ExtraLife, Inc.

by Kfir Luzzatto

Out of print

Genres: Thriller

302 pages, Paperback

First published June 30, 2013

About the author

Kfir Luzzatto is the author of seventeen novels, several short stories, and seven non-fiction books. Kfir was born and raised in Italy and moved to Israel as a teenager. He acquired his love for the English language from his father, a former U.S. soldier, a voracious reader, and a prolific writer. He holds a Ph.D. in chemical engineering and works as a patent attorney. In pursuit of his interest in the mind-body connection, Kfir was certified as a Clinical Hypnotherapist by the Anglo-European College of Therapeutic Hypnosis.

Kfir is a member of the HWA (Horror Writers Association) and ITW (International Thriller Writers).

You can visit Kfir’s web site and read his blog at https://www.kfirluzzatto.com. Follow him on Twitter (@KfirLuzzatto) and friend him on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/KfirLuzzatto...).

Reviews

[Shannon McGee · Rating 2 out of 5]

A scientist husband claims to have created the cure to cancer. He and his wife search for help from another husband and wife who are lawyers. The scientist has received threats before he is able to patent the cure.

The story starts off with the beginnings of a good mystery. As it moves on it lost me. I would forget which character is which. Which is the good couple? Is there a bad couple? I tried reading a second time because it becomes so boring that I really don’t remember what happens the whole middle of the book.

I think that a lot the problem is because this book was translated into english and it loses something. My interest waned because the characters were just not interesting. I wish I could say more nice things about it but I just can’t think of anything at the moment.

[Gemma Feltham · Rating 4 out of 5]

ExtraLife, Inc. is a first person account of average-joe patent lawyer Richard Lunz, with a family, his own firm and a seemingly ordinary life until he is approached by a highly unusual client.
The novel as an intriguing stylistic approach in that it starts at the present, then speaks directly to the reader to push into the past, to where the story really begins.

The tantalising idea of a cure cancer is largely at the heart of the novel and is something which many readers will have a correction with or at the very least an opinion on. But without giving you too many spoilers, it’s by no means the big picture.

Luzzatto writes consistently with close attention paid to the intricate details, in particular the characterisation of both the protagonists and antagonists is very strong, especially in the first two chapters, which Luzzatto uses to give his readers time to build an opinion. As the novel delves deeper it follows the process of how an inventor would go about obtaining a patent for his invention- whilst fighting legal, emotional and academic pressure. Now that concept may sound intimidating but I assure you that even someone such as myself with zero legal knowledge, would be able to follow this with ease.
The stunning part is how the author ensures that by focusing on the story of a possible cure for cancer, and the character’s reactions, a potentially very dull subject is brought to life; made interesting and even passionate.

One of the most interesting aspects for me as a reader, was reading those precise moments in which Luzzatto includes our main character’s (Richard Lunz) personal life. We know he has kids, a wife and a successful career. But readers are also treated to more insightful instances, where the husband and wife have tender moments as well as disagreements and insecurities are revealed- totally believable and even more importantly completely relatable. It’s all very realistic which is totally refreshing from the several heavily fantastical novels; I have been reading one after the other recently.
As I said I have no legal knowledge or experience with courts, so I found it difficult to predict what may happen in future chapters; but that made for a very encompassing read. I felt more drawn in as all my knowledge s lent to me by the characters.

Readers shouldn’t feel put off if they have no legal knowledge or even interest, as ‘ExtraLife, Inc.’ is not truly about the law, but about people and how they manipulate the law for their own means. Many clues in this compelling tale are very intentionally subtle, so much so that the reader may forget them until they are brought back into focus.

ExtraLife, Inc. does have a particularly notable fast pace. Perhaps the author has crafted this as in all other media court cases and law suits are portrayed as very long, drawn out ordeals, and mostly they are very boring. But I found no sense of that here. By the time I was half way through the novel I was hooked completely. Richard Lunz’s ordinary business and family is such an unprecedented setting for the randomised twists and turns that ensue. The gripping plot twist of questioning Tamara Wolfson’s identity, firmly cemented my need to know how it all turns out.

However, despite its good aspects one flaw of this novel was that it took me until I was half way through, to feel that I had a firm place setting of where this novel takes place. This didn’t really happen until Richard Lunz has jetted back and forth from his home, to court, to the Wolfson’s house and Paris- and then back again! All during which the only sense of placement I got was the mentioning of the Tel Aviv University, and then I had to google the institution to get a geographical bearing for the events which were rapidly unfolding.

Luzzatto is brilliant at blending a believable and relatable character with believable (to a degree) and deadly circumstances and events. I thoroughly enjoyed reading Richard Lunz’s experiences as he delved into the world of investigative journalism- albeit being a man of law (sort of) his methods are somewhat questionable. The meticulous planning, anticipating problems and carrying them out; it had me gripping the edges of my Kindle!

It all culminates into one big, slightly fuzzy, sci-fi explanation concerning the possible eventual decimation of the human race as we know it. Now the epilogue again was believable, relatable and quite stark.
Overall ExtraLife, Inc. is a compelling read- one for the crime/ thriller fans more than sci-fi, as I felt the sci-fi element is much more an afterthought rather than a prevalent genre. It’s action-packed, filled with intriguing side stories and plot twists. But I did feel somewhat let down by the ending- what could have been a much stronger, climatic reveal; was (in my opinion) watery and a bit weak for my liking.

© Gemma Feltham 3rd March 2014

[Diana (Offbeat Vagabond) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Original review here: http://offbeatvagabond.blogspot.com/2013/08/book-review-extralife-inc-by-kfir.html

ExtraLife, Inc. is a thrilling story about a lawyer named Richard. Richard has been contacted by a scientist named David who is calling him about something big. David may have made the biggest discovery in history; the cure for cancer. But this massive discovery has come with a price. The hospital he works with knows he has done something big and they don't want him to take the credit for his scientific breakthrough. Richard takes on the case because he really wants to know if David is legit. But tragedy strikes and Richard soon finds out that there is more going on with his clients than he thought. Richard is now in for the ride of his life, but what he finds may be a lot worse than what he anticipated.

WHAT?!!! This read definitely took me by surprise. I knew that this was going to be thrilling, but man, I had no idea what how far this was going to go. Richard was an interesting lead character. At first I wasn't too sure I liked him. There were times he could be a bit judgmental, but I did like him. He was smart and definitely listened to his gut when everybody told him to let it all go. He had a lot of courage given all that takes place. He gets screwed over quite a bit in this book. David and his wife Tamara were a strange pair. David was a bit timid and was scared of his own shadow. He had reason to be, but still. I especially would have been scared because of his wife, Tamara. From the get go, you can tell there is something quite off with her. Not to mention you can tell she wears the pants in the relationship.

The build up in this book was amazing. You will be at the edge of your seat from the get go. Richard is trying his best to help the Wolfsons, but he is in for a rude awakening. He knows there is something off with this case and specifically with them. He suspicions are confirmed when someone working with David is killed in such a bizarre way. The man, Malik, was electrocuted, specifically struck by lightning in a room with no windows on a clear night. And that is not even the strangest thing to happen. Richard is working hard and fast to get to the bottom of this and it is hard to believe where it ends.

I really enjoyed this book a lot. I was buried in this story. I couldn't believe it. I do love the end because I didn't see it coming. I had a feeling there was something much bigger since Richard son said something weird, but man, it is huge. I mean crazy huge what the mystery is. There are a few things I wish were resolved though specifically about Tamara. I don't think this will be given a sequel, but it would be nice for sure. Trust me, you will want one when you get to the end. My mouth is still dragging on the floor. It is insane. If you are looking for an exciting mystery, this would be a fantastic choice. Seriously, do not pass this up. You have no idea what you are missing.

[Becca · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I read the background on this book, I knew that I was in for a ride. I was not dissapointed in the least. Mos people would think that reading about a patent attorney would not be a page turner, but this is not your ordinary patent attorney. He ends up making a housecall to potentially patent a cure for cancer. After he ends up making this house call everything changes and a bunch of events follow. This novel is both a medical and legal gripper of sorts. Some of the events that happened in the book are said to be true. The author never lets on to what events are or are not true, so you are left wondering if some of the more crazy scenes are the ones that are based on real life.

Richard finds out eventually that there is more going on with these clients than meets the eye. They will have to do experiments and such to make sure that the patent actually will be legitimate. I loved Richard, the main character, because he was interesting and full of life. He is a smart man and he has lots of courage to walk into a home where a patent would have to be secured for the cure for cancer. David and Tamara, the couple trying to patent, were a little on the odd side to me. The couple was not your average book couple because David was shy and his wife, Tamara, was very headstrong. She knew what she wanted and she was going to get it no matter what had to be done.

