Ripe with SUSPENSE, INTRIGUE and RIVETING ACTION,
Nathan Goodman’s beautifully written novel preys upon our worst fears: Terrorism in our own backyard. LIKE JOHN GRISHAM’S THE FIRM, The Fourteenth Protocol introduces characters on the climb in over their head, a plot that keeps you guessing and an ending that will leave you hungry for more. –
Michael Lucker,
Screenwriter to Paramount, Disney, DreamWorks, Fox, Universal
Nathan A. Goodman
author of the
Best Selling Thriller
Profile by Stuart Media
Nathan Goodman is an up and coming American Author who published his First book, a Best Selling pure adrenaline-infused action thriller The Fourteenth Protocol.
This thriller is very much in the style of those written by such notables as Tom Clancy, Stephen Coonts, Michael Crichton and Aral Bereux..
I have read this book and loved every minute of it. I found it difficult to put down and ended up reading it in two sessions. Looking forward to the next in the series :)
Nathan is based in the southeastern United States, where he lives with his wife and two daughters.. A writer of immense talent, whose books are, as I found out, almost impossible to put down once started.
Nathan can be followed on Twitter and Amazon via the links on this page.
This thriller is very much in the style of those written by such notables as Tom Clancy, Stephen Coonts, Michael Crichton and Aral Bereux..
I have read this book and loved every minute of it. I found it difficult to put down and ended up reading it in two sessions. Looking forward to the next in the series :)
Nathan is based in the southeastern United States, where he lives with his wife and two daughters.. A writer of immense talent, whose books are, as I found out, almost impossible to put down once started.
Nathan can be followed on Twitter and Amazon via the links on this page.
About the Author
Nathan lives in the southeastern US with his wife and two daughters. His passions are rooted in all things outdoors:
The health of our oceans, especially the success of the sea turtles, long walks on the beach, camping, and hiking. He has two "bucket list" items: to live on the beach, and to one day hike the 500-mile camino trail across Spain. Where writing is concerned, the craft has always been lurking just beneath the surface. In 2013, Goodman began the formation of what would later become The Fourteenth Protocol.
It quickly became a bestselling terrorist thriller.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In the novel, now being developed into a series, Nathan focused on crafting a strong female lead heroine that his young daughters could look to as a role model.
The character of Special Agent Jana Baker is a testament to the struggle of women everywhere who fight to be treated equally with men.
Nathan has a specific belief about how stories come to life.
He believes they are actually living, breathing things, and that they are not created, but are instead already buried deep within us, waiting only to be excavated from the depths.
Get a free download of part 1 of The Fourteenth Protocol at NathanAGoodman.com/start
The health of our oceans, especially the success of the sea turtles, long walks on the beach, camping, and hiking. He has two "bucket list" items: to live on the beach, and to one day hike the 500-mile camino trail across Spain. Where writing is concerned, the craft has always been lurking just beneath the surface. In 2013, Goodman began the formation of what would later become The Fourteenth Protocol.
It quickly became a bestselling terrorist thriller.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In the novel, now being developed into a series, Nathan focused on crafting a strong female lead heroine that his young daughters could look to as a role model.
The character of Special Agent Jana Baker is a testament to the struggle of women everywhere who fight to be treated equally with men.
Nathan has a specific belief about how stories come to life.
He believes they are actually living, breathing things, and that they are not created, but are instead already buried deep within us, waiting only to be excavated from the depths.
Get a free download of part 1 of The Fourteenth Protocol at NathanAGoodman.com/start
A Q&A with Nathan
What sets “The Fourteenth Protocol” apart from other thrillers?
There are a lot of really great thrillers out there. And the most popular of them become runaway Hollywood blockbusters. But, they all started out as just humble paperbacks. So how does an author create an amazing story that will put a reader into that space in between not wanting to put the book down, and being afraid to turn the next page? It’s a lot about how well the author can put the reader in touch with the character. If the reader can really see the character as a regular person, and not super-human, then they identify with the character and feel an emotional connection. The connection is the key. Once the reader connects with the character, they care about them. Caring leads to emotions and emotions lead to an escape, which is exactly what the reader picked up the book for in the first place.
Here are some points that separate The Fourteenth Protocol
The Fourteenth Protocol centers on real people
The main character is a young woman named Jana Baker, caught in the midst of the most trying time in her life. Women readers identify with her because she has the same life experiences as many other women, and thus Jana feels real to them. As young Agent Baker privately rages against the male-dominated world of the FBI, women all over the world feel Jana’s struggle as they identify identical struggles of their own in the male-dominated workplace, and in their everyday lives.
But, The Fourteenth Protocol isn’t just about the situation. Its about facing down loss, facing down your parents expectations, proving yourself, rising above your worst fears, and moving on with your life. It’s also about coming into your own.
Conspiracy
Nothing strikes at our gut like the betrayal of a government conspiracy. Readers have become accustomed to real conspiracies unfolding on the nightly news, but in The Fourteenth Protocol, the conspiracy is just believable enough to push a sharp pain into the reader’s psyche. The reader questions who to trust and wonders if this could really happen.
Mixed with Terrorism
Readers today know that the new normal for our lives is terrorist are here to stay. But what if they lived among us? Is it possible that our neighbor, coworker, or bus driver is a member of a hidden sleeper cell? When the reader launches themselves into the pages of The Fourteenth Protocol, they find themselves looking over their shoulder and wondering. It’s that kind of reality that the story brings.
The NSA and Edward Snowden
Many months before Edward Snowden’s revelations about the National Security Agency, the author was deep into weaving an NSA tapestry across the pages of The Fourteenth Protocol. Before Snowden told us the truth, the story reveals what many of us have always known – that the NSA scans our emails, text messages, and phone calls, looking for patterns and keywords, hoping to unmask a terrorist who is attempting to hide amongst the chatter. The reader will question their initial reaction to Snowden, and will wonder if the NSA invading our privacy is a bad thing, or if it’s just a necessary evil that is part of the new normal.
Why did you write the book?
Goal 1:
I have two children, both are girls. My first goal was to write a story of triumph that would illustrate just what the two of them will be capable of in their coming lives. In particular, I wanted to show them a strong female that would scrap her way through a man’s world, and come out an equal. The main character is Jana Baker, a fledgling FBI agent, surrounded by a double standard. She’s a young woman in the boys club of the FBI, so not only does she have to deal with the dangers, she’s got to deal with male coworkers who value a female agent less as compared to a male. I wanted my girls to see that these stereotypes exist, and yet, with guts and determination, they can blast though anything they set their minds to.
Goal 2:
My second goal was to do something fulfilling for myself. I had a story to tell and I wanted to tell it. And, I wanted to hold a printed copy of my own novel in my hands and quietly think to myself, wow, I did this. Looking back on it, the first goal was harder than the second.
Goal 3:
My third goal was to entertain the reader and take them on a thrill ride that might even make them think of their own mortality. There are subtle undertones in the book that hint at the existence of heaven. Did you spot them all? It’s not a book about God and heaven, instead it’s a thriller, steeped in conspiracy, secrecy, terrorism, and mainly, good versus evil. But keep a watch for images of grandfatherly figures that Jana comes into contact with. They resemble her own grandfather who raised her. He passed away several years ago. Is he watching over Jana now? And, the imagery of what Jana sees of heaven will make the reader consider what heaven really is. Did someone watch over you as a child? What did that person mean to you? What would you give for just a few more minutes with them? Jana faces these questions and so does the reader.
What roadblocks did you run into in the writing of this novel?
Since The Fourteenth Protocol was my first novel, I had several things blocking my path. How would I find the time to write a novel? How do you write a novel anyway? What if I wrote it, and everyone hated it? How do I prevent it from looking like a freshman novel? I’m sure many others have faced the same things. I didn’t even know where to begin.
Besides just telling the story, what were you trying to communicate in the writing?
This novel isn’t young adult, but in it, I was trying to say to my kids that in no uncertain terms, life isn’t about not trying, it’s about doing. Life isn’t about whether you fell down or not, it’s about whether you got back up.
So how did you write a novel to convey those life examples when: you didn’t know how, you didn’t think you had the time, and, oh, by the way, you didn’t even have a story yet?
Well, I begin by following one of my favorite rules of life: Experience is the best teacher, as long as it’s someone else’s experience. What does that mean? Well, it means you avoid mistakes by seeking out someone who’s gone before you, and find out how they did it. My choice was the author Stephen King who wrote a book called On Writing. The book was a revelation. Once I knew what to do, the rest just fell into place. The barriers came down. Suddenly, I knew it was possible. I didn’t have to create the entire story first, I didn’t have to create an extensive outline, I didn’t have to spend hours a day writing, and, I didn’t have to know every little thing about grammar, punctuation, and Chicago Style. Once liberated from those bonds, I started writing a little bit every day, and, I didn’t stop for nine months.
What will the reader feel when reading The Fourteenth Protocol?
The reader will walk away feeling exhilarated. Like there’s a hope out there no matter what. Hope will find you, if you only let it. In the end of the story, no matter what happens to the main character, Jana Baker, the reader knows Jana did more than just live, she fought. There’s a line of dialog in the book that says “…guts is enough.” Well, I want my kids to take that to heart. Some things in life take guts. Jana has guts, and when a person is willing to jump into something they fear, propelling themselves forward by guts alone, then guts is enough. In the end, it won’t matter if you’ve been successful in your endeavor, as long as you tried. There’s nothing worse than not having tried, and looking back on it for the rest of your life with regret. Regret is poisoned soup for the weak, and I want my kids to triumph above it.
When writing, do you plan the story in advance?
Stories are things to be discovered, or excavated. They aren’t planned. I believe that planning the story and setting up a plot in advance pigeon-holes the story into going down a predetermined path that limits creativity. Stories are things created on the fly. Do you have a story in you? The story is already inside there, deep down. As an author, it’s your job to slowly uncover the story that exists somewhere within.
While writing this novel, what did you learn about yourself?
When I write a scene, I often close my eyes which helps me see the vivid details I’d like to portray in the story. As part of that, I’ve learned that I have the capacity to become emotionally attached to my characters. During the creation of this novel, they became a part of me. I physically felt their fears, celebrated their victories, and wept at their loss. I’ve also learned what a great feeling it is to have an outlet to unleash creativity while giving life to something of my own making.
Where are you currently located and what do you do for a living, when you’re
not writing?
My family and I live in the Atlanta, Georgia area. I work for a major technology company helping in the design of business software.
Family?
I like to tell people that although I’ve been happily married for 17 years, my wife may have a different opinion on the matter : )We have two beautiful daughters, ages 12 and 14. The book is dedicated to the three of them, and to the men and women who have sacrificed and paid the price for our freedom.
What did you enjoy most about writing this story?
I enjoyed the free-flowing feel of creating the story on the fly. I didn’t pre-plan the entire thing in advance, and that gave me the freedom to take the story in directions I never could have envisioned when I started. I also enjoyed the feeling of accomplishment when it was done. I felt like I’d created something special out of nothing.
How long ago did you decide that you wanted to try to write a novel?
I think deep down inside I’ve always known I’d write a novel one day. Although I didn’t know what the story was, I knew it was in there somewhere, buried deep, awaiting only for my excavation to begin.
What inspired you to become an author?
I really think it was the challenge. Writing a book always seemed so daunting, as if those that could do it had somehow accomplished something that few can. But, the truth is, there’s probably a story in all of us. You don’t need worldly experience and extensive training in writing to unveil a great novel. You just need a little creativity and confidence. The story of The Fourteenth Protocol was buried deep down inside somewhere. I knew it was in there, but just had to figure out how to get it out.
How long did it take you to write and publish The Fourteenth Protocol?
Once I started writing, I wrote a little bit every day and didn't stop for nine months. After that came a long inner struggle where I questioned whether or not what I had written would be good enough for the world to see. Every person creating something from nothing probably fights the same battle. In the end, you just have to have the guts to put yourself out there for everyone to see. The entire process including editing, cover design and printing took a year and a half.
There are a lot of really great thrillers out there. And the most popular of them become runaway Hollywood blockbusters. But, they all started out as just humble paperbacks. So how does an author create an amazing story that will put a reader into that space in between not wanting to put the book down, and being afraid to turn the next page? It’s a lot about how well the author can put the reader in touch with the character. If the reader can really see the character as a regular person, and not super-human, then they identify with the character and feel an emotional connection. The connection is the key. Once the reader connects with the character, they care about them. Caring leads to emotions and emotions lead to an escape, which is exactly what the reader picked up the book for in the first place.
Here are some points that separate The Fourteenth Protocol
The Fourteenth Protocol centers on real people
The main character is a young woman named Jana Baker, caught in the midst of the most trying time in her life. Women readers identify with her because she has the same life experiences as many other women, and thus Jana feels real to them. As young Agent Baker privately rages against the male-dominated world of the FBI, women all over the world feel Jana’s struggle as they identify identical struggles of their own in the male-dominated workplace, and in their everyday lives.
But, The Fourteenth Protocol isn’t just about the situation. Its about facing down loss, facing down your parents expectations, proving yourself, rising above your worst fears, and moving on with your life. It’s also about coming into your own.
Conspiracy
Nothing strikes at our gut like the betrayal of a government conspiracy. Readers have become accustomed to real conspiracies unfolding on the nightly news, but in The Fourteenth Protocol, the conspiracy is just believable enough to push a sharp pain into the reader’s psyche. The reader questions who to trust and wonders if this could really happen.
Mixed with Terrorism
Readers today know that the new normal for our lives is terrorist are here to stay. But what if they lived among us? Is it possible that our neighbor, coworker, or bus driver is a member of a hidden sleeper cell? When the reader launches themselves into the pages of The Fourteenth Protocol, they find themselves looking over their shoulder and wondering. It’s that kind of reality that the story brings.
The NSA and Edward Snowden
Many months before Edward Snowden’s revelations about the National Security Agency, the author was deep into weaving an NSA tapestry across the pages of The Fourteenth Protocol. Before Snowden told us the truth, the story reveals what many of us have always known – that the NSA scans our emails, text messages, and phone calls, looking for patterns and keywords, hoping to unmask a terrorist who is attempting to hide amongst the chatter. The reader will question their initial reaction to Snowden, and will wonder if the NSA invading our privacy is a bad thing, or if it’s just a necessary evil that is part of the new normal.
Why did you write the book?
Goal 1:
I have two children, both are girls. My first goal was to write a story of triumph that would illustrate just what the two of them will be capable of in their coming lives. In particular, I wanted to show them a strong female that would scrap her way through a man’s world, and come out an equal. The main character is Jana Baker, a fledgling FBI agent, surrounded by a double standard. She’s a young woman in the boys club of the FBI, so not only does she have to deal with the dangers, she’s got to deal with male coworkers who value a female agent less as compared to a male. I wanted my girls to see that these stereotypes exist, and yet, with guts and determination, they can blast though anything they set their minds to.
Goal 2:
My second goal was to do something fulfilling for myself. I had a story to tell and I wanted to tell it. And, I wanted to hold a printed copy of my own novel in my hands and quietly think to myself, wow, I did this. Looking back on it, the first goal was harder than the second.
