Screwed Mind - An Espionage Thriller: The International Mystery of the Mossad and Other Intelligence Agencies

With continuous advances in technology, many have pointed to the demise of the espionage thriller novel. Luckily, there are still authors that are willing to tackle the topic, because people love them, but does it take a reader willing to suspend disbelief of reality to enjoy a modern-day spy novel, or an author with enough creativity to figure out a way it can be done realistically?

Traditionally, espionage novels had a main character who was in the practice of spying, employed by governments or special espionage agencies. They use a variety of techniques, including eavesdropping, undercover work, surveillance, intelligence, and reconnaissance, and in the past they impressed users with their arsenal of futuristic tools that helped them gather information on their foes.

Your typical thriller features a tough and resourceful protagonist that woks to undermine the antagonist that is out to destroy the spy, their organization or country, or even the whole world. Thrillers have an intense time-sensitive plot, which is dependent on the spy being able to avoid or escape traps and find and neutralize the bad guy before their evil plot succeeds.

The espionage thriller work best when the protagonist is unknown, so they can infiltrate the threatening organization, but is it even possible for someone to be unknown spy today? In the world we live in now everyone leaves a digital fingerprint, and if they have one wiped clean it would be a red flag for any organization recruiting someone. This is everything from online banking to telephone records, social media pages, and LinkedIn network contacts. These are just some of the challenges that authors face when crafting a believable spy story for readers of the 21st century.

HIDDEN DOORS, SECRET ROOMS

On the run with her five year old daughter, Jillian Braedon possesses a secret so explosive that she must be silenced. She is being pursued by relentless covert agents, intent on getting her out of the picture. While on the run, she runs into a terrible blizzard. She has a crash and is seriously injured. The only way possible for her and her daughter to come out alive is send the child out into the blizzard in hopes that she can find help. They find help in the form of a retired musician who has turned himself into a recluse. Unwilling; but driven to do so he takes the small family in. In the process, he drags himself into their horrible situation.

The review from the Kirkus review states that this book is:

“Superbly crafted and flawlessly executed, Eubanks doles out both plot and back-story in small doses, expertly keeping readers turning page after page...This is a phenomenal first novel; an excellent read for anyone who loves mystery, and would-be writers who want to learn exactly how it's done."

I must say that I certainly agree with this review! I could not put the book down; I just had to know what happened next! There was no double talk and no repeat or excess information to help the word count. The characters are real people that you want to get to know. This is something I really like to see in a book, I actually hope to see more of these characters from the author in the future.

I definitely recommend this book to any one that likes the paranormal genre and any one that would like to delve into it. This is a definite must read!