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Deadly Passage: Homegrown Bioterrorism
Andy Reiss, a physician, Jesse his registered-nurse wife, and their daughter, Rachael, head home on their sailboat, Prophecy, after five years of sailing around the world. When Prophecy comes upon a sailboat adrift, they rescue two young Americans, a brother and his sister. After bringing them aboard, both brother and sister break out with a rash. Andy identifies the rash as a deadly virus, and realizes that he has inadvertently rescued two homegrown terrorists intent on bringing a deadly virus to the Miami area.
Soon the disease is full-blown, sealing the fates of the terrorists and all those they encounter.
Andy, Jesse, and Rachel must deal with the unwanted guests, their disease, the Cuban Navy, and an approaching hurricane. When things can’t seem to get any worse, the U.S. Coast Guard turns the Reiss family away from safety, operating under the influence of conflicting political and operational motivations in the Department of Homeland Security, the Coast Guard, and the oval office.
Exploring the conflicting and complicated motivations of terrorists and governmental agencies, Deadly Passage is a multi-layered, high seas adventure-thriller of bioterrorism in a post 9/11 world.
Soon the disease is full-blown, sealing the fates of the terrorists and all those they encounter.
Andy, Jesse, and Rachel must deal with the unwanted guests, their disease, the Cuban Navy, and an approaching hurricane. When things can’t seem to get any worse, the U.S. Coast Guard turns the Reiss family away from safety, operating under the influence of conflicting political and operational motivations in the Department of Homeland Security, the Coast Guard, and the oval office.
Exploring the conflicting and complicated motivations of terrorists and governmental agencies, Deadly Passage is a multi-layered, high seas adventure-thriller of bioterrorism in a post 9/11 world.
342 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 30, 2013
4 people are currently reading
99 people want to read
About the author
Lawrence W. Gold
28 books38 followersLawrence W. Gold, MD is a retired physician. He is a veteran of the Vietnam War where he served in an evacuation hospital, ran an emergency room and was a Battalion Surgeon. He completed his training in internal medicine and diseases of the kidney in 1968.
He retired in 1995 after 23 years in a hospital-based practice caring for patients with complicated illnesses and served as Chief of Medicine. After retirement he and his wife, Doris, spent time sailing at sea. He has written three screenplays based on his novels. His screenplay for Rage won honorable mention at the 80th annual Writer's Digest contest. He lives in Grass Valley, CA with his wife.
He retired in 1995 after 23 years in a hospital-based practice caring for patients with complicated illnesses and served as Chief of Medicine. After retirement he and his wife, Doris, spent time sailing at sea. He has written three screenplays based on his novels. His screenplay for Rage won honorable mention at the 80th annual Writer's Digest contest. He lives in Grass Valley, CA with his wife.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
July 27, 2013
Dr. Arnie Reiss and his wife, Jesse, have spent five years sailing around the world with their daughter. After thinking they have faced the best and worst of what the seas have to offer, its time to head back to the U.S. when they encounter two shipwreck survivors on board a disabled and partially destroyed boat. Taking these two aboard turns a good deed into a deadly nightmare beyond their wildest imagination as they soon discover they are exposed to a deadly virus long thought eradicated from the Earth. Add to that, they are sailing into the path of a possible hurricane, being chased by foreign terrorists, being fired upon by and denied entry into the U.S., have engine trouble and their young daughter is showing symptoms of this virus and you have a white-knuckle thriller that won't let go! Add the Cuban involvement, and the behind the scenes wrangling between Cuba and highly placed U.S. government officials, and the Reiss family becomes and pawn in a deadly terrorist game of espionage and intrigue! Will they survive long enough to step on U.S. soil again? Will they get their daughter the help she needs? Has the world lost its humanity in exchange for power or plausible deniability? Where is that one in a million rebel who will buck the system to do what's right?
Deadly Passage by Lawrence W. Gold will keep you glued to each page, as he sets the stage for terror on the high seas! He has built the world as the Reiss family knew it, miles and miles of blue water, sea breezes, ports of call, the freedom they felt in their adventure. I could also feel their need to start another chapter, it was time to go home. Lawrence Gold wrote vivid details of life on the water for this close-knit family with dialogue that was always "in the moment" for the events going on. I felt I was listening in, feeling the swells of the water, the terror of the storms, the complete and utter fear of having no where to turn! The unknown factor was terrifyingly dark, the subplots perfectly revealed, ratcheting up the tension to a tautness that was biting into my every nerve! This is intrigue at its finest!
