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Black Monday
A plague that will cause the death of millions. A plague that will destroy countries. A plague that will plunge the world into a dark age. A plague that will make nobody sick...
When the first planes go down -- in Europe, in California, in Asia -- authorities blame terrorists. All flights are grounded as world leaders try to figure out how the global assault has been coordinated. And when cars, ships, and factories stop running too, it becomes clear that the common link is oil. Somehow a microbe, genetically engineered to destroy petroleum, has infected the world supply. The world descends into a new dark age.
Dr. Gregory Gillette, an epidemiologist with the Centers for Disease Control, is a disease hunter specializing in microbes that attack human beings. When the Pentagon taps him to be part of the Rapid Response Team assembled to track and kill the devastating Delta-3 bacteria, he quickly discovers that his expertise is ignored, his presence meaningless. The leader of the task force is an old nemesis who sidelines Gillette.
Gillette returns home to Washington, where he watches in horror as food becomes scarce, neighbor attacks neighbor, and government collapses. With winter approaching, the capital faces anarchy and Gillette faces a choice: to stay with his family or to disobey orders and find the microbes' antidote through clues that may not even be real.
When the first planes go down -- in Europe, in California, in Asia -- authorities blame terrorists. All flights are grounded as world leaders try to figure out how the global assault has been coordinated. And when cars, ships, and factories stop running too, it becomes clear that the common link is oil. Somehow a microbe, genetically engineered to destroy petroleum, has infected the world supply. The world descends into a new dark age.
Dr. Gregory Gillette, an epidemiologist with the Centers for Disease Control, is a disease hunter specializing in microbes that attack human beings. When the Pentagon taps him to be part of the Rapid Response Team assembled to track and kill the devastating Delta-3 bacteria, he quickly discovers that his expertise is ignored, his presence meaningless. The leader of the task force is an old nemesis who sidelines Gillette.
Gillette returns home to Washington, where he watches in horror as food becomes scarce, neighbor attacks neighbor, and government collapses. With winter approaching, the capital faces anarchy and Gillette faces a choice: to stay with his family or to disobey orders and find the microbes' antidote through clues that may not even be real.
352 pages, Hardcover
First published August 1, 2005
16 people are currently reading
247 people want to read
About the author
Bob Reiss
34 books21 followersBob Reiss (born 1951) is an American author of nonfiction and fiction books. Reiss, who also writes under the pen-names of Scott Canterbury, Ethan Black, and James Abel, has written more than a dozen books, including Purgatory Road, a murder mystery set in Antarctica, The Road to Extrema, a study of the destruction of Brazilian rain forests, and The Coming Storm, which focuses on global warming and catastrophic weather. Many of his books and articles are based on his travels to Hong Kong, Somalia, South Africa, Antarctica, and other locations around the world.
As the writer Ethan Black, Reiss has penned a series featuring Conrad Voort, a New York City police detective.
As the writer Ethan Black, Reiss has penned a series featuring Conrad Voort, a New York City police detective.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
March 16, 2019
The premise of this book--the world's oil supply is contaminated--is good but I found the character development to be lame. Our hero is a juvenile delinquent turned CDC doctor who has the most beautiful wife, a pair of perfect kids, and the greatest neighborhood where everyone socializes together. The bad guys are unlikeable stereotypes--a pompous team leader who compromises the project by talking too much to his over-sexed mistress who is actually a spy, a corrupt ex-cop who covets our hero's life and his bully son. Of course, our hero doesn't really suffer any true loss throughout the whole book. The people he knows who die are an elderly woman, the bitchy alcoholic neighbor and the man neighbor who was nasty towards our hero. Oh, and how convenient to have move into bitchy neighbor's house our hero's one loyal employee, who our hero helped out when the guy was called into work with a pregnant wife and no family. Then we have an extrodinarily beautiful woman scientist, with whom our hero shares a physical attraction, so he must "wrestle" with himself and his feelings for this other woman. This aspect actually irritated me because it added nothing to the plot. At least the bad guys had a part to play, albeit predictable. Again, I did thoroughly enjoy the concept of this disaster and the portrayal of our society should this type of thing happen. The research of microbes and oil production processes made up (kind of) for the lack of originality in our characters and sub-plots.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 28, 2011
The World's oil supply becomes infected and useless- and hence- the World turns into a hybrid of Animal Farm and Lord of the Flies in about the same time it takes one to get a haircut.
