Yearn to Fear by Chris 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 Lamarrcomputer 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…
About Chas Murrell:
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.
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.
So what I have for you lovely readers today is a great content stop for the blogtour!
Now here is the bits from the book I promised you!
Yearn to Fear - Prologue
Leaning forward to push the big red button marked ALERT, his six-foot frame confidently squashed the accelerator underfoot. Senior Sergeant Les Coldman sported a reliable and trustworthy face, rugged yet forgettable. With an intellect sharp as a razor and dark wit to match, he was well suited to his law enforcement career, “TAC 4 copies all, responding Code 1,” he replied to the dispatcher. Red and blue strobe lights flashed their warnings off the marked police sedan, and everything else they passed. The Ford answered the demand for speed, leaping forward to respond to the urgent call for help. Diverted from interservice training at the gun range, they would now be first response to an armed siege of a man with a shotgun.
Les spoke louder than usual over the yelp of the siren as they transited a red light. “Sorry, I should have asked if you were OK with this first, Henry,” he said to his plain-clothed passenger, as a half-statement, half-question.
“I’m all good”, said Henry confidently. Following with a less bold tone he added, “Pity back-up is so far away though.”
Pleased Henry was taking this in his stride, Les added, “Well, having spent the last couple of days at the range with you, at least I know you can shoot reasonably straight.”
Henry smiled as he patted the .25 Walther TPH pistol in his exposed shoulder holster and retorted, “Damn straight, any paper target who crosses my path today won’t make it out alive.”
Despite Henry looking like an easy fit into the Bondi Beach Surf Club, larrikin sense of humour included, Les had been gratified with the on-range performance of his astute federal colleague. It seemed Henry had lost none of his proficiency from six months ago.
Almost as an afterthought, Les added, “You might be the first Secret Intelligence Service agent ever to shoot anyone, although I doubt you’ll do much damage with that peashooter.” He beamed with sarcasm. “Best you let me shoot them first!” Les grinned, then became serious, “Standard rules of engagement, Henry, just like we practice.”
Their high-speed journey took no time at all, not least because of the way Les drove. Henry braced his feet wide on the floor, keen to keep his body under control. In this moment, he was secretly glad he never skipped “leg day” at the gym. He couldn’t help but feel Les was spurring the car on more than necessary just because he could. Clutching the Jesus Handle above the passenger door Henry quipped, “Remind me to send Mr Dunlop a Christmas card!”
The patrol car almost slid sideways, under beautiful control, into James Street. Both men observed a small huddle of people around where they thought number 43 would be.
Les said, “I think we’ve found the welcoming committee.” He parked the car near the small group, the two men alighted quickly and finished donning their tactical gear as they walked toward the gathering.
The armed offender’s wife, still in her dressing gown andshaking despite the warm early morning sunshine, confirmed the details from the dispatcher. Her mentally unstable husband had chased her and the children out the back door of number 37, with a loaded shotgun. He’d been off his meds for a week. Her pale complexion exuded shock and yet, considering what her husband had just done, compassion too. She had no idea what he planned to do next.
Les asked a flurry of questions, ending by asking about access into the house. Each question served to etch her distress even deeper across her features. Both men felt enormous admiration for the way she tried, not quite successfully, to hold herself together.
She explained the back door had a security screen, and the front door a typical fly screen. A key hidden under the pot plant beside the rear concrete stairs was for the back door. “Please don’t hurt him, he’s just sick,” were her last imploring words to them.
Les thanked her, affirmed they were there to help, and bid her go inside with the neighbours. Both men started to walk towards the small, single-storey suburban house in question, while Les radioed a sit-rep, from his tactical vest.
Outlining his basic intervention strategy, Les affirmed, “OK, Hens, I’ll take the fly screen front door. If I need to enter in a hurry, I’ll shoulder it to gain entry. You take the back door, unlock it quiet as you can, and be ready to make entry to support me if things go south. If this guy John is a rabbit shooter like his wife says, he’ll be using number 6 shot, that puts the effective range of his shotgun out to thirty-five metres. Shooting us anywhere inside that range, I reluctantly point out, is really gonna hurt.”
Henry said, “That may be true, but I work for the government, no-one’s going to shoot me.”
Les could not help pointing out the facts of life to hisimpromptu partner. “Henry, I work for the government too, been shot at four times.”
“Yer, but I’m federal, you’re only state.” Henry’s blue eyes beamed as he cocked his smiling face at Les, who shook his head, not being able to stifle a chuckle. It released a bit of nervous tension for them both.
Approaching the house, Les said, “So, close quarter battle techniques, worst-case scenario double-tap like at the range. Questions?”
“None.”
Time to go, thought Les. “Then let’s move.”
Isn’t that a great introduction to the book?! On a personal note I ended up reading this book and it was really good! Admittedly the science bits kind of went over my head but then 🤷♀️ It still had all the hallmarks of a great book! It was fast paced after the first third of the book and it rattled along to a great crescendo of action at the end. I hope there is more to come. Also as a fellow sufferer of chronic migraine - well done! 🍾🍾🍾
