Replicator Run

by Rainer Rey

A deadly virus has broken out in Washington State. The standard procedures of quarantine and prescribed medical therapies have no effect. Victims are dying in only a few days. The same results are spreading throughout the nation, as the CDC begins to discover the terrifying truth: this virus is manmade. Now they must race to learn why this microbe, called a replicator, was specifically created for a human host. The replicator enters cells, kills them, duplicates, and moves on . . . to another host. And twelve cases today will be thirty thousand tomorrow--a replicator run that will put the entire United States at risk for destruction. Devin Parks is a reporter on the edge. Since his marriage crashed, chasing news seems pointless . . . until he realizes the devastating consequence of the outbreak. Devin soon uncovers a conspiracy that reaches from a luxurious corporate boardroom to the Sudan, from the mysteries of microbiology to an assassin s brutal expertise. But nothing Devin finds prepares him for the roller-coaster horror that is revealed when hopes of an antidote are dashed as nationwide vaccinations begin the Replicator is more cunning than imagined, because in its nanotechnological genius, its cure is worse than the disease . . ."

Genres: Fiction, Audiobook, Thriller

340 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 1996

About the author

After being educated as an English Major at Yale and The University of Washington, Rainer engaged in a 10 year career in show business as a singer-songwriter-musician, appearing in concerts around the world and Las Vegas Hotels like Caesar's Palace, The Riviera and Aladdin. His musical and lyrical experience led to writing commercials for television and radio for national clients while managing his own companies for two and a half decades. Writing for others finally prompted Rainer to try his hand at thriller novels and screenplays. After a few years of advice and help from several editors and his agent, Rainer was able to publish two novels in 1997-98, which have been now released as reprints along with two new thrillers titled COSMOSIS and THE FIND. Aside from his love for writing, Rainer is also currently an owner/partner in a marketing firm that specializes in product development and high profile computer graphics.

Reviews

[RJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

A deadly virus is loose in the United States, revealing itself in multiple locations, spreading like wildfire. Devin Parks is a reporter down on his luck after a traumatic divorce. News of the spreading virus gives Devon the needed spark to get his investigative juices flowing once again. Suspicion into the origin of the virus leads medical science to determine that the virus is manmade. In his search for answers, Devon discovers the identity of the creator of the virus, called the replicator, and that a vaccine exists. At the same time, Devon uncovers a conspiracy involving the creation and purpose of the replicator, and knowledge of its existence can have fatal results. The trail Devon follows is fraught with danger and it will lead him from Washington to northeastern Africa. The quest for an antidote has a story of its own. The story surrounding a potential antidote, and the conspiracy involving the replicator’s creator(s) and its purpose, was a long-drawn-out account of speculations, accusations, threats, and melodramatic character introspection. Come to think of it, I might characterize much of the book in that manner. The tale poses a decent premise but its length could have been shorter IMO. As Emperor Joseph II said, “And there are simply too many notes, that's all.”

[Ben Gillen · Rating 1 out of 5]

Picked this book to read during a 9 day camping trip in the Yukon (I didn't want to bring Kavalier and Clay) and I wasn't disappointed by how terrible it looks. Rey seems obsessed with discussing the tone of the women's legs (which I wouldn't mind so much but it seems to be the only quality he gives them). Their was a deus ex machina ending that unsatisfyingly wrapped things up. I was trash talking the book to everyone who asked how I was enjoying it. Not sure how it got 3 stars average

[Marcia Semenoff · Rating 2 out of 5]

I picked up this book because of the retro sci-fi cover, and someone had written “Excellent read” inside the cover. But it was mediocre, with stilted dialogue, and a main character that I couldn’t feel sympathetic towards.

[Diora · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn’t hate it, but otherwise just ok.

[Judith Stolzenfeld · Rating 5 out of 5]

I rated this book with 5 stars because I really enjoyed the way it takes the usual virus breakout plot and gives it a unique twist. Saying more than that would give it away . . . but what makes it worth reading are the colorful characters, both heroes and villains and the political motive involved. With Ebola such a hot topic today, this story gives us a different take on what disease might mean in our country.

[Mtlaise · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is like a B-rated disaster movie (which I love) in book form. It took more than a few pages to get into it, but once I did, I loved it. That being said, I gave it a lower rating because I absolutely hated how quickly and neatly everything got tied up perfectly at the end.

[Paige · Rating 2 out of 5]

Color by numbers caricature of a disaster story. Not bad per say, just overblown and nothing special.