Interesting premise- informative scientific info on microbes - marred by complete "Hollywood" stereotypes- poorly developed characters (actually barely developed characters- most comic books have more complex characters) and a plot that defies credulity. I find it hard to believe that Humans would turn into pre-historic like creatures within weeks of being without oil. But - at least we have a hero in the book- (A Dr. Gillette - no relation to the shaving cream I believe - from the C.D.C.)to save us from killing/and or devouring each other. Oh..and he is kind to animals too.
Interesting premise- informative scientific info on microbes - marred by complete "Hollywood" stereotypes- poorly developed characters (actually barely developed characters- most comic books have more complex characters) and a plot that defies credulity. I find it hard to believe that Humans would turn into pre-historic like creatures within weeks of being without oil. But - at least we have a hero in the book- (A Dr. Gillette - no relation to the shaving cream I believe - from the C.D.C.)to save us from killing/and or devouring each other. Oh..and he is kind to animals too.
September 3, 2012
I don't want to be a critic when I listen to an audio book. Usually, I am multitasking so I want a good story with a good narrator so that I don't lose focus on the story. With Black Monday, I blamed the narrator at first. Dick Hill seems to have a range of voices between Ned Flanders from the Simpsons to some awful Jack Nicholson impression and, in the case of this book, they were inconsistent to the point of confusion.
It wasn't the narrator. Apparently, this Reiss guy is a screen writer. Reiss may be a pseudonym, which is good if he is a successful screen writer because this reads like a really bad screen play. The premise is somewhat interesting. An engineered microbe contaminates the world oil supply. The super bug can survive the refining process and somehow can clog engines and render fuel oil unusable in some way. Jets fall from the sky and cars stop working.
So far so good. But now we are expected to believe that within a couple of weeks, crazed middle class white people are roaming the streets of Washington DC, looting and pillaging because the nation has been brought to its knees. Even though it is autumn, a looming shortage of heating oil is a major plot element. After 6 weeks, near the end of November, chaos reigns and there are raging blizzards, rumors of cannabalism, and roaming gangs of convicts hijacking food convoys.
Maybe it is because I am in Chicago. Here we use natural gas for heat and rely upon nuclear and coal generated electricity so it is hard to imagine a total collapse of society just because most of the cars don't work, within the time that it normally takes us to dig out of a major blizzard.
Speaking of blizzards, how often has Washington DC had a series of major snow storms, over two feet of snow, and zero degree weather at the beginning of December? Oh, that would be never in recorded history. How likely is it that the protagonist's adopted teenagers (from equitorial regions, no less) be skilled cross country skiers, with the appropriate equipment? And yes, the bad guy managed to get his hands on snow shoes because he doesn't know how to ski.
As a book, it is just dreadful but it could be a splendid bad movie. It would be a perfect Luke Perry/Jason Priestly vehicle.
It wasn't the narrator. Apparently, this Reiss guy is a screen writer. Reiss may be a pseudonym, which is good if he is a successful screen writer because this reads like a really bad screen play. The premise is somewhat interesting. An engineered microbe contaminates the world oil supply. The super bug can survive the refining process and somehow can clog engines and render fuel oil unusable in some way. Jets fall from the sky and cars stop working.
So far so good. But now we are expected to believe that within a couple of weeks, crazed middle class white people are roaming the streets of Washington DC, looting and pillaging because the nation has been brought to its knees. Even though it is autumn, a looming shortage of heating oil is a major plot element. After 6 weeks, near the end of November, chaos reigns and there are raging blizzards, rumors of cannabalism, and roaming gangs of convicts hijacking food convoys.
Maybe it is because I am in Chicago. Here we use natural gas for heat and rely upon nuclear and coal generated electricity so it is hard to imagine a total collapse of society just because most of the cars don't work, within the time that it normally takes us to dig out of a major blizzard.
