The Gene

A Medical Thriller

This title was previously available on NetGalley and is now archived.
Buy on Amazon Buy on BN.com Buy on Bookshop.org
*This page contains affiliate links, so we may earn a small commission when you make a purchase through links on our site at no additional cost to you.
Send NetGalley books directly to your Kindle or Kindle app

1
To read on a Kindle or Kindle app, please add kindle@netgalley.com as an approved email address to receive files in your Amazon account. Click here for step-by-step instructions.
2
Also find your Kindle email address within your Amazon account, and enter it here.
Pub Date 03 Jul 2020 | Archive Date 06 Nov 2020

Talking about this book? Use #TheGene #NetGalley. More hashtag tips!


Description

We are the dwelling place of God—it is woven into our very DNA. Do we change the core of who we are by manipulating our genes? Is gene-therapy a miraculous cure or a slippery slope into eugenics?

Following their marriage, Dr. Nicklaus Hart and Maggie Russell enjoy the splendor and passion of a honeymoon in Hawaii. They learn that their union has brought new life, but the overflowing joy of Maggie’s pregnancy and their romantic getaway is interrupted by the shocking news of a genetic disorder discovered in Maggie’s family lineage.

The devastating possibility that both Maggie and the baby carry the mutated gene for the horrific Huntington’s disease, shakes their faith. Faced with this dreadful diagnosis, Nick and Maggie seek peace as they wrestle with the heartbreaking discovery of a genetic disease versus the knowledge that God is good—He has made their baby in His image and knit him together in Maggie’s womb.

Like the millions of people around the world affected with genetic disorders, Nick and Maggie look for answers. With the belief that people are the dwelling place of God, and He is woven into the DNA, what should they do when that DNA has been corrupted? Nick and Maggie travel to Poland, where the top geneticist, Emmanuelle Christianson, has founded and operates BioGenics whose mission statement is: Advancing the Human Genome.

They understand that medical advances always cost something, but they face impossible decisions. They are unaware that the sinister side of genetic research has slithered in from the horrors of Nazi death camps into this modern-day technology.

Their journey reveals more than the fight for knowledge, it uncovers a simmering evil left over from World War II. One that puts their lives in danger.

The Gene is the fourth book in a series of skillfully crafted medical thrillers.

If you like fast-paced adventure, international settings, sizzling medical suspense, then you’ll love this heart-pounding thriller by Timothy Browne. Buy The Gene to continue this exciting new series today.

We are the dwelling place of God—it is woven into our very DNA. Do we change the core of who we are by manipulating our genes? Is gene-therapy a miraculous cure or a slippery slope into eugenics?

...


Advance Praise

"“The Gene is a masterful, thought-provoking blend of cutting-edge genetics, gut-wrenching history, and inspiring faith wrapped inside a smart thriller that will keep you turning the pages long past your bedtime.” 

—Jenifer Ruff- USA Today Best-Selling Author

“Genetic modification research is a relevant, current issue that raises serious ethical concerns, and Dr. Tim Browne deals with it in The Gene in an intriguing and fascinating way bringing insights into the story through his wealth of medical knowledge. What makes his thrillers stand out, though, is the very real way that his characters struggle with their humanity while wrestling with a crisis of faith, yet through their pain find peace and acceptance of God’s grace which enable them to live life to the fullest. This speaks to us in a very personal way and makes this novel a thought provoking read.”

—Rev. Duane & Joan Huie, Pastors, Livingston Montana

“The Gene is a must read for any medical thrill fan—packed with suspense and full of fascinating current genetic medical science and in-depth historical research that is sure to make the New York Best Seller list.”

—William J Brown, MD-Brown Integrative Wellness

“Beginning with the Nazi’s monstrous human experimentation during WW2, Timothy Browne shapes historical fact into contemporary fiction. Grounded in genetic research, The Gene is a disturbingly believable yet irresistible page turner. Expect to hold your breath as Dr. Nicklaus Hart must try to keep an evil history from repeating itself.” 

—Karen Sargent, author Waiting for Butterflies, 2017 IAN Book of the Year

“The Gene, another masterful medical thriller by Timothy Browne, MD, explores the dangers of genetic science and the oh-so human motives of those who fund it. This compelling page-turner is full of twists, turns, and ethical dilemmas that keep the reader guessing. Advances in genetics, like many other fields of science, can be used for good or evil. The Gene will haunt you. I read it non-stop.” 

—Joni M. Fisher, author of the Compass Crimes

“Scientist and physician Tim Browne has brought us a complex story of the atrocities of World War II that includes details of unspeakable medical experiments, the science of eugenics, and nightmares of Nazi Germany. He has raised our awareness of issues that surround genetic mutation. Most of all, Dr. Browne has introduced us to the good and questionable elements of gene therapy, possibly one of the most powerful and potential slippery, controversial slopes in modern medicine. Should we mess with someone’s DNA? Should we change who we were born to be? Decide for yourself in this masterful story of controversy and hope that stresses our faith, values and ethical limits of right and wrong.”  

—Judith Lucci, PhD, USA Today and WSJ Best selling author

"

"“The Gene is a masterful, thought-provoking blend of cutting-edge genetics, gut-wrenching history, and inspiring faith wrapped inside a smart thriller that will keep you turning the pages long past...


Available Editions

ISBN 9781947545182
PRICE $6.99 (USD)

Available on NetGalley

NetGalley Shelf App (EPUB)
Send to Kindle (EPUB)
Download (EPUB)

Average rating from 12 members


Featured Reviews

I have been given a copy of this book to review.

Very few books have ever invoked strong emotions from me as I read the book. I am an avid reader and this has been true for decades. I will not be giving spoilers for this book other than to state the story involves Josef Mengele, the Angel of Death. The story also discusses CRISPR and the ethics of DNA alteration.

Both of these subjects were detailed very well, the science using CRISPR has been well defined and I found the explanations easy to understand and due relate to the story. This book is a must-read and will provoke you. This the fourth,. in the series and I look with anticipation to reading the other three.

Was this review helpful?

A medical thriller coupled with a Christian theme intrigued me, especially having not read any of Browne’s previous titles. This is book four in the Dr. Nicklaus Hart series but can be read as a stand alone. It tackles the world of eugenics with the story interwoven with horrific tales relating to the Nazis during WW2 and the very worrying possibilities of future developments at the hands of those with a desire for riches and perfection of the human race. The story is based around Nick and his new wife Maggie who travel to Poland to meet with Dr Emy Christianson in the hope that she can give Maggie and her unborn baby life saving treatment. Dr Christianson has devoted her life to the development of gene studies in the hope of being able to treat and eradicate life threatening diseases but it soon becomes clear that the owner of the company she heads up is looking to go one step further to create the perfect human race giving the doctor a very difficult moral dilemma to deal with.

I did enjoy the book although I felt there were parts where the medical details were slightly too in depth but given the author is a medical doctor, this is understandable. What I enjoyed most of all was the way the writings portrayed the strong Christian faith of Nick & Maggie – it was done in such a way that I think a non-Christian reader would understand just how much their faith meant to them.

Overall, I highly recommend The Gene to anyone who enjoys an interesting, fast paced thriller. I was given a free copy of this book by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

The Gene
A Medical Thriller
by Timothy Browne


BooksGoSocial


Christian | General Fiction (Adult) | Health, Mind & Body
Pub Date 03 Jul 2020


I am reviewing a copy of The Gene through BooksGoSocial and Netgalley:




This book reminds us We are the dwelling place of God—it is woven into our very DNA. And then asks the question, do we change the core of who we are by manipulating our genes? Is Gene therapy a miraculous cure or a slippery slope into eugenics?






Dr. Nicklaus Hart and Maggie Russell enjoy the splendor and passion of a honeymoon in Hawaii following their wedding. They learn that their union has brought new life but the overflowing joy of Maggie’s pregnancy and their romantic getaway is interrupted by the shocking news of a genetic disorder discovered in Maggie’s family lineage.




The possibility of both Maggie and the baby carry the mutated gene for the horrific Huntington’s disease is a devastating possibility that shakes Maggie’s Faith to its core. Having to face a dreadful diagnosis Nick and Maggie seek peace as they wrestle with the heartbreaking discovery of a genetic disease versus the knowledge that God is good that he made their baby in his image.



Nick and Maggie search for answers like millions of people with genetic disorders. With the belief that people are the dwelling place of God, and He is woven into the DNA, what should they do when that DNA has been corrupted? Nick and Maggie end Up traveling to Poland so they can meet with top geneticist Emmanuelle Christianson, who founded and operates operates BioGenics whose mission statement is: Advancing the Human Genome.






Both understand that this decision will cost them something, but they have no choice faced with an impossible decision. They are unaware too that the sinister side of genetic research has slithered in from the horrors of Nazi death camps into this modern-day technology.



This journey reveals more than the fight for knowledge, it uncovers the evil left over from World War 2. A secret that puts their life in danger.




I give The Gene five out of five stars!



Happy Reading!

Was this review helpful?

Before I read this book, I went back and read the first 3 books. Timothy Browne is an incredible writer! All the books in this series were hard to put down. Gene is about more than a moral dilemma, it’s also a spiritual dilemma. You will not be disappointed with this book!!

Was this review helpful?

I though this book was a real page turner. Turns out this book aligns with several books I've read in the past year about eugenics, WWII, and Dr Josef Mengele. There were a lot of twist and turns in this book as Maggie and Nick seek gene therapy in Poland from Dr Emy Christianson when Maggie finds out she has Huntingtons disease.

This book delves quite a bit into WWII history. The horrors of Auschwitz and what was done to the people by Dr Mengele and his horrifying medical experiments was well portrayed and researched. The issue of "should I alter the gene to "cure" this disease" was a major question and very thought provoking.

I loved the character development of Dr Christianson and all the surrounding characters. I loved Izzy and her loyalty Emy. This novel was very much action packed but it gave me a lot to think about.

I also love the fact that this novel was set in Poland. It reminded me of when I was there a few years ago for a church missions trip.

Turns out that I already received the 1st 2 books of the series for free on Amazon Kindle. I look forward to reading the rest of the series.

Was this review helpful?

it was interesting to add the religious aspect to this thriller and I think it worked out very well. I'd be interested in reading more of this series.

Was this review helpful?

This was a very interesting and well put together book. It kept me guessing and interested in what was going on. The story is told well and it is interesting to see how it all ties together as the story progresses.

As a Christian book there are a few scenes that were a little uncomfortable to read, which was my reason for not giving this 5 stars. I understand that it was necessary for the story, but the way it was written went into more detail than I felt was necessary and covering topics like rape and gynecological appointments in detail was a little odd to me. The same thing could have been accomplished without as much detail.

That being said it does have a strong Christian message and is a very interesting story and I'm excited to read the other books in the series.

4 Stars! Well worth reading.

Was this review helpful?

Gripping and quite scary:
This is a medical thriller that will definitely keep you captivated and on your toes. I really enjoyed the unique and interesting premise surrounding gene therapy plus the Polish setting. It was rather difficult to read at times due to the hard subject matter such as rape and the medical experiments conducted by the Nazi's during WWII. It raised interesting questions surrounding medical ethics and gene therapy and the whole debate surrounding how much should humans interfere and try and "play God". It was also scary in the fact that I could well imagine some of this taking place today.
I liked how the Christian message was woven throughout the book and it showed how Nick & Maggie faced their trials and difficulties with faith and an expectancy that God's will would be done. This was book 4 in the series; I hadn't read the previous ones and whilst I think I missed out a bit on Nick and Maggie's story, overall I think it can safely be read as a standalone.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review. All opinions expressed are solely my own.

Was this review helpful?

Combining history, medical science, and faith makes for a fascinating story. I picked up this book mainly because I am acquainted with someone who suffers from Huntington’s, and the book blurb got me curious. It turned out to be so much more than I expected, and in a good way.

The book raises some huge questions that most people never stop to think about, especially in regards to gene therapy and genetic modification/ manipulation, as well as their evil step-sister, eugenics. It’s some scary territory, and Dr. Browne doesn’t gloss over the implications. But he does write in a way that makes the science, and the ethics that are entangled in genetics, both interesting and easy to understand.

I’d definitely recommend you check out The Gene. It was fast-paced and well-written and certainly worth the read.

Thanks to BooksGoSocial and NetGalley for the digital copy of this novel for review purposes. I was not required to give a positive review. All opinions are my very own!

Was this review helpful?

There are not one, but two strong heroines in this story. The first of these is the ambitious CEO of a medical facility engaged in cutting-edge research into gene therapy based in Poland, Dr Emanuele Christianson. Her patent-to-be is Maggie Hart, who is to discover that she carries the gene for Huntingdon's disease at the same time she discovers she is pregnant.

Maggie Hart is desperate to save her son as well as herself, but what neither woman yet knows is how Faustian a background there is to this very new branch of medicine. Emmanuele is to discover that her true family and background put her at the very epicentre of a fault line that began at Auschwitz.......

It also turns out that powerful interests now will stop at nothing when own dreams for absolute power and a new humanity become thwarted. Can new friendships formed in the face of this truly fight hack?

This is a skillfully written page turner that will keep the reader up at night - and guessing. There is a religious slant on how the good guys stand their ground that may not be to everyone's taste, but the questions over whether doctors should play God or look for cures wherever possible create a satisfying tension to how the story unfolds. It should also be borne in mind that the brutality of the Nazi doctors is not glossed over, although that does add to the urgency of these moral medical questions.

Definitely highly recommended.

Was this review helpful?

The Gene is the fourth installment from the medical thriller series, Dr Nicklaus Hart. It is, also, my first book I have read by Timothy Browne. It will definitely not the last. Even though it is part of a series, I did feel like it can be read as a stand alone. At least, it did not seem as though I really missing something. I enjoyed getting to know Nick. I was intrigued right from the start. There was quite a few twists and turns throughout and I was often sitting on the edge of my seat. I never knew where this roller coaster was going to go on the following page.

The Gene is getting a very well deserved five plus stars from me. I would be interested in reading the first three books of this series in the future, as well as, reading more by this author. I recommend this one for readers who enjoyed a well written thriller.

I received The Gene from the publisher. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.

Was this review helpful?

Readers who liked this book also liked: