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Dan Brown's 'Origin' impresses, but only if you're a Robert Langdon newbie
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Best-selling author Dan Brown's most recent book "Origin" is an entertaining and fast-paced read, but, says reviewer Herb Scribner, adds nothing new to his ongoing Robert Langdon series. - photo by Herb Scribner
"ORIGIN," by Dan Brown, Doubleday, 480 pages (f)

Where do we come from? Where are we going?

Those are the two essential questions that Dan Brown, author of The Da Vinci Code, asks in his latest book, Origin.

The fifth installment in Browns series follows Harvard professor Robert Langdon, who once again must solve a religious-based mystery by solving codes and puzzles.

This time, Langdon is invited to attend a presentation in Spain given by his former student Edmond Kirsch, which, Kirsch says, will change the way people view religion and God. Kirschs sudden, unexpected death during his presentation sends Langdon, as well as the soon-to-be queen of Spain Ambra Vidal, on a hunt to find out what his former student was going to announce specifically about the origin of life.

The novels short chapters make it an entertaining read. Each chapter flows into the next, keeping readers up with thoughts of "just one more chapter."

Brown masterfully guides readers from Langdons story to side plots related to the main storyline, providing better context for what happens to Langdon, deepening readers' understanding of the story.

Of course, those familiar with Browns previous books wont find anything new here. Langdon travels from city to city, solving riddle after riddle, until he discovers the mystery he hoped to solve, learning how the human race interacts with God.

New readers will undoubtedly enjoy the novel, and theres no need to have read Brown's previous books before hopping into this one. In fact, if this is a readers first foray into Langdons world, it will provide an entertaining beginning that will hook readers for any future installments.

However, old Brown fans looking for "Origins" to be new and revolutionary wont find novelty in its pages. Even the books hidden mystery isnt all that entertaining or surprising. Readers who have seen a psychological thriller movie, read a suspense book or investigated the potential dystopia created by tech can spot the final reveal a mile away.

But Browns been a successful author with his current style after all, theres a reason why millions of people have bought his books and that his movies have sold millions of tickets nationwide. Hes made the formula work, and it still inspires readers to read his books.

Brown set out to answer the questions where we've been and where we're going. Browns book comes from a familiar place, and thats also likely where its staying for the future.

Content advisory: "Origins" contains mild depictions of violence, some mild swearing and no sexual content.
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New Medicare cards are in the mail and scammers are on the prowl
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The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has begun mailing new Medicare Health Insurance ID cards. The program no longer uses Social Security numbers to identify people. - photo by Lois M Collins
The federal government is beginning to send out new ID cards to the 58 million Americans who benefit from Medicare. But since many of the people who will receive them don't know they're coming or why, scammers are already gearing up to take advantage.

An AARP survey shows as many as three-fourths of Americans 65 and older have no idea the cards are coming, so some individuals may be duped with claims that they're supposed to pay a fee or provide personal information that will be used, instead, to defraud them.

The new cards are the first reissue in years, and the most striking part of the redesign is that the cards no longer carry the beneficiary's Social Security number. Congress mandated the removal of that number as an identifier for Medicare beneficiaries by next April. Instead, the card has a Medicare Beneficiary Identifier number, an 11-digit combination of numbers and letters.

The new Medicare cards are now being mailed out in batches, starting with the Eastern seaboard and moving west. Most Medicare beneficiaries will receive their cards over the next six months, as long as the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has their correct mailing address. Once the cards are in hand, people can share the new identification number with their health care providers. During a transition period, either card is valid.

The old cards, which used Social Security numbers as the personal identification number, should be destroyed.

AARP recently launched an education campaign to warn consumers about scams related to the new Medicare cards.

The membership organization's "Fraud Watch" consultant, Frank Abagnale reformed con man, scammer and the subject of the movie and book "Catch Me If You Can" tells senior citizens the only time they need to carry the actual Medicare card is to health care appointments. Otherwise, it should be left in a safe place. If they want to carry one in their wallet or purse, he says, make a copy and black out the first seven numbers.

Since the cards were announced, scammers have already:

  • Called seniors and asked for their bank account information so that money on their old card could be returned. There is no money on the old card and CMS never asks for personal information over the phone.
  • Offered to send the new card after Medicare beneficiaries pay a $25 fee to cover expenses related to the card. The card is free.
  • Said the card will be mailed out as soon as the older person verifies his or her Social Security number, mailing address and other personal information. CMS already knows the beneficiary's Social Security number and it's no longer being used in conjunction with health care.
AARP and the Federal Trade Commission will hold a free online seminar about the cards and the fraud attempts they have spawned on Thursday, April 19, at 7 p.m. EDT. Register at: www.aarp.org/FraudWebinar. CMS also offers a "frequently asked questions" guide to the new cards.

The AARP Fraud Watch Network says consumers can sign up for its Watchdog Alert emails that deliver breaking scam information, or call a free helpline at 877-908-3360 to speak with volunteers trained in fraud counseling. Abagnale also hosts a weekly podcast for AARP, called The Perfect Scam.
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