Pandemic

By: Robin Cook

Narrated by: George Guidall

New York Times-bestselling author Robin Cook takes on the cutting-edge world of gene-modification in this pulse-pounding new medical thriller.

When an unidentified, seemingly healthy young woman collapses suddenly on the New York City subway and dies upon reaching the hospital, her case is an eerie reminder for veteran medical examiner Jack Stapleton of the 1918 flu pandemic. Fearful of a repeat on the one hundredth anniversary of the nightmarish contagion, Jack autopsies the woman within hours of her demise and discovers some striking anomalies: first, that she has had a heart transplant, and second, that, against all odds, her DNA matches that of the transplanted heart.

Although the facts don't add up to influenza, Jack must race against the clock to identify the woman and determine what kind of virus could wreak such havoc--a task made more urgent when two other victims succumb to a similar rapid death. But nothing makes sense until his investigation leads him into the fascinating realm of CRISPR/CAS9, a gene-editing biotechnology that's captured the imagination of the medical community. . . and the attention of its most unethical members. Drawn into the dark underbelly of the organ transplant market, Jack will come face-to-face with a megalomaniacal businessman willing to risk human lives in order to conquer a lucrative new frontier in medicine--and if Jack's not careful, the next life lost might be his own.

Critic reviews

“When there's a scientific breakthrough, Robin Cook doesn't just stand up and cheer. He uses his fertile imagination and writes a novel about its possible perils... By graphically showing what could happen were CRISPR/Cas9 to fall into the wrong hands, the author rings a much needed warning bell about gene editing technology.”—Associated Press

Good book, massive jerk as the main character

The book was great. very scientifically sound, scary and riveting as a possible future example of a pandemic.
BUT
it was impossible for me to sympathize with Jack. The guy is beyond selfish. he ignores his work in pursuit of the subway case and lies to his wife all the time. He has NO sympathy for his wife's position as his boss and disrespects her constantly. He is right a lot, but he is also always so damn sure he is I was constantly hoping he'd be wrong. He also seemed quite sure that he alone was solving this case despite a massive number of people, mainly Aeritha, seriously helping him along.
The book really was wonderful, but I just wanted somone to punch Jack in the face the whole time haha

Reader

The reader talks too fast so you have to totally concentrate on what he is saying.

Narrator

Book was good. Narrator did a good job reading the book, but didnt feel his voice matched the character.

pretty not bad

narrator, great! I loved the twists and unexpected turns. I was a little disappointed the ending came kind of abruptly. I felt there could have been a sequel or hanging ending that led to a subsequent novel.

Always awesome

I have been a fan of Robin Cook for some time. This was predictably enjoyable