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Containment
From a former US government advisor on agro-terrorism comes a ripped-from-the-headlines debut thriller about a global plot to release a deadly virus and the elite response team who must try to stop it.
When the outbreak of a terrifyingly gruesome new virus, which threatens to overcome the entire East Coast, is traced to an extremist group in Southeast Asia, the race to find a vaccine and stop the bio-terrorist conspiracy begins. Government epidemiologist Mariah Rossi must leave the safety of her lab to help fellow scientist and covert CIA agent Curt Kennedy track the disease back to its source. Their worldwide net leads them to an underground lab in the jungles of the Philippines, then to a deadly and climactic battle in coral reefs near Malaysian Borneo, and finally back to America where the virus must be contained. For fans of Michael Crichton and Richard Preston, this chilling, realistic thriller is a terrifying reminder of how vulnerable humans are to biological threats—and in this instance, just one tick bite away from catastrophe.
7 hours and 40 minutes
When the outbreak of a terrifyingly gruesome new virus, which threatens to overcome the entire East Coast, is traced to an extremist group in Southeast Asia, the race to find a vaccine and stop the bio-terrorist conspiracy begins. Government epidemiologist Mariah Rossi must leave the safety of her lab to help fellow scientist and covert CIA agent Curt Kennedy track the disease back to its source. Their worldwide net leads them to an underground lab in the jungles of the Philippines, then to a deadly and climactic battle in coral reefs near Malaysian Borneo, and finally back to America where the virus must be contained. For fans of Michael Crichton and Richard Preston, this chilling, realistic thriller is a terrifying reminder of how vulnerable humans are to biological threats—and in this instance, just one tick bite away from catastrophe.
7 hours and 40 minutes
8 pages, Audible Audio
First published January 10, 2017
About the author
Hank Parker
3 books24 followersHank Parker is a writer, biodefense specialist, and lecturer with a PhD degree in biological oceanography. He has been a U.S. Naval officer and deep-sea salvage diver; a seaweed farmer in the Philippines; a co-leader of an expedition that discovered and recovered remains of a Spanish Manila galleon; a senior executive and research manager at the U.S. Department of Agriculture where he helped lead programs to protect United States food and agriculture; a consultant on homeland security; a professor of marine science; and an adjunct professor at the Georgetown University Medical Center where, for over ten years, he taught in a graduate program on biohazardous threats.
Hank travels extensively. He has trekked in Iceland, Slovenia, Newfoundland, the Torngat Mountains of Northern Labrador, Patagonian Chile and Argentina, and the highlands and lowlands of Ecuador, Guatemala, and Belize. He lives in Vermont.
Hank travels extensively. He has trekked in Iceland, Slovenia, Newfoundland, the Torngat Mountains of Northern Labrador, Patagonian Chile and Argentina, and the highlands and lowlands of Ecuador, Guatemala, and Belize. He lives in Vermont.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
November 16, 2024
It took me some time to finish reading this book. Containment by Hank Parker is a biological thriller about the spread of an unknown virus that causes horrific deaths.
The beginning started out good with the rising tension when a farmer becoming ill, and then it didn’t go well afterwards. I feel like the plot was great but it was lacking in depth. The story felt empty and hollow to me. The twist was very predictable.
Then, I find the characters are pretty dull as well. The side stories are pretty unnecessary. Some parts are too far fetched, like for instance, the CIA in the business of reuniting families now? It wasn’t a nail-biting thriller I had hoped it to be. I wasn’t really too engrossed and compelled the way I’d like to be with a thriller. The glossary at the end was good though for reference.
Overall, Containment is probably a good read for someone wanting to get into reading biological thrillers, but it is not a great one. However, I believe the author has potential and this is his debut novel. So it will be interesting to see if he refines his craft a bit.
The beginning started out good with the rising tension when a farmer becoming ill, and then it didn’t go well afterwards. I feel like the plot was great but it was lacking in depth. The story felt empty and hollow to me. The twist was very predictable.
Then, I find the characters are pretty dull as well. The side stories are pretty unnecessary. Some parts are too far fetched, like for instance, the CIA in the business of reuniting families now? It wasn’t a nail-biting thriller I had hoped it to be. I wasn’t really too engrossed and compelled the way I’d like to be with a thriller. The glossary at the end was good though for reference.
Overall, Containment is probably a good read for someone wanting to get into reading biological thrillers, but it is not a great one. However, I believe the author has potential and this is his debut novel. So it will be interesting to see if he refines his craft a bit.
