The Breakthrough Effect

By: Douglas E. Richards

Narrated by: Eric Jason Martin

Length: 14 hrs and 23 mins

Publisher's summary

Oliver Scott's technology breakthroughs are revolutionary. But he's hiding a devastating truth...

Oliver Scott is the reclusive genius and trillionaire behind countless world-changing breakthroughs. How does he innovate at such a furious pace? While most hail him as a savior, what if he's actually the most dangerous tyrant humanity has ever seen? A man who will stop at nothing to gain absolute power.

Liam Dunne is an elite American operative enhanced with next-level technology, including a prototype supercomputer implanted in his brain. When an encrypted data file is transmitted into this implant, Liam is thrust into a battle for the very soul of humanity. Because the file holds the key to unlocking the mystery of Oliver Scott—and stopping a nightmarish future.

As Liam and the woman he loves race to unravel the truth, they become the targets of a lethal manhunt initiated by the ruthless trillionaire. If they can survive long enough to access the enigmatic file, they can lift humanity to unimaginable heights.

They're facing impossible odds. And time is running out...

The Breakthrough Effect is a propulsive, action-packed thriller with big ideas, mind-blowing technologies, and twists and turns you won't see coming.

©2023 Douglas E. Richards (P)2023 Podium Audio

Too much narrative

The plot is so complicated that much of the book is one character or another explaining the situation.

4.5 starts ⭐️

The funny thing is that I always seem to forget just how much I enjoy books by Mr. Richards until I read another one of his new books. Then I seem to think, "Oh man, I REALLY like his books!" You would think that would be something that I didn't forget. But, I digress....

This storyline revolves around a couple (FMC and MMC) who are part of the EHO (Enhanced Human Organization). That entails all kinds of new and wonderful tech - optical neural implants, smart contact lenses, enhanced blood supply, enhanced strength...get the picture? Well, these 2 get involved in a crazy plot against the richest man in the world who is leading the world in technological advancement. This man is so rich that he has bought up all kinds of land and islands, and named his own country and crowned himself the leader. Crazy, right?

Well, things take off and the two are forced to try to get ahead of the entire might and power of this man and his organization trying to frame and discredit them - and wipe them off the face of the earth, because they acquire information that he does not want them to have. The story itself is interesting and action packed.

The one thing that I enjoy about Mr. Richards is the way he incorporates technological advances with things that may or may not also be in the works. And then at the end of the book, he tells you what is actually REAL and what is fiction. With the headlines this week of the first neural implant in a human being, I thought to myself, "those have been in these books for quite a while!"

Good story, interesting characters and lots of acti9on.

The funny thing is that I always seem to forget just how much I enjoy books by Mr. Richards until I read another one of his new books. Then I seem to think, "Oh man, I REALLY like his books!" You would think that would be something that I didn't forget. But, I digress....

This storyline revolves around a couple (FMC and MMC) who are part of the EHO (Enhanced Human Organization). That entails all kinds of new and wonderful tech - optical neural implants, smart contact lenses, enhanced blood supply, enhanced strength...get the picture? Well, these 2 get involved in a crazy plot against the richest man in the world who is leading the world in technological advancement. This man is so rich that he has bought up all kinds of land and islands, and named his own country and crowned himself the leader. Crazy, right?

Well, things take off and the two are forced to try to get ahead of the entire might and power of this man and his organization trying to frame and discredit them - and wipe them off the face of the earth, because they acquire information that he does not want them to have. The story itself is interesting and action packed.

The one thing that I enjoy about Mr. Richards is the way he incorporates technological advances with things that may or may not also be in the works. And then at the end of the book, he tells you what is actually REAL and what is fiction. With the headlines this week of the first neural implant in a human being, I thought to myself, "those have been in these books for quite a while!"

Good story, interesting characters and lots of action.

Really good; a bit preachy at the end.

Overall, I really enjoyed it. Fun, exciting, and so on. But I would have preferred it ended 45 minutes earlier than it did, and it didn’t turn into a bunch of god-talk. That certainly felt forced and inorganic.

Never disappointing.

Always captivating, Douglas Richards novels are. Not sure my wife appreciates, much less understands, when I sit in a chair seemingly entranced, not moving a muscle, for what must be hours at a time listening to Douglas Richards novels. The Breakthrough Effect was no different. Again, wow. Not only a good story, but very thought provoking about a world struggling to stay happy and content in the face of ever increasing rancor, Here’s a thought for a future novel. A technological breakthrough that makes it impossible to sound off irresponsibly against others without consequences, or at least embarrassment. That is, if the world were, in effect, made to simulate an always public conversation, where nothing said was anonymous, people who care about their reputations and what other people think of them, would start to more and more regulate what they say, would hopefully start to get back to being more considerate, less tribal, and hopefully more loving. As long as people can endlessly spout off anonymously, through social media, in commentary on websites, etc., the more, it seems like we are headed to being a totally decisive and polarized world. Of course, such technology would have to apply to all people, including those in government and large corporations. Otherwise, it would only serve to make censorship and efforts to manipulate the public narrative even more effective. But, I digress. Like all of the Richards books, an enthralling read. Thanks for the distraction, great story, entertainment, and thought provoking ideas. People who have not read your books are really missing out.

Well done!

Another two thumbs up for this newest amazing book. I always look forward to Douglas Richard’s thoroughness, insight, and incredible story telling using facts and fiction.

Slowish start

The Star Trek reference in the beginning was lame. He picks up speed and it does grab you. Almost put me to sleep at the end. Overall it’s worth a listen, I hate ragging on sci-fi. Love it.

Tingles the sense of the possible considering AI technology!

I love the interrelationship between science fiction and science fact. Science is growing so fast, books can barely keep up. Douglas does an awesome job cutting this edge.

Great start

But a very stretched plot, all in the service of one speech at the end.

Another great techno thriller!!

This is another great story by Douglas E Richards! It has so many great themes that are applicable today and you can easily see these new innovations in the very near future. Really enjoyed the plot twists and duplicity! Also loved Karen's monologue near the end of the story - no spoilers but she was spot on with the narrative. Looking forward to more great EHO stories.

I have read all of his novels and will read any more than come out!

annoying

this is like a bad TV show. the dialog is just long explanation to move story along because author seem unable to tell story.