At first, if you were to just read the background, the book does not sound like it will be a rollercoaster of sorts, but it definitely was. I was never dissapointed and I loved the perserverance of Richard to try and help the Wolfsons, even with how weird they really were. There is a death in the book, and it is strange to say the least of one of David’s friends that was helping out. Richatd wants to know what happened and why. This book had lots of twists and some mind stumpers. I loved it! I like to think during thrillers and that’s what the author allowed me to do with this story. I never saw the ending coming. I will not spoil what the big mystery is here because I want you to pick up the book and read it for yourself. If you are looking for a book to make you think and to keep you enthralled in a mystery than this book is for you. A FIVE star rating on this review is what Kfir Luzzatto’s novel gets from me! I can not wait to read more of what this author has in store on futyre novels.

Disclosure: I was given this book to give my open and honest opinion. All thoughts are my own.

[Lori L (She Treads Softly) · Rating 3 out of 5]

ExtraLife, Inc. by Kfir Luzzatto is a recommended thriller.

In ExtraLife, Inc. Richard Lunz, a Tel Aviv patent attorney, is approached by a doctor's wife and told that her husband has discovered the cure for cancer and needs to patent it. David Wolfson is a scatterbrained, unorganized doctor who claims that he needs to patent his cure for cancer before the hospital takes credit for his discovery away from him. Aided by his shrewish know-it-all wife, Tamera, Richard was contacted to help them make his patent a reality. While Richard should have been suspicious right from the start when Tamara, a woman who claims to be an attorney, wants him to sign a poorly written contract, still he forges ahead, trying to get David to provide him with his research notes and data, all of which seems starngley lacking or not readily available. Then, when someone dies, Richard begins to wonder what exactly the Wolfson's are planning to do.

Although this is presented as more of a science fiction novel, the sci fi aspects are not in the forefront of the plot. It is more a legal thriller.

My big problem with ExtraLife, Inc. is the awkward wording of sentences, conversations, transitions, phrases. It was obvious enough to me that I wondered if this was a translation from another language. After looking into it, I discovered that English is not in the author's native tongue, which makes sense. It would have behooved Luzzatto to get some professional editing help. A little editing would have helped enormously; the poor writing quality detracts from all of the pluses for me. Setting it aside, the story is decent. There are some great twists and the intrigue is solid. He captures the legal system like the expert he is and does a great job inserting little clues for the reader to follow. If you are able to ignore the quality of the writing, it is a decent novel.

Disclosure: My Kindle edition was courtesy of Pine Ten LLC via Netgalley for review purposes.

[Cianna Sunshine & Mountains Book Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grade: B+ (Strong 4 stars)

This book really caught me off guard. The premise was interesting, but I was worried that a story based on a patent attorney wasn't going to really hold my attention, but as I kept creeping deeper into the world of this "cure for cancer" my brain alarms started going off, and the book just took off for me. It's just got such a great way about it. The intricate details of the crafting of the storyline and the characters were just so good, each little turn we saw something and our brains just filed it away for later, and a nice big "ah ha" moment. The writer obviously crafts a compelling tale in this story. I mean, at first, it's a bit slow, but once you really get into the ride, you are thrown back and forth, and you start to be confused on which way is up. I loved it. I think the attention to detail in the book is really what makes this such a great mystery. We're given clues all along, but we don't really notice them because of the way things are written, and it's intentional. I usually always guess the ending of mystery novels before I get there, but this one, though I did pick up on some clues, I did not see it coming. The author wants you to get to the end and be shocked (and I was), but then in your head, you start to see it, understand it, and it hits you like a freight train but in a really good way. Don't miss out on picking up this book. I really didn't want the book to be over, and secretly i'm hoping for a sequel, just so I can know more, but unlikely. It's a wild ride, but one I believe you'll thoroughly enjoy.

**I was given a copy of this book in exchange honest opinion. All thoughts are my own.

[Lindsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well the first thing that kind of freaked me out was the fact that some of this novel is based on true events. If you read this book, you're head will be torn with trying to figure out which parts are true and which are fiction. It's not possible! But it's pretty scary thinking about that this stuff does go on behind closed doors!

I really enjoyed this book; it's got all the elements I love in a good thriller - there's a good guy, bad guys, legal stuff, murder, intrigue, breaking and entering and trips at a moments notice to Europe and the US hunting down clues, oh and a potential cure for cancer. What more could you possibly want? This is a page-turner that I felt delivered.

