Minutes to Burn

by Gregg Hurwitz

The scientific charge of The Hot Zone and the epic thrill of Jurassic Park converge in Minutes to Burn--an exhilarating new eco-thriller about a team of scientists and Navy SEALs stranded on an island in the Galapagos and fighting to survive an evolutionary catastrophe.

The year is 2007. Through widening holes of ozone depletion, the tropical sun burns human skin to a crisp. Powerful earthquakes and monstrous hurricanes wrack South America, exploding Ecuador's already anarchic instability.

Cameron Kates, a hard-hitting Navy SEAL hiding the secret of her early pregnancy, gets pulled begrudgingly into a mission with her husband, Justin. Along with a ragtag squad of soldiers, ordered on this babysitting mission against their will, she must escort Dr. Rex Williams, a renowned ecotectonicist, to the chaotic continent. Rex is forced to brave the extreme and unprecedented dangers of such an expedition for one reason alone--so that he can position critical seismic equipment on Sangre de Dios, a desolate and depopulated island in the Galapagos. Others have recently vanished from the island without a trace.

Cameron's platoonmates--a crackpot demolition expert, a chief who wears her brawn over her considerable intelligence, an unhinged lieutenant recovering from a personal tragedy--are an erratic but expert crew. Yet ultimately it is the newcomer, William Savage, a brooding Vietnam vet with raging warrior instincts, from whom Cameron must learn when the straightforward mission escalates into a battle for survival.

In the forest of the island awaits a scientific phenomenon the likes of which man has never witnessed. As the stunned scientists and soldiers furiously unravel the threads of the ecological mystery they've encountered, they discover that they're trapped within a lethal, predatory battle where only the fittest survive. And the fate of the world is hanging in the balance.

A riveting and spine-tingling thriller, Minutes to Burn takes you on a terrifying, unforgettable expedition through an ecological disaster in the not-too-distant future. This of-the-moment story of daring and terror in Darwin's backyard is one of today's most compelling and unrelenting reads.

Genres: Thriller, Fiction, Mystery, Suspense, Science Fiction, Horror, Ebooks

496 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published July 24, 2001

About the author

Gregg Hurwitz is the critically acclaimed, New York Times and internationally bestselling author of 20 novels, including OUT OF THE DARK (2019). His novels have been shortlisted for numerous literary awards, graced top ten lists, and have been published in 30 languages.

He is also a New York Times Bestselling comic book writer, having penned stories for Marvel (Wolverine, Punisher) and DC (Batman, Penguin). Additionally, he’s written screenplays for or sold spec scripts to many of the major studios, and written, developed, and produced television for various networks. Gregg resides in Los Angeles.

Reviews

[Glen · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the futuristic year of 2007, after the ozone layer is gone, a military unit escorts a seismologist to an obscure island, where they meet an apex predator.

Not too bad, but I never really bought into the premise.

[Gerry Bartlett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked this old book up at a used book store. Because I've been hooked on Hurwitz lately and couldn't find it anywhere else. His thrillers are so good I can't put them down. This one was pretty brutal and really into the ecological thing. I had to admit I skimmed some of the scientific stuff. But that's just me. Some people might enjoy those details. The earth is suffering from lots of seismic activity and the Galapagos Islands seem to be the center of the problem. Then a virus appears. We jump from different places and points of view but the main scenes are from the squad of soldiers sent to the island to protect a scientist who is going to set up equipment down there. But wait till you see what's waiting for him. A creature. And there's a ticking clock. We're most concerned for Cameron, one of the two female soldiers, who is pregnant. I really worried about her. Anyway, no spoilers. If you like nail biting action, but don't mind some really gruesome violence, this book's for you. It is graphic. Some of it disgusting. I just tried to skim some of that too. I'm a wuss. But the characters keep you engaged.

[Albóndiga Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tengo que confesaros que no hay nada que me guste más para desestresar neurona que una historia de bicho grande malo y feo que se come todo lo que pilla por banda, y mejor aún si es a un puñado de marines o cuerpo de élite similar, tan machotes y preparados ellos...

Este tecno-thriller encaja justo en ese perfil, aventura trepidante en la que no descansas ni un momento, con una criatura interesante, que es lo mejor del libro, y sin mayores pretensiones.

Vamos, lectura de entretenimiento puro y duro sin ínfulas literarias.

Le doy un 4 sobre 5 porque me lo he pasado pipa.

[Brad · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is more thriller than horror or sci-fi, but there were some elements that allowed me to tag the book thusly. This book reminded me of Fragment in a few ways (and Jurassic Park, though there are no dinosaurs here), and is an exciting survival read about man versus nature. It did feel a little long, but I liked it nonetheless.

The science was actually pretty good, and isn't really watered down or explained in depth (which is probably a good thing). But it's nice to know what the scientists were doing and why.

I've liked both books that I've read by Hurwitz, and will continue to read his other stuff.

Rating: R, for strong language, violence, and some sexuality.

[Andrea · Rating 2 out of 5]

Part Jurassic Park, part military, part science - not a bad read. Actually kind of cool how much of the biology/sci-speak I could understand - guess all those years of bio really did pay off. Picked this up just because it takes place on the Galapagos...but now I'm a bit freaked about going there....

[Sabrina S · Rating 4 out of 5]

Crazy Sci-fi story!

[Dave Edlund · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the future, two scientists are accompanied by a team of Navy SEALs to position critical tectonic equipment on a deserted island in the Galapagos and find themselves immersed in a brutal war for survival that could determine the fate of the world.

Not much of a back-cover blurb, but enough to entice my interest. That and I’ve wanted to read something from Mr. Hurwitz—this is my first reading of his work.

First, the writing is fantastic, with words painting wonderfully rich and detailed images in the reader’s mind. And his characters are both complete and interesting. That’s the good part, and perhaps in itself enough reason to read Minutes to Burn.

However, I’m a man of action, and I want that in the stories I read. Disappointingly, the pace did not pick up until halfway through the novel. The first half of the book was filled with character introductions and a back and forth squabbling that reminded me more of a television soap opera than a decent thriller.

I was pleased when the action did pick up and the choreography was decent. My main criticisms of Minutes to Burn are that the premise is totally unbelievable (example, a 55-year-old former Vietnam vet is recruited from jail to join this SEAL platoon, itself a collection of dysfunctional soldiers), and too often the female protagonists (who are supposed to be battle-proven SEALs) fall into the trope of weak damsel in distress—screaming, falling over their feet, and frozen in fear. Really? Three stars.

[Elaine Jackson · Rating 3 out of 5]

My least favorite Hurwitz book. Scott Brick made it bearable, even though I know it was exhausting for him.

[Kerry Denney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book! I've been a fan of Mr. Hurwitz ever since "Do No Harm" and "The Tower", and "Minutes to Burn" put him at the top of my must-read authors list. I love his Tim Rackley novels as well, especially "The Program", which was totally kick-ass. "Minutes to Burn" is an intense, emotionally evocative, and action-packed novel which easily pulled me into the characters' lives and adventures, and drew me into the story so well that the words disappeared, and I was totally "there" in all the scenes. Great climax and wrap-up, with an especially poignant surprise at the conclusion. Classy, high-adventure concept and story. I eagerly look forward to all his future works. Highly recommended.

Kerry Alan Denney, multiple award-winning author of SOULSNATCHER

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my new favorite authors! Trying to avoid spoilers, this is a Jurassic Park on steroids. I couldn't have imagined where this was going, which makes it a 5-star in my world! The characters were a little... hm... stereotypical, except when they "broke character" and became more human. I loved them all!

There is some sex, and a lot of "rough" language, but in my opinion both were appropriate and natural.

I can't wait to read his other novels, and am eagerly awaiting more of the "Nowhere Man" series!!!

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even though the writing was incredible and it was like watching a movie in my mind it really upset me about the animals dying and animals killing each other I know it’s just a story but my heart breaks for all sorts of animals I guess. I even cried during Jurassic Park and I know dinosaurs don’t exist.

[D. Norman · Rating 2 out of 5]

Overly long. I felt the narrative drive, which was pretty good in most places, was constantly interrupted with unnecessary wandering. I came close to putting it down a couple of times. Now that I've finished I'm not sure why I continued. The science was interesting.

[Nadja · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not one of his best but enjoyable. Can tell he was a young writer at the time and hadn't polished his craft yet. However, despite a predictable ending, not bad for his first foray into a "creature" thriller.

[Bgrayyoung · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was Jurasic Park meets Alien meets Ten Little Indians (and then there were 9, then 8 etc). It was awful :(

[Jaime · Rating 3 out of 5]

Should have been shorter

[Michael L Wilkerson (Papa Gray Wolf) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not my favorite Hurwitz work. It took me forever to get into it though when I did, I was really into it.

Why some producer hasn't grabbed the screen rights I'll never know. This would make a great horror film; maybe even better than the book with the right director and cast. It's got monsters, it's got a heroine, it's got Navy Seals fighting (and dying). The only problem is the slow first half, or maybe two thirds.

But oh well.

So I'm fed up with Hurwitz because of this book? NOT ON YOUR LIFE!

Mr. Hurwitz is one of my favorite authors. That's a very select group of, say, 40? 50?

This story really did have it all. Besides the aforementioned Seals, there are beautiful animals, wild haired scientists (but we love Samantha anyway) (you'll have to READ THE BOOK to understand that), mean spirited senior military officers, pregnant women, bad - but not really, Seals and so much more.

So throw some popcorn in the microwave, brew a little toddy for the body and sit back and enjoy this. . . oh. . . it's a book, not a movie.

Four stars; because the latter part really did make up for the first part. And that's hard to do. But Gregg Hurwitz did it and that's but one reason he's still among that select company.

[Michael Travis · Rating 3 out of 5]

I burned too many minutes entrenched on this one. Well detailed stories usually are a big benefit but the exhausting details provided in this book went far-flung beyond what was needed. Furthermore, fiction readers understand that sometimes the characters of a story are going to have some special skills, or the ability to have as many lives as a cat, but in this story the ability to survive was of epic proportions.

[Debby Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was basically the movie Aliens set in the Galapagos Islands. There were highly trained confident soliders against a creature, mother/child themes, "Game Over, Man!" moments, and a female protagonist. There was also a Jaws-like scar comparing scene. But it wasn't derivative.

This was a very pleasant diversion on a long, long drive. And I'd listen to Scott Brick read his grocery shopping list.

[Vermillion · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’ve no idea why the author chose to sully the name of the U. S. Navy Seals with a group of individuals who would have washed out of basic boot camp. They’re more like Girl Scouts with attitude. It was offensive to me to think of such an elite fighting force reduced to this group.What’s next drag queens?

[Wenzel Roessler · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author sure does a good job with action scenes and setting up a very interesting premise. He can also turn a very well written phrase. My issue was with how the characters, despite being well written, acted and interacted.

[Donna Vaal · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I found out, this was a monster book and because the beginning was a little slow for me, I almost stopped reading it. I’m glad I didn’t. Once I got past being introduced to all the characters and they make it to the island,its unput-downable

[Jerry King · Rating 4 out of 5]

2001

[Vito Serafino · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reminded of Predator!!

[Ibs000 · Rating 2 out of 5]

I loved the orphan x series and was hoping for the same dramatic book writing, but I just couldn't get into the book.

[Cecil Wells · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic attention to detail!

[Jane · Rating 2 out of 5]

scientific bits were interesting.

[Barry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Sci-fi from agent x author.

[Charmaine]

DNF

[Jeff Miller · Rating 2 out of 5]

As good as the X series’s is, this is as bad. Catch up on Evan and leave this to burn. Contrived and annoying is all I can say

[Brian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Predator meets outbreak