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2nd out of 18 books
—
26 voters
The Seneca Scourge
by
Carrie Rubin (Goodreads Author)
Dr. Sydney McKnight, a young physician battling the deadliest influenza pandemic of all time, joins forces with Dr. Casper Jones, an odd new research virologist whose arrival coincides with the virus’s advent, and whose presence raises more questions than answers.
As scientists around the world search for an explanation for the virus’s high mortality rate, Sydney’s distrust...more
As scientists around the world search for an explanation for the virus’s high mortality rate, Sydney’s distrust...more
Paperback, 327 pages
Published
September 15th 2012
by Whiskey Creek Press LLC
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ScienceThrillers REVIEW: (No star rating given for indies.) The Seneca Scourge is a debut indie thriller by real-life physician Carrie Rubin. I became aware of Rubin’s work first through her blog The Write Transition at CarrieRubin.com where she consistently posts brilliant, funny, and sometimes scatalogical tidbits about life, the universe, and everything. I knew I had to read her book.
The Seneca Scourge is a genre-blending novel. The first 50% is solid medical thriller with strong scientific e...more
The Seneca Scourge is a genre-blending novel. The first 50% is solid medical thriller with strong scientific e...more
Good job I saved this one for my hols ... such a gripping read, I couldn't put it down!
Now I'm not a big fan of hospital stories but had I known the ride I was in for I'd have been keener right from the start. The story, based in a hospital, covers a virulent strain of killer flu written about convincingly and authoritatively by author, medic Carrie Rubin. It is totally congruent, utterly believable. Indeed, in the first part it's barely necessary to suspend belief so compelling is the horror,...more
Now I'm not a big fan of hospital stories but had I known the ride I was in for I'd have been keener right from the start. The story, based in a hospital, covers a virulent strain of killer flu written about convincingly and authoritatively by author, medic Carrie Rubin. It is totally congruent, utterly believable. Indeed, in the first part it's barely necessary to suspend belief so compelling is the horror,...more
A medical thriller, this is a very good début novel which stopped me from getting on with my life because I simply had to know what happened next.
The title tells it to us straight. We know exactly what the storyline is likely to be with such an introduction. In itself, the title is a very good hook, as far as I’m concerned.
I’ve always been a sucker for a nice pandemic with apocalyptic potential, and for the first half of the book, that is exactly what we get. Then, about half-way through, the s...more
The title tells it to us straight. We know exactly what the storyline is likely to be with such an introduction. In itself, the title is a very good hook, as far as I’m concerned.
I’ve always been a sucker for a nice pandemic with apocalyptic potential, and for the first half of the book, that is exactly what we get. Then, about half-way through, the s...more
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I thoroughly enjoyed Carrie Rubin's medical thriller, The Seneca Scourge. Although I knew the very limited information that the novel was about an epidemic, I didn't read any reviews ahead of time, and I was glad I got to experience the story unfolding on its own without anticipating the plot twists.
When Dr. Sydney McKnight finds herself at the epicenter of a new viral outbreak, she struggles to treat patients who keep dying despite her team's best efforts. The new rock star virologist, Dr. Casp...more
When Dr. Sydney McKnight finds herself at the epicenter of a new viral outbreak, she struggles to treat patients who keep dying despite her team's best efforts. The new rock star virologist, Dr. Casp...more
The Seneca Scourge
The Seneca Scourge by Carrie Rubin is a gripping page-turner. I don't normally read medical thrillers, but Rubin had me by the prologue. I think that is because, the 'scourge', is something that could happen, something that we've seen happen, although only mildly (think SARS)compared to the terror in this book, and in that sense the fear is something we can all relate to. Not wanting to give anything away, lets just say that there are a few surprises and unexpected plot turns....more
The Seneca Scourge by Carrie Rubin is a gripping page-turner. I don't normally read medical thrillers, but Rubin had me by the prologue. I think that is because, the 'scourge', is something that could happen, something that we've seen happen, although only mildly (think SARS)compared to the terror in this book, and in that sense the fear is something we can all relate to. Not wanting to give anything away, lets just say that there are a few surprises and unexpected plot turns....more
Within the first few pages, the frighteningly plausible beginnings of a pandemic had me breathing shallowly through my mouth, wishing for a mask and gloves. The author's medical background shows in her realistic and sympathetic depiction of dedicated medical staff pitted against a ticking clock and a deadly, highly contagious disease.
The pain of losing patients and colleagues to the pandemic, the terror of knowing its potential to decimate the world's population, and the fight against despair an...more
The pain of losing patients and colleagues to the pandemic, the terror of knowing its potential to decimate the world's population, and the fight against despair an...more
I really enjoyed how Rubin masterfully blends medical thriller, mystery, and sci-fi.
"The Seneca Scourge" begins with a somewhat standard description of an "patient zero" unwittingly spreading a virus. Almost immediately, however, the plot takes a chilling turn. Rubin keeps us guessing: Who is Casper Jones, and why does he act so strangely? Why does he hang out with the mysterious hospital orderly? How serious is the virus? The mysteries deepen as the story continues. All is definitely not as it...more
"The Seneca Scourge" begins with a somewhat standard description of an "patient zero" unwittingly spreading a virus. Almost immediately, however, the plot takes a chilling turn. Rubin keeps us guessing: Who is Casper Jones, and why does he act so strangely? Why does he hang out with the mysterious hospital orderly? How serious is the virus? The mysteries deepen as the story continues. All is definitely not as it...more
Life turns upside down for Sydney McKnight, a young physician in a Boston Hospital, when she has a patient come in with flu-like symptoms that go from bad to worse. Within weeks, thousands of people have died worldwide, and a crisis that rivals the 1918 flu epidemic has the world in panic. Sydney is anxious to stop this outbreak, but gets caught up in even more danger when she becomes suspicious of her attending--Casper Jones, a research virologist who has shown up just as this outbreak started-...more
What would you do?
The book, Seneca Scourge, is not just another medical thriller. It offers a new dimension you will not expect, but will love. Author Carrie Rubin does a masterful job of creating characters that are intelligent and heroic, yet so much like you and I. Although the book will keep you on the edge of your seat with fast paced suspense, you'll also find yourself, in the end, seeing it's more than just a story. It's a potential concept you will not be able to help, but contemplate. T...more
The book, Seneca Scourge, is not just another medical thriller. It offers a new dimension you will not expect, but will love. Author Carrie Rubin does a masterful job of creating characters that are intelligent and heroic, yet so much like you and I. Although the book will keep you on the edge of your seat with fast paced suspense, you'll also find yourself, in the end, seeing it's more than just a story. It's a potential concept you will not be able to help, but contemplate. T...more
This fast-paced, beautifully written medical thriller glues you between its covers and will not set you free until the final page!
Author Carrie Rubin invites you to follow Dr. Sydney McKnight on shift in a Boston hospital as she is swept up onto the wave of an epidemic on the grand scale - an epidemic that is almost unerringly fatal, and one for which no remedy is known.
The words skip off the page as Ms. Rubin guides you through the technical language of epidemiology with authoritative ease, ta...more
Author Carrie Rubin invites you to follow Dr. Sydney McKnight on shift in a Boston hospital as she is swept up onto the wave of an epidemic on the grand scale - an epidemic that is almost unerringly fatal, and one for which no remedy is known.
The words skip off the page as Ms. Rubin guides you through the technical language of epidemiology with authoritative ease, ta...more
Really enjoyed this book - it developed in a way that I wasn't expecting at all, but that worked really well. The further I got, the harder it was to put down. It's about a pandemic, with a central character who works as a doctor at the centre of the outbreak. She's working alongside one particular doctor who is new, and there's something she doesn't think is quite right about him. Of course, she's absolutely right on this - but not in any way you'd anticipate. As the author is a medic, the tech...more
I really enjoyed this debut novel by Carrie Rubin. Her characters had depth and she did a great job of building tension and pacing the action. The setting was realistic but soon surreal elements began to twist an already horrific medical crisis into something worse. I felt connected to the characters and the storyline. It was a quick read, made quicker by several fast page turning sessions and one "up too late because I'm READING" session.
I received this book as part of a goodreads giveaway. I gave it a 3 star rating because I found some of the sci fi parts of the story a bit far fetched, but that's just my opinion. This book really is a genre blender as another reviewer put it. It's a medical thriller with elements of sci fi throughout the book so, if you enjoy any of these genres or a mixture of all three then this is the book for you. The ending is not at all predictable which makes it a real page turner and an enjoyable read....more
Author Carrie Rubin is an excellent writer! Her knowledge of the medical field brings a sense of realism to her settings. But more importantly, she infuses her characters with personality, a sense of humor, sarcasm, intelligence, inner-strength, a damaging history and realistic self-doubt that makes them feel very real!
The story kept me guessing. I had an idea of what the book was about, but I purposely avoided the reviews, not wanting to be *spoiled.* I did not know what to expect or how it wo...more
The story kept me guessing. I had an idea of what the book was about, but I purposely avoided the reviews, not wanting to be *spoiled.* I did not know what to expect or how it wo...more
Very exciting book, a very quick read - since you can't put it down! Very realistic and didn't make me cringe too much as a healthcare/hospital worker! Only disappointment was the ending - I hate up in the air endings. The ending isn't a cliffhanger, but it sure leaves a lot for a sequel or your imagination.
This a grade A medical thriller that sweeps you up and carries you away. This is a very fast paced yet fluid thrill ride of a book. I read this in one because it would just not let me put it away. It felt very well researched as well as informative. It is totally infectious! Highly recommended!
Break-out novelist Carrie Rubin did an amazing job with her first novel, The Seneca Scourge. A medical thriller that comfortably crosses genres into science fiction, her story is well written, with enough twists and turns to make you want to read "one more page" before finally putting it down for the day. I would recommend this book to anyone that enjoys an exciting read.
Feb 21, 2013
Kylie
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A page-turner!
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I love to write, but I've also spent time as a physician and a public health advocate. In addition to writing fiction, I maintain a humor blog, because to me, laughter is one of life’s necessities. I also enjoy reading, watching movies, and traveling. I live in Ohio with my husband and two sons.
I believe every experience is worthwhile, even if our paths deviate from where we started. Or at least...more
More about Carrie Rubin...
I believe every experience is worthwhile, even if our paths deviate from where we started. Or at least...more
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