I loved this wonderful debut thriller. I loved all the action and the intrigue. I love that there are two stories going on, one in the past and one in the present. I enjoyed all of the talk about cyber crimes. I loved Paul and Emma and Jack. I am looking forward to many more stories featuring the Liberty Unit. I received a copy of the book from the publisher for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

This is Book 1 of the Liberty Unit Series. 9/11 was the spark, they went dark. Paul Knox is a cybersecurity expert who is thrust into a clandestine conflict. This is no ordinary conflict however, this goes all the back back to the beginning. 1791

Going Dark kept me riveted to the pages as it flipped between two timelines: modern day and the Revolutionary War. It is suspenseful and intriguing to see the fight for power in both times along with the deceit. The characters are complex, and those who enjoy thrillers, mysteries, technology, and history will find this book interesting.

This is the first book in the Liberty Unit series, and I can't wait to see what comes next.

Nonstop action from beginning to end. The story goes between two eras, but sort of parallel each other. Paul is on his way to Boston when he gets a message to get out of the airport. Someone is following him. A woman appears to take him somewhere safe. She also says that his father sent her. His father died a long time ago. Could this be real? As he learns more of what is happening, he knows that he must get to his daughter, and he has to be off the grid to do it. There are so many people after him he isn't sure he will make it there alive.
In 1781, Jack is on a mission to warn Jefferson of danger. Jefferson then gives him a mission to help Washington. As Jack and his friends are on their way with some very sensitive information, they encounter many dangers. Can they save Washington?

I had great difficulty in reading this book. First of all the juxtaposition of these two stories slapped together left me with a ton of questions. The alternating chapters allowed me to read one story at a time. I found the present day story line to be disturbing and frankly horrific given that my family and close friends lived through September 11 th. The other part that I found disturbing is that it seemed like a blueprint for future radicals. I did make it to the end of the book in deference to the author. This book wasn’t for me.
I would like to thank Meryl Moss Media Group and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Cyber forensics expert Paul Knox is drawn into a high-stakes mission that will affect the future of the United States. At the same time, his estranged daughter Emma becomes a central figure in a game of digital manipulation. Dovetailed with this story is the origin of the Liberty Unit in 1781, with John "Jack" Jouett delivering crucial encoded messages that could shape the American Revolution.

The book opens with Jack, but the tension truly begins with the present-day thread. We see the start of a terrorist attack, and the incredible amount of detail and planning involved in them. Paul is smart as a forensics expert, but his daughter is just as brilliant in math and physics. The two became estranged after his wife's death; he isolated right when Emma needed him due to her own grief. Instead, she essentially lost both parents. He often has disparaging thoughts about politics clouding true attempts at keeping people safe; it's mimicked in the past thread when burgeoning politicians of the Revolution were being bribed by English spies. The Liberty Unit was created "to employ unconventional methods" to safeguard the founding father's, and persisted to the present. Members wore a specific coin, and Paul obtained one from his father, who had inherited it. The current generation of agents is descended from the original Liberty Unit members. With a coordinated system of attacks on airports, power companies, government agencies and intelligence systems, modern terrorism is frightening and difficult to shut down.

Seeing passages about airport security, digital networking, and databases, and the ease at which they could be destroyed should give a sense of anxiety for the reader. Society has moved to streaming and away from physical copies; this just cements my utter dislike of this trend and that we need to continue to keep physical copies of media and data in safe places. This novel is incredibly detailed and keeps the tension high throughout the entire novel. There's the thread with Jack and his attempt to fulfill his mission, as well as the question of whether or not Paul will safely get to Emma when infrastructures are failing across the eastern seaboard. This definitely showcases the author's background in the field, with a lot of technical information worked into the story.

Review of eBook

In the sixth year of the American Revolution, Jack Jouett completes a grueling forty-mile ride through the thick Virginia forest. His mission? Warn the governor that Colonel Banastre Tarleton and his Green Dragoons are marching toward Monticello.

Hassan Al Hamadei set terrorist plans in motion causing Paul Knox and his team to research how he had exploited the RF frequencies and the surveillance system to accomplish the Thanksgiving Day massacre. He can’t identify what he’s missing, and plans a trip to the lab to consult with Doctor Clark.

Can Jack get his message through in time? And will Paul find the answer he needs to thwart the terrorist attacks?

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Told in two timelines . . . the present and 1781 [during the Revolutionary War] . . . readers find themselves enmeshed in a muskets and swords war for Independence, and, at the same time, a techno-terrorist wreaking mayhem on the American people.

The telling of the tale keeps readers engaged, whether it is the Revolution and the forming of the Liberty Unit, or the search for the techno-terrorist. The protagonists in both timelines face struggles; both are complex characters.

Fanaticism, technology, trust, and power all play a part in the telling of this compelling, intriguing tale that will remain with readers long after reaching the satisfying denouement.

Readers who enjoy historical fiction as well as those who enjoy mysteries and thrillers will find much to appreciate here.

Recommended.

