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Elixir
Against a backdrop of international intrigue and ruthless drug monopolies, award-winning author Davis Bunn delivers an intoxicating page-turner in this redemptive thriller.
Multi-billion dollar giant Revell Pharmaceuticals is devouring its competition. A new research breakthrough propels the company into releasing its most profitable product ever. Yet a family crisis confronts them when Kirra Revell, heiress to the empire, goes missing.
Taylor Knox, an employee of Revell's latest acquisition, is blackmailed into leading the search. An expert surfer, Taylor pursues the world's biggest waves as a cover, only to be ensnared in a deadly contest of corporate espionage.
In the race to find Kirra, everyone's motives are suspect. A Celtic monk's warning only heightens the peril. Is it money, power, passion, or something deeper that compels Taylor to risk everything?
From Scotland's holy islands to the rugged Basque coast of Spain, from boardrooms and luxury yachts to the dungeons of America's oldest surviving fortress, the hunt is on. Can Taylor Knox achieve his quest before time runs out for Kirra Revell -- and for himself?
Multi-billion dollar giant Revell Pharmaceuticals is devouring its competition. A new research breakthrough propels the company into releasing its most profitable product ever. Yet a family crisis confronts them when Kirra Revell, heiress to the empire, goes missing.
Taylor Knox, an employee of Revell's latest acquisition, is blackmailed into leading the search. An expert surfer, Taylor pursues the world's biggest waves as a cover, only to be ensnared in a deadly contest of corporate espionage.
In the race to find Kirra, everyone's motives are suspect. A Celtic monk's warning only heightens the peril. Is it money, power, passion, or something deeper that compels Taylor to risk everything?
From Scotland's holy islands to the rugged Basque coast of Spain, from boardrooms and luxury yachts to the dungeons of America's oldest surviving fortress, the hunt is on. Can Taylor Knox achieve his quest before time runs out for Kirra Revell -- and for himself?
290 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2004
65 people are currently reading
280 people want to read
About the author
Davis Bunn
115 books1,008 followersDavis Bunn is an internationally-acclaimed author who has sold more than eight million books in twenty languages.
Honored with four Christy Awards for excellence in historical and suspense fiction, Davis was inducted into the Christy Hall of Fame in 2014.
His bestsellers include The Great Divide, Winner Take All, The Meeting Place, The Book of Hours, and The Quilt. A sought-after lecturer in the art of writing, Bunn was serves as Writer in Residence at Regent's Park College, Oxford University.
Davis Bunn also writes under the names Thomas Locke (for his epic fantasy and techno-thriller novels) and T. Davis Bunn (for books published prior to 2002).
Honored with four Christy Awards for excellence in historical and suspense fiction, Davis was inducted into the Christy Hall of Fame in 2014.
His bestsellers include The Great Divide, Winner Take All, The Meeting Place, The Book of Hours, and The Quilt. A sought-after lecturer in the art of writing, Bunn was serves as Writer in Residence at Regent's Park College, Oxford University.
Davis Bunn also writes under the names Thomas Locke (for his epic fantasy and techno-thriller novels) and T. Davis Bunn (for books published prior to 2002).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
July 11, 2010
Elixer by Davis Bunn
Overall rating: Is it over yet?
This book is just one of those books that you grab off of the discount shelf at a store. You read the back and words like “A reluctant man must uncover a conspiracy of pharmaceutical company before they kill him.’ It has the image of test tube on the cover and image of man on the run. So why not? I like a espionage novel every once and I’ll give it a try.
The story is about this man named Taylor. He’s in one of the high places in a small pharmaceutical company, that’s only chance to survive is to merge with a giant. Revell.
Revell also is the company who is owned by a family that has bad history with Taylor. Years ago, Taylor dated the daughter and she disowned her father and family in the process. Kierra wanted nothing to do with being rich and being part of the family any longer. And surely not part of the company.
Taylor is pulled to the side by Kierra’s sister. She says that Kierra is in trouble and all she knows is they have a note from Kierra where she asks Taylor to find her. Taylor turns down the off because he had cheated on her and lost her. But when Amanda blackmails him with the power of the company behind her.
