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Outsourced
What's the most dangerous gift a fan could send to an author? And if that fan was a professional assassin? New York-based writer Nic Stiles receives a strange package in the mail. It's not long before he realises what it represents will change his life... with deadly consequences. Others want the package's contents too, including a high-tech Intelligence agency who will stop at nothing to obtain it. ...and the sender wants it back! The new fast-paced SUSPENSE THRILLER from Eric J. Gates will make YOU question your Destiny!
385 pages, Paperback
First published April 24, 2012
34 people are currently reading
74 people want to read
About the author
Eric J. Gates
28 books154 followersAward-winning author Eric J. Gates has had a curious life filled with the stuff of thriller novels. Writing Operating Systems for Supercomputers, cracking cryptographic codes under extreme pressure using only paper and pen and teaching cyberwarfare to spies are just a few of the moments he’s willing to recall. He is an ex-International Consultant who has travelled extensively worldwide, speaks several languages, and has had articles and papers published in six different countries, as well as radio and TV spots. His specialty, Information Technology Security, has brought him into contact with the Military and Intelligence communities on numerous occasions. He is also an expert martial artist, holding 14 black belt degrees in distinct disciplines. He has taught his skills to Police and Military personnel, as well as to the public.
He now writes thriller novels, drawing on his experiences with the confidential and secret worlds that surround us.
He now writes thriller novels, drawing on his experiences with the confidential and secret worlds that surround us.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews
July 16, 2018
If you were given the power to turn your innermost thoughts into reality by simply writing them down…what would you do? The temptation to make all your hopes and dreams come true with the mere stroke of a pen could be exceptionally difficult to resist. However, nothing is ever quite so easy in life. There is always a catch! What if your penned thoughts were interpreted in a way which you really did not intend? Indeed, turning those wonderful hopes and dreams into a miserable and chaotic reality. Temptation can be a dangerous business! If we take all of these concepts and add a cruel assassin, determined intelligence agents, and two bestselling authors, you have Outsourced by Eric J. Gates. For those readers who enjoy intelligent and fast-moving thrillers, this book is a top pick!
Essentially, Outsourced revolves around a famous thriller writer by the name of Nic Stiles. As the story begins, Stiles is in a rut and has clearly lost his writing edge. However, when he receives a mysterious package in the mail his life is about to drastically change! The parcel contains a pen within a wooden box. On its own that would be a pretty dull and mundane gift for anyone. Nevertheless, this is no ordinary pen. It also comes with a note attached which reveals the pen’s extraordinary powers. Whatever is written down will become reality! Stiles soon finds out that while this may be true, there are different versions of reality depending upon how they are interpreted- and they are ultimately intertwined with fate and destiny.
The power of this object is immense and it can be easily miscalculated and abused. In fact, Stiles soon finds this to be very true as he discovers the pen was previously owned by a serial killer and assassin by the name of Polanski…and he wants it back! To further complicate matters, this object is also being hunted by a team of crack intelligence agents. Nik is soon teamed up with a very unlikely ally as the pair race to outwit and evade their pursuers. Will they succeed? Or are they just destined to become two more casualties who, unbeknownst to themselves, already had their respective fate and destiny predetermined with the stroke of a pen.
Perhaps what struck me the most about this novel is the complex plot which is developed in the midst of non-stop action. Not only do key elements of thriller writing such as suspense, anticipation and excitement permeate throughout the story, but it has the unique aspects of mystery and the paranormal as well. The pace of the plot is rabid and full of intrigue with twists and turns virtually around every corner. There is also a very healthy dose of quantum mechanics which provides credibility to the plot. There can be little doubt that the author spent significant time and effort researching his subject matter before writing this novel. The result is a top-notch, believable and thrilling story.
While the plot of this novel is impressive and engaging, so are the many characters. Their development throughout the story is thorough and meticulous. For instance, we have the disillusioned writer Nic Stiles who steadily transforms into a whole different version of himself. We also have the paranoid and skulking Beasley who develops increasingly heroic qualities with each passing page. Major Mason is presented as a well-meaning player who can never actually seem to get things right and takes multiple hits on a continual basis. All that being said, perhaps the best developed character is Polanski himself. He is brilliant, cunning and pure evil. I would have to say that he is the perfect villain for this thriller!
All in all I found this to be an absolutely engrossing thriller. It is one of those books which is near impossible to put down. Eric Gates achieves this by weaving various themes and complex concepts into his writing which have an entirely exciting and convincing flow. I would highly recommend this book to an adult audience. As is the case with most thrillers, there are some violent scenes so be forewarned.
5 out of 5 Fateful Stars for this one!
Essentially, Outsourced revolves around a famous thriller writer by the name of Nic Stiles. As the story begins, Stiles is in a rut and has clearly lost his writing edge. However, when he receives a mysterious package in the mail his life is about to drastically change! The parcel contains a pen within a wooden box. On its own that would be a pretty dull and mundane gift for anyone. Nevertheless, this is no ordinary pen. It also comes with a note attached which reveals the pen’s extraordinary powers. Whatever is written down will become reality! Stiles soon finds out that while this may be true, there are different versions of reality depending upon how they are interpreted- and they are ultimately intertwined with fate and destiny.
The power of this object is immense and it can be easily miscalculated and abused. In fact, Stiles soon finds this to be very true as he discovers the pen was previously owned by a serial killer and assassin by the name of Polanski…and he wants it back! To further complicate matters, this object is also being hunted by a team of crack intelligence agents. Nik is soon teamed up with a very unlikely ally as the pair race to outwit and evade their pursuers. Will they succeed? Or are they just destined to become two more casualties who, unbeknownst to themselves, already had their respective fate and destiny predetermined with the stroke of a pen.
Perhaps what struck me the most about this novel is the complex plot which is developed in the midst of non-stop action. Not only do key elements of thriller writing such as suspense, anticipation and excitement permeate throughout the story, but it has the unique aspects of mystery and the paranormal as well. The pace of the plot is rabid and full of intrigue with twists and turns virtually around every corner. There is also a very healthy dose of quantum mechanics which provides credibility to the plot. There can be little doubt that the author spent significant time and effort researching his subject matter before writing this novel. The result is a top-notch, believable and thrilling story.
While the plot of this novel is impressive and engaging, so are the many characters. Their development throughout the story is thorough and meticulous. For instance, we have the disillusioned writer Nic Stiles who steadily transforms into a whole different version of himself. We also have the paranoid and skulking Beasley who develops increasingly heroic qualities with each passing page. Major Mason is presented as a well-meaning player who can never actually seem to get things right and takes multiple hits on a continual basis. All that being said, perhaps the best developed character is Polanski himself. He is brilliant, cunning and pure evil. I would have to say that he is the perfect villain for this thriller!
All in all I found this to be an absolutely engrossing thriller. It is one of those books which is near impossible to put down. Eric Gates achieves this by weaving various themes and complex concepts into his writing which have an entirely exciting and convincing flow. I would highly recommend this book to an adult audience. As is the case with most thrillers, there are some violent scenes so be forewarned.
5 out of 5 Fateful Stars for this one!
March 1, 2017
This approach to reading this book was completely off albeit accidental. I set it down at about a 1/3 in and didn’t come back to it straight off, I think there was about a week between lifting it again. Had I read it all at once I would have adored it and been completely sucked in.
The first section that I read was still just introducing the characters along with the story line so, naturally, when I came back I had to go back a couple of chapters to refresh my memory. Anyways…..that is by the by and the reason I am telling you is because I advise that if you are going to read this then don’t leave too long a period before coming back to it like I did.
An author, Nic Stiles, receives a pen however it comes with a mysterious box attached. Now we all know that when something in a book has its concept adjusted there is something going to go wrong somewhere along the line. With the pen, there is a letter which happens to be from a known murderer, enter the ‘Dun dun DUN!!’
Robert Polanski, a mass murderer who is ‘Teflon coated’, forwarded his pen on to an author and has decided he wants it back. This leads to Nic Stiles meeting someone he had never met before, even though they work for the same publisher, Grayson Fallon who is also a thriller writer but they have been portrayed in the media as rivals thanks to the publishers. They end up working together trying to get to the bottom of the pen and its attributes. A theoretical physicist tries to help them understand why and how the pen does what it does.
Thanks to Polanski, the ‘device’ (the name the pen is known by) is being chased by the government and they send in Major Mason. She is an amazing character and thanks to her we have a lot of action.
The last 1/3 or so of the book is very high paced and had me holding my breath quite a bit! The chapters are very short and, in turn, you don’t have a lot of time to have your thoughts move on before something else is sprung on you.
This is a story that makes you need to think as there is a lot of theoretical ideas in the storyline along with twists and turns. We have, as a result of this pen, a touch of the sci-fi brought into a thriller. I felt that this book could be very well be turned into a film given the pace it went and the intensity of the storyline. Gates is clearly a very intelligent man and knows exactly how to write his characters to love even who you should hate.
I will definitely be reading this book again, only not how I read it this time. I will sit down and try to absorb it all in a shorter period of time. I give this a 4.5* rating!
Reviewed by Lisa on www.whisperingstories.com
The first section that I read was still just introducing the characters along with the story line so, naturally, when I came back I had to go back a couple of chapters to refresh my memory. Anyways…..that is by the by and the reason I am telling you is because I advise that if you are going to read this then don’t leave too long a period before coming back to it like I did.
An author, Nic Stiles, receives a pen however it comes with a mysterious box attached. Now we all know that when something in a book has its concept adjusted there is something going to go wrong somewhere along the line. With the pen, there is a letter which happens to be from a known murderer, enter the ‘Dun dun DUN!!’
Robert Polanski, a mass murderer who is ‘Teflon coated’, forwarded his pen on to an author and has decided he wants it back. This leads to Nic Stiles meeting someone he had never met before, even though they work for the same publisher, Grayson Fallon who is also a thriller writer but they have been portrayed in the media as rivals thanks to the publishers. They end up working together trying to get to the bottom of the pen and its attributes. A theoretical physicist tries to help them understand why and how the pen does what it does.
Thanks to Polanski, the ‘device’ (the name the pen is known by) is being chased by the government and they send in Major Mason. She is an amazing character and thanks to her we have a lot of action.
The last 1/3 or so of the book is very high paced and had me holding my breath quite a bit! The chapters are very short and, in turn, you don’t have a lot of time to have your thoughts move on before something else is sprung on you.
This is a story that makes you need to think as there is a lot of theoretical ideas in the storyline along with twists and turns. We have, as a result of this pen, a touch of the sci-fi brought into a thriller. I felt that this book could be very well be turned into a film given the pace it went and the intensity of the storyline. Gates is clearly a very intelligent man and knows exactly how to write his characters to love even who you should hate.
I will definitely be reading this book again, only not how I read it this time. I will sit down and try to absorb it all in a shorter period of time. I give this a 4.5* rating!
Reviewed by Lisa on www.whisperingstories.com
December 11, 2014
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a review.
Outsourced is a thriller following the story of two authors as they attempt to decipher the mystery behind a serial killer’s success without injuring innocent people in the process. In this fast-paced thriller, Eric J Gates combines many elements of the perfect thriller - a fast pace, well-defined characters and a deceptively twisty plot.
Add some paranormal elements, a touch of humour at just the right times, and thorough research and you have an excellent read. The action scenes were breathtakingly action-packed, and the ending was epic. Especially since I quite smugly thought I’d worked out the ending and was then proved very wrong. I love it when a book isn’t a paper cut out of overdone plots and fake characters.
The research behind the elements in the book was done perfectly - as in, not dumped on the reader in the form of an essay, but wreathed into the plot so that you didn’t even notice it. It spoke volumes of the writer’s authority on the subject.
I only wish the relationship between the characters could have been explored more. Maybe in a follow up book we could see if Beasley and Mason go on any more “dates”?
The way the writer speaks about destiny versus fate made a lot of sense, and I appreciated the way these arcane subjects were entwined into the story. I especially liked the ending. It was both unexpected and heartwarming.
This is a definite page-turner and I will highly recommend it to anyone looking for a punch in the adrenal gland.
Outsourced is a thriller following the story of two authors as they attempt to decipher the mystery behind a serial killer’s success without injuring innocent people in the process. In this fast-paced thriller, Eric J Gates combines many elements of the perfect thriller - a fast pace, well-defined characters and a deceptively twisty plot.
Add some paranormal elements, a touch of humour at just the right times, and thorough research and you have an excellent read. The action scenes were breathtakingly action-packed, and the ending was epic. Especially since I quite smugly thought I’d worked out the ending and was then proved very wrong. I love it when a book isn’t a paper cut out of overdone plots and fake characters.
The research behind the elements in the book was done perfectly - as in, not dumped on the reader in the form of an essay, but wreathed into the plot so that you didn’t even notice it. It spoke volumes of the writer’s authority on the subject.
I only wish the relationship between the characters could have been explored more. Maybe in a follow up book we could see if Beasley and Mason go on any more “dates”?
The way the writer speaks about destiny versus fate made a lot of sense, and I appreciated the way these arcane subjects were entwined into the story. I especially liked the ending. It was both unexpected and heartwarming.
This is a definite page-turner and I will highly recommend it to anyone looking for a punch in the adrenal gland.
May 12, 2015
A friend persuaded me to read ‘Outsourced’, and I'm so glad he did. It was thrilling, topical, unpredictable and after the dramatic climax; an immensely satisfying read. Eric Gates succeeded in taking me to that rare place--the suspension of my disbelief--by making the effort to substantiate his rationale for the deadly artifact at the center of the plot. Without slowing the page-turning high-tempo pace of his thriller, Gates provides a mind-bending primer on quantum mechanics! From that moment I was hooked.
The villain was venal, the authorities were untrustworthy, the leading lady was enigmatic and independent, and the two authors (apparently bitter rivals!) grew in stature and guile as the plot deepened. Gates also succeeded in getting in a few licks against interrogations without due process, unfettered intrusion by the security apparatus in our lives, and a dig or two at the suspect ethics of the traditional print publishing industry. These real world observations grounded 'Outsourced' further, feeding this reader's sense of reality despite what was in fact a deadly pursuit for a mystical device! In short, author Eric Gates provides a thrilling literary twist to the belief that the pen is mightier than the sword....literarily!
The villain was venal, the authorities were untrustworthy, the leading lady was enigmatic and independent, and the two authors (apparently bitter rivals!) grew in stature and guile as the plot deepened. Gates also succeeded in getting in a few licks against interrogations without due process, unfettered intrusion by the security apparatus in our lives, and a dig or two at the suspect ethics of the traditional print publishing industry. These real world observations grounded 'Outsourced' further, feeding this reader's sense of reality despite what was in fact a deadly pursuit for a mystical device! In short, author Eric Gates provides a thrilling literary twist to the belief that the pen is mightier than the sword....literarily!
October 24, 2014
Eric J.Gates is a man of several talents... his in-depth knowledge of matters most of us can never even sniff at include martial arts, and hi-tech security... add to those the skill he has honed over the past few years in writing crime thrillers, and you have a dynamic, highly-readable author... OUTSOURCED is not your run-of-the-mill crime fiction... the art of good story-telling is the presentation of credible characterisation, and there’s bundles of that in this book... Gates draws on his experience in the modern world of novel-writing... the internet, the computer linkage for surveillance ... he throws into the mix a tough-lady officer, not averse to operating on the edges of the law, a semi-genius of a villain, and a pair of authors unwittingly pulled into a web of murders in which they may well be the next victims... the magnet around which it all revolves is a piece of stone, which impacts the actions of the good and the bad characters... but no spoilers from me... just read and enjoy...
October 8, 2014
A famous New-York writer, Nic Stiles, receives a mysterious package—a wooden box containing a pen composed of a rare meteorite. A note enclosed explains its extraordinary powers—the ability to write destiny. Stiles believes a recently acquitted Polanski, who had been accused of murdering hundreds of people, used this powerful tool as a murder weapon and sent it to him. Not grasping the full spectrum of powers the tool wields, Stiles composes pages with the tool. When this decision results in disaster, he teams up with the obscure man that writes behind the scenes as a competing author and a female special operations agent. Can the three outwit the man who has murdered so many and learn more about the pen’s origin?
This is a fast-paced thriller full of surprises and intrigue that never let up until the end. The writing is strong and sophisticated, the plot complex and captivating. Highly recommended!
This is a fast-paced thriller full of surprises and intrigue that never let up until the end. The writing is strong and sophisticated, the plot complex and captivating. Highly recommended!
April 29, 2015
This book started out with a bang. An assassin named Polanski has recently been acquitted of several hundred murders, caused by a mysterious pen that changes the course of destiny. By chapter 7 his lawyer comes to a sticky end.
Nic Stiles is a best selling mystery author who receives a package containing the pen. He uses the pen and immediately his world starts to change, but not for the better. His wife dies suddenly, and he is plunged into a violent, dangerous world. Who sent the pen to him?
It was Grayson Fallon his rival in the publishing world. There is a long explanation about Quantum Mechanics that I couldn’t follow. But no matter the action racks up again, the US government also want the pen, and send a formidable female agent to retrieve it. I’m a fan of strong female protagonists, so I enjoyed reading about this character.
The action never lets up in this exciting thriller, and I couldn’t put it down. Fans of James Rollins and Dan Brown will love this!
December 9, 2014
I couldn't put this one down. Imagine an object that can create a unimaginable power. Add to that a couple of unsuspecting mystery writers and a female special ops agent, and you've embarked on a whirlwind journey of intrigue and conspiracy. The pace kept me reading until late into the night. Recommended for anyone who loves a good mystery.
May 31, 2015
A copy of Outsourced was sent to Confessions of a Reviewer by the author Eric J. Gates in exchange for an honest review. This is said review. This book is published by Amazon.
Eric J. Gates. Another one I have to confess never reading before but I enjoy a good thriller and it sounded right up my street so I thought why not? I love it when my instincts are right.
Nic Stiles is an author going through a rough patch. His relationship with his wife is on the rocks. He is suffering from the cursed writers block. His arch rival and stable mate with his publishers, Grayson Fallon is amassing success story after success story.
During a retreat to his cabin to try and rectify the writer’s block and keep up with Fallon, he receives a strange package in the post. A pen. Not just any old ordinary pen, according to the letter enclosed with it.
Polanksi is a mass serial killer. He knows he is guilty, his lawyer knows he is guilty, but he has just walked free. He has decided to go straight after he tidy’s up a few loose ends. He was the previous owner of the pen.
Stiles discovers the pen has certain “qualities” that can give the owner huge benefits if used correctly. Unfortunately that isn’t what he has done. He must now try to set things straight by teaming up with an unlikely ally while trying to escape the clutches of every government agency in the country and beyond.
The only other issue is the fact Polanksi would like his pen back.
Thrillers can be hard to write. At least I imagine they can be. I’ve never written one but have read hundreds. A lot of them have been absolute tripe (that’s rubbish for you American sorts). A lot of them have been mediocre at best. I generally know by about fifty pages if I will enjoy one. I finished Outsourced in a day and a bit. That should tell you something.
This is a thriller with a bit of a difference. It has all the thrills and spills that you should expect but it also has a touch of the mysterious about it. The pen in question is made up of all the things you would expect in a pen. It has a little extra though. A piece of an ancient stone said to bestow the current owner with the ability to alter destiny or fate. If used correctly, it can be a useful tool. If used incorrectly it can be a tool of disaster as Nic Stiles finds out to his cost.
Characters wise in this tale, they are well written and do fit perfectly into their individual roles. Stiles is a man on the edge. When things start to happen, he doesn’t really have much faith in them until he meets up with his ally (can’t tell you who this is or it would be a major spoiler). Polanksi is brilliant. He shouldn’t be, given what he has done throughout his life, but I had a soft spot for him. He was very clinical. Very precise. He knew what he was doing. This gave him a certain air of arrogance and it was superb to read. On the Government side of things we have Major Mason. She doesn’t have a lot of luck on her side. Things always seem to go wrong for her and her hardnosed attitude only seems to get her more and more grief from her bosses. There are a host of other characters that gel into the story very well.
This is quite a high tech story. The accessories used by the military sound a bit farfetched at times and it makes you think you are reading a Mission Impossible story. I did, a couple of times have to remind myself that it is make believe and to enjoy the story instead of thinking “that’s impossible”. On the other hand when you read Mr Gates CV (he has taught cyberwarfare and worked with the Military and Intelligence departments) he should know what he is talking about. Maybe some of the things we think are farfetched are actually real? Only Mr Gates could tell us but I suspect he won’t.
This is a very fast paced book. Even in the slow scenes there is a lot going on to keep your mind active. You will, on occasions have to think hard to remember stuff and try and help the characters sort things out in your own head. Other than that I thought it was a nice easy read. I don’t think it’s one of the greatest thrillers I have ever read but it is fun. It certainly kept my adrenalin levels at a high and made me not want to put it down.
To summarise: a high tech thriller with a bit of ancient mystery thrown in. Good characters that all fit together well to give a smooth flowing story that is hard to put down. A villain that will have you rooting for him, even though he is a shit. All in all, this is one I would recommend if you want to lose yourself in a book that is easy to read and will keep your heart rate at a higher than normal level.
General rating:
★★★★ Really good read. Just needed a little more to stand out.
Horror rating:
★★★★ Plenty of thrills and spills.
Eric J. Gates. Another one I have to confess never reading before but I enjoy a good thriller and it sounded right up my street so I thought why not? I love it when my instincts are right.
Nic Stiles is an author going through a rough patch. His relationship with his wife is on the rocks. He is suffering from the cursed writers block. His arch rival and stable mate with his publishers, Grayson Fallon is amassing success story after success story.
During a retreat to his cabin to try and rectify the writer’s block and keep up with Fallon, he receives a strange package in the post. A pen. Not just any old ordinary pen, according to the letter enclosed with it.
Polanksi is a mass serial killer. He knows he is guilty, his lawyer knows he is guilty, but he has just walked free. He has decided to go straight after he tidy’s up a few loose ends. He was the previous owner of the pen.
Stiles discovers the pen has certain “qualities” that can give the owner huge benefits if used correctly. Unfortunately that isn’t what he has done. He must now try to set things straight by teaming up with an unlikely ally while trying to escape the clutches of every government agency in the country and beyond.
The only other issue is the fact Polanksi would like his pen back.
Thrillers can be hard to write. At least I imagine they can be. I’ve never written one but have read hundreds. A lot of them have been absolute tripe (that’s rubbish for you American sorts). A lot of them have been mediocre at best. I generally know by about fifty pages if I will enjoy one. I finished Outsourced in a day and a bit. That should tell you something.
This is a thriller with a bit of a difference. It has all the thrills and spills that you should expect but it also has a touch of the mysterious about it. The pen in question is made up of all the things you would expect in a pen. It has a little extra though. A piece of an ancient stone said to bestow the current owner with the ability to alter destiny or fate. If used correctly, it can be a useful tool. If used incorrectly it can be a tool of disaster as Nic Stiles finds out to his cost.
Characters wise in this tale, they are well written and do fit perfectly into their individual roles. Stiles is a man on the edge. When things start to happen, he doesn’t really have much faith in them until he meets up with his ally (can’t tell you who this is or it would be a major spoiler). Polanksi is brilliant. He shouldn’t be, given what he has done throughout his life, but I had a soft spot for him. He was very clinical. Very precise. He knew what he was doing. This gave him a certain air of arrogance and it was superb to read. On the Government side of things we have Major Mason. She doesn’t have a lot of luck on her side. Things always seem to go wrong for her and her hardnosed attitude only seems to get her more and more grief from her bosses. There are a host of other characters that gel into the story very well.
This is quite a high tech story. The accessories used by the military sound a bit farfetched at times and it makes you think you are reading a Mission Impossible story. I did, a couple of times have to remind myself that it is make believe and to enjoy the story instead of thinking “that’s impossible”. On the other hand when you read Mr Gates CV (he has taught cyberwarfare and worked with the Military and Intelligence departments) he should know what he is talking about. Maybe some of the things we think are farfetched are actually real? Only Mr Gates could tell us but I suspect he won’t.
This is a very fast paced book. Even in the slow scenes there is a lot going on to keep your mind active. You will, on occasions have to think hard to remember stuff and try and help the characters sort things out in your own head. Other than that I thought it was a nice easy read. I don’t think it’s one of the greatest thrillers I have ever read but it is fun. It certainly kept my adrenalin levels at a high and made me not want to put it down.
To summarise: a high tech thriller with a bit of ancient mystery thrown in. Good characters that all fit together well to give a smooth flowing story that is hard to put down. A villain that will have you rooting for him, even though he is a shit. All in all, this is one I would recommend if you want to lose yourself in a book that is easy to read and will keep your heart rate at a higher than normal level.
General rating:
★★★★ Really good read. Just needed a little more to stand out.
Horror rating:
★★★★ Plenty of thrills and spills.
February 10, 2015
*A copy of this book was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review, which follows.
A mystifying package arrives in the mail of New York writer, Nic Stiles. Inside the package, Nic finds an old-fashioned fountain pen made from the remains of an ancient meteorite enclosed inside a carved wooden box. Accompanying the mysterious artifact is a message, which explains that the user of the pen has the capability to change destiny.
Nic uncovers a horrific plot instigated by Robert Polanski, a retired assassin and a previous owner of the pen, who was recently acquitted of murdering hundreds of people, by using the pen to rewrite destiny in his favor. Not believing the power that exists within the ancient artifact, Nic begins to write using the unusual pen. The results are devastating.
Desperate for solutions, Nic teams up with Phil Beasley, (a.k.a. Grayson Fallon), a rival author, who once owned the strange pen himself. Together the two men enter the world of quantum physics looking for answers on how the pen could have the ability to change a person’s destiny with a single written thought. However, they are not alone. The CIA is after the artifact too. Suddenly the issue crystallizes because; whoever uses the pen controls the destiny of the world.
I thoroughly enjoyed the fast-paced suspense in this novel. My favorite part was the research that Nic did into the ancient artifact’s origin. In addition, I enjoyed the unlikely friendship that developed between the two authors, as they teamed up to stop Polanski from his terrible task.
The fact that Outsourced dealt with current issues about government surveillance and even the evils in the publishing industry seemed to weave a thread of truth into the entire storyline for me. The characters were not afraid to stand up for what they believe in. That resolve made me like the characters even more with all their flaws included.
I found the plot, and the characters to be well thought out in the sequence of events. Eric Gates effectively switched the points of view of some of the characters in the beginning of the book. I found this to be a great tool for understanding the plot and getting into the minds of the characters. Overlook the typos, and you will find yourself wrapped up in a story of intrigue and magic that is hard to put down.
For me, the philosophical elements of “destiny versus fate,” that Gates used to illustrate the magic behind the use of the artifact was delivered with stunning accuracy. Destiny seems predetermined and inevitable, while fate represents the consequences, or a result of something. Eric Gates explored these issues, all the while making the pen have a life all its own.
If you love suspense, non-stop action, literally sprinkled with paranormal mystery, Outsource will lead you on a journey that will leave you questioning the world as you know it.
RATINGS
Realistic Characterization: 4/5
Made Me Think: 4/5
Overall enjoyment: 4/5
Readability: 4/5
Recommended: 4/5
Overall Rating: 4.5
A mystifying package arrives in the mail of New York writer, Nic Stiles. Inside the package, Nic finds an old-fashioned fountain pen made from the remains of an ancient meteorite enclosed inside a carved wooden box. Accompanying the mysterious artifact is a message, which explains that the user of the pen has the capability to change destiny.
Nic uncovers a horrific plot instigated by Robert Polanski, a retired assassin and a previous owner of the pen, who was recently acquitted of murdering hundreds of people, by using the pen to rewrite destiny in his favor. Not believing the power that exists within the ancient artifact, Nic begins to write using the unusual pen. The results are devastating.
Desperate for solutions, Nic teams up with Phil Beasley, (a.k.a. Grayson Fallon), a rival author, who once owned the strange pen himself. Together the two men enter the world of quantum physics looking for answers on how the pen could have the ability to change a person’s destiny with a single written thought. However, they are not alone. The CIA is after the artifact too. Suddenly the issue crystallizes because; whoever uses the pen controls the destiny of the world.
I thoroughly enjoyed the fast-paced suspense in this novel. My favorite part was the research that Nic did into the ancient artifact’s origin. In addition, I enjoyed the unlikely friendship that developed between the two authors, as they teamed up to stop Polanski from his terrible task.
The fact that Outsourced dealt with current issues about government surveillance and even the evils in the publishing industry seemed to weave a thread of truth into the entire storyline for me. The characters were not afraid to stand up for what they believe in. That resolve made me like the characters even more with all their flaws included.
I found the plot, and the characters to be well thought out in the sequence of events. Eric Gates effectively switched the points of view of some of the characters in the beginning of the book. I found this to be a great tool for understanding the plot and getting into the minds of the characters. Overlook the typos, and you will find yourself wrapped up in a story of intrigue and magic that is hard to put down.
For me, the philosophical elements of “destiny versus fate,” that Gates used to illustrate the magic behind the use of the artifact was delivered with stunning accuracy. Destiny seems predetermined and inevitable, while fate represents the consequences, or a result of something. Eric Gates explored these issues, all the while making the pen have a life all its own.
If you love suspense, non-stop action, literally sprinkled with paranormal mystery, Outsource will lead you on a journey that will leave you questioning the world as you know it.
RATINGS
Realistic Characterization: 4/5
Made Me Think: 4/5
Overall enjoyment: 4/5
Readability: 4/5
Recommended: 4/5
Overall Rating: 4.5
June 8, 2015
An intriguing, complex and multilayered thriller beginning with the acquittal of mass murderer, Robert Polanski. Even though his lawyer and the police know he’s guilty they can’t prove it conclusively. Before disappearing into obscure and tropical ‘retirement’ from his crimes, Polanski has one last task. The package he sends off in the mail launches an incredible chain of events.
Nic Stiles and fellow author, Grayson Fallon, have been under media scrutiny for years. They share the same publisher, write in the same genre and are declared mortal enemies by the press, while being manipulated to outdo each other with the amount of work they manage to get published. They’ve never met and while Nic seems to have lost his focus, Grayson’s star is still rising. Nic has secluded himself at his cabin to try and overcome whatever it is that’s hindering his ability to write. A strange object comes into his possession, along with a letter of explanation. A pen with the power to influence destiny? All he has to do is write it? Nic is confused and initially totally disbelieving. He’s a rational man, after all. But after a couple of test runs Nic is more inclined to accept there may actually be some truth to the information contained in the letter.
Bridget Mason, a tough, no-nonsense federal officer, who will do whatever it takes to get the job done, even if she has to operate on the very edges of law enforcement, is on the track of the ‘device’ via Polanski and one Phil Beasley. Through the latter Nic also comes into her orbit. An unlikely alliance forms between Nic and Phil as they strive to put a stop to Polanski’s plans.
Elements of truth woven into a story take it to another level and I found the plot creative, tense and exciting with an intriguing twist and credible characters. The history of the stone and the observations of fate and destiny are fascinating and what could have been an improbable, and possibly too far-fetched narrative, is well thought out and written with an assurance and confidence which makes it perfectly plausible. The characters are well drawn and convincing, with depth and flaws, and are perfectly placed in the story. The subjects of unauthorised government surveillance and detention are explored which adds another layer of authenticity, and the research has obviously been deep and thorough. Packed with surprises and intrigue.
There’s nothing I dislike about this book, not even the villain who, although full of himself, made great reading. I enjoyed the twist of two male protagonists being thriller writers, their moral conflict which is portrayed realistically and the mystifying power of the pen. A very imaginative and unusual device to drive the plot. It’s impossible not to wonder…if you had access to a device such as this what would you do? A compelling and thought-provoking read.
Nic Stiles and fellow author, Grayson Fallon, have been under media scrutiny for years. They share the same publisher, write in the same genre and are declared mortal enemies by the press, while being manipulated to outdo each other with the amount of work they manage to get published. They’ve never met and while Nic seems to have lost his focus, Grayson’s star is still rising. Nic has secluded himself at his cabin to try and overcome whatever it is that’s hindering his ability to write. A strange object comes into his possession, along with a letter of explanation. A pen with the power to influence destiny? All he has to do is write it? Nic is confused and initially totally disbelieving. He’s a rational man, after all. But after a couple of test runs Nic is more inclined to accept there may actually be some truth to the information contained in the letter.
Bridget Mason, a tough, no-nonsense federal officer, who will do whatever it takes to get the job done, even if she has to operate on the very edges of law enforcement, is on the track of the ‘device’ via Polanski and one Phil Beasley. Through the latter Nic also comes into her orbit. An unlikely alliance forms between Nic and Phil as they strive to put a stop to Polanski’s plans.
Elements of truth woven into a story take it to another level and I found the plot creative, tense and exciting with an intriguing twist and credible characters. The history of the stone and the observations of fate and destiny are fascinating and what could have been an improbable, and possibly too far-fetched narrative, is well thought out and written with an assurance and confidence which makes it perfectly plausible. The characters are well drawn and convincing, with depth and flaws, and are perfectly placed in the story. The subjects of unauthorised government surveillance and detention are explored which adds another layer of authenticity, and the research has obviously been deep and thorough. Packed with surprises and intrigue.
There’s nothing I dislike about this book, not even the villain who, although full of himself, made great reading. I enjoyed the twist of two male protagonists being thriller writers, their moral conflict which is portrayed realistically and the mystifying power of the pen. A very imaginative and unusual device to drive the plot. It’s impossible not to wonder…if you had access to a device such as this what would you do? A compelling and thought-provoking read.
May 5, 2015
A fast-paced action thriller, Outsourced had me turning the electronic pages on my Kindle every time I had a few minutes spare. An interesting premise based upon a mysterious “Object” capable of interacting with destiny and prone to misuse by the unscrupulous. I would have liked to have heard more about the events caused by the various possessors of the “Object” but perhaps that was a deliberate decision by the author not to go in that direction. As a result, the mysterious “Object” is really something of a MacGuffin as the plot twists and turns, based upon the conflict between the four protagonists – Polanski, Stiles, Mason and Beasley.
The author is capable of carrying the reader along in the character viewpoint to the extent that all four protagonists (even Polanski) feel like the hero when the story is being related from their viewpoint. They are all, by turn, both virtuous and ultimately treacherous, which some might say is human nature.
I would recommend Outsourced – it’s highly entertaining.
Disclosure - a free copy of this book was provided by the author in exchange for a review. I don't usually do review requests but found the sample to be gripping.
The author is capable of carrying the reader along in the character viewpoint to the extent that all four protagonists (even Polanski) feel like the hero when the story is being related from their viewpoint. They are all, by turn, both virtuous and ultimately treacherous, which some might say is human nature.
I would recommend Outsourced – it’s highly entertaining.
Disclosure - a free copy of this book was provided by the author in exchange for a review. I don't usually do review requests but found the sample to be gripping.
April 8, 2019
A nifty mix of quantum entanglement, mythic mystery and high-tech thriller - like the X-Files meets Death Note with a sizeable side-order of Eastern philosophy. You know how when you summon a demon, you have to be completely careful what you ask for? Well, 'Outsourced' is a 21st century interpretation of that situation.
Stacks of attention to detail when it comes to thriller tech (guns, bullets, electronics and the like), and a great female investigator: intelligent, forthright and full-on in a fight. Likewise, the uber-successful assassin is a brilliant bad guy; entirely coldly calculating and chillingly competent.
The pair of writers were a little less credible as action heroes, however. (I tend to glaze over when authors fill pages of their books about how cruel the publishing biz is, etc).
I would also have liked to learn more specifically how the heroes crafted their 'ultimate weapon' - especially as the whole story pivots on exactly what you wish for.
Overall, a rapidly-paced action-packed page-turner with stand-out gunfights, and a cinematic set piece which just begs to be made into a movie.
Thoroughly entertaining and totally unpredictable.
8/10
Stacks of attention to detail when it comes to thriller tech (guns, bullets, electronics and the like), and a great female investigator: intelligent, forthright and full-on in a fight. Likewise, the uber-successful assassin is a brilliant bad guy; entirely coldly calculating and chillingly competent.
The pair of writers were a little less credible as action heroes, however. (I tend to glaze over when authors fill pages of their books about how cruel the publishing biz is, etc).
I would also have liked to learn more specifically how the heroes crafted their 'ultimate weapon' - especially as the whole story pivots on exactly what you wish for.
Overall, a rapidly-paced action-packed page-turner with stand-out gunfights, and a cinematic set piece which just begs to be made into a movie.
Thoroughly entertaining and totally unpredictable.
8/10
March 11, 2015
Outsourced by Eric J. Gates
Nic Stiles a New York writer, receives a package in the mail. Soon he realizes what he holds will change his life forever. Many people want what he has, even though he is not sure he wants it. A high tech Intelligence Agency is after him to retrieve what he has. For Nic it becomes a race against time, and he must use his quit-wit to outsmart (them) and save himself.
A fast paced page-turning thriller. The plot is original, the pace is rapid and the action/thrills are very intense. Nic is very likable. He is smart, educated and a nice guy. He is shocked at what he finds out. Not knowing who to trust, and the suspense of watching Nic having to think fast and act quickly to save himself is exhilarating.
There was plenty of action, thrills and suspense to keep my interest. Overall I found Outsourced to be an enjoyable read. I feel those who like fast-paced thrillers will enjoy this story.
Nic Stiles a New York writer, receives a package in the mail. Soon he realizes what he holds will change his life forever. Many people want what he has, even though he is not sure he wants it. A high tech Intelligence Agency is after him to retrieve what he has. For Nic it becomes a race against time, and he must use his quit-wit to outsmart (them) and save himself.
A fast paced page-turning thriller. The plot is original, the pace is rapid and the action/thrills are very intense. Nic is very likable. He is smart, educated and a nice guy. He is shocked at what he finds out. Not knowing who to trust, and the suspense of watching Nic having to think fast and act quickly to save himself is exhilarating.
There was plenty of action, thrills and suspense to keep my interest. Overall I found Outsourced to be an enjoyable read. I feel those who like fast-paced thrillers will enjoy this story.
December 12, 2014
Yet again Eric J Gates has written a gripping thriller that keeps you turning pages well into the night. With enough twists and turns to keep you perched on the edge of your seat, Outsourced is anything but predictable (but totally believable). The characters in this are so strong and vivid, even though I was completely satisfied with the ending of this novel, I’d love to read more of them. I hope Gates writes a sequel! I refuse to include spoilers, as part of reading a pacy thriller like this is experiencing the thrill of the unexpected, the rush of the pace. Fans of Matthew Reilly and Dean Koontz would also love outsourced. I highly recommend it.
November 12, 2021
Outsourced
by Eric J. Gates
I received a complimentary copy and am voluntarily leaving a review.
A jury finds Robert Polanski not guilty of several premeditated, multiple murders after a very public trial. Even though he is acquitted, the public decides he is just the opposite. They decided his guilt and wanted him in jail with the key thrown away! Unfortunately, he is guilty. Not of just one murder, but over 217 deaths covering a period of 23 years! He had already chosen to retire from his killing rampage, passing his prized possession to another who he deems worthy to receive it.
Nic Stiles is a struggling author fighting to write a book that he thinks is “ the one “, digging for the bestseller inside of him. He has done it in the past but needs this to happen now. Stashed away in his cabin, he lives as a recluse. He is clutching at straws, struggling in the hope of enlightenment when he receives a package containing a wooden box. The box holds a pen, an ugly, mishmash of a pen, looking as if someone had fit parts together but yet retained an aura of mystery. And the message that comes with it only confuses him more.
“ The trick isn’t what you use but what you intend”
What follows is an exciting nail-biting novel that has you gripped from the first page.
This is a unique mystery thriller constructed around an object that is passed from person to person. An object possessing the ability to warp the future, but it isn’t as simple as it first appears to be. The consequences are many and more deadly than can be imagined.
This is an exhilarating and stimulating read that throws punches from the beginning.
After reading Eric J.Gates’s bio, I am not surprised at how detailed and intense Outsourced is! He has an amazing background, full of experiences to draw upon, and it is clear the amount of research he has undergone to complete certain details mentioned in this novel.
