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3.65 AVERAGE
3.65 AVERAGE
* 4.5/5 actual rating
this novel was AMAZING up until the last fourth of the book. as someone with a masters degree in public health, it was delightful to see epidemiological theory in practice as dr blumenthal tried to solve the mystery & act on CDC guidelines. i found less enjoyment in the romantic subplots & especially the ending. the last fourth of the book was a repeat of the same situation like two or three times, & the book could've been much shorter (& more entertaining) without these parts.
this novel was AMAZING up until the last fourth of the book. as someone with a masters degree in public health, it was delightful to see epidemiological theory in practice as dr blumenthal tried to solve the mystery & act on CDC guidelines. i found less enjoyment in the romantic subplots & especially the ending. the last fourth of the book was a repeat of the same situation like two or three times, & the book could've been much shorter (& more entertaining) without these parts.
First of all, It's my fault for being misled by the title and expecting a World war Z-esque story. That being the preface, I didn't enjoy the book very much.
A third of the way in, after realizing what I was reading was not what I had expected, I made a comment as to why Mr. Cook was trying to tell a badly written Sidney Sheldon novel.
Towards the end, there was little to change my mind. Although the book is titled 'Outbreak', the Ebola outbreak, as it is served as a window dressing. With the focus being on a hammed up, half baked conspiracy plot line about using Ebola infections as a means to protecting financial interests.
By the last part of the book, one can see the twists and reveals coming a mile away. Barely halfway through the book, you can guess who the traitor (so to speak) Is.
And this is 'helped' by the writer always having at least two red herrings in place to keep us 'puzzled'. Our MC has an unfortunate affliction of being on the run, and telling everyone exactly where she is.
This contrivance follows a pattern. She visits a city, often times visiting a hospital afflicted with the Ebola Outbreak, Checks into a hotel, calls and tells at least two people where she is and then proceeds to be assaulted in her hotel room.
After a while you begin to thing, again, she got attacked again in that place. She gets attacked in her hotel room/house at least 3-4 times, an additional 2 times in her workplace. There is limit to keep playing the same record.
The big secret controversy is a bunch of rightwing fat cat doctors using the outbreak to bankrupt their competition, something which is revealed with some of the most elementary Nancy Drew-ing.
Mr.Cook wraps up the whole thing 'neatly' within the last few pages, with little of no explanation, and plot points of convenience. And a Sheldon-esque, 'then they fell in love' sort of ending.
All in all the whole thing seemed a bit too 'throw everything in and let's see what we get' sort of writing.
Not to say this genre of writing has no fans. If you just want to pass time, in some mindless reading you can pick this up. But don't expect much from the title.
P.S: I seriously didn't want to end my year of reading with this one. Sigh..beggars and choosers I guess.
A third of the way in, after realizing what I was reading was not what I had expected, I made a comment as to why Mr. Cook was trying to tell a badly written Sidney Sheldon novel.
Towards the end, there was little to change my mind. Although the book is titled 'Outbreak', the Ebola outbreak, as it is served as a window dressing. With the focus being on a hammed up, half baked conspiracy plot line about using Ebola infections as a means to protecting financial interests.
By the last part of the book, one can see the twists and reveals coming a mile away. Barely halfway through the book, you can guess who the traitor (so to speak) Is.
And this is 'helped' by the writer always having at least two red herrings in place to keep us 'puzzled'. Our MC has an unfortunate affliction of being on the run, and telling everyone exactly where she is.
This contrivance follows a pattern. She visits a city, often times visiting a hospital afflicted with the Ebola Outbreak, Checks into a hotel, calls and tells at least two people where she is and then proceeds to be assaulted in her hotel room.
After a while you begin to thing, again, she got attacked again in that place. She gets attacked in her hotel room/house at least 3-4 times, an additional 2 times in her workplace. There is limit to keep playing the same record.
The big secret controversy is a bunch of rightwing fat cat doctors using the outbreak to bankrupt their competition, something which is revealed with some of the most elementary Nancy Drew-ing.
Mr.Cook wraps up the whole thing 'neatly' within the last few pages, with little of no explanation, and plot points of convenience. And a Sheldon-esque, 'then they fell in love' sort of ending.
All in all the whole thing seemed a bit too 'throw everything in and let's see what we get' sort of writing.
Not to say this genre of writing has no fans. If you just want to pass time, in some mindless reading you can pick this up. But don't expect much from the title.
P.S: I seriously didn't want to end my year of reading with this one. Sigh..beggars and choosers I guess.
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
tense
fast-paced
I was in bed sick all day this Wednesday and this was the perfect book to read. A fast-paced book that keeps you on the edge of your seat, this is an excellent quick read (for anyone who doesn't have a fear of Ebola).
If you are looking for a medical thriller novel with not-so-complicated jargons, then this will be the book for you. Absolutely fast-paced novel which narrates the story of Dr Marissa Blumenthal unravelling the hidden conspiracies behind the Ebola outbreak in the U.S. Cook's writing style reminds of Dan Brown, but both are entirely different genres. Honestly, I wasn't happy with the abrupt ending of this novel. Even then, the build-up to the climax with action scenes and a bunch of criminals chasing Blumenthal will push us out of our chairs.
i still liked this book the second time around, i needed a virus book and a good one and it did not let me down, enjoyed it , easy read.
I absolutely adore Robin Cook, and this movie was why - so of course, I had to read the book. By far my top favourite book by him, and I think EVERYONE needs to read it.