I would like to thank Lawrence Gold for providing me with a review copy in exchange for my honest review.
Publication Date: June 30, 2013
Publisher: Grass Valley Publishing
ISBN: 978-1490573939
Number of Pages: 283
Genre: Intrigue/Suspense/Terrorism
Age Recommendation: Adults
My Rating: 5 stars
Available from: Amazon / Barnes & Noble
For more reviews check out Tome Tender's Book Blog or find us on Facebook.
Deadly Passage by Lawrence W. Gold will keep you glued to each page, as he sets the stage for terror on the high seas! He has built the world as the Reiss family knew it, miles and miles of blue water, sea breezes, ports of call, the freedom they felt in their adventure. I could also feel their need to start another chapter, it was time to go home. Lawrence Gold wrote vivid details of life on the water for this close-knit family with dialogue that was always "in the moment" for the events going on. I felt I was listening in, feeling the swells of the water, the terror of the storms, the complete and utter fear of having no where to turn! The unknown factor was terrifyingly dark, the subplots perfectly revealed, ratcheting up the tension to a tautness that was biting into my every nerve! This is intrigue at its finest!
I would like to thank Lawrence Gold for providing me with a review copy in exchange for my honest review.
Publication Date: June 30, 2013
Publisher: Grass Valley Publishing
ISBN: 978-1490573939
Number of Pages: 283
Genre: Intrigue/Suspense/Terrorism
Age Recommendation: Adults
My Rating: 5 stars
Available from: Amazon / Barnes & Noble
For more reviews check out Tome Tender's Book Blog or find us on Facebook.
August 9, 2019
Excellent book, tales of a very large sailboat discovers hurricane season, bio-terrorism, terror.
What starts as a peaceful and well-managed trip by sail for a family of three plus dog, becomes something a lot more than they bargained for. But then, when one considers the probability of hurricane season and rough seas, it seems only certain they will run into some difficulties. They are well-prepared for whatever comes, though perhaps not when something unexpected brings them up short. When an artillery shell is fired over the bow causing a concussive wave over the bow, it certainly wasn't part of the game plan. Why is the US firing at a US ship?
This is no small sailboat, it is large, well-equipped and has taken the family to many ports over the past five years. Husband and wife mind the wheel, both are well-instructed in medicine and health, and their daughter is being home-schooled and is well-adjusted and very capable on deck as well. Sailing in such a large vessel takes a lot of work and muscle, a lot of upkeep to be done, one might say five years could well be the limit on the high seas before parts start to wear out, it's coming up on hurricane season so everything needs a fix. In their travels they have rescued two teenagers, brother and sister. But something isn't right. To put a finger to it doesn't work so well, but it seems these two are ill, but with what? And what were the family told about two young terrorists?
Soon everything is going wrong, with the ship, with the teenagers, the winds, the waves... where should they choose to make a landing before the weather and health let loose? Holding off against the storm, it's a matter of hover and wait or plow on through, hoping the decades of small pox vaccinations have killed or weakened it, or they may be spreading it anon.
The amazing crew came through as best they could considering life endangerment, US flagged boat endangerment, a stand-down in progress. I think it is very important for the interaction between the only people who really have enough of the right kind of knowledge and probable understanding people who rightfully know the best resources. How best to approach the sick ones, now including their own daughter, how best to retain and keep the sick ones away until they reach a level of unity.
What starts as a peaceful and well-managed trip by sail for a family of three plus dog, becomes something a lot more than they bargained for. But then, when one considers the probability of hurricane season and rough seas, it seems only certain they will run into some difficulties. They are well-prepared for whatever comes, though perhaps not when something unexpected brings them up short. When an artillery shell is fired over the bow causing a concussive wave over the bow, it certainly wasn't part of the game plan. Why is the US firing at a US ship?
This is no small sailboat, it is large, well-equipped and has taken the family to many ports over the past five years. Husband and wife mind the wheel, both are well-instructed in medicine and health, and their daughter is being home-schooled and is well-adjusted and very capable on deck as well. Sailing in such a large vessel takes a lot of work and muscle, a lot of upkeep to be done, one might say five years could well be the limit on the high seas before parts start to wear out, it's coming up on hurricane season so everything needs a fix. In their travels they have rescued two teenagers, brother and sister. But something isn't right. To put a finger to it doesn't work so well, but it seems these two are ill, but with what? And what were the family told about two young terrorists?