I received a free copy of this eBook from Meryl Moss Media Group and NetGalley
#GoingDark #NetGalley

I found parts of this book interesting and parts boring, never quite understanding the purpose of putting these stories together in one book. Each had its own alternating chapters, and the characters were explained enough to understand their motives and purpose, but it didn’t make much sense to me. I did make it to the end of the book but it was a totally unfulfilling task. On the positive side, the book is well written and I think many people will enjoy the juxtaposition of timelines. It just wasn’t for me.

Thank you NetGalley for an advance copy of Going Dark. This is my honest review.

Going Dark did not keep my attention as it should have for a thriller. I find myself agreeing with a previous reviewer, who summarized the issues well:

"Rekha R, Reviewer
Going Dark wasn’t quite for me. The story felt too descriptive and overloaded with information. The mystery starts off slow, and the alternating timelines, combined with multiple points of view, made the plot difficult to follow. Its slow pacing, along with the excess of detail, made it hard to stay engaged."

Exactly! Thanks NetGalley for the ARC.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing this advance copy. This was a great thriller story. I loved the mix of the Revolutionary War timeline with the modern story. Overall interesting and kept me reading to the very end. Recommend this for thriller lovers and those with an interest in fictional cyber terrorism.

This book was pretty good, I would definitely recommend

~This was given by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

The Revolutionary War is cleverly juxtaposed against the current world stage. The culprits are a brother of General George Washington and Hassan from Damascus who sees the United States and its’ citizens as the enemy of the Islamic world and worthy of the most painful of deaths.

Hate is a basic element of any conflict. Hassan sees the Americans who are the root of his countries struggles and should die for their interference in his country’s business.

General George Washington is the leader of the American Revolution and is leading the Revolutionaries in battle. King George III will entertain no delegation from “The Colonies”.

The plots are interesting and well developed. The action is fast paced and keeps the readers attention with suspense and questions. This is a fun historical read and a very well written dual plotted novel. 5 stars – CE Williams

Going Dark by George Mehok is a gripping thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. Mehok weaves together two seemingly disparate timelines – a modern-day techno-terrorist attack and a historical plot to assassinate George Washington during the American Revolution.

Mehok explores themes of technology, power, and trust. The characters are well-developed, making it easy to become invested in their stories.

The pacing is perfect, with just enough twists and turns to keep you guessing without feeling overwhelmed. The climax is both satisfying and unexpected, leaving you wanting more.

If you’re a fan of thrillers, historical fiction, or simply a good story, I highly recommend Going Dark. It’s a novel that will stay with you long after you’ve finished reading, I hope there is more to follow from Mehok.

Thrillers, by definition, can also be regarded as dystopian warnings. Mehok, an expert in 21st-century technology, has crafted a chilling thriller exploring the potential consequences of our current neglect. The plot spans two eras: 1781 colonial America and the near future. Mehok presents a world teetering on catastrophe due to our present-day indifference.

Our protagonist is a complex man still grappling with grief, which has led to severe depression. Our villain is equally complex, but his journey has led him to a dangerous fanaticism. The story moves at a brisk pace, making it a quick and engaging read.

While I typically prefer psychological thrillers, this novel offers a compelling blend of genres, with elements of historical fiction and science fiction. The ending hints at a potential sequel, leaving some character arcs unfinished.

However, this novel is not suitable for the squeamish, as it contains extensive violence throughout.

Recommended for adults and older YA readers.

Full disclosure: I received this ARC from netgalley and Atmosphere Press in exchange for an unbiased review.

Going Dark wasn’t quite for me. The story felt too descriptive and overloaded with information. The mystery starts off slow, and the alternating timelines, combined with multiple points of view, made the plot difficult to follow. Its slow pacing, along with the excess of detail, made it hard to stay engaged.

Going Dark by George K. Mejok was packed with suspense, which kept me engaged until the very end! It successfully merges a contemporary storyline with a historical backstory in a way that makes you feel like you are concurrently living in two different eras. As you turn the page, you are compelled to read further in order to live through both a modern day flawed hero and a historical hero who is nothing short of traditional. Yet these two heros are tied in an unimaginable way. My recommendation: read this book! I promise you will not be sorry, only captivated until the end, and possibly wishing for more! Huge thank you to Net Galley and the Publisher for allowing me to review this amazing book!

Many thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for allowing me to read Going Dark. This is an explosive dual timeline story that is perfect for history buffs. This is a book that will keep you on the edge of your seat. You won't want to put it down.

Wow. Amazing. I just wasn't expecting such a griping, cannot-put-down read. I finished it in one day. I never thought I would like the two stories - one current and one in the past to work, but boy does it. I found it gripping and the author has a way with words. Everything seemed so smooth I was engrossed in the storylines from the beginning. I love the parallelism with the history of our nation. A wonderful and great read. This will become a classic and what folks will be talking about in the months to come.

This dual timeline follows two men in the Jouett family. Jack is fighting in the Revolutionary war and is on a special mission for Thomas Jefferson. Paul is living in the present and is fighting in the war against the dark web and cyber terrorism. Both became members of an elite unit that answers only to the President. One is fighting to create a nation; the other to preserve our nation. While I did not understand much of the coding and networking language, I did appreciate the complexity and our utter dependency of it working correctly. Going Dark, by George Mehok was a fascinating and scary read.