Double Dose

Duad #2

by F. Paul Wilson

Double Dose picks up right where Double Threat leaves off – with a snarl of threads to tie up, a host of mysteries to explain, all complicated by some embarrassing intrusions from the past.

So many secrets in Nespodee Springs…the biggest is revealed when Rhys and Daley track down the second half of the Pendry film and learn the secrets of the clan’s Tesla tower and the catastrophic details of the plan to bring the Visitors back to Earth.

But the insidious malady known as “the horrors” remains a mystery, claiming more and more victims every day. Daley and Pard learn they can cure it – if only the powers that be will allow them.

Daley finds herself in an ironic For the first time in her life she’s trying to play it straight – help people instead of scam them – and no one will let her. In the past, when she’s spun a web of lies, the marks lapped it up like honey. Now, when she’s telling the truth – a life-saving truth – no one believes her.

And meanwhile, over the Salton Sea, an ominous darkness is growing…

Genres: Thriller, Science Fiction, Horror, Audiobook

384 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 19, 2023

About the author

Francis Paul Wilson is an author, born in Jersey City, New Jersey. He writes novels and short stories primarily in the science fiction and horror genres. His debut novel was Healer (1976). Wilson is also a part-time practicing family physician. He made his first sales in 1970 to Analog and continued to write science fiction throughout the seventies. In 1981 he ventured into the horror genre with the international bestseller, The Keep, and helped define the field throughout the rest of the decade. In the 1990s he became a true genre hopper, moving from science fiction to horror to medical thrillers and branching into interactive scripting for Disney Interactive and other multimedia companies. He, along with Matthew J. Costello, created and scripted FTL Newsfeed which ran daily on the Sci-Fi Channel from 1992-1996.

http://us.macmillan.com/author/fpaulw...

Reviews

[Montzalee Wittmann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Double Dose
By F. Paul Wilson
I waited so long to read this book that I had to review book 1. If you like interdimensional travel and beings, using science to create "natural" disasters, and more along this line, then you will like this book.
Lots of twists, unpredictable situations, and great characters and creatures. I hope the author decides to make a book #3 after all.

[Ed Sharrow · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mostly a repetition of Duad #1 with few new wrinkles to keep my interest.

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

In "Double Dose", Rhys and Daley continue their investigation into the mysterious Pendry clan and their connection to the Visitors, a group of extraterrestrial beings who have been visiting Earth for centuries. As they track down the second half of the Pendry film and learn more about the clan's plans to bring the Visitors back to Earth, they also must confront the insidious malady known as "the horrors," which is claiming more and more victims every day.

One of the strengths of "Double Dose" is its world-building. Wilson has created a complex and intriguing mythology around the Visitors and their connection to human history, and the details of their technology and culture are fascinating. The Tesla tower, in particular, is a standout element of the story, and the descriptions of its power and capabilities are both imaginative and compelling.

The characters are another strength of the book. Rhys and Daley are well-developed and likable, with distinct personalities and motivations. The relationship between the two is complex and nuanced, with conflicts and tensions that add depth and drama to the story. The supporting characters are also well-drawn, with their own quirks and motivations that make them feel like real people.

The pacing of the book is generally strong, with a good balance of action, exposition, and character development. The mystery surrounding "the horrors" provides a strong through-line for the story, and the tension builds steadily as Rhys and Daley get closer to uncovering the truth.

However, the book is not without its flaws. At times, the exposition can be heavy-handed, with long explanations of the mythology and technology that can bog down the narrative. Additionally, some readers may find the ending to be somewhat unsatisfying or abrupt.

Overall, "Double Dose" is a strong entry in the Duad series, with engaging characters, a rich and inventive world, and a good balance of action and mystery. Fans of science fiction and conspiracy thrillers will likely enjoy this book, and those who are new to the series may find it to be a good introduction to Wilson's imaginative and complex mythology.

[Vance Knox · Rating 5 out of 5]

As mentioned in my previous review of book one, I started listening to book two straight away. Book one had a lot of setup and character intros, a load of action, and smooth storytelling. In book two, everything is all set and ready.

We learn a few things in this book, for example, Reese is a dick and easily swayed by the confidence of others. The Duad, Pard, can be attacked / hurt, and the visitors are not exactly aliens per se — they are old gods. You know who I’m talking about. But there are aliens here and they have experienced the ‘love’ of the old gods.

We are also introduced to two new characters. I liked the characters and their interactions with the story, but why were they here? They had no impact on the story (not that I could tell).

The good overcoming evil is expected and well played out, Daley faced a lot of troubles emotionally leading up to the end, which toughened her up.