Soon everything is going wrong, with the ship, with the teenagers, the winds, the waves... where should they choose to make a landing before the weather and health let loose? Holding off against the storm, it's a matter of hover and wait or plow on through, hoping the decades of small pox vaccinations have killed or weakened it, or they may be spreading it anon.
The amazing crew came through as best they could considering life endangerment, US flagged boat endangerment, a stand-down in progress. I think it is very important for the interaction between the only people who really have enough of the right kind of knowledge and probable understanding people who rightfully know the best resources. How best to approach the sick ones, now including their own daughter, how best to retain and keep the sick ones away until they reach a level of unity.
December 5, 2018
Tension all the way through this book
This was not a story that I would normally read, but I was curious... And I couldn't stay away from it. High seas, storms, sailboat, and a small family with their dog meeting other cruisers and new places and people for 5 years. And then, their life turned upside down.
This was not a story that I would normally read, but I was curious... And I couldn't stay away from it. High seas, storms, sailboat, and a small family with their dog meeting other cruisers and new places and people for 5 years. And then, their life turned upside down.
January 6, 2019
Love this book ... Maybe my favourite suspense ever!! Hope to read more by this author!!
August 18, 2013
After having spent five years living on their sailboat discovering new places, the Reiss family – Andy, Jesse, their daughter Rachel and the dog Reggie – decides it is time for the adventure to end. What was supposed to be a quiet and straightforward return to Florida is however troubled when they rescue two Americans who are not as innocent as they appear. They have to discover their secret... and there is no time for thought as the risk of a hurricane in the area increases every hour.
In Deadly Passage, Lawrence Gold takes us to a terrifying world full of terrorism, politics and natural catastrophes at high sea. Between reality and science-fiction, this thrilling novel will make the readers hold their breath until the last pages.
The story starts slowly as we get to know the Reiss family and their unusual life at sea on the Prophecy. The vocabulary used is specific, but general concepts can be understood easily, even by people who – like me – do not know anything about sailing. The descriptions of the places they visit and their activities are vivid and full of details. We also obtain a good overview of the characters’ nature and background, not only in the case of Andy, Jesse and Rachel, but also of every other person we meet in the book.
This first part offers a strong contrast with the rest of the plot. As soon as the Americans, Ryan and Nicole, arrive on Prophecy, the pace of the action quickens and everything seems to go wrong. Events take a bad turn not only for Andy, Jesse and Rachel, but also for the US, Cuba, and several other nations. As the tension builds up, we hope with the characters that a ‘happy ending’ will be possible, but everything seems hounded by misfortune. The last chapter is a masterstroke; not too cheesy, not too appalling, rather open... A perfect ending!
The plot itself is rather simple, playing with bioterrorism and including several story lines which finally come together. There are however several groups of people included and it is not always easy to understand each one’s interests, especially because many abbreviations are used to make the reading easier. It can therefore be useful to have basic knowledge about History, mainly about the relationship between Cuba and the United Stated of America, the political system of the USA, Al-Qaeda and the Middle-East.
At that point, I must admit I feared that the plot would become too political. Fortunately, it was not the case; although the CIA, the American and Cuban Presidents and several other important organisations are involved in the whole affair, we do not go into too much detail. It does not always appear to be very realistic, but I actually enjoyed this simplification, as it made the main elements clearer and easier to understand and, after all, it is a work of fiction. I also appreciated the fact that the book was no propaganda, as is often the case with such controversial themes. Yes, there are ‘goodies’ and ‘baddies’, but we are offered various point of view and understand easily that nothing is as simple as black or white.
Deadly Passage is a very good thriller dealing with matters that could well happen in the current world. The pleasant writing style, the captivating plot and Lawrence Gold’s obvious knowledge of sailing, ships and medicine make Deadly Passage an amazing read which I recommend to anybody interested in good crime books. I would like to thank the author for providing me with a copy of this book, thus enabling me to discover a great literary world in which I will undoubtedly travel again in the future.
In Deadly Passage, Lawrence Gold takes us to a terrifying world full of terrorism, politics and natural catastrophes at high sea. Between reality and science-fiction, this thrilling novel will make the readers hold their breath until the last pages.
