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leelee77's review
2.0
I loved the idea of this book and the storyline grabbed me but unfortunately I struggled to read this book. Was she an investigative journalist or a wannabe Bond? Casey seemed to manage to jet off everywhere and anywhere at the drop of a hat and manage to get into places to rummage around with ease, it just didn’t seem believable to me when the newspaper would have a budget and would also be expecting her to do the stories they asked of her.
Thank you to the publishers and Pigeonhole for the chance to read this book.
Thank you to the publishers and Pigeonhole for the chance to read this book.
lauryn_mitchell's review
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
ebeubanks8's review
3.0
There’s no way a journalist would ever do anything this batshit insane and not be fired, but now I want to learn about drug dumping. Also s/o to my micro class because I knew exactly how they were testing antibiotic resistance in the Petri dishes bc I’ve done that before
nicjohnston's review
4.0
The third outing for investigative journalist Casey Benedict is the best yet.
Sidelined into a role as Health Editor, it isn’t long before Casey sniffs out a story which will take her across the world, partially fuelled by personal tragedy. Sent to meet a young patient with significant health concerns, Casey’s chat with the treating doctor raises the hope of a new antibiotic which could offer promising treatment. From that conversation we delve into a smart plot about the global movement of drugs from the big-pharmaceutical companies and the impact of over use.
The plot is lightening paced and while sometimes it is a little far-fetched, it is hugely enjoyable.
I listened to the audiobook and the narration was excellent.
Sidelined into a role as Health Editor, it isn’t long before Casey sniffs out a story which will take her across the world, partially fuelled by personal tragedy. Sent to meet a young patient with significant health concerns, Casey’s chat with the treating doctor raises the hope of a new antibiotic which could offer promising treatment. From that conversation we delve into a smart plot about the global movement of drugs from the big-pharmaceutical companies and the impact of over use.
The plot is lightening paced and while sometimes it is a little far-fetched, it is hugely enjoyable.
I listened to the audiobook and the narration was excellent.
hollyenglish's review
adventurous
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
I picked this book up because I really liked the idea of a plot based around antibiotic resistance. The book is clearly very well-researched and the prose has some standout moments, but ultimately the plot was too far-fetched for me. I tried to not think too deeply about it and go with the action and adventure of it, but just found it too convoluted at times. I also found the ending pretty unsatisfying, I expected it all to lead to something tidier and more fleshed out. But I still think antibiotic resistance was a great theme.
faysieh's review
4.0
This is a fast paced, action packed, stunt fuelled, adrenaline ridden read about a fascinating medical dilemma with some quite implausible events.
I mostly found it to be gripping because of the subject matter. Antibiotics become resistance to disease over time which is why they shouldn't be used frequently and why scientists need to search out new ways of finding medicines which, for a whole at least, will keep people well. Casey Benedict is a fearless investigative reporter who becomes drawn into the hunt for Corax, a drug needed to cure cystic fibrosis. It is the type of book filled with the thrill of the chase, the cat and mouse manoeuvres of trying to outwit the Baddies and stay one step away from mortal danger. In that sense it is too action/adventure for me to readily choose another book of the same ilk, BUT it IS without a doubt a gripping and tense read with an abundance of mystery, plotting, corruption and violence.
Casey travels around the world almost in her quest to uncover the truth and help Flora, a CF sufferer in the Royal Brompton hospital. With the help of colleagues, scientists, politicians and seemingly endless funds, Casey finds herself in a ruthless game where death is just a hair's breadth away.
Thank you to the author, publisher and Pigeonhole for a fascinating, if sometimes frustrating, read.
I mostly found it to be gripping because of the subject matter. Antibiotics become resistance to disease over time which is why they shouldn't be used frequently and why scientists need to search out new ways of finding medicines which, for a whole at least, will keep people well. Casey Benedict is a fearless investigative reporter who becomes drawn into the hunt for Corax, a drug needed to cure cystic fibrosis. It is the type of book filled with the thrill of the chase, the cat and mouse manoeuvres of trying to outwit the Baddies and stay one step away from mortal danger. In that sense it is too action/adventure for me to readily choose another book of the same ilk, BUT it IS without a doubt a gripping and tense read with an abundance of mystery, plotting, corruption and violence.
Casey travels around the world almost in her quest to uncover the truth and help Flora, a CF sufferer in the Royal Brompton hospital. With the help of colleagues, scientists, politicians and seemingly endless funds, Casey finds herself in a ruthless game where death is just a hair's breadth away.
Thank you to the author, publisher and Pigeonhole for a fascinating, if sometimes frustrating, read.
aminakara's review
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
4.0
I really enjoyed reading this book.
It was fascinating reading about antibiotic resistance, although trying to keep up with all the different antibiotics was a little confusing to begin with, but I got there in the end!
I liked Casey and Zac, although I can't decide if some of Casey's actions were her being brave or utterly foolish! There were definitely a few heart in mouth moments!
I thought it was well written and had a good pace to it.
Thank you to PH, NetGalley and Holly for the chance to read this book.
It was fascinating reading about antibiotic resistance, although trying to keep up with all the different antibiotics was a little confusing to begin with, but I got there in the end!
I liked Casey and Zac, although I can't decide if some of Casey's actions were her being brave or utterly foolish! There were definitely a few heart in mouth moments!
I thought it was well written and had a good pace to it.
Thank you to PH, NetGalley and Holly for the chance to read this book.
liseyp's review
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Thank you to the author, publishers Wildfire and online book club Pigeonhole for access to read this book for free. This is an honest and voluntary review.
Suspend all disbelief, question nothing. This is an entertaining read as long as you don’t assume practicality or reality has anything to do with what’s happening.
Seemingly bottomless budgets, Mission: Impossible level disguises, and a reclusive billionaire pulling all the strings. Casey Benedict is not so much an investigative reporter as she is a commercially funded super spy. James Bond without the sexism and ridiculous names, but still a ridiculous plot.
This is the first of the Casey Benedict series that I’ve read, but I don’t think that was an issue. It works as a standalone with no obvious gaps of assumed knowledge from the previous books.
I believe the book series has been optioned for television, and I think it has the potential to work as a good series. Hopefully they’ll dial down the heavy science detail and antibiotic names which weighed down the early chapters, and cut back the long pauses in action when it was taking time for the investigation to get going. The book would have benefitted from editing along the same lines.
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