Goal 3:
My third goal was to entertain the reader and take them on a thrill ride that might even make them think of their own mortality. There are subtle undertones in the book that hint at the existence of heaven. Did you spot them all? It’s not a book about God and heaven, instead it’s a thriller, steeped in conspiracy, secrecy, terrorism, and mainly, good versus evil. But keep a watch for images of grandfatherly figures that Jana comes into contact with. They resemble her own grandfather who raised her. He passed away several years ago. Is he watching over Jana now? And, the imagery of what Jana sees of heaven will make the reader consider what heaven really is. Did someone watch over you as a child? What did that person mean to you? What would you give for just a few more minutes with them? Jana faces these questions and so does the reader.
What roadblocks did you run into in the writing of this novel?
Since The Fourteenth Protocol was my first novel, I had several things blocking my path. How would I find the time to write a novel? How do you write a novel anyway? What if I wrote it, and everyone hated it? How do I prevent it from looking like a freshman novel? I’m sure many others have faced the same things. I didn’t even know where to begin.
Besides just telling the story, what were you trying to communicate in the writing?
This novel isn’t young adult, but in it, I was trying to say to my kids that in no uncertain terms, life isn’t about not trying, it’s about doing. Life isn’t about whether you fell down or not, it’s about whether you got back up.
So how did you write a novel to convey those life examples when: you didn’t know how, you didn’t think you had the time, and, oh, by the way, you didn’t even have a story yet?
Well, I begin by following one of my favorite rules of life: Experience is the best teacher, as long as it’s someone else’s experience. What does that mean? Well, it means you avoid mistakes by seeking out someone who’s gone before you, and find out how they did it. My choice was the author Stephen King who wrote a book called On Writing. The book was a revelation. Once I knew what to do, the rest just fell into place. The barriers came down. Suddenly, I knew it was possible. I didn’t have to create the entire story first, I didn’t have to create an extensive outline, I didn’t have to spend hours a day writing, and, I didn’t have to know every little thing about grammar, punctuation, and Chicago Style. Once liberated from those bonds, I started writing a little bit every day, and, I didn’t stop for nine months.
What will the reader feel when reading The Fourteenth Protocol?
The reader will walk away feeling exhilarated. Like there’s a hope out there no matter what. Hope will find you, if you only let it. In the end of the story, no matter what happens to the main character, Jana Baker, the reader knows Jana did more than just live, she fought. There’s a line of dialog in the book that says “…guts is enough.” Well, I want my kids to take that to heart. Some things in life take guts. Jana has guts, and when a person is willing to jump into something they fear, propelling themselves forward by guts alone, then guts is enough. In the end, it won’t matter if you’ve been successful in your endeavor, as long as you tried. There’s nothing worse than not having tried, and looking back on it for the rest of your life with regret. Regret is poisoned soup for the weak, and I want my kids to triumph above it.
When writing, do you plan the story in advance?
Stories are things to be discovered, or excavated. They aren’t planned. I believe that planning the story and setting up a plot in advance pigeon-holes the story into going down a predetermined path that limits creativity. Stories are things created on the fly. Do you have a story in you? The story is already inside there, deep down. As an author, it’s your job to slowly uncover the story that exists somewhere within.
While writing this novel, what did you learn about yourself?
When I write a scene, I often close my eyes which helps me see the vivid details I’d like to portray in the story. As part of that, I’ve learned that I have the capacity to become emotionally attached to my characters. During the creation of this novel, they became a part of me. I physically felt their fears, celebrated their victories, and wept at their loss. I’ve also learned what a great feeling it is to have an outlet to unleash creativity while giving life to something of my own making.
Where are you currently located and what do you do for a living, when you’re
not writing?
My family and I live in the Atlanta, Georgia area. I work for a major technology company helping in the design of business software.
Family?
I like to tell people that although I’ve been happily married for 17 years, my wife may have a different opinion on the matter : )We have two beautiful daughters, ages 12 and 14. The book is dedicated to the three of them, and to the men and women who have sacrificed and paid the price for our freedom.
What did you enjoy most about writing this story?
I enjoyed the free-flowing feel of creating the story on the fly. I didn’t pre-plan the entire thing in advance, and that gave me the freedom to take the story in directions I never could have envisioned when I started. I also enjoyed the feeling of accomplishment when it was done. I felt like I’d created something special out of nothing.
How long ago did you decide that you wanted to try to write a novel?
I think deep down inside I’ve always known I’d write a novel one day. Although I didn’t know what the story was, I knew it was in there somewhere, buried deep, awaiting only for my excavation to begin.
What inspired you to become an author?
I really think it was the challenge. Writing a book always seemed so daunting, as if those that could do it had somehow accomplished something that few can. But, the truth is, there’s probably a story in all of us. You don’t need worldly experience and extensive training in writing to unveil a great novel. You just need a little creativity and confidence. The story of The Fourteenth Protocol was buried deep down inside somewhere. I knew it was in there, but just had to figure out how to get it out.
How long did it take you to write and publish The Fourteenth Protocol?
Once I started writing, I wrote a little bit every day and didn't stop for nine months. After that came a long inner struggle where I questioned whether or not what I had written would be good enough for the world to see. Every person creating something from nothing probably fights the same battle. In the end, you just have to have the guts to put yourself out there for everyone to see. The entire process including editing, cover design and printing took a year and a half.
Book Description
Publication
Date: August 2014
What would it take to infiltrate a terror cell and eviscerate it? Waseem Jarrah is the new, ruthless face of terror in the United States, and the CIA will stop at nothing to break him. But how far is too far? As the lines blur between good and evil, fledgling FBI agent Jana Baker thrashes in the midst of an epic battle to prove her worth, not only to fellow agents, but to herself.
Publication
Date: August 2014
What would it take to infiltrate a terror cell and eviscerate it? Waseem Jarrah is the new, ruthless face of terror in the United States, and the CIA will stop at nothing to break him. But how far is too far? As the lines blur between good and evil, fledgling FBI agent Jana Baker thrashes in the midst of an epic battle to prove her worth, not only to fellow agents, but to herself.
.The first in the series of high-octane espionage spy thrillers.
After an eleventh terrorist attack, the American people are at a breaking point. But when a fledgling special agent stumbles across the one clue that could break the case wide open, she uncovers a secret CIA spy operation which rocks the core of the highest levels of U.S. government. Come inside this spider's web of espionage, conspiracy and intrigue, and witness young Agent Baker's struggles against evil and her own fears as they take her to the edge of the abyss; and the clock is ticking.
After an eleventh terrorist attack, the American people are at a breaking point. But when a fledgling special agent stumbles across the one clue that could break the case wide open, she uncovers a secret CIA spy operation which rocks the core of the highest levels of U.S. government. Come inside this spider's web of espionage, conspiracy and intrigue, and witness young Agent Baker's struggles against evil and her own fears as they take her to the edge of the abyss; and the clock is ticking.
AN EXCERPT FROM THE NOVEL:
Inside the elevator, the security camera mounted on the ceiling leered at them. Jana was unsure if the elevators were also bugged for sound, and she felt so very exposed. The elevator chimed as it rose past each floor–Five, Six, Seven
She whispered in Cade’s ear. “Relax, Cade. Whatever happens, it’ll be fine. Remember, we’ve got heavy backup outside. There are more guns trained on this place than protecting the White House.”
Eight, Nine, Ten . . . the elevator continued its rise towards the seventeenth floor. Cade drew in a deep breath, closed his eyes, and held it. Eleven, Twelve, Thirteen . . . His ears began to pop against the elevation. He exhaled hard, blowing out as many jitters as he could.
Fourteen, Fifteen, Sixteen . . . Jana squeezed his hand.
Seventeen. Cade stopped breathing.
The elevator doors slid open into a vacuum of bleak silence. At the far end of the sterile hallway, the guard desk stood vacant as an empty chair swiveled. The change shifts was happening; the guard had just stepped out.
(skipping ahead in the scene) Running her hands through the stack of papers on Rupert Johnston’s desk, Jana said, “And look how old some of this is. The pages are all yellowed. And these on the top are much more recent. They’re all dated. It starts back in . . . 1965.”
Without glancing over, Cade said, “Ah, kind of busy over here trying to steal the secret files, remember?”
“There’s different handwriting on some of the older ones,” she said. “Wow, looks like these were love letters from his service in Vietnam. He must have had a girl back home. I feel like I’m invading something private here.”
“What? Private? Oh, yeah, I think he started out as a private during the war.”
“Oh, you aren’t listening to me.” Jana read on. Private or not, she was captivated. It was like peering into a little piece of history you weren’t supposed to see. Some of the passages revealed two young kids in love, separated by a god-awful war. At first a smile spread across her mouth, but as she flipped farther back in the stack, her smile disappeared. “Cade?”
“Yeah?”
“Look at these. Some of them have perfect watermarks on them. Someone’s tears fell on these letters. This one is still damp.”
Cade looked up, but only for a moment. “Well, they couldn’t be Johnston’s tears, I can tell you that. I don’t think he has tears. And if he did, he’d probably kick his own ass just for crying.”
“Cade, it’s like the rest of these papers are a journal or something. . . it’s like he’s recording all his work.”
“His work? What work?”
“His work here. Here at Thoughtstorm,” she said. “Holy shit, he’s documenting his work here. My god, look at this! Dates and times of e‑mail campaigns, names of recipient lists . . . this part talks about some kind of . . . encryption . . . wait, look at this! CIA! Oh my God. He’s recording conversations he had with the CIA. Jesus Christ, Cade, this is evidence. This is like, this is like . . . finding the damned Rosetta stone. This is the key to everything we need to tie this all together.”
For once, Cade looked up at the papers. His mind was trying to concentrate on two things at once, and it wasn’t working. “This, this . . . was written today,” she said. “He’s talking about . . . about . . . it’s like he’s conflicted. He’s talking about blowing the lid on the whole cover-up. But wait . . . look at that. He sounds desperate to blow the whole thing wide open, but he knows he can’t. It doesn’t say why. What’s the laptop doing now? You said something about we didn’t have his password?”
“I’m going to bypass his password. In the morning, when Johnston logs in, he’ll be asked to reset his password. We have to reset our passwords monthly anyway. There’s a chance he won’t suspect a thing.”
Just then, a towering, hoarse voice exploded from the doorway. “Won’t suspect a thing!” Jana and Cade froze in terror, wide-eyed at the oversized man blocking their only exit. It was Rupert Johnston….
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She whispered in Cade’s ear. “Relax, Cade. Whatever happens, it’ll be fine. Remember, we’ve got heavy backup outside. There are more guns trained on this place than protecting the White House.”
Eight, Nine, Ten . . . the elevator continued its rise towards the seventeenth floor. Cade drew in a deep breath, closed his eyes, and held it. Eleven, Twelve, Thirteen . . . His ears began to pop against the elevation. He exhaled hard, blowing out as many jitters as he could.
Fourteen, Fifteen, Sixteen . . . Jana squeezed his hand.
Seventeen. Cade stopped breathing.
The elevator doors slid open into a vacuum of bleak silence. At the far end of the sterile hallway, the guard desk stood vacant as an empty chair swiveled. The change shifts was happening; the guard had just stepped out.
(skipping ahead in the scene) Running her hands through the stack of papers on Rupert Johnston’s desk, Jana said, “And look how old some of this is. The pages are all yellowed. And these on the top are much more recent. They’re all dated. It starts back in . . . 1965.”
Without glancing over, Cade said, “Ah, kind of busy over here trying to steal the secret files, remember?”
“There’s different handwriting on some of the older ones,” she said. “Wow, looks like these were love letters from his service in Vietnam. He must have had a girl back home. I feel like I’m invading something private here.”
“What? Private? Oh, yeah, I think he started out as a private during the war.”
“Oh, you aren’t listening to me.” Jana read on. Private or not, she was captivated. It was like peering into a little piece of history you weren’t supposed to see. Some of the passages revealed two young kids in love, separated by a god-awful war. At first a smile spread across her mouth, but as she flipped farther back in the stack, her smile disappeared. “Cade?”
“Yeah?”
“Look at these. Some of them have perfect watermarks on them. Someone’s tears fell on these letters. This one is still damp.”
Cade looked up, but only for a moment. “Well, they couldn’t be Johnston’s tears, I can tell you that. I don’t think he has tears. And if he did, he’d probably kick his own ass just for crying.”
“Cade, it’s like the rest of these papers are a journal or something. . . it’s like he’s recording all his work.”
“His work? What work?”
“His work here. Here at Thoughtstorm,” she said. “Holy shit, he’s documenting his work here. My god, look at this! Dates and times of e‑mail campaigns, names of recipient lists . . . this part talks about some kind of . . . encryption . . . wait, look at this! CIA! Oh my God. He’s recording conversations he had with the CIA. Jesus Christ, Cade, this is evidence. This is like, this is like . . . finding the damned Rosetta stone. This is the key to everything we need to tie this all together.”
For once, Cade looked up at the papers. His mind was trying to concentrate on two things at once, and it wasn’t working. “This, this . . . was written today,” she said. “He’s talking about . . . about . . . it’s like he’s conflicted. He’s talking about blowing the lid on the whole cover-up. But wait . . . look at that. He sounds desperate to blow the whole thing wide open, but he knows he can’t. It doesn’t say why. What’s the laptop doing now? You said something about we didn’t have his password?”
“I’m going to bypass his password. In the morning, when Johnston logs in, he’ll be asked to reset his password. We have to reset our passwords monthly anyway. There’s a chance he won’t suspect a thing.”
Just then, a towering, hoarse voice exploded from the doorway. “Won’t suspect a thing!” Jana and Cade froze in terror, wide-eyed at the oversized man blocking their only exit. It was Rupert Johnston….
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Reviews
4.4 out of 5 stars
100 5-Star Reviews for the unrelentingly fast paced espionage thriller book
Test-drive Part 1 free at NathanAGoodman.com/start (copy/paste into your browser
The Fourteenth Protocol
"Ripe with SUSPENSE, ESPIONAGE, and RIVETING ACTION...preys upon our worst fears: Terrorism in our own backyard. I've found a new Brad Thor espionage book collection....characters on the climb in over their head, a spy series thriller novel that keeps you guessing and an ending that will leave you hungry for more."
--- Michael Lucker, Screenwriter to Paramount, Disney, DreamWorks, Fox, Universal
"CONSPIRACY wrapped by INTRIGUE AND SUSPENSE, then TIED IN KNOTS."
-– Kevin McLaughlin, Special Agent, DEA
"Like David Baldacci thriller book collection all in one. Undoubtedly one of the best spy thrillers I've read in years. This spy series is fast paced, unrelenting!"
"...his writing is excellent...this will be a best selling terrorist spy thriller in 2015...makes my top list of espionage thriller books to read."
"The heroine in peril, Jana Baker, is such a strong female lead character. She's scared but has the guts of any male special agent. Makes for one of the great thriller books to read."
"The plot is a mix of James Bond, 24, and Call of Duty."
--- Russ Atkinson, Special Agent, FBI (ret.), thriller book author.
"I am going to blow off work so I can finish reading this spy mystery series. No joke. An intrigue novel that has New York Times bestseller list 2015 written all over it."
"One of the best new mystery thriller authors...author has hit this one out of the park. One of the best terrorism crime novels I've read in years. Can't wait until this thriller is made into a CIA spy thriller series collection."
"...a mystery book with an edge of your seat quality that keeps you sucked in."
"I ended up falling in love with the main characters...definitely a 2015 bestseller."
"I really hope this kind of thing doesn't happen in real life. A government conspiracy that leads all the way to the white house and the president, a rogue CIA agent...and just one FBI special agent to stop it."
"The undercover CIA thing is so realistic. I love finding the bestselling mysteries like this...one of my favorite thriller books to read in 2015."
"Terrorism, suspense, gunfire, romance...all with a strong female lead character. What else are you looking for? Rivals the New York Times bestsellers by, Brad Thor, or David Baldacci..."
"A CIA spy series to watch."
"This book is like a Jody Foster / FBI special agent Clarice Starling in Silence of the Lambs without the lunatic psycho...faced with death and a white house government conspiracy. If this book doesn't become one of the bestselling mysteries out there, I don't know what would."
"I can't wait for the sequel...another espionage thriller series!"
100 5-Star Reviews for the unrelentingly fast paced espionage thriller book
Test-drive Part 1 free at NathanAGoodman.com/start (copy/paste into your browser
The Fourteenth Protocol
"Ripe with SUSPENSE, ESPIONAGE, and RIVETING ACTION...preys upon our worst fears: Terrorism in our own backyard. I've found a new Brad Thor espionage book collection....characters on the climb in over their head, a spy series thriller novel that keeps you guessing and an ending that will leave you hungry for more."
--- Michael Lucker, Screenwriter to Paramount, Disney, DreamWorks, Fox, Universal
"CONSPIRACY wrapped by INTRIGUE AND SUSPENSE, then TIED IN KNOTS."
-– Kevin McLaughlin, Special Agent, DEA
"Like David Baldacci thriller book collection all in one. Undoubtedly one of the best spy thrillers I've read in years. This spy series is fast paced, unrelenting!"
"...his writing is excellent...this will be a best selling terrorist spy thriller in 2015...makes my top list of espionage thriller books to read."
"The heroine in peril, Jana Baker, is such a strong female lead character. She's scared but has the guts of any male special agent. Makes for one of the great thriller books to read."
"The plot is a mix of James Bond, 24, and Call of Duty."
--- Russ Atkinson, Special Agent, FBI (ret.), thriller book author.
"I am going to blow off work so I can finish reading this spy mystery series. No joke. An intrigue novel that has New York Times bestseller list 2015 written all over it."
"One of the best new mystery thriller authors...author has hit this one out of the park. One of the best terrorism crime novels I've read in years. Can't wait until this thriller is made into a CIA spy thriller series collection."
"...a mystery book with an edge of your seat quality that keeps you sucked in."
"I ended up falling in love with the main characters...definitely a 2015 bestseller."
"I really hope this kind of thing doesn't happen in real life. A government conspiracy that leads all the way to the white house and the president, a rogue CIA agent...and just one FBI special agent to stop it."
"The undercover CIA thing is so realistic. I love finding the bestselling mysteries like this...one of my favorite thriller books to read in 2015."
"Terrorism, suspense, gunfire, romance...all with a strong female lead character. What else are you looking for? Rivals the New York Times bestsellers by, Brad Thor, or David Baldacci..."
"A CIA spy series to watch."
"This book is like a Jody Foster / FBI special agent Clarice Starling in Silence of the Lambs without the lunatic psycho...faced with death and a white house government conspiracy. If this book doesn't become one of the bestselling mysteries out there, I don't know what would."
"I can't wait for the sequel...another espionage thriller series!"
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5 STARS Highly recommended for readers of great fiction.‘The Fourteenth Protocol’ by Nathan A. Goodman is a fast-paced thriller that will keep you turning pages
Published 1 day ago by Enrico Grafitti
4 STARS Very good action thriller. Very good action thriller. While the basic premise is a bit far-fetched, it is no more so than those in other books in this genre.
Published 27 days ago by ken H.
5 STARS The 14th Protocol by Nathan Goodman is a tale of ...The 14th Protocol by Nathan Goodman is a tale of espionage and terrorism that takes the reader on a wild ride full of hairpin turns.
Published 28 days ago by Marilyn Thompson
3 STARS First part of the story was believable but the last ...First part of the story was believable but the last part was comic book in nature. Disappointing to say the least.
Published 1 month ago by Bill R
5 STARS Excellent read with suspense throughout!I found the book to be very suspenseful and with good development of the plot with several twists. Not predictable. The characters were developed and held my interest.Read more
Published 1 month ago by Rick Waitsman
4 STARS 14th Protocol. Very entertaining, a real page turner. I read the entire book in one very long sitting (I did the same thing with The Hunt for Red October but that took ALL night & into the next...
Published 1 month ago by Amazon Customer
5 STARS Loved this book, can't wait till the next one!
Published 2 months ago by Amazon Customer
5 STARS Must read for those that like fast, suspenseful novels dealing with...Excellent book! Authro does a great job of describing the characters. The plot is very realistic with real world similarites. Hard to put it down.
Published 2 months ago by Amazon Customer
5 STARS Action and peril - it's all here!I found this book a while ago and thought it was worth a punt. Wow, was it ever! Goodman has woven a story that engages almost immediately, then rampages along until the climax.
Published 2 months ago by Thunderbutt
5 STARS Really enjoyed this book. Lots of action, suspense. Hard to put down. Bought my copy from Nathan when I met him in Florida at a signing.
Published 2 months ago by Tom Pallardy
Published 1 day ago by Enrico Grafitti
4 STARS Very good action thriller. Very good action thriller. While the basic premise is a bit far-fetched, it is no more so than those in other books in this genre.
Published 27 days ago by ken H.
5 STARS The 14th Protocol by Nathan Goodman is a tale of ...The 14th Protocol by Nathan Goodman is a tale of espionage and terrorism that takes the reader on a wild ride full of hairpin turns.
Published 28 days ago by Marilyn Thompson
3 STARS First part of the story was believable but the last ...First part of the story was believable but the last part was comic book in nature. Disappointing to say the least.
Published 1 month ago by Bill R
5 STARS Excellent read with suspense throughout!I found the book to be very suspenseful and with good development of the plot with several twists. Not predictable. The characters were developed and held my interest.Read more
Published 1 month ago by Rick Waitsman
4 STARS 14th Protocol. Very entertaining, a real page turner. I read the entire book in one very long sitting (I did the same thing with The Hunt for Red October but that took ALL night & into the next...
Published 1 month ago by Amazon Customer
5 STARS Loved this book, can't wait till the next one!
Published 2 months ago by Amazon Customer
5 STARS Must read for those that like fast, suspenseful novels dealing with...Excellent book! Authro does a great job of describing the characters. The plot is very realistic with real world similarites. Hard to put it down.
Published 2 months ago by Amazon Customer
5 STARS Action and peril - it's all here!I found this book a while ago and thought it was worth a punt. Wow, was it ever! Goodman has woven a story that engages almost immediately, then rampages along until the climax.
Published 2 months ago by Thunderbutt
5 STARS Really enjoyed this book. Lots of action, suspense. Hard to put down. Bought my copy from Nathan when I met him in Florida at a signing.
Published 2 months ago by Tom Pallardy
Also from this bestselling author comes an inspiring story of hope, salvation, and love.
Book Description
Publication Date: July 2015
Jupiter, a slave boy, and his best friend Remmie, the daughter of the plantation owner, together discover a magical place in the forest, and their lives are changed forever. Twinkle will tug at your every heart string, and tickle your soul. Come on inside to the windey, warm, waterway, for the Magic Place lies within...
Salvation is a funny thing. It can show up in the most unlikely place, in the most unlikely way. Nathan A. Goodman's compelling story Twinkle has been hailed as a modern day Christian rekindling in the spirit of Uncle Remus. As the endearing old storyteller hobbles toward the group of unwitting school children, none suspect that he will bring them back in time to witness history, and to confront their most daunting questions. Why do bad things happen to good people? What happens to us when we die? What is heaven like? Are we in control, or does God control everything we do?
"...with Jesus calling, these explanations are accessible in this enchanting tale."
"This one will definitely be a best selling Christian book."
"a Christian book of spiritual wisdom that people of every age will enjoy...takes the reader on a surprising adventure that invites you to let Jesus into your heart, find 'The Magic Place,' and explore what it means to truly be free."
"...puts basic Christian faith in terms anyone can understand and answers so many questions that are in the hearts of believers and non believers alike. I will read this again and again. I can just hear Jesus calling."
Publication Date: July 2015
Jupiter, a slave boy, and his best friend Remmie, the daughter of the plantation owner, together discover a magical place in the forest, and their lives are changed forever. Twinkle will tug at your every heart string, and tickle your soul. Come on inside to the windey, warm, waterway, for the Magic Place lies within...
Salvation is a funny thing. It can show up in the most unlikely place, in the most unlikely way. Nathan A. Goodman's compelling story Twinkle has been hailed as a modern day Christian rekindling in the spirit of Uncle Remus. As the endearing old storyteller hobbles toward the group of unwitting school children, none suspect that he will bring them back in time to witness history, and to confront their most daunting questions. Why do bad things happen to good people? What happens to us when we die? What is heaven like? Are we in control, or does God control everything we do?
"...with Jesus calling, these explanations are accessible in this enchanting tale."
"This one will definitely be a best selling Christian book."
"a Christian book of spiritual wisdom that people of every age will enjoy...takes the reader on a surprising adventure that invites you to let Jesus into your heart, find 'The Magic Place,' and explore what it means to truly be free."
"...puts basic Christian faith in terms anyone can understand and answers so many questions that are in the hearts of believers and non believers alike. I will read this again and again. I can just hear Jesus calling."
Available from Amazon.com
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My thanks to Blair Stuart for this space on his website!
My thanks to Blair Stuart for this space on his website!
