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Disease X
A plane carrying a Russian biochemist crashes in the Alaskan wilderness with no survivors.
A dying billionaire launches a final fight against death amid whispers of a now defunct military bioweapon: Project Snowcap.
The world's leading CRISPR virologist, Doctor Elijah Vance, hovers on the edge of a breakthrough that will alter humanity at its most fundamental level.
And in a remote village in Mexico, an unknown disease is spreading.
Following the death of his missionary parents to an ebola outbreak when he was a young child, Eli has dedicated his life to finding a cure for all viruses. Drafted onto the WHO Fast Response Team sent to lock down a possible outbreak in Mexico, he realizes that this is the big one they've been waiting for. Disease X: the unknown pathogen with the potential to destroy mankind.
It's a battle of man against virus. And we're losing. As the deaths mount and civilization breaks down, the team must race against the clock to connect the clues and uncover patient zero. But Eli is unprepared for the shocking secrets he exposes when the truth is finally revealed.
A dying billionaire launches a final fight against death amid whispers of a now defunct military bioweapon: Project Snowcap.
The world's leading CRISPR virologist, Doctor Elijah Vance, hovers on the edge of a breakthrough that will alter humanity at its most fundamental level.
And in a remote village in Mexico, an unknown disease is spreading.
Following the death of his missionary parents to an ebola outbreak when he was a young child, Eli has dedicated his life to finding a cure for all viruses. Drafted onto the WHO Fast Response Team sent to lock down a possible outbreak in Mexico, he realizes that this is the big one they've been waiting for. Disease X: the unknown pathogen with the potential to destroy mankind.
It's a battle of man against virus. And we're losing. As the deaths mount and civilization breaks down, the team must race against the clock to connect the clues and uncover patient zero. But Eli is unprepared for the shocking secrets he exposes when the truth is finally revealed.
Audiobook
First published January 6, 2020
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About the author
N.J. Croft
11 books53 followersAfter a number of years wandering the world in search of adventure, N.J. Croft finally settled on a farm in the mountains and now lives off-grid, growing almonds, drinking cold beer, taking in stray dogs, and writing stories where the stakes are huge and absolutely anything can happen.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
May 12, 2020
At a time when it seems the world has been turned on its head, it is sometimes fun to read a book that encapsulates a similar pandemic feel. N.J. Croft released this book just before widespread public knowledge came out about COVID-19, with some eerie, loose parallels—though nothing like those in Dean Koontz’s The Eyes of Darkness. Dr. Elijah ‘Eli’ Vance is a virologist working at Johns Hopkins, happy to be in a lab and trying to work through many a challenging study. When he is called upon by the World Health Organisation (WHO) to fly down and investigate an issue in Mexico, Vance is forced out of his comfort zone. Vance and a team of highly trained scientists across numerous fields make their way to the zone, accompanied by US Army Captain Riley Hawkins. While Vance gets acclimated to the region, he discovers an odd, flu-like illness has taken hold in a small village. The symptoms may be mild, but someone with some clout obviously thought it was something. Unable to pinpoint what it could be, Vance and the team begin taking tests to determine the voracity of this illness. What begins as a mild irritant soon turns deadly, as people showing symptoms are dead within two days. Putting fluid samples under the microscope, Vance discovers that this is not bacterial, but also no virus he’s encountered before. All this pushes him into a spiral of flashbacks to his childhood, when a strain of Ebola wiped out his family while on a mission in Africa. Vance tries to pull it together, acting as a teacher for the curious Captain Hawkins, as they become closer on many levels. With a mortality rate of 100 percent, Vance is able to determine that the virus has been contained within the hot-zone, though there may be ties to a bat bite, leaving him to wonder about a rabies strain. He’s ready to return to Washington and try to work out the specifics of what’s been going on, hoping to work on stronger ties with Hawkins, who seems to have taken quite the liking to him. Unbeknownst to everyone, a handful of tourists, who were in the hot-zone for a day or two, have made their way to Mexico City and are returning home around the world. With this comes the spread of this mystery, as other health officials sound the alarm. As Vance collects data from Japan and within the continental United States, he’s alerted to a high-level secret. What does the US Military know that they are not sharing and how does this mystery disease tie-in to a plane crash in Alaska a decade before? All this comes to the surface, as Dr. Eli Vance is juggling unknowns in this high-impact thriller. Another winner by N.J. Croft, who seems almost prophetic in their writing of a pandemics in the 21st century. Recommended to those who like medical thrillers of a sort, as well as the reader who enjoys something with a chill factor during their isolation reading time.
I stumbled upon N.J. Croft a while back when a fellow reviewer on Goodreads was writing about two other books the author has recently released. While those were steeped in history, this book slid its way onto the Amazon site as well, not yet revealed as being the ‘perfect book to scare the crap out of people already worried with COVID-19 news’. Croft develops this story with ease, unknowingly helping the curious reader to better understand some of the more scientific side to virus testing and its spread. Dr. Eli Vance serves as the protagonist in this piece and is ready to represent. He is the scientific eye of the piece, serving to educate the reader through his discussions and actions, while also baffled by what he’s seeing in this evolving pandemic. His harsh exterior is a shell for the vulnerability that he has seen and the reader can surely understand what brought him to work so hard to find answers when no one else is able to do so. There is a handful of other characters who complement Vance throughout, bringing their expertise—or naïveté, in the case of Captain Riley Hawkins—to the story and help educate the reader as well. The dialogue and interactions serve as a more energetic means of passing along needed information to the reader, where the subject matter is something dense but surely important for the layperson to follow the thread of the narrative. With strong writing and a keen eye for the hook to keep the reader pushing forward, N.J. Croft does well to mix action and education throughout, as things get intense with the development of this pandemic. The reader is treated to some medical thrills, as well as a conspiracy that could only come with a country keen to play god, which adds depth and intrigue to what is already a very exciting read. A mix of chapter lengths, alongside relatable characters, leaves the reader wanting to know more and able to get lost in the story without things getting too clunky. Croft has done their research, providing the reader with the needed scientific elements to understand what is going on, without getting too ‘academic journal’-ish in doing so, all while making things seem highly plausible (more so now, as many people are in COVID quarantine or were not too long ago). A great find that helped me better understand what’s going on (as well as the conspiracies that no one is talking about).
Kudos, N.J. Croft, for this stunning read. I hope others take the time to check this one out, without getting too conspiratorial about its plot as they compare it to the news about COVID-19. Leave that to the aforementioned Nostradamus Dean Koontz and his novel!
This book adds to the Topic #7: Catastrophe selections of the Equinox #10 reading challenge.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
I stumbled upon N.J. Croft a while back when a fellow reviewer on Goodreads was writing about two other books the author has recently released. While those were steeped in history, this book slid its way onto the Amazon site as well, not yet revealed as being the ‘perfect book to scare the crap out of people already worried with COVID-19 news’. Croft develops this story with ease, unknowingly helping the curious reader to better understand some of the more scientific side to virus testing and its spread. Dr. Eli Vance serves as the protagonist in this piece and is ready to represent. He is the scientific eye of the piece, serving to educate the reader through his discussions and actions, while also baffled by what he’s seeing in this evolving pandemic. His harsh exterior is a shell for the vulnerability that he has seen and the reader can surely understand what brought him to work so hard to find answers when no one else is able to do so. There is a handful of other characters who complement Vance throughout, bringing their expertise—or naïveté, in the case of Captain Riley Hawkins—to the story and help educate the reader as well. The dialogue and interactions serve as a more energetic means of passing along needed information to the reader, where the subject matter is something dense but surely important for the layperson to follow the thread of the narrative. With strong writing and a keen eye for the hook to keep the reader pushing forward, N.J. Croft does well to mix action and education throughout, as things get intense with the development of this pandemic. The reader is treated to some medical thrills, as well as a conspiracy that could only come with a country keen to play god, which adds depth and intrigue to what is already a very exciting read. A mix of chapter lengths, alongside relatable characters, leaves the reader wanting to know more and able to get lost in the story without things getting too clunky. Croft has done their research, providing the reader with the needed scientific elements to understand what is going on, without getting too ‘academic journal’-ish in doing so, all while making things seem highly plausible (more so now, as many people are in COVID quarantine or were not too long ago). A great find that helped me better understand what’s going on (as well as the conspiracies that no one is talking about).
Kudos, N.J. Croft, for this stunning read. I hope others take the time to check this one out, without getting too conspiratorial about its plot as they compare it to the news about COVID-19. Leave that to the aforementioned Nostradamus Dean Koontz and his novel!
This book adds to the Topic #7: Catastrophe selections of the Equinox #10 reading challenge.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
October 19, 2022
TEOTWAWKI?
