FBI geneticist Mason Brown and Danish Interpol agent Jonna Nielsen have just 72-hours to find the missing man they call The Immortal. He’s on the run across Europe and his genetic material may be the most valuable commodity in human history.
There’s just one problem.
Someone else wants him, too.
As the time to find him dwindles, Mason and Jonna seem to be one step behind a wealthy man who will stop at nothing. If the tech billionaire finds him first, it could change the economic playing field for the entire world.
Who is the Immortal? And could he be a contemporary witness of Christ as some sources believe?
You’ll love this science thriller because the pacing is perfect and the twists will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Get this new novel from million-selling author Joshua T. Calvert now!
Joshua T. Calvert has traveled the world--on foot, by Jeep, by bicycle, by motorcycle, and lots of other ways besides. As you might imagine, he's seen many things most people never see - including an Iranian prison cell, from the inside! In Kyrgyzstan, he fared slightly better, narrowly avoiding being kidnapped for ransom. Skydiver, scuba diver, martial artist, adventurer - his goal is to experience everything possible, and then make it real to you in his books. And he's made a good run of it so far: in the Philippines, he did police training on multiple types of firearms (despite being no fan of guns himself); dove in Asian waters among sharks and shipwrecks; and patrolled with Sumatran jungle rangers.
That's what defines Calvert's approach to method writing: pushing himself beyond his own limits, to experience first-hand what his characters experience, to make your immersion in his stories as deep as it can be.
For Ganymede Rises, after a slight detour with some smugglers in the deserts of Uzbekistan and the steppes of Mongolia, he traveled by dogsled and snowshoe to the Arctic Circle to experience first-hand what it's like to be utterly isolated in the coldest place on Earth. For his book The Fossil, he sat with professional pilots in flight simulators for Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 aircraft to learn what it's like to fly a passenger jet. His latest adventure: a parabolic flight with European Space Agency astronauts, to experience zero-gravity. All so he can describe it to you, in his own words.
Amazing story on par or even better than Dan brown
Wanted to say that this story was wonderfully fast paced with characters that immediately had me caring how they were going to survive, great references and some lovely mysticism , completely enjoyed the ride .
I enjoyed the story and its twists and turns. One thing that bothered me was some of the Biblical false information. The Septuagint is the Greek translation of the Hebrew scriptures, translated in the third century b.c.e. so Greek speaking Jews could read their scriptures. Also, Matthew and Matthias were two different people. It makes me suspicious of the science in the book, since such simple historical references were far off the mark. Other than that I enjoyed the book.
An otherwise typical storyline unexpectedly full of spiritually resonating nuggets. Satisfying conclusion. Overall a good read, narration was excellent. Recommend
"The Immortal" by Joshua T. Calvert, with its 2024 release and narrated by Paul Heitsch, plunges listeners into a whirlwind of genetic intrigue, global espionage, and the tantalizing prospect of immortality. This audiobook captures the essence of a medical thriller, blending high-octane chases with the cerebral maze of bioethics and the potential ramifications of cracking what's dubbed the 'Immortality Code.'
The story kicks off with an enigmatic man on the run across Europe, known only as 'The Immortal.' His genetic material, purportedly holding secrets to eternal life, becomes the most sought-after commodity on earth. FBI geneticist Mason Brown and Danish Interpol agent Jonna Nielsen are thrust into a 72-hour race against time to locate him before a ruthless tech billionaire does. This setup promises—and delivers—a fast-paced narrative filled with twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat.
Calvert's writing style in "The Immortal" is both a strength and a point of contention. His narrative is rich with scientific detail, aiming to ground the fantastical premise in some semblance of reality. The book delves into genetic theories, which might intrigue those with a penchant for the science behind the story, but might overwhelm others with too much jargon. The pacing is generally brisk, although the detailed action sequences occasionally feel elongated, slowing down the overall momentum.
The characters of Mason and Jonna are well-crafted, each bringing their unique skills and vulnerabilities to the chase. Their chemistry and evolving partnership add depth to the narrative, providing moments of humanity amidst the high-stakes pursuit. However, character development outside of this duo can seem superficial, with some supporting characters serving more as plot devices than fully fleshed-out individuals.
Paul Heitsch's narration adds considerable value to the audiobook experience. His voice work is compelling, bringing a sense of urgency and authenticity to the thriller aspects of the book. Heitsch manages to convey the complexity of the characters' emotions and the tension of the plot with skill, making even the more expository sections engaging.
One of the novel's most intriguing aspects is the ethical quandary at its heart: what happens if immortality becomes a reality? Calvert explores this through various perspectives, from the scientific community, religious groups, to the corporate world's avarice. Yet, while the book raises these questions, it sometimes struggles to provide a satisfying depth to the debate, which might leave listeners wanting more philosophical or ethical exploration.
The backdrop of a chase across Europe is vividly painted, with settings from snowy Scandinavian landscapes to the bustling streets of European capitals enhancing the sense of urgency and global stakes. However, the narrative can lean into clichés at times, particularly with the trope of the lone, brilliant scientist versus the greedy capitalist.
Overall, if you're a fan of medical thrillers or enjoy stories where science fiction and reality blur, this audiobook offers an intriguing, if somewhat flawed, adventure into the possibilities of human longevity.
I don't understand the 5 star reviews. There's huge chunks of pointless science about DNA and ageing interspersed between a long chase across Europe with rather extreme and unexplained violence by assassins. I really didn't follow why so many people were killed in graphic detail but Mason and Joanna seem to get out of impossible situations with unlikely ease. The only reason I've given this 1 star is because the idea of genetic outliers living unusually long lives is interesting. But Calvert does not explore this in any meaningful way, preferring to try and create a movie style action thriller with a trail of death and violence.
I am often drawn to topics like this, but was disappointed. This book went down a well-worn path and adds nothing new. I did like the epiphany Mason had at the end. While there were a few missed typos, I was actually bothered more by the overuse of the word “penultimate“, but that’s just me. It’s not boring, but just not that well- written.
This is among the worst novels I have ever come across. It deserves 0 stars, but I gave it one for it to show in the review. The plot (I'm being generous!) is incoherent and the characters are at the cartoon level. I just couldn't put up with the pain of slogging through it. I gave up before the half way mark. A total waste of time. Thiller it definitely is NOT!
A well written tale, with a lot of tense action and, a few surprise twists in the plot kept it interesting. I found some of the dialogue and other character interactions awkward and unrealistic at times. The ending ties things up pretty well and does not appear to lead to a sequel.
There's not much medical here - except for some long-winded explanations that seem loosely connected to what's going on with the plot. I couldn't relate to the characters, and their relationship development came as a complete surprise. If the title is "The Immortal," I would have liked more details about the Immortal. Maybe I just missed the "hints."
The Immortal is a fast paced, well written and engaging medical thriller with excellent plot twists, lots of interesting science and a storyline that kept me wanting more. Speaking of, Joshua T. Calvert, when is your next installment coming out!? Let's go!
An inane chase of detailed action pursuites that has infinite details of no relevance. Gave up at chapter 17. How can this have an average rating of over 4, what am I missing??? DNF. Unlimited read borrow.
Excellent story very fast paced. Had me on the edge of my seat from the very first page. The characters are really interesting and I would love to see them in another adventure. Well done Mr. Calvert
Very interesting, a lot of twists and terms. Genetics was very entertaining, I have no idea how close he is to reality, but I wasn't looking for that. Well written and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
This was an awesome story with a tremendous supporting cast of characters. Once the action started it never let up. Best of all it had an amazing ending, I loved it. Mr Calvert is truly a great author. I recommend reading this to all that love fiction.
Lots of soul searching and self-discovery. Characters are three dimensional and dialogue believable. It’s one of those tales that insists on immersion and beliefs in the narrative of time, aging, and self
A great thriller, for both believers and non believers. A way to immortality and what the corrupt will do to obtain it. One of the best books I've read.
A mess. Too stereotypically racist, people of color degraded from trying to do just what those in power were doing. I expected more insight and imagination