[1][2][3][4] It topped the New York Times bestseller list for the week ending April 28, 2007.

"[6] Simple Genius continues the story of the characters Michelle Maxwell and Sean King from its predecessors, Split Second and Hour Game, and combines themes such as "quantum computers, protective codes, breaking those codes, the CIA, psychological demons, and even buried treasure.

"[6] Sean King, financially hard-pressed and trying to help his professional and platonic partner Michelle Maxwell, is forced to seek an assignment from his ex-girlfriend Joan Dillinger, a fellow ex-Secret Service agent who runs her own private investigation agency.

Joan gives him a case based at a laboratory, investigating the murder of a scientist, Monk Turing.

Eventually, Sean and Michelle solve the case, but not before being tortured by their enemies.