Speaking of blizzards, how often has Washington DC had a series of major snow storms, over two feet of snow, and zero degree weather at the beginning of December? Oh, that would be never in recorded history. How likely is it that the protagonist's adopted teenagers (from equitorial regions, no less) be skilled cross country skiers, with the appropriate equipment? And yes, the bad guy managed to get his hands on snow shoes because he doesn't know how to ski.
As a book, it is just dreadful but it could be a splendid bad movie. It would be a perfect Luke Perry/Jason Priestly vehicle.
June 30, 2020
I'm not sure why this book is not famous, it is really really good. I loved the idea, it was original, it is definitely out of box and it also makes an environmental statement. We are very dependent on oil, to the point that we can barely function without it.
The writing, the pacing, the characters were all strong. I understand the criticism that its too 'Hollywood' or that it perpetuates a stereotype, but so does Dan Brown, I don't see anyone complaining then.
People often underestimate how cruel humans can be. Doubly so when they're desperate. Go to any country which suffers war and poverty, and you will see that there is no line humans won't cross to survive.
The writing, the pacing, the characters were all strong. I understand the criticism that its too 'Hollywood' or that it perpetuates a stereotype, but so does Dan Brown, I don't see anyone complaining then.
People often underestimate how cruel humans can be. Doubly so when they're desperate. Go to any country which suffers war and poverty, and you will see that there is no line humans won't cross to survive.
December 5, 2008
I love the premise of this book. A plague that affects gasoline and the outcome of America not having any. I can't shake the feeling that it is not written very well but I'm hoping that the plot will make up for the poor writing. Or...maybe I was just not in the mood while I was reading the first chapter.
March 9, 2022
All too believable in the current reality. A bit bland in the dialog from time to time, but a good story.
February 27, 2010
3 SPOILERS and 1 BIG QUESTION:
Spoiler #1: In the opening, an Assassin stalks a young man in a casino. He doesn't know what the young man has to do with his Mentor's evil plan to infect the world's oil supply, only that he MUST be dead no later than 12:14, or his Mentor's plan will fail. So important is this deadline that the Assassin is willing to sacrifice himself by killing the Young Man in public and then kill himself.
Spoiler #2: Luckily for the Assassin, the Young Man returns to his hotel room minutes before the deadline where he is murdered in private.
So the book opens with two compelling questions... Why does a college kid with a gambling problem have to die in order for the world's oil supply to become contaminated? And why does it have to be by 12:14?! What happens at 12:15?
Spoiler #3: Only much later do we learn the Young Man was a security guard at a refinery, where (I think) he planted the microbe for a lot of money. (I didn't quite the answer to that, but let's just assume that's the answer to the first question.)
But the bigger question, the one that kept me reading all the way to the very end - WHY DID HE HAVE TO DIE BY 12:14 - was never answered.
Or was it... Did I miss something? Can anyone answer this question for me? Any answer would be much appreciated. Thanks.
Spoiler #1: In the opening, an Assassin stalks a young man in a casino. He doesn't know what the young man has to do with his Mentor's evil plan to infect the world's oil supply, only that he MUST be dead no later than 12:14, or his Mentor's plan will fail. So important is this deadline that the Assassin is willing to sacrifice himself by killing the Young Man in public and then kill himself.
Spoiler #2: Luckily for the Assassin, the Young Man returns to his hotel room minutes before the deadline where he is murdered in private.
So the book opens with two compelling questions... Why does a college kid with a gambling problem have to die in order for the world's oil supply to become contaminated? And why does it have to be by 12:14?! What happens at 12:15?
Spoiler #3: Only much later do we learn the Young Man was a security guard at a refinery, where (I think) he planted the microbe for a lot of money. (I didn't quite the answer to that, but let's just assume that's the answer to the first question.)
But the bigger question, the one that kept me reading all the way to the very end - WHY DID HE HAVE TO DIE BY 12:14 - was never answered.
