The Pattern Maker

by Nicholas Lim

How much loyalty does a mother owe to her son? And how does a doctor choose between faith and science?

Christine Garrett is investigating an unusual malaria outbreak on the south coast of England. As she threads the connections between the dead, she discovers links to her son and the charismatic leader he follows. In finding the source of the spreading plague, she is forced to decide between her old faith and the reason that has brought her to a lightless place.

Frightening, gripping and with unexpected twists, The Pattern Maker is a timely story of the dangers that arise when ideals, technology and human talents are perverted by absolute belief. It explores the human cost when people are seen as means not ends, asking questions with no easy answers.

Genres: Fiction

Audible Audio

First published January 31, 2014

About the author

Nicholas Lim lives in London with his wife and two sons. His first novel, The Pattern Maker, won the Pen Factor prize in 2012 and is serialised in print, e-book and as an audiobook. The Bottle Shop, recently picked up by Italian Publisher RiLL, was an Aeon Award winner. An Oxford and Faber Academy graduate, he has been writing and editing for over twenty years, publishing poems and short stories in a number of award-winning anthologies. Subscribe to the author's newsletter to receive updates on new releases on his website.

Reviews

[Andrew Tweeddale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nicholas Lim’s 2014 novel 'The Pattern Maker' commences with a detailed autopsy following three unusual deaths in Brighton. Lim is excellent at delivering a scene. His detailed description of an autopsy makes the reader feel that they are standing in the room watching, as layers of flesh are stripped away.

The series of unusual deaths in Brighton leads the heroine, Christine Garrett, along a path to Porton Down and then on a journey to finding her son who lives with a cult. Garrett, who is looking for the source of the unexplained deaths, sees patterns and makes deductions from the patterns that she sees. We soon learn that the cause is man-made and that this is environmental terrorism.

Lim is excellent at carrying the reader. This fast-paced thriller keeps the reader interested and made me turn the pages. This is Lim’s debut novel, and I do hope he publishes more books in the near future. He writes taut prose and tells a story in a refreshingly clear and punchy way.

[Lori · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story is a mixture of a story of a cult and a disease. This story has a lot of science content which is not a topic I enjoy. If you like medical science this is for you! The bones of the story were good but with all the science and a large cast of characters( some with multiple names) it was a challenge to read.

[Renee · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a quick read. Since the story revolves around a deadly virus killing people it gave me food for thought.

I’m glad I wasn’t reading this in 2020 when I was stuck at home. I think this book is coming out at a fortuitous time with the COVID pandemic.

I was happy to win this in goodreads giveaway.

[Johanna Sawyer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love the cover and blurb but the actual reading of the book is much more complicated than I expected. A lot of medical jargon and cult worshipping innuendos through out the pages. One mother’s plight for her child. It was an interesting read but it didn’t suck me in. Three stars. Thanks goodreads for a first reads win!

[Miss C S Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This page turner was frighteningly real in the current predicament. I found research and unfolding results of events around a pandemic chillingly accurate and the story moved ar a face pace . This thrillet helped me reflect on some of the terrible choices we are making

[Mrs Alison · Rating 5 out of 5]

This thriller certainly hits the mark in our current predicament. It tells the personal story of an epidemiologist fighting an unknown enemy. Gripping plot and strangely comforting in these uncertain times.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Started well, got a bit bogged down with it all from halfway through....

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book. Depicts what could happen with a terrorist group causing a pandemic.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unique storyline and read

[Lezlin]

I am just starting this one

[NormaCenva · Rating 5 out of 5]

A medical, epidemiology related mystery with good science, lovely Welsh pronunciation in the audio version and set in London - what more can you want in a book? Great story, realistic depictions, and interesting dialogue and memorable characters. One of my favourites of 2016!

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting story of a young girl who rises from being a housemaid in England to being a pattern maker for Butterick in New York. She is given an opportunity to travel to Paris to visit couture houses. Fate steps in when she and her friends miss their chance to sail back to New York on the Titanic.

[Nicholas Lim]

Author review