Carriers

by Patrick Lynch

hen a plague-like outbreak strikes Indonesia, and a team of American biological warfare experts are brought in to discover its source, they find only corpses--until Holly Becker arrives. She's come to the jungle to find her two young daughters and in her quest may lie the secret to the terror which threatens to engulf them all. 2 cassettes.

Genres: Fiction, Thriller, Horror, Science Fiction, Suspense, Mystery, Fantasy

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1995

About the author

Librarian note:
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name

A pseudonym used by Philip Sington and Gary Humphreys.

Reviews

[Jo Pearson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book, it was intense, said,wonderful, horrible, tantalizing, gruesome.... The whole package! One of my fav and a must recommend! I loved this book so much, I have been searching for it for the last few yrs because I could remember the title (read it about a decade ago) Thank you to a site that was able to help find the name for me a few dys ago, I shall read it again!!! I RARELY reread a book, but totally worth it!

[Alycia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really good book. I know it was turned into a movie at some point, but I have never seen it. It is kind of like the book "outbreak", only better.

[Dorrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This fast-paced and exciting book tells the fictional story of the outbreak of a deadly new virus and the havoc it wreaks in its wake. The story begins mysteriously in New Mexico some nine years in the past and then shifts to the present time to the rain forests of Sumatra. There, a brilliant American botanist named Jonathan Rhodes is searching and classifying Sumatran plant life in the hopes of discovering new medicinal plants, thus single-handedly ensuring the survival of the rain forest. He has brought his twelve-year-old twin daughters (on their summer break from school) with him on this excursion so they can experience real-life science lessons. Also accompanying him is his much-younger female love interest, who is also a botanist. Rhodes's ex-wife, Holly, decides that she misses her daughters too much, and after they've been gone for two weeks, she decides to fly out to Sumatra to visit them. She has never gotten over her love for her ex-husband and secretly hopes that maybe this reunion of sorts will serve to re-unite them. In the meantime, a deadly virus has broken out in the Sumatran rain forests where Rhodes's camp is, beginning with an animal hunter named Ahmad, who specializes in capturing monkeys to sell, and spreading to thousands of others across the country, killing each and every one of its victims. The disease shows up in an animal holding facility in the U.S., where monkeys for experimental use have just been imported from Sumatra. A U.S. military virological team of experts is sent to Sumatra, after several U.S. scientists die, in the hopes of discovering the vector. The leader of the team is a strong and admirable woman character named Lieutenant Colonel Carmen Travis.
The fatal course of the disease is described in gruesome detail and effectively serves to scare the reader into begging for answers and into trying his hand at an explanation into the origin of the virus. The book briefly explores the sordid world of prostitution and the selling of pre-pubescent girls in third-world societies. It also touches upon the antipathy of the Muslim world towards the United States. Ironically, their worst fears and beliefs are realized in the incredible conclusion of this book.

[Andi · Rating 5 out of 5]

A terrifying, bloody, gruesome virus is spreading like wildfire, and it's up to a dedicated scientist to save his family, and possibly all of humanity, before critical mass is achieved.

This is a top-notch epidemiological thriller, with a number of unexpected and exciting twists, and if you can wade through oceans of gore to stick with the plot, it's well worth the desire to take a shower afterward. (And possibly bathe in bleach.)

I'm stating that very bluntly because this book is straight-up *gross* at times, but there are sound medical reasons behind the horrifying and lovingly-described Ebola-on-steroids deaths, and it's a very good read -- but I don't recommend it for the squeamish.

There are elements of body horror incorporated into the book that are outside the bounds of some other books in the same genre (an exception being "Mount Dragon"), so I'm giving fair warning -- but if you liked "The Andromeda Strain," "The Cobra Event," or "Mount Dragon," you'll probably like this one as well!

[Olethros · Rating 3 out of 5]

-Como un telefilm de sobremesa.-

Género. Novela.

Lo que nos cuenta. El libro Virus letal (publicación original: Carriers, 1995) nos lleva hasta las junglas de Sumatra, donde se está incubando una plaga silenciosa que, aunque daña a los habitantes locales y a los extranjeros desplazados a la zona para distintas actividades, no preocupará hasta que se detecte su llegada a los USA y desde Indonesia surjan las alarmas.

¿Quiere saber más de este libro, sin spoilers? Visite:

http://librosdeolethros.blogspot.com/...

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the book. Very intense and hard to put down. Lots of characters that you need to remember...I found myself looking back several times. It was so intriguing I had to look places up on a map to get a feel for the territory that was being covered!! I would highly recommend!! Thank you Jo for sharing with us!!

[Julia]

Great Book! I read it when I had a bad cold! Not a good idea! It made the story even wierder!

