Spin
7.48 / 10 5K ratings
- Language
- English
- Published
- 2021
- Publisher
- Thomas & Mercer
- Pages
- 414
- ISBN
- 9781542044783
In the aftermath of a catastrophic NASA rocket launch, Captain Calli Chase, a NASA investigator and Space Force pilot, confronts her missing twin sister and uncovers the truth about their identities. A top-secret program, set in motion years ago, has spiraled out of control, and Calli, now enhanced with cutting-edge technologies, is the only one who can redirect its dangerous course.
As Calli races against time, she must find the connection between the sabotaged launch and her predetermined destiny, all while a cunning and ruthless adversary seeks to gain control of a powerful computer chip that could have global consequences. From NASA facilities to distant orbits, Calli navigates a high-stakes game where one wrong move could unleash cataclysmic events reaching far beyond Earth's boundaries.
As Calli races against time, she must find the connection between the sabotaged launch and her predetermined destiny, all while a cunning and ruthless adversary seeks to gain control of a powerful computer chip that could have global consequences. From NASA facilities to distant orbits, Calli navigates a high-stakes game where one wrong move could unleash cataclysmic events reaching far beyond Earth's boundaries.
Original edition
SpinOriginally published in 2021 Italian Mondadori
Other editions (2)
Listen to the summary Narrated summary
A catastrophic NASA missile launch spirals out of control, setting Captain Calli Chase on a frantic trajectory through a world steeped in advanced technology and hidden agendas. As a NASA investigator and Space Force pilot, Calli is no stranger to high stakes, but this disaster feels deeply personal. Amidst the chaos and the swirling snow of a relentless storm, a ghost from her past emerges: her identical twin sister, Carme, long believed to be missing. This reunion is far from comforting, for Carme's sudden appearance is intrinsically linked to the failed launch and a clandestine program that threatens to unravel everything Calli thought she knew about her own identity and predetermined destiny.
Calli finds herself drugged and whisked away to a covert facility, where she undergoes further enhancements, transforming her into something more than human, a woman armed with cutting-edge technologies. Now augmented and operating at new levels, she is tasked with piecing together the fragments of a conspiracy that reaches far beyond the boundaries of Earth. The threads of this dangerous tapestry lead her to a ten-year-old prodigy named Lex, a brilliant hacker who has infiltrated NASA's systems and acquired a powerful computer chip. This chip, Calli quickly realizes, holds the key to controlling the internet and other vital technologies, a power that could reshape humanity's future.
The true orchestrator of this looming catastrophe soon reveals herself: Neva Rong, a formidable billionaire whose ambition for universal dominance knows no bounds. Rong's influence stretches from the aerospace world to the highest echelons of political power, making her a ruthless and deadly adversary. Calli discovers that Rong is likely behind a murder at a NASA testing facility, a brutal act that underscores the lengths to which she will go to achieve her goals. The fate of humanity hangs precariously in the balance as Calli races against time, not only to protect Lex and the crucial chip but also to prevent Rong from unleashing cataclysmic consequences that would extend far beyond Earth.
As Calli navigates this treacherous landscape, she must confront the unsettling possibility that her entire life, her career, and even her choices were never truly her own. The secret program that brought her and Carme into existence, designed to create human operators capable of controlling advanced orbital systems, has spun dangerously out of control. From underground launch facilities to the halls of political power and into contested space corridors, Calli plays a high-stakes game of hide-and-seek, hunted by an unseen enemy determined to manipulate events to their advantage.
With every passing moment, the tension escalates, and the mystery of her family's past intertwines with the present danger. Calli must decide whether to stop the program that created her and her sister or to seize control of it herself, before the next launch changes the fate of the planet forever. The line between saving the world and understanding her own predetermined destiny blurs, forcing Calli to make choices that will resonate across the vast expanse of space and time.
Calli finds herself drugged and whisked away to a covert facility, where she undergoes further enhancements, transforming her into something more than human, a woman armed with cutting-edge technologies. Now augmented and operating at new levels, she is tasked with piecing together the fragments of a conspiracy that reaches far beyond the boundaries of Earth. The threads of this dangerous tapestry lead her to a ten-year-old prodigy named Lex, a brilliant hacker who has infiltrated NASA's systems and acquired a powerful computer chip. This chip, Calli quickly realizes, holds the key to controlling the internet and other vital technologies, a power that could reshape humanity's future.
The true orchestrator of this looming catastrophe soon reveals herself: Neva Rong, a formidable billionaire whose ambition for universal dominance knows no bounds. Rong's influence stretches from the aerospace world to the highest echelons of political power, making her a ruthless and deadly adversary. Calli discovers that Rong is likely behind a murder at a NASA testing facility, a brutal act that underscores the lengths to which she will go to achieve her goals. The fate of humanity hangs precariously in the balance as Calli races against time, not only to protect Lex and the crucial chip but also to prevent Rong from unleashing cataclysmic consequences that would extend far beyond Earth.
As Calli navigates this treacherous landscape, she must confront the unsettling possibility that her entire life, her career, and even her choices were never truly her own. The secret program that brought her and Carme into existence, designed to create human operators capable of controlling advanced orbital systems, has spun dangerously out of control. From underground launch facilities to the halls of political power and into contested space corridors, Calli plays a high-stakes game of hide-and-seek, hunted by an unseen enemy determined to manipulate events to their advantage.
With every passing moment, the tension escalates, and the mystery of her family's past intertwines with the present danger. Calli must decide whether to stop the program that created her and her sister or to seize control of it herself, before the next launch changes the fate of the planet forever. The line between saving the world and understanding her own predetermined destiny blurs, forcing Calli to make choices that will resonate across the vast expanse of space and time.
What other readers say
Liked
Patricia Cornwell's "Spin" is lauded by many readers as an exciting cyber-tech thriller that leverages extensive research into space, technology, and law enforcement. Fans appreciate the novel's fast-paced narrative and its setting within the world of NASA, which keeps them on the edge of their seats. The protagonist, Captain Calli Chase, is frequently described as a likeable and relatable character whose development and interactions with others are well-executed. Reviewers also commend Cornwell for taking a bold new direction with this series, moving away from her traditional crime fiction to explore compelling, speculative "space race" themes and advanced technology. Many found the world-building immersive and the technological insights intriguing, considering it an improvement over the first book in the series.
Disliked
However, a significant portion of readers found the book's heavy reliance on technical jargon and numerous acronyms to be a major drawback, often hindering comprehension and emotional engagement with the plot and characters. Some critics felt the storyline was underdeveloped or secondary to the detailed descriptions of gadgets and technology, leading to a sense that "not much was actually happening." Issues such as a perceived lack of character depth, an abrupt ending, and unresolved plotlines left some readers feeling unsatisfied or uninvested. The writing style also drew criticism, with mentions of unpolished prose, awkward sentence structures, and baffling chapter breaks, while the antagonist's name and certain character choices were points of contention for others.
In short
Overall, "Spin" is a divisive novel that represents a notable stylistic shift for Patricia Cornwell. It is best suited for readers who enjoy cyber-tech thrillers, science fiction, and those with a strong interest in space, NASA, and artificial intelligence. Fans of the author's previous work who are open to a new genre and a departure from her traditional style, particularly those who enjoyed the first book in the Captain Chase series, are most likely to appreciate this installment. Reading the series in order is generally recommended for context.
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