February 9, 2017
3.5 stars
The best virus movie of all time (that isn’t straight horror) has got to be Outbreak. I am willing to fight with anyone who tries to tell me otherwise, because you are wrong and this is the internet. Here, Parker has managed to throw in many of the big items needed for a virus thriller and there were some moments that reminded me of that film: very scary virus that makes people die and before that bleed horribly from everywhere, some clever people trying to DO THE RIGHT THING, an evil genius/person who cares nothing for loss of life, significant numbers of civilian deaths, angry people swarming containment lines and being killed, helicopters, monkeys, and a bit of romance. All these things pleased me mightily. Yet the book loses out in its style, it reads like it would be better as a film. There are more than a few cheesy moments, which are outrageous in Outbreak but which the film manages to surpass by being ridiculously brilliant, whereas the book doesn't quite pull it off.
That’s not to say there’s no potential here. After all, the author is a very clever man with a background in all this stuff. If he ups his writing game, there will be true terror within the pages of his next novel.
ARC via Netgalley
The best virus movie of all time (that isn’t straight horror) has got to be Outbreak. I am willing to fight with anyone who tries to tell me otherwise, because you are wrong and this is the internet. Here, Parker has managed to throw in many of the big items needed for a virus thriller and there were some moments that reminded me of that film: very scary virus that makes people die and before that bleed horribly from everywhere, some clever people trying to DO THE RIGHT THING, an evil genius/person who cares nothing for loss of life, significant numbers of civilian deaths, angry people swarming containment lines and being killed, helicopters, monkeys, and a bit of romance. All these things pleased me mightily. Yet the book loses out in its style, it reads like it would be better as a film. There are more than a few cheesy moments, which are outrageous in Outbreak but which the film manages to surpass by being ridiculously brilliant, whereas the book doesn't quite pull it off.
That’s not to say there’s no potential here. After all, the author is a very clever man with a background in all this stuff. If he ups his writing game, there will be true terror within the pages of his next novel.
ARC via Netgalley
April 24, 2020
Read for O.W.L.s Magical Readathon 2020, Divination; pick a book from your shelf using a random number generator.
1.5/5 stars
It's not the current world-affairs that made me not enjoy this book honestly; it's the book itself. I was hoping for an actionpacked thriller and would have honestly been fine with a bit of a B-movie/guilty pleasure vibe. Unfortunately, this was more of an F-movie...
All the clichés you can imagine were in here, the characters were as flat as cartboard which meant I couldn't get engaged with their story at all, and "the bad-guy" was the most ridiculous cartoon-villain imaginable. Not an enjoyable time for me...
1.5/5 stars
It's not the current world-affairs that made me not enjoy this book honestly; it's the book itself. I was hoping for an actionpacked thriller and would have honestly been fine with a bit of a B-movie/guilty pleasure vibe. Unfortunately, this was more of an F-movie...
All the clichés you can imagine were in here, the characters were as flat as cartboard which meant I couldn't get engaged with their story at all, and "the bad-guy" was the most ridiculous cartoon-villain imaginable. Not an enjoyable time for me...
January 5, 2017
When a farmer becomes violently ill with his death soon to follow and then more victims begin to turn up at the hospitals it becomes clear there is a new epidemic loose in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. It's discovered that there is a new tick born virus haunting the area as more begin to die from the disease.
Curt Kennedy, a biothreat tracker, and Mariah Rossi, an epidemiologist, are put on the case and find themselves tracking a terrorist who has let the disease loose on the area and plans more devastation.
Containment was an alright thriller with decent writing but I was never really too engrossed and compelled the way I'd like to be with a thriller. I found myself questioning the official synopsis given with this one, to me they gave away most of the book so as I went along I was never really finding myself too surprised as I read.
I will warn the animal lovers this one may just make ones blood boil also with the way the virus is dealt with. That along with many other little details in here really didn't seem to be too realistic to find myself with the thought that wow, this could happen which I also like to have with this type of a read. In the end I just found this one an OK read, it just never really wowed me as I went along.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.wordpress....
Curt Kennedy, a biothreat tracker, and Mariah Rossi, an epidemiologist, are put on the case and find themselves tracking a terrorist who has let the disease loose on the area and plans more devastation.
Containment was an alright thriller with decent writing but I was never really too engrossed and compelled the way I'd like to be with a thriller. I found myself questioning the official synopsis given with this one, to me they gave away most of the book so as I went along I was never really finding myself too surprised as I read.
I will warn the animal lovers this one may just make ones blood boil also with the way the virus is dealt with. That along with many other little details in here really didn't seem to be too realistic to find myself with the thought that wow, this could happen which I also like to have with this type of a read. In the end I just found this one an OK read, it just never really wowed me as I went along.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.wordpress....
August 26, 2017
*** Goodreads giveaway winner
I found this book to be a mostly engaging, fast paced bio-thriller. Very reminiscent of Michael Crichton. Probably a bit more accessible though. However, just like Crichton, the human relationships seemed a bit off and a tad forced. The plot was quite thought-out, but the end scenes were a bit lackluster.
Overall a solid 3 star plus book for me. Its also super scary to me to think about a deliberate bio-terrorist attack and how we would respond today (especially with the state of the US government).
I found this book to be a mostly engaging, fast paced bio-thriller. Very reminiscent of Michael Crichton. Probably a bit more accessible though. However, just like Crichton, the human relationships seemed a bit off and a tad forced. The plot was quite thought-out, but the end scenes were a bit lackluster.
Overall a solid 3 star plus book for me. Its also super scary to me to think about a deliberate bio-terrorist attack and how we would respond today (especially with the state of the US government).
October 24, 2017
“When it comes to contagious diseases, it’s a pretty small world.”
I knew by the synopsis that this book was going to be a terrifying ride. I knew going in, and yet somehow I was still unprepared for the terror this book brought!
Mariah Rossi studies viruses and works to make sure that in the event of a breakout, it can be easily and quickly contained. Curt Kennedy, scientist and covert CIA agent, also works to ensure containment of outbreaks. But when a lethal virus begins to kill people outside of Philadelphia, time is not on their side. They need to work together to figure out what this virus is, and how it can be contained.
Told from multiple perspectives, we get to watch this terrifying virus reveal itself. We see it through Mariah and Curt’s eyes, but also Doctor Vector, the terrorist developing the virus to be even deadlier than it was originally. Using ticks as its carrier. While the outbreak is happening in Philadelphia, the conspiracy that unleashed it ends up taking Curt and Mariah all over the globe as they race to stop Doctor Vector from releasing havoc onto the world.
“Doctor Vector smiled. Soon his soldiers would be ready for battle.”
The twists and turns this book takes you on are as exhilarating as a roller-coaster. The plot builds and builds, and just when you think you have a grasp on what’s happening, the floor plunges from out beneath you. Over and over again, until your heart is pounding in your ears and you’re breathless with the intensity of it all. There were twists I never would have guessed that completely blind-sided me. And yet, each turn the plot took, each twist that presented itself, all made sense in a very real-world setting. Which made the entire thing even more chilling than if it remained in the realm of fiction.
Most thrillers and suspense novels borrow from real life. They take a ‘what if’ and explore the dark underbelly of possibility. What could happen? And even though we know these things could happen, we take comfort in knowing they probably won’t.
With Containment, the details hit a little too close to home. They unravel with breathtaking speed, and every event makes your stomach queasy. Even more disconcerting is finding out that the author has studied and lectured on these exact topics. The book is fiction, but the ideas within the pages are all too real. As you read you can hear the reality a little too clearly.
There is a lot of “shop talk” within these pages. A credit to the strength of writing and story-telling of Parker in how he manages to make them seem natural to the reader. There is a glossary in the back, but I never felt the need to look up a term or felt confused in reading. He doesn’t work it into the dialogue, or place an awkward technical explanation in the writing, he simply is able to describe what he means without dumbing it down or calling it out. By the time I reached the glossary, I realized that how elegant these work-ins were. I didn’t even realize I needed a glossary.
It’s strange to think, but most plots, whether fictional or real life, truly only impact a small number of people. A person gets murdered, and while the effect on their friends and family is deep and profound, the tragedy is contained. Part of what makes Containment so bone-chilling, is the sheer idea of how many people can be impacted. A virus can kill millions in the blink of an eye. People, wildlife, pets, infected and killed, sometimes within hours or even days. The sheer volume of casualty is shocking, and the speed in which it can occur even more horrifying.
The title eludes to more than simply finding and stopping a virus. Containment zones need to be put into place, and the extent of those zones will vary by threat. It was chilling to read how quickly you could lose your rights in the event of a tragedy or emergency. How fast law-abiding citizens turn rogue as fear and panic set in. How little control we end up having in the face of disaster. The idea of containing not just the virus, but the fallout as well. I love a title that has multiple layers of meaning hidden within it.
I will caution sensitive readers going into this book. While there isn’t graphic violence, there are disturbing ideas discussed and presented. Parker doesn’t shy away from giving a direct understanding of what lethal viruses would look like in a human and animals, which is unpleasant to read about. There is a trigger scene involving a sexual assault. Again, nothing graphic or explicit, but the detail is realistic and can be disturbing.
This book is a thriller in the most strict of definitions. I found myself having to put it down and breathe through my unease. It is realistic and terrifying. Like any thrill ride, you’ll put the book down feeling shaky; adrenaline having spiked through your muscles leaving you exhilarated and shocked, but stronger for surviving the ride.
Thank you Touchstone Books for sending me a copy to read and review!
I knew by the synopsis that this book was going to be a terrifying ride. I knew going in, and yet somehow I was still unprepared for the terror this book brought!
Mariah Rossi studies viruses and works to make sure that in the event of a breakout, it can be easily and quickly contained. Curt Kennedy, scientist and covert CIA agent, also works to ensure containment of outbreaks. But when a lethal virus begins to kill people outside of Philadelphia, time is not on their side. They need to work together to figure out what this virus is, and how it can be contained.
Told from multiple perspectives, we get to watch this terrifying virus reveal itself. We see it through Mariah and Curt’s eyes, but also Doctor Vector, the terrorist developing the virus to be even deadlier than it was originally. Using ticks as its carrier. While the outbreak is happening in Philadelphia, the conspiracy that unleashed it ends up taking Curt and Mariah all over the globe as they race to stop Doctor Vector from releasing havoc onto the world.
“Doctor Vector smiled. Soon his soldiers would be ready for battle.”
The twists and turns this book takes you on are as exhilarating as a roller-coaster. The plot builds and builds, and just when you think you have a grasp on what’s happening, the floor plunges from out beneath you. Over and over again, until your heart is pounding in your ears and you’re breathless with the intensity of it all. There were twists I never would have guessed that completely blind-sided me. And yet, each turn the plot took, each twist that presented itself, all made sense in a very real-world setting. Which made the entire thing even more chilling than if it remained in the realm of fiction.
Most thrillers and suspense novels borrow from real life. They take a ‘what if’ and explore the dark underbelly of possibility. What could happen? And even though we know these things could happen, we take comfort in knowing they probably won’t.
With Containment, the details hit a little too close to home. They unravel with breathtaking speed, and every event makes your stomach queasy. Even more disconcerting is finding out that the author has studied and lectured on these exact topics. The book is fiction, but the ideas within the pages are all too real. As you read you can hear the reality a little too clearly.
There is a lot of “shop talk” within these pages. A credit to the strength of writing and story-telling of Parker in how he manages to make them seem natural to the reader. There is a glossary in the back, but I never felt the need to look up a term or felt confused in reading. He doesn’t work it into the dialogue, or place an awkward technical explanation in the writing, he simply is able to describe what he means without dumbing it down or calling it out. By the time I reached the glossary, I realized that how elegant these work-ins were. I didn’t even realize I needed a glossary.
It’s strange to think, but most plots, whether fictional or real life, truly only impact a small number of people. A person gets murdered, and while the effect on their friends and family is deep and profound, the tragedy is contained. Part of what makes Containment so bone-chilling, is the sheer idea of how many people can be impacted. A virus can kill millions in the blink of an eye. People, wildlife, pets, infected and killed, sometimes within hours or even days. The sheer volume of casualty is shocking, and the speed in which it can occur even more horrifying.
The title eludes to more than simply finding and stopping a virus. Containment zones need to be put into place, and the extent of those zones will vary by threat. It was chilling to read how quickly you could lose your rights in the event of a tragedy or emergency. How fast law-abiding citizens turn rogue as fear and panic set in. How little control we end up having in the face of disaster. The idea of containing not just the virus, but the fallout as well. I love a title that has multiple layers of meaning hidden within it.
I will caution sensitive readers going into this book. While there isn’t graphic violence, there are disturbing ideas discussed and presented. Parker doesn’t shy away from giving a direct understanding of what lethal viruses would look like in a human and animals, which is unpleasant to read about. There is a trigger scene involving a sexual assault. Again, nothing graphic or explicit, but the detail is realistic and can be disturbing.
This book is a thriller in the most strict of definitions. I found myself having to put it down and breathe through my unease. It is realistic and terrifying. Like any thrill ride, you’ll put the book down feeling shaky; adrenaline having spiked through your muscles leaving you exhilarated and shocked, but stronger for surviving the ride.
Thank you Touchstone Books for sending me a copy to read and review!
February 20, 2017
A bioterror attack using ticks as the weapon of destruction is the idea behind the new thriller, Containment by Hank Parker. An Amish farmer and his wife in Pennsylvania become deathly ill and die a gruesome death. Authorities soon figure out they are dealing with a deadly and highly contagious disease. Quarantines soon follow, and once they learn it is transmitted by animals, mass slaughter of livestock and pets is ordered. An attractive female scientist, Mariah Rossi, is paired with a handsome and versatile government investigator, Curt Kennedy, to track down the virus and the person or persons responsible for deploying it before a national and global crisis occurs.
I was attracted to the premise of this book with a new angle on bioweapons, a deadly and fast-spreading disease, and a race to stop wider-scale deployment of the weapon. The development of this premise, unfortunately, was weak. The characters were flat, the romance between Mariah and Curt felt tacked on and unnecessary. The villain, who calls himself Dr. Vector, was motivated by a sort of revenge, but his motivation was murky and his plan to exact revenge seemed poorly thought out. Also, it was fairly easy to puzzle out who he was.
The actions of the government in trying to contain the outbreak and prevent its spread seemed unlikely, as did the reactions of the populace, both within and outside the containment zone. A novel of this sort takes a certain amount of suspension of disbelief, but it shouldn’t require an infinite amount.
The novel is fast-paced and several of the sequences are quite thrilling. The audio version is narrated by George Newbern who does a good job with the pace of the novel and the individual characters are well-voiced and easily distinguishable. A couple of minor problems with inconsistent pronunciation, but overall Newbern does a fine job.
I received an advance copy of this audiobook for review.
I was attracted to the premise of this book with a new angle on bioweapons, a deadly and fast-spreading disease, and a race to stop wider-scale deployment of the weapon. The development of this premise, unfortunately, was weak. The characters were flat, the romance between Mariah and Curt felt tacked on and unnecessary. The villain, who calls himself Dr. Vector, was motivated by a sort of revenge, but his motivation was murky and his plan to exact revenge seemed poorly thought out. Also, it was fairly easy to puzzle out who he was.
The actions of the government in trying to contain the outbreak and prevent its spread seemed unlikely, as did the reactions of the populace, both within and outside the containment zone. A novel of this sort takes a certain amount of suspension of disbelief, but it shouldn’t require an infinite amount.
The novel is fast-paced and several of the sequences are quite thrilling. The audio version is narrated by George Newbern who does a good job with the pace of the novel and the individual characters are well-voiced and easily distinguishable. A couple of minor problems with inconsistent pronunciation, but overall Newbern does a fine job.
I received an advance copy of this audiobook for review.
August 1, 2021
How many science thrillers contain a 9-page glossary at the end? Author Hank Parker, PhD in biological oceanography and former senior executive in Homeland Security for the Agricultural Research Service of the USDA, knows his stuff about containing deadly viruses that can spread from animals to humans. Once you read this edge-of-your-seat novel, you'll have been entertained plus gain a better understanding of the technical processes and people in governmental agencies that must work together to prevent animal and human disease from being used as a tool of bio or agroterrorism. This book was published in 2017, but certainly resonates even more during our current COVID-19 battle. I won't get into a plot summary but to say that it will keep you reading into the night.
June 5, 2017
Not as good as I'd hoped, but enjoyable
3.75 out of 5 stars
I LOVE Bio-Thrillers. One of my all time favorite authors has written both fiction and non-fiction books within this genre and this book walked the tightrope between fiction and non-fiction. I can definitely tell that this book was written as accurately as possible. I read some of the other reviews, and people were upset with how the government reacted (especially with how they dealt with the animals). If they ever did an ounce of research into livestock disease outbreaks -- they would see that what Parker wrote about in Containment could and would happen.
The premise is a both different and the same from the other books I've read lately in this genre. If you follow my reviews or tweets regularly, you'd notice that I've been asking for a great bio-thriller to read and enjoy. I thought I'd found it with Containment. Sure, it's another hemorrhagic fever related illness, but if you follow the genre, that's what seems to scare most of the readers. The part that I enjoyed most was where it originated -- in ticks. I've never read a bio-thriller where they are the main transfer agent.
You can tell from the beginning that things aren't going to all work out in the end. Things are going to get worse -- it's how the characters deal with these changes that made this book. Sure, there was some cheesy and completely unnecessary romance in this, but I can look past that.
I kept going back and forth with this book. I'm sad because I wanted to love it and I didn't. But I didn't hate it either. It is definitely better than some bio-thrillers I've read, but after the first half of the book or so (basically after the garage scene -- I'm trying not to ruin anything here) the book just kind of falls flat. Which is super depressing since that's the part of the book that should have been more and more intense. It was honestly almost like reading two stories.
This book really hovers between 3.5 and 4 stars from me. The first half of the book really made it interesting enough to continue reading, but the end really threw me for a loop.
Overall, I think this would be a pretty good "intro" bio-thriller. And mark my words -- I bet this becomes either a TV show or a movie. It just had that feeling in it.
3.75 out of 5 stars
I LOVE Bio-Thrillers. One of my all time favorite authors has written both fiction and non-fiction books within this genre and this book walked the tightrope between fiction and non-fiction. I can definitely tell that this book was written as accurately as possible. I read some of the other reviews, and people were upset with how the government reacted (especially with how they dealt with the animals). If they ever did an ounce of research into livestock disease outbreaks -- they would see that what Parker wrote about in Containment could and would happen.
The premise is a both different and the same from the other books I've read lately in this genre. If you follow my reviews or tweets regularly, you'd notice that I've been asking for a great bio-thriller to read and enjoy. I thought I'd found it with Containment. Sure, it's another hemorrhagic fever related illness, but if you follow the genre, that's what seems to scare most of the readers. The part that I enjoyed most was where it originated -- in ticks. I've never read a bio-thriller where they are the main transfer agent.
You can tell from the beginning that things aren't going to all work out in the end. Things are going to get worse -- it's how the characters deal with these changes that made this book. Sure, there was some cheesy and completely unnecessary romance in this, but I can look past that.
I kept going back and forth with this book. I'm sad because I wanted to love it and I didn't. But I didn't hate it either. It is definitely better than some bio-thrillers I've read, but after the first half of the book or so (basically after the garage scene -- I'm trying not to ruin anything here) the book just kind of falls flat. Which is super depressing since that's the part of the book that should have been more and more intense. It was honestly almost like reading two stories.
This book really hovers between 3.5 and 4 stars from me. The first half of the book really made it interesting enough to continue reading, but the end really threw me for a loop.
Overall, I think this would be a pretty good "intro" bio-thriller. And mark my words -- I bet this becomes either a TV show or a movie. It just had that feeling in it.
December 8, 2016
A fantastic bio terror thriller with an up-to-date outlook.
October 2, 2020
Mayyyyybe 2.5 stars. The beginning started out promising with the rising tension, but then about halfway through it started going downhill and just... didn’t stop.
The long-lost son plot line was so bad. The budding romance between our two main characters was too much. A villain who was basically a cartoon? No thank you. Too many side characters were being introduced in order to have a couple paragraphs focused on them. Things wrapped up way too nicely considering the seriousness of the situation (OR DID IT?!).
The author obviously has some expertise, but that couldn't save the book for me.
The long-lost son plot line was so bad. The budding romance between our two main characters was too much. A villain who was basically a cartoon? No thank you. Too many side characters were being introduced in order to have a couple paragraphs focused on them. Things wrapped up way too nicely considering the seriousness of the situation (OR DID IT?!).
The author obviously has some expertise, but that couldn't save the book for me.
March 23, 2017
There was a twist I did not see coming, but seemed a bit anticlimactic at then end.
February 26, 2017
Too many side stories, too many missing plot points. The cities on the cover are hardly in the story. Doesn’t even approach the scope or gravity of Outbreak or Contagion.
September 7, 2019
There were a few reasons why I wanted to read this book. Firstly, as a PhD student myself, I thought it would be interesting to read a novel by an author who himself has a PhD, in a field similar to my own as well. The fact that Malaysia is a setting in this book appealed to me too, as that is where I'm staying. And a thriller about a vector-borne bio-weapon is always intriguing to me. However, after just one or two chapters I already knew that I wouldn't really enjoy this book. And now that I have finished it, this book is unfortunately my least favourite of the year.
The story just felt very empty and hollow to me. Like I just ate a full meal but I'm still unsatisfied. The plot was boring, the twist towards the end was very predictable, the ending was so anti-climactic it seemed as though the author just wanted to end the story quickly and didn't bother coming up with a more exciting ending, and the characters were dull. In fact, one of the main characters was so cynical and sceptical that it just made her annoying.
The author's writing style wasn't that enticing in my opinion. As an academician, I know the scientific way of writing is very direct and to the point, which doesn't translate well to storytelling. I often found myself somewhat annoyed by the writing, and the author seemed eager to show off his scientific background every chance he could. I can understand why he did it, but it was just executed poorly.
I'm glad I only spent about a week finishing this book. If I took longer I might have felt even more let down by the time I finished it.
The story just felt very empty and hollow to me. Like I just ate a full meal but I'm still unsatisfied. The plot was boring, the twist towards the end was very predictable, the ending was so anti-climactic it seemed as though the author just wanted to end the story quickly and didn't bother coming up with a more exciting ending, and the characters were dull. In fact, one of the main characters was so cynical and sceptical that it just made her annoying.
The author's writing style wasn't that enticing in my opinion. As an academician, I know the scientific way of writing is very direct and to the point, which doesn't translate well to storytelling. I often found myself somewhat annoyed by the writing, and the author seemed eager to show off his scientific background every chance he could. I can understand why he did it, but it was just executed poorly.
I'm glad I only spent about a week finishing this book. If I took longer I might have felt even more let down by the time I finished it.
June 1, 2017
I picked up the book thinking this would be like Steven Soderbergh's Contagion, and for a few chapters that seemed to be true. Then, Doctor Vector showed up, and the book became way to much like a Clive Cussler novel. There are jarring cuts between subplots, cliched subplots that are completely unnecessary in a story where trying to fight a disease should be enough suspense, scenes that stop so that the characters can provide exposition or backstory immediately followed by generic action sequences without much suspense. I think the book could have been improved if it stayed in Pennsylvania. The book was not "globe-trotting" enough to make it feel like a world-wide thriller and the connections to terrorism feel forced. Having just read The Andromeda Strain, Crichton was able to create a terrifying and suspenseful disease story by focusing on the science and the tools used to stop a natural event, rather than Parker's virus. Parker includes a glossary at the end of the book, which seems unnecessary and on included to prove that the science exists, but not really how it is used. Parker's lab scene and accident in the first act was the best section of the book, but after that the book became outlandish and silly. I'm giving the book two stars for the cover that drew me in, and the fact that I was able to finish the book. It is a generic thriller where the virus only acts as a bystander to cookie-cutter characters in a boring story.
July 28, 2017
I love bio thrillers and conspiracy theories, so when I came across this book at the store, it was a no brainer. I don't normally impulse buy books (I have a long enough TBR list and so I try to stick to those), but I'm glad I grabbed Containment.
You can tell the author is extremely knowledgeable on the topic of public health. Often with bio thrillers I find myself in a bit of "disbelief" - zombies anyone? I did not find myself once questioning the plausibility of this disease.
Of course, the circumstances surrounding the release of the disease is another story. Things seemed to be just a little out of the realm of possibility and fall into place just a little too.. nicely.
Animal lovers (me), be warned. The way the government has to treat animals in the quarantine zone is heartbreaking to imagine, and I definitely cuddled my dog a little harder after reading this. However, as hard and heartbreaking it may be, it's realistic.
The story follows the outbreak but mainly we're swept into the world of two scientists who track and monitor bio-threats and diseases. I loved these characters, they were relatable and I was very connected to them. The author does a great job switching between facts and science to a story where you're invested in the characters, something that's not easily written. Great content, okay writing.
Definitely read if you like dystopia-ish, conspiracy theories, etc.
You can tell the author is extremely knowledgeable on the topic of public health. Often with bio thrillers I find myself in a bit of "disbelief" - zombies anyone? I did not find myself once questioning the plausibility of this disease.
Of course, the circumstances surrounding the release of the disease is another story. Things seemed to be just a little out of the realm of possibility and fall into place just a little too.. nicely.
Animal lovers (me), be warned. The way the government has to treat animals in the quarantine zone is heartbreaking to imagine, and I definitely cuddled my dog a little harder after reading this. However, as hard and heartbreaking it may be, it's realistic.
The story follows the outbreak but mainly we're swept into the world of two scientists who track and monitor bio-threats and diseases. I loved these characters, they were relatable and I was very connected to them. The author does a great job switching between facts and science to a story where you're invested in the characters, something that's not easily written. Great content, okay writing.
Definitely read if you like dystopia-ish, conspiracy theories, etc.
June 20, 2021
Last year I figured out that reading post-apocalyptic books during a pandemic was not fun for me. This year, I have learned that it's twice as deliciously creepy to read a book on bioterrorism during a pandemic.
If you're just dipping your toe into the wonderful world of infectious disease fiction, Containment by Hank Parker is a good place to start. Parker does a great job of breaking down BSL-4 protocols and hitting all the acronyms without talking down to the reader. However, if you cut your teeth on Richard Preston, it's going to feel a little simplistic in terms of the science, but the simplicity in writing translates to chilling scenes in other areas (it's worth putting up with the simple science to get to the good stuff). The petting zoo scene had to be my favorite - it was so beautifully done.
As a debut novel, this was very well done. I hope, with future novels, to see more progression and development in the writing, though I am definitely looking forward to reading more by this author
If you're just dipping your toe into the wonderful world of infectious disease fiction, Containment by Hank Parker is a good place to start. Parker does a great job of breaking down BSL-4 protocols and hitting all the acronyms without talking down to the reader. However, if you cut your teeth on Richard Preston, it's going to feel a little simplistic in terms of the science, but the simplicity in writing translates to chilling scenes in other areas (it's worth putting up with the simple science to get to the good stuff). The petting zoo scene had to be my favorite - it was so beautifully done.
As a debut novel, this was very well done. I hope, with future novels, to see more progression and development in the writing, though I am definitely looking forward to reading more by this author
July 12, 2018
Nothing personal, as always when reviewing a book, but I do hope before Hank Parker turns out another 'thriller' he gets some help. Check that: lots of help.
His action scenes need to be reworked to the point of abolishment, and his plotting needs new courses. The holes in "Containment" would let loose alligators. Exactly how I read the thing, even with the skimming and jumping, is beyond me. It gets three Stars only because I don't read one or two Star books. That we've seen this before, done better, doesn't help. Perhaps the only thing going for the story is that the author has a certain amount of expertise in epidemiology and the story might scare some government officials into taking much-needed steps. Only a government functionary or elected official could read this without the urge to throw it at the wall in disgust.
His action scenes need to be reworked to the point of abolishment, and his plotting needs new courses. The holes in "Containment" would let loose alligators. Exactly how I read the thing, even with the skimming and jumping, is beyond me. It gets three Stars only because I don't read one or two Star books. That we've seen this before, done better, doesn't help. Perhaps the only thing going for the story is that the author has a certain amount of expertise in epidemiology and the story might scare some government officials into taking much-needed steps. Only a government functionary or elected official could read this without the urge to throw it at the wall in disgust.
November 28, 2021
This was a light read and a book that you can put down and come back to a day or so later and still know what is going on. There is an unknown virus ( amazing how it sometimes starts in the country) that gradually spreads. Mariah and Curt- two government officials— are tasked at determining what it could be and is it tied into a terrorist group. They travel around the world chasing crumbs and trying to stop the bad guys. Blah blah blah. If you have read enough you know what happens at the end like so many other novels.
The author did a good job with this novel but it did leave a little or a lot to be desired. Like I said a light read and I wish the author well if he decides to write another one. Please add some substance or meat as I call it so that we as readers can build an attachment with your main characters.
The author did a good job with this novel but it did leave a little or a lot to be desired. Like I said a light read and I wish the author well if he decides to write another one. Please add some substance or meat as I call it so that we as readers can build an attachment with your main characters.
March 5, 2018
I wanted to give this a higher rating but just can’t seem to justify it. There are some excellent suspense sequences in here, but so much of it gets really predictable. There are some really oddball stylistic things that the author does that don’t fit really well. For example, there are a few times when you have dialogue mixed with internal monologue, and it doesn’t flow very well, it reads really choppy. There are other times where you read a sequence and the editing is poorly done you can cle early tell it’s the authors first work. The edits aren’t doing him any favors. Still, it’s a page turner, a few interesting things here and there, but nothing to write home about...glad it moved quickly...definitely something to read when you don’t care about passing the time. :/
January 28, 2018
I'm a tough critic on books that have too many plot conveniences. I liked this book, the story, the smart writing, but... Plot conveniences kill me. I can't ignore them. This is one reason why I almost can't stand Dan Brown's books. I also admit that it just may be ME. So many "great books" have convenient twists and turns that I don't guess it's wrong to have them in your book. In any case, this is a good story with plenty of tension and smart writing. If you are interested in smart thrillers, this is a good one. Overall, I enjoyed this book.
April 2, 2020
This book started out strong. The build up was good and the villain interesting and likable protagonists.
Midway, however, the book shifted focus from the pandemic medical view and shifted into a more traditional and for me boring thriller style, complete with too much personal history.
I would have given it four stars bacuse of the first half of the book if not for the fact I found som pretty annoying inconsistencies in timelines and effect. Also it it was not clear all the time what kind of story the author wanted to tell and focus on.
I did like the author's overall writing style.
Midway, however, the book shifted focus from the pandemic medical view and shifted into a more traditional and for me boring thriller style, complete with too much personal history.
I would have given it four stars bacuse of the first half of the book if not for the fact I found som pretty annoying inconsistencies in timelines and effect. Also it it was not clear all the time what kind of story the author wanted to tell and focus on.
I did like the author's overall writing style.
September 9, 2017
I got two thirds of the way through this book --so it is definitely an absorbing read. I was already a bit irritated about the unnecessary romance developing between two professional colleagues. But I put the book down because it just lost all semblance of believability for me when I'm not sure what the point of either development was but neither left me feeling more invested in the characters or the book.
September 8, 2022
I'd say it's a 3.5 but rounded up because it is a pretty good read up until the end lol. Thrilling, bursting with anticipation, then it's pptthh. But wait! You forgot about the twist, bihhh whaaaatt! Then again, they make you blow another raspberry 😮💨 then the epilogue is like oh bish f*** no, don't with me. You can't do this after THAT. I kinda saw that coming, but DANG IT. I hope I got my emotions across while trying to not have spoilers LOL, enjoy!
July 18, 2017
Started off good, high paced and pulled you in within the first 30 pages. While the story flowed well, the excitement seemed to wane. Ending of the antagonist was anticlimactic, which was a bummer. Vector could have went out in a much larger blaze of glory. A second book is in the works according to the author. Let's see if the excitement and keep you riveted to the story returns.
August 21, 2018
I think I had expected more from this book, more like Outbreak or Contagion, but it just didn't grab me in. It moved slow to me and wasn't the fast-paced, nail biting thriller I had hoped it to be. When I got towards the end, I found myself reading really fast (almost skimming) just to be done with the book. Just an ok read.
July 16, 2021
Overall a good read. Felt like some of the story was missing though. For instance, after martial law was instituted, we never went back to that story line and was told "it was all ok". This happened more than once. It was almost as if the author just decided he was done and just stopped.
All in all though it was enjoyable and fun.
All in all though it was enjoyable and fun.
December 17, 2017
Is it really contained?
I appreciate the research this, like the Pandemic series by Akart, book reveals. It makes the story that much more realistic. Do you ever get the creepy crawlies?
I appreciate the research this, like the Pandemic series by Akart, book reveals. It makes the story that much more realistic. Do you ever get the creepy crawlies?
August 27, 2020
Good virus thriller that I couldn’t put down. There were parts that would have been better suited for a film medium but overall fairly good flow to the novel. The characters were well written for the most part. I don’t have any complaints with the book really but wasn’t the best I have read.
September 29, 2020
The premise of the book was intriguing because it paralleled the virus that we are in reality dealing with. However, I felt there were 2 different stories being told and that kind of mucked up the storyline for me. But it kept my interest enough to want to get to the end.
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