[Reynard · Rating 3 out of 5]

In questo caso devo ammettere che il coronavirus ha avuto la sua parte nella scelta di questa lettura: la suggestione di un momento storico così particolare e le condizioni di "quarantena" imposte dal governo agiscono nella psiche in modi piuttosto oscuri (magari anche un pelino morbosi). Tra l'altro, se da un lato sono sempre stato un amante del genere post-apocalittico (quindi del dopo-catastrofe) il tema apocalittico è decisamente meno nelle mie corde... ma stavolta, per le ragioni sopraddette, ho voluto fare un'eccezione.
Venendo al libro, non è una brutta lettura, sicuramente molto migliore di come il 90% dei film affronta il tema del contagio. Restano però quelli che a mio parere sono i limiti intrinsechi del genere, ovvero il concentrarsi sull' "adesso" e sull'azione, senza lasciare spazio ad approfondimenti psicologici e spunti di riflessione. In questo senso, il libro di Linch non fa eccezione. Diciamo che il lettore trova più o meno quanto potrebbe aspettarsi, una lettura senza infamia e senza lode a cui non si può togliere il pregio di essere molto scorrevole e mai noiosa. Il mio voto: 3,5 stelle.

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked up this book because I really enjoyed reading "The Hot Zone." I have to say that I really enjoyed the thrill ride I was taken on.... yes, the story jumps around a bit and it seems like there are so many ends that they couldn't possibly all be covered in the pages of the book, but they are all intertwined- threads of a larger rope. Each one makes you curious in a different way, and the surprise at the end kept me turning pages until it was all over...

[Patrice · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a good, but disturbing read.

[Gail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good thriller with the usual twist at the end.

[Debra Arndt · Rating 5 out of 5]

"A terrific bio-thriller. The science is solid. The pacing is perfect. The characters are convincing. And the possibilities are chilling."
-St. Paul Pioneer Press

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hot on the trail of having just finished another technothriller, I picked up Carriers. This is a reread for me. I first picked it up in high school, having read The Hot Zone (about Ebola), and the fact that the back of this book promises to be about a plague more deadly and infectious than Ebola, well ... I'm sure you can see where my high school mind was going with this.

So, then, what prompted the reread? I was making additional space on my bookshelf and one of the paperbacks had to go. After looking over the books I've decided to keep as a permanent collection, I decided that the one I'd be the least devastated to part with (though I'm still distraught) was Carriers {now available for you to request on PaperbackSwap}, but I wouldn't let it go without a reread.

This is a technothriller to the max. It has epidemiological deliciousness spread throughout moments of sheer terror caused by animals behaving as they will and humans' almost infinite ability to throw up a huge wall of denial when met with a scary problem. In this case, the scary problem was a malarial mutation which is just likely enough to be believable. This book follows two different protagonists and provides two different view points, switching when necessary. I really like that in a novel, though I recognize that some of you may not, which is why you are getting the warning.

That said, this novel is a hot mess of characters, story lines, and subplots that mostly get resolved. If you don't like a book that makes you track details, then this is not the book for you. Also, there are clinical descriptions of the symptoms of this horrific virus. If you have a problem discussing bodily fluids and orifices around the dinner table, you may want to read this with an airsickness bag beside you.

[Eric]

Carriers by Patrick Lynch is a superb zombie-monster type thriller type book. it centers around an ancient virus that has been lurking deep in the indonesian jungle that supposedly caused for the many disapearances of the local villagers. An expert team of American scientists including Holly Becker arrive at the scene but to only be greeted with corpses as far as the eye can see. I recommend this book to all zombie or man eating monster type books because the mystery of the unknown virus will be sure to keep readers hooked.

[Ash Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book in a used book store many years ago and decided to give it a go while we are dealing with Covid 19.

I loved the story and the detail the author provided as well as the many different aspects that all came together in the end. Couldn't put this one down.

[Risa · Rating 4 out of 5]

More like this please!!

[Jacob Brewer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Carriers, a book about a virus breakout in Sumatra. This book was captivating as you delve into the mystery of the origin and spread of the virus. It does a great job of moving the narrative to many different places and people around the globe leaving the professionals trying to find the link that connects the cases.

As a book about viruses and trying to find the source and cure the book delves a lot into DNA and Medical discussions. The story slowly comes about to combine several branches of medical science. You come out of it wondering how much top secret projects companies and your government work on that remain in the dark.

****Spoiler*****
The story was pretty good, thought provoking, and wondering where it would lead to next. I was a little surprised by the action scenes toward the end of the book. Though for all the time spent trying to find the source, the falling apart of Sumatra to the virus, and the international implications the book just seems to end on a happy note without really resolving these main issues.

[Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awesome book! Once I read the blurb I was intrigued, but I must admit the push to purchase was that I thought it would be great to read during our own real life pandemic.
This is definitely an intelligent novel- the amount of science that was put in this is amazing in itself- and also is heartbreaking, heartwarming, and even has bits of repulsive behavior and gore. It’s everything wrapped all into one, and is a book that I think could capture fans of all genres.

