Enigma Tracers is the latest book by authors Breakfield and Burkey, the first in their Enigma Heirs spin-off series. The time has come for the next generation to step up and begin the process of running the R-Group to show that they can handle the tough situations that will be heading their way.
Enigma Tracers is a crime thriller with a rocky start, but once the prologue is under your belt, it’s mostly smooth sailing from there. In the prologue, you’re introduced to Gracie, but she’s not the head of the R-Group just yet. She’s still in school, college to be exact, and is preparing for a big presentation that will help push her into the direction she’s looking to go. Gracie has smarts, but she’s going to be quick to show that she’s already connected with the family business and has the physical fighting skills to match when her friend Bailey ends up in some trouble.
Enigma Tracers is a roller coaster of a novel. Phillip Pliant is a wealthy entrepreneur who has caught the eye of Gracie’s friend Bailey. Something just isn’t right with the man, and the team comes together to take on the case and dig deeper into what is really going on. Plans that will originally be made for the excursion will have to be shelved if they are to catch the eye of Phillip, but they are going to have to tread carefully.
Gracie and her brother J.J. work hand in hand quite often in this book. Thanks to the technical capabilities of C.A.T.S. they are able to stay constantly in touch. There are a few secrets between these two. It’s quite impossible to have any when someone is always listening. LOL! The relationship between the twin siblings isn’t strained though. It’s refreshing and nice to know how well they get along with each other without any sort of resentment.
When it’s time to tackle the task at hand you get a nice preview of the tech that the women especially will be working with. The authors work to illuminate your imagination with unique technology that is small, versatile, and easy to ignore. Of course, it will seem strange choices to have “insect” drones on a cruise ship, but apparently, they are discreetly hidden.
Breakfield and Burkey layer on the mystery in this novel. They are going to point out that Pliant has his fingers in more than just the handling and manufacturing of plastics. Some of his dealings are on a darker level and one that Gracie and Bailey will find themselves swept up in if they’re not careful.
No book would be complete without some emotional drama between the characters. For most people, a cruise “vacation” would be a romantic opportunity to spend time with your love and enjoy the moment. Well, since this is more of a “work vacation” things aren’t exactly going as planned. Both women have brought along their respective lovers, but tension appears to arise more than a couple of times between Bailey and her beau. In some cases, the drama is allowed to play out, in others, you get a case of whiplash from rollercoaster emotions. One minute you’re expecting a tongue lashing from grumpiness, then the next thing you know everyone is all giggles, cuddles, and kisses. A rollercoaster of reactions, but not entirely unheard of, just not that satisfying.
Are you waiting for the drama to really amp up concerning the investigation at hand? Ready for some high-tension situations and close calls that will pull you to the edge of your seat? You’re going to be waiting a while for that particular aspect of the story. It won’t be until the novel’s final quarter that you’ll start getting those high-tension situations. The authors will lay it on you fast and furious pulling you in with anticipation of what will come next.
When it comes to Pliant, he is more of a side character, than the main character that he should have been. The main focus of the story is Gracie, and Bailey, with a good amount of attention, doled out to the guys who are with them. Pliant needed to take more of a center stage element since he is the target of the investigation. You will get a couple of moments from his perspective, but it would have been great to get more. Certain links that are hinted at in the blurb, don’t get the amount of attention that they needed in the story. There are ties to the cartel hinted at here and there, but beyond the trafficking, it doesn’t get that much of the spotlight.
This book misses the mark on really giving readers an inside view of all the things that Pliant is doing. Getting his interactions with various “clients” to grease the wheels for what he’s after. You get some aspects here and there, but nothing truly concrete. The authors hint that the characters – Gracie, Bailey, Jeff, and Keith find evidence, but never lay it out for you, the reader.
Enigma Tracers has good elements that will engage you in the story and keep you page-turning from the investigation angle. It would have been great to have more drama to really amp things up. More drama would have made the characters more realistic. Focusing more on the “bad guy” would have also rounded things out more nicely as well. You are ensured a happy ending though, but only after a few more surprising twists and turns that you just won’t be expecting.
Pros:
- Overall good storyline
- Engaging situations
- Nice amount of drama
- Happy ending
- Good amount of twists and surprises
Cons:
- Not enough focus on the bad guy
- Reconciliation happens too quickly
Lesson of the story: When dealing with a dangerous situation, having a good team at your back is your best asset.
Cover Score: 7.8/10
Book Score: 7.9/10
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Review by Bunny
Scribble's Worth 
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