After decades of clandestine government operations, James "Beck" Becker and his wife Elizabeth return to Beck's childhood home town to enjoy a settled retirement in the small Mississippi river community of Red Wing, Minnesota. But "settled" is a relative term and no matter where Beck goes, intrigue follows. When Minneapolis computer genius, Katherine Whitson, disappears under peculiar circumstances, her husband exploits a sympathetic Red Wing acquaintance to enlist Beck's aid in finding her. As Beck searches for Katherine, the tangled trail leads from her luxury Minneapolis warehouse district condo, through her husband's extra-marital escapades, past the entrenched hierarchy of elite computer professionals, and into the mind-bending world inside computer microprocessors. Katherine's kidnapping is clearly more complicated than a typical abduction. As it turns out, the Beckers must use all of their considerable experience -- his as a military intelligence operative; hers as a CIA code-cracker -- to save Katherine and bring her abductors to justice.
The Missing Element (James Becker Suspense/Thriller Series)
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
About the Author
The author is a University of Minnesota Law School graduate and has practiced law for more than twenty-five years in the Mississippi River community of Red Wing, Minnesota. He has also been a long-time supporter and coach of youth volleyball there. He has authored three feature articles for COACHING VOLLEYBALL, the Journal of the American Volleyball Coaches Association. His most recent article was the cover story for the April/May, 2009 Issue. His book on volleyball coaching philosophies entitled THE LITTLE BLACK BOOK OF VOLLEYBALL COACHING is available at www.johnbetcher.com and at amazon.com. The first book in the Beck series, The 19th Element, is for sale in Paperback and Kindle formats on Amazon.
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More About the Author
Amazon Bestselling Author, John L. Betcher, holds a Bachelor's Degree, cum laude, in English from St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Minnesota Law School in Minneapolis. He has practiced law for more than twenty-five years in the Mississippi River community of Red Wing, Minnesota. Mr. Betcher has published an award-winning series of "Becker" suspense/thriller novels. The first four are THE 19TH ELEMENT, THE MISSING ELEMENT, THE COVERT ELEMENT, and THE EXILED ELEMENT. He has also authored the award-winning spiritual phenomenon, A HIGHER COURT.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is a lighthearted detective mystery with two brand new protagonists ... Beck, who formerly worked in "secret activities" for the federal government is now living in his home town, as an attorney. However, since attorney work can be boring, his wife Elizabeth accepts his decision to pursue "extracurricular" detective work. Of course, Elizabeth, being a crack on the computer also accepts assignments in her field.
In this novel, their unique talents come together when Beck begins a search for a missing Computer Specialist. Eventually, as the case comes together, he and his wife (now called a computer goddess, since she obviously isn't a geek) each work in their area of expertise to resolve all of the details.
What makes Beck unique is that he is totally enraptured with his wife. From making her cheese cubes complete with toothpicks and drinking wine together with her as they go over the case, to giving her a massage, to making sure she isn't bothered or worried, Elizabeth comes first.
There is much humor in this book as well - at one point, in order to NOT tell his secretary what he's been up to, he makes up a story involving Orangs at the zoo ... A tale that no one could believe, but it gets him "off the hook" - probably because she's afraid what he'll come up with next if she demonstrates disbelief in his wild tale.
If I have one criticism, it's that the intensity level seems a bit too low for a kidnapping case, although towards the end, there is more of a feeling of a clock ticking. Perhaps it's just that I don't see Beck relaxing, sleeping, doing paperwork, flirting with his wife, while a woman's life is on the line.
The story itself is believable, the characters hold your interest, and most of all, it's a fun story.
I am grateful to have received a copy of this novel from the author for review.
In this novel, their unique talents come together when Beck begins a search for a missing Computer Specialist. Eventually, as the case comes together, he and his wife (now called a computer goddess, since she obviously isn't a geek) each work in their area of expertise to resolve all of the details.
What makes Beck unique is that he is totally enraptured with his wife. From making her cheese cubes complete with toothpicks and drinking wine together with her as they go over the case, to giving her a massage, to making sure she isn't bothered or worried, Elizabeth comes first.
There is much humor in this book as well - at one point, in order to NOT tell his secretary what he's been up to, he makes up a story involving Orangs at the zoo ... A tale that no one could believe, but it gets him "off the hook" - probably because she's afraid what he'll come up with next if she demonstrates disbelief in his wild tale.
If I have one criticism, it's that the intensity level seems a bit too low for a kidnapping case, although towards the end, there is more of a feeling of a clock ticking. Perhaps it's just that I don't see Beck relaxing, sleeping, doing paperwork, flirting with his wife, while a woman's life is on the line.
The story itself is believable, the characters hold your interest, and most of all, it's a fun story.
I am grateful to have received a copy of this novel from the author for review.
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Like other reviewers, I found this novel superior to most first-time efforts (and actually to some novels published by major publishers). The author has the rare gift for moving the plot along. I liked some of the smaller touches, such as the wife's sleuthing on the Internet and the heavy duty security at their house.
There's some awkwardness in the writing; for example, the protagonist keeps reminding the reader how much he loves his wife. The characters could be more fully developed and we don't get a strong sense of place. The detective, who has no official standing, has surprisinglyly litle trouble getting people to talk to him.