My only reason for 4 stars instead of 5, was I figured out the ending around page 175- I can’t remember the exact paragraph on the exact page- and the book is 354 pages long if you include the epilogue. I wouldn’t say figuring it out early had spoiled the rest of the book, as it still held my interest until the very end, but it would’ve been nice to be shocked at the end.

All in all, I’d recommend this book to someone looking for a longer read, but it’s certainly not the book to pick up if you’re looking to finish it in a couple hours.

[Clota · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! It's right up there with The Hot Zone. and that's a considerable feat, in my opinion. I was a little disappointed with how it ended, not because it ended badly (quite the opposite!), but because I WANT ANSWERS! I wanna know what this antigen was, especially! But unfortunately, I'll just have to use my imagination. I suspect the durian fruit, ha!

Anyway, all in all, this book is a MUST read for all medical thriller/horror lovers. I'd give 10 stars if I could!

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

By far one of the best novels I have ever read! It was gorey, very scary & really made you feel like you were in this world with these characters and what they were dealing with . It was a nail biter for me Scary as hell!!!

[Madeline · Rating 4 out of 5]

It starts off a bit slow and disjointed but once it picks up and the pieces all start to connect, oh man. The plot twists were things I never saw coming, and the way the whole story and each of its little moments were wrapped up in well-researched science was so refreshing and exciting.

[Antonia · Rating 4 out of 5]

creepy and all the more reason to stay the heck away from monkeys

[Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

very good book about a plague.

[Sol T · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read on an empty stomach. I almost barfed about.............every 2 minutes!?!?!??

[Vicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written amazingly. Fantastic read. If you like science fiction, definitely a book you want to pick up.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

A medical thriller with a stunning twist for a finale. This book is just as relevant today as when it was first published in 1995.

[Maliha Tabassum Arna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so much terrible.....!!!

[Victor · Rating 4 out of 5]

How appropriate and odd that I came across this 1995 book about a virus at a local thrift store during the current pandemic.
The book itself was enjoyable reading and fairly fast paced after what I originally believed was a jumbled beginning. Worth your time if you can find a copy or download it.

[Todd · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really good read. The book was a little slow-ish to start. Slow-ish because the urgency that you would expect once a sort of plague begins to show itself -that there would be more panic and that stuff would begin to happen quickly- seemed to wait until much later in the book to begin. I think that since this took a scientific approach, and they were really concerned with each site and what happened, that it just maybe moved in slow motion for me at first. It was not by any means boring though, and after a time the story began to pickup pace as expected.

I really got attached to the two main female characters Carmen and Holly. I found myself being irritated with their choices even though there was no way that they could have known they were in a story about a plague... because I kept seeing their demise in my imagination, based on their decision making, it made me want to kick them in the pants here or there. For instance when Carmen first decided to help out in Indonesia. And when Holly made a break for the woods, running to her daughters when they were first seen since they were basically patient zero.

I found myself by the end amused with the author's decision to leave one story aspect unresolved. Lucy and Emma could have become the virus incarnate at any time due to a missing enzyme showing up unexpectedly. Those super smelly fruits that Lucy was eating like crazy could have easily been the culprit since she was the only of the two sisters eating them, and she was the one hacking her lungs out like a plague sprinkler. And I really expected the author to at least give you a wink in a way to let you know that that was his train of thought - even if the main characters never discovered the reason that Lucy had become hot-zoned. But he never did! Or, if he did I totally missed it...

I was also really amused by the sort of Morale of the Story concerning today's political climate and iffy scientific advancements. The fact that the government, meant to be there to help us, protect us, etc. was part of a huge political cover-up which caused this whole thing and kept it unconstrained for longer than it should have been, rang true in a very disturbing way .

Then you add the scientific element. I keep up with the scientific stuff to a degree but I am not fully aware of even what is currently possible. I do know that we have much dormant DNA and that they have been able to produce feathers on the legs of chickens by switching on / off DNA that hasn't been active for thousands of generations, and other studies just as weird an interesting. So I fully believe the possibility of some of what was presented in the story which caused the incident. Gene therapy being used for the girls, accidentally causing a dormant DNA to go live, all falls into a very interesting science-fiction and really added a cool surprise to the story. Even though it was sort of obvious to me where they were going the first time that Holly told Carmen about her kids being so healthy and not catching her chromosome disorder back at the main Camp .

All in all, this was a really good read. It is the first book I have finished which has a pandemic story line. I am not sure if I should expect this genre to follow this pattern or not. But I would say this was a good one.

[Tammy Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would recommend this book to everyone. The book held my interest throughout and kept me wondering what was going to happen. The characters seemed real and you can relate to them about what they are going through. The author has a way of explaining the medical jargon so you understand what is going on and not guessing about what you're reading. This is the reasons why I gave the book 5 stars.