"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
Clearly, whatever Kate had was a head cold with a scientific vengeance. Preston's heroine, Alice Austen, a doctor with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, realizes--in the first of several gripping autopsy scenes--that the girl's nervous system had been virtually destroyed. So far, only one other person is known to have died in the same way, but he was a homeless man. Austen must connect the two cases, seemingly linked only by the subway, before the media gets hold of them and drums up a paranoia-fest--and before the virus's creator can kill again.
The Cobra Event is itself a paranoia-fest, a provocative thriller that makes you wonder exactly how much bioterrorism is taking place in the real world. Preston, best known for his terrifying chronicle of the Ebola virus, The Hot Zone, and other impeccably researched nonfictions, is not content to create fast-paced nightmarish scenes. His novel is instead a complex morality tale anchored in uncomfortable fact. Preston is keen to convey the "invisible history" of bioweapons engineering and, equally, to show the unsung heroism of his scientific detectives (along with that of the nurses and technicians who literally sacrifice their lives for medicine). Like their creator, these characters are not without a sense of humor. One calls the manmade virus "the ultimate head cold." Readers will never forget literally dozens of scenes and will never again see the subway, rodents, autopsy knives, and--above all--runny noses in the same light.
Review by Mike Sussman, Marietta, GA
The Cobra Event is the first novel by Richard Preston, author of The Hot Zone. An outbreak of a new deadly disease is taking place in New York City. The disease starts out like a cold, but its victims turn to self-mutilation and suffer a horrible death. Although the victims appear
to have nothing in common, the C.D.C sends pathologist Alice Austen to investigate, and with the assistance of a secret government medical team, she determines that the epidemic is caused by biological
terrorism. Now the team must find the culprit before the disease reaches national proportions.
Preston's follow-up to The Hot Zone is a fascinating and terrifying medical thriller. While the story is fiction, The Cobra Event is based on facts, and the scary aspect is that the events in the novel are quite feasible. Preston writes with an air of authenticity and presents us with extraordinary possibilities. His strength lies with science over characters, but this is overcome by a strong, intriguing story. The Cobra Event is a must read for all fans of medical thrillers.
The audio version is 4 tapes, abridged, published by Random House, and enthusiastically read by Blair Underwood. His performance is very entertaining, he has no difficulty with the medical terminology, and
Underwood's only flaw is reading too quickly when exciting scenes occur. However, this can be overlooked as his pacing helps maintain the suspense. Although the audio is abridged, many of the gruesome descriptions of the disease are included, but I couldn't help but wonder if the text was even more graphic. Still, listeners will be glued to their cassette players.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
Shipping:
US$ 6.12
From United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Book Description Paperback. Condition: Fair. A readable copy of the book which may include some defects such as highlighting and notes. Cover and pages may be creased and show discolouration. Seller Inventory # GOR003158887
Book Description Condition: Very Good. This book is in very good condition and will be shipped within 24 hours of ordering. The cover may have some limited signs of wear but the pages are clean, intact and the spine remains undamaged. This book has clearly been well maintained and looked after thus far. Money back guarantee if you are not satisfied. See all our books here, order more than 1 book and get discounted shipping. . Seller Inventory # 7719-9780752817125
Book Description Paperback. Condition: Very Good. In New York City, a 17-year-old girl and a homeless man have died of the same horrible virus, but in no sense is this a straightforward epidemic. This is murder and Alice Austen of the Center of Disease Control has to track down the murderer fast - while there are still people left for him to kill. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged. Seller Inventory # GOR003095882
Book Description Paperback. Condition: Good. All orders are dispatched the following working day from our UK warehouse. Established in 2004, we have over 500,000 books in stock. No quibble refund if not completely satisfied. Seller Inventory # mon0005458161
Book Description Paperback. Condition: Used; Good. Dispatched, from the UK, within 48 hours of ordering. This book is in good condition but will show signs of previous ownership. Please expect some creasing to the spine and/or minor damage to the cover. Grubby book may have mild dirt or some staining, mostly on the edges of pages. Seller Inventory # CHL4891105
Book Description Softcover. Condition: Bon. Petite(s) trace(s) de pliure sur la couverture. Légčres traces d'usure sur la couverture. Ammareal reverse jusqu'ā 15% du prix net de ce livre ā des organisations caritatives. ENGLISH DESCRIPTION Book Condition: Used, Good. Slightly creased cover. Slight signs of wear on the cover. Ammareal gives back up to 15% of this book's net price to charity organizations. Seller Inventory # D-317-640
Book Description Condition: Very Good. Shipped within 24 hours from our UK warehouse. Clean, undamaged book with no damage to pages and minimal wear to the cover. Spine still tight, in very good condition. Remember if you are not happy, you are covered by our 100% money back guarantee. Seller Inventory # 6545-9780752817125
Book Description Condition: acceptable. Ausreichend/Acceptable: Exemplar mit vollständigem Text und sämtlichen Abbildungen oder Karten. Schmutztitel oder Vorsatz können fehlen. Einband bzw. Schutzumschlag weisen unter Umständen starke Gebrauchsspuren auf. / Describes a book or dust jacket that has the complete text pages (including those with maps or plates) but may lack endpapers, half-title, etc. (which must be noted). Binding, dust jacket (if any), etc may also be worn. Seller Inventory # M00752817124-B
Book Description Condition: Very Good. Ships from the UK. Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in excellent condition. May show signs of wear or have minor defects. Seller Inventory # GRP67632468
Book Description Paperback. Condition: Used; Good. **SHIPPED FROM UK** We believe you will be completely satisfied with our quick and reliable service. All orders are dispatched as swiftly as possible! Buy with confidence! Greener Books. Seller Inventory # mon0001542032