The Proteus Cure

by F. Paul Wilson, Tracy L. Carbone

"Paul Wilson and Tracy Carbone have penned a winner. The suspense is razor sharp and the characters masterfully drawn. Paul Wilson is at the top of the game, and Tracy Carbone is a welcome addition to the genre. You'll love The Proteus Cure." – Michael Palmer, NY Times best selling author of Political Suicide<br><br>In medical ethics, the line between right and wrong is often blurred. Who is to decide what is for the good of humanity?<br> <br>Changing the world. One person at a time…<br> <br>That is the mission statement of Tethys Hospital, run by Dr. Bill Gilchrist and his deformed sister, Abra. VG723, their revolutionary stem-cell-based therapy, appears to be capable of doing just that for the cancer patients who come to Tethys. VG723 is often their last hope. But if they match the protocol, they're virtually guaranteed a cure.<br> <br>Dr. Sheila Takamura, a young, dedicated oncologist, is proud to be involved in the clinical trials. Once the FDA approves it for widespread use, VG723 will revolutionize cancer therapy. That is why she's alarmed when former patients return with bizarre syndromes. Yes, they're cancer free, but they're experiencing dramatic changes in their hair and skin and general appearance. When she investigates a possible link to the protocol, those patients start dying. As the body count grows, Sheila finds her own life in danger. She comes to suspect there might be a literal meaning behind the Tethys motto – but can she learn the truth in time to save herself and millions of others?<br> <br>"Wilson is one of the masters of the medical thriller." – Larry King

Genres: Thriller, Science Fiction, Mystery, Fiction, Horror

405 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 1, 2013

About the author

Francis Paul Wilson is an author, born in Jersey City, New Jersey. He writes novels and short stories primarily in the science fiction and horror genres. His debut novel was Healer (1976). Wilson is also a part-time practicing family physician. He made his first sales in 1970 to Analog and continued to write science fiction throughout the seventies. In 1981 he ventured into the horror genre with the international bestseller, The Keep, and helped define the field throughout the rest of the decade. In the 1990s he became a true genre hopper, moving from science fiction to horror to medical thrillers and branching into interactive scripting for Disney Interactive and other multimedia companies. He, along with Matthew J. Costello, created and scripted FTL Newsfeed which ran daily on the Sci-Fi Channel from 1992-1996.

http://us.macmillan.com/author/fpaulw...

Reviews

[David North-Martino · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Proteus Cure is a fun and fast paced book that keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. As a long time fan of F. Paul Wilson, and having enjoyed Tracy L. Carbone’s novella Restitution, and her short fiction work, I found their collaboration very entertaining and a lot of fun.

This book gives you exactly what you’re looing for in a medical thriller, likeable characters you care about, plausible enough science that you can suspend disbelief (this is, after all, a work of fiction), and a tightly woven plot that ratchets up the suspense and keeps you turning the pages.

Main character, Dr. Sheila Takamura, has a very compelling backstory, and so does Paul Rosko. I absolutely loved his character. He’s also an F. Paulronic anti-hero (if I may coin the term.) who has a troubled past and is willing to use his brain as much as his brawn to handle a situation.

While reading the Proteus Cure life got very busy and stole much of my leisure time. But as soon as things slowed down a bit I picked the book back up (a testament to how enjoyable this novel is to read) and had no problem getting right back in. Usually, if I abandon a novel, I never return to it.

Like all good thrillers, the finale hits you with a gut punch. This one just might keep you from going to your doctor’s office or neighborhood clinic. I don’t want to spoil the ending, but you’re in for a real treat once you reach the final pages.

[Jack · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked the story and the science behind the story but it was predictable. Love scene overdone, not much mystery, you could see the end coming. Also it was slow, I wanted to stop at the halfway point but I had already invested my time. It's an average science, thriller, love story. If this is your thing, give it a shot. But if I could turn back the clock, I wouldn't read it again.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't put it down

[Patricia Gussin · Rating 5 out of 5]

My kind of book!

[Joyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good medical thriller concerning cancer, DNA, and medical ethics.

Four out of five stars.

[Lynda · Rating 2 out of 5]

Implausible medical thriller.

[Carolyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

It dragged on and on! Get a throw away phone instead of looking for phone booths. In addition, if trying to hide out, dont drive your own car around. Duh!

[Claudia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Scientific discovery is moving at such a fast pace, it is inevitable that something will go wrong or that the wrong someone will gain access to something that could be life changing. This is a very fast paced story. For the most part, the characters are engaging. I wanted to learn more about the German mother, however. Although her part of the story is important, it wasn't explored as much as I would have liked. The plot brings up many ethical questions and although it doesn't pretend to give answers to the questions, it does make the reader ponder what one would do in a given situation. It also begs the question-- how far can good be stretched before it is compromised and becomes evil. There are no religious overtones to this story and for that I say thanks, and thanks, and ever thanks. This is mostly about science and parenting and the nature of good and evil as it pertains to scientific potential. If all that sounds a little boring and pretentious, let me make it clear that this is a thriller. There is a lot of action and excitement. I had a difficult time putting it down for any length of time. There are a number of typographical errors that were annoying but I suspect were not the fault of the writers but rather the result of converting from one medium to another.

[Ralph · Rating 1 out of 5]

1.5 out of 5 - A disappointment. Uneven and the narration spotty.

Having read and enjoyed a number of books by F. Paul Wilson, I was anticipating another enjoyable experience, but I was disappointed. What happened??? The premise of the story is mildly interesting and it could have been woven into a story worth reading. However, the quality of the plotting, dialogue, and character development seemed amateurish; surprising given the quality of his other stories and his forty year writing career.

I didn't care for the narration either, but most of the blame would have to lie with the prose. At best, the narrator did a reasonably good job voicing some characters, but abysmally with others, especially the antagonist's sister. The reading speed was a bit fast, but tolerable. The lack of pauses between scenes should have been caught by the sound editor and were terribly distracting. Often, my brain didn't immediately register that the scene had changed, which pulled me out of the story.

The publisher's glowing synopsis, framing it as a taut medical thriller, and the comparisons to Robin Cook and Michael Palmer are not justified. Mr. Wilson is a good writer, but this is not a good book.

[The Cats’ Mother · Rating 3 out of 5]

Implausible medical thriller about a widowed oncologist working at a prestigious cancer centre who becomes concerned about the unit's miracle cure when patients who have received it start reporting unusual hair and skin changes. Joining forces with the father of a teenage former patient, and ignoring his uncontrolled violent tendencies, she uncovers a disturbing conspiracy, as key participants start dying.
Sheila was ok as a heroine but her inexplicable attraction to Paul, gorilla-man who likes books, spoiled it for me. The science behind it was fairly preposterous and the characters all do annoyingly stupid things. There wasn't much mystery as the baddie is revealed way too early. The twist that was supposed to be shocking just seemed ridiculous.
I was going to give this 3 stars but really it's a 2.5 and not really worth wasting time on.

["Avonna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this medical thriller! The plot revolves around a research hospital curing cancer with an amazing experimental drug that seems to be perfect until a cured patient comes back to complain about her physical body changing in a radical way. This book has you constantly questioning medical ethics and what would you do or give up to save yourself or a loved one. It is a very twisting rollercoaster of a ride that made it difficult to put down. With the constant rapid progression of medicine, this book makes you really think about who is really good and/or bad.

[Dick · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have loved F P Wilson's Repairman Jack books and based on that, I picked up this book. It's not a total disappointment, but it's very derivative of Robin Cook's books.
I've just recently seen a remake of Cook's Coma and so the heroine in distress being helped by someone who may or may not be there to really help her, was high in my mind as I read this. It did have other elements that kept me reading, but for the most part I was disappointed.

[Tom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book for what it is, a thriller set in a medical facility, the plot revolving around cancer stem-cell research and the ethical and moral issues and how far some people will go to see their dream fulfilled. I was rooting for the main characters to defeat the baddies, but also could see where the baddies were coming from, though the ends didn't justify the means. I don't know how accurate the science was but it was an entertaining read, and should be read in that light.

[Daniel DeLappe · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book raised some very interesting questions about stem cell research and genetics. It presents both sides of the questions and does this without preaching or answering for the reader. This is a fast paced thriller that I have come to expect from Mr Wilson. This is a subject people are really going to need to understand or it could get really ugly in the medical ethics scheme of life. Know your science folks and always keep in mind there are two sides to every question.

[Erica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even thought this book dealt with genetic science, I didn't ever feel clueless about what was being discussed or that the way of explanation was dumbed down. I felt a connection with all of the characters and was rooting/hating them through out the book. I love the ambiguous nature of the ending - it had resolution and closer, but left room for you to let your imagination run with the possible outcomes of what happens after the book.

[annette marshall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprisingly Good!

When I first started reading this book, I thought it was going to be about the white race becoming the minority. However, it turned out to be about stem cell research, and the horrifying possibilities of it being in the wrong hands. The door for a Proteus cure II was left open, and I'll be watching for it!

[Jack · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a disappointment based on Wilson's prior work. It's a cheesy medical thriller with a fake controversy. Phoning it in doesn't work in a genre that requires tight plotting and 3D characters to be memorable.

[Linda Williams]

Excellent

this book could have been written by Robin Cook wonder how much of it was true. It is the kind of book that left you thinking......What if. what if it could be done...and would it make for a better world.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this medical thriller! The end is a little too much if you are a conspiracy theorist!!!! Other than that? This author writes like Robin Cook. Characters you love and hate, and you find yourself rooting for the underdog throughout! Highly recommend if you are into page turners!

[MaryJude Schmitz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favorite F Paul Wilson book.

[Jeff Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very taut medical thriller. One that pulls you through at every corner. Engaging plot and characters.

[Carrie Bottoms · Rating 5 out of 5]

great medical thriller! had me on the edge of my seat the entire time! plus, it was scientifically thought provoking.

[Ken · Rating 4 out of 5]

To what lengths would you go to find a cure for your diseases,for cancer? At what point has medicine gone too far in its quest for the overall good? Very interesting story. I enjoyed it.

[Preston DuBose · Rating 2 out of 5]

Fun for what it was. I appreciated how it made the antagonists 3 dimensional but overall it still suffered from the predictability of the thriller formula.

[Sean Randall · Rating 3 out of 5]

Despite being predictable, I still found this kept my interest. it's probably a little too slushy for me to say I enjoyed it a great deal, but it wasn't a bad book.

[Dave Nichols · Rating 3 out of 5]

Went along really nicely. But not as good at the end.

[Tracey Sieklicki]

One of the best books. Keeping the reader on the edge and. Giving you just enough info to ply you into the different characters