Under a Blood Red Sky [Paperback]

This is a very original book - despite the oft-used themes of dangerous plagues and Islamic extremists. The author's novel spin is the target of the disease. This is no story of madmen trying to destroy the world by unleashing a novel and inexplicable (and usually implausible) virus, but is instead a quietly chilling story of how a small group conspire to spread the foot-and-mouth disease virus across America, specifically targetting the giant feedlots used to fatten the majority of America's cattle.

The descriptions of how the virus is obtained (from a cow carcass in Pakistan), mailed by regular courier service to the US, and reactivated for dispersal displays the author's (a virologist by training)in-depth knowledge.

The author contends (and I tend to agree) that the economic cost of terrorism is what motivates some groups. Although 3000 people died in the 911 attacks (or put another way - a few weeks' road traffic accident fatalities) the economic hit to the country's bottom line was staggering. We are talking billions of dollars. And it is a price that we are still paying, as the very existence of the Dept of Homeland Security attests. Agricultural bioterrorism (targetting animals and plants)is just as demoralising and economically damaging as attacks against buildings and humans.

The action kicks off in San Francisco during an infectious diseases symposium. One of the delegates from Pakistan is murdered and British virologist Dr. Paul Caine (no doubt based on the author)is called upon by the FBI to provide his expertise as the virus threatens to spread across the entire country.

Anyone who's been to a scientific symposium (or any other type of conference, for that matter) will recognise the thumbnail sketches of the characters and activities (the distant but egocentric organiser, his put-upon subordinates, anxious presenters, poster sessions, and so on). The attention to detail is incredible - ranging from the mechanics of detecting virus DNA to China's geopolitical ambitions.

During the investigation, Caine and his sexy FBI sidekick (Special Agent Angela Garcia)try to track down the culprit. I dare you to read the book and try not to think of Ben Affleck and J.Lo in the lead roles! Caine is also being stalked by a Chinese spy (Lucy Liu anyone?!) who is after the terrorists for different reasons entirely.

In the end, the novel is not so much a *whodunnit* or even a *whydunnit* (the identity and motives of the terrorists are fairly clearly laid out) as the story evolves. Instead, one is overtaken by the obviousness and ordinaryness of the plot. It is compelling in its simplicity and utterly terrifying in its implications.

This book should be read by everyone involved with the nation's security, along with every cattle farmer and law enforcement offical.

No wonder Margaret Thatcher's former minister of health (Edwina Currie) called for this book to be banned.

This is dangerous stuff!

This is a very original book - despite the oft-used themes of dangerous plagues and Islamic extremists. The author's novel spin is the target of the disease. This is no story of madmen trying to destroy the world by unleashing a novel and inexplicable (and usually implausible) virus, but is instead a quietly chilling story of how a small group conspire to spread the foot-and-mouth disease virus across America, specifically targetting the giant feedlots used to fatten the majority of America's cattle.

The descriptions of how the virus is obtained (from a cow carcass in Pakistan), mailed by regular courier service to the US, and reactivated for dispersal displays the author's (a virologist by training) in-depth knowledge.

The author contends (and I tend to agree) that the economic cost of terrorism is what motivates some groups. Although 3000 people died in the 911 attacks (or put another way - a few weeks' road traffic accident fatalities) the economic hit to the country's bottom line was staggering. We are talking billions of dollars. And it is a price that we are still paying, as the very existence of the Dept of Homeland Security attests. Agricultural bioterrorism (targetting animals and plants) is just as demoralising and economically damaging as attacks against buildings and humans.

The action kicks off in San Francisco during an infectious diseases symposium. One of the delegates from Pakistan is murdered and British virologist Dr. Paul Caine (no doubt based on the author)is called upon by the FBI to provide his expertise as the virus threatens to spread across the entire country.

Anyone who's been to a scientific symposium (or any other type of conference, for that matter) will recognise the thumbnail sketches of the characters and activities (the distant but egocentric organiser, his put-upon subordinates, anxious presenters, poster sessions, and so on). The attention to detail in the book in general is incredible - ranging from the mechanics of detecting virus DNA to China's geopolitical ambitions.

During the investigation, Caine and his sexy FBI sidekick (Special Agent Angela Garcia)try to track down the culprit. I dare you to read the book and try not to think of Ben Affleck and J.Lo in the lead roles! Caine is also being stalked by a Chinese spy (Lucy Liu anyone?!) who is after the terrorists for different reasons entirely.

In the end, the novel is not so much a *whodunnit* or even a *whydunnit*, as the identity and motives of the terrorists are fairly clearly laid out as the story evolves. Instead, one is overtaken by the obviousness and ordinaryness of the plot. It is compelling in its simplicity and utterly terrifying in its implications.

This book should be read by everyone involved with the nation's security, along with every cattle farmer and law enforcement offical.

No wonder Margaret Thatcher's former minister of health (Edwina Currie) called for this book to be banned.

This is dangerous stuff!

As someone born and bred in Nebraska, this book intrigued me on account of its supposed local setting. The story is about a bunch of fanatics intent on decimating the US cattle industry through spreading the foot-and-mouth disease virus. Deep in cattle country, like Nebraska and other states, such as Texas, nothing is sure to scare a cattleman more than FMD.

I'm a fan of thrillers and this one is about as good as it gets. The science is beyond me, but is was well explained even if I couldn't grasp the nuances about virus serotypes and molecular biology and stuff. The author clearly knows his stuff and makes the point that if you want to outwit the authorities you need a virus that the cattle will have no immunity against. The terrorists import the virus from overseas, reconstitute it and start spreading it around the mid-west. There is plenty of action as the British scientist who is the book's hero and his FBI agent girlfriend chase the terrorists down. It all ends in brutal fashion in a stomach-churning death scene in a meat processing factory. If you like your thrillers with an sexy edge than this is for you!