The Wolfsons are a very deceptive couple and really take advantage of Richard; the main character. I wasn't sure if I liked him at the start but I did warm to him eventually and was really rooting for him to discover the truth.

Some of the science was a little over my head - it was quite in-depth but it added an air of authority and realism. If you're trying to patent a product or theory then I guess it has to be descriptive.

I could have done with chatting with someone over the ending, I'm a little confused as to what the final outcome was with some of the plot.

Read if you enjoy books like Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code or just like a really good thriller!

Thanks to Kfir for sending through a copy for review :)

[Wendy Hines · Rating 4 out of 5]

Richard Lunz is a patent attorney who usually doesn't make house calls. But one particular phone call he makes an exception for. Tamara Wolfson claims her husband has found the cure to all cancer and they need to patent his invention right away. Skeptical, Richard agrees to meet them at their house. From that point on, a sequence of events begins that changes all of their lives forever.

Tamara is pushy and familiar, traits that Richard abhors. But he feels that David has a solid case, especially with the hospital he works for wanting to lay claim to his scientific breakthrough. While Amnon, a labor attorney, works on getting the bank accounts unfrozen and David's status cleared at the hospital, Richard works with David on the patent paperwork. But in order to move forward, they must do some experiments to gather the data needed.

When someone ends up dead, followed by another, the stakes heat up. With a compelling plot, well developed characters that you either like or loathe, and suspense that builds continuously through-out, ExtraLife, Inc is a taut piece of fiction that hooked me after the first few pages. A cure for cancer, legal and medical issues and a man determined to seek answers weave together into a riveting read.

[Dana · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book free to review from Netgalley. It really sounded interesting from the description - a doctor discovers a cure for cancer, tries to get a patent, people related to the case are dying mysteriously - not from cancer either. Then, I began reading the book. I almost quit reading it right away. The wording is incredibly awkward. It just sounds wrong. So, I looked online and saw good reviews. That made me wonder if the author had friends writing good reviews for a poor book, which annoys me, so I went on and read the book to find out. Actually, the story, once I decided to ignore the rather atrocious writing, is an intriguing mystery/thriller. It had some unexpected twists as Richard, a patent lawyer in Israel, hired by David Wolfson, a doctor who has supposedly found a cure for cancer, begins to find anomalies that cannot be explained in their case and then, people close to the case begin to turn up dead. When I read the Meet the Author section, I learned that English is not his first language. That explains why the wording is so awkward and wrong sounding. I think it would have been a better story if he had gotten a co-author or super-editor or someone who could have fixed his wording so that it sounded better. So, good story, but not great writing.

[Malak · Rating 1 out of 5]

I accepted to review this book because of it subject. Cancer. This disease has touched one of my family member and I am always curious to know more about it, whether from a a scientific point of view or from a individual or social point of view. The book promised to tell the story of how a researcher found the cure to cancer. Now, if this did not make the novel interesting to me, I don't know what will.

But, I was surprisingly disappointed.

The first couple of pages were very slow. The story had no grip and I quickly got bored as I flipped the pages. The plot could have been more lively with more twist and cliffhangers from chapter to chapter to keep the reader interesting.
The characters were also unsympathetic. The two lawyers were full of themselves and treated the researcher as a kid and his wife with disrespect even though she was a lawyer too. The lawyer's wife was cold. She seemed more like a mom than a wife, plus she never liked anything her husband does and he seemed to be scared of her. I wasn't able to relate to any of the characters, nor the lawyer or the researcher.

The slow story plot and the plain depiction of the characters did not work to hold my interest. I was truly disappointed and I wasn't able to finish the book going beyond the 6th chapter.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Kfir Luzzatto asked me, in April, to read and review ExtraLife, Inc., I said yes, because it sounded like a really gripping read.

I was not disappointed, because in this novel Luzzatto gives us a medical and legal thriller that not only has great characters, but also looks at some crucial ethical issues: science vs. money is one of them, but another is the question of the line between professional ethics and scientific research.

Despite – or perhaps because of – the weighty themes, Luzzatto keeps the audience entertained. From the opening, where no names were used for over a page, and we, the reader, are a bit unsure what is happening, to the globe-spanning cat-and-mouse games; from the chilling knowledge that people are dying, to the book’s satisfying ending there is not one moment of dullness. The pacing allows us to become absorbed in the story with pauses to regroup, and at no point did I want to skip ahead or tune out.

To many, any book with “cancer” in the back-cover or flyleaf blurb may seem like it couldn’t possibly be entertaining, but ExtraLife, Inc. not only entertains, but provokes real thought.

[Niki · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Thriller is awesome, it keeps you pinned down in your chair from the first word to the last. It is about a patent attorney Richard Linz, who gets a weird call from a even stranger woman Tamara. Who claims her husband found a cure for cancer and wants him to fill a patent as soon as possible.
Richard doesn't really trust it all but after thinking he decides to check it out. He met the Doctor who claims the patent. a terrified man, manipulated by his wife.

That this all is serious shows when Richard fills the patent and the agents that clearly want to stop it, start to kill people.
The trail leads to other countries, If Richard will survive it all, and is able to get the patent done? go get the book and read for yourself it is worth it.

I received a free copy of this book for a honest review.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

My review: A book about a patent attorney, sounds boring right. Wrong. It is actually a book that keeps you entertained and guessing plot twists up till the very end. Richard Lunz helps a scientist and his wife almost against his will and better judgement until he is suddenly cut out of the loop after the scientists assistant mysteriously dies. Things just do not seem right to Lunz and he sets out to find answers. Nothing is as it seems. I was fully captivated waiting for the developments in this book. The ending let me down somewhat. I did not feel like the final revelations was developed enough in the story and the character Silvi did not get addressed at all. The writing was good and there were very few editing errors. I will give this book 4stars.

[Gina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Imagine you were told someone found a cure for cancer. That is exactly what happened to Richard was told one day. Richard is a patent attorney. David (who found the cure) and his wife Tamara hire Richard to protect them and the discovery.

Things are not simple with this discovery. The hospital David works at wants to lay claim to the discovery, dispite the fact they don't know exactly what that discovery is. Can you imagine? You do all the work and someone tries to take claim and reep the rewards.

Just when you think this is just a story about a doctor finding a cure for cancer, you find out there is so much more to the story. This is one story that has so many twists and turns it will make you begging for more.

[Join the Penguin Resistance! · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the "Warning" appended at the very start, plus the first few pages, we readers are tossed into the hot water of this thriller and can only read on with entranced excitement as the temperature rises to boiling. No need to wait for a reader's hook here! The action, adventure, danger, and deceit commence immediately. From a simple medical patent concern in the State of Israel we are catapulted across the globe and into startling, shocking, incredible revelations. We come away from this amazing medical thriller realizing the accuracy of the proverb, "If it's too good to be true it probably is." (Or, "don't believe everything you hear.")

[Pauline Creeden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Don't let this mild cover and synopsis fool you, this book is a thrill ride from start to finish. When I was young, I wanted to be an archaeologist so that I could have the adventures that Indiana Jones has. Well, when Richard Lunz starts his quest, I begin to think that patent attorney might be just as viable a career option. What's more is that this book keeps you guessing to the end, and seemed so fathomable that it's hard to tell where the lines are drawn between fact and fiction. Highly Recommended for lovers of medical thriller type reads.

[Monica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Patent attorney, Richard Lunz, is about to take on the strangest case of his career.

The background for part of the story takes up the bulk of the book, which is a bit tedious and dull. However, the second half does become more mysterious, winding, and suspenseful. Yet the ending is a bit lackluster. It just sort of happens and isn't fully explained. Nevertheless, in its entirety, the narrative flows well and has a pleasant form.

Characters, while often annoying in the first half, are energetic, enthusiastic, and driven.

Overall, an interesting read.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

A patent attorney is approached by a medical researcher who discovered a cure for cancer. The opposition to this cure comes from big pharmaceutical companies and some other surprising directions. The push for the patent takes the attorney all over the globe, and gives him more questions and heartbreak than expected. The myriad ways sick people are used and manipulated is the focus of this story. I would really like to just read the case histories and files, or have had more concise editing.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kfir Luzzatto pens "Extra Life", a Legal, medical thriller, with fantastic characters that course through this thrilling roller coaster ride that will keep you on the edge of your seat. With many twists and turns and an unexpected ending, I wanted the book to go on and on. Highly recommended for all who love a thrilling ride!

This review is based on a complimentary copy from the author which was provided for an honest review.

[Ailyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Started out pretty normal, and then it gets more and more sinister. The mystery deepens and draws you further into the story. An interesting fiction that grabs attention and keeps you on your toes while making you wonder if the story is indeed true.

I think this might be one of his best books yet.