****Trigger Warning**** Do not read this review if you've lost someone to COVID.
Disease X is definitely a story for our time. N. J. Croft does a great job making the story realistic. Perhaps a little too realistic or else I'm suffering from Pandemic induced PTSD.
I came to care a great deal about the characters; Eli, the Doctor/Scientist, who works so hard for a cure; Captain Riley, from Military Intelligence, who breaches his armour of isolation and all of the hard-working people who tried to save lives.
However, I found myself reading this in a state of numbness. I kept reading compulsively, hoping to finally get to the end. And, even with a satisfying end, I'm writing this review with a lingering feeling that Humanity is on borrowed time.
Great book, if you're the kind of person who has bounced back from the Pandemic, you'll probably love it. If not, I'd respectfully recommend that you give this one a pass. N. J. Croft has written many, other, excellent books, try one of those.
****Trigger Warning**** Do not read this review if you've lost someone to COVID.
Disease X is definitely a story for our time. N. J. Croft does a great job making the story realistic. Perhaps a little too realistic or else I'm suffering from Pandemic induced PTSD.
I came to care a great deal about the characters; Eli, the Doctor/Scientist, who works so hard for a cure; Captain Riley, from Military Intelligence, who breaches his armour of isolation and all of the hard-working people who tried to save lives.
However, I found myself reading this in a state of numbness. I kept reading compulsively, hoping to finally get to the end. And, even with a satisfying end, I'm writing this review with a lingering feeling that Humanity is on borrowed time.
Great book, if you're the kind of person who has bounced back from the Pandemic, you'll probably love it. If not, I'd respectfully recommend that you give this one a pass. N. J. Croft has written many, other, excellent books, try one of those.
February 25, 2020
While this isn't my usual genre of book, I like the disease outbreak type of books and movies and with the Coronavirus in the news right now it seemed like a good time to read this type of book.
This book starts off with a plane crash ten years before and then in present day there are small outbreaks of some virus all over the world and people start dying. Doctors and scientists start getting more worried as more and more cases of this new virus start turning up. This book shows that a virus that spreads really fast can take over an entire village and if one person gets out after spending time with someone in the village and travels back home by plane, the results can be disastrous.
I thought I knew where this story was going but then we get thrown this huge twist and it just went in a totally different direction. Eli is a scientist and Riley works for the military and they meet in Mexico where they try and figure out how this village got infected and why once you're infected, you die. 100% mortality rate is bad, really bad and when people all around the world start showing up infected, it only gets worst. These two end up working closely together and there's even a little romance between them which I wasn't expecting in this book but I liked. Eli and his team have to find out where this virus started and how to stop it but while searching for answers, they uncover secrets they never saw coming.
This book was one of those keep you on the edge of you seat type stories and made my heart break at certain times. It's been a while since I read a book like this but I thoroughly enjoyed this one.
Disclosure: I was given an ARC of this book via NetGalley but all thoughts and opinions are my ow
This book starts off with a plane crash ten years before and then in present day there are small outbreaks of some virus all over the world and people start dying. Doctors and scientists start getting more worried as more and more cases of this new virus start turning up. This book shows that a virus that spreads really fast can take over an entire village and if one person gets out after spending time with someone in the village and travels back home by plane, the results can be disastrous.
I thought I knew where this story was going but then we get thrown this huge twist and it just went in a totally different direction. Eli is a scientist and Riley works for the military and they meet in Mexico where they try and figure out how this village got infected and why once you're infected, you die. 100% mortality rate is bad, really bad and when people all around the world start showing up infected, it only gets worst. These two end up working closely together and there's even a little romance between them which I wasn't expecting in this book but I liked. Eli and his team have to find out where this virus started and how to stop it but while searching for answers, they uncover secrets they never saw coming.
This book was one of those keep you on the edge of you seat type stories and made my heart break at certain times. It's been a while since I read a book like this but I thoroughly enjoyed this one.
Disclosure: I was given an ARC of this book via NetGalley but all thoughts and opinions are my ow
March 5, 2020
4.5 stars-- DISEASE X by NJ. (Nina) Croft is a contemporary, adult, sci-fi, medical thriller focusing on an unknown virus that wipes out most of the world’s population.
Told from third person perspective DISEASE X follows virologist Dr. Elijah Vance as he is sent to Mexico, by the WHO (World Health Organization), as part of a rapid response team to stem the outbreak of a virus that has been red-flagged by the US government. As the deaths mount, with no cure or vaccine in sight, Eli finds himself on the periphery of a global disaster that is about to wipe out ninety-nine percent of the world’s population. Believing Mexico is ground zero, Eli and his team, including Captain Riley Hawkins, the woman with whom Eli will fall in love, risk their own lives and safety to uncover the truth-no matter where it leads.
The timing of the release of DISEASE X coincides with the Coronavirus outbreak of 2020. Be it a natural disaster; a man made biological weapon; or a combination of both DISEASE X, a name given to an undiscovered disease with the potential to destroy Earth’s population, becomes a rapidly, transmitted virus with no known origin or cure. Following the path of infection and contamination, Eli and his team, must push beyond their capabilities in an effort to stop a disease with the potential for a one-hundred percent fatality rate. From conspiracy theories and native legends, to Russian interference, DISEASE X can be traced back thousands of years, but add global flight and mass transportation, the spread of DISEASE X cannot be contained.
DISEASE X is a story of sci-fi but a story of what ifs? What if a virus of unknown origins wipes out most of the world’s population? How do you survive, and if you survive, how will you keep on living? Nina Croft pulls the readers into a strong , astonishing, complex and intriguing story of death and survival.
Copy supplied for review
www.thereadingcafe.com
Told from third person perspective DISEASE X follows virologist Dr. Elijah Vance as he is sent to Mexico, by the WHO (World Health Organization), as part of a rapid response team to stem the outbreak of a virus that has been red-flagged by the US government. As the deaths mount, with no cure or vaccine in sight, Eli finds himself on the periphery of a global disaster that is about to wipe out ninety-nine percent of the world’s population. Believing Mexico is ground zero, Eli and his team, including Captain Riley Hawkins, the woman with whom Eli will fall in love, risk their own lives and safety to uncover the truth-no matter where it leads.
The timing of the release of DISEASE X coincides with the Coronavirus outbreak of 2020. Be it a natural disaster; a man made biological weapon; or a combination of both DISEASE X, a name given to an undiscovered disease with the potential to destroy Earth’s population, becomes a rapidly, transmitted virus with no known origin or cure. Following the path of infection and contamination, Eli and his team, must push beyond their capabilities in an effort to stop a disease with the potential for a one-hundred percent fatality rate. From conspiracy theories and native legends, to Russian interference, DISEASE X can be traced back thousands of years, but add global flight and mass transportation, the spread of DISEASE X cannot be contained.
DISEASE X is a story of sci-fi but a story of what ifs? What if a virus of unknown origins wipes out most of the world’s population? How do you survive, and if you survive, how will you keep on living? Nina Croft pulls the readers into a strong , astonishing, complex and intriguing story of death and survival.
Copy supplied for review
www.thereadingcafe.com
March 19, 2020
Pretty scary in this time of COVID-19
I've always enjoyed post-apocalyptic books including books about pandemics. This book hit close to home, though, during this tense time since the COVID-19 virus has hit worldwide.
In the story, a Rapid Response Team is sent by the World Health Organization to a small village on the Yucatan peninsula off Mexico. There they find a new virus that is their worst nightmare - 100% infection rate and 100% mortality rate.
Virologist Dr. Eli Vance is there with the team, and even though he's worked his entire career towards curing viruses like this one, he thinks this might be the Big One - Disease X, which might mean the extinction of the human race.
This was a too believable scary story. There were a lot of "what ifs."
Eli Vance was the protagonist of the story, working closely with Army Captain Riley Hawkins, the military lead overseeing the Rapid Response Team. I enjoyed these two characters especially Eli's backstory.
I highly recommend this medical disaster thriller.
I've always enjoyed post-apocalyptic books including books about pandemics. This book hit close to home, though, during this tense time since the COVID-19 virus has hit worldwide.
In the story, a Rapid Response Team is sent by the World Health Organization to a small village on the Yucatan peninsula off Mexico. There they find a new virus that is their worst nightmare - 100% infection rate and 100% mortality rate.
Virologist Dr. Eli Vance is there with the team, and even though he's worked his entire career towards curing viruses like this one, he thinks this might be the Big One - Disease X, which might mean the extinction of the human race.
This was a too believable scary story. There were a lot of "what ifs."
Eli Vance was the protagonist of the story, working closely with Army Captain Riley Hawkins, the military lead overseeing the Rapid Response Team. I enjoyed these two characters especially Eli's backstory.
I highly recommend this medical disaster thriller.
January 30, 2022
Great story line and characters that don’t feel fictional.
Author very knowledgeable of virology. Action, science, life, death, and a little love. Oh! And Jelly beans.
Author very knowledgeable of virology. Action, science, life, death, and a little love. Oh! And Jelly beans.
January 13, 2020
Diseases
Mankind has so much to learn. Viruses, bacteria, germs that are invisible to the human eye without a microscope. Dr. Eli Vance comes across such a virus. The results for mankind are so very interesting. Read this so real novel and PRAY, even if you don't believe, PRAY anyway!
Mankind has so much to learn. Viruses, bacteria, germs that are invisible to the human eye without a microscope. Dr. Eli Vance comes across such a virus. The results for mankind are so very interesting. Read this so real novel and PRAY, even if you don't believe, PRAY anyway!
February 16, 2020
An excellent medical thriller with a great storyline and realistic characters. A very well written story with lots of action and plenty of suspense. This scary thriller was very hard to put down. A highly recommended book that will get you thinking about how scary a virus can be.
January 15, 2020
Excellent writing. The characters came to life. So realistic it was scary.
December 5, 2023
A Gripping Bio-Thriller
4.75 out of 5 stars
In N.J. Croft’s Disease X, readers are taken on a roller coaster ride through the treacherous realms of virology, global pandemics, and the uncharted territories of the human condition. Set against the backdrop of a potentially apocalyptic scenario, this Bio-Thriller grips its audience with a narrative that is both timely and eerily prescient, given its publication in January 2020, just before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. I had to look up when it was originally published because the fact that Croft didn’t mention it told me it was pre-pandemic – and it indeed was.
The story unfolds with the crash of a plane carrying a Russian biochemist in the Alaskan wilderness, setting off a chain of events that intertwine the lives of characters facing a looming global threat. The narrative is centered around Doctor Elijah Vance (Eli), a leading CRISPR virologist haunted by the memories of his missionary parents succumbing to an Ebola outbreak during his childhood.
Croft does a good job of keeping the science in it without overloading you. It flirted the line with “too much” a few times, but he kept it at a level that was understandable and plausible.
This genre is my all-time favorite but I’m sure is getting harder and harder to write. I actually have a couple of story ideas around this genre saved on my hard drive but I can’t bring myself to continue writing them since COVID. I can’t imagine trying to craft a bio-thriller in a post-COVID world, where reality has, in some ways, surpassed the boundaries of fiction. Despite this, Croft maintains the suspense and urgency that defines the genre, successfully delivering a narrative that stands on its own merit.
The central theme revolves around the race against time to identify and contain Disease X, an unknown pathogen with the potential to decimate humanity. The author introduces subplots that add depth to the narrative, deviating from the conventional bio-thriller formula. These subplots inject fresh perspectives into a genre often characterized by its predictability (all science all the time).
One nitpick for me is Croft repeatedly mentions the term “Virus X”. The first few times I thought okay, that makes sense. But it was used as an “Oh no it’s happening” exclamation more than a few times. I feel like it could have been used slightly less, but I also get why it was done.
Disease X emerges as an excellent addition to the bio-thriller genre, expertly navigating the complexities of virology while delivering a gripping narrative. I thought that the timing was crazy, but the audiobook may be hard to read for anyone who was tragically affected by COVID. It’s probably too soon for those. I’m just happy I got to read about a new disease that wasn’t going to actually kill my family and friends. I like my bio-thrillers to be fictional.
Joshua Saxon set the tone throughout the story and his narration really shined and added to the story. N.J. Croft’s work stands as a testament to the enduring appeal of bio-thrillers, even in a world forever changed by the realities of global pandemics.
4.75 out of 5 stars
In N.J. Croft’s Disease X, readers are taken on a roller coaster ride through the treacherous realms of virology, global pandemics, and the uncharted territories of the human condition. Set against the backdrop of a potentially apocalyptic scenario, this Bio-Thriller grips its audience with a narrative that is both timely and eerily prescient, given its publication in January 2020, just before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. I had to look up when it was originally published because the fact that Croft didn’t mention it told me it was pre-pandemic – and it indeed was.
The story unfolds with the crash of a plane carrying a Russian biochemist in the Alaskan wilderness, setting off a chain of events that intertwine the lives of characters facing a looming global threat. The narrative is centered around Doctor Elijah Vance (Eli), a leading CRISPR virologist haunted by the memories of his missionary parents succumbing to an Ebola outbreak during his childhood.
Croft does a good job of keeping the science in it without overloading you. It flirted the line with “too much” a few times, but he kept it at a level that was understandable and plausible.
This genre is my all-time favorite but I’m sure is getting harder and harder to write. I actually have a couple of story ideas around this genre saved on my hard drive but I can’t bring myself to continue writing them since COVID. I can’t imagine trying to craft a bio-thriller in a post-COVID world, where reality has, in some ways, surpassed the boundaries of fiction. Despite this, Croft maintains the suspense and urgency that defines the genre, successfully delivering a narrative that stands on its own merit.
The central theme revolves around the race against time to identify and contain Disease X, an unknown pathogen with the potential to decimate humanity. The author introduces subplots that add depth to the narrative, deviating from the conventional bio-thriller formula. These subplots inject fresh perspectives into a genre often characterized by its predictability (all science all the time).
One nitpick for me is Croft repeatedly mentions the term “Virus X”. The first few times I thought okay, that makes sense. But it was used as an “Oh no it’s happening” exclamation more than a few times. I feel like it could have been used slightly less, but I also get why it was done.
Disease X emerges as an excellent addition to the bio-thriller genre, expertly navigating the complexities of virology while delivering a gripping narrative. I thought that the timing was crazy, but the audiobook may be hard to read for anyone who was tragically affected by COVID. It’s probably too soon for those. I’m just happy I got to read about a new disease that wasn’t going to actually kill my family and friends. I like my bio-thrillers to be fictional.
Joshua Saxon set the tone throughout the story and his narration really shined and added to the story. N.J. Croft’s work stands as a testament to the enduring appeal of bio-thrillers, even in a world forever changed by the realities of global pandemics.
November 2, 2020
Blow out that baited breath of tension you're holding...
Run a hand through your hair, pop some painkillers, and blow out that breath of air you're holding... cause the tension and excitement might just put you a little on edge that you'll be holding your breath as much as the characters.
Gratuitous character death inevitable as a virus begins to decimate the world and it's all about the small decisions we make that might leave us or anyone exposed... reading this in the time of Covid just amplifies the message. We're fortunate Covid wasn't something like an Ebola flu that hit Rheston moved to killing humans.
The story hints at what the truth and connections are the entire time you're reading... If you're clever and or familiar with virology/biology you might be able to guess some of what is teased at, I was reminded of Anthrax... a complicated organism.
Amazingly well written and accurate depictions of what might happen in such a scenario such as this... esp echoes of how Covid was handled. I was thrilled to see how an epidemiologist raced to try to save the world... They truly don't get enough spotlight. Great well rounded and realistically flawed characters, too. Not in ways that you'll hate them, but in ways that make them relatable or recognizable.
Highly recommend. (The beginning and title are in reference to the sheer number of times "pop some painkillers" or "took some painkillers " or generic mention of painkillers not even generic mention of acetaminophen or naproxen is mentioned, "blew out his/her breath", and "ran a hand through his hair" shows up in the book. I found it highly amusing. As a writer I try to eliminate repetitive phrasing in my works, and even repetitive words... I've never seen so many repetitive phrases in a book. It was great!)
Run a hand through your hair, pop some painkillers, and blow out that breath of air you're holding... cause the tension and excitement might just put you a little on edge that you'll be holding your breath as much as the characters.
Gratuitous character death inevitable as a virus begins to decimate the world and it's all about the small decisions we make that might leave us or anyone exposed... reading this in the time of Covid just amplifies the message. We're fortunate Covid wasn't something like an Ebola flu that hit Rheston moved to killing humans.
The story hints at what the truth and connections are the entire time you're reading... If you're clever and or familiar with virology/biology you might be able to guess some of what is teased at, I was reminded of Anthrax... a complicated organism.
Amazingly well written and accurate depictions of what might happen in such a scenario such as this... esp echoes of how Covid was handled. I was thrilled to see how an epidemiologist raced to try to save the world... They truly don't get enough spotlight. Great well rounded and realistically flawed characters, too. Not in ways that you'll hate them, but in ways that make them relatable or recognizable.
Highly recommend. (The beginning and title are in reference to the sheer number of times "pop some painkillers" or "took some painkillers " or generic mention of painkillers not even generic mention of acetaminophen or naproxen is mentioned, "blew out his/her breath", and "ran a hand through his hair" shows up in the book. I found it highly amusing. As a writer I try to eliminate repetitive phrasing in my works, and even repetitive words... I've never seen so many repetitive phrases in a book. It was great!)
April 27, 2020
Disease X versus Corona
I decided to read this book to see if there was anything that relates to our current Coronavirus experience. Some of the material and science do absolutely correlate. Disease X seems to describe a worse case scenario. Far worse than Corona! But the science appears useful when considering how our current situation is evolving. Corona will be solved but perhaps never be finally put behind us. The future may have us dealing with other variations of pandemic now that we've experienced this one. Only because we can't be certain Corona was just an innocent accident or a deliberate test to determine how best to use pandemic as a useful weapon! Now friend and for alike understand what situations like this can mean for the future. Let's hope for the best!!
I decided to read this book to see if there was anything that relates to our current Coronavirus experience. Some of the material and science do absolutely correlate. Disease X seems to describe a worse case scenario. Far worse than Corona! But the science appears useful when considering how our current situation is evolving. Corona will be solved but perhaps never be finally put behind us. The future may have us dealing with other variations of pandemic now that we've experienced this one. Only because we can't be certain Corona was just an innocent accident or a deliberate test to determine how best to use pandemic as a useful weapon! Now friend and for alike understand what situations like this can mean for the future. Let's hope for the best!!
February 15, 2022
The disease is viral, unknown, 100% contagious and 100% fatal.
Top researchers with huge resources are dispatched to a tiny village in Mexico only to find that their best efforts come close but not close enough to check a deadly virus which mutates and spreads, threatening world populations. The search to find a survivor with natural immunity is intense and relentless because time is of the essence. The interval between infection and death is a matter of a few days to a very few weeks. Outstanding characters, intense situations, pandemic reality a given, and the intensity of laboratory research to solve imminent disaster is cutting. A superb story and well worth the time.
Top researchers with huge resources are dispatched to a tiny village in Mexico only to find that their best efforts come close but not close enough to check a deadly virus which mutates and spreads, threatening world populations. The search to find a survivor with natural immunity is intense and relentless because time is of the essence. The interval between infection and death is a matter of a few days to a very few weeks. Outstanding characters, intense situations, pandemic reality a given, and the intensity of laboratory research to solve imminent disaster is cutting. A superb story and well worth the time.
February 12, 2023
Disease X, my third read from author N.J. Croft. Another page-turning thriller in every sense of the word. 10 hours 4 minutes/311-pages of methodically developed terrorism thriller. I lost sleep, staying up all night, I was so engrossed in this book. I don't restrict myself to a particular genre. I'm a sucker for anything with memorable characters and a story that keeps me guessing and a plot that keeps me turning the page & this book did! "I received a free Audiobooks.com copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review." The gifting of this book did not affect my opinion of it. I look forward to reading more from this author. (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).
April 1, 2020
This was reminiscent of Dan Brown and Michael Crichton - infinitely better than Brown’s work, since the main character was more than just an egotistical self insert. It reminded me of the joy I’ve always felt reading. Crichton, and how much I miss him. I refrained from giving it 5 starts due to the romance that was included - I’m just so tired of authors think that’s necessary to sell a book to the masses. People don’t fall in love in eight days, pandemic or not - it just added something a bit cringeworthy to it all.
May 8, 2022
What is going on?! I am really liking Croft writing, if you want a rushed novel where you just can stop gasping and cant put the book down, this is your book.
With many interesting facts the writer was able to play out an awesome novel, with plot twists left and right, all the way until the end.
I dont want to give spoilers, but this is not very covid feeling, is different
With many interesting facts the writer was able to play out an awesome novel, with plot twists left and right, all the way until the end.
I dont want to give spoilers, but this is not very covid feeling, is different
April 28, 2020
I don’t normally read this genre, but with Coronavirus keeping me home, this seemed like an appropriate book to read. It felt very much to me like a Michael Crichton thriller. From me, that’s high praise because Crichton is one of my favorites.
May 8, 2020
Pretty predictable
Kept my interest, especially during this time of covid 19. We should not forget that we may get away with this one and we better be more prepared for whatever comes next.
Kept my interest, especially during this time of covid 19. We should not forget that we may get away with this one and we better be more prepared for whatever comes next.
January 21, 2022
Twists and turns
With suspense, false leads, and victims. Finding a cure was just becoming more clear when the disease spread across the world. Infecting innocent people along the way.
With suspense, false leads, and victims. Finding a cure was just becoming more clear when the disease spread across the world. Infecting innocent people along the way.
November 15, 2020
Fast paced and compelling
Fast paced and compelling read, scary in these days of pandemic. Well written, with characters I cared about. Highly recommend this book.
Fast paced and compelling read, scary in these days of pandemic. Well written, with characters I cared about. Highly recommend this book.
March 13, 2023
Fantastic story
Great storyline for wonderful character development. I felt as I was there and was feeling all of the emotions that the characters were experiencing.
Great storyline for wonderful character development. I felt as I was there and was feeling all of the emotions that the characters were experiencing.
May 15, 2024
A fantastic read!
Excellent reading!
Fast paced, great characters. A real page turner! I actually read it in 2 days. Yes, it is that good.
Excellent reading!
Fast paced, great characters. A real page turner! I actually read it in 2 days. Yes, it is that good.
November 23, 2024
Awesome book! It lets you start to get comfortable and then throws something unexpected in, keeping you guessing until the very end.
January 6, 2026
Fast Read
I enjoyed it, and it had good elements of mystery to it. The ending is not fairytale-esque, but it is a little hokey for a science based novel. I was entertained.
I enjoyed it, and it had good elements of mystery to it. The ending is not fairytale-esque, but it is a little hokey for a science based novel. I was entertained.
April 28, 2020
Both frightening and sobering in its premise.
COVID on steroids. A bleak reminder of what could happen with a more infectious and lethal virus. Further proof that we have to trust the science and the scientists.
COVID on steroids. A bleak reminder of what could happen with a more infectious and lethal virus. Further proof that we have to trust the science and the scientists.
March 5, 2020
I really enjoyed this book and this may seem morbid but it's a fascinating story especially with the current pandemic of COVID-19 (coronavirus). One thing in particular I enjoyed was the book was written in several characters perspectives so I felt like I got a better grasp of the story from see everyone's view of how things happened. There's a big twist at the ending that I didn't see coming. The characters were all very relatable. I managed to read the whole thing in two days it was definitely a page turner. I took one star off due to the end of the book it seemed a bit too dystopian for me but in my lifetime I've never experienced a epidemic or pandemic so it may be too hard for me to imagine.
This ARC was provided by Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
This ARC was provided by Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
February 7, 2020
How soon can this book be made into a movie? I mean it was that good ! I have always been a fan of these virus, bug,flu, germ type books and this one has moved to my top list of sure exciting and fast paced. It's just so real and to think it could happen tomorrow is what gives it the wow! Oh no you can't put it down once you start it. I have given a honest opinion for the pleasure of reading this book. I will buy it and read again. Don't let this one get past! Thanks NetGalley and publishers for the honor!! I love this book!!
March 1, 2020
~ eCopy provided via NetGalley~
I read most of this book in two days. It took a little while to pick up pace but I couldn't put it down once the plot was established. This was a solid medical thriller. I especially liked the non-traditional ending, even though it was a little cheesy.
The only thing I didn't really like were the relationships between the characters. They felt cringy and forced most of the time. I was more interested in the actual plot than the unnecessary romance between the main characters.
Thankfully that didn't take away from the fast-paced story.
I read most of this book in two days. It took a little while to pick up pace but I couldn't put it down once the plot was established. This was a solid medical thriller. I especially liked the non-traditional ending, even though it was a little cheesy.
The only thing I didn't really like were the relationships between the characters. They felt cringy and forced most of the time. I was more interested in the actual plot than the unnecessary romance between the main characters.
Thankfully that didn't take away from the fast-paced story.
January 30, 2020
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Well written and explored, N.J. Croft writes a thought-provoking book about a 100% infective and fatal disease traveling uncontrolled around the globe. Good characters and just enough action to keep you on the edge of your seat. Recommended reading.
Well written and explored, N.J. Croft writes a thought-provoking book about a 100% infective and fatal disease traveling uncontrolled around the globe. Good characters and just enough action to keep you on the edge of your seat. Recommended reading.
April 29, 2020
I read this book when I was in third week of being cooped up at home. Ir was so timely about staying safe. Sort of gave me bad dreams. It moved fast. I enjoyed it
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