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Decontamination
The violent and brutal murder of Nathan Daniels, a young ecology student in the early hours of the morning sends shockwaves through the local population. When Matt Kasey, the local obituaries writer, ibecomes involved in the case, though, he finds himself unwittingly stumbling into a web of intrigue and subterfuge among the science community. Could Nathan really have uncovered a sinister cover-up of a deadly contamination, and could his research have gotten him killed? Before he knows it, Matt is up to his neck in the action. His friends are dropping like flies, and to top it all off, he has to deal with Amiti Chopra, a fellow reporter who is by turns infuriating and alluring. Decontamination is a fast paced, witty action thriller that will leave your head spinning as you veer from laughter to outrage. Based on the floods in the North of England in July 2007, with real history, geography and science interwoven throughout, this fictional novel will have you wondering whether the events described really did happen. The author would like to reassure you this is purely a work of fiction.
- GenresMystery
326 pages, Paperback
First published October 12, 2011
1 person is currently reading
21 people want to read
About the author
S. Gail Seymour
4 books9 followersS Gail Seymour, (the S stands for Sandra, put before Gail because her parents couldn’t think of a middle name that sounded right after Gail) has been writing for the Internet for over a decade. In that time she has designed, created and managed dozens of Web sites, and created the copy for over 50,000 Web pages.
She has made her living as a freelance writer since moving to Wolverhampton, in the UK, with her new partner in 2009.
Prior to that, she had a somewhat erratic career, starting out as a Saturday lass in Wilko’s and serving stints as a motorcycle trade sales secretary, a hire counter sales assistant, (where she gained a certificate to change abrasive wheels) and a prison librarian (where she trained as a hostage negotiator) before being, “pensioned off,” at the ripe old age of 26 due to an long term undiagnosed balance disorder.
During her period of illness, besides having a small collection of poetry published, and teaching herself web design and programming, she worked part time as an independent distributor for two network marketing companies before returning to full time education to train as a florist. Finally, she ran her own flower shop in Doncaster before turning her attention to writing full time.
Moroaica, her first novel was published in May 2011, and Decontamination, her second, in October of the same year. Moroaica is a vampire slayer novel, (think cross between Buffy and Blade) whereas Decontamination is an eco-thriller.
“I love paranormal stories and science thrillers, and don’t want to have to give up one for the other,” she says. “Although I understand not all Moroaica readers will want to cross genres with me, and that’s fine. I’ll be writing more of The Moroi Chronicles, and more Matt Kasey Mysteries too. I think that’s the beauty of being an Indie author, that I don’t have to restrict myself to just one formulaic style of writing.”
She has made her living as a freelance writer since moving to Wolverhampton, in the UK, with her new partner in 2009.
Prior to that, she had a somewhat erratic career, starting out as a Saturday lass in Wilko’s and serving stints as a motorcycle trade sales secretary, a hire counter sales assistant, (where she gained a certificate to change abrasive wheels) and a prison librarian (where she trained as a hostage negotiator) before being, “pensioned off,” at the ripe old age of 26 due to an long term undiagnosed balance disorder.
During her period of illness, besides having a small collection of poetry published, and teaching herself web design and programming, she worked part time as an independent distributor for two network marketing companies before returning to full time education to train as a florist. Finally, she ran her own flower shop in Doncaster before turning her attention to writing full time.
Moroaica, her first novel was published in May 2011, and Decontamination, her second, in October of the same year. Moroaica is a vampire slayer novel, (think cross between Buffy and Blade) whereas Decontamination is an eco-thriller.
“I love paranormal stories and science thrillers, and don’t want to have to give up one for the other,” she says. “Although I understand not all Moroaica readers will want to cross genres with me, and that’s fine. I’ll be writing more of The Moroi Chronicles, and more Matt Kasey Mysteries too. I think that’s the beauty of being an Indie author, that I don’t have to restrict myself to just one formulaic style of writing.”
