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Countdown to Decryption
In a murdered woman’s email, Ted Hara discovers the plan for a terrorist attack.When Ted hacks into the email of his girlfriend’s best friend, he’s shocked by what he finds—the last email she read moments before she was shot warned of a terrorist plot. But without her password, Ted is unable to open the attached document containing the terrorists� plans.
The murdered woman, Joy Miyazaki, was the daughter of the congressman from Silicon Valley's Japantown. Although the police believe her murder was a home invasion robbery gone awry, Ted is certain her death is connected to the terrorist warning. But when Ted alerts the police to the evidence he uncovered, they accuse him of murdering Joy and planting the file himself.
With the FBI unable to decrypt the document, Ted enlists the computers of millions of people worldwide to crack the password. While his software churns through billions of passwords in a race against time, searching for the combination that will unlock the file, a pair of Joy’s colleagues seek out Ted at her funeral, whispering that Joy’s boyfriend is connected with the terrorists. But as Ted unravels the truth about this mysterious pair, it sets in motion a fight that could shake the American government to its core while putting Ted’s life in danger.
The clock is ticking. Can Ted decrypt the file before the bombs begin exploding?
The murdered woman, Joy Miyazaki, was the daughter of the congressman from Silicon Valley's Japantown. Although the police believe her murder was a home invasion robbery gone awry, Ted is certain her death is connected to the terrorist warning. But when Ted alerts the police to the evidence he uncovered, they accuse him of murdering Joy and planting the file himself.
With the FBI unable to decrypt the document, Ted enlists the computers of millions of people worldwide to crack the password. While his software churns through billions of passwords in a race against time, searching for the combination that will unlock the file, a pair of Joy’s colleagues seek out Ted at her funeral, whispering that Joy’s boyfriend is connected with the terrorists. But as Ted unravels the truth about this mysterious pair, it sets in motion a fight that could shake the American government to its core while putting Ted’s life in danger.
The clock is ticking. Can Ted decrypt the file before the bombs begin exploding?
254 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 19, 2024
4 people are currently reading
2 people want to read
About the author
DC Palter
4books26followersDC Palter is a startup founder and venture investor, with twenty-five years experience leading tech companies. His articles on venture funding are followed by tens of thousands of startup founders.
Living in Japan for many years as a research engineer, he became the first non-native person certified by the Japan Society as a Japanese language instructor. He’s the author of Colloquial Kansai Japanese, a guidebook to the Osaka-Kyoto dialect published by Tuttle, and editor-in-chief of Japonica, a daily journal of Japanese culture.
He is the first-ever winner of the Little Tokyo Fiction Contest for short stories in both Japanese and English. His first novel, To Kill a Unicorn, was a 2023 American Fiction Awards finalist for Best Mystery Novel and Best Debut Novel.
DC holds an MFA in creative writing along with degrees in engineering, marketing, and law. Together with his wife, a leading ikebana artist, he splits his time between Kobe, Japan and the Silicon Beach area of Los Angeles.
Living in Japan for many years as a research engineer, he became the first non-native person certified by the Japan Society as a Japanese language instructor. He’s the author of Colloquial Kansai Japanese, a guidebook to the Osaka-Kyoto dialect published by Tuttle, and editor-in-chief of Japonica, a daily journal of Japanese culture.
He is the first-ever winner of the Little Tokyo Fiction Contest for short stories in both Japanese and English. His first novel, To Kill a Unicorn, was a 2023 American Fiction Awards finalist for Best Mystery Novel and Best Debut Novel.
DC holds an MFA in creative writing along with degrees in engineering, marketing, and law. Together with his wife, a leading ikebana artist, he splits his time between Kobe, Japan and the Silicon Beach area of Los Angeles.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
August 23, 2024
Thanks to BookSirens for the ARC of this book.
This book is the second one in a series, but I haven't read the first book. And I didn't miss it, so it can be read as a stand alone.
I liked the book. Liked the way it kept me reading to find out what would happen next. I'm not completely new to the tech world and I like the way the author made seemingly impossible things as normal as going for groceries.
Okay, it's a bit harder and sometimes a lot more dangerous😉 But using lots of computers to get the counting power needed to crack a password is a good idea. It's plausible, works well in the story and for me it added a bit if tension like 'will they crack it in time'.
Within the story I didn't really see Ted & Sumire grow or develop. Not sure if they were supposed to. What I found disturbing/distracting is the name calling (Teddy bear). Even outside, in public.
