Risking the World

Facinating Account of Bioterrorism March 23, 2012 By Jack Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase This is a frightening but fascinating account of a bioterrorism plot involving brilliant scientists, one with the goal of weaponizing a rapidly acting TB strain and another working feverishly on a vaccine. It is told in a manner that compels the audience to move forward to the culmination to find out who wins the battle or if, in fact, anyone does. The story contains terrifying scenes describing the effects of the Tivaz TB strain on children with immature immune systems, but also offers hope for an antidote. While weaving the tale, the author skillfully describes the principal characters' motivations, the effects their families and past experiences have on their actions, and their interrelationships with one another, including love interest between Claire Ashe, the American scientist, and David Ruskin, the British government agent. In addition to the tension provided by the bioterrorist plot, there is an underlying excitement throughout the story provided by David's obsession with killing Varat, the Moroccan arms dealer responsible for kidnapping Claire and stockpiling Tivaz TB. The story avoids categorizing the characters as good or evil but gives the readers some leverage in forming their own opinions. Readers will truly enjoy and learn a great deal from this book.

Reviewed by Carol Callahan Comment | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No 5 of 5 people found the following review helpful 5.0 out of 5 stars An Intelligent Thriller February 25, 2012 By Jay Parini Format:Kindle Edition I'm a great fan of such thriller writers as Ken Follett and Robert Harris: that is, I like intelligent and well-written thrillers that deal thoughtfully with issues of importance in the real world. One can hardly imagine a more pressing issue than bioterrorism -- a true nightmare, and one that has too often been realized. Dorian Paul has dug deeply into the grisly possibilities here, asking what might happen if TB could be turned into a weapon, showing us the grisly possibilities. The pacing is fast and furious, and Dr. Ashe, the appealing scientist at the center of this novel, lives and breathes. David Ruskin is a subtle and witty heir to the tradition of James Bond: a man of many guises. Varat is a classic antagonist, artfully drawn, frightening. In all, this is a splendid read, and I look forward to the next book by Paul.

Jay Parini Comment | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No 3 of 3 people found the following review helpful 5.0 out of 5 stars A risk worth taking March 20, 2012 By Anthony Hamilton Format:Kindle Edition Ostensibly a well-paced bio-terrorism thriller with a host of finely realized characters, this novel, whose action ranges over three continents, vividly explores the collective and personal anxieties of our time. It offers an accomplished commentary on the psychological imperatives which surface in enterprises of great stress. Its principal virtue is that it avoids sacrificing narrative impetus to the delineation character and the portrayal of inter-personal relations while maintaining their centrality. A very good read - get it while its hot! Anthony Hamilton