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PANDEMIC PREDATOR: A Mary MacIntosh Novel
By the time authorities realize that Ana Bontierre has died from a lethal strain of the avian flu, she has already infected a dozen other residents of a quaint town in northern Wyoming. Investigators from the Centers for Disease Control are puzzled by the strange hand-drawn tattoo on her inner thigh. Within weeks, similar outbreaks occur in Hong Kong, Bangkok, and other metropolises, leading virologists from the CDC, World Health Organization and FBI on a wild goose chase. Eventually, they discover a pattern to the outbreaks. Dr. Jeffrey Plattenburg, a profiler for the FBI, believes that he is dealing with a serial killer who is purposefully infecting selected women with the deadly H5N1 strain of the avian flu. Other prominent doctors believe that the tattoos are a CDC cover-up to hide the fact that the genetic blueprint of the 1918 Spanish flu was stolen. As a global pandemic threatens the world, and thousands of victims lie dead, pharmaceutical companies scramble to mass-produce a flu vaccination. Dr. Plattenburg's search for the common denominator among the victims leads him back to Wyoming where the Bontierres' attorney, Mary MacIntosh, follows the clues the pandemic predator has planted and finds herself at the mercy of a madman with a desire to kill on a global scale.
256 pages, Paperback
First published October 4, 2006
6 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
February 9, 2025
In Pandemic Predator: A Mary MacIntosh Novel, readers are thrust into a heart-pounding narrative that combines the intensity of a global pandemic with the nail-biting suspense of a serial killer on the loose. As the lethal avian flu, H5N1 spreads its deadly grip, authorities scramble to uncover the sinister forces behind the outbreaks.
From the very beginning, the plot is a relentless rollercoaster. When Ana Bontierre succumbs to the avian flu in northern Wyoming, it sets off a chain reaction that baffles investigators. The enigmatic hand-drawn tattoo on her inner thigh raises more questions than answers, and soon, similar outbreaks in metropolises like Hong Kong and Bangkok plunge virologists from the CDC, WHO, and FBI into a frantic pursuit of clues.
Maureen Anne Meehan masterfully weaves together elements of medical mystery, psychological thriller, and action-packed adventure. Dr. Jeffrey Plattenburg, an FBI profiler, emerges as a compelling character who believes he’s up against a serial killer with a macabre motive: infecting selected women with the deadly virus. The suspicion that the CDC is hiding a dark secret adds an extra layer of intrigue, making readers question the true origin of the outbreaks.
As the pandemic spirals out of control and thousands perish, pharmaceutical companies race against time to develop a vaccine. The tension is palpable, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. Dr. Plattenburg’s quest to find a common thread among the victims leads him back to Wyoming, where Mary MacIntosh, the Bontierres’ tenacious attorney, takes center stage. Her determination to uncover the truth puts her in the crosshairs of a madman who desires to wreak global havoc.
What sets this novel apart is its meticulous attention to detail and the seamless blending of real-world science with fictional horror. The author’s skillful storytelling keeps readers hooked from start to finish, with unexpected twists and turns that leave them guessing until the very end.
From the very beginning, the plot is a relentless rollercoaster. When Ana Bontierre succumbs to the avian flu in northern Wyoming, it sets off a chain reaction that baffles investigators. The enigmatic hand-drawn tattoo on her inner thigh raises more questions than answers, and soon, similar outbreaks in metropolises like Hong Kong and Bangkok plunge virologists from the CDC, WHO, and FBI into a frantic pursuit of clues.
Maureen Anne Meehan masterfully weaves together elements of medical mystery, psychological thriller, and action-packed adventure. Dr. Jeffrey Plattenburg, an FBI profiler, emerges as a compelling character who believes he’s up against a serial killer with a macabre motive: infecting selected women with the deadly virus. The suspicion that the CDC is hiding a dark secret adds an extra layer of intrigue, making readers question the true origin of the outbreaks.
As the pandemic spirals out of control and thousands perish, pharmaceutical companies race against time to develop a vaccine. The tension is palpable, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. Dr. Plattenburg’s quest to find a common thread among the victims leads him back to Wyoming, where Mary MacIntosh, the Bontierres’ tenacious attorney, takes center stage. Her determination to uncover the truth puts her in the crosshairs of a madman who desires to wreak global havoc.
What sets this novel apart is its meticulous attention to detail and the seamless blending of real-world science with fictional horror. The author’s skillful storytelling keeps readers hooked from start to finish, with unexpected twists and turns that leave them guessing until the very end.
January 28, 2025
Ana Bontierre seems to have died from a version of the avian flu. However, that does not account for the mysterious tattoo on her inner thigh. Now, other victims are dying, seemingly in a similar way. This leads entities like the CDC, FBI, and WHO into the mix. FBI profiler Dr. Jeffrey Plattenburg has a wild theory: he believes someone is purposefully infecting women with a virulent strain of this emerging virus. Suddenly, the world is in the grip of a rapidly spreading pandemic. Meanwhile, Wyoming attorney Mary MacIntosh has been hired by the Bontierre family. She must sort out whether there really is a pandemic predator and who his next target might be.
Pandemic Predator, by Maureen Anne Meehan, is another novel in the legal-thriller book series starring Mary MacIntosh, better known as Mac to her friends. This book may remind some readers of movies like Contagion or Outbreak.
While it’s always fun to spend some time with Mac, Wyoming’s favorite and most skilled legal mind, this novel seems to be even more inspired than most of the others. Maybe it’s because of the skill with which Meehan weaves the topical pandemic aspect of the storyline in with her normal cast of characters. While Mac still gets most of the spotlight, as she should, Dr. Plattenburg is a worthy addition to this series. He and Mac play off of each nicely as they both try to zero in on the pandemic predator who they are both convinced is out there.
This novel also has a better antagonist than some of the others. As we learn more about him and his motivations, the whole business that Mac and Plattenburg are investigating takes on a much more sinister edge. While Mac has gone up against worthy baddies before, seldom has she dealt with pure evil. It takes this novel into almost Stephen King or James Patterson territory.
There’s never an unworthy entry in the Mary MacIntosh series, but this one is particularly inspired, not to mention unsettling. Meehan is at her best here, crafting one of her most complex plots that results in perhaps her most satisfying payoff.
Pandemic Predator, by Maureen Anne Meehan, is another novel in the legal-thriller book series starring Mary MacIntosh, better known as Mac to her friends. This book may remind some readers of movies like Contagion or Outbreak.
While it’s always fun to spend some time with Mac, Wyoming’s favorite and most skilled legal mind, this novel seems to be even more inspired than most of the others. Maybe it’s because of the skill with which Meehan weaves the topical pandemic aspect of the storyline in with her normal cast of characters. While Mac still gets most of the spotlight, as she should, Dr. Plattenburg is a worthy addition to this series. He and Mac play off of each nicely as they both try to zero in on the pandemic predator who they are both convinced is out there.
This novel also has a better antagonist than some of the others. As we learn more about him and his motivations, the whole business that Mac and Plattenburg are investigating takes on a much more sinister edge. While Mac has gone up against worthy baddies before, seldom has she dealt with pure evil. It takes this novel into almost Stephen King or James Patterson territory.
There’s never an unworthy entry in the Mary MacIntosh series, but this one is particularly inspired, not to mention unsettling. Meehan is at her best here, crafting one of her most complex plots that results in perhaps her most satisfying payoff.
February 6, 2025
The pandemic was scary enough but imagine a killer using it to his advantage. When a brutally tortured woman is discovered on Medicine Mountain, Mary MacIntosh finds herself pulled into a case darker than anything she’s faced before. As more victims emerge, the FBI steps in, but the killer always seems one step ahead. With the world in chaos, it’s the perfect time for a predator to strike.
This book hooked me from the first chapter. The writing is sharp, the mystery is gripping, and the fear is noticeable. The blend of legal drama and crime investigation works perfectly, making you feel like you’re solving the case alongside Mary. It’s intense without overwhelming, but enough to get under your skin.
What really makes this book stand out is how well it captures the paranoia of the pandemic. The isolation, the fear of sickness, and the feeling that danger is everywhere. The Wyoming setting, with its vast open spaces, somehow makes the story even more claustrophobic. Pandemic Predator is a must-read. It’s chilling, addictive, and impossible to put down. If I could rate it higher than 5/5 stars, I would!
This book hooked me from the first chapter. The writing is sharp, the mystery is gripping, and the fear is noticeable. The blend of legal drama and crime investigation works perfectly, making you feel like you’re solving the case alongside Mary. It’s intense without overwhelming, but enough to get under your skin.
What really makes this book stand out is how well it captures the paranoia of the pandemic. The isolation, the fear of sickness, and the feeling that danger is everywhere. The Wyoming setting, with its vast open spaces, somehow makes the story even more claustrophobic. Pandemic Predator is a must-read. It’s chilling, addictive, and impossible to put down. If I could rate it higher than 5/5 stars, I would!
February 19, 2025
A Chilling Medical Mystery Thriller...
Maureen Anne Meehan's "Pandemic Predator" is a fast-paced thriller that flawlessly integrates medical mystery with a high-stakes search. As a deadly form of avian flu spreads throughout the world, FBI profiler Dr. Jeffrey Plattenburg races to discover the truth behind a string of inexplicable breakouts. Meehan's rigorous research shines through, adding realism to the scientific components of the plot while keeping a fast pace that keeps readers glued to the page.
The novel's strength is its ability to mix sophisticated medical themes with gripping suspense. As the investigation progresses, revealing a dark conspiracy with far-reaching consequences, Meehan brilliantly builds the tension. The addition of attorney Mary MacIntosh adds complexity to the story, providing a new perspective on the impending catastrophe. With its riveting mix of science, mystery, and thrills, "Pandemic Predator" is a relevant and gripping addition to the Mary MacIntosh series that will keep readers guessing until the very last page. Highly recommended.
Maureen Anne Meehan's "Pandemic Predator" is a fast-paced thriller that flawlessly integrates medical mystery with a high-stakes search. As a deadly form of avian flu spreads throughout the world, FBI profiler Dr. Jeffrey Plattenburg races to discover the truth behind a string of inexplicable breakouts. Meehan's rigorous research shines through, adding realism to the scientific components of the plot while keeping a fast pace that keeps readers glued to the page.
The novel's strength is its ability to mix sophisticated medical themes with gripping suspense. As the investigation progresses, revealing a dark conspiracy with far-reaching consequences, Meehan brilliantly builds the tension. The addition of attorney Mary MacIntosh adds complexity to the story, providing a new perspective on the impending catastrophe. With its riveting mix of science, mystery, and thrills, "Pandemic Predator" is a relevant and gripping addition to the Mary MacIntosh series that will keep readers guessing until the very last page. Highly recommended.
March 15, 2009
This book was an excellent read. I learned that Maureen Aplin is a great writer. She will keep you on the edge of your seat with her story. The book was so well researched. I can't understand why her books aren't on the bestseller list!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews