The Darkness Drops

by Peter Clement

Dr. Terry Ryder is special advisor to the President on bioterror preparedness; he has spent a decade attempting to anticipate which microbes might be weaponized and unleashed. When patients begin to present with slight tremors and numbness in their limbs, it takes him a while to realize that this is an attack. The answers he seeks elude him, and dark episodes from his past appear connected to the mystery. Medical Thriller by Peter Clement, M.D.; originally published by Belgrave House

583 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 7, 2010

Reviews

[LZ Amsterdam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read however, some sections I did get lost in the switching of characters.

[Lyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Darkness Drops takes you into the world of Dr. Terry Ryder, a special advisor to the President of the United States on bioterror preparedness. As the story begins he is quickly confronted with patients who are presenting with slight tremors and numbness in their limbs. It doesn’t take long before it becomes apparent this is a biological attack. Although fictional, this is a story that is not outside the realm of possibility, which is what makes it a very thought provoking medical thriller.

From the exciting opening chapter right though to the last pages, this book takes you on a fascinating journey to uncover what and who has caused the attack. Fast-paced with flawless plotting and pacing it is hugely entertaining. The action moves quickly and the events are described concisely and convincingly. Filled with rich characterizations, you come to really care for the characters, particularly the two intriguing Russian doctors, Anna and Juri, and their unconventional love story.

It is a book that will hold your attention from start to finish and I highly recommend it.

I enjoyed it so much, I've now purchased other books from this author.

[C.r. Harland · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Darkness Drops

This is a rich and complex novel, which catapults the reader into the fascinating world of Dr. Terry Ryder, Chief Advisor for Bioterror Preparedness, and his encounters with the Chinese bioweapons program and international high-tech arms dealers. This is a fast-paced thriller, a love story, and a frighteningly plausible projection of how quickly an unknown illness can overwhelm existing medical resources. Peter Clement writes with his usual authority and conviction about medical matters, and represents, in his engaging protagonist, a potent mixture of compassion and ruthlessness in response to the situation. The contrasting female characters are especially original and compelling. This ambitious narrative depicting individuals caught in a tide of unintended consequences which lead to disaster on a global scale is intricate, visually powerful, and prescient. A hugely entertaining read.

[Andy Plonka · Rating 3 out of 5]

I ususally like this author's work, but this one was too full of world scale calamity and tragedy for me to think anything other than here comes the plot for another blockbuster movie. The main theme is there is an illness which has been caused by a genetically ehgineered organism that is killing people all over the globe. The Chinese are the only ones that have the capability to combat the organism and it's not obvious that they are willing to help.

[Stephanie Yeager · Rating 4 out of 5]

As usual Clement writes another great thriller. He always makes you think about things that could really happen in our world.
A must read if you are into medical thrillers!

[Pat Malon]

OK, however; some parts were not plausible.