So Taylor goes on this search with very few clues that takes him from America to Europe uncovering the extremely dragged out lame plot that this book contains.
It’s not a action novel like I expected it to be, but that is not the issue here. The issue is this book doesn’t know what it wants to be. At the beginning of the book, it feels very much like a Ludlum novel. It then switches to Taylor’s memory lane about this girl he lost and the people he grew up with. It then turns to a detective mystery. Then he goes to a church where it seems he trying to find his faith followed by a few more spy thriller and love scenes. I’m not saying that genre blending is a bad thing. I actually love it, but Davis doesn’t know how and over the book is just a mess.
So I just said the bad. What about it is good? Not much. Over all it’s about Taylor finding himself on a quest of self discovery, and to me that was boring. If you like it. Go for it. But I don’t have anything good to say.
Rating: Half a smoothie out of four
P.S. check out my book and ebook website at Lelue’s realm. Google it or go directly to http://www.freewebs.com/lelue/
Overall rating: Is it over yet?
This book is just one of those books that you grab off of the discount shelf at a store. You read the back and words like “A reluctant man must uncover a conspiracy of pharmaceutical company before they kill him.’ It has the image of test tube on the cover and image of man on the run. So why not? I like a espionage novel every once and I’ll give it a try.
The story is about this man named Taylor. He’s in one of the high places in a small pharmaceutical company, that’s only chance to survive is to merge with a giant. Revell.
Revell also is the company who is owned by a family that has bad history with Taylor. Years ago, Taylor dated the daughter and she disowned her father and family in the process. Kierra wanted nothing to do with being rich and being part of the family any longer. And surely not part of the company.
Taylor is pulled to the side by Kierra’s sister. She says that Kierra is in trouble and all she knows is they have a note from Kierra where she asks Taylor to find her. Taylor turns down the off because he had cheated on her and lost her. But when Amanda blackmails him with the power of the company behind her.
So Taylor goes on this search with very few clues that takes him from America to Europe uncovering the extremely dragged out lame plot that this book contains.
It’s not a action novel like I expected it to be, but that is not the issue here. The issue is this book doesn’t know what it wants to be. At the beginning of the book, it feels very much like a Ludlum novel. It then switches to Taylor’s memory lane about this girl he lost and the people he grew up with. It then turns to a detective mystery. Then he goes to a church where it seems he trying to find his faith followed by a few more spy thriller and love scenes. I’m not saying that genre blending is a bad thing. I actually love it, but Davis doesn’t know how and over the book is just a mess.
So I just said the bad. What about it is good? Not much. Over all it’s about Taylor finding himself on a quest of self discovery, and to me that was boring. If you like it. Go for it. But I don’t have anything good to say.
Rating: Half a smoothie out of four
P.S. check out my book and ebook website at Lelue’s realm. Google it or go directly to http://www.freewebs.com/lelue/
May 7, 2024
Top notch suspense as a man tracks down what has happened to his missing previous girlfriend. As he pursues clues to find her, he finds himself led to a faith that he has never known.
"God's first task is to confront us with a very simple fact. We can't do this on our own. But it's not pleasant. Nor is it meant to be."
"Real Change, eternal change, is when your actions are meant to draw you closer to your Lord."
"God's first task is to confront us with a very simple fact. We can't do this on our own. But it's not pleasant. Nor is it meant to be."
"Real Change, eternal change, is when your actions are meant to draw you closer to your Lord."
January 6, 2018
The Christianity in this story appears to be ecumenical. There is a lack of self-conviction upon Taylor even though he claims to be a Christian at the end of the story. I see no conviction of sin or repentance which is turning away from sin. It is a clean story, and no questionable scenes were brought into the story. There is a strong emphasis on surf-boarding, which I found very boring.
December 29, 2014
Soft food for eighth-graders ? This writer should be training oxen , not teaching writing !