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
March 19, 2012
I was given this book from the author for an honest review. S. Gail Seymour tells a mystery, thriller story about nature vs. man. The story is packed with action, science, history and even romance. “Based on the floods in the North of England in July 2007, with real history, geography and science interwoven throughout, this fictional novel will have you wondering whether the events described really did happen”. A great read!
February 21, 2012
This book was captivating from the first page. The author is skilled at lyrical description, but even that just provides a backdrop for the suspenseful action, which kickstarts itself in just the third paragraph, and doesn’t stop. In some ways, I would classify this novel in the thriller genre: my heart leapt into my throat right away and I was fairly literally on the edge of my seat. Like the really excellent thrillers, this novel contains those unexpected twists, sudden revelations, and taut details that make the reader shout for more.
From the commencement a stunning conundrum is proposed:
Why should a young man, a University student whose focus is the ecology of wildlife pursuant to a major flooding, be stalked and hunted down, then murdered? What could such a quiet, civil, studious, individual have done, or have found out, to warrant his violent death? Obituary writer Matthew Kasey becomes intrigued-the pieces just do not cohere-and the reader is right along beside him, demanding to know “why? Who? What?”
Matt well remembers the Toll Bar Floods of 2007, which had nearly reached his home, and whose consequences the dead young man had reportedly studied. Long-term health effects had been noticed in the displaced residents, so it stood to reason that the local fauna (and flora) would have been effected as well. But facts are facts, are they not? And hardly reason to kill anybody. The puzzling increases and readers will be enraptured, waiting to discover any potential outcome. I know I was-and planning a definite reread of this novel as well.
From the commencement a stunning conundrum is proposed:
Why should a young man, a University student whose focus is the ecology of wildlife pursuant to a major flooding, be stalked and hunted down, then murdered? What could such a quiet, civil, studious, individual have done, or have found out, to warrant his violent death? Obituary writer Matthew Kasey becomes intrigued-the pieces just do not cohere-and the reader is right along beside him, demanding to know “why? Who? What?”
Matt well remembers the Toll Bar Floods of 2007, which had nearly reached his home, and whose consequences the dead young man had reportedly studied. Long-term health effects had been noticed in the displaced residents, so it stood to reason that the local fauna (and flora) would have been effected as well. But facts are facts, are they not? And hardly reason to kill anybody. The puzzling increases and readers will be enraptured, waiting to discover any potential outcome. I know I was-and planning a definite reread of this novel as well.
March 29, 2012
Decontamination gets off to a flying start with the death of a student who has been working on local environmental issues. Soon it becomes clear that this murder is linked to the nearby Energy Research Institute and the cover up of deadly contamination in the area.
More murders follow in a desperate attempt to keep the scandal under wraps and the culprits out of prison. After conning their way into the facility, Matt kasey, local obituaries reporter finally ends up on the run with Amita Chopra, also a reporter.
The story ebbs between quite long descriptive passages and periods of high excitement. For me, the chapter when Matt and Amita were in the 'facility' was particularly well put together. A fun, 'light' thriller; it put me in mind of The Thrity Nine Steps as the two reporters dash to make their escape. Possibly a little too detailed in its explanations at times rather than leaving the reader to make their own deductions but, given the complex subject, I expect the author was wary about leaving any questions unanswered.
I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review - thank you!
More murders follow in a desperate attempt to keep the scandal under wraps and the culprits out of prison. After conning their way into the facility, Matt kasey, local obituaries reporter finally ends up on the run with Amita Chopra, also a reporter.
The story ebbs between quite long descriptive passages and periods of high excitement. For me, the chapter when Matt and Amita were in the 'facility' was particularly well put together. A fun, 'light' thriller; it put me in mind of The Thrity Nine Steps as the two reporters dash to make their escape. Possibly a little too detailed in its explanations at times rather than leaving the reader to make their own deductions but, given the complex subject, I expect the author was wary about leaving any questions unanswered.
I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review - thank you!
March 26, 2012
I started out really enjoying this book, but that was short lived.
It is a thriller, murder mystery about a young man who's body is discovered, the local obituaries writer then begins investigating his death - which at first I found a bit strange, but then later on it is explained that he used to be an investigative journalist etc. He enlists the help of another journalist and they go about solving the mystery.
I felt that the book was too over descriptive, for example when someone logged on to a computer, it was explained exactly what he clicked in step by step instructions, where just knowing that he logged on would have been fine. With these descriptions, i felt that it dragged on a bit and took away from the initial excitement of first of all the murder, and second the relationships between the characters.
I was able to follow the story throughout, the science sections were explained in an easy to follow way, and I did like the characters - unfortunately, the writing style just didn't do it for me.
It is a thriller, murder mystery about a young man who's body is discovered, the local obituaries writer then begins investigating his death - which at first I found a bit strange, but then later on it is explained that he used to be an investigative journalist etc. He enlists the help of another journalist and they go about solving the mystery.
I felt that the book was too over descriptive, for example when someone logged on to a computer, it was explained exactly what he clicked in step by step instructions, where just knowing that he logged on would have been fine. With these descriptions, i felt that it dragged on a bit and took away from the initial excitement of first of all the murder, and second the relationships between the characters.
I was able to follow the story throughout, the science sections were explained in an easy to follow way, and I did like the characters - unfortunately, the writing style just didn't do it for me.
March 27, 2012
**Disclaimer I received a copy of Decontamination in exchange for an honest review.
The opening of the book had me hooked. I was thrown into a world where you might be running for your life one moment and hiding from someone unknown the next. Once I got past the British vernacular, I enjoyed the novel for the most part.
Some places were a bit long for my tastes, as their was not as much dialogue as I had hoped and those areas of the novel were not my favorites, yet I persevered. Some of the science was lost on me as were the locations. Perhaps if I had spent more time in the UK or in a science class, I would have been able to enjoy this novel a bit more.
‘Decontamination’ was a great read as far as the suspense factor and keeping the reader looking in several directions, namely over heir shoulder for the next murder or explosion.
Overall, I would give this novel 3 ½ stars.
**Special Thank you to Gail for being understanding with my lateness of this review. My boy shared their cooties and this SAHM got sick and was unable to read for very long.
The opening of the book had me hooked. I was thrown into a world where you might be running for your life one moment and hiding from someone unknown the next. Once I got past the British vernacular, I enjoyed the novel for the most part.
Some places were a bit long for my tastes, as their was not as much dialogue as I had hoped and those areas of the novel were not my favorites, yet I persevered. Some of the science was lost on me as were the locations. Perhaps if I had spent more time in the UK or in a science class, I would have been able to enjoy this novel a bit more.
‘Decontamination’ was a great read as far as the suspense factor and keeping the reader looking in several directions, namely over heir shoulder for the next murder or explosion.
Overall, I would give this novel 3 ½ stars.
**Special Thank you to Gail for being understanding with my lateness of this review. My boy shared their cooties and this SAHM got sick and was unable to read for very long.
March 30, 2012
This was a very fast paced and interesting book. I enjoyed the plot, and how the facts unraveled throughout the book. I did think some more time could have been given to the characters. There were things referred to but never further explained which was distracting. The focus on green energy was nice, since that is a very hotly debated issue. There didn't seem to be as much of a wrap up as far as the murders and the punishment for them, and the continuing relationship between characters. Overall, this was a good read, and something I would recommend to others.
March 22, 2012
This book was an enjoyable crime thriller that kept you reading. In places it was amusing and sometimes comical and very well thought out, the plot was planned well and the characters were believable. This book captured me from the the first, it has many twists and turns. If you love the crime/suspense/thriller genre you will love this book. This is the 2nd book I have read by this author and I will continue to read her books.
December 17, 2014
I'll have to agree with several other reviewers so far, and say that the story started out fast-paced and interesting, but was bogged down by too much description for things that did not necessarily need it. Despite this, I slogged through only to be disappointed at the end by the fact that there was no description of the consequences laid down upon TERI.
July 11, 2015
I enjoyed this book more than I expected to. It started off a tiny bit slow but I soon couldn't put it down. Great plot, interesting twists and one of those you just want to hurry up and reach the end so you can find out what happens!
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews