The NSA Files

Terry Persun

Average Rating 8/10 (1 Review)

A retired shaman, Dan Johnston, is contacted by the NSA to find out who is coercing politicians into passing bills that they have fought up until now.

The NSA pulls Dan Johnston out of a comfortable, but boring, retirement to help them with a very unusual case where they believe politicians are being swayed through the internet and the use of totem animals. Dan has known for years that it’s a strange world, but he’s not exactly a technical geek, and has little knowledge of what it is the NSA wants him to do. As a shaman, he’s used to going to other worlds, but not a machine world. So, he does what he knows how to do, he enters through the people being affected.

To make matters worse, his son, Jason, just returned from shaman training, which wasn’t going well at all for him - something about a giant snake. So, he wants his dad to train him. But this might not be the right time, since people are being shot at already. And, Dan’s not sure how to work with the son he hasn’t seen in a while.

The NSA agent in charge, Jeremy Scroggins, isn’t easy to discourage. He’s read Dan’s file and knows what Dan did at one time for the CIA. You can’t escape your past that easily. Besides, someone has to push the project forward, and Jeremy is the right man for the job.

Review by Paul Lappen (311214) Rating (8/10)

Review by Paul Lappen
Rating 8/10
This detective novel takes place in a very new and different area, inside the human soul, or spirit.

Dan Johnston is not your average private investigator. He is a shaman, which means that he can enter the spirit world very easily. While there, he can, for instance, find a missing person, or convince a cheating spouse to stop cheating. It's not fulfilling work, but it pays the bills.

The NSA learns that some members of Congress are on the receiving end of some unusual political intimidation. An important bill is coming up for a committee vote, with billions of dollars at stake. The messages are received in their dreams, delivered by their spirit totems. Dan is asked to do what he can to stop it, before the vote. Dan's grown son, Jason (their relationship is strained), and a shaman-in-training, gets involved. What they do in the spirit world has a noticeable effect on the Internet. A couple of assassination attempts convince Dan and Jason that they are on the right track. Marian, Dan's ex-wife (and Jason's mother) is kidnapped to make sure that Dan and Jason back off, permanently.

Focus shifts to a high-tech company in Arizona. Dan is able to find the source, in the spirit world, but nicely asking Mr. Big to stop what he is doing will not work. A more permanent solution is needed (like with guns and bullets). Are Dan and Jason able to start re-building their relationship? Do they even survive?

This one is very good. It works as a regular detective story, and the look inside the spirit world is quite interesting. Yes, it is well worth reading.
Paul Lappen (31st December 2014)