The story starts slowly as we get to know the Reiss family and their unusual life at sea on the Prophecy. The vocabulary used is specific, but general concepts can be understood easily, even by people who – like me – do not know anything about sailing. The descriptions of the places they visit and their activities are vivid and full of details. We also obtain a good overview of the characters’ nature and background, not only in the case of Andy, Jesse and Rachel, but also of every other person we meet in the book.
This first part offers a strong contrast with the rest of the plot. As soon as the Americans, Ryan and Nicole, arrive on Prophecy, the pace of the action quickens and everything seems to go wrong. Events take a bad turn not only for Andy, Jesse and Rachel, but also for the US, Cuba, and several other nations. As the tension builds up, we hope with the characters that a ‘happy ending’ will be possible, but everything seems hounded by misfortune. The last chapter is a masterstroke; not too cheesy, not too appalling, rather open... A perfect ending!
The plot itself is rather simple, playing with bioterrorism and including several story lines which finally come together. There are however several groups of people included and it is not always easy to understand each one’s interests, especially because many abbreviations are used to make the reading easier. It can therefore be useful to have basic knowledge about History, mainly about the relationship between Cuba and the United Stated of America, the political system of the USA, Al-Qaeda and the Middle-East.
At that point, I must admit I feared that the plot would become too political. Fortunately, it was not the case; although the CIA, the American and Cuban Presidents and several other important organisations are involved in the whole affair, we do not go into too much detail. It does not always appear to be very realistic, but I actually enjoyed this simplification, as it made the main elements clearer and easier to understand and, after all, it is a work of fiction. I also appreciated the fact that the book was no propaganda, as is often the case with such controversial themes. Yes, there are ‘goodies’ and ‘baddies’, but we are offered various point of view and understand easily that nothing is as simple as black or white.
Deadly Passage is a very good thriller dealing with matters that could well happen in the current world. The pleasant writing style, the captivating plot and Lawrence Gold’s obvious knowledge of sailing, ships and medicine make Deadly Passage an amazing read which I recommend to anybody interested in good crime books. I would like to thank the author for providing me with a copy of this book, thus enabling me to discover a great literary world in which I will undoubtedly travel again in the future.
June 11, 2014
MY VIEW
I have done reviews for Dr. Gold before and I wasn't disappointed with this one either. I have enjoyed reading his books.
The story is one that could actually take place so you get that little bit of scary feeling when you're reading.
Andy Reiss, his wife Jesse and daughter, Rachel have cruised Mexico and Central America for a least 5 years. The ship's name is Prophecy. Andy takes them through the Panama Canal, heading for Ft. Myers, Florida so they can finally settle down. The girls are tired of cruising. Andy knows he needs to get to Florida because the hurricane season starts around the 1st of June. e wanted to be out of the water and settled before then.
They run into some rough gales and go to a channel near Cuba for a few days until the waters settle down.
When they left the channel they come across a ship that was destroyed by the storm. They found two American teenagers aboard. Both are unconscious and need water badly. Andy who is a doctor brings them on his ship, leaving a note on their ship explaining where they are. Jesse is a nurse, so together, Andy and Jesse nurse the kids back to health. Here we have two teen agers with two different personalities. Ryan has a bad attitude, wanting to cause trouble. His sister, Nicole is quiet and reserved. She just wants to be left alone. Ryan has a fever that keeps rising. Andy questions him about being exposed to anything. Neither of the kids would respond.
What a shock, when it's learned that the kids are home grown terrorists and have a deadly virus with them. Andy is fearful for his life and his family. He locks the two terrorists up.Jesse does her best to use precautions to keep from spreading the virus as she cares for them.. Then Ryan somehow, escapes and he tries to make them take him and his sister to Miami. They have plans to expose millions to their deadly virus. I'm afraid the book is so close to reality it isn't funny. It is frightening to realize that this could happen any minute. One of the sad things is, some of these "home grown terrorists" are children. Why take children to use as the vessel of evil? Children should be innocent and happy. They shouldn't grow up thinking some day they will kill, they will maim, they will destroy and through it all, they will possibly die.
The author wrote a magnificent tale of traveling the high seas, terrorism right next to you, and the violent acts of nature. Just think, some day you may have to fight for your life, the lives of your family against some senseless act of terrorism. It's frightening.