Or was it... Did I miss something? Can anyone answer this question for me? Any answer would be much appreciated. Thanks.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 17, 2020
This book really got me thinking about quitting my job, selling my house, and moving to middle of no where on a self sufficient farm! Just don't know whether or not to tell the family? I am sure there won't be Internet or cell service there! :)
Wow, I like end of world books and this was a new angle for me. Instead of the bug attacking humans, it attacks oil. Oil is everything and everywhere! Not just cars, trucks, and planes, but plastics and lubricants at factories.
It was exciting and suspenseful. I thought it was realistic even though others commented that people wouldn't act that way. I am sorry but yes they would! 2 weeks with no food, water, or utilities and I am robbing and stealing for my family's survival. Hopefully my neighbors were writing the posts that people don't act like that because then they won't see me coming!!!
Wow, I like end of world books and this was a new angle for me. Instead of the bug attacking humans, it attacks oil. Oil is everything and everywhere! Not just cars, trucks, and planes, but plastics and lubricants at factories.
It was exciting and suspenseful. I thought it was realistic even though others commented that people wouldn't act that way. I am sorry but yes they would! 2 weeks with no food, water, or utilities and I am robbing and stealing for my family's survival. Hopefully my neighbors were writing the posts that people don't act like that because then they won't see me coming!!!
November 4, 2014
Parts of the dystopic scenario which this book paints are very well though-out and convincing; the points it makes about our desperate dependence on fossil fuels struck a deep chord with me. However, these interesting points are undermined by the disappointingly stereotypical ending - yes, of course it's a power-hungry British nobleman from an ancient family who is engineering the apocalypse to serve his own interests. Of course. How could we not see that from the start? A foreign country is to blame. In the end, America stands triumphant and any critical thoughts about the oil industry in the author's own country - or better: the global problems it presents - are vanquished by patriotical blather.
March 12, 2011
Stopped reading after the book describes the murder of a 4 year old girl. After reading that, I thought... is this really what I want to read for "entertainment"? I decided "no". Also, I was offended by the author's use of "real father" instead of "birth father" for his adopted children... no man who adopted children would describe his childrens' birth father as his "real father".
October 20, 2010
Great idea, poor execution. My biggest problem was that the author seemed to rely heavily on convenient coincidences to get over major hurdles in his book, especially when it came to transportation or cell phone usage.
February 25, 2013
Starts slowly but gets increasingly better as it goes on. I sensed strong American patriot undertones however the book is redeemed by its realistic portrayal of an oil crisis and its decent and engaging storyline. 3.5 stars.
July 6, 2020
DID NOT FINISH
Nach langem überlegen und rangen mit mir selbst, habe ich mich dazu entschieden, dieses Buch zu beenden. Die Geschichte hat leider alles, nur keine positiven Gefühle in mir ausgelöst.
Die Spannungselemente waren irgendwann nur noch anstrengend. Egal ob realistisch oder nicht. Wirkliche spannende Stellen gab es kaum und waren deutlich in der Unterzahl. Wenn es mal etwas annähernd spannendes gab, dann nur für wenige Seiten. Hier wird jemand erschossen, dann geht da wieder etwas schief. Es gab einfach überhaupt keine positiven Dinge, die länger als 2 Seiten anhalten.
In einem Kapitel habe ich sogar mal mitgefiebert, aber jegliche Hoffnumg hat nichts gebracht. Ich dachte, dass es jetzt endlich richtig losgeht. Und was passiert? Achtung: nichts... Wisst ihr was das für ein Gefühl ist? Nach 200 Seiten EINE Stelle, die gut war und dann NICHTS?
Aber da war mir wirklich alles egal. Nicht , dass es mich vorher interessiert hätte.
Die Charaktere haben mich von Anfang an nicht umgehauen. Der Schreibstil, den ich am Anfang eigentlich ganz gut fand, hat dann auch nichts mehr für mich getan.
Mir war einfach nur noch alles gleichgültig.
1,5 ⭐
Und wenn ihr euch jetzt fragt: ,,Hey, warum dieser halbe Stern?" Dann habe ich keine Antwort dafür. Ich weiß es nicht.
Was ich weiß ist, dass es an diesem Punkt mehr als hoffnungslos ist noch an etwas zu glauben. Denn wenn auch soviel in den letzten 200 Seiten passiert, wie in den ersten, gelesenen 300, dann passiert wirklich nichts. Zumindest nichts, was mir nicht mehr als gleichgültig erscheinen würde.
Nach langem überlegen und rangen mit mir selbst, habe ich mich dazu entschieden, dieses Buch zu beenden. Die Geschichte hat leider alles, nur keine positiven Gefühle in mir ausgelöst.
Die Spannungselemente waren irgendwann nur noch anstrengend. Egal ob realistisch oder nicht. Wirkliche spannende Stellen gab es kaum und waren deutlich in der Unterzahl. Wenn es mal etwas annähernd spannendes gab, dann nur für wenige Seiten. Hier wird jemand erschossen, dann geht da wieder etwas schief. Es gab einfach überhaupt keine positiven Dinge, die länger als 2 Seiten anhalten.
In einem Kapitel habe ich sogar mal mitgefiebert, aber jegliche Hoffnumg hat nichts gebracht. Ich dachte, dass es jetzt endlich richtig losgeht. Und was passiert? Achtung: nichts... Wisst ihr was das für ein Gefühl ist? Nach 200 Seiten EINE Stelle, die gut war und dann NICHTS?
Aber da war mir wirklich alles egal. Nicht , dass es mich vorher interessiert hätte.
Die Charaktere haben mich von Anfang an nicht umgehauen. Der Schreibstil, den ich am Anfang eigentlich ganz gut fand, hat dann auch nichts mehr für mich getan.
Mir war einfach nur noch alles gleichgültig.
1,5 ⭐
Und wenn ihr euch jetzt fragt: ,,Hey, warum dieser halbe Stern?" Dann habe ich keine Antwort dafür. Ich weiß es nicht.
Was ich weiß ist, dass es an diesem Punkt mehr als hoffnungslos ist noch an etwas zu glauben. Denn wenn auch soviel in den letzten 200 Seiten passiert, wie in den ersten, gelesenen 300, dann passiert wirklich nichts. Zumindest nichts, was mir nicht mehr als gleichgültig erscheinen würde.
April 15, 2021
I'm torn. There were parts of this book that I absolutely loved, particularly the very beginning and the very end. But there was so much of it that I, personally, found dry, unnecessary, and a slog to get through, which is why it took me three tries. I mostly borrowed this (as an audiobook) because it was being read by the same guy (whose voice I love) who read all of the Wallander series (which I loved). His voice was, as always, great. And it's part of what made the last fifth of the book so good.
But nothing could save the boring bureaucratic realistic science-based middle for me. I love a slow burn when things are happening but some of the chapters felt like the equivalent of doing the paperwork for the disaster myself, in the worst way. I also feel that I could have legitimately cut at least 20% out of the middle without losing anything significant to the plot.
With that strategic cutting of about 20-40%, I probably would have given this book 4 stars. The writing is solid, the main character is likable yet flawed, and the overarching plot is well crafted. I can't, in good conscience, recommend this to anyone except INTJs (Meyer-Briggs personality types). But for those who like that very realistic slow burn buried in side plots and a slightly clumsy stab at psychology, this might be your diamond in the rough.
But nothing could save the boring bureaucratic realistic science-based middle for me. I love a slow burn when things are happening but some of the chapters felt like the equivalent of doing the paperwork for the disaster myself, in the worst way. I also feel that I could have legitimately cut at least 20% out of the middle without losing anything significant to the plot.
With that strategic cutting of about 20-40%, I probably would have given this book 4 stars. The writing is solid, the main character is likable yet flawed, and the overarching plot is well crafted. I can't, in good conscience, recommend this to anyone except INTJs (Meyer-Briggs personality types). But for those who like that very realistic slow burn buried in side plots and a slightly clumsy stab at psychology, this might be your diamond in the rough.
May 27, 2021
I find that I enjoy pandemic books quite a bit and I wonder if it is because of covid. Maybe I am always searching for how other people cope during these tough times.
This was completely predictable and followed a common pattern. First the terrible thing happens, people try to comply with the governments orders, then the looting and violence starts and then the government gives up. A hero comes along and the world is saved.
This was an audiobook and I enjoyed the narration so much that I listened to the very end. I even rewound a few times when I may have inadvertently dozed off. It wasn’t a bad book but it wasn’t a book loaded with attention getting dialogue or superb descriptions of scenery or even shocking descriptions of violence. It was okay. Sometimes okay is good enough.
This was completely predictable and followed a common pattern. First the terrible thing happens, people try to comply with the governments orders, then the looting and violence starts and then the government gives up. A hero comes along and the world is saved.
This was an audiobook and I enjoyed the narration so much that I listened to the very end. I even rewound a few times when I may have inadvertently dozed off. It wasn’t a bad book but it wasn’t a book loaded with attention getting dialogue or superb descriptions of scenery or even shocking descriptions of violence. It was okay. Sometimes okay is good enough.
August 14, 2017
Black Monday tells the story of the world in chaos, the world's oil supplies are infected by a bacteria which ruins it, and society and the government collapses.
The protagonist works for the CDC, travelling a rapidly deteriorating America in an attempt to find where this bacteria came from, while his family and their community struggle to survive their looting and dangerous neighbours.
It is an interesting post-apocalyptic read, but it is let down in several areas. The charachters are poor, the goal of the protagonist changes without any real reason, and I was glad when it was over.
The protagonist works for the CDC, travelling a rapidly deteriorating America in an attempt to find where this bacteria came from, while his family and their community struggle to survive their looting and dangerous neighbours.
It is an interesting post-apocalyptic read, but it is let down in several areas. The charachters are poor, the goal of the protagonist changes without any real reason, and I was glad when it was over.
July 1, 2021
I enjoyed the book. Made me think about what I would do in a situation like that. The main complaint I had with the book is a personal preference. I don't enjoy experiencing the "bad guys" point of view, and there was a fair bit of that with this book.
Also... would things have devolved so quickly? I don't know. Maybe, but I'd like to think that the slide wouldn't be quite so quick.
Also... would things have devolved so quickly? I don't know. Maybe, but I'd like to think that the slide wouldn't be quite so quick.
Read
October 2, 2021Where to start? This is a fictitious account of the United States under apocalyptic circumstances, but I almost quit reading this book early on, it hit so terrifyingly close to home. We as a nation depend on other countries for our oil and other products; if one day that all stopped, it would be horrific. Keep your family close and appreciate what you have!
September 24, 2017
¿Qué pasaría cuando el petróleo se acabara? ¿La sociedad estará preparada?
Este libro te atrapa desde la primera página, con mucha Integra, si descubren la causa del porque el suceso... Si su familia sobrevivirá sola en el frío. Lo recomiendo!
Este libro te atrapa desde la primera página, con mucha Integra, si descubren la causa del porque el suceso... Si su familia sobrevivirá sola en el frío. Lo recomiendo!
March 27, 2023
Truyện về tình bạn, tình yêu và tình đồng loại. Nói về khủng bố và cách vượt qua. Đọc truyện làm nhớ lại thời kỳ chống Covid tại Việt Nam thấy mình hơi đơn giản về ctac dự trữ. Nhưng ko biết, truyện có nói quá ko, chứ như này thì hơi sợ.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 4, 2017
Interesting concepts that are modern and thought provoking, however the book's turn and decision to focus on the micro situation around the main character made the book fall fairly flat.
December 23, 2019
If you enjoy poorly written, overly dramatic action novels than this is the book for you! I enjoyed it for was.
September 27, 2020
Kind of fell apart in the second half of the book.
June 8, 2023
A LITTLE BLAND, TBH
March 8, 2024
Didn't care for it at all
April 19, 2024
Biggest takeaway is that Lawrence of Arabia (and therefore Peter OToole by extension) was a serial killer or something.
September 21, 2024
The reality that this book puts you through is difficult to read at times, but it is very gripping!
June 13, 2018
I liked this book. If you love disaster movies such as "The day after tomorrow" or "2012" this is defiantly one to read.