February 6, 2017
In an effort to over take the pharmaceutical market, the multi-billion Revell company blackmails, hires thugs, and seeks to destroy a Revell family relationship. Taylor Knox is a tool in the effort. Throughout his search for family heiress and former lover, Kirra, Taylor finds himself in many places, including the isles of Scotland, on the coast of Spain, and in a monastery where he begins to face his angry self and to surrender to a higher power, God implied.
The story lacked in "thrill," but that was more than made up for in the thrill of the surf. The waves I have seen along the CA coast do not compare with those of the ocean along the coast of Spain and Bunn's description of surfing those waves gave me a certain terror.
The story lacked in "thrill," but that was more than made up for in the thrill of the surf. The waves I have seen along the CA coast do not compare with those of the ocean along the coast of Spain and Bunn's description of surfing those waves gave me a certain terror.
August 22, 2017
Taylor Knox a senior executive in a multimillion dollar company undergoing a merger, is now searching for Kirra Revell. Of course there is more than this to a simple company merger with undertones and threats, Kirra is a former love and Taylor is a former servant to the Revell dynasty.
The search Taylor is on takes us on amazing twists and turns and leads us to the discovery that ancient alternative medicine may be the cure all for everything that ails human beings. How powerful would this elixir be.
A really enjoyable read and well written
The search Taylor is on takes us on amazing twists and turns and leads us to the discovery that ancient alternative medicine may be the cure all for everything that ails human beings. How powerful would this elixir be.
A really enjoyable read and well written
August 24, 2023
This book was enjoyable and unremarkable. It starts off quite suspenseful and sets up its lead in an interesting manner, but it loses steam after the first act. I found that the faith stuff sometimes worked really well and sometimes felt quite cheesy. Also, the surfing stuff is uninteresting as a dude who is not into the sport. If you stumble upon this, it's worth a read, but I wouldn't go out of my way. Pretty much anything by Peretti does this genre better.
November 16, 2019
Looked like lots of potential at the start but would then find myself saying 'huh?' for a long while. This went back and forth throughout the book.. Reasonable finish but not heartpounding. Maybe the main character was doing too much soul searching for me. He came across as weak after a strong start. Weaker than a couple of the supporting characters. Shouldn't be that way.
August 22, 2019
I had no idea this was Christian fiction when I picked it up. Not a fan of the genre. I got sucked in by the cover and assumed it was another medical/science type thriller. Nope. Couldn't even finish it.
April 27, 2024
Uplifting Christian themes
Uplifting Christian themes, but seemingly too hastily assembled loosing some continuity. Yet I couldn’t stop reading and came away feeling my life is more complete.
Uplifting Christian themes, but seemingly too hastily assembled loosing some continuity. Yet I couldn’t stop reading and came away feeling my life is more complete.
February 9, 2025
I had my doubts when I read some of the reviews, but I really enjoyed this page-turner. Lots of action, beautiful descriptions of the settings and an interesting plot.
The surf descriptions were way rad and I totally enjoyed the ride, dude!
The surf descriptions were way rad and I totally enjoyed the ride, dude!
October 22, 2017
This was a good Christian read, but totally unbelievable and I had trouble in the beginning focusing and figuring out what was going on. I think it's more geared to a male audience.
May 5, 2019
corporate team leader/surfer sent to find old flame/pharma giant's daughter/sister through Scotland (abbey) and France where he finds himself (religion); a bit weak
August 27, 2019
Great mix of intrigue, faith, and romance. Nicely performed by the narrator in this audio version.
October 3, 2019
This action book surprised me by how much I liked it.
April 11, 2023
When I started reading the first chapter I thought it would drag but it did not. I ended up not wanting to put it down. Great Christian mystery.
May 1, 2023
This was my first book by Davis Bunn - look forward to reading more of his books.
March 5, 2024
Quick read. 3.5 stars rounded up. It’s a good story but I got bogged down in all the surfing details. Also I wanted more about the protagonist’s coming into his faith.
July 10, 2015
“Muliti-billion dollar giant Revell Pharmaceuticals is devouring its competition. A new research breakthrough propels the company into releasing its most profitable product ever. Yet a family crisis confronts them when Kirra Revell, heiress to the empire, goes missing.”
Taylor Knox, an employee of Revells latest acquisition, is blackmailed into leading the search. An expert surfer, Taylor pursues the world's biggest waves as a cover, only to be ensnared in a deadly contest of corporate espionage.
In the search to find Kirra, everyone's has a motive for the kidnapping. All are suspect. But a Celtic monk's warning only heightens the peril. What is driving Taylor in his pursuit? Money, power, passion, or something deeper that compels Taylor to risk everything?
“From Scotland's holy islands to the rugged Basque coast of Spain, from boardrooms, and luxury yachts to the dungeons of America's oldest surviving fortress, the hunt is on. Can Taylor Knox achieve his quest before time runs out for Kirra Revell - and for himself?”
“Against a backdrop of international intrigue and ruthless drug monopolies, award-winning Davis Bunn delivers an intoxicating page-turner in this redemptive thriller.”
I agree with the statement above Davis Bunn is an amazing, heart beating suspenseful and thought-provoking writer. This is a book that’s an engaging read and one that will lead to lively discussions at book club. It’s a keeper!
Disclosure of Material Connection:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”
Nora St Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins www.bookfun.org
The Book Club Network blog www.psalm516.blogspot.com
Book Fun Magazine www.bookfunmagazine.com
Taylor Knox, an employee of Revells latest acquisition, is blackmailed into leading the search. An expert surfer, Taylor pursues the world's biggest waves as a cover, only to be ensnared in a deadly contest of corporate espionage.
In the search to find Kirra, everyone's has a motive for the kidnapping. All are suspect. But a Celtic monk's warning only heightens the peril. What is driving Taylor in his pursuit? Money, power, passion, or something deeper that compels Taylor to risk everything?
“From Scotland's holy islands to the rugged Basque coast of Spain, from boardrooms, and luxury yachts to the dungeons of America's oldest surviving fortress, the hunt is on. Can Taylor Knox achieve his quest before time runs out for Kirra Revell - and for himself?”
“Against a backdrop of international intrigue and ruthless drug monopolies, award-winning Davis Bunn delivers an intoxicating page-turner in this redemptive thriller.”
I agree with the statement above Davis Bunn is an amazing, heart beating suspenseful and thought-provoking writer. This is a book that’s an engaging read and one that will lead to lively discussions at book club. It’s a keeper!
Disclosure of Material Connection:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”
Nora St Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins www.bookfun.org
The Book Club Network blog www.psalm516.blogspot.com
Book Fun Magazine www.bookfunmagazine.com
June 1, 2011
Taylor Knox has been sent to find one of his ex girlfriends who has mysteriously disappeared. Sounds straightforward, but she’s the younger sister of the CEO of a company who is buying out Taylor’s employers. And as soon as he starts asking questions, his life is threatened. He’ll have to travel halfway across the world to track Kirra and whatever she is chasing, unless what’s chasing after him catches up first.
I didn’t realize this book was written by the same author who wrote “The Centurion’s Wife” along with Janette Oak. I’m not really a fan of most Christian fiction – for the most part it usually shies away from attacking the tough stuff, or it just kind of floats along until a resolution magically presents itself. (OK, not magically, but you get the picture). And most Christian fiction is trashy romance novels for women who would like to think they’d never read trashy romance novels, there’s rarely a science fiction book out there. This one, while still a bit sci-fi, is still very blatantly Christian. The plot takes second stage to what is going on in Taylor’s soul and heart…which is probably good because otherwise the plot would be so easy to figure out that the book would nearly become obsolete. The characters are interesting enough, but we rarely get to spend enough time with them for them to be really vivid. Taylor is the only one we follow all the time and he’s so predictable it’s almost a relief when things don’t go his way.
If you enjoy things like Janette Oak and Francine Rivers on a regular basis (that’s not my cup of tea) then you will probably enjoy this book. It’s told from a man’s point of view, so there’s not as much feminine wavering back and forth and angst. There’s just enough science in it to rate science fiction and the plot basis is original, though not expanded on nearly enough for my preferences.
I didn’t realize this book was written by the same author who wrote “The Centurion’s Wife” along with Janette Oak. I’m not really a fan of most Christian fiction – for the most part it usually shies away from attacking the tough stuff, or it just kind of floats along until a resolution magically presents itself. (OK, not magically, but you get the picture). And most Christian fiction is trashy romance novels for women who would like to think they’d never read trashy romance novels, there’s rarely a science fiction book out there. This one, while still a bit sci-fi, is still very blatantly Christian. The plot takes second stage to what is going on in Taylor’s soul and heart…which is probably good because otherwise the plot would be so easy to figure out that the book would nearly become obsolete. The characters are interesting enough, but we rarely get to spend enough time with them for them to be really vivid. Taylor is the only one we follow all the time and he’s so predictable it’s almost a relief when things don’t go his way.
If you enjoy things like Janette Oak and Francine Rivers on a regular basis (that’s not my cup of tea) then you will probably enjoy this book. It’s told from a man’s point of view, so there’s not as much feminine wavering back and forth and angst. There’s just enough science in it to rate science fiction and the plot basis is original, though not expanded on nearly enough for my preferences.
April 28, 2008
Really a very strange book. It is sort of like those crazy jet set all over the globe corporate thrillers, a bit of a christian redemption story and starts out like a Zen surfing novel. None of these apparently work well together and maybe that is what the author was out to prove. Also I don't really like the stories where the main charecter came from nothing but somehow manages to be excelllent at everything and everybody they meet loves them.
August 15, 2008
This book was fast paced for the most part. It slowed in a few areas as Bunn atempts to develop the plot/characters, but does not do so well at it.
I loved the beginning and ending to this book!
It starts off right in the middle of action and ends with a bang as well! The middle is the only part that prevents this review from being a 5.
It's a great read! I read it in a matter of hours (long drive to South Florida).
I loved the beginning and ending to this book!
It starts off right in the middle of action and ends with a bang as well! The middle is the only part that prevents this review from being a 5.
It's a great read! I read it in a matter of hours (long drive to South Florida).
February 17, 2016
There is a trend in the contemporary thriller genre, to try to so satisfy the reader's appetite for action, that the chase of the thrill overrides the simple art of storytelling. In Elixir, Bunn avoids this. As a clean and thoughtful writer, he seems to know the right balance between adrenalin-laced plot and contemplative character development. Not the most memorable book I've read, but certainly enjoyable just the same.
October 20, 2008
I'm sorry... I just couldn't get into it, even if I did read it all the way through.
I don't believe there is any excuse to take something from the middle of the book and stick it in the front as a prologue. That's a no-no in my rulebook. If you can't hook the reader with the beginning of a book, then something is wrong with it.
I don't believe there is any excuse to take something from the middle of the book and stick it in the front as a prologue. That's a no-no in my rulebook. If you can't hook the reader with the beginning of a book, then something is wrong with it.
May 2, 2009
I have read other Davis Bunn books and really liked them; however, I really didn't like this one all that well. It was very interesting to me in the beginning because so much of it took place in St. Augustine which I've been to on numerous occasions. Even the character development was good in the beginning, but it got muddled once he went to the monastery.
February 23, 2011
Pretty entertaining story, although the detailed descriptions on surfing in the first chapter almost made me stop reading (not that I don't find surfing interesting, but I wanted things to move along).
December 21, 2016
Pharmaceutical corruption, Amanda the wicked sister to the 'kidnapped' Kirra, and Taylor, the brillant biologist hired to find her. Opening chapters kept me interested. Easy and entertaining read. I will pick up Davis Bunn again.
August 20, 2008
Just couldn't get into this one.
June 19, 2009
strange time warp thing bit very good - I read all Davis Bunn-sometimes he is my "christian " version of John Grisham and like JG his style expands!
August 14, 2010
Interesting enough, but not exciting. Kind of anticlamictic.
I expected more from this book.
I expected more from this book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews