This was the first book that I've read in the Specialists series about several young adults with many unique talents who have been recruited to join a team to go out on missions. Even though this book was told from the point of view of GiGi who was a computer analyst, this was not her story. The story was about Frankie or Wirenut. He was an expert thief and master of technical gadgets that aid in burglaries. He had become known as the Ghost because of his ability to get in and out of places no one else could go, but he only wrapped yellow ribbons around the valuables just to show that he was able to break in but had no interest in stealing them. Frankie was recruited by the Specialists and his talents were immediately put to use as he and Frankie went on a mission together to keep a neurotoxin from being released killing millions. This was an interesting story, but it lacked the emotional connection that I've found in similar stories by other authors. I might have found that connection had I read the first book that told GiGi's story. ( )

This was the first book that I've read in the Specialists series about several young adults with many unique talents who have been recruited to join a team to go out on missions. Even though this book was told from the point of view of GiGi who was a computer analyst, this was not her story. The story was about Frankie or Wirenut. He was an expert thief and master of technical gadgets that aid in burglaries. He had become known as the Ghost because of his ability to get in and out of places no one else could go, but he only wrapped yellow ribbons around the valuables just to show that he was able to break in but had no interest in stealing them. Frankie was recruited by the Specialists and his talents were immediately put to use as he and Frankie went on a mission together to keep a neurotoxin from being released killing millions. This was an interesting story, but it lacked the emotional connection that I've found in similar stories by other authors. I might have found that connection had I read the first book that told GiGi's story. ( )

Reviewed by Randstostipher "tallnlankyrn" Nguyen for TeensReadToo.com

Francisco Badaduchi, or Frankie, can do anything easily with technology. Creating false accounts, altering IP addresses, and hacking into what are supposed to be the securest systems in the world. There is nothing that Frankie can't do.

Frankie soon takes on a real challenge. Apparently, the security system at the New Mexico Museum of History is impossible to get past. Fortunately for Frankie, he is able to enter the museum with ease. Unfortunately, a thief follows him and takes a precious museum artifact, only to sprint away when security arrives and catches Frankie at the crime scene.

Before he knows it, after being strangely interrogated, Frankie becomes part of The Specialists, the group of agents who each have their own special ability used to catch dirty criminals.

Frankie slowly becomes Wirenut and receives his first case. A neurotoxin has been stolen, and the only way to find it is for Wirenut to crack the computer codes hidden in various artifacts. With his first mission, Wirenut gets paired up with GiGi, who is as much a computer genius as he is.

The case seems easy enough to crack, but trouble quickly ensues when someone who has the exact same talents as the two combined is on the same trail for all the wrong reasons. Wirenut and GiGi have to make sure that the case is the only thing on their mind, which means their feelings for certain people must be pushed to the side -- at least until it's all over.

Witty and very adventurous, readers will not be disappointed with this second installment in the unique THE SPECIALISTS series that takes them through the world of special agents. Shannon Greenland does a wonderful job in developing characters that face the same problems that normal teens do.

Well, except for the training and the missions that they must complete! ( )

Wirenut has made a reputation for himself as a cat burglar - one who can bypass even the most sophisticated security systems, and who leaves a yellow ribbon as his trademark. So when the Specialists are hired to track down the somputer-encrypted whereabouts of a dangerous neurotoxin, Wirenut and GiGi are put on the case.

I guess I had expected this to be told from the point of view of Wirenut, not GiGi. On the one hand, that was definitely good. I grew very attached to GiGi in the last book, and I really liked seeing her continued point of view. But I was looking forward to hearing the voices of the other characters. Luckily, the main focus is certainly on Wirenut, his (extremely cool) talents, and his backstory.

There are scenes with diving, an amazing laser cat burglar scene that reminded me a lot of the movie Entrapment, and a bit of a predictable sideplot with a rival cat-burglar. It's action-packed and a really quick read. I just love this series, there's no getting around it. Be forewarned - this installment ends on a doozy of a cliff-hanger about GiGi and David's relationship. I'll be rushing to the next book The Winning Element.

Also posted at my blog ( )

This is book two of The Specialists and this time it features Wirenut, the electronics specialist and Gigi. The Specialists are hired by Octavias Zorba to get back a stolen neurotoxin, but really, he's engineered a series of clues hidden in artifacts from museums because he wants to see Wirenut a.k.a. The Ghost in action. He has raised a girl almost from birth and this girl imitates or copycats Wirenut and messes up a few of his break ins. Gigi, TL and Wirenut manage to survive their torture by Zorba, and later, manage to figure out who the insider is who gave Wirenut's location away. Erin is interrogated, and the team finds out the deadly neurotoxin is buried on the ranch. Only if Katarina and Wirenut mix their blood together and exactly the right time using exactly the right method, will they be able to prevent a disaster. Again, a fast read which I suspect will be enjoyed by both boys and girls. ( )