In the end I missed the why of the whole story. Why was Joy really killed, what was the man's motive, or was it an agency's job? Was it to steal, or to make sure access to data would be continued? When it indeed is a possible stand
alone that's something I missed.
Or maybe I really missed it because my mind started wandering during the last pages.
All things considered I liked this book and made me even more aware of the possibilities hackers have and will exploit when given half a chance.
This book is the second one in a series, but I haven't read the first book. And I didn't miss it, so it can be read as a stand alone.
I liked the book. Liked the way it kept me reading to find out what would happen next. I'm not completely new to the tech world and I like the way the author made seemingly impossible things as normal as going for groceries.
Okay, it's a bit harder and sometimes a lot more dangerous😉 But using lots of computers to get the counting power needed to crack a password is a good idea. It's plausible, works well in the story and for me it added a bit if tension like 'will they crack it in time'.
Within the story I didn't really see Ted & Sumire grow or develop. Not sure if they were supposed to. What I found disturbing/distracting is the name calling (Teddy bear). Even outside, in public.
In the end I missed the why of the whole story. Why was Joy really killed, what was the man's motive, or was it an agency's job? Was it to steal, or to make sure access to data would be continued? When it indeed is a possible stand
alone that's something I missed.
Or maybe I really missed it because my mind started wandering during the last pages.
All things considered I liked this book and made me even more aware of the possibilities hackers have and will exploit when given half a chance.
June 27, 2024
This is a second in a series about what I would call � digital thrillers� - anything and everything to do with technology, computers, and the digital world. Although you could read this as a stand-alone, I would suggest reading the first to get a good foundation on the different characters.
In this edition, Ted gets involved in a terrorist threat, but he has to decode a password to find out the details. Does not sound to hard, but it is beyond what we think. Finding that much power to crack the code, and the ramifications of failure are what drives the story.
I love this authors sense of humor. The characters are believable, but what I like best is that DC takes the time to explain the various terminologies and weaves them seamlessly into the story line.
Love this series. Can’t wait for the next installment. Thanks to BookSirens for the ARC of this book.
In this edition, Ted gets involved in a terrorist threat, but he has to decode a password to find out the details. Does not sound to hard, but it is beyond what we think. Finding that much power to crack the code, and the ramifications of failure are what drives the story.
I love this authors sense of humor. The characters are believable, but what I like best is that DC takes the time to explain the various terminologies and weaves them seamlessly into the story line.
Love this series. Can’t wait for the next installment. Thanks to BookSirens for the ARC of this book.
July 14, 2024
A rollicking read which reminded me a lot of of Dan Brown's cyber thriller "Digital Fortress", only with more dry humor and Japanese sake (or should that be humor and dry sake?). Although this is the second installment in the Ted Hara series, it's easily a stand alone read and I would not be surprised at a third book, because (and I note, Palter is already a two-time recipient of the Little Tokyo Short Story Prize) good things usually come in threes.
June 11, 2024
This is my own book, the sequel to To Kill a Unicorn. Thank you for reading it, or at least consider reading it. Three years of sweat went into these 300 pages, so I truly hope you enjoy it.
I can't write my own review, but I'll list a few of the reviews from other authors who've received a review copy:
"A spicy blend of hacker know-how, Japanese-American culture, a puzzle of a murder, and a looming attack on American from a resurgent terrorist group. A heart-pounding romp. Read it."
—Barry Lancet, author of Japantown and The Spy Across the Table
"DC Palter is an author destined to break out with this cleverly written novel. Melding the humor of Silicon Valley with the fast-paced action of a John Grisham thriller, it's a uniquely told tale with an equally unique sleuth—a hapless Japanese-American programmer trying to solve the mystery of the murder of his girlfriend's best friend."
—Iris Yamashita, author of City Under One Roof and Village in the Dark
"Ted Hara is dropped into a mind-bending conspiracy involving terrorism, murder and domestic spying. Palter shows off his deep knowledge of Japanese and Silicon Valley culture in this high-wire act of a novel that delivers on thrills, authenticity and romance. Don't miss it."
—Mark Coggins, author of Geisha Confidential
"Amidst a hail of bits and bytes comes another thrilling tale from Japantown. Palter's latest offering is witty, wry, and Chandleresque—and deadly satisfying."
—Simon Rowe, author of Mami Suzuki: Private Eye
"Ted Hara is back! Palter weaves a tight tale of murder, money and cyber-deception. All the stops are pulled out to decrypt a computer file that contains details of an impending terrorist attack. Speed counts in this taut thriller, where deception and lies permeate the high levels of U.S. intelligence agencies."
