Blog Tour: Yearn to Fear – Chas Murrell*

The greatest scientific invention of modern times…
Capable of curing humanity…
But more adept at controlling it…

Sydney scientist, Marcus Hall, is developing a radical 5G Wi-Fi receiver for CSIRO. With access to secretive Lamarr computer chips – this technology promises billions to repair Australia’s ravaged economy. On a caffeine boosted whim, he inadvertently discovers a therapeutic breakthrough in neuroscience. Or so he thinks…

His seemingly trustworthy lab partner, Henry, is an unlikely Australian spy. His official duty is keeping tabs on the project and their Lamarr chips. But the whole project is now classified top-secret.

Marcus remains blissfully unaware of the many secrets surrounding him, until he witnesses the graphic murder of a colleague. Could this event reveal Henry as a master deceiver and ruthless double agent? Will the scientific discovery be fatal for Marcus, those he loves, and the one he yearns for? Marcus faces a soul tearing dilemma: is the only means of stopping the carnage to weaponise his prototype?

Foreign intelligence agencies realise the top-secret breakthrough is priceless. One particular spy leads the race to seize the invention. A psychological master of the long game, espionage, and extortion, his only rule according to Kung Fu: Win.

Friend and foe alike confront this psychotic mastermind. All will FEAR him, but is their FEAR real? Only the next six minutes will tell…

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Chas Murrell has been a Police Officer, Senior Fire Commander, Customs Coastwatch surveillance mission co-ordinator, heavy machinery mechanic, emergency medical technician/ instructor, film extra, and General Manager of an event company. He has published academic papers on liquid hydrogen and held a worldwide provisional patent for a nonlinear mathematical calculation.

He survived Australia’s largest gas BLEVE in 1987, and has provided operational support to some of Australia’s largest natural disasters in North Queensland.
He has published academic papers on liquid hydrogen and held a worldwide provisional patent for a nonlinear mathematical calculation.

He survived Australia’s largest gas BLEVE in 1987, and has provided operational support to some of Australia’s largest natural disasters in North Queensland.
On a personal level he has suffered from relentless and debilitating migraines all his life, is father to four and pop to two. He and his artistically entrepreneurial wife live in Tasmania, which looks very much like Scotland and they wouldn’t have it any other way.

A direct descendant of Robert the Bruce (King of Scots), history runs deep in Chas’s veins, along with a profound knowledge of both World Wars. You may even come across him online playing World of Tanks.
In his Australian spy thriller books you will get to know Chas’s knowledge of technology, intrigue, crime, espionage, weaponry, banter, romance and even whisky… yet above all, there is believability and no loose ends.

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My thoughts:

This was an enjoyable sci-fi spy thriller, although I got a tiny bit confused at one point – but I blame the villain of the piece for that!

The technology Marcus invents could be revolutionary and help sufferers of many conditions or it could be deadly in the wrong hands. Now he, and his friends are in danger.

It was a fast paced, action packed adventure with scientists and spies galore, several double crosses and double agents and someone losing their mind completely while armed.

I liked Marcus and Henry – they were smart and personable, their friends and family too. I could see how their accidental discovery of something they were just messing about with could put them in trouble quite easily. I felt sorry for poor Sarah getting entangled with the ghastly Peter.

I also really liked that the series and the important element in Marcus’ invention is called Lamarr, after the brilliant scientist and actor Hedy Lamarr, a woman often overlooked and forgotten in the past.

*I was kindly gifted a copy of this book in exchange for taking part in the blog tour but all opinions remain my own.