mayhem. Although the reader knows the villains in the story, it does not in any way diminish the suspense! I liked the characters and enjoyed the “thriller” plot. The mix of the old (the legend of Dracula, the reality of an ancient manuscript) with the new (drone armies!!!) really worked and kept me riveted. As I said, although Coulter’s writing in the past has left me frustrated, the stilted old-fashioned writing was not so apparent - perhaps it was buried in a bit of the stiff British language, but I found the style of writing not so distracting so I could really focus on the plot. The romance between characters is there but only referred to in very subdued actions, which given the intensity of the story worked here. This book whetted my appetite for the next one, and will go back and read some of the previous books as well. Good thriller!

Another non-stop adventure! I just love Nicholas and Mike. They were supposed to be on vacation, but then a high ranking official is killed, a virus is let free in almost all the computers in England, there is an amazing discovery at the museum and someone tries to kill Nicholas and Mike. They are just recuperating from their last adventure. All this seems to be connected, but how? Nicholas' dad is helping them track down the killer that has set a group of drones loose on everyone. Will they be able to save the US president, the Queen and the PM in time? Loved this story and didn't want to put it down.

I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. I really enjoy this series with Drummond and Mike. It is FBI and Scotland yard on the defense after weird attacks are happening. This wasn't my favorite book in the series, but still rather enjoyable.

Special agents Nicholas Drummond and Michaela Caine are back again in Coulter’s “A Brit in the FBI” series after getting called in on a ransomeware attack and separately, the suspicious deaths of two high-level British politicians. I hadn’t heard of this series before but seeing J.T. Ellison’s name as collaborator got my attention. I so enjoy her writing. She along with Coulter? Jackpot! And indeed I was not disappointed.The chemistry and dynamics of the characters, the story’s originality and topicality, with cyber-warfare, a madman and a drone army thrown into the mix made for a great read.
*will be posting in additional onlnie venues upon publication.

I have been given a digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion. I honesty enjoyed this book!
Catherine Coulter and JT Ellison combine their expertise in writing The Sixth Day. This story centers around a linage of twins where one is strong and one is weak with an incurable bleeding condition. Dating back to the days and times of the fabled Dracula to the modern day of drones and computers. Revenge and love for his brother drives wealthy cyber security expert Roman Ardelean's to lengths no one should ever reach. Searching for the blood he believes will save his brother's life he does unspeakable crimes. Imagined betrayals he deals with in deadly ways. Covert Eyes, Brit investigators, Nicholas and his wife and partner Michaela are trying to find who has killed two major political figures in a way that leaves them stunned. Now attempts on their lives leave them puzzled and angry at what is happening.
Dr. Isabella Marin an expert in Twin Talk has located a portion of an ancient manuscript, one Roman believes will unlock the formula to saving his brother, He will do anything to get it. However, he doesn't just want the partial manuscript he wants Dr. Marin. Realizing she can read the manuscript that is written in twin language only possible of twin descendants of his lineage,
Racing to find who is killing the political figures, who is hacking all the computers with sensitive information and who is trying to kill them Nicholas and "Mike" must now also find Dr. Marin who has disappeared leaving a dead body in her apartment.
This excellent book is a great story of murder, mystery, love, and danger. Encompassing ancient times and futuristic inventions. You will ride the tides of action never finding a dull moment!

This thriller is set in Great Britain where falconer and technology genius Roman Ardelean and his brother Radu have begun their plan to control the internet and the world with their Radulov software and their army of drones. From the beginning of the book, you know who the bad guy is, but you quickly realize that he will not be easy to stop, if it is possible at all. Entwined in the story is the tale of a lost Voynivich manuscript, something that is mysterious and can only be understood by certain people, notably Romanians in this twisted tale. Nicholas Drummond and Michaela Caine are tasked with finding and stopping Ardelean. Add in the fact that he uses his falcons as weapons and his drones as fly in instruments of death, you have enough twists and turns and action to keep you reading long into the night. This was the first book that i have read in the series, but I have now purchased others to read because this was so good! I have a stack of TBR books, but this one moved to the top of my list because of its captivating story that seems all too real and possible...and scary!

Hmm. This was more complex than I expected in terms of weaving in ornate plots involving things that started in the 1400s. The basic premise- that the FBI would ask an SA on vacation in the UK to look into a death of a German political leader- is invalid as FBI has SAs actually ASSIGNED to London. That said, if you go with it, Nicholas and Mike make a good team to untangle what the evil Roman Ardalean has done. Sort of. There's a lot of threads here, some of which make more sense and come together better than others. There's cyber terrorism, drones, Vlad the impaler, wacky plots, and so on but this is a fast paced read you might enjoy on a plane ride. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

This is different from many of the series in that there seemed to be less interaction between the team and quite a bit of narrative from the criminals and their psychological make up. Took me awhile to buy into the premise but once it started moving it was full steam ahead

If the earlier books in the series are as good as The Sixth Day, then it is a series definitely worth checking out. The authors have created interesting and well-developed characters. While I like the main characters, Nicholas and Michaela (Mike), my favorites were Radu, Isabella, and Adam. One thing that made this book stand out is that the characters are complex, especially Roman Ardelean, whose actions are often quite evil, but some of which are done for "noble" reasons (although the means are quite horrific). Another strength is the intricate plot, with multiple interconnected sub-plots. I particularly liked the use of the Voynich manuscript and the creative explanation for what the coded language means and who was able to read it and why. The authors also did a good job of mixing current technology and concerns -- drones, terrorism, cyber attacks -- with historical elements and universal themes.

A minor complaint is that at times the book feels like an action hero movie, with the "heroes" surviving attacks that should have put them out of commission for extended periods, if not killed them. However, if the authors kill off their main characters, they kill the series, so the decision is understandable.

I would give the book 4+ stars.

I'm a big fan of Catherine Coulter and the FBI series she wrote. I have a harder time getting into the "Brit in the FBI" series. Based on the description I thought this would be a very interesting book -- much like the Savich and Sherlock books. Unfortunately, I had a really hard time getting into the story. I realize the prologue going back to the 1400's was needed to help provide backstory for the book, but the overall story was hard to weave together. There were too many storylines and time periods that left me confused and not involved with the characters. Not one of my favorite Coulter books.