—Ross Carley, author of the Wolf Ruger Murder Mysteries and the Lance Garrett Assassin Thrillers
"DC Palter has done it again with Countdown to Decryption! This thrilling mystery plunges readers into the electrifying world of beloved hacker, Ted "Teddybear" Hara. Ted embarks on a riveting journey through the shadowy depths of the dark web, propelled by the urgent need to solve a murder and redeem his reputation. His daring escapades will keep you perched on the edge of your seat, even eliciting bursts of incredulous laughter. As Ted inches perilously close to the realities of cybercrime and terrorism, you can't help but cheer him on, hoping he'll crack the code—and in doing so, illuminate understanding for us all."
—Rebecca Copeland, author of The Kimono Tattoo
"Deftly written with humorous overtones, Countdown to Decryption is a pacy, high-stakes thriller that is immensely entertaining. Ted is a well-drawn protagonist who finds himself in the crosshairs of a terrorist conspiracy thanks to his hacking skills. The detailed references to Japanese culture and Ted's sardonic voice soften the edges of the hi-tech-driven plot. Looking forward to more installments featuring Ted and his girlfriend, Sumire."
—Christina Hoag, author of Skin of Tattoos and The Blood Room
"Programmer extraordinaire, Ted Hara, must find his friend's killer and prevent a terrorist attack, while staying a step ahead of a shadowy government agency framing him for the murder. This high-stakes game mixes political intrigue, cryptocurrency, and computer hacking with Japanese sake and tea ceremony that will keep you up all night as you race with Ted to find the key to stopping a terrorist plot."
—Tony Ollivier, author of The Tokyo Diversion
"Countdown to Decryption is a deep-dive into the world of computer hacking, an intelligent portrayal of Japanese culture imported into Silicon Valley, and a compelling love story between a reckless computer geek and a by-the-rules, beautiful, brave young lawyer, Palter's hacker-geek protagonist narrates with a strong and often hilarious voice that readers will root for and remember long after finishing the novel. A highly entertaining page-turner."
—David Joiner, author of Kanazawa and The Heron Catchers
"I was mesmerized by the writing and intimate knowledge of technology and Silicon Valley. This book rises to the levels of some of our great authors of popular fiction."
—Dave Berkus, author of Starting Up!, Extending the Runway, and Berkonomics
"Creating the twisted wonderland of Silicon Valley takes all kinds, and you'll meet many of them here. Countdown to Decryption conveys the realistic pace of hacking without slowing down the story. Be prepared to crave tacos."
—Rachel Sharp, author of the Phaethon Series
"Countdown to Decryption is a meticulously crafted narrative that seamlessly blends aspects of Japanese and American culture with classic hard-boiled detective fiction, enhanced by a hint of futuristic noir fantasy. The engrossing plot will compel readers to continue reading in order find out what happens next."
—Kristine Ohkubo, author of Chain of Tears: Selling Our Daughters and A Blogger's Guide to Japan
I can't write my own review, but I'll list a few of the reviews from other authors who've received a review copy:
"A spicy blend of hacker know-how, Japanese-American culture, a puzzle of a murder, and a looming attack on American from a resurgent terrorist group. A heart-pounding romp. Read it."
—Barry Lancet, author of Japantown and The Spy Across the Table
"DC Palter is an author destined to break out with this cleverly written novel. Melding the humor of Silicon Valley with the fast-paced action of a John Grisham thriller, it's a uniquely told tale with an equally unique sleuth—a hapless Japanese-American programmer trying to solve the mystery of the murder of his girlfriend's best friend."
—Iris Yamashita, author of City Under One Roof and Village in the Dark
"Ted Hara is dropped into a mind-bending conspiracy involving terrorism, murder and domestic spying. Palter shows off his deep knowledge of Japanese and Silicon Valley culture in this high-wire act of a novel that delivers on thrills, authenticity and romance. Don't miss it."
—Mark Coggins, author of Geisha Confidential
"Amidst a hail of bits and bytes comes another thrilling tale from Japantown. Palter's latest offering is witty, wry, and Chandleresque—and deadly satisfying."
—Simon Rowe, author of Mami Suzuki: Private Eye
"Ted Hara is back! Palter weaves a tight tale of murder, money and cyber-deception. All the stops are pulled out to decrypt a computer file that contains details of an impending terrorist attack. Speed counts in this taut thriller, where deception and lies permeate the high levels of U.S. intelligence agencies."
—Ross Carley, author of the Wolf Ruger Murder Mysteries and the Lance Garrett Assassin Thrillers
"DC Palter has done it again with Countdown to Decryption! This thrilling mystery plunges readers into the electrifying world of beloved hacker, Ted "Teddybear" Hara. Ted embarks on a riveting journey through the shadowy depths of the dark web, propelled by the urgent need to solve a murder and redeem his reputation. His daring escapades will keep you perched on the edge of your seat, even eliciting bursts of incredulous laughter. As Ted inches perilously close to the realities of cybercrime and terrorism, you can't help but cheer him on, hoping he'll crack the code—and in doing so, illuminate understanding for us all."
—Rebecca Copeland, author of The Kimono Tattoo
"Deftly written with humorous overtones, Countdown to Decryption is a pacy, high-stakes thriller that is immensely entertaining. Ted is a well-drawn protagonist who finds himself in the crosshairs of a terrorist conspiracy thanks to his hacking skills. The detailed references to Japanese culture and Ted's sardonic voice soften the edges of the hi-tech-driven plot. Looking forward to more installments featuring Ted and his girlfriend, Sumire."
—Christina Hoag, author of Skin of Tattoos and The Blood Room
"Programmer extraordinaire, Ted Hara, must find his friend's killer and prevent a terrorist attack, while staying a step ahead of a shadowy government agency framing him for the murder. This high-stakes game mixes political intrigue, cryptocurrency, and computer hacking with Japanese sake and tea ceremony that will keep you up all night as you race with Ted to find the key to stopping a terrorist plot."
—Tony Ollivier, author of The Tokyo Diversion
"Countdown to Decryption is a deep-dive into the world of computer hacking, an intelligent portrayal of Japanese culture imported into Silicon Valley, and a compelling love story between a reckless computer geek and a by-the-rules, beautiful, brave young lawyer, Palter's hacker-geek protagonist narrates with a strong and often hilarious voice that readers will root for and remember long after finishing the novel. A highly entertaining page-turner."
—David Joiner, author of Kanazawa and The Heron Catchers
"I was mesmerized by the writing and intimate knowledge of technology and Silicon Valley. This book rises to the levels of some of our great authors of popular fiction."
—Dave Berkus, author of Starting Up!, Extending the Runway, and Berkonomics
"Creating the twisted wonderland of Silicon Valley takes all kinds, and you'll meet many of them here. Countdown to Decryption conveys the realistic pace of hacking without slowing down the story. Be prepared to crave tacos."
—Rachel Sharp, author of the Phaethon Series
"Countdown to Decryption is a meticulously crafted narrative that seamlessly blends aspects of Japanese and American culture with classic hard-boiled detective fiction, enhanced by a hint of futuristic noir fantasy. The engrossing plot will compel readers to continue reading in order find out what happens next."
—Kristine Ohkubo, author of Chain of Tears: Selling Our Daughters and A Blogger's Guide to Japan
July 18, 2024
In Countdown to Decryption, we follow Ted “Teddybear� Hara, a hapless hacker with a penchant for unraveling mysteries. When Ted hacks into the email of his girlfriend’s best friend, he stumbles upon a chilling revelation—the last email she read before her murder warned of a terrorist plot. The catch? The attached document containing the terrorists� plans is locked with an elusive password.
As the clock ticks down, Ted enlists millions of people worldwide in a crowdsourced effort to crack the code. His software churns through billions of possible passwords, racing against time to unlock the file. Meanwhile, a pair of Joy’s colleagues hint that her boyfriend might be connected to the terrorists.
DC Palter weaves a heart-pounding tale of terrorism, murder, and domestic spying. With Silicon Valley humor and Grisham-esque action, this novel keeps you on the edge, wondering if Ted can decrypt the file before the bombs explode. A mind-bending conspiracy awaits—one that could shake the American government to its core and put Ted’s life in jeopardy.
If you’re a fan of thrilling mysteries and high-stakes intrigue, Countdown to Decryption is a riveting read that will keep you guessing until the very end. 🕵️♂️🔍�
As the clock ticks down, Ted enlists millions of people worldwide in a crowdsourced effort to crack the code. His software churns through billions of possible passwords, racing against time to unlock the file. Meanwhile, a pair of Joy’s colleagues hint that her boyfriend might be connected to the terrorists.
DC Palter weaves a heart-pounding tale of terrorism, murder, and domestic spying. With Silicon Valley humor and Grisham-esque action, this novel keeps you on the edge, wondering if Ted can decrypt the file before the bombs explode. A mind-bending conspiracy awaits—one that could shake the American government to its core and put Ted’s life in jeopardy.
If you’re a fan of thrilling mysteries and high-stakes intrigue, Countdown to Decryption is a riveting read that will keep you guessing until the very end. 🕵️♂️🔍�
July 14, 2024
DC Palter has done it again in Countdown to Decryption. Following close on the heels of his wildly successful debut novel, To Kill a Unicorn (Pandamoon Publishing, 2023), Countdown returns readers to San Jose and to the high-octane escapades of our favorite hacker Ted [Teddybear] Haru. Zipping along the internet highway, buying stolen passwords, and slipping into the depths of the dark web, this riveting cyber thriller has us flying through the pages in pursuit of Bulldozer, Laser-Eye, Grinning Amramson, and other unsavories, all in an effort to solve a murder and vindicate Ted’s tarnished reputation. Belly-crawling through hidden passageways and commandeering a taco truck may seem a tad outlandish, but in our current world of cyber-piracy and cult-fueled conspiracies, even these oddball antics ring frighteningly real. A taut plot-driven exploit with fully realized characters, Countdown will have you holding your breath, hoping Ted will crack the code before the baddies crack his last rib.
June 12, 2024
Countdown to Decryption is DC Palter's second book in the Japantown Murder series and will be a hit. Like many mysteries, it opens with a dead body, but the story is hard to pin down. It's part murder mystery, part political intrigue, and a how-to manual to hack the latest software. The main character, Ted Hara, is a Gen Z digital native struggling to find his place in the tech landscape of Silicon Valley. But when a friend is found murdered, he leans on his hard-won hacking skills and uses both the best and worst features of today's modern technology to discover what’s really going on. It's an enjoyable romp set firmly in the present, both politically and technologically.
Note: I received a pre-publication version of the DC's book!
Note: I received a pre-publication version of the DC's book!
June 19, 2024
Countdown to Decryption, DC Palter's sequel to To Kill a Unicorn (another smart and entertaining novel) brings readers deep into the world of computer hacking, portrays with care and intelligence aspects of Japanese culture that can be found in Silicon Valley, and develops a compelling love story between a reckless computer geek and a by-the-rules, beautiful, brave young lawyer. Palter's hacker-geek protagonist is memorable, capturing readers' interest with his own brand of purposefulness but also great hilarity. Countdown to Decryption is a highly entertaining page-turner with characters you won't soon forget.
September 6, 2024
When it comes to detective fiction, I have read them all from Poe to Conan Doyle to Hammer to Spillane to the dueling MacDonalds, but here is something rare under the sun. Ted Hara is a Japanese American slacker and hacker thrust into conspiracies beyond his understanding, but he is determined to crack the code. Get an inside look at Silicon Valley from a new kind of detective in book 2 of the series. I hope there are many more and I hope the execs at Netflix and the other streaming studios lock this one down. This is serious entertainment! Long live Ted Hara!!
August 3, 2024
3.5 stars, I felt this book was not as strong as the first one. While it was still enjoyable and gripping, I did not like the way Sumire was written at all. It's not very realistic and she came off as one dimensional, predictable, and Mary Sue- esque. Ted had a lot more depth to him. Yes the book is far from realistic, especially towards the end, but it became a drag to keep reading the surface level writing regarding Sumire.
September 25, 2024
Great read!
This is the second book by DC that I’ve loved. I love the suspense and twists and turns in the plot as well as the amazing characters.
I couldn’t put the kindle down.
This is the second book by DC that I’ve loved. I love the suspense and twists and turns in the plot as well as the amazing characters.
I couldn’t put the kindle down.
August 15, 2024
4.5 stars rounded up
This is one that you will find difficult to put down! The story pulled me in from the first page with incredibly fast pacing that didn't let up until the book was finished. I could have read this in a single sitting, it was that engaging. The character development might have taken a back seat, but that didn't detract from the story. Enjoyed it so much that I went back and bought the first book in this series, "To Kill A Unicorn". Would highly recommend!
This is one that you will find difficult to put down! The story pulled me in from the first page with incredibly fast pacing that didn't let up until the book was finished. I could have read this in a single sitting, it was that engaging. The character development might have taken a back seat, but that didn't detract from the story. Enjoyed it so much that I went back and bought the first book in this series, "To Kill A Unicorn". Would highly recommend!
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