Karma, from book one, is back. He thinks Daley is a goddess after what she had done to him. He finds the dagger he stabbed into her heart and thinks she left it for him. He changes his name to Jeffery and vows to change his life. Unfortunately, his previous life skills prevent that from happening, and he thinks it is the goddess guiding him. He visits his Aunt, Juana, Daley’s friend. She tells him he is to protect the goddess no matter what. He doesn’t understand, the goddess is all powerful, but he will do it.

This book brings a very satisfying ending to the tale of Daley, and the Duad. The ending comes in hard and fast, with four different things happening at the same time. He could write more books involving these two characters and I’ll read them. And review them.

[Alan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The sequel to Double Threat, this book picks up right where the first one leaves off. It's chock full of a lot of moving parts. A young woman, formerly a grifter, now with a symbiont latched on to her giving her healing powers, possibly even the ability to cure the "horrors" - a strange affliction that's spreading to more and more people where they scream uncontrollably in abject horror about things no one else can perceive; two strange clans, one with a Tesla tower that causes earthquakes when powered on and a leader who aims to open up the Void to let the Visitors come back to Earth, the other an even more bizarre one which has enormous power cells enabling the other clan to use their tower, and whose own purpose is unclear; two sons of the first clan's leader, both who are enamored with the girl, one of whom is cursed with scaly deformity encasing his whole body, both of whom know some of their clan's plans but not the full extent of them; two siblings, a brother who cares for his emotionally stunted sister who seems to have cracked the plot behind the Void and Visitors and is eager to discover all she can about them; and that's only the major points. With it having been nearly three years since I read the first book, it took awhile to catch back up, though eventually enough happened or was explained to enable me to recall the events of the first novel. The story was never short of action, especially during the final climactic chapters when all hell really breaks loose. It was as imaginative as any of Wilson's Secret History stories and had some true surprises in the directions the story took.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book in the series about Daley and Pard. I don't know if Mr. Wilson will write more in this series (he's currently not writing at all), but it was left open-ended enough that the adventures could continue.

I really enjoyed these two books (although the second one was poorly edited). Daley and Pard are great, there is a slew of other interesting characters, and otherworldliness abounds. A Tesla tower! The Salton Sea! A mysterious ailment! So much fun. There is also a sly sense of humor that I always enjoy.

Highly recommended!

[Todd · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 2nd and at least for now final book in the Duad series. Continuing where Double Threat left off, Daley has decided to try and cure someone with the "Horrors".
Meanwhile the Pendry patriarch moves forward with the plan to create a breach to allow the Visitors to come to Earth and end life as we know it.
Nice concise 2 book story

[Alan Welch · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent conclusion to the Duad books. However, the editorial and publishing staff deserve a slap on the wrist. It is the worst book I have ever read for typographical errors: entire words missing from sentences, words juxtaposed, homonyms in place of the required words, sentences so scrambled that you have to puzzle out the intended word arrangement, etc, Just plain awful!

[Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I held off reading this book because I know F Paul Wilson isn’t likely to write too many more books and I fell in love with Daley and Pard as much as Repairman Jack. FPW does an amazing job at keeping you on your toes with an amazing story while allowing his characters to grow and develop. I cherish this series and look forward a re-read at some point-something that I rarely do.

[Tim Wong · Rating 4 out of 5]

Almost as good as the first book. The denouement is sort of anticlimatic. The introduction and storyline of the brother and sister took up too much of the book and was a tangent more than anything. I really like the 4 main characters though and look forward to their return. I also was not expecting the connection to the Ally and the Otherness but was delighted to see it as a shared universe.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great finale…or only the second chapter?

Another gripping yarn. Really builds on the momentum started in “Double Threat”. Wish it were a bit more fleshed out, but still plenty satisfying. If there’s a third installment in the works, I’ll definitely read it.

[Sean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finished the first and went straight onto this. Was a great ending to the story.

[Dave Butler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always love f Paul Wilson books and the secret history that he manages to weave into almost everything - this is no exception - fun fast paced and weird in the best way with great characters.

[Ralph Carlson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book. As good as the first book in the series.

[Sharon Dailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved both Double Threat and Double Dose! F. Paul Wilson is just one of the very BEST!

[Gary Keen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great as always

Always a pleasure never a choir is how I feel when reading F paul wilson books and this one is no exception. Loved it from start to finish.

[Andrea Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

classic FPW

Written by the master. Nothing compares to his right, concise, literate stories. I love his works… especially the Jack and Adversary series.

[Brett Grossmann · Rating 3 out of 5]

A rewrite of an old book he wrote in the 70s. Made new to fit into his secret history. He’s a great writer but selling the same story twice is a sleazy way to make a living