I hope everyone picks up a copy of DEADLY PASSAGE by Dr. Lawrence W. Gold and reads it, taking in fully the message given. Life is so precious, but it can be gone in a second, a mere second.
I can't say enough about how good this book was and the topic it carried is so, so near to us every minute.
KEEP WRITING, Dr. Gold.
I received a complimentary copy of DEADLY PASSAGE from the author, Lawrence W. Gold, M.D. for my view of the book. No other compensation took place.
I have done reviews for Dr. Gold before and I wasn't disappointed with this one either. I have enjoyed reading his books.
The story is one that could actually take place so you get that little bit of scary feeling when you're reading.
Andy Reiss, his wife Jesse and daughter, Rachel have cruised Mexico and Central America for a least 5 years. The ship's name is Prophecy. Andy takes them through the Panama Canal, heading for Ft. Myers, Florida so they can finally settle down. The girls are tired of cruising. Andy knows he needs to get to Florida because the hurricane season starts around the 1st of June. e wanted to be out of the water and settled before then.
They run into some rough gales and go to a channel near Cuba for a few days until the waters settle down.
When they left the channel they come across a ship that was destroyed by the storm. They found two American teenagers aboard. Both are unconscious and need water badly. Andy who is a doctor brings them on his ship, leaving a note on their ship explaining where they are. Jesse is a nurse, so together, Andy and Jesse nurse the kids back to health. Here we have two teen agers with two different personalities. Ryan has a bad attitude, wanting to cause trouble. His sister, Nicole is quiet and reserved. She just wants to be left alone. Ryan has a fever that keeps rising. Andy questions him about being exposed to anything. Neither of the kids would respond.
What a shock, when it's learned that the kids are home grown terrorists and have a deadly virus with them. Andy is fearful for his life and his family. He locks the two terrorists up.Jesse does her best to use precautions to keep from spreading the virus as she cares for them.. Then Ryan somehow, escapes and he tries to make them take him and his sister to Miami. They have plans to expose millions to their deadly virus. I'm afraid the book is so close to reality it isn't funny. It is frightening to realize that this could happen any minute. One of the sad things is, some of these "home grown terrorists" are children. Why take children to use as the vessel of evil? Children should be innocent and happy. They shouldn't grow up thinking some day they will kill, they will maim, they will destroy and through it all, they will possibly die.
The author wrote a magnificent tale of traveling the high seas, terrorism right next to you, and the violent acts of nature. Just think, some day you may have to fight for your life, the lives of your family against some senseless act of terrorism. It's frightening.
I hope everyone picks up a copy of DEADLY PASSAGE by Dr. Lawrence W. Gold and reads it, taking in fully the message given. Life is so precious, but it can be gone in a second, a mere second.
I can't say enough about how good this book was and the topic it carried is so, so near to us every minute.
KEEP WRITING, Dr. Gold.
I received a complimentary copy of DEADLY PASSAGE from the author, Lawrence W. Gold, M.D. for my view of the book. No other compensation took place.
March 17, 2014
Overall, a good (but not great) read. The author had some "you've got to be kidding" moments peppered throughout what could have been a great read. There were a few missing pieces such as background to some of the characters along with the big "why" are they doing this. The first few chapters made it hard to engage in the story because the authors love of sailing controlled the prose. Putting those aside, the author's descriptions were vivid and the plot plausible and it was strong enough to pull me through to the end.
April 30, 2016
The Author pens “Deadly Passage” a gripping, suspenseful , thrilling, page turning novel that shows his extensive knowledge along with research of boats and sailing. With strong believable characters, this is a book I found hard to put down. I highly recommend this book to everyone!
This review is based on a complimentary copy from the author which was provided for an honest review.
This review is based on a complimentary copy from the author which was provided for an honest review.
January 14, 2014
Fun sailing adventure, complete with the minutia of sailing a large boat and the difficulties that entails. Add Homeland Security, chemical warfare, American grown terrorists and you have a real page turner.
Quick page turner.
Quick page turner.
August 30, 2013
This book was a thriller concerning terrorist activities that could happen in the present. I really enjoyed this book, and read it in 3 days.
September 9, 2013
Fun, if scary read. Love medical stuff anyway -- but this one combined terrorism, revenge, Cuban-American relationships, a president that is only thinking of politics and not humans....hmmmm...
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews