Sleeper Code

A Novel

De: Kevin McGuire

Narrado por: Austin Rising

Beneath the calm hum of America’s power grids, a new kind of weapon is awakening.

When a self-learning piece of code—Phantom—is planted deep inside the nation’s critical infrastructure, it lies dormant, invisible, and patient. Until the day it is called to life.

Max Shaw, a brilliant but battle-worn cybersecurity leader at the National Infrastructure Protection Agency, has spent years defending systems most people never see. But when the grid flickers and a single word appears across his screen—PHANTOM: AWAKE—he and his team realize the enemy is already inside.

Together with Tara Lin, an MIT-trained code-breaker haunted by her brother’s stolen identity, and Sam Rourke, a field-forged deputy who walks with a limp and the weight of past wars, Max races to trace the infection before it cascades through every network that keeps the nation alive.

From Washington’s hidden command bunkers to data farms buried in the Kansas plains, Sleeper Code delivers a pulse-pounding journey through the invisible battlefield of the twenty-first century—where power, water, and trust itself can vanish with a single keystroke.

Can Max and his team stop a weapon that learns faster than they can think—or has the countdown already begun?

Gripping, authentic, and terrifyingly plausible, Sleeper Code blends cutting-edge cyber warfare with human courage, exploring how far we’ll go to protect the systems—and the people—we love.

©2025 Perfect Publishing (P)2026 Blue Nose Publishing

Living in a tech world

Story by Kevin McGuire that tells the story of how dependable we are to the tech world we live in and suddenly how one day the switch could be turned off. Austin Rising is the narrator on the audiobook who kept the storyline flowing and kept you intrigued with the twists in the story. If you love cyber thrillers then this is the book for you. Thank you Blue Nose audio for the ALC read .

A Thriller Like No Other!!

A techno-thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat! Austin Rising did an amazing job making this intense thriller come to life! A must listen/read!

Kevin's level of knowledge and ability to make it understandable in lay terms

Reading Sleeper Code by Kevin McGuire was eye-opening. I’m not well-versed in cybersecurity, but the book made it understandable and real. It really opened my eyes to how fragile our safety can be in today’s digital world. Definitely a worthwhile and thought-provoking read.

ALC | SPOILER-FREE REVIEW Tropes: Conspiracies • Mystery • Spies

ALC | SPOILER-FREE REVIEW
Sleeper Code: A Novel by Kevin McGuire Tropes: Conspiracies • Mystery • Spies & Politics • Thriller & SuspenseAudiobook Narrated by: Austin Rising! I went into Sleeper Code expecting a typical tech thriller, but it pulled me in more than I expected. What makes the story stand out is how believable it feels. It explores how the systems we rely on every day might not be as secure as we think, which keeps the tension running throughout the book. The audiobook made the experience even better. Austin Rising's narration keeps everything clear and engaging, especially during the technical moments, while still building suspense. This is a smart thriller that never feels overwhelming, and the stakes keep rising as the story unfolds. If you enjoy suspense that feels realistic and a little unsettling, this one is definitely worth the listen.

Tech / cyber thrillers

If you love fast-paced tech thrillers that feel ripped straight from the headlines, Sleeper Code delivers a tense and gripping ride. The story dives into the dangerous world of cyber warfare, hidden threats, and digital espionage—where one piece of code could change everything.
The plot moves quickly, building suspense as secrets unravel and the stakes keep rising. It has that edge-of-your-seat feel where you’re constantly wondering who’s behind the next move and how deep the conspiracy goes.
🎙️ Austin Rising’s narration adds intensity to the story. His pacing keeps the tension high and makes the technical elements easy to follow while still keeping the thriller vibe strong.