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Dead End Deal
A doctor’s breakthrough Alzheimer’s research endangers lives—including his own—in this “medical thriller of the highest order” (Jon Land).
World-renowned neurosurgeon Jon Ritter is set to eradicate the scourge of Alzheimer’s disease. His groundbreaking surgical treatment will give hope to millions by using transplanted nonhuman stem cells—but one radical group is willing to do anything to stop him.
When testing in Seattle is cut short by murder, Ritter flees to Seoul, Korea, where he continues his work in secret. But his successful trials are a short-lived victory. The radicals have found him—and framed him for their crimes. Now, the doctor is the target of an international manhunt. And together with his beautiful lab assistant, Yeonhee, the man who hoped to save millions must fight to save himself.
“If you like the medical thrillers of Robin Cook or Michael Crichton, you will absolutely love Dead End Deal .” —Douglas Preston
World-renowned neurosurgeon Jon Ritter is set to eradicate the scourge of Alzheimer’s disease. His groundbreaking surgical treatment will give hope to millions by using transplanted nonhuman stem cells—but one radical group is willing to do anything to stop him.
When testing in Seattle is cut short by murder, Ritter flees to Seoul, Korea, where he continues his work in secret. But his successful trials are a short-lived victory. The radicals have found him—and framed him for their crimes. Now, the doctor is the target of an international manhunt. And together with his beautiful lab assistant, Yeonhee, the man who hoped to save millions must fight to save himself.
“If you like the medical thrillers of Robin Cook or Michael Crichton, you will absolutely love Dead End Deal .” —Douglas Preston
400 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 13, 2012
About the author
Allen Wyler
17 books60 followersAllen's thrillers have twice been nominated for the prestigious ITW Thriller Award and is a three-time finalist for the BestThiller award. He is an active member of the North American Crime Writers and Mystery Writers of America. He lives in Seattle.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
January 2, 2024
This is my third book by Allen Wyler. I liked "Dead ringer" but I didn't like "Deadly odds".
In South Korea John is suddenly arrested. The police have proof that he'd been at the hospital when two patients died. He'd not just lost his swipe card for the hospital but Fiest has it! There is no explanation for how he lost it and the killer having it. The patients died during the night. They were killed with potassium which you normally have in your body. The patients were older and had surgery the day before. Why did someone suspect that they had been killed and call in the police!?
When John gets back to the US he goes to Stillman's office at 7 in the morning despite knowing that Stillman wants him dead! He made it very easy for Fiest! He could have told Stillman over the phone that his research was free for anyone to use! I liked the book until I got to the end and things didn't make sense anymore!
I got the book for free from Audible. There was a problem with the book. I was not able to see the chapters. When I bookmarked something the date and time was saved but it said " chapter1" for all my bookmarks.
In South Korea John is suddenly arrested. The police have proof that he'd been at the hospital when two patients died. He'd not just lost his swipe card for the hospital but Fiest has it! There is no explanation for how he lost it and the killer having it. The patients died during the night. They were killed with potassium which you normally have in your body. The patients were older and had surgery the day before. Why did someone suspect that they had been killed and call in the police!?
When John gets back to the US he goes to Stillman's office at 7 in the morning despite knowing that Stillman wants him dead! He made it very easy for Fiest! He could have told Stillman over the phone that his research was free for anyone to use! I liked the book until I got to the end and things didn't make sense anymore!
I got the book for free from Audible. There was a problem with the book. I was not able to see the chapters. When I bookmarked something the date and time was saved but it said " chapter1" for all my bookmarks.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 23, 2012
Read the full review at Tales Between the Pages
Allen Wyler crafts a solid thriller with Dead End Deal. What I appreciate is that he decided to play with the format of the genre. He experimented, took some risks, and ultimately succeeded. Instead of trying to figure out who the bad guy is , Weyler gives us the rare opportunity to be the kind of omniscient reader who knows all and sees all. We know who he is from the beginning. This format might be a problem for other thrillers. Sometimes a weak story needs that mystery to hold it together. I know from my own experience that figuring out “whodunit” is the only reason I’ll finish a book. With Dead End Deal, I wanted to finish because I was invested in the story.
There were a few gripe worthy moments, though. Wyler tends to add a lot of product placement to his story. I felt like brands were starting to take over (Droid, Kindle, etc.). I know we use these things on a daily basis, but ultimately I think it will date the story. Because technology evolves at such a rapid pace, just a short time from now someone will be reading this book and thinking “Wow, this guy is behind the times!” I think that creating a timeless story is really important. If Droid were replaced with cell phone or smart phone, readers in the future could picture what they want based on the most current technology.
....
BUT! Don’t let my little gripes get in the way of you enjoying Dead End Deal by Alan Wyler. It’s fast paced, you get to go to exotic locations (Korea, for example), and you get to learn a little bit about the relationship between bio-tech companies and those who conduct academic research. All in all, Dead End Deal is a winner.
Allen Wyler crafts a solid thriller with Dead End Deal. What I appreciate is that he decided to play with the format of the genre. He experimented, took some risks, and ultimately succeeded. Instead of trying to figure out who the bad guy is , Weyler gives us the rare opportunity to be the kind of omniscient reader who knows all and sees all. We know who he is from the beginning. This format might be a problem for other thrillers. Sometimes a weak story needs that mystery to hold it together. I know from my own experience that figuring out “whodunit” is the only reason I’ll finish a book. With Dead End Deal, I wanted to finish because I was invested in the story.
There were a few gripe worthy moments, though. Wyler tends to add a lot of product placement to his story. I felt like brands were starting to take over (Droid, Kindle, etc.). I know we use these things on a daily basis, but ultimately I think it will date the story. Because technology evolves at such a rapid pace, just a short time from now someone will be reading this book and thinking “Wow, this guy is behind the times!” I think that creating a timeless story is really important. If Droid were replaced with cell phone or smart phone, readers in the future could picture what they want based on the most current technology.
....
BUT! Don’t let my little gripes get in the way of you enjoying Dead End Deal by Alan Wyler. It’s fast paced, you get to go to exotic locations (Korea, for example), and you get to learn a little bit about the relationship between bio-tech companies and those who conduct academic research. All in all, Dead End Deal is a winner.
September 13, 2023
An international medical thriller? Yes please! Neurosurgeon Jon Ritter is conducting ground breaking, life changing research. He’s trying to find a cure for Alzheimer’s using stem cells and he’s nearly there. But then he’s approached and told to stop his research, and a friend gets gunned down. Funding is pulled for his research so he goes to another company for financial help. He wants to continue to conduct his research in Korea. But he’s being followed, and threatened that if he doesn’t stop his research, they are going to kill him. But who is behind these threats and why, and can they actually stop him?
This book epitomizes an on the edge of your seat, heart pounding medical thriller. I absolutely loved Wyler’s writing style; everything flowed so nicely and nothing was confusing (which can happen sometimes when dealing with medical thrillers). It was clear that the author took his time to do whatever research was necessary for the medical aspect of this novel. He also took careful care with regards to international affairs as well.
While we do learn early on who is behind it, and the why, we’re kept in suspense as to what is going to happen to Jon Ritter and if he can get away safely. It really kept me turning the pages because I had to know the answer!
What an excellent medical thriller!
This book epitomizes an on the edge of your seat, heart pounding medical thriller. I absolutely loved Wyler’s writing style; everything flowed so nicely and nothing was confusing (which can happen sometimes when dealing with medical thrillers). It was clear that the author took his time to do whatever research was necessary for the medical aspect of this novel. He also took careful care with regards to international affairs as well.
While we do learn early on who is behind it, and the why, we’re kept in suspense as to what is going to happen to Jon Ritter and if he can get away safely. It really kept me turning the pages because I had to know the answer!
What an excellent medical thriller!
May 21, 2012
3.5 Stars:
What worked for me:
Medical thriller - I liked the idea of a neurosurgeon finding the cure for Alzheimer's disease. And the idea of using stem cells was brilliant. It was a new, fresh idea. I also enjoyed the fact that the reader gets to learn some history on stem cells. My knowledge on that subject is limited, so it was very interesting finding out more about the subject.
Multiple POVs - Like I said in the past, multiple characters and their POV make me see the big picture and to see the plots in a lot more detail than usually. So I loved that every major character in this boom got to "share" his side of the story.
Pacing - This book is really fast-paced. I didn't get bored reading it, there wasn't a moment where the plot stopped developing or where the action wasn't moving forward. It's not too fast that you lose some important detail, it's just the right kind of fast, if that makes sense.
What didn't work for me:
Because there were multiple POVs, you know from the very start who, why, when and how is trying to intimidate Jon Ritter. That made the suspense sort of fade for me. It made me anticipate more than I felt comfortable. I would've wanted more mystery surrounding the person who tried to make Jon Ritter not continue with his research.
I liked this book and I'm sure I would've liked it even more had it not been for the fact that we find out from the very start who is doing what. Even so, the story was great and it kept me reading and it kept me wanting to know how the book ended. So if you're a thriller fan, you should check this book out :)
What worked for me:
Medical thriller - I liked the idea of a neurosurgeon finding the cure for Alzheimer's disease. And the idea of using stem cells was brilliant. It was a new, fresh idea. I also enjoyed the fact that the reader gets to learn some history on stem cells. My knowledge on that subject is limited, so it was very interesting finding out more about the subject.
Multiple POVs - Like I said in the past, multiple characters and their POV make me see the big picture and to see the plots in a lot more detail than usually. So I loved that every major character in this boom got to "share" his side of the story.
Pacing - This book is really fast-paced. I didn't get bored reading it, there wasn't a moment where the plot stopped developing or where the action wasn't moving forward. It's not too fast that you lose some important detail, it's just the right kind of fast, if that makes sense.
What didn't work for me:
Because there were multiple POVs, you know from the very start who, why, when and how is trying to intimidate Jon Ritter. That made the suspense sort of fade for me. It made me anticipate more than I felt comfortable. I would've wanted more mystery surrounding the person who tried to make Jon Ritter not continue with his research.
I liked this book and I'm sure I would've liked it even more had it not been for the fact that we find out from the very start who is doing what. Even so, the story was great and it kept me reading and it kept me wanting to know how the book ended. So if you're a thriller fan, you should check this book out :)
June 19, 2012
http://edensbookshelf.com/review-dead...
So much is wrong with this book, I’ve struggled with how to write such a scathing book review my first time out. Dead End Deal has a great premise, and I was extremely excited to see how it played out. But his execution is such a distraction from the story, like an ill-fitting bra, you can’t help but focus your attention on the problem, and not the assets themselves. The story revolves around a tumultuous period in the life of neurosurgeon Jon Ritter as he seeks a cure for Alzheimer’s. He shows up on a “hit list” of a militant anti-abortion group and is subsequently targeted (and terrorized) by someone telling him to stop his stem cell research “or else.” Industrial espionage, betrayal, and death abound. Sounds great, right?
The problems start right out of the gate. The prologue is excruciating to get through, introduces, (with great detail), a large number of characters that never show up again. Names, mannerisms, glimpses into their personalities, are all extraneous. What actually stands out during this listing of all the board members during this supposedly intense meeting is how nearly everyone’s name ends in –er. Gliner, Chandler, Warner. The “heavy” in the board room has the unfortunate moniker of “Schwartz.” As if giving her an awkward sounding name, and everyone else in the room white-bread names, added a dimension he couldn’t have created any other way. Later you have Ritter and Fisher. Oh, and Fisher’s deceased sister, Carrie (Is Mr. Wyler a Star Wars fan?). Naming your characters isn’t always easy; I get that. Here’s my problem with what Wyler has done here: You notice it. You obviously shouldn’t be able to pick out patterns in how he names his good guys vs bad guys. Of course the author’s name ending in –er probably has nothing to do with this over-use of similarly named characters, right? Right?
The writing trips up the story like a pot-hole filled road. Wyler uses the Omnipotent Voice throughout the book. The narrator switches from scene toscene, chapter to chapter. This is an extremely easy voice to write, but a hard voice to write well. The biggest trap Wyler falls into with this point of view, is telling us what is happening throughout. We are told what Ritter is feeling, what Feist is feeling, what Fisher is feeling, instead of being shown. “Show don’t tell,” is the mantra of English Lit professors across the country for a reason. It gets old being told what is going on in everyone’s heads. Fast. The other issue Wyler has is that some of the clichés he uses to paint Feist as a baddie, show up elsewhere in other characters. Feist is a raging homophobe and racist. While your characters should be real people, and there are real racists and homophobes out in the world, relying too heavily on constant gay slurs to convey to your reader how nasty and evil the villain is can be a real issue. Especially when later on a character is described as meticulously well-groomed, but “not gay.” Hitting that line pulls you out of the story like pulling the hand brake, makes you look up and say is Wyler’s own judgments filtering through his story here? Is it really relevant that this character is defined as “not gay”? That plus all the previous homophobic slurs makes you stop and wonder. Even if Wyler is a happily gay man, again, the problem is that it takes you out of your suspension of reality, returns you to seeing the support structure, and not the story.
So many clichés are used throughout, though. Jokes about Koreans eating dogs (tired), a studious female Korean doctoral researcher stops to primp her hair, in the middle of a crisis (out of character), and half-hearted stabs at the tension between police, FBI and University Police over jurisdiction (again, tired) are but a few of the clichés Wyler clings to. Being married to an Australian, I have a unique base of comparison for the villain Feist. First, Australians do not talk like Yoda (“Had me heart set on vacation, I did.”). Second, Ritter recognizing the Australian accent from the Outback commercial? I literally slapped my hand to my head. When I told my husband that line, he said he would have stopped reading the book right there. Third, and I checked with my English Masters degree friends on this, if you use a proper name, use the original spelling for that proper name. Defense Intelligence Organization should be “Defence Intelligence Organisation.” For example, the tv show “Neighbours” from Australia should always be used with its correct Australian spelling. Obviously, common names would be spelled normally.
Structural writing issues are also a major distraction. Wyler goes into intricate details of the most random things (descriptions of clothes, routes driven). Paragraphs can be spent on such topics, while a sparse two sentences are given to describing a shooting. The writing flips between being rambling run-on sentences, and curt incomplete ones. I realize the version I got might not be the finished book, but the mis-use of commas and semi-colons was really distracting. I hope that is fixed in the final version. There were also a couple of typos. When the FBI agent is describing accents that could be confused with Australian, he lists “Aussie,” among the others. Umm…what? And lastly, Wyler does the Stephenie Meyer sin of starting paragraphs for no apparent reason.
How Wyler builds his characters, their motivation, and tries to get our sympathies for them is really awkward at times. With the FBI agent Fisher, his backstory of his sister who died from a botched abortion feels forced. There is also a moment where he blames the anti-abortionists for her death, then doesn’t. Was that a mistake on the author’s part, or attempting to show conflicting feelings within the character? It’s not clear, so the assumption falls to sloppy writing. The sex scenes between Stillman and his married girlfriend are simply annoying. They are far from sensual or even marginally titillating. Some sentences are so awkward they just defy description: “The female officer seated with her eyes diplomatically glued to the screen instead of turning to watch her superior officer’s face grow deep crimson.”
I could honestly keep going. I hate to be all negative; there are some good parts of this book. Aside from the prologue, the action begins almost immediately. When Wyler is writing action sequences, chases, etc, he seems to get into his grove. The writing isn’t great, but it does blend into the background enough that you can suspend reality and join the story. And as I said initially, the premise has a lot of potential. So on that positive note, I’ll let you decide if you can handle all the pitfalls to try Wyler’s thriller. You’ve been warned.
Reviewed by CommaChameleon
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Allen Wyler is a renowned neurosurgeon who earned an international reputation for pioneering surgical techniques to record brain activity. He has served on the faculties of both the University of Washington and the University of Tennessee, and in 1992 was recruited by the prestigious Swedish Medical Center to develop a neuroscience institute.
In 2002, he left active practice to become Medical Director for a startup med-tech company (that went public in 2006) and he now chairs the Institutional Review Board of a major medical center in the Pacific Northwest.
Leveraging a love for thrillers since the early 70’s, Wyler devoted himself to fiction writing in earnest, eventually serving as Vice President of the International Thriller Writers organization for several years. After publishing his first two medical thrillers Deadly Errors (2005) and Dead Head (2007), he officially retired from medicine to devote himself to writing full time.
He and his wife, Lily, divide their time between Seattle and the San Juan Islands.
www.allenwyler.com
So much is wrong with this book, I’ve struggled with how to write such a scathing book review my first time out. Dead End Deal has a great premise, and I was extremely excited to see how it played out. But his execution is such a distraction from the story, like an ill-fitting bra, you can’t help but focus your attention on the problem, and not the assets themselves. The story revolves around a tumultuous period in the life of neurosurgeon Jon Ritter as he seeks a cure for Alzheimer’s. He shows up on a “hit list” of a militant anti-abortion group and is subsequently targeted (and terrorized) by someone telling him to stop his stem cell research “or else.” Industrial espionage, betrayal, and death abound. Sounds great, right?
The problems start right out of the gate. The prologue is excruciating to get through, introduces, (with great detail), a large number of characters that never show up again. Names, mannerisms, glimpses into their personalities, are all extraneous. What actually stands out during this listing of all the board members during this supposedly intense meeting is how nearly everyone’s name ends in –er. Gliner, Chandler, Warner. The “heavy” in the board room has the unfortunate moniker of “Schwartz.” As if giving her an awkward sounding name, and everyone else in the room white-bread names, added a dimension he couldn’t have created any other way. Later you have Ritter and Fisher. Oh, and Fisher’s deceased sister, Carrie (Is Mr. Wyler a Star Wars fan?). Naming your characters isn’t always easy; I get that. Here’s my problem with what Wyler has done here: You notice it. You obviously shouldn’t be able to pick out patterns in how he names his good guys vs bad guys. Of course the author’s name ending in –er probably has nothing to do with this over-use of similarly named characters, right? Right?
The writing trips up the story like a pot-hole filled road. Wyler uses the Omnipotent Voice throughout the book. The narrator switches from scene toscene, chapter to chapter. This is an extremely easy voice to write, but a hard voice to write well. The biggest trap Wyler falls into with this point of view, is telling us what is happening throughout. We are told what Ritter is feeling, what Feist is feeling, what Fisher is feeling, instead of being shown. “Show don’t tell,” is the mantra of English Lit professors across the country for a reason. It gets old being told what is going on in everyone’s heads. Fast. The other issue Wyler has is that some of the clichés he uses to paint Feist as a baddie, show up elsewhere in other characters. Feist is a raging homophobe and racist. While your characters should be real people, and there are real racists and homophobes out in the world, relying too heavily on constant gay slurs to convey to your reader how nasty and evil the villain is can be a real issue. Especially when later on a character is described as meticulously well-groomed, but “not gay.” Hitting that line pulls you out of the story like pulling the hand brake, makes you look up and say is Wyler’s own judgments filtering through his story here? Is it really relevant that this character is defined as “not gay”? That plus all the previous homophobic slurs makes you stop and wonder. Even if Wyler is a happily gay man, again, the problem is that it takes you out of your suspension of reality, returns you to seeing the support structure, and not the story.
So many clichés are used throughout, though. Jokes about Koreans eating dogs (tired), a studious female Korean doctoral researcher stops to primp her hair, in the middle of a crisis (out of character), and half-hearted stabs at the tension between police, FBI and University Police over jurisdiction (again, tired) are but a few of the clichés Wyler clings to. Being married to an Australian, I have a unique base of comparison for the villain Feist. First, Australians do not talk like Yoda (“Had me heart set on vacation, I did.”). Second, Ritter recognizing the Australian accent from the Outback commercial? I literally slapped my hand to my head. When I told my husband that line, he said he would have stopped reading the book right there. Third, and I checked with my English Masters degree friends on this, if you use a proper name, use the original spelling for that proper name. Defense Intelligence Organization should be “Defence Intelligence Organisation.” For example, the tv show “Neighbours” from Australia should always be used with its correct Australian spelling. Obviously, common names would be spelled normally.
Structural writing issues are also a major distraction. Wyler goes into intricate details of the most random things (descriptions of clothes, routes driven). Paragraphs can be spent on such topics, while a sparse two sentences are given to describing a shooting. The writing flips between being rambling run-on sentences, and curt incomplete ones. I realize the version I got might not be the finished book, but the mis-use of commas and semi-colons was really distracting. I hope that is fixed in the final version. There were also a couple of typos. When the FBI agent is describing accents that could be confused with Australian, he lists “Aussie,” among the others. Umm…what? And lastly, Wyler does the Stephenie Meyer sin of starting paragraphs for no apparent reason.
How Wyler builds his characters, their motivation, and tries to get our sympathies for them is really awkward at times. With the FBI agent Fisher, his backstory of his sister who died from a botched abortion feels forced. There is also a moment where he blames the anti-abortionists for her death, then doesn’t. Was that a mistake on the author’s part, or attempting to show conflicting feelings within the character? It’s not clear, so the assumption falls to sloppy writing. The sex scenes between Stillman and his married girlfriend are simply annoying. They are far from sensual or even marginally titillating. Some sentences are so awkward they just defy description: “The female officer seated with her eyes diplomatically glued to the screen instead of turning to watch her superior officer’s face grow deep crimson.”
I could honestly keep going. I hate to be all negative; there are some good parts of this book. Aside from the prologue, the action begins almost immediately. When Wyler is writing action sequences, chases, etc, he seems to get into his grove. The writing isn’t great, but it does blend into the background enough that you can suspend reality and join the story. And as I said initially, the premise has a lot of potential. So on that positive note, I’ll let you decide if you can handle all the pitfalls to try Wyler’s thriller. You’ve been warned.
Reviewed by CommaChameleon
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Allen Wyler is a renowned neurosurgeon who earned an international reputation for pioneering surgical techniques to record brain activity. He has served on the faculties of both the University of Washington and the University of Tennessee, and in 1992 was recruited by the prestigious Swedish Medical Center to develop a neuroscience institute.
In 2002, he left active practice to become Medical Director for a startup med-tech company (that went public in 2006) and he now chairs the Institutional Review Board of a major medical center in the Pacific Northwest.
Leveraging a love for thrillers since the early 70’s, Wyler devoted himself to fiction writing in earnest, eventually serving as Vice President of the International Thriller Writers organization for several years. After publishing his first two medical thrillers Deadly Errors (2005) and Dead Head (2007), he officially retired from medicine to devote himself to writing full time.
He and his wife, Lily, divide their time between Seattle and the San Juan Islands.
www.allenwyler.com
July 21, 2024
Dead End Deal by Allen Wyler
Howdy y'all. I received this book a few months ago and I'm just now getting a chance to do a review for it. I want to be upfront and say that I struggled to get through it. I'm not going to be doing a lengthy review since I don't want to inadvertently ruin this book for someone else who might fall in love with it. Let's get on with the review shall we?
Starting out you're following Richard Stillman as he is working his way through what appears to be a big conference. This is for the Trophozyme Corporation. They are discussing plans of how to move forward with Stillman's plan to put the company back on track. After all, that's why he was hired. The leading factor in this story seems to fall on a cure for Alzheimer's Disease. Stillman believed that there was a way to “implant specially manufactured stem cells into patients’ brains to replace dead ones” But the problem with that is his method didn't work. He needs more time but he's already used up what little bit of time he's been given so far. And now he's got the time frame of six months.
The very beginning seemed pretty straight forward and it got to the point very quickly. A few chapters later though I was in a world of confusion. I really had a hard time following what was going on because the POV started changing on me. I wasn't sure what I was supposed to focus on at this point. For example in the beginning it led me to think I was going to be reading about a potential cure for Alzheimers. But, I don't understand what the very next chapter that mentioned ‘ killing babies’ has to do with that. I don't understand how that leads to someone getting killed either.
After that confusion it jumped to different perspectives again but also went back and mentioned previous characters. But I was still confused. I tried really hard to understand what was going on. I even tried to read it like I would a patient file since I'm a healthcare worker myself. I just never could really get into the story.
I did enjoy the characters. They were likable and the situations that they ended up in were believable. I did like the fact that this story touched base on a big cause of death in the healthcare industry. Alzheimers is a very heartbreaking disease. And, I personally have worked with so many patients that suffered from it. So I'm hoping maybe one day there might actually be at least a cure for it. But I don't think that will be anytime soon.
Overall I'm going to rate this book 3 out of 5 stars. I see the potential that it has. I'm really hoping that if I do a reread later down the road I will have better luck with it.
Having said that though, just because I didn't have the best of luck with this story doesn't mean it's horrible. It just didn't fit right with me. I really hope it finds the right person and they love it as much as I love hazelnut coffee.
Howdy y'all. I received this book a few months ago and I'm just now getting a chance to do a review for it. I want to be upfront and say that I struggled to get through it. I'm not going to be doing a lengthy review since I don't want to inadvertently ruin this book for someone else who might fall in love with it. Let's get on with the review shall we?
Starting out you're following Richard Stillman as he is working his way through what appears to be a big conference. This is for the Trophozyme Corporation. They are discussing plans of how to move forward with Stillman's plan to put the company back on track. After all, that's why he was hired. The leading factor in this story seems to fall on a cure for Alzheimer's Disease. Stillman believed that there was a way to “implant specially manufactured stem cells into patients’ brains to replace dead ones” But the problem with that is his method didn't work. He needs more time but he's already used up what little bit of time he's been given so far. And now he's got the time frame of six months.
The very beginning seemed pretty straight forward and it got to the point very quickly. A few chapters later though I was in a world of confusion. I really had a hard time following what was going on because the POV started changing on me. I wasn't sure what I was supposed to focus on at this point. For example in the beginning it led me to think I was going to be reading about a potential cure for Alzheimers. But, I don't understand what the very next chapter that mentioned ‘ killing babies’ has to do with that. I don't understand how that leads to someone getting killed either.
After that confusion it jumped to different perspectives again but also went back and mentioned previous characters. But I was still confused. I tried really hard to understand what was going on. I even tried to read it like I would a patient file since I'm a healthcare worker myself. I just never could really get into the story.
I did enjoy the characters. They were likable and the situations that they ended up in were believable. I did like the fact that this story touched base on a big cause of death in the healthcare industry. Alzheimers is a very heartbreaking disease. And, I personally have worked with so many patients that suffered from it. So I'm hoping maybe one day there might actually be at least a cure for it. But I don't think that will be anytime soon.
Overall I'm going to rate this book 3 out of 5 stars. I see the potential that it has. I'm really hoping that if I do a reread later down the road I will have better luck with it.
Having said that though, just because I didn't have the best of luck with this story doesn't mean it's horrible. It just didn't fit right with me. I really hope it finds the right person and they love it as much as I love hazelnut coffee.
September 9, 2023
3.5 stars rounded up to 4
DEAD END DEAL is perfect for fans of Tess Gerritsen and Robin Cook.
When it comes to medical and legal thrillers, I’m always anxious to discover new books and authors. Dead End Deal was an exciting read.
Wyler delivered a story that was fast-paced and full of energy.
Jon Ritter, a neurosurgeon, and his colleague are closing in on an enormous breakthrough for Alzheimer's. While it uses stem cells, they are non-human, so they don’t expect any negative feedback from the public. But when his colleague is killed and Jon’s life is threatened, the brakes are applied to the program.
Ritter and his lab assistant decide to leave the country in hopes of continuing their research and testing. But things don’t go as they’d hoped. Not at all.
My Concerns
I was immediately distracted by the story being told in the third person yet Jon's thoughts were inserted in italics.
It lacked character development, which would have helped so much in this fast-flowing book.
Though this is a small concern, the chase scenes were exciting until they weren't. I could only stay on a high so long. Pages and pages felt too long.
Final Thoughts
If you like thrillers this is one you won’t want to overlook. It’s a cat-and-mouse story that will keep you turning pages.
Though the mystery isn’t a big mystery, curiosity will keep you reading.
Thank you therealbookgal, Stairway Press, and the author, Allen Wyler, for a #gifted copy.
DEAD END DEAL is perfect for fans of Tess Gerritsen and Robin Cook.
When it comes to medical and legal thrillers, I’m always anxious to discover new books and authors. Dead End Deal was an exciting read.
Wyler delivered a story that was fast-paced and full of energy.
Jon Ritter, a neurosurgeon, and his colleague are closing in on an enormous breakthrough for Alzheimer's. While it uses stem cells, they are non-human, so they don’t expect any negative feedback from the public. But when his colleague is killed and Jon’s life is threatened, the brakes are applied to the program.
Ritter and his lab assistant decide to leave the country in hopes of continuing their research and testing. But things don’t go as they’d hoped. Not at all.
My Concerns
I was immediately distracted by the story being told in the third person yet Jon's thoughts were inserted in italics.
It lacked character development, which would have helped so much in this fast-flowing book.
Though this is a small concern, the chase scenes were exciting until they weren't. I could only stay on a high so long. Pages and pages felt too long.
Final Thoughts
If you like thrillers this is one you won’t want to overlook. It’s a cat-and-mouse story that will keep you turning pages.
Though the mystery isn’t a big mystery, curiosity will keep you reading.
Thank you therealbookgal, Stairway Press, and the author, Allen Wyler, for a #gifted copy.
July 10, 2023
I must say, this book was a page-turner. The story revolves around a high-stakes medical mystery that kept me guessing until the very end. The author's attention to detail and medical knowledge added an extra layer of authenticity to the plot, making it all that more exciting. The characters were well-crafted, and their motivations felt spot-on. Wyler's writing style is smooth and immersive, allowing me to easily get lost in the story. If you're a fan of suspenseful thrillers with a medical twist, this book is definitely worth checking out.
July 10, 2012
Using non-human stem cells, neurosurgeon Jon Ritter has developed a treatment to reverse the effects of Alzheimer’s disease. His interest is not driven by ambition, greed, or even academic zeal; the grandmother who raised him developed the disease. Ritter fears that he may carry the heritable gene which could lead to early onset of the illness. Ritter had already turned down biotech CEO Stillman’s offer of position and high pay for the treatment; he didn’t like the greed associated with the biotech industry corporations. However, Ritter decides he must turn to Stillman for funding when it appears that a militant anti-abortionist group has threatened his life and killed his mentor. We readers know that Stillman himself is really behind the threats – he has hired an Australian ex-intelligence officer to dry up Ritter’s funding and scare him into agreeing to Stillman’s terms. The ensuing surgical trials in South Korea, the murdered trial subjects, the chase and attempts to arrest Ritter, his escape and attempts to return to the U.S. are thrilling.
What struck me most was the urgent feel in the story to get back to the U.S. I came away thinking that I may never travel outside America again! Wyler does a great job conveying that trapped, lost feeling. Luckily, Ritter and his love interest Yeonhee creatively find ways to stay a step ahead of the Korean police and the assassin Nigel Feist. Readers don’t have to figure out that Stillman and Feist are the greatest threats because author Wyler lets us see from the beginning that they are the real bad guys. Ritter openly criticizes the FBI’s handling of his case; he seems justified when the agent sent to watch Ritter in Korea is so easily killed by Feist. Another view that struck me in the text is the opinion expressed about Korean men. Yeonhee’s thoughts and opinions are so strongly negative about their behavior and motivations in relationships and in their careers. Other than these insights, we aren’t given a feel for South Korea even though much of the story is set there. I would have liked more about the country; I would have also enjoyed a little humor if possible. There’s a little ironic humor in some of Feist’s thoughts and comments. He’s a hired thug, but he criticizes the business ethics of the Koreans – “no ethics, the whole lot of them”. Wyler’s descriptions of the camaraderie and total immersion of lab research sound engrossing, but friends in university labs have found that life to be just the opposite. For their sakes, I wish Wyler’s scenario of gripping teamwork and pure research were true. Obviously, many aspects of Wyler’s novel impressed me; there’s so much to comment on.
Four Stars
What struck me most was the urgent feel in the story to get back to the U.S. I came away thinking that I may never travel outside America again! Wyler does a great job conveying that trapped, lost feeling. Luckily, Ritter and his love interest Yeonhee creatively find ways to stay a step ahead of the Korean police and the assassin Nigel Feist. Readers don’t have to figure out that Stillman and Feist are the greatest threats because author Wyler lets us see from the beginning that they are the real bad guys. Ritter openly criticizes the FBI’s handling of his case; he seems justified when the agent sent to watch Ritter in Korea is so easily killed by Feist. Another view that struck me in the text is the opinion expressed about Korean men. Yeonhee’s thoughts and opinions are so strongly negative about their behavior and motivations in relationships and in their careers. Other than these insights, we aren’t given a feel for South Korea even though much of the story is set there. I would have liked more about the country; I would have also enjoyed a little humor if possible. There’s a little ironic humor in some of Feist’s thoughts and comments. He’s a hired thug, but he criticizes the business ethics of the Koreans – “no ethics, the whole lot of them”. Wyler’s descriptions of the camaraderie and total immersion of lab research sound engrossing, but friends in university labs have found that life to be just the opposite. For their sakes, I wish Wyler’s scenario of gripping teamwork and pure research were true. Obviously, many aspects of Wyler’s novel impressed me; there’s so much to comment on.
Four Stars
June 5, 2012
A head-rushing high thrilling adventure into the world of scientific research.
A fast ride into the thrilling and dangerous world of scientific research. Jon Ritter seems to be having some really bad luck as a neurosurgeon turned researcher. Not only does his research come to a halt, he is assaulted and his friend and mentor killed. Ritter is then threatened by a group of extremists, but that does not stop him from connecting with a former colleague and moving his research abroad to Seoul, Korea. Ritter's dreams suddenly become a nightmare as the surgical transplant treatment in Korea goes wrong and his patients are found dead. Ritter suddenly finds himself running from the Korean police and now being charged with murdering his test patients.
I found Dead End Deal a slow start that picked up speed after the surgical trials in Korea. However once it picks up it is a rush and continues non-stop to the end. I found myself anxious and nervous as Ritter runs around Korea trying to get back to the U.S. while being stalked not only by the police but also by an assailant unknown to him who has been making his life a living hell. Ritter's tail seems to have been provided by Richard Stillman. Stillman is a high flying sick executive who owns many companies amongst the medical corporation Trophozyme. Stillman only cares about filling his pocket and his only plans with Ritter are to destroy him and recover the research and procedures Ritter has been working on so he can claim them as his own.
I really liked this plot and medical concept however I was confused and even stuck on why Wyler chose to sabotage Ritter's trials before they were even successful. I feel this book would have been so much better if Wyler would have held back at least until after the first transplant patients were showing positive results, then came in for the kill. But it just didn't make sense to me why so early. As it did not guarantee Stillman would even be able to take credit for something that had not yet been proven a medical breakthrough. Another improvement could have been used in Korea as I thought the scenes in Korea felt rushed. A more balanced mix would have been less on the thoughts of Ritter's assailant, more on the time Ritter spent in Korea with his colleague, and a focus on Ritter's relationship with the lab assistant Yeonhee, which I felt fizzled out the ending of the book.
A fast ride into the thrilling and dangerous world of scientific research. Jon Ritter seems to be having some really bad luck as a neurosurgeon turned researcher. Not only does his research come to a halt, he is assaulted and his friend and mentor killed. Ritter is then threatened by a group of extremists, but that does not stop him from connecting with a former colleague and moving his research abroad to Seoul, Korea. Ritter's dreams suddenly become a nightmare as the surgical transplant treatment in Korea goes wrong and his patients are found dead. Ritter suddenly finds himself running from the Korean police and now being charged with murdering his test patients.
I found Dead End Deal a slow start that picked up speed after the surgical trials in Korea. However once it picks up it is a rush and continues non-stop to the end. I found myself anxious and nervous as Ritter runs around Korea trying to get back to the U.S. while being stalked not only by the police but also by an assailant unknown to him who has been making his life a living hell. Ritter's tail seems to have been provided by Richard Stillman. Stillman is a high flying sick executive who owns many companies amongst the medical corporation Trophozyme. Stillman only cares about filling his pocket and his only plans with Ritter are to destroy him and recover the research and procedures Ritter has been working on so he can claim them as his own.
I really liked this plot and medical concept however I was confused and even stuck on why Wyler chose to sabotage Ritter's trials before they were even successful. I feel this book would have been so much better if Wyler would have held back at least until after the first transplant patients were showing positive results, then came in for the kill. But it just didn't make sense to me why so early. As it did not guarantee Stillman would even be able to take credit for something that had not yet been proven a medical breakthrough. Another improvement could have been used in Korea as I thought the scenes in Korea felt rushed. A more balanced mix would have been less on the thoughts of Ritter's assailant, more on the time Ritter spent in Korea with his colleague, and a focus on Ritter's relationship with the lab assistant Yeonhee, which I felt fizzled out the ending of the book.
September 3, 2017
This was an interesting read. The first half of the book reads like an episode of House with its blending of the main character's side stories and high-tech medical procedures. It isn't until you reach a little more than the middle of the book, that the story suddenly revs up and becomes a full-blown thriller. The fear of being trapped in a foreign country and, on top of that, being wanted by the law, are perfectly captured by Wyler. You can't help but turn the page, because the way the author spins the story makes every move John Ritter takes seem like his last. You're never quite sure if the main character will actually make it through each twist and turn that is thrown his way.
However, the thrilling chase that dominates the second half of the book makes the beginning feel like a completely different story. The first half is concentrated on the medical aspect of the book and the importance of the main character's research, but the last half feels like you've just been transferred intoThe Da Vinci Codewhen you consider the speed with which the author similarly keeps the plot moving as the character stays on the run from his enemies. The medical element is completely forgotten until a quickly thrown together conclusion. The chase aspect of the book was great, but I think the story could have been woven together in a better way. Because so much is focused on the escape from Korea, not only is the conclusion rushed but some of the secondary characters, including Ritter's love interest, don't get fleshed out enough. I just found it hard to believe the relationships the characters shared with the minimal background that is given on them.
At the end, I didn't walk away from the book feeling completely satisfied because of the rocky way the first and second half of the book merge together to form their whole. However, the second half of the story makes this book worth checking out because Wyler definitely has the chops to create that necessary nail-biting nervousness every good thriller needs. Even the author's basic storyline of a neurosurgeon that has to hide out in a foreign country to conduct his research is refreshing, and realistic. This is a quick read, and if you love thrillers, this book does stand up well in its genre.
*I received a free copy of this book for this review from the author.
However, the thrilling chase that dominates the second half of the book makes the beginning feel like a completely different story. The first half is concentrated on the medical aspect of the book and the importance of the main character's research, but the last half feels like you've just been transferred intoThe Da Vinci Codewhen you consider the speed with which the author similarly keeps the plot moving as the character stays on the run from his enemies. The medical element is completely forgotten until a quickly thrown together conclusion. The chase aspect of the book was great, but I think the story could have been woven together in a better way. Because so much is focused on the escape from Korea, not only is the conclusion rushed but some of the secondary characters, including Ritter's love interest, don't get fleshed out enough. I just found it hard to believe the relationships the characters shared with the minimal background that is given on them.
At the end, I didn't walk away from the book feeling completely satisfied because of the rocky way the first and second half of the book merge together to form their whole. However, the second half of the story makes this book worth checking out because Wyler definitely has the chops to create that necessary nail-biting nervousness every good thriller needs. Even the author's basic storyline of a neurosurgeon that has to hide out in a foreign country to conduct his research is refreshing, and realistic. This is a quick read, and if you love thrillers, this book does stand up well in its genre.
*I received a free copy of this book for this review from the author.
June 22, 2012
Dead End Deal has an interesting and pretty much original concept, but somehow, Allen Wyler failed to put a much-needed boost to make the story come alive and capture my attention.
The book started out at a very slow pace. Maybe this would've worked for other readers, but to me, I just couldn't get absorbed into Jon Ritter's story as much as I would've liked to. Wyler also introduced too many characters in the beginning, making it very hard for me to remember who was who and what they were supposed to be doing.
Another thing I did not like was the writing. It was jerky, and the author tended to ramble on and on about unnecessary things, and that really brought the entire story down. We'd be diving into this character's thoughts, and then the next moment, we'd be reading about what that character was wearing. I mean, really? I know it's good that authors try to describe things as much as possible, so that we, as readers, can picture it as realistically as we possibly can, but these mini descriptions of random things just didn't work out.
While reading this book, I also wished that the author hadn't written it in such a way that I could see what everyone was doing, going to do, and thinking. It would've created a lot more suspense if I didn't know what the bad guy was planning, so I could feel afraid with the MC, instead of, "Okay, can we carry on now?"
The characters also needed more characterization. Even though I read about them, looked at things from their point of view, I just couldn't connect with them. They were quite flat, and not very realistic at all.
The few good things about the book was that once the action started, the author managed to keep me enthralled. I also liked the whole concept of this book, and because it was written from an actual neurosurgeon, the idea of finding a cure to Alzheimer's disease pretty much made sense.
Despite all this, though, Dead End Deal just didn't work out for me.
2 stars.
Want more reviews? Check out my blog!
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The book started out at a very slow pace. Maybe this would've worked for other readers, but to me, I just couldn't get absorbed into Jon Ritter's story as much as I would've liked to. Wyler also introduced too many characters in the beginning, making it very hard for me to remember who was who and what they were supposed to be doing.
Another thing I did not like was the writing. It was jerky, and the author tended to ramble on and on about unnecessary things, and that really brought the entire story down. We'd be diving into this character's thoughts, and then the next moment, we'd be reading about what that character was wearing. I mean, really? I know it's good that authors try to describe things as much as possible, so that we, as readers, can picture it as realistically as we possibly can, but these mini descriptions of random things just didn't work out.
While reading this book, I also wished that the author hadn't written it in such a way that I could see what everyone was doing, going to do, and thinking. It would've created a lot more suspense if I didn't know what the bad guy was planning, so I could feel afraid with the MC, instead of, "Okay, can we carry on now?"
The characters also needed more characterization. Even though I read about them, looked at things from their point of view, I just couldn't connect with them. They were quite flat, and not very realistic at all.
The few good things about the book was that once the action started, the author managed to keep me enthralled. I also liked the whole concept of this book, and because it was written from an actual neurosurgeon, the idea of finding a cure to Alzheimer's disease pretty much made sense.
Despite all this, though, Dead End Deal just didn't work out for me.
2 stars.
Want more reviews? Check out my blog!
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July 13, 2012
Book Title: Dead End Deal
Author: Allen Wyler
Publisher: Astor + Blue Editions
ISBN: 9781938231056
Reviewed by Michele Tater for The Couch Tater Review
“There are horrible people who, instead of solving a problem, tangle it up and make it harder to solve for anyone who wants to deal with it. Whoever does not know how to hit the nail on the head should be asked not to hit it at all.” ~Friedrich Nietzsche
Who would think that a medical breakthrough could cause so many problems. Jon Ritter just wants to test his new theories of using stem cells to possibly cure Alzheimer’s disease on human subjects. Little does he know that a whole scheme is in the works to stop this from ever happening. Funding is already in jeopardy, even before the murder of his colleague. Desperation causes Dr. Ritter to turn to his nemesis to continue with the human trials which end up becoming a complete disaster. Jon is now considered a murder and is on the run, but not in the United States but in Seoul, Korea and without his passport! Will he make it out of the country before he is permanently a “guest” in a Korea jail? How is going to clear his name with no one to turn to for help? Who is following him? What the heck is going on? You need to pick-up this book and find out if the questions will be answered before it is too late.
Greed. It can be a very ugly word, especially when it is why a seeming wonderful medical cure that can stop the suffering of so many, can not become available. This book looks into the seemingly real world of scientific monopolies. Where lab companies are in it for the money and not for the public. Jon Ritter is a believable character in an almost unbelievable situation. With action packed in every page and a plot line that is easy to follow even with the medical terminology and procedures. I really didn’t think I was going to enjoy the book as much as I did. It is very entertaining and sometimes even humorous. I, however, hope that the events in the book are not something that happens in real life. What a scarey thought if it is....
Book link: http://astorandblue.com/dead-end-deal/
Author: Allen Wyler
Publisher: Astor + Blue Editions
ISBN: 9781938231056
Reviewed by Michele Tater for The Couch Tater Review
“There are horrible people who, instead of solving a problem, tangle it up and make it harder to solve for anyone who wants to deal with it. Whoever does not know how to hit the nail on the head should be asked not to hit it at all.” ~Friedrich Nietzsche
Who would think that a medical breakthrough could cause so many problems. Jon Ritter just wants to test his new theories of using stem cells to possibly cure Alzheimer’s disease on human subjects. Little does he know that a whole scheme is in the works to stop this from ever happening. Funding is already in jeopardy, even before the murder of his colleague. Desperation causes Dr. Ritter to turn to his nemesis to continue with the human trials which end up becoming a complete disaster. Jon is now considered a murder and is on the run, but not in the United States but in Seoul, Korea and without his passport! Will he make it out of the country before he is permanently a “guest” in a Korea jail? How is going to clear his name with no one to turn to for help? Who is following him? What the heck is going on? You need to pick-up this book and find out if the questions will be answered before it is too late.
Greed. It can be a very ugly word, especially when it is why a seeming wonderful medical cure that can stop the suffering of so many, can not become available. This book looks into the seemingly real world of scientific monopolies. Where lab companies are in it for the money and not for the public. Jon Ritter is a believable character in an almost unbelievable situation. With action packed in every page and a plot line that is easy to follow even with the medical terminology and procedures. I really didn’t think I was going to enjoy the book as much as I did. It is very entertaining and sometimes even humorous. I, however, hope that the events in the book are not something that happens in real life. What a scarey thought if it is....
Book link: http://astorandblue.com/dead-end-deal/
June 18, 2012
Dead End Deal is a fast-paced thriller dealing with corruption in the pharmaceutical industry, and the forces that value money over the wellness of humanity. If you could cure Alzheimer’s Disease, you’d want to make that happen, right? Unless you knew that you could take that cure and make billions of dollars from it. Wyler pits the genius doctor Jon Ritter against Richard Stillman, a big pharma exec who sees Ritter’s discovery as his only means of keeping his position in his company. However, Ritter does not believe in the greed of corporate medicine and doesn’t want Stillman to have the rights to this important discovery. Money can buy a lot of things, including assassins, so Ritter soon finds himself in the midst of a conspiracy, running for his life.
Dead End Deal felt very cinematic to me. Many of the chase scenes read as if they could have been straight out of some movie starring Matt Damon, so if you’re into that sort of thing, you’ll probably enjoy this book. After what was initially a slow start for me, the plot picked up the pace and moved along quickly. Part of this was due to the short chapter structure of the narrative and the way it bounced back and forth between characters.
I appreciated Wyler’s background as a neurosurgeon, because it lend credence to his descriptions. The story and medical jargon was completely believable. I also really enjoyed that much of the story is set in Seoul, a place I know almost nothing about. We can see Ritter’s confusion at being chased by unknown villains in a place where he has no clue about the language or culture. What didn’t work for me as much was the relative lack of character development. I never felt like I really knew many of the characters intimately, and would have liked to have seen more done with the relationships between characters as well.
I had a lot of fun reading Dead End Deal. It’s a great book if you want something quick and fun, like a thrilling movie full of car chases and intrigue.
Dead End Deal felt very cinematic to me. Many of the chase scenes read as if they could have been straight out of some movie starring Matt Damon, so if you’re into that sort of thing, you’ll probably enjoy this book. After what was initially a slow start for me, the plot picked up the pace and moved along quickly. Part of this was due to the short chapter structure of the narrative and the way it bounced back and forth between characters.
I appreciated Wyler’s background as a neurosurgeon, because it lend credence to his descriptions. The story and medical jargon was completely believable. I also really enjoyed that much of the story is set in Seoul, a place I know almost nothing about. We can see Ritter’s confusion at being chased by unknown villains in a place where he has no clue about the language or culture. What didn’t work for me as much was the relative lack of character development. I never felt like I really knew many of the characters intimately, and would have liked to have seen more done with the relationships between characters as well.
I had a lot of fun reading Dead End Deal. It’s a great book if you want something quick and fun, like a thrilling movie full of car chases and intrigue.
June 25, 2012
Jon Ritter has spent the last ten years working on stem cell research in the hopes to cure dementia. On night as he is leaving his office, two guys approach him. They demand that he stop his “baby killing” work. When a Jon’s mentor happens into the confrontation, he is shot and killed. The FBI gets called in because of recent activities from the Avengers group. This is a radical group that puts different doctors that are working on stem cells on their “hit list.” Jon was placed on the list two months prior.
Jon is in a panic and decides to accept an offer from Richard Stillman, leader at Trophozyme Corporation. Jon does not want to commercialize the cure, but feels there is no other way to continue trials, especially since they are on the verge of human trials. Jon strikes a deal with Richard to go to Korea and perform human trials with a scientist he worked with years before, Jin-Woo.
But Jon is not free to go on with the trials. Shortly after agreeing to work with Richard, he is attacked again. Then he is followed to Korea where things take a drastic turn for the worse. Now Jon needs to try to get back home, clear his name from the murder charges, and figure out who is trying to stop his work.
This was an interesting story. Here is this guy that is so driven to find a cure for dementia that he would leave the country and try to fly under the radar just to see it succeed. It’s amazing how fast things go wrong for him. There is great action and an interesting story. The running around reminds me of the Bourne stories.
The only thing that I noticed was the story seemed to drag in some parts. It felt like you had to keep repeating that portion of the story before it skipped on to the next step.
Beyond that, I thought it was a good story. If you like medical thrillers, you will really like this one. Now I’m going to have to read Allen’s other stories.
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
Jon is in a panic and decides to accept an offer from Richard Stillman, leader at Trophozyme Corporation. Jon does not want to commercialize the cure, but feels there is no other way to continue trials, especially since they are on the verge of human trials. Jon strikes a deal with Richard to go to Korea and perform human trials with a scientist he worked with years before, Jin-Woo.
But Jon is not free to go on with the trials. Shortly after agreeing to work with Richard, he is attacked again. Then he is followed to Korea where things take a drastic turn for the worse. Now Jon needs to try to get back home, clear his name from the murder charges, and figure out who is trying to stop his work.
This was an interesting story. Here is this guy that is so driven to find a cure for dementia that he would leave the country and try to fly under the radar just to see it succeed. It’s amazing how fast things go wrong for him. There is great action and an interesting story. The running around reminds me of the Bourne stories.
The only thing that I noticed was the story seemed to drag in some parts. It felt like you had to keep repeating that portion of the story before it skipped on to the next step.
Beyond that, I thought it was a good story. If you like medical thrillers, you will really like this one. Now I’m going to have to read Allen’s other stories.
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
June 9, 2012
Review:
Allen Wyler's fast-paced medical thriller, Dead End Deal, is full of excitement and danger! I found the book slow-to-start, but the pace quickened with feverish intensity as the clinical trials/testing began. I never knew what to expect, one minute Jon was trying to cure Alzheimer's disease, and the next he was running for his life! The character development was good, I enjoyed getting to know, and empathizing with, the characters. I found Jon's character very interesting, especially since he was a neurosurgeon just like the author. Wyler did an excellent job explaining medical content in an easy-to-read-and-understand manner. I am a science person, so I don't mind technical jargon, but I appreciate his ability to make the science more clear-cut and engaging - not too bulky. Overall, I enjoyed most of the book - the plot-line was surprisingly well-written and action-packed, but there were some aspects that I didn't like. I would have preferred a little more mystery, a couple of chapters in you already know who is up-to what and why, (no spoilers). I enjoy solving mysteries, not being spoon-fed the answers, however, there were a few twists that I wasn't expecting. I also disliked the descriptions of Korea, I thought that they could have been more detailed, they felt very rushed and did not give me a "feel" for the country. I will be reading Wyler's other medical thrillers - Dead Head and Deadly Errors, and hope to read more from him in the future! Recommended for fans of fast-paced medical thrillers with intriguing plot-lines.
Rating: Bounty's Out (3.5/5)
*** I received this book from the author (Astor + Blue Editions) in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
Allen Wyler's fast-paced medical thriller, Dead End Deal, is full of excitement and danger! I found the book slow-to-start, but the pace quickened with feverish intensity as the clinical trials/testing began. I never knew what to expect, one minute Jon was trying to cure Alzheimer's disease, and the next he was running for his life! The character development was good, I enjoyed getting to know, and empathizing with, the characters. I found Jon's character very interesting, especially since he was a neurosurgeon just like the author. Wyler did an excellent job explaining medical content in an easy-to-read-and-understand manner. I am a science person, so I don't mind technical jargon, but I appreciate his ability to make the science more clear-cut and engaging - not too bulky. Overall, I enjoyed most of the book - the plot-line was surprisingly well-written and action-packed, but there were some aspects that I didn't like. I would have preferred a little more mystery, a couple of chapters in you already know who is up-to what and why, (no spoilers). I enjoy solving mysteries, not being spoon-fed the answers, however, there were a few twists that I wasn't expecting. I also disliked the descriptions of Korea, I thought that they could have been more detailed, they felt very rushed and did not give me a "feel" for the country. I will be reading Wyler's other medical thrillers - Dead Head and Deadly Errors, and hope to read more from him in the future! Recommended for fans of fast-paced medical thrillers with intriguing plot-lines.
Rating: Bounty's Out (3.5/5)
*** I received this book from the author (Astor + Blue Editions) in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
August 17, 2012
My Summary: Jon Ritter is about to do something others have only dreamed about: discover the cure for Alzheimer's. Hoping to save his grandmother - and if he has inherited the gene, himself - Jon works day and night to cure this horrible disease, turning down promotions and raises just to keep his work from falling into the wrong hands.
After discovering the death of his mentor is linked to a man trying to get him to hand over the cure, Ritter doesn't know where to turn or who to trust. And when he finds himself in a foreign land, he knows he will be fighting for more than just his cure - he'll be fighting for his life.
My Thoughts: Woah. Just... woah. I was blown away by this novel in a way that I can't even fully describe. Jon Ritter was a great protagonist; I loved the way he always seemed to be one step ahead of the bad guys. What really struck me was the way the author managed to pull me into the story so much that he made me feel trapped in South Korea, just as Ritter was.
I also loved how the theme of greed and its consequences resounded so strongly in this novel. We realize how far the greed of others may stretch, and just how much we are affected by the greed of those in positions of power. It really makes you wonder... what other diseases have cures being held back because of the greed of others? Considering how much money the pharmaceutical industry rakes in every year, I'd say there's a lot we don't know about what goes on behind the scenes.
Final Thoughts: I definitely recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys thrillers and fast-paced mystery and suspense novels.
After discovering the death of his mentor is linked to a man trying to get him to hand over the cure, Ritter doesn't know where to turn or who to trust. And when he finds himself in a foreign land, he knows he will be fighting for more than just his cure - he'll be fighting for his life.
My Thoughts: Woah. Just... woah. I was blown away by this novel in a way that I can't even fully describe. Jon Ritter was a great protagonist; I loved the way he always seemed to be one step ahead of the bad guys. What really struck me was the way the author managed to pull me into the story so much that he made me feel trapped in South Korea, just as Ritter was.
I also loved how the theme of greed and its consequences resounded so strongly in this novel. We realize how far the greed of others may stretch, and just how much we are affected by the greed of those in positions of power. It really makes you wonder... what other diseases have cures being held back because of the greed of others? Considering how much money the pharmaceutical industry rakes in every year, I'd say there's a lot we don't know about what goes on behind the scenes.
Final Thoughts: I definitely recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys thrillers and fast-paced mystery and suspense novels.
August 22, 2012
What if you were able to discover the cure for a horrible disease that affects so many people around the world, a cure for Alzheimer’s? That is exactly what Jon Ritter is about to do, however, there are those that will stop at nothing to prevent that from happening. His motivation to do so stems from trying to cure his grandmother. He also fears that he himself may have inherited the disease, and that someday it may kick in.
He soon discovers that the death of his colleague and close friend was no accident and it was linked to his medical research on finding the cure. Now, he is doing everything that he can to keep his research from falling into the wrong hands, and trying to keep himself alive…
I previously read Dead Ringer by Allen Wyller and I enjoyed it so much that when I was asked to review Dead End Deal, I immediately jumped at the opportunity! I am so pleased that I did as Dead End Deal is definitely one of my favorite books of the year!
My favorite aspect of the novel was the premise itself. The author incorporates many emotions into the novel as well as the themes of greed and power, keeping the story very realistic. Jon Ritter was a cleaver character, who was always one step ahead from those that were hunting him down.
I was engrossed by the story right from the very first page. Dead End Deal is fast-paced and action-packed, and will keep readers in suspense until the very end. Allen Wyller is a brilliant Medical Thriller novelist, whose work I can’t wait to read more of.
I definitely recommend this Dead End Deal, Suspense and Thriller book lovers won’t want to miss this!
Must Read! Highly Recommended!
He soon discovers that the death of his colleague and close friend was no accident and it was linked to his medical research on finding the cure. Now, he is doing everything that he can to keep his research from falling into the wrong hands, and trying to keep himself alive…
I previously read Dead Ringer by Allen Wyller and I enjoyed it so much that when I was asked to review Dead End Deal, I immediately jumped at the opportunity! I am so pleased that I did as Dead End Deal is definitely one of my favorite books of the year!
My favorite aspect of the novel was the premise itself. The author incorporates many emotions into the novel as well as the themes of greed and power, keeping the story very realistic. Jon Ritter was a cleaver character, who was always one step ahead from those that were hunting him down.
I was engrossed by the story right from the very first page. Dead End Deal is fast-paced and action-packed, and will keep readers in suspense until the very end. Allen Wyller is a brilliant Medical Thriller novelist, whose work I can’t wait to read more of.
I definitely recommend this Dead End Deal, Suspense and Thriller book lovers won’t want to miss this!
Must Read! Highly Recommended!
January 7, 2015
Dead End Deal takes readers on a wild ride that spans spans two continents and leaves a wake of death and corruption in its path.
Jon Ritter is a talented neurosurgeon on the brink of a medical breakthrough that may help patients suffering form Alzheimer's. Acting out of greed, Richard Stillman has his henchman murder Jon's mentor as well as threaten Jon's life if he continues the stem cell study. Stillman's motive? He wants the research information for himself. Jon believes the murder and threat to be the work of a group known as the Avengers and vows to continue his research at all costs. To protect his colleagues, Jon heads to Korea in hopes of escaping the Avenger's wrath and finally transplanting stem cells in to humans, but Richard Stillman is following his every move. When the trial patients are murdered, Jon becomes the prime suspect and all heck breaks lose. With an international manhunt underway, Jon's fate hangs in limbo and the conniving Stillman may finally get his hands on Jon's priceless research. Will the authorities uncover the truth before it's too late?
This fast paced thriller is filled with unforeseen twists and lots of action which easily keeps readers on edge until the end. The author's vast knowledge of the medical field is evident and adds to the story's credibility. Jon is a likable character and it's easy to respect his mission. I even found myself giving him advice like don't go in that room or take the early flight, in hopes of protecting him, even though he never seemed to listen. Dead End Deal is definitely worth checking out.
I recommend picking up a copy.
Jon Ritter is a talented neurosurgeon on the brink of a medical breakthrough that may help patients suffering form Alzheimer's. Acting out of greed, Richard Stillman has his henchman murder Jon's mentor as well as threaten Jon's life if he continues the stem cell study. Stillman's motive? He wants the research information for himself. Jon believes the murder and threat to be the work of a group known as the Avengers and vows to continue his research at all costs. To protect his colleagues, Jon heads to Korea in hopes of escaping the Avenger's wrath and finally transplanting stem cells in to humans, but Richard Stillman is following his every move. When the trial patients are murdered, Jon becomes the prime suspect and all heck breaks lose. With an international manhunt underway, Jon's fate hangs in limbo and the conniving Stillman may finally get his hands on Jon's priceless research. Will the authorities uncover the truth before it's too late?
This fast paced thriller is filled with unforeseen twists and lots of action which easily keeps readers on edge until the end. The author's vast knowledge of the medical field is evident and adds to the story's credibility. Jon is a likable character and it's easy to respect his mission. I even found myself giving him advice like don't go in that room or take the early flight, in hopes of protecting him, even though he never seemed to listen. Dead End Deal is definitely worth checking out.
I recommend picking up a copy.
August 7, 2012
From my blog
Great fast paced thriller. This was a run for your life before getting "Locked Up Abroad" thriller. Allen Wyler is a Neurosurgeon turned author and it comes across with a genuine feel of medical details while still keeping the reader engaged and on the edge of their seats. The main character Jon is also a Neurosurgeon so we get true technical details.
Jon has been doing research for ten years, waiting to test in order to find a cure for Alzheimer's. A personal decision as his grandmother died with Alzheimer's. After receiving the grant, then it being pulled from under him he couldn't accept 10 years being for naught and found a way to continue. This decision almost cost him his life.
The beginning of the book was a good setup of characters and manipulation. Almost exactly half way the run for his life began and wow, what a race until the end of the book. Who can you trust? I did think Jon should have figured out who was behind it all but when it is a matter of life and death how can you think straight. I enjoyed the fact that everyone thought they were in control not realising continuous obstacles.
This thriller was more about the race from Korea back to US without being caught and killed by the man trailing him. The research and surgeries were the background story.
I definitely recommend this one. I look forward to reading more from Allen Wyler.
Great fast paced thriller. This was a run for your life before getting "Locked Up Abroad" thriller. Allen Wyler is a Neurosurgeon turned author and it comes across with a genuine feel of medical details while still keeping the reader engaged and on the edge of their seats. The main character Jon is also a Neurosurgeon so we get true technical details.
Jon has been doing research for ten years, waiting to test in order to find a cure for Alzheimer's. A personal decision as his grandmother died with Alzheimer's. After receiving the grant, then it being pulled from under him he couldn't accept 10 years being for naught and found a way to continue. This decision almost cost him his life.
The beginning of the book was a good setup of characters and manipulation. Almost exactly half way the run for his life began and wow, what a race until the end of the book. Who can you trust? I did think Jon should have figured out who was behind it all but when it is a matter of life and death how can you think straight. I enjoyed the fact that everyone thought they were in control not realising continuous obstacles.
This thriller was more about the race from Korea back to US without being caught and killed by the man trailing him. The research and surgeries were the background story.
I definitely recommend this one. I look forward to reading more from Allen Wyler.
September 4, 2012
Originally posted at: http://lasrmystery.blogspot.com/2012/...
He might not have done it, but the price for clearing his name is his life.
I love a good thriller book. One that takes me on a ride and won't let go until the last page. Allen Wyler has created one of those stories. The writing is tight and I couldn't put the book down. I had to know what would happen next. How was Jon going to clear his name and come out alive? Yeah, it had me in the clinch.
Wyler knows his stuff. I read in the bio on the back that he's a neurosurgeon, so the medical terminology and usage is credible. I didn't get lost in the jargon. There's the trials--get rid of Alzheimer's with non-stem cells. Talk about heady--pardon the pun--stuff. I liked that the story moved quickly. Yes, there were moments early on where it dragged, but once the danger ramped up, the story did too. I could relate to Jon in that he's trying to do good in the world but because of back biting and warfare within the pharmaceutical world, any progress is stunted. The storyline made me see the medical world in a new light.
The antagonist is deliciously devious. Protect the company at all costs. It plays out like a movie and I rather enjoyed that.
If you want a thriller that's in the league of Turow and Grisham, this might be the book for you.
He might not have done it, but the price for clearing his name is his life.
I love a good thriller book. One that takes me on a ride and won't let go until the last page. Allen Wyler has created one of those stories. The writing is tight and I couldn't put the book down. I had to know what would happen next. How was Jon going to clear his name and come out alive? Yeah, it had me in the clinch.
Wyler knows his stuff. I read in the bio on the back that he's a neurosurgeon, so the medical terminology and usage is credible. I didn't get lost in the jargon. There's the trials--get rid of Alzheimer's with non-stem cells. Talk about heady--pardon the pun--stuff. I liked that the story moved quickly. Yes, there were moments early on where it dragged, but once the danger ramped up, the story did too. I could relate to Jon in that he's trying to do good in the world but because of back biting and warfare within the pharmaceutical world, any progress is stunted. The storyline made me see the medical world in a new light.
The antagonist is deliciously devious. Protect the company at all costs. It plays out like a movie and I rather enjoyed that.
If you want a thriller that's in the league of Turow and Grisham, this might be the book for you.
May 25, 2012
This book was a great deal of fun. I'm a sucker for procedurals, have been ever since I picked up my first Patricia Cornwell, but this one was unique for me: A medical thriller. I haven't read many (some Robin Cook and a couple others I can't remember) but decided to give it a try; I was not disappointed at all. The book / action was so fast paced I didn't even notice I was picking up all the technical medical details. (I didn't get lost in them either.)
The foundation of the story was quite smart, a doctor developing a surgical cure for Alzheimer's Disease (and inevitably pissing off the wrong people). I dug deeper and found out that the procedure described in the book is theoretically a plausible cure, and the author Allen Wyler (himself a neurosurgeon) is writing from experience. At any rate, very intelligent in that regard, and mixed in with plenty of action in the plot. The international locations are well done also, I felt I was brought there adequately. This is a great, fast and enjoyable read, just as good as any of the Robin Cook's I've read. I'm looking forward to more of Wyler's thrillers.
The foundation of the story was quite smart, a doctor developing a surgical cure for Alzheimer's Disease (and inevitably pissing off the wrong people). I dug deeper and found out that the procedure described in the book is theoretically a plausible cure, and the author Allen Wyler (himself a neurosurgeon) is writing from experience. At any rate, very intelligent in that regard, and mixed in with plenty of action in the plot. The international locations are well done also, I felt I was brought there adequately. This is a great, fast and enjoyable read, just as good as any of the Robin Cook's I've read. I'm looking forward to more of Wyler's thrillers.
August 23, 2013
Alzheimer's Disease is something we all joke about and dread at the same time Dr.Jon Ritter believes he has found a cure using Deep Brain Stimulation. There's just one problem: he's out of funding and the FDA won't approve human trials. Ritter thinks fortune has shined upon him when he is approached by someone who will provide the funding for him to conduct his trials under-the-table in South Korea. What Ritter doesn't know is that his benefactor desires the cure for himself and intends to steal it from Ritter at any cost. Ritter becomes a pawn in a game of cat-and-mouse where nothing is what it seems.
Dead End Deal by Allen Wyler will keep the reader on the edge of his seat waiting to see what happens next. Wyler has crafted a protagonist who will go to any length to help prevent suffering, even if it means bending the rules. The antagonist is sufficiently devious so as to appear trustworthy while hiding his dark side. In short, this novel contains all the elements of a great story by a talented author. While this is my first Wyler novel, it certainly won't be my last. This book definitely rates 4/5 stars.
Dead End Deal by Allen Wyler will keep the reader on the edge of his seat waiting to see what happens next. Wyler has crafted a protagonist who will go to any length to help prevent suffering, even if it means bending the rules. The antagonist is sufficiently devious so as to appear trustworthy while hiding his dark side. In short, this novel contains all the elements of a great story by a talented author. While this is my first Wyler novel, it certainly won't be my last. This book definitely rates 4/5 stars.
Read
September 13, 2016no stars, have read better
July 10, 2012
This is complicated and political book. There are lots of things happening in an unending fast-paced adventure. Some of the things that happen seem ridiculous and a bit unbelievable, for it makes for an exciting read.
My favourite part of the book was Jon's attempts to escape Seoul. It was scary and encompassed a traveller's worst nightmare. Jon showed a great resourcefulness that made had resulted in a negative image for border security in multiple countries. It makes me wonder if his antics are doable, although I certainly have no intention of trying them.
The bad guys were both believable. Feist was the real villain, greedy and ruthless with questionable morals. He was a twisted sociopath that truly reveals evil. Stillman was such a phony jerk that I couldn't stand him. His fake homeboy act was ridiculous and annoying.
Overall, I enjoyed the adventure of the story, but didn't appreciate the political side. Jon's experiments have a very controversial side to them that I didn't think fit with most of the book. It made the book more complicated than I expected or enjoyed.
My favourite part of the book was Jon's attempts to escape Seoul. It was scary and encompassed a traveller's worst nightmare. Jon showed a great resourcefulness that made had resulted in a negative image for border security in multiple countries. It makes me wonder if his antics are doable, although I certainly have no intention of trying them.
The bad guys were both believable. Feist was the real villain, greedy and ruthless with questionable morals. He was a twisted sociopath that truly reveals evil. Stillman was such a phony jerk that I couldn't stand him. His fake homeboy act was ridiculous and annoying.
Overall, I enjoyed the adventure of the story, but didn't appreciate the political side. Jon's experiments have a very controversial side to them that I didn't think fit with most of the book. It made the book more complicated than I expected or enjoyed.
October 13, 2013
If you love enthalling medical thrillers, this is one for you. In Allen Wyler's Dead End Deal, this take you all over the place. Jon Ritter is a surgeon who's working on a cure for Alzheimer's from stem cells. When his mentor's killed, a group of anti-abortion protesters marked him as a target and posted his profile on the website. And since then, they wanted him to kill the deal or else. When the FBI's involved into this case, they encouraged him to do the same thing. We'll see what Jon decides to do in his point of view from start to finish, when his life's on the line. Jon's determined to get the exploratory surgery down elsewhere, it takes him to South Korea, when thing go wrong. This also takes him to get back home to prove his innocence and clear his name. This fast-paced thriller is like a roller coaster ride you'll enjoy.
August 24, 2014
Audiobook Review
1 Star
Read by Steve Baker
This is a prime example of narration killing the story. I stopped reading about a third of the way through. I don't know whether Baker, who is an experience narrator, did a cold read on this one or what the deal was, but mispronunciations abound and not just with the scientific terms. There is absolutely no change in voice tone from one character to another. He mutilates the dialogue with Nigel Fiest, an Australian bad guy, by first giving him no accent, then later trying to affect an accent. Monotones except where there's a two word exclamation.
This might be a good story (although from what I gathered from my partial reading, it was pretty ridiculous), but Author Beware: Narrators can put out the light in your stars.
1 Star
Read by Steve Baker
This is a prime example of narration killing the story. I stopped reading about a third of the way through. I don't know whether Baker, who is an experience narrator, did a cold read on this one or what the deal was, but mispronunciations abound and not just with the scientific terms. There is absolutely no change in voice tone from one character to another. He mutilates the dialogue with Nigel Fiest, an Australian bad guy, by first giving him no accent, then later trying to affect an accent. Monotones except where there's a two word exclamation.
This might be a good story (although from what I gathered from my partial reading, it was pretty ridiculous), but Author Beware: Narrators can put out the light in your stars.
May 21, 2012
Review Copy Provided By Publisher
Full review can be found on my blog
Overall, I gave this 3.5 stars on my blog, but rounding it down to 3 on Goodreads. I liked the concept of the book, and it was obvious from the writing that the author had intimate knowledge of the subject. he was able to convey what could be very complicated subject matter into something that was easy to read and intriguing. I liked the twists and turns, some of them I saw coming and others I didn't. Will def. be reading more by this author in the future
Full review can be found on my blog
Overall, I gave this 3.5 stars on my blog, but rounding it down to 3 on Goodreads. I liked the concept of the book, and it was obvious from the writing that the author had intimate knowledge of the subject. he was able to convey what could be very complicated subject matter into something that was easy to read and intriguing. I liked the twists and turns, some of them I saw coming and others I didn't. Will def. be reading more by this author in the future
July 2, 2012
I'm not much of a thriller fan but I really enjoyed this book. It was fast paced with twists and turns but still very believable. Kept my interest through-out. Guess that's the aim of a thriller right???
Read
February 24, 2014Overall the book was ok............but it reminded me of "Indiana Jones". There was one sentence in the book when Dr. Ritter states he "couldn't figure out how to calculate degrees celcius to farenheit,if he is a doctor why not?
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