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The Immortalist: A Sci-Fi Thriller
For fans of Robin Cook and Michael Crichton comes a medical thriller that melds cutting-edge science with ripped-from-the-headlines terror. What happens when a new immortality drug leads to an explosive outbreak of a deadly virus that, if not contained, could wipe out humanity once and for all?
World-renowned virologist Dr. Cricket Rensselaer-Wright abruptly abandoned her research in Africa after watching her colleague die tragically from the Ebola virus. When she returns to the States to reunite with her teenage daughter Emmy, her plans are sidetracked. No sooner does she set foot on the campus of Acadia Springs—the research institute where she grew up and Emmy now lives—than her onetime mentor Charles Gifford announces his discovery of the Methuselah Vector, a gene therapy agent that can confer immortality on a patient after a single injection.
Gifford’s air of triumph is marred when a young woman on campus dies suddenly from a horrific viral infection, eerily similar to the Ebola that drove Cricket out of Africa. Despite Cricket’s pleas to slow down the rollout of the Vector and run more tests, Gifford refuses. And when the unthinkable happens—when Emmy falls ill with the same mysterious disease—Cricket is forced to take matters into her own hands. But is it already too late?
Gifford will stop at nothing to release the Vector into the world. Mobs are clamoring for it. Cricket has only a few hours to find a cure for Emmy, and to convince the public that Gifford’s quest for eternal life may cost the very lives he hopes to save.
**The publisher has provided this ebook to you without Digital Rights Management software (DRM) applied so that you can enjoy reading it on your personal devices.**
World-renowned virologist Dr. Cricket Rensselaer-Wright abruptly abandoned her research in Africa after watching her colleague die tragically from the Ebola virus. When she returns to the States to reunite with her teenage daughter Emmy, her plans are sidetracked. No sooner does she set foot on the campus of Acadia Springs—the research institute where she grew up and Emmy now lives—than her onetime mentor Charles Gifford announces his discovery of the Methuselah Vector, a gene therapy agent that can confer immortality on a patient after a single injection.
Gifford’s air of triumph is marred when a young woman on campus dies suddenly from a horrific viral infection, eerily similar to the Ebola that drove Cricket out of Africa. Despite Cricket’s pleas to slow down the rollout of the Vector and run more tests, Gifford refuses. And when the unthinkable happens—when Emmy falls ill with the same mysterious disease—Cricket is forced to take matters into her own hands. But is it already too late?
Gifford will stop at nothing to release the Vector into the world. Mobs are clamoring for it. Cricket has only a few hours to find a cure for Emmy, and to convince the public that Gifford’s quest for eternal life may cost the very lives he hopes to save.
**The publisher has provided this ebook to you without Digital Rights Management software (DRM) applied so that you can enjoy reading it on your personal devices.**
458 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 14, 2015
8 people are currently reading
46 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
December 26, 2020
Was excited to read this books in hope it would be a very exciting and entertaining read that would be little scary due to the virus plot. But it was rather bland and not very entertaining at all. It was an okay read, just not as thrilling as I would have hoped
August 23, 2017
I thought everything died down from a pandemic scourge to a "non airborne" virus pretty quickly. If they had really tested the airborne viability of the virus particle earlier on in the novel, well I guess we don't have much of a thriller.
And yet this virus could be transferred via saliva? That is also an interesting combination.
Another novel with a spoiled millennial; I wasn't too sympathetic with the daughter.
Also, unless I missed it, I didn't hear what became of the prototype specimen. He was doing so well.
And yet this virus could be transferred via saliva? That is also an interesting combination.
Another novel with a spoiled millennial; I wasn't too sympathetic with the daughter.
Also, unless I missed it, I didn't hear what became of the prototype specimen. He was doing so well.
February 25, 2018
Eternal life . . . plague . . . multibillion-dollar "Methuselah" inoculation . . .
It should have been a gripping thriller, and I can't figure out why it wasn't. I liked the characters, or at least the ones I was supposed to like. The whole thing just didn't work for me.
It should have been a gripping thriller, and I can't figure out why it wasn't. I liked the characters, or at least the ones I was supposed to like. The whole thing just didn't work for me.
April 11, 2019
Impressed with the depth of multiple character development. Story itself is pretty cool, though I hoped there would be some sort of sequel based on the nature of the drug that was produced!
At the end of it, I enjoyed this read very much.
At the end of it, I enjoyed this read very much.
Read
October 15, 2019Chilling superb!!
February 3, 2020
I loved this book, a complete blockbuster and page turner. Dr. G.'s character was a bit unbelievable, specially his transformations but the book is great.
November 28, 2022
Listened to audiobook since I am blind. Did not like the narrator. . Not the author's fault.
Liked the story itself overall. Did get slowed down a bit by exposition.
Liked the story itself overall. Did get slowed down a bit by exposition.
March 8, 2017
The Immortalist: A Sci-Fi Thriller
Written by: Scott Britz
Narrated by: Cassandra Campbell
Length: 13 hrs and 55 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:04-14-15
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Dr. Cricket Rensselaer-Wright, the main character of The Immortalist, is a virologist who has just returned from Africa. She is coming back to the US to take custody of her only child from her ex-husband. Due to an incident in Africa, she has a staggering case of PTSD mixed with a near fatal dose of guilt. Cricket’s stability is an issue from start to finish in the book, it colors how she sees herself, how she reacts to situations and how others perceive her. It is an almost visible monkey on her back. Cricket returns to the research institute her father started and where she grew up. Her ex-husband, also a scientist, lives there with their teenage daughter Emily. Confession time: I was not always sure who had the more adolescent attitude, Cricket or her daughter.
The timing of Cricket’s return is based on her need to have her daughter. To Dr. Charles Gifford, the current director and Jack Niedermann, the VP of Development for Eden Pharmaceuticals, her timing is suspicious. They are ready to unveil the Methuselah Vector, the cure for mortality. The Vector, developed from Cricket’s father’s early work, is the cure all for everything from cancer to aging. Gifford and Niedermann suspect Cricket has returned to demand a share of the profit from the Vector, which will be historically huge. As with all human attempts at conquering death, hubris equals disaster. The Methuselah Vector has a very big flaw that only Cricket sees. Her warnings are written off to her instability or her attempts to extract more money from from the profits. No one believes her until people start dying.
The Immoralist was a good story, not a great one. None of the characters really made me care about them. Cricket’s character was shrill. Her actions towards her daughter set my teeth on edge. For a mother trying to reconcile with a daughter, she did everything wrong even when others tried to help. Emily’s was a brat. Gifford was actually stupid for a genius or maybe it was arrogance and not stupidity. Niedermann was a recycled villain. He sneered. He postured. His dialogue was taken from the Villain’s Handbook on Intimidation. The conclusion really dragged out. It was “how many different ways can Cricket be in danger” in the last section of the book.
Cassandra Campbell did a nice job narrating the book. Her volume was consistent. In the places where she did have to raise her voice, it was not distorted or loud enough to have to turn down the volume. There was enough shading in her characters to be able to tell them apart. Her accents were good. The production values were good.
I would try another book by Scott Britz. The Immortalist is compared to Coma by Robin Cook. It is a valid comparison. If you loved Coma, you will probably love The Immortalist. If you liked Coma, you will probably feel the same about the Immortalist. I have heard books by Cassandra Campbell and she is excellent. I would recommend the book just based on her performance.
Story (Plot) 3
Performance 5
Production Quality 5
Attention Holding 3
Overall 4
I received a free copy from Audiobook Reviewer in exchange for a free review.
Written by: Scott Britz
Narrated by: Cassandra Campbell
Length: 13 hrs and 55 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:04-14-15
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Dr. Cricket Rensselaer-Wright, the main character of The Immortalist, is a virologist who has just returned from Africa. She is coming back to the US to take custody of her only child from her ex-husband. Due to an incident in Africa, she has a staggering case of PTSD mixed with a near fatal dose of guilt. Cricket’s stability is an issue from start to finish in the book, it colors how she sees herself, how she reacts to situations and how others perceive her. It is an almost visible monkey on her back. Cricket returns to the research institute her father started and where she grew up. Her ex-husband, also a scientist, lives there with their teenage daughter Emily. Confession time: I was not always sure who had the more adolescent attitude, Cricket or her daughter.
The timing of Cricket’s return is based on her need to have her daughter. To Dr. Charles Gifford, the current director and Jack Niedermann, the VP of Development for Eden Pharmaceuticals, her timing is suspicious. They are ready to unveil the Methuselah Vector, the cure for mortality. The Vector, developed from Cricket’s father’s early work, is the cure all for everything from cancer to aging. Gifford and Niedermann suspect Cricket has returned to demand a share of the profit from the Vector, which will be historically huge. As with all human attempts at conquering death, hubris equals disaster. The Methuselah Vector has a very big flaw that only Cricket sees. Her warnings are written off to her instability or her attempts to extract more money from from the profits. No one believes her until people start dying.
The Immoralist was a good story, not a great one. None of the characters really made me care about them. Cricket’s character was shrill. Her actions towards her daughter set my teeth on edge. For a mother trying to reconcile with a daughter, she did everything wrong even when others tried to help. Emily’s was a brat. Gifford was actually stupid for a genius or maybe it was arrogance and not stupidity. Niedermann was a recycled villain. He sneered. He postured. His dialogue was taken from the Villain’s Handbook on Intimidation. The conclusion really dragged out. It was “how many different ways can Cricket be in danger” in the last section of the book.
Cassandra Campbell did a nice job narrating the book. Her volume was consistent. In the places where she did have to raise her voice, it was not distorted or loud enough to have to turn down the volume. There was enough shading in her characters to be able to tell them apart. Her accents were good. The production values were good.
I would try another book by Scott Britz. The Immortalist is compared to Coma by Robin Cook. It is a valid comparison. If you loved Coma, you will probably love The Immortalist. If you liked Coma, you will probably feel the same about the Immortalist. I have heard books by Cassandra Campbell and she is excellent. I would recommend the book just based on her performance.
Story (Plot) 3
Performance 5
Production Quality 5
Attention Holding 3
Overall 4
I received a free copy from Audiobook Reviewer in exchange for a free review.
December 16, 2019
Would You Like The Immortalist?
Yes, if you like lots of detail in your books. Because it’s a medical sci-fi written by a professor at Harvard Medical School, his depiction of the science behind how gene manipulation could conceivably cause immortality with one injection, and, if done even the slightest bit wrong, rampant superviruses that could just as easily kill everyone on the planet is very realistic and chilling. The book’s level of detail reminds me of The Hero and The Crown by Robin McKinley, which I just reviewed here. It also kind of reminds of the DaVinci Code.
Yes, if you like smart, conflicted women. Cricket is brilliant but thoughtful, introverted but able to see and care about the bigger picture. She’s conflicted about her relationships with her daughter and her ex-husband, about her career, etc. In some respects, she kind of reminds me of Addie in Love & Luck, even though the two books are totally different.
Nutrition Facts
Swear words: 207
Sex scenes: 1
Functional relationships (featuring love+ effort, or some kind of formal promise): 4
Dysfunctional relationships/characters (featuring love – effort = discord, or just plain animosity or greed): 3
Yes, if you like lots of detail in your books. Because it’s a medical sci-fi written by a professor at Harvard Medical School, his depiction of the science behind how gene manipulation could conceivably cause immortality with one injection, and, if done even the slightest bit wrong, rampant superviruses that could just as easily kill everyone on the planet is very realistic and chilling. The book’s level of detail reminds me of The Hero and The Crown by Robin McKinley, which I just reviewed here. It also kind of reminds of the DaVinci Code.
Yes, if you like smart, conflicted women. Cricket is brilliant but thoughtful, introverted but able to see and care about the bigger picture. She’s conflicted about her relationships with her daughter and her ex-husband, about her career, etc. In some respects, she kind of reminds me of Addie in Love & Luck, even though the two books are totally different.
Nutrition Facts
Swear words: 207
Sex scenes: 1
Functional relationships (featuring love+ effort, or some kind of formal promise): 4
Dysfunctional relationships/characters (featuring love – effort = discord, or just plain animosity or greed): 3
July 6, 2018
Interesting story. Definitely a number of twists and turns in there that were unpredictable. Yet, I felt that in that unpredictability there was some element of inauthenticity. Like, is this guy who is planning on becoming the savior of mankind and is already immortal really going to be so blind to the evidence in front of him that he'll endanger the entire species for 5 seconds of fame? Is he really a megalomaniac under so much face paint? I'm not so sure.
There was also an enduring quality of the characters in this book being absolutely infuriating in either their incompetence or their obstinacy that made it very difficult to read most of the middle of the book. There were sections where I was rooting for the protagonist to just employ violence to get out of these stupid situations, or to be more forceful, have more presence of mind in interactions.
So, yeah, interesting, but it left enough of an aftertaste that I can't, in good conscience, give this book 5 stars. 4 stars is a bit of a stretch even.
There was also an enduring quality of the characters in this book being absolutely infuriating in either their incompetence or their obstinacy that made it very difficult to read most of the middle of the book. There were sections where I was rooting for the protagonist to just employ violence to get out of these stupid situations, or to be more forceful, have more presence of mind in interactions.
So, yeah, interesting, but it left enough of an aftertaste that I can't, in good conscience, give this book 5 stars. 4 stars is a bit of a stretch even.
May 1, 2016
I love medical thrillers. “The Immortalist” may certainly get into that category plus the category of futuristic genetic. Not a complete Sci-Fi but close. By sci-Fi I mean that in some cases the story didn’t make much sense, and was “un-believable” I would give a 5 star mark for a perfect book (in my eyes). But since the book in some parts was too technical, it forced me to skip pages. I mean, when I read a thriller, it means that I don’t expect to read a pure biological-chemistry studding book.
Anyway, even with my remarks above, I enjoy the book. Some parts of it were the main reason for my sleep deprivation. I highly recommend it for the medical thriller lovers. As I said you don’t need to read a 100% of a book in order to enjoy it. If you skip 3% of it, it is still enjoyable.
Anyway, even with my remarks above, I enjoy the book. Some parts of it were the main reason for my sleep deprivation. I highly recommend it for the medical thriller lovers. As I said you don’t need to read a 100% of a book in order to enjoy it. If you skip 3% of it, it is still enjoyable.
March 7, 2015
Thanks to Edelweiss for this read! This is a genetic-thriller about a scientist who is convinced he's developed a serum (probably the wrong term, but whatevs) that is a fountain of youth. It appears that way at first but, of course, things go wildly wrong. Our hero, Cricket, has lifelong ties to the aforementioned scientist. Initially, she could care less about the serum--the Methuselah Vector, but as a mysterious sickness begins to spread she becomes suspicious that the Vector is the source. Greed complicates everything and mayhem ensues. Kind of drags on near the end, but in general this is a quick, interesting book.
Also posted at www.queenbeebooks.blogspot.com
Also posted at www.queenbeebooks.blogspot.com
July 12, 2015
Love this story!
This is a great read. The mixture of medical terminology, chemistry, and pathos makes for a great rounding out of a storyline that could have been cheesy. This author did a great job of blending all of those things along with some great character developments that made this a first rate read.
This is a great read. The mixture of medical terminology, chemistry, and pathos makes for a great rounding out of a storyline that could have been cheesy. This author did a great job of blending all of those things along with some great character developments that made this a first rate read.
July 22, 2016
Promising start. Then it all goes down into cliché and action movie standards. Great start, but we all knew halfway where it would end, so the suspense got a little lost. Would loved to see the movie though
August 22, 2021
As they watched, the dog antibodies sarcastically joined her dissolved organs and fell out of her hemorrhaging body, and the doctors suddenly remembered the reason for their urgency in the first half of the book.
June 1, 2015
Do you want to live 900 years
What if man could live 900 years, would you want to be that old. There would be problems that I would not want to have
What if man could live 900 years, would you want to be that old. There would be problems that I would not want to have
October 15, 2015
Sci-fi thriller that annoyed me. Recovery of a person as sick as the daughter was is not realistic.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 14, 2017
Science was sound, prose adequate, plot weak and predictable.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews