DESOLATION CODE, in Graham Brown’s own words, is action. It’s adventure. It’s suspense. But more than any of the other books he’s done in the NUMA series, it revolves around a central theme: what does it really mean to be alive? What does it mean to be conscious or sentient? In what ways is that bound up with self-determination?

This is the new NUMA Files adventure in the series, and the 13th penned by Brown...

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Graham Brown does a fine job presenting a Cussler-style novel filled with action, mystery, an ocean setting and, most of all, a complex, riveting plot. Today’s headlines make this a more frightening read, with human cloning, the deliberate release of a plague, and the power of AI computing. On the negative side, I disagree with the practice of ghostwriting for a famous author, especially one who is deceased and has no say in the decision or control over the content.

Many thanks to Penguin Group-Putnam and NetGalley for providing this eARC.

This is one of the better Cussler books, although a little over the deep end, it has a warning of DNA cloning by letting parasites free to affect life.

With the simultaneous beaching of many species in the ocean, this is a possible scenario and a thought perspective on what could happen. I am usually skeptical of any author using AI, because most don't know what it is. In this case, as an AI practitioner for many years, these authors get it!

Like the other NUMA books written by Graham Brown, this one is a blast. I enjoyed the series quite a bit when Paul Kemprecos wrote the series, but it wasn't until Brown stepped in did I feel the series really felt elevated. I believe he truly got what made the early Cussler books tick (better than Dirk Cussler himself) and not only expanded on it, but improved it. His books feel 'of the times.' His tech is current and his prose is sharp. One of the things I didn't care for towards the end was that Clive tended to overwrite some of the Dirk books. They felt bloated. These books were made to be lean and mean. Pulp novels for the 21st century. I love NUMA, but I don't want to spend a week reading it. I want to speed through these adventures in 24 hours, and this one I did. I was a bit apprehensive about the AI aspect of it (I feel like it's so done to death and annoying), but this one was fun. Like a modern-day Doc Savage novel. I really hope there's more to come from Graham Brown, but this one proves again that he (and Jack Du Brul) are the best writers currently working with the Cussler estate. I've been let down on the new Oregon Files books, but these still feel like a blast. More please. Many more!

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Graham Brown’s Desolation Code, the latest addition to the NUMA Files series, continues the legacy of Clive Cussler with a thrilling adventure that combines cutting-edge technology, environmental intrigue, and relentless action. This 21st installment showcases Brown’s ability to maintain the high-octane excitement that fans of the series have come to love.

This novel opens with a mysterious mass stranding of aquatic life in the Indian Ocean. Kurt Austin and Joe Zavala, key members of the NUMA team, are called in to investigate. Their findings lead them into a high-stakes chase when a shadowy figure steals crucial evidence.

Kurt Austin and Joe Zavala are as dynamic as ever, their camaraderie and expertise driving the narrative forward. The introduction of new antagonists, including a brilliant yet malevolent AI, adds fresh tension and complexity. The supporting cast, including the ever-reliable Max, NUMA’s supercomputer, and other team members, enrich the story with their unique skills and personalities.

Brown’s writing is fast-paced and engaging, capturing the urgency and danger of the NUMA team’s mission. His descriptions of underwater scenes and high-tech gadgets are vivid and detailed, immersing readers in the world of marine exploration and espionage. The dialogue is sharp and often laced with humor, providing a balance to the intense action sequences.

Desolation Code explores themes of technological advancement and its potential dangers, environmental conservation, and the ethical implications of artificial intelligence. The novel also touches on loyalty and teamwork, highlighting the strong bonds between the NUMA team members as they face unprecedented threats.

Desolation Code is a compelling and action-packed addition to the NUMA Files series. Graham Brown successfully continues Clive Cussler’s legacy, delivering a story that is both thrilling and thought-provoking. Fans of the series will appreciate the familiar elements while enjoying the fresh twists and new challenges.

Highly recommended for fans of action-adventure novels, marine exploration, and techno-thrillers. Desolation Code is a must-read for anyone who enjoys a fast-paced, high-stakes adventure with a touch of environmental and technological intrigue.

This may be my favorite book in the series. I loved the concept and the futuristic, not unrealistic plot. Action packed as always. This will probably be one I read again. As always, looking forward to more in the series. Always love the friendship and camaraderie. I was blessed with a free ARC and am submitting my review voluntarily. Highly recommend. A true page turner.

I always enjoy a good Clive Cussler book, and the NUMA stories are maybe my favorite Cussler series, so I was happy to see that this series is continuing. I was not expecting such a strong sci-fi shift, but I like it. The super creepy bad guy, and his diabolical plot, pitted against the hero NUMA scientists feels more like a superhero comics story, but in a novel and with old familiar non-comics characters.. And, consistent with Cussler's series, there's just enough real science blended in. I look forward to the next one in this series.

An excellent delve into the consequences of AI when in the hands on a megalomaniac. The story included many of the NUMA characters and that enriched my involvement as I read along with their discoveries and adventures. There was a lot here that could lead to good discussions. The ending was satisfying.

Kurt Austin and Joe Zavala interrupt their shark study to investigate a mass stranding in the Indian Ocean. Not only are there whales stranding but many other aquatic creatures as well. Gami and Paul Trout come to investigate the scientific data for NUMA but a mysterious stranger attacks and steals all their data. Back on their research vessel they encounter a sudden outbreak of strange blobs that seem to be killing the sea life. the blobs hatch into sea locusts that kill everything in their path including some of the crew. Then Paul and Gami are kidnapped. Meanwhile Kurt gets an mysterious text that they follow and find a man in an abandon ship named Five. It appears he is a clone as he has a code on his neck that ends in 5.
All these mysterious things lead them on an action packed adventure against a formidable opponent unlike anything they have encountered before. An Opponent set up to destroy the world and wipe out the human race. This was an exciting and frightening read about the dangerous possibilities of technology uncontrolled.

DESOLATION CODE is the next installment in Clive Cussler’s NUMA Files series and is one wild ride from start to finish. What I love about Clive Cussler’s books is how he incorporates history and contemporary issues seamlessly together. With author Graham Brown driving the story as well, he does a masterful job in keeping Clive Cussler’s creation of NUMA Files Characters intact while giving the readers a story that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Meet Kurt Austin and Joe Zavala, two of NUMA’s agents as they help in the Indian Ocean trying to get the beached marine life back out in the ocean before they perish. But when their research is stolen and a high-speed chase ends in more questions, Kurt, Joe and the gang have to figure out just who doesn’t want their findings to be known. What I love about the Numa Books is how the characters are so lifelike, they just flow off the pages into the room. I love how Mr. Brown keeps the core of who these characters are while also giving them more danger to deal with in a high stakes game that is deadly to the core. Clive Cussler was a wonderful author who created these characters among others, and I am thrilled to see his legacy continue his work with other authors helping to keep the series going. DESOLATION CODE delivers lots of twists and turns, a loss of a beloved character that was hard to deal with and more.

DESOLATION CODE has everything I love-advance technology., a storyline that weaves a spell around the reader and an ending you don’t see coming. Clive Cussler and Graham Brown deliver another exciting installment in the NUMA Files series that will surely deliver a bang to the reader. I can’t wait to see what happens next for the NUMA crew in the future.
This is an Objective Review and not an endorsement.

Desolation Code has Kurt and Joe rescuing a massive beaching of whales and other sea animals. The beached animals that died have strange wounds and Gaby and Paul from the NUMA team are called in to try to solve the beaching mystery. Things get more complicated and the world is in peril once more.
Desolation Code has cloned humans, a psychopathic billionaire, the psychopathic computer he has created, and computers becoming sentient. As always, the story is a fun read, full of action. I was drawn into the story from the very beginning and found it hard to put down. Graham Brown does an excellent job of continuing the NUMA Files series.
Thanks to Penguin Group Putnam and NetGalley for the ARC.

Kirk and Joe are the main characters along with NUMA and all of the regulars. They are trying to find out who or what is killing all of the sea life. The topics discussed are AI and cloning. Another very interesting book pushing the limits of science.

Why can’t maniacal billionaires do something constructive with their money, such as donating to their local animal shelter, filling potholes, or sending other billionaires into space to “walk” outside their protective capsules? Noooo, instead we get someone who buys up most of the Seychelle Islands in order to quietly build a compound for the creation of human clones, and swim-worthy insects that gobble up everything in sight. It’s Kurt and Joe to the rescue to save humanity from someone hell-bent on becoming a god-like entity, with all the knowledge that AI computers (and all of his cloned subjects) could possibly gather. You would think that with all that money, security, and intelligence he could have protected his empire with something better than drones with carbine rifles attached to them. We’ve seen Facebook cats beat down on drones with more firepower.
Anyway, fun (way out there ridiculous) read if you are a Cussler genre fan.

Continues the Kurt Austin and Joe Zavala series. It is a fun fast paced read. Austin and Zavala go to investigate a mass animal beaching. Per usual it spirals out of control and the adventure begins.
The story works in real world and soon to be real world technology and a mad man trying to end the world. Highly recommend this book and look forward to more in the series.