But the book passes the big test of mysteries: it held my interest. The writing is tight. Plotting is clearly the author's strong suit.
I hope Becker continues to write books with these characters. I expect to see more attention as the series grows.
There's some awkwardness in the writing; for example, the protagonist keeps reminding the reader how much he loves his wife. The characters could be more fully developed and we don't get a strong sense of place. The detective, who has no official standing, has surprisinglyly litle trouble getting people to talk to him.
But the book passes the big test of mysteries: it held my interest. The writing is tight. Plotting is clearly the author's strong suit.
I hope Becker continues to write books with these characters. I expect to see more attention as the series grows.
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
A cerebral detective story based on a plausible, even likely premise
April 15, 2010
Format:Paperback
As a longtime teacher of computer science and a self-admitted computer geek that sometimes works in security, I recognize the plausibility of the fundamental premise of this story. Computer chips are manufactured in foreign countries and it is very possible that pathways are included that would allow malicious programs to run.
James "Beck" Becker has retired from his former role as a clandestine operative for the federal government and is now working as a lawyer in Red Wing, Minnesota. However, when computer geek Katherine Whitson disappears, her husband contacts a classmate whose husband is a local Deputy Sheriff. That deputy knows Beck and enlists his aid in an attempt to learn what happened to Katherine.
The first impression is that she simply got tired of her husband and left, the man is obsessive-compulsive about everything and incredibly annoying. However, being a trained investigator, Beck sees things that are incongruous and has an immediate suspicion of fowl play. Enlisting the aid of his aptly named Native American friend Bull and his uber-computer geek wife, Beck stays on the trail that grows convoluted with a few distracters.
Unlike other thrillers based on an extremely implausible foundation scenario, this one uses a very real, even likely situation. The wisecracking dialog between Beck and his wife and the inclusion of the mysterious but very capable sidekick Bull reminded me of the "Spenser" series by Robert Parker. Which is high praise as there are none better in that genre. There is no real gunplay or significant fisticuffs in this book, the action is more cerebral, which I found refreshing for a mystery based on what is essentially a private detective.
James "Beck" Becker has retired from his former role as a clandestine operative for the federal government and is now working as a lawyer in Red Wing, Minnesota. However, when computer geek Katherine Whitson disappears, her husband contacts a classmate whose husband is a local Deputy Sheriff. That deputy knows Beck and enlists his aid in an attempt to learn what happened to Katherine.
The first impression is that she simply got tired of her husband and left, the man is obsessive-compulsive about everything and incredibly annoying. However, being a trained investigator, Beck sees things that are incongruous and has an immediate suspicion of fowl play. Enlisting the aid of his aptly named Native American friend Bull and his uber-computer geek wife, Beck stays on the trail that grows convoluted with a few distracters.
Unlike other thrillers based on an extremely implausible foundation scenario, this one uses a very real, even likely situation. The wisecracking dialog between Beck and his wife and the inclusion of the mysterious but very capable sidekick Bull reminded me of the "Spenser" series by Robert Parker. Which is high praise as there are none better in that genre. There is no real gunplay or significant fisticuffs in this book, the action is more cerebral, which I found refreshing for a mystery based on what is essentially a private detective.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Suspenseful novel.
A great story with plenty of suspense and intrigue. A real page turner. Can't wait for the next James Becker thriller.
Published 12 hours ago by DRB01
5.0 out of 5 stars
a great read
Had trouble putting it down. Looking forward to 3&4 in this series. Kept me in suspense. Was easy to get into the story right away
Published 3 days ago by Deborah Bougie
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great Read
This is the second book by John Betcher I have read. They are really good comfortable reads. A lttle bit of romance, intrigue and mystery with a good bit of suspense. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Darlene A.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Nothing missing here
The Missing Element is a terrific, and very believable, story with a great cast of characters.
I don't know how else to describe Mr. Betcher's writing except "smooth. Read more
I don't know how else to describe Mr. Betcher's writing except "smooth. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Martha
5.0 out of 5 stars
Another great book by John Betcher!
I just finished the second book by John Betcher, The Missing Element. So good to read more about Beck, Beth, Gunner and Bull as they are involved with finding a super computer geek... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Patricia G
5.0 out of 5 stars
Nice crime thriller without the constant gun play and fist fights
Beck and Bull are back for the second novel in this series. A computer expert disappears or is kidnapped and Beck is recruited to find her. Read more
Published 4 months ago by John R. Hoffman
3.0 out of 5 stars
Too much detail
Story was good and interesting. But, there was a lot of time spent on details that were not really necessary
Published 5 months ago by Carl E. King
3.0 out of 5 stars
Mediocre
This was a disappointing read. It certainly did not deserve the catagory 'suspense thriller'... at it's most exciting I would label it a typical run-of-the-mill 'who dunnit'. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Zambia
5.0 out of 5 stars
Bravo Mr. Betcher!
I am always looking for new authors to read. I found your name and book titles on a site and decided to give the book a chance. What a happy chance it turned out to be. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Carol A Gronli
5.0 out of 5 stars
An enjoyable technothriller
I found 'The Missing element' an entertaining book. A twisting plot filled with great characters held my interest throughout the read. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Norman K. Clark