August 26, 2011
“Maybe tonight is the end of power. Our machines turn into useless trinkets. Our technological magic survives as whispered stories of the past. Our greatness becomes a song of memory for starving children. We denied [oil] dependence until it ripped its mask off, and then it was too late.”
Black Monday is exactly as it bills itself, a story about a plague that will cause the death of millions but makes no one sick. It is an entertaining and at times chilling story of what would happen if oil was no longer usable in any of its forms. No gasoline, no plastic, no engine oil, etc.
How would the human race survive in a time when everything we do relies on this fossil fuel? When you can’t drive, or ride, when food and supplies can’t be brought to you; how do you survive? How far would you be willing to go to survive?
Greg Gillette works for the CDC and finds the ‘bugs’ behind human outbreaks like Ebola and Cholera normally, on Monday October 28 his role changes and he now has to find the key to fighting the Delta-3 organism that has polluted the oil reserves. Gillette has to lie, cheat, steal and even kill to get the job done all the while we get snippets and stories of how his family and neighborhood block are faring against looters, rapists, and would-be fiefdom lords.
I do have to say that some of the hero and primary villian's 'flashbacks,' provided for backstory, were somewhat annoying and unbelievable but they were also somewhat needed to allow the reader to suspend disbelief for other parts of the story. I found that the good guys and the bad guys were a little too good or too bad, I don't really like an author leading me by the nose when it comes to who I should and shouldn't be sympathetic to.
Black Monday is an excellent read for anyone that likes a little pseudo-science thrown into their thrillers. All in all a great read for those that like their apocalypses zombie free.
Black Monday is exactly as it bills itself, a story about a plague that will cause the death of millions but makes no one sick. It is an entertaining and at times chilling story of what would happen if oil was no longer usable in any of its forms. No gasoline, no plastic, no engine oil, etc.
How would the human race survive in a time when everything we do relies on this fossil fuel? When you can’t drive, or ride, when food and supplies can’t be brought to you; how do you survive? How far would you be willing to go to survive?
Greg Gillette works for the CDC and finds the ‘bugs’ behind human outbreaks like Ebola and Cholera normally, on Monday October 28 his role changes and he now has to find the key to fighting the Delta-3 organism that has polluted the oil reserves. Gillette has to lie, cheat, steal and even kill to get the job done all the while we get snippets and stories of how his family and neighborhood block are faring against looters, rapists, and would-be fiefdom lords.
I do have to say that some of the hero and primary villian's 'flashbacks,' provided for backstory, were somewhat annoying and unbelievable but they were also somewhat needed to allow the reader to suspend disbelief for other parts of the story. I found that the good guys and the bad guys were a little too good or too bad, I don't really like an author leading me by the nose when it comes to who I should and shouldn't be sympathetic to.
Black Monday is an excellent read for anyone that likes a little pseudo-science thrown into their thrillers. All in all a great read for those that like their apocalypses zombie free.
July 14, 2008
The premise -- that someone has intentionally infected the world's oil fields with bacteria that destroy the oil -- is quite interesting. In the first half of the book, I thought the effects on society were plausible. In fact, something similar may be almost inevitable. But I'm not at all sure things in the real world would fall apart as drastically (or at least as precipitously) as happens thereafter in the story.
The characters did not grab me, and I found it very contrived that both the hero and the villain were continually "flashing back" (the author uses that phrase ad nauseum) to lessons from their respective mentors.
Aside from the timely oil-related speculation, what this novel accomplished here was to remind me of a much better post-apocalyptic thriller from a few years ago -- Kalki, by Gore Vidal. That one too involves hostile use of a bacterium. You might want to check that one out if this appealed to you.
The characters did not grab me, and I found it very contrived that both the hero and the villain were continually "flashing back" (the author uses that phrase ad nauseum) to lessons from their respective mentors.
Aside from the timely oil-related speculation, what this novel accomplished here was to remind me of a much better post-apocalyptic thriller from a few years ago -- Kalki, by Gore Vidal. That one too involves hostile use of a bacterium. You might want to check that one out if this appealed to you.
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