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Leigh Collins #2
Secrets
Silicon Valley billionaire Scott Sherman dies, taking life-changing secrets to his grave. But will they stay buried with him?
Scott poured a large chunk of his fortune into an aerospace startup called Space Pirates, Inc. Space Pirates is on the brink of a major discovery—but did they use key data stolen from Scott’s old nemesis, Russian scientist Viktorya Mikhailova? Viktorya works for a shadowy Russian institute, which is racing to beat Space Pirates. They sue Space Pirates for the alleged theft—threatening to permanently ground the American company. Further complicating matters, Viktorya’s daughter Arina is a key member of Space Pirates’ scientific team.
Space Pirates hires hot-shot San Francisco litigator Leigh Collins to defend the case. Leigh recruits computer expert Kevin Fang and Russian-American detective Sergei Spassky to join her team. They begin to uncover the truth—but some secrets can be deadly . . .
Scott poured a large chunk of his fortune into an aerospace startup called Space Pirates, Inc. Space Pirates is on the brink of a major discovery—but did they use key data stolen from Scott’s old nemesis, Russian scientist Viktorya Mikhailova? Viktorya works for a shadowy Russian institute, which is racing to beat Space Pirates. They sue Space Pirates for the alleged theft—threatening to permanently ground the American company. Further complicating matters, Viktorya’s daughter Arina is a key member of Space Pirates’ scientific team.
Space Pirates hires hot-shot San Francisco litigator Leigh Collins to defend the case. Leigh recruits computer expert Kevin Fang and Russian-American detective Sergei Spassky to join her team. They begin to uncover the truth—but some secrets can be deadly . . .
120 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 6, 2017
20 people are currently reading
39 people want to read
About the author
Rick Acker
16 books167 followersRick Acker writes high-octane suspense novels during breaks from his “real job” as a Supervising Deputy Attorney General in the California Department of Justice, which provides inspiration for his acclaimed legal thrillers.
Rick has also teamed with award-winning romantic suspense author Colleen Coble to pen bestsellers such as I Think I Was Murdered and their Tupelo Grove series. Library Journal praises their “dynamic author partnership,” and predicts they “will continue to produce hits.”
When Rick isn't writing or lawyering, you can usually find him with his wife Anette exploring in the hills east of San Francisco, watching a good movie together, or, of course, reading. You can visit him on the web at www.rickacker.com.
Rick has also teamed with award-winning romantic suspense author Colleen Coble to pen bestsellers such as I Think I Was Murdered and their Tupelo Grove series. Library Journal praises their “dynamic author partnership,” and predicts they “will continue to produce hits.”
When Rick isn't writing or lawyering, you can usually find him with his wife Anette exploring in the hills east of San Francisco, watching a good movie together, or, of course, reading. You can visit him on the web at www.rickacker.com.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
January 23, 2018
Hard to put down.
This book held my interest with it's intrigue and danger. Well researched and well written. I would recommend to any fan of legal mysteries.
This book held my interest with it's intrigue and danger. Well researched and well written. I would recommend to any fan of legal mysteries.
January 2, 2018
This is a great thriller with all the right elements. This is the first book I have read from this author but doubt it will be the last.
January 15, 2020
Wow, what an action packed novella!
Sometimes, novellas can feel a bit rushed or not quite enough depth to them. I certainly didn't feel that with this one. (Actually, the space info in places was a little over my head and my tired brain kind of glazed over it...but those scenes were few and I didn't feel I missed out not understanding the whole meaning, although those who appreciate the finer details will certainly find it adds to the story.)
I loved how Arina's salvation story was shown as she reflected back on it while contemplating watching the night sky. It was so seamlessly and beautifully woven in - just how I like it to be in stories.
I loved that Kevin from "Guilty Blood" made an appearance - still as endearing as ever! And for those of you who have read other books by Rick Acker, apparently you will recognise some other characters too.
Sometimes, novellas can feel a bit rushed or not quite enough depth to them. I certainly didn't feel that with this one. (Actually, the space info in places was a little over my head and my tired brain kind of glazed over it...but those scenes were few and I didn't feel I missed out not understanding the whole meaning, although those who appreciate the finer details will certainly find it adds to the story.)
I loved how Arina's salvation story was shown as she reflected back on it while contemplating watching the night sky. It was so seamlessly and beautifully woven in - just how I like it to be in stories.
I loved that Kevin from "Guilty Blood" made an appearance - still as endearing as ever! And for those of you who have read other books by Rick Acker, apparently you will recognise some other characters too.
May 8, 2018
This novella has what it takes to hold your interest. It is very up-to-date with subjects such as hacking, legalities of claiming objects in space, and modes of espionage.
Two private, rival space companies are trying to be the first to reach an asteroid. Arina is caught in the middle. She works for Space Pirates and her mother is a scientist in the other company. Why are they in such a hurry to reach 16 Oural? Is it for bragging rights? Would someone comit murder in order to claim it? This is full of scientific information, such as how you remotely tell what an asteroid is made of. It portrays Christians as scientists and how they view scientific information and controversies.
* I bought this novella as part of the collection Kill Zone. All opinions are my own. *
Two private, rival space companies are trying to be the first to reach an asteroid. Arina is caught in the middle. She works for Space Pirates and her mother is a scientist in the other company. Why are they in such a hurry to reach 16 Oural? Is it for bragging rights? Would someone comit murder in order to claim it? This is full of scientific information, such as how you remotely tell what an asteroid is made of. It portrays Christians as scientists and how they view scientific information and controversies.
* I bought this novella as part of the collection Kill Zone. All opinions are my own. *
December 10, 2017
My first Acker book and I plan to read more. Enjoyed this story on many levels!
March 9, 2019
Secrets by Rick Acker is a very tight, gripping novel that instantly hooks the reader with its vivid description of a stunner coupled with a light joke as to why she was hired by a Silicon Valley billionaire whose death disrupts an impending lawsuit focused on trade secrets stolen from an aerospace startup.
The book moves fast capturing the pace of the Bay Area's business world while educating the reader about business, litigation, geopolitics, and tense relationships. On the one hand, you have conflict between two lawyers who fiercely battle wits in the courtroom, but off court, they form a bond that would have surprised a judge who once admonished their adversarial behavior. Then there's the fiery relationship between a Russian mother, a senior research scientist at the Volkov Institute, and her daughter, the alleged spy who stole secrets from the aerospace startup.
The book is taut. Every word is perfectly crafted, and each page captures infinite complexity. The author artfully recreates scenes of San Francisco while developing characters into relatable people by alluding to their personal history. For example, the beautiful spy's father died fighting in Afghanistan in the 1980s which helps illuminate her modus operandi.
Rick Acker's books are a gold mine for readers interested in corporate fraud, Silicon Valley, tech, and the legal system because he was a corporate lawyer at a leading firm for five years before transitioning to the Department of Justice where he has supervised attorneys for well over a decade.
The book moves fast capturing the pace of the Bay Area's business world while educating the reader about business, litigation, geopolitics, and tense relationships. On the one hand, you have conflict between two lawyers who fiercely battle wits in the courtroom, but off court, they form a bond that would have surprised a judge who once admonished their adversarial behavior. Then there's the fiery relationship between a Russian mother, a senior research scientist at the Volkov Institute, and her daughter, the alleged spy who stole secrets from the aerospace startup.
The book is taut. Every word is perfectly crafted, and each page captures infinite complexity. The author artfully recreates scenes of San Francisco while developing characters into relatable people by alluding to their personal history. For example, the beautiful spy's father died fighting in Afghanistan in the 1980s which helps illuminate her modus operandi.
Rick Acker's books are a gold mine for readers interested in corporate fraud, Silicon Valley, tech, and the legal system because he was a corporate lawyer at a leading firm for five years before transitioning to the Department of Justice where he has supervised attorneys for well over a decade.
July 6, 2022
"Silicon Valley billionaire Scott Sherman’s secrets could forever change three women’s lives—and possibly much, much more. But he died taking his secrets to the grave."
Russia's "Volkov" and America's "Space Pirates" race to an M-type asteroid was the impetus for a serious lawsuit, hacking, murder, attempted murder and long buried secrets revealed.
This was a great short story/novella. Very imaginative and detailed. Technical in parts, but I could wade through it just fine.
I found it interesting that Scott Sherman died the same way another character died in Malicious Intent, a story I just read two days ago…a form of murder I never heard of.
The Gospel was shared within intelligent conversations between a scientist and a developer at Space Pirates. It was logic rather than simply feelings that won her over.
Good book. I will be looking for more by Rick Acker.
Russia's "Volkov" and America's "Space Pirates" race to an M-type asteroid was the impetus for a serious lawsuit, hacking, murder, attempted murder and long buried secrets revealed.
This was a great short story/novella. Very imaginative and detailed. Technical in parts, but I could wade through it just fine.
I found it interesting that Scott Sherman died the same way another character died in Malicious Intent, a story I just read two days ago…a form of murder I never heard of.
The Gospel was shared within intelligent conversations between a scientist and a developer at Space Pirates. It was logic rather than simply feelings that won her over.
Good book. I will be looking for more by Rick Acker.
July 26, 2018
I read this Novella while on vacation. It was perfect. A good story that is easy to follow. Some of the writing near the end as the climax was building seemed a bit choppy, but other than that, I really enjoyed it. I am looking forward to reading other books his other books with the same characters.
January 24, 2019
This is the first Rick Acker novel I've read (it's more of a novella), and I hope it's not the last. Drew me right in and bounced back and forth between the characters in a smooth way. I didn't see one reveal coming, which I love in a suspense story. These characters have appeared in other novels, so I might need to read them too.
July 11, 2020
Scott the owner of an aerospace company dies suddenly from a heart malfunction. A lawsuit was pending, where did the key data come from was it Scott’s old nemesis. The triangle thickens, with this being Arina father, Her mother is a shrewd business person and also an executive with this Russian company. Couldn’t understand why her daughter left for California, and part of the team with Scott.
For Leigh her line of defense is in trouble, Scott was her main witness.
The mother was on one side and the daughter on the other. Who held the
secrets Another winner for the author, a plot that flows with intrigue and mystery. Even bringing in characters from his other books.
For Leigh her line of defense is in trouble, Scott was her main witness.
The mother was on one side and the daughter on the other. Who held the
secrets Another winner for the author, a plot that flows with intrigue and mystery. Even bringing in characters from his other books.
December 9, 2019
Not my favorite of his books. It just didn't seem as exciting to me as his others, quite possibly because I listened to the others as audiobooks but read this one. I won't hold this one against him. 3.5 stars.
April 7, 2018
3.5 Stars
January 19, 2019
Action packed
May 30, 2024
First book I've read by this author, I look forward to reading many more.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews