Kafira

by John G. O'Neill

This is a story of tragedy, unrequited love, international suspense, and driving ambition to defeat the grab for world domination. Kafira Weiss is an Israeli Biomedical Scientist whose passionate life purpose is to find a cure for the world’s most deadly disease. After a tragic beginning, Kafira becomes the World’s leading expert on the disease, working at CDC in Atlanta to continue her research as the Associate Director of the Special Pathogens Unit. In 1981, the Supreme Leader of North Korea lands rockets on the Moon, claiming the Moon for North Korea, to the exclusion of every other nation on Earth. To force the United Nations and the Member Countries to agree to his Claim, Kim iI Jong threatens to infect the world with a deadly disease. Shin Min Shu, is a North Korean Biomedical Scientist who has been forced to develop a more deadly strain of the virus central to the Claim. But Shin Min Shu is unhappy to be party to the killing of women and children that will inevitably occur if the United Nations rejects the North Korean Claim. Charles Edmonds is an ex Royal Marine Commando turned Astronomer who is now the Special Assistant to the Director of NASA. Charles becomes involved in the investigation of a teenage boy’s observation of a flash on the Moon that has been reported to the FBI. The investigation reveals a ruthless organisation that will stop at nothing to ensure that the Claim is agreed. The CIA believes that the United States is being threatened, but needs proof. Kafira, as the World’s leading expert on the disease has been requested to be part of the Lunar Module crew, to investigate the suspected presence on the Moon. Kafira agrees, and in doing so creates history as the first woman to walk on the Moon. The desperate question facing Kafira is whether she is able to find a cure for the disease that the North Koreans intend to use before the deliberate infections reach epidemic proportions.

548 pages, Paperback

First published January 25, 2013

About the author

John O'Neill is an ex Royal Australian Navy Commander, who served most of his Naval career as a Submarine Engineering Specialist, and several years in London, as the Submarine Staff Officer in the Australian High Commission. John was awarded the Order of Australia Medal in 2009 for his work in the Community, and holds a Master’s Degree in Business and Technology from the University of New South Wales. John now works for a Government Department, and lives in Canberra with his wife Beverley.

Reviews

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Astonishing likeness to our current Covid-19 pandemic! Very scary, actually! The author certainly kept up the suspense with every page. Will certainly be seeking out his second book!

[Heather Alexander · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book starts out on the Moon with Kaffie(Kafira) in her suit outside on the surface of the Moon, when something goes terribly wrong and she almost dies. The Korean Supreme leader has issued a threat to the world, he has gone to the moon and if he is not obeyed in his demands, he plans to release the most deadly virus ever seen onto the earth, killing everyone. Kaffie is a Biomedical Scientist sent with a group of experts to the moon to investigate what is happening, while also finding a cure for the disease in case it is released. Shin Min Shu is part of the Korean team, he is charged with developing the deadly disease. He doesn't want to, he isn't a killer but isn't given a choice. This book is action packed and suspenseful, not only do they have to worry about the Koreans, but there may be a saboteur on their own team. Charles, the ex Commando for the Royal Marines may be my fave character, I'm a sucker for a tough guy. I can't help it. I wasn't sure how I was going to like this book in the beginning, but I actually really enjoyed it. It's well written with great characters. It's kind of a mishmash of suspense, mystery, political, sci-fi, medical, etc. It's got a bit of everything for you to enjoy.

[Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

I honestly did not know what to expect when I picked up this book. This is international intrigue at its best written in a manner that holds your attention. There are so many inter twining plots set out as separate chapters then culminating in how they all are really one story with an ending that will surprise and sadden you. I am finding it hard to really write my feelings down about this book. At times it frightened me, at other times it made me smile and rejoice. All in all I am very glad I read it-even if I will never again think of North Korea, The FDA, or the UN in quite the same light again.
Kafira

[Babus Ahmed · Rating 4 out of 5]

When the world is faced by a catastrophic virus the enigmatic Kafira lives up to her name to stave off danger.

Kafira is a world leading expert on the Ebola virus for which there is no known cure, when the North Koreans threaten to contaminate the world with such a virus unless their claim to the moon is honoured it becomes a race against time to save lives.

A gripping fast paced thriller, but unfortunately peppered with grammatical errors. The version I read could have done with a good proof-read.