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Curtis O'Connor #1
The Beijing Conspiracy
The message on the Al-Jazeera television network is chilling. Dr. Muhammad Bashir, the mastermind behind some of al-Qaeda's most deadly bombings against the West and a close confidant of Osama Bin Laden, has warned of a single horrific biological attack on civilisation. There is no cure for what al-Qaeda threatens to unleash, and there are no vaccines. The White House has dismissed the broadcast as scaremongering, and the President has reasserted his position that the West is winning the war on terror. Curtis O'Connor, the CIA's most experienced counter-terrorism expert, knows the President is bluffing. Holly Braithwaite, a brilliant young Australian biochemist, has already revealed how a deadly super virus can be genetically engineered. Now, not only has Holly Braithwaite shattered the Presidential Administration's complacency, but several vials of the deadly viruses are missing. O'Connor suspects the vials have found their way into the hands of al-Qaeda - but where are they?
Audio CD
First published December 1, 2007
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About the author
Adrian d'Hagé
7 books23 followersAdrian d'Hagé was educated at North Sydney Boys High School and the Royal Military College Duntroon (Applied Science). He served as a platoon commander in Vietnam where he was awarded the Military Cross. His military service included command of an infantry battalion, Director of Joint Operations and Head of Defence Public Relations. In 1994 Adrian was made a Member of the Order of Australia. As a Brigadier, he headed Defence planning for counter-terrorism security for the Sydney Olympics, including security against chemical, biological and nuclear threats.
In October 2000 Adrian left the Army to pursue a writing career, moving to Italy to complete The Omega Scroll (Penguin 2005). Now into its sixth printing, The Omega Scroll was voted one of the top 50 books of 2006 (Booklovers Guide) and has been published in ten countries. His next bestselling novel, The Beijing Conspiracy, dealt with biological terrorism and what might happen if smallpox and Ebola are genetically engineered (Penguin 2007). His latest novel, The Maya Codex was published in August 2010.
Adrian also holds an honours degree in Theology, entering as a committed Christian but graduating 'with no fixed religion'. In 2009 he completed a Bachelor of Applied Science (Dean's Award) in Oenology or wine chemistry at Charles Sturt University, and he has successfully sat the Austrian Government exams for ski instructor, 'Schilehrer Anwärter'. Adrian is presently a research scholar and tutor at the Centre for Arab and Islamic Studies (Middle East and Central Asia) at ANU. His doctorate is entitled 'The Influence of Religion on US Foreign Policy in the Middle East'.
In October 2000 Adrian left the Army to pursue a writing career, moving to Italy to complete The Omega Scroll (Penguin 2005). Now into its sixth printing, The Omega Scroll was voted one of the top 50 books of 2006 (Booklovers Guide) and has been published in ten countries. His next bestselling novel, The Beijing Conspiracy, dealt with biological terrorism and what might happen if smallpox and Ebola are genetically engineered (Penguin 2007). His latest novel, The Maya Codex was published in August 2010.
Adrian also holds an honours degree in Theology, entering as a committed Christian but graduating 'with no fixed religion'. In 2009 he completed a Bachelor of Applied Science (Dean's Award) in Oenology or wine chemistry at Charles Sturt University, and he has successfully sat the Austrian Government exams for ski instructor, 'Schilehrer Anwärter'. Adrian is presently a research scholar and tutor at the Centre for Arab and Islamic Studies (Middle East and Central Asia) at ANU. His doctorate is entitled 'The Influence of Religion on US Foreign Policy in the Middle East'.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
December 13, 2016
Although the plans and attacks and the "evil" genius is actually competent, it seemed to me that the hero or heroes were missing for more than 1/2 of the book! and the real confrontation was between the bad guys and the "bad-er" guys. I don't know, it wasn't even a great intro to Curtis and Kate.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 15, 2009
‘Compromise is not a weakness but a wisdom’
This was a page turning 'comfort' read for me. Well, not so much comforting given the subject matter as engaging. I read the book rather than listened to the CD so the experience may well be different for those who choose to listen.
In a world jittery about terrorism, who could ignore the threat of a devastating biological attack? Particularly a threat which comes from a brilliant Muslim microbiologist, in China’s western-most province close to the Pakistan border in the period before the 2008 Olympic Games. The US President and his cabinet dismiss the threat, but others are not so sure.
CIA agent Curtis O’Connor, an expert in bioterrorism, and Dr Kate Braithwaite who is working on a top-secret biological weapons program work together to unravel the warnings being given and to make sense of the information uncovered. The terrorism of fundamentalism is not confined to one country, religious group or ideology. Brilliant individuals with agenda of their own, who lust for power at any cost provide additional dimensions to this novel.
This novel contains fast action, plausible threats and some superb tension between the amorality of absolute power and the relative morality of those who seek to negotiate in order to find compromise. Mr d’Hage has a message in this novel, and at times the message threatens to overwhelm the ability of the characters to convey it.
In general, the characters did not engage me. But the story itself certainly did. The threat of bioterrorism, the ability of a few to manipulate others and the inability of leaders to learn from history each contribute to a plausible novel where a few well targeted attacks can wreak devastation around the globe. Not brilliant literature, but a great novel. Terrorism has causes and consequences: perhaps if we sought constructively to understand those causes, we might actually be able to make some headway in removing some of the concerns and grievances that fuel it.
I recommend this novel but I’m glad I didn’t read it in a public place.
This was a page turning 'comfort' read for me. Well, not so much comforting given the subject matter as engaging. I read the book rather than listened to the CD so the experience may well be different for those who choose to listen.
In a world jittery about terrorism, who could ignore the threat of a devastating biological attack? Particularly a threat which comes from a brilliant Muslim microbiologist, in China’s western-most province close to the Pakistan border in the period before the 2008 Olympic Games. The US President and his cabinet dismiss the threat, but others are not so sure.
CIA agent Curtis O’Connor, an expert in bioterrorism, and Dr Kate Braithwaite who is working on a top-secret biological weapons program work together to unravel the warnings being given and to make sense of the information uncovered. The terrorism of fundamentalism is not confined to one country, religious group or ideology. Brilliant individuals with agenda of their own, who lust for power at any cost provide additional dimensions to this novel.
This novel contains fast action, plausible threats and some superb tension between the amorality of absolute power and the relative morality of those who seek to negotiate in order to find compromise. Mr d’Hage has a message in this novel, and at times the message threatens to overwhelm the ability of the characters to convey it.
In general, the characters did not engage me. But the story itself certainly did. The threat of bioterrorism, the ability of a few to manipulate others and the inability of leaders to learn from history each contribute to a plausible novel where a few well targeted attacks can wreak devastation around the globe. Not brilliant literature, but a great novel. Terrorism has causes and consequences: perhaps if we sought constructively to understand those causes, we might actually be able to make some headway in removing some of the concerns and grievances that fuel it.
I recommend this novel but I’m glad I didn’t read it in a public place.
February 11, 2015
What an amazing book that includes chemical and biological warfare, and conspiracies at the highest levels of government that threaten the smooth running of the Beijing Olympics with the creation of a deadly virus ebolapox.
Our heroes Curtis O'Connor (CIA agent and scientist) and Kate (also a scientist) are engaged by the government to see if its possible to develop a virus that combines ebola and small pox because supposedly terrorists are engaged in the very same activity. After all, if our enemies do something we must do the same to ensure that we can defeat them.
One scene in particular still makes me smile as I think of it. It is an exchange when Curtis and Kate first meet and she assumes he is a CIA agent with no scientific knowledge and she proceeds to give him a lengthy lecture. Kate later finds out Curtis has been awarded a PhD for the very topic she has provided a lecture on. I cringe and laughed at the same time. We've all been in that position. Very funny.
Adrian d'Hage ensures that we see all the stereotyping that occurs in today's society, by confusing those with genuine (peaceful) religious beliefs with those who hold violent extremist views and purport them as valid and in the name of religion.
A very thought provoking story and as usual Adrian d'Hage leaves you wondering if you have been guilty of some of the stereotyping or profiling he suggests is widespread.
The audio book of this story is absolutely gripping and the narrator (who has narrated all d'Hage's books) is absolutely brilliant. He nails all the accents from all over the world and makes you feel like you are right in the midst of the story.
Our heroes Curtis O'Connor (CIA agent and scientist) and Kate (also a scientist) are engaged by the government to see if its possible to develop a virus that combines ebola and small pox because supposedly terrorists are engaged in the very same activity. After all, if our enemies do something we must do the same to ensure that we can defeat them.
One scene in particular still makes me smile as I think of it. It is an exchange when Curtis and Kate first meet and she assumes he is a CIA agent with no scientific knowledge and she proceeds to give him a lengthy lecture. Kate later finds out Curtis has been awarded a PhD for the very topic she has provided a lecture on. I cringe and laughed at the same time. We've all been in that position. Very funny.
Adrian d'Hage ensures that we see all the stereotyping that occurs in today's society, by confusing those with genuine (peaceful) religious beliefs with those who hold violent extremist views and purport them as valid and in the name of religion.
A very thought provoking story and as usual Adrian d'Hage leaves you wondering if you have been guilty of some of the stereotyping or profiling he suggests is widespread.
The audio book of this story is absolutely gripping and the narrator (who has narrated all d'Hage's books) is absolutely brilliant. He nails all the accents from all over the world and makes you feel like you are right in the midst of the story.
July 27, 2014
It's a fast book to read, never gets boring and has good likable characters. It is all fiction but plausible to happen - which is very, very scary, especially where we are heading at the moment and the crisis in Gaza. Adrian d'Hagé has a solid background as a soldier and was Head of Defence planning for security of the Sydney Olympic games, he knows what he is talking about when it comes to chemical, biological and nuclear threats. He is also a research scholar at the centre for Arab and Islamic Studies.
Scary stuff!!
Scary stuff!!
May 21, 2015
A scary call to moderates. This book is a fun political spy novel that reminds you of the glory days of the 80's books. (David Morell comes to mind). It deals with an Islamic extremist threatening the world with terror if a middle ground is not found and the attempt to stop his plot. It is very well written and a good way to spend a few hours.
January 5, 2009
The most obvious of obvious books. Written with all the finess of a six-year-old who has just discovered the thesaurus.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews