The Master Code

A near-future murder-mystery-drama morphs over 10 days into an action-packed sci-fi conspiracy-thriller as a historical Southern rural river community is suddenly overwhelmed by a series of accidents and deaths. Are all these events somehow tied to a dam break, the murder of an old riverman, and a fish? Can Sheriff Coleman of Charles County solve this puzzling case with the reluctant help of Jason Dickson, an autistic convicted-hacker/ engineering student? What discovery is so great they risk their lives, and everyone they love, to reveal to the world? Can you decipher the Master Code with Jason too?

Nominated for the 2023 Prometheus Award for Best Novel

Reader comments:

• The author tackles big, complex topics that are hugely consequential in scale and scope. Exgenics Corporation sounds all too real. He crisply set the scene and the footnotes are like a future-history narrative tying the story to the referenced locales and technologies. Solving the detective mystery carries the reader along to the climax. I admire his dialog and pacing,” Published Author and Online Commentator
• "An intricately woven web immersing the reader within a community in a future place and time," Retired Engineer
• "I cried for Rufus and Grandpa," Real Estate Agent
• "I laughed at Jason's exploits! Filled with surprises and exciting twists until the end!" Manufacturing Technician
• "I don't know how the author did it, but there is romance in this novel too!" Accountant
• "After finishing this book, I wanted more," Attorney
• "A realistic near-future and warning for our present." Scientist

T. A. Hunter grew up from a simple life as a farm boy who played in the woods, creek, fields, and farm pond to become an engineer, scientist, inventor, businessman, artist, poet, naturalist, and avid gardener.  He is married and a proud father.  Two of his childhood heroes were Thomas Jefferson and Thomas Edison.