The characters are well-defined, especially Robert Polanski, who acts as a conniving and calculated character. He always appears one step ahead of everyone else, after working out all the possibilities and outcomes of every situation. The book flows at a steady, thrilling pace, with events unfolding one after the other, culminating in a hair-raising climax. The final few pages are satisfying with the tantalising possibility of more to follow.
I rate Outsourced 5 out of 5 stars.
by Eric J. Gates
I received a complimentary copy and am voluntarily leaving a review.
A jury finds Robert Polanski not guilty of several premeditated, multiple murders after a very public trial. Even though he is acquitted, the public decides he is just the opposite. They decided his guilt and wanted him in jail with the key thrown away! Unfortunately, he is guilty. Not of just one murder, but over 217 deaths covering a period of 23 years! He had already chosen to retire from his killing rampage, passing his prized possession to another who he deems worthy to receive it.
Nic Stiles is a struggling author fighting to write a book that he thinks is “ the one “, digging for the bestseller inside of him. He has done it in the past but needs this to happen now. Stashed away in his cabin, he lives as a recluse. He is clutching at straws, struggling in the hope of enlightenment when he receives a package containing a wooden box. The box holds a pen, an ugly, mishmash of a pen, looking as if someone had fit parts together but yet retained an aura of mystery. And the message that comes with it only confuses him more.
“ The trick isn’t what you use but what you intend”
What follows is an exciting nail-biting novel that has you gripped from the first page.
This is a unique mystery thriller constructed around an object that is passed from person to person. An object possessing the ability to warp the future, but it isn’t as simple as it first appears to be. The consequences are many and more deadly than can be imagined.
This is an exhilarating and stimulating read that throws punches from the beginning.
After reading Eric J.Gates’s bio, I am not surprised at how detailed and intense Outsourced is! He has an amazing background, full of experiences to draw upon, and it is clear the amount of research he has undergone to complete certain details mentioned in this novel.
The characters are well-defined, especially Robert Polanski, who acts as a conniving and calculated character. He always appears one step ahead of everyone else, after working out all the possibilities and outcomes of every situation. The book flows at a steady, thrilling pace, with events unfolding one after the other, culminating in a hair-raising climax. The final few pages are satisfying with the tantalising possibility of more to follow.
I rate Outsourced 5 out of 5 stars.
November 27, 2021
Not the best-looking cover I've ever seen, but the book's not bad. It's a fun plot: A novelist receives a pen and whatever he writes with it happens. So if he writes about someone dying, they die. Very cool. The first half of the story was really good. The drama was good, the story tight. While the second half was definitely action-packed and dug into the essence of the whys and whats and whos of the pen, it didn't stick with me the way I hoped. Overall, not bad, though.
December 29, 2014
It is easy to see where Mr Gates get his inspiration from, you just have to read his bio! This book was outstanding. It was one of the few action thrillers that truly kept my attention throughout the book. The story was riveting... I could not put the book down until the last page was finished.
The only problem was that I was a bit confused in the first few pages, but that solved itself as I read more of the book. I kept thinking and still feel that this will make an excellent movie! The ending left itself open for another book.... Who knows, hopefully we will not be hearing the last of our 2 writers and maybe they will be following the trail of another object?
I ws given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
The only problem was that I was a bit confused in the first few pages, but that solved itself as I read more of the book. I kept thinking and still feel that this will make an excellent movie! The ending left itself open for another book.... Who knows, hopefully we will not be hearing the last of our 2 writers and maybe they will be following the trail of another object?
I ws given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
February 9, 2015
REVIEW: OUTSOURCED by Eric J. Gates
An exciting and convoluted thriller with a strong thread emphasizing the Federal Government's insertion into the lives of private citizens, and a strong "paranormal" type element. I'm reminded of Hitler's capacity to alter mob behavior by speech; here the instrument is a certain formerly Tibetan object, now used as a pen. Those readers of science fiction are surely familiar with the concept that in dimensions in which thought or words alter reality, proper focused intent is essential. Here, proper focused intent is essential when composing with this "pen," because this object also alters reality.
An exciting and convoluted thriller with a strong thread emphasizing the Federal Government's insertion into the lives of private citizens, and a strong "paranormal" type element. I'm reminded of Hitler's capacity to alter mob behavior by speech; here the instrument is a certain formerly Tibetan object, now used as a pen. Those readers of science fiction are surely familiar with the concept that in dimensions in which thought or words alter reality, proper focused intent is essential. Here, proper focused intent is essential when composing with this "pen," because this object also alters reality.
October 3, 2018
Quite an unusual book in one respect, and that it involves an artefact which has been misused in the past, but has been given to an author who, it was thought, would be very much more careful with it, but he does make mistakes that make him much more cautious. The emphasis, however, is on who is seeking the object for themselves, including a mass murderer and the military. It becomes much more about finding a safe place for it. It is a lively read with good action in it. Could be an author to look out for, with inventive ideas that could be said to be centred on the pen being mightier than the sword!
December 11, 2014
Entertaining and gripping
Outsourced by Eric J. Gates
A spectacular creation from Gates in this rapid-paced action-filled page-turner.
On thing for sure, you won't be able to put this one down once it takes hold with it vice-like grip. Superb from beginning to end, well developed characters, fast paced, while highly entertaining and gripping to the end.
With mystery and murder - Outsourced provides the tension you would expect from a great writer.
A blinding 5***** imaginative read!
Outsourced by Eric J. Gates
A spectacular creation from Gates in this rapid-paced action-filled page-turner.
On thing for sure, you won't be able to put this one down once it takes hold with it vice-like grip. Superb from beginning to end, well developed characters, fast paced, while highly entertaining and gripping to the end.
With mystery and murder - Outsourced provides the tension you would expect from a great writer.
A blinding 5***** imaginative read!
March 4, 2015
Eric Gates has created an intriguing story that takes you on an edge-of-your seat ride, through to the conclusion. As two of the main characters risk their lives to uncover the secrets of a mysterious gift, the reader is thrown into a world of action and suspense.
There is plenty to keep the reader guessing and interested. A real page turner, with short, sharp chapters; perfect for the busy reader.
Eric has really done his research, which creates a very interesting, thrill-packed adventure that will appeal to those who love a great story.
There is plenty to keep the reader guessing and interested. A real page turner, with short, sharp chapters; perfect for the busy reader.
Eric has really done his research, which creates a very interesting, thrill-packed adventure that will appeal to those who love a great story.
April 11, 2022
This novel begins in a courtroom with the acquittal of a killer, Robert Polanski, who was charged with multiple counts of homicide. After being released, Polanski meets with his lawyer, who subsequently is killed in a bizarre traffic accident. Polanski’s last act before disappearing is to send off a mysterious package to person or persons unknown.
The scene now shifts to bestselling thriller writer, Nic Stiles, who is sequestered alone at his cabin, trying desperately to pen another bestseller. Since the beginning of Nic’s career, his publisher involved him in a pseudo-feud between himself and another bestselling writer, Grayson Fallon, a man Nic has never met. The constant stress of this competition, even though not real, has left Nic dry and unable to write. He also has concerns for his wife, Grace, who, back in New York, has a problem with pills and alcohol.
Taking a break from his struggle to write, Nic heads to town to pick up his mail. In his box is his usual envelope from his publisher and another unexpected package with no return address. Nic heads to lunch, his fertile mind wondering if the strange package contains a bomb or possibly some kind of poison. Pushing these thoughts aside, he opens the envelope. Inside is an ancient wooden box which holds what Nic thinks is just about the ugliest green fountain pen he’s ever seen. But is it an ordinary pen? The cryptic note, from killer Polanski, that accompanies the gift, seems to infer that the pen isn’t just a cheap writing instrument and that, somehow by using it, the writer’s wishes may be granted.
Outsourced, by author Gates, is one terrific techno-thriller with a touch of Stephen King-like magic woven throughout. It also reminded me of an old horror tale, The Monkey’s Paw by W.W. Jacobs, the moral of which is to be careful what you wish for because you might just actually get it. The pace of Outsourced is fast and Gates keeps the tension high throughout the novel. Even some of the more esoteric discussions of quantum mechanics keep the reader rapt, trying to figure out the magic inside the strange pen. A real page-turner, Outsourced is hard to put down. I finished my copy at 4 a.m. this morning and was strangely sad that the tale had ended. However, I see now that this is the first book in a series and I look forward eagerly to the next installment.
Outsourced is highly recommended for lovers of thrillers, techno-thrillers, books with a touch of the occult, and mysteries that need to be solved. In summary, it’s a great read!
The scene now shifts to bestselling thriller writer, Nic Stiles, who is sequestered alone at his cabin, trying desperately to pen another bestseller. Since the beginning of Nic’s career, his publisher involved him in a pseudo-feud between himself and another bestselling writer, Grayson Fallon, a man Nic has never met. The constant stress of this competition, even though not real, has left Nic dry and unable to write. He also has concerns for his wife, Grace, who, back in New York, has a problem with pills and alcohol.
Taking a break from his struggle to write, Nic heads to town to pick up his mail. In his box is his usual envelope from his publisher and another unexpected package with no return address. Nic heads to lunch, his fertile mind wondering if the strange package contains a bomb or possibly some kind of poison. Pushing these thoughts aside, he opens the envelope. Inside is an ancient wooden box which holds what Nic thinks is just about the ugliest green fountain pen he’s ever seen. But is it an ordinary pen? The cryptic note, from killer Polanski, that accompanies the gift, seems to infer that the pen isn’t just a cheap writing instrument and that, somehow by using it, the writer’s wishes may be granted.
Outsourced, by author Gates, is one terrific techno-thriller with a touch of Stephen King-like magic woven throughout. It also reminded me of an old horror tale, The Monkey’s Paw by W.W. Jacobs, the moral of which is to be careful what you wish for because you might just actually get it. The pace of Outsourced is fast and Gates keeps the tension high throughout the novel. Even some of the more esoteric discussions of quantum mechanics keep the reader rapt, trying to figure out the magic inside the strange pen. A real page-turner, Outsourced is hard to put down. I finished my copy at 4 a.m. this morning and was strangely sad that the tale had ended. However, I see now that this is the first book in a series and I look forward eagerly to the next installment.
Outsourced is highly recommended for lovers of thrillers, techno-thrillers, books with a touch of the occult, and mysteries that need to be solved. In summary, it’s a great read!
October 31, 2021
Outsourced, by Eric J. Gates, starts at the end of a trial. Robert Polanski, accused of being a serial killer, has been found innocent. He has been accused of murdering over 200 people but the evidence for each was circumstantial. On the way out of the courtroom, his lawyer, feeling guilty himself for defending a man he is certain is guilty, asks him if he is. Polanski coolly announces that the real total is closer to 400, and walks away. Soon after, the lawyer dies, his car having been sabotaged.
It’s an excellent way to set the scene. We have a villain who is very villainous, indeed, resourceful, intelligent and entirely without a conscience.
The scene then shifts to Nic Stiles, a writer of mysteries and thrillers, who has been thrust into a trumped up competition with Grayson Fallon, another writer, whose career has paralleled his own. Nic wants nothing to do with the feud, particularly since he has lost his will to write, but he feels beholden to his publishers and his own sense of pride.
Polanski, it seems, owes much of his success to a mysterious artifact, a pen that grants wishes. What is written, comes true, though often in disquieting ways. Polanski wants to retire and decides to send the pen to his favorite writer, Nic Stiles. The US government, however, is aware of the pen, and is desperate to get their hands on it.
What follows is a fast moving, engrossing thriller. There’s a lot of action, a lot of complications and it all rushes to a conclusion that makes satisfying sense. This is the first book by Eric J. Gates that I’ve read. It won’t be the last. Highly recommended.
It’s an excellent way to set the scene. We have a villain who is very villainous, indeed, resourceful, intelligent and entirely without a conscience.
The scene then shifts to Nic Stiles, a writer of mysteries and thrillers, who has been thrust into a trumped up competition with Grayson Fallon, another writer, whose career has paralleled his own. Nic wants nothing to do with the feud, particularly since he has lost his will to write, but he feels beholden to his publishers and his own sense of pride.
Polanski, it seems, owes much of his success to a mysterious artifact, a pen that grants wishes. What is written, comes true, though often in disquieting ways. Polanski wants to retire and decides to send the pen to his favorite writer, Nic Stiles. The US government, however, is aware of the pen, and is desperate to get their hands on it.
What follows is a fast moving, engrossing thriller. There’s a lot of action, a lot of complications and it all rushes to a conclusion that makes satisfying sense. This is the first book by Eric J. Gates that I’ve read. It won’t be the last. Highly recommended.
December 29, 2021
Outsourced by Eric J. Gates just won my 2021 Best Book I Have Read This Year award. WOW, what a ride. The book begins with a not-guilty verdict in the trial of Robert Polanski, a self-confessed serial killer. My first thought as a reader became, okay, how did Polanski pull this off? This is where I fastened my seat belt because the rest of the book is a wild ride. With twists and turns on every page and short chapters keeping the point-of-view constantly changing, the story progresses at an entertaining pace. Plus, there are well-developed characters, some you root for and others you don’t.
The story centers around an ancient artifact that allows the user to Write and it shall be so. This means the holder of the artifact can write the demise of a rival or enemy, obtain massive wealth, or change one’s own future. Mixed with modern surveillance tricks by the government, the story will please the most hardened suspense/thriller fan.
This is the second book by Eric J. Gates I have read and I must confess, my favorite so far. This is book one of a two-book series. As soon as I finish this missive, I will be downloading book two: Primed.
Five stars for Outsourced and highly recommended.
The story centers around an ancient artifact that allows the user to Write and it shall be so. This means the holder of the artifact can write the demise of a rival or enemy, obtain massive wealth, or change one’s own future. Mixed with modern surveillance tricks by the government, the story will please the most hardened suspense/thriller fan.
This is the second book by Eric J. Gates I have read and I must confess, my favorite so far. This is book one of a two-book series. As soon as I finish this missive, I will be downloading book two: Primed.
Five stars for Outsourced and highly recommended.
March 19, 2015
There’s a drawing by M. C. Escher showing a hand drawing the hand that’s drawing it. (Come on, you know you remember that one from your cool Escher period…) I was thinking of that drawing—and no, I wasn’t smoking anything—when reading Eric J. Gates’ fantastic thriller, Outsourced.
In some ways, Outsourced is a conspiracy thriller boiled down to its essence. Think Robert Ludlum’s Bourne series meets Dan Brown’s DaVinci Code. There’s the somewhat inexplicable murder at the start, which quickly devolves to the clueless and relatively powerless protagonist—in this case, thriller writer Nic Stiles—slowly realizing that he faces a vastly powerful and mysterious Them. (Bonus points if Them is The Government, or at least an Evil Big Business). In addition, Outsourced contains the other critical conspiracy thriller elements:
*MacGuffin (an Ancient Artifact works well here): When Nic Stiles receives a mysterious package, it sets in motion a murderous chain of events that results both in immediate tragedy and potential mass carnage.
*Sympathetic Evil: While there might be a truly despicable, puppy-kicking, absolutely no sense of humor Them out there, we also meet a conflicted hardass antagonist with a sad backstory—in this case federal agent Major Bridget Mason—who tells a joke now and then, and only does mean stuff because of her sad history. And because she can.
*Spying on Spies: In conspiracy thrillers, everyone spies on everyone else. Major Mason is especially lucky to have the vast resources of a conspiracy theorist’s wetdream as her tools, not to mention armor-piercing bullets. (Naturally, someone is spying on her too.)
*Them‘s Evil Plan: Sometimes making the world safe for Mom, democracy, and apple pie means you have to take over the rest of it. Collateral damage, baby. Why does Them do this? (Other than to mess with my pronouns and tenses, of course?) Power, duh. The beauty of having it be a government conspiracy is that you don’t even have to come up with another reason for wanting power, cause that’s just what governments do.
*A Soupçon of Science. Or maybe religion. Or aliens: This is a really good place to bring up that cat. Erwin Schrödinger’s theory that a cat in a box with poison might potentially be simultaneously alive and dead until you open the box and collapse all possible outcomes into one definitive reality might or might not fit neatly into quantum theory, but it definitely makes a good explanation for a conspiracy thriller. Tie that into a mysterious (possibly alien) artifact that needs to be watched over by a mystical religious order, and Outsourced completely nails this thriller element.
So far Outsourced sounds like a competent and even exciting conspiracy thriller. But that’s just the beginning. The twist (at least for me) that pulls in Mr. Escher and turns this into a many-layered offering with humor and all kinds of winks and nods is that [tiny spoiler alert!] the object Nic Stiles receives in the mail can open Schrödinger’s box and define his cat’s fate. How? The owner of the object gets to write Destiny itself. The keyword here is write.
If I had to point out weaknesses in the book, it might be the ease with which Nic Stiles, in reluctant partnership with his greatest rival and fellow thriller writer, is convinced about what the object can do. But, in fact, I don’t really see it as a weakness. Because writers don’t even need a mystical destiny-defining thingy to invent a world and write its fate. That’s what writers do anyway—all day long and twice as much on Sundays—with pens, pencils, typewriters, computers, and maybe the occasional alien objects they get in the mail.
Reading Outsourced was just so much fun! Its lightning-fast pace, adrenalin-boosting action scenes, and flawed three-dimensional characters would be entertaining enough. But the frosting is that it’s also about writing, with all it’s rewards and frustrations, not to mention the added digs against the traditional publishing scene by (self-published) author Eric J. Gates:
**I received this book for free from the publisher or author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.**
In some ways, Outsourced is a conspiracy thriller boiled down to its essence. Think Robert Ludlum’s Bourne series meets Dan Brown’s DaVinci Code. There’s the somewhat inexplicable murder at the start, which quickly devolves to the clueless and relatively powerless protagonist—in this case, thriller writer Nic Stiles—slowly realizing that he faces a vastly powerful and mysterious Them. (Bonus points if Them is The Government, or at least an Evil Big Business). In addition, Outsourced contains the other critical conspiracy thriller elements:
*MacGuffin (an Ancient Artifact works well here): When Nic Stiles receives a mysterious package, it sets in motion a murderous chain of events that results both in immediate tragedy and potential mass carnage.
*Sympathetic Evil: While there might be a truly despicable, puppy-kicking, absolutely no sense of humor Them out there, we also meet a conflicted hardass antagonist with a sad backstory—in this case federal agent Major Bridget Mason—who tells a joke now and then, and only does mean stuff because of her sad history. And because she can.
*Spying on Spies: In conspiracy thrillers, everyone spies on everyone else. Major Mason is especially lucky to have the vast resources of a conspiracy theorist’s wetdream as her tools, not to mention armor-piercing bullets. (Naturally, someone is spying on her too.)
*Them‘s Evil Plan: Sometimes making the world safe for Mom, democracy, and apple pie means you have to take over the rest of it. Collateral damage, baby. Why does Them do this? (Other than to mess with my pronouns and tenses, of course?) Power, duh. The beauty of having it be a government conspiracy is that you don’t even have to come up with another reason for wanting power, cause that’s just what governments do.
*A Soupçon of Science. Or maybe religion. Or aliens: This is a really good place to bring up that cat. Erwin Schrödinger’s theory that a cat in a box with poison might potentially be simultaneously alive and dead until you open the box and collapse all possible outcomes into one definitive reality might or might not fit neatly into quantum theory, but it definitely makes a good explanation for a conspiracy thriller. Tie that into a mysterious (possibly alien) artifact that needs to be watched over by a mystical religious order, and Outsourced completely nails this thriller element.
So far Outsourced sounds like a competent and even exciting conspiracy thriller. But that’s just the beginning. The twist (at least for me) that pulls in Mr. Escher and turns this into a many-layered offering with humor and all kinds of winks and nods is that [tiny spoiler alert!] the object Nic Stiles receives in the mail can open Schrödinger’s box and define his cat’s fate. How? The owner of the object gets to write Destiny itself. The keyword here is write.
If I had to point out weaknesses in the book, it might be the ease with which Nic Stiles, in reluctant partnership with his greatest rival and fellow thriller writer, is convinced about what the object can do. But, in fact, I don’t really see it as a weakness. Because writers don’t even need a mystical destiny-defining thingy to invent a world and write its fate. That’s what writers do anyway—all day long and twice as much on Sundays—with pens, pencils, typewriters, computers, and maybe the occasional alien objects they get in the mail.
Reading Outsourced was just so much fun! Its lightning-fast pace, adrenalin-boosting action scenes, and flawed three-dimensional characters would be entertaining enough. But the frosting is that it’s also about writing, with all it’s rewards and frustrations, not to mention the added digs against the traditional publishing scene by (self-published) author Eric J. Gates:
“These people are not our friends, Nic; you’ve got to see that. They just squeeze us dry then move on to the latest one-book-wonder, probably a ghost-written book with a celebrity name on the cover. We’re a commodity to these bastards, Nic, something to manage until it no longer provides benefits. Then it’s cut and run. Hell, their whole industry still works the same way it did a hundred and twenty years ago!”And he doesn’t miss the chance for a poke at the critics too:
“They miss the point that, although we write popular fiction, we use it to say what we want about this world we live in. They’re too busy being wined and dined by the publishing houses and Lit Agents to bother about the damed writers, Nic.”So we have a writer, writing about a writer, who solves a thriller conspiracy by…writing. I think Eric J. Gates is all those brilliant writers, and I don’t hesitate to give Outsourced five stars out of five. (And, when that box gets opened, the cat will probably add another couple of stars.)
**I received this book for free from the publisher or author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.**
April 23, 2015
After the author of this book sent this one to me for review, I immediately put it on the bottom of my pile of books to review. Because look at this goddamn cover. It's fucking retarded. I'm not sure why I hate it so much, but I really do. Thankfully, the book was actually better than the cover. Not that it's good, mind you. It's just not that bad.
This is the story of two writers, and a magic pen. Oh, and an assassin, who wants his fucking magic pen back. Because it's really easy to kill people when you have a magic pen that can literally write fatal accidents into your target's future. Because that's what this pen does. If you write it, it will happen. Or something like that.
Apparently, the pen is not as easy as it seems. Because it has a mind of its own, and it's a sneaky little fuck. You see, it's like a magic Genie in a lamp, apparently. You have to write very specific instructions, or your wish will backfire. Like Nic, one of the writers who came upon the pen. He writes, "I wish my wife wasn't such a bitch..." And sure enough, she's not a bitch anymore, because shortly after that, she dies in a horrible car accident. Problem solved, right? I'm telling you, that pen is a motherfucker. A curse, if you will.
Wow. This sounds like a pretty interesting story, doesn't it? Well, it's not, goddamnit. It has such an awesome premise. The first few chapters are actually very good, but then comes the conspiracy horseshit. Where did this magic pen come from? How does it work? Let's go talk to a physics professor and find out some actual science about this thing. Then find out its origin. Crack the secret language that's written on the box it came in. Do endless google searches. No, not to google "pen in vagina porn", because that might actually be interesting.
But why all the fucking research, man? I don't give a fuck how this thing works. Nobody should care how it works, just use it, already. Get rich. Fuck some bitches. Make friendly aliens appear in Central Park, you know just for the fun of it. Because fuck, man. Think of the possibilities. It's endless.
But nooooo. Because now the NSA are tailing Nic's ass. And just about every other government spy agency around the globe. I mean, everyone wants this fucking pen. Because, of course they do. It's fucking awesome! And this cocksuker Nic isn't even using the goddamn thing. Such a shame. Someone should just send an assassin after him.
The original owner of the pen, the assassin, gets bored in his retirement from killing people, and comes back to the states to retrieve what's rightfully his. But he finds his assassination attempts against Nic quite frustrating, because now Nic has the Power of Greyskull! Or whatever. He can thwart all of the assassin's plans just by making a few notes.
Notes like, "I'm immortal" and "I have the biggest cock in the world" and "Okay, I don't really need a 12 foot cock. Make it just a foot" and "Goddamnit, not a real foot, motherfucker. I mean make it a foot long cock" "Not a chicken! Fuck. Now my cock's a chicken. A FOOT LONG PENIS, GODDAMNIT. I HAVE A FOOT LONG PENIS, OKAY? IS THAT CLEAR ENOUGH FOR YOU?!"
He wasn't quite happy with his foot long elephant penis, either. Because it was so fat and wide, it was completely useless. But he decided to cut his losses and do some more google searching: "how to fuck with a foot long elephant cock" google gave him a funny look and said, "fuck a very tiny elephant, you idiot."
See, here I go making the book more interesting than it is. I often do that when I get bored as fuck while reading a book. Because there was so much conspiracy horseshit in this book, I just couldn't stand it. The author really did make a great premise, but he skullfucked it so hard, it turned out useless.
This is the story of two writers, and a magic pen. Oh, and an assassin, who wants his fucking magic pen back. Because it's really easy to kill people when you have a magic pen that can literally write fatal accidents into your target's future. Because that's what this pen does. If you write it, it will happen. Or something like that.
Apparently, the pen is not as easy as it seems. Because it has a mind of its own, and it's a sneaky little fuck. You see, it's like a magic Genie in a lamp, apparently. You have to write very specific instructions, or your wish will backfire. Like Nic, one of the writers who came upon the pen. He writes, "I wish my wife wasn't such a bitch..." And sure enough, she's not a bitch anymore, because shortly after that, she dies in a horrible car accident. Problem solved, right? I'm telling you, that pen is a motherfucker. A curse, if you will.
Wow. This sounds like a pretty interesting story, doesn't it? Well, it's not, goddamnit. It has such an awesome premise. The first few chapters are actually very good, but then comes the conspiracy horseshit. Where did this magic pen come from? How does it work? Let's go talk to a physics professor and find out some actual science about this thing. Then find out its origin. Crack the secret language that's written on the box it came in. Do endless google searches. No, not to google "pen in vagina porn", because that might actually be interesting.
But why all the fucking research, man? I don't give a fuck how this thing works. Nobody should care how it works, just use it, already. Get rich. Fuck some bitches. Make friendly aliens appear in Central Park, you know just for the fun of it. Because fuck, man. Think of the possibilities. It's endless.
But nooooo. Because now the NSA are tailing Nic's ass. And just about every other government spy agency around the globe. I mean, everyone wants this fucking pen. Because, of course they do. It's fucking awesome! And this cocksuker Nic isn't even using the goddamn thing. Such a shame. Someone should just send an assassin after him.
The original owner of the pen, the assassin, gets bored in his retirement from killing people, and comes back to the states to retrieve what's rightfully his. But he finds his assassination attempts against Nic quite frustrating, because now Nic has the Power of Greyskull! Or whatever. He can thwart all of the assassin's plans just by making a few notes.
Notes like, "I'm immortal" and "I have the biggest cock in the world" and "Okay, I don't really need a 12 foot cock. Make it just a foot" and "Goddamnit, not a real foot, motherfucker. I mean make it a foot long cock" "Not a chicken! Fuck. Now my cock's a chicken. A FOOT LONG PENIS, GODDAMNIT. I HAVE A FOOT LONG PENIS, OKAY? IS THAT CLEAR ENOUGH FOR YOU?!"
He wasn't quite happy with his foot long elephant penis, either. Because it was so fat and wide, it was completely useless. But he decided to cut his losses and do some more google searching: "how to fuck with a foot long elephant cock" google gave him a funny look and said, "fuck a very tiny elephant, you idiot."
See, here I go making the book more interesting than it is. I often do that when I get bored as fuck while reading a book. Because there was so much conspiracy horseshit in this book, I just couldn't stand it. The author really did make a great premise, but he skullfucked it so hard, it turned out useless.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 4, 2022
Spoilers: Eric J. Gates' Outsourced reads like a book length Twilight Zone episode where something odd, mysterious, and paranormal happens and changes the life of the person that experiences it for better but usually for worse.
In this book, the strange object is a fountain pen ("the ugliest fountain pen" the one of the characters had ever seen in their life), originally a quill pen, inside a wooden box with a strange Tibetan inscription. The pen passes through the hands of three people who learn that the pen has the power to control destiny.
The first character to wield the pen is Robert Polanski, a sociopath just acquitted for multiple murders and is ready to go on the run.
The next recipient is Nic Stiles, a writer who needs privacy to put down the writing thoughts in his head. After a few chance encounters, Nic is fascinated and drawn by what the pen can do.
The third person that the pen has affected is Grayson Fallon, another writer and Stiles' frequent rival. He shares important information to Stiles about what the pen does and the true consequences. Oh he also brings a conspiracy of people in higher positions who want the pen for their own gain.
It's interesting to see what choices that the characters make when they receive the pen and then learn about the consequences of what such power can bring. For Polanski, it fills all of his most lustful dangerous thoughts. He uses it during a long path of violence and bloodshed. He represents the worst things that someone can do with that kind of power.
While we don't get the full picture of what exactly Fallon did with the pen, he represents the higher goals connected to it. He doesn't fully understand what he has been given so he seeks to study it, getting information from scientists and spiritualists. He seeks to master the pen through knowledge and to assist others who have been given the same choice that he had.
Stiles represents the average person, the mistakes that we would all make if given the chance. After receiving the pen he does some fun things like causing a boat on a nearby lake to catch fire and a crocodile swimming in the middle of the Thames. It's all harmless mischievous fun. He is also drawn by what an awesome power that he has been given. It isn't until the pen causes the death of someone close to him, that Stiles realizes the full implications of what he has and what it truly means to alter one's destiny.
There are some missteps with Outsourced partly because the book runs longer than the concept needs to be stretched. The government conspiracy is thrown in halfway through perhaps to stretch the book to novel length when the idea would work just as well as a three character study with a fascinating gift. It also continues to another book that could threaten to stretch this plot much longer than is needed or necessary.
Despite the flaws regarding the book's length, Outsourced reveals that sometimes the pen is not only mightier than the sword, it can be deadlier too.
In this book, the strange object is a fountain pen ("the ugliest fountain pen" the one of the characters had ever seen in their life), originally a quill pen, inside a wooden box with a strange Tibetan inscription. The pen passes through the hands of three people who learn that the pen has the power to control destiny.
The first character to wield the pen is Robert Polanski, a sociopath just acquitted for multiple murders and is ready to go on the run.
The next recipient is Nic Stiles, a writer who needs privacy to put down the writing thoughts in his head. After a few chance encounters, Nic is fascinated and drawn by what the pen can do.
The third person that the pen has affected is Grayson Fallon, another writer and Stiles' frequent rival. He shares important information to Stiles about what the pen does and the true consequences. Oh he also brings a conspiracy of people in higher positions who want the pen for their own gain.
It's interesting to see what choices that the characters make when they receive the pen and then learn about the consequences of what such power can bring. For Polanski, it fills all of his most lustful dangerous thoughts. He uses it during a long path of violence and bloodshed. He represents the worst things that someone can do with that kind of power.
While we don't get the full picture of what exactly Fallon did with the pen, he represents the higher goals connected to it. He doesn't fully understand what he has been given so he seeks to study it, getting information from scientists and spiritualists. He seeks to master the pen through knowledge and to assist others who have been given the same choice that he had.
Stiles represents the average person, the mistakes that we would all make if given the chance. After receiving the pen he does some fun things like causing a boat on a nearby lake to catch fire and a crocodile swimming in the middle of the Thames. It's all harmless mischievous fun. He is also drawn by what an awesome power that he has been given. It isn't until the pen causes the death of someone close to him, that Stiles realizes the full implications of what he has and what it truly means to alter one's destiny.
There are some missteps with Outsourced partly because the book runs longer than the concept needs to be stretched. The government conspiracy is thrown in halfway through perhaps to stretch the book to novel length when the idea would work just as well as a three character study with a fascinating gift. It also continues to another book that could threaten to stretch this plot much longer than is needed or necessary.
Despite the flaws regarding the book's length, Outsourced reveals that sometimes the pen is not only mightier than the sword, it can be deadlier too.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 24, 2018
Fundamentally, this is a good story. Eric J Gates has written a strongly plotted book that quickly becomes an immersive page-turner.
Successful thriller writer Nic Stiles receives a mysterious package in the post, apparently from notorious mass-murderer Robert Polanski (I wouldn’t have picked that name either, but it’s not a big issue), and quickly becomes embroiled in an adventure involving shadowy government agencies, determined criminals, and a theoretical physicist. During the course of this, he is forced to team up with his literary rival, Phil Beasley, to get to the bottom of the mystery. One particularly successful element that helps to give Outsourced its unique character is the author’s use of magical elements in the story, something other crime and thriller writers tend to avoid. Gates proves that you can involve unusual and unexpected themes in a gritty and down-to-earth story, and the book is the better for it.
I did have some issues with the novel, however. At times, Outsourced speaks to the importance in indie publishing of hiring an experienced proofreader. Semicolons are overused and break the flow of some passages, and several words are unnecessarily capitalised. This is a shame, as the silly mistakes are distracting (at least, for someone sad like me), and detract from the pacy and gripping narrative.
Dialogue is often stilted, and acts too much as exposition throughout. Two entire chapters are centred around a conversation Stiles and Beasley have with physicist Claudia Chan, in which fairly well-known science trivia is explained as though it is ground-breaking research. On the off-chance that anyone reading hasn’t heard of Schrödinger’s Cat, there are other ways round it than having one of your main characters repeatedly exclaim ‘Tell him about the cat’ until your scientist character painstakingly explains the concept.
On this note, unnecessary detail sometimes stymies Gates’ voice, and he is often far too wordy. Sentences like ‘She spotted the person she was seeking, picking away at a keyboard with his left hand, as he simultaneously manipulated a wireless trackpad with his right in a display of cerebral bilocation which would be beyond her own, above average, coordination skills’ abound. In fact, the very first sentence of the novel nearly put me off from the beginning, and it is a testament to Gates’ tight plotting that I stuck with it.
Overall, I enjoyed this book, though I did feel it was badly let down by some unfortunate errors, and some dialogue and sentences that would have been better left out. This is one of the drawbacks to indie publishing, of course, and serves as a reminder of why good proofreading and copy-editing are vital!
Successful thriller writer Nic Stiles receives a mysterious package in the post, apparently from notorious mass-murderer Robert Polanski (I wouldn’t have picked that name either, but it’s not a big issue), and quickly becomes embroiled in an adventure involving shadowy government agencies, determined criminals, and a theoretical physicist. During the course of this, he is forced to team up with his literary rival, Phil Beasley, to get to the bottom of the mystery. One particularly successful element that helps to give Outsourced its unique character is the author’s use of magical elements in the story, something other crime and thriller writers tend to avoid. Gates proves that you can involve unusual and unexpected themes in a gritty and down-to-earth story, and the book is the better for it.
I did have some issues with the novel, however. At times, Outsourced speaks to the importance in indie publishing of hiring an experienced proofreader. Semicolons are overused and break the flow of some passages, and several words are unnecessarily capitalised. This is a shame, as the silly mistakes are distracting (at least, for someone sad like me), and detract from the pacy and gripping narrative.
Dialogue is often stilted, and acts too much as exposition throughout. Two entire chapters are centred around a conversation Stiles and Beasley have with physicist Claudia Chan, in which fairly well-known science trivia is explained as though it is ground-breaking research. On the off-chance that anyone reading hasn’t heard of Schrödinger’s Cat, there are other ways round it than having one of your main characters repeatedly exclaim ‘Tell him about the cat’ until your scientist character painstakingly explains the concept.
On this note, unnecessary detail sometimes stymies Gates’ voice, and he is often far too wordy. Sentences like ‘She spotted the person she was seeking, picking away at a keyboard with his left hand, as he simultaneously manipulated a wireless trackpad with his right in a display of cerebral bilocation which would be beyond her own, above average, coordination skills’ abound. In fact, the very first sentence of the novel nearly put me off from the beginning, and it is a testament to Gates’ tight plotting that I stuck with it.
Overall, I enjoyed this book, though I did feel it was badly let down by some unfortunate errors, and some dialogue and sentences that would have been better left out. This is one of the drawbacks to indie publishing, of course, and serves as a reminder of why good proofreading and copy-editing are vital!
October 20, 2018
Apart from the ability to write well, imagination must be the most powerful tool in a fiction writer’s box of tricks. And if this novel is anything to go by, Eric J. Gates has that in spades. ‘Outsourced’ is an outstanding thriller.
Set in the New York region of the United States, it’s a mix of gritty, hard-edged reality, Eastern mysticism, and fantasy. It held my attention from the first page to the last.
Obviously, the result of good research, the plot, the storyline, is woven in a complex way. It demands attention but rewards the keen reader with commensurate pleasure. It’s well-paced and fast-moving. The drama is almost non-stop.
The central characters, Nic Stiles and Grayson Fallon, are high ranking thriller writers at the top of their game, now engaged in a bitter, competitive contest conjured up by their ruthless, exploiting publishing house. And the pressure they are under is taking its toll.
And in Robert Polanski, we have a terrific villain. Supremely evil, he’s a charming, highly intelligent and successful serial killer who games and beats the justice system.
Then there is the pen.
I’m always fascinated when an inanimate object holds a central place in a story. In ‘Dial ‘M’ for Murder’ it was a latch-key. In the Indiana Jones sagas, it was the Arc of the Covenant, the Holy Grail, a crystal skull and other fascinating objects. In ‘Outsourced’ it’s a fountain pen.
But no ordinary pen. Think of Aladdin’s Lamp. Whoever processes this pen holds almost supernatural powers. Whatever is written with it will come about, though perhaps not in the way the writer intends. And often with catastrophic results. Polanski used it to great effect in his evil career. Now rich and seeking retirement and a life of ease, he feels he no longer needs it, and he decides to pass it on and gift it by post to a writer he came to enjoy while serving prison time; Nic Stiles. And so he does.
But the United States Government is also aware of the existence of the ‘object’ and its immense power. And its secret agencies, aware of Polanski’s possession of it, have dispatched teams tasked with its capture. Tooled up with sophisticated gear, they track Polanski, watching his every move. Becoming aware of this, Polanski decides he needs to retrieve the pen. And so it’s game on.
What follows is akin to urban guerrilla warfare leading to a superb climax and on to a cool ending. ‘Outscourced’ is a superb novel and an engrossing read from a writer who knows his business. I do intend to read more of Mr. Gates’ thrillers, and I highly recommend ‘Outsourced’.
Set in the New York region of the United States, it’s a mix of gritty, hard-edged reality, Eastern mysticism, and fantasy. It held my attention from the first page to the last.
Obviously, the result of good research, the plot, the storyline, is woven in a complex way. It demands attention but rewards the keen reader with commensurate pleasure. It’s well-paced and fast-moving. The drama is almost non-stop.
The central characters, Nic Stiles and Grayson Fallon, are high ranking thriller writers at the top of their game, now engaged in a bitter, competitive contest conjured up by their ruthless, exploiting publishing house. And the pressure they are under is taking its toll.
And in Robert Polanski, we have a terrific villain. Supremely evil, he’s a charming, highly intelligent and successful serial killer who games and beats the justice system.
Then there is the pen.
I’m always fascinated when an inanimate object holds a central place in a story. In ‘Dial ‘M’ for Murder’ it was a latch-key. In the Indiana Jones sagas, it was the Arc of the Covenant, the Holy Grail, a crystal skull and other fascinating objects. In ‘Outsourced’ it’s a fountain pen.
But no ordinary pen. Think of Aladdin’s Lamp. Whoever processes this pen holds almost supernatural powers. Whatever is written with it will come about, though perhaps not in the way the writer intends. And often with catastrophic results. Polanski used it to great effect in his evil career. Now rich and seeking retirement and a life of ease, he feels he no longer needs it, and he decides to pass it on and gift it by post to a writer he came to enjoy while serving prison time; Nic Stiles. And so he does.
But the United States Government is also aware of the existence of the ‘object’ and its immense power. And its secret agencies, aware of Polanski’s possession of it, have dispatched teams tasked with its capture. Tooled up with sophisticated gear, they track Polanski, watching his every move. Becoming aware of this, Polanski decides he needs to retrieve the pen. And so it’s game on.
What follows is akin to urban guerrilla warfare leading to a superb climax and on to a cool ending. ‘Outscourced’ is a superb novel and an engrossing read from a writer who knows his business. I do intend to read more of Mr. Gates’ thrillers, and I highly recommend ‘Outsourced’.
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