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The Devil's Vial
The threat of global warming pushes some well-organized and very powerful people to scheme something drastic and lethal. Central to their plans is a small clear vial. These plans remain undiscovered until Richard Gregg, a convert to Buddhism struggling to apply what he's learned to a westerner's life, and four companions stumble across the conspiracy. Chased, shot at and beat-up, Richard and his friends know these powers-that-be are willing to kill to maintain secrecy and further their goals. Somehow, the conspirators must be found, along with what they are planning and how to stop them. A deadline approaches and whatever is done has to be done quickly, so options are limited. Throughout it all, Richard wants to remain true to his beliefs - most important, in every circumstance, he must act without violence and approach everything with compassion and loving kindness. It is not at all clear he will succeed.
445 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 3, 2015
18 people are currently reading
91 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
August 5, 2016
Expected the unexpected in this philosophical conspiracy thriller about karma, enlightenment and the survival of humanity.
When Dr. Richard Gregg receives a disturbing phone call telling him that his girlfriend has been abducted, he follows the kidnapper’s instructions to the letter, getting into his car and heading to an abandoned home. Thankfully, his girlfriend is still alive, but the good doctor’s nightmare is just beginning. The perpetrator, an attempted suicide patient Richard treated in the emergency room in the distant past, wants revenge for what he sees as the doctor’s negligence. He gets it in the most shocking way imaginable: he forces Dr. Gregg to kill him.
Check out the rest of my review on BestThrillers.com
When Dr. Richard Gregg receives a disturbing phone call telling him that his girlfriend has been abducted, he follows the kidnapper’s instructions to the letter, getting into his car and heading to an abandoned home. Thankfully, his girlfriend is still alive, but the good doctor’s nightmare is just beginning. The perpetrator, an attempted suicide patient Richard treated in the emergency room in the distant past, wants revenge for what he sees as the doctor’s negligence. He gets it in the most shocking way imaginable: he forces Dr. Gregg to kill him.
Check out the rest of my review on BestThrillers.com
June 19, 2017
The devil's viral by Bryon Brumbaugh.
The threat of global warming pushes some well-organized and very powerful people to scheme something drastic and lethal. Central to their plans is a small clear vial. These plans remain undiscovered until Richard Gregg, a convert to Buddhism struggling to apply what he's learned to a westerner's life, and four companions stumble across the conspiracy. Chased, shot at and beat-up, Richard and his friends know these powers-that-be are willing to kill to maintain secrecy and further their goals. Somehow, the conspirators must be found, along with what they are planning and how to stop them. A deadline approaches and whatever is done has to be done quickly, so options are limited. Throughout it all, Richard wants to remain true to his beliefs - most important, in every circumstance, he must act without violence and approach everything with compassion and loving kindness. It is not at all clear he will succeed.
Good read with good characters. I liked the story. Bit slow to pick up but I managed to read it. Just took my time. 4*. Netgalley and black rose writing.
The threat of global warming pushes some well-organized and very powerful people to scheme something drastic and lethal. Central to their plans is a small clear vial. These plans remain undiscovered until Richard Gregg, a convert to Buddhism struggling to apply what he's learned to a westerner's life, and four companions stumble across the conspiracy. Chased, shot at and beat-up, Richard and his friends know these powers-that-be are willing to kill to maintain secrecy and further their goals. Somehow, the conspirators must be found, along with what they are planning and how to stop them. A deadline approaches and whatever is done has to be done quickly, so options are limited. Throughout it all, Richard wants to remain true to his beliefs - most important, in every circumstance, he must act without violence and approach everything with compassion and loving kindness. It is not at all clear he will succeed.
Good read with good characters. I liked the story. Bit slow to pick up but I managed to read it. Just took my time. 4*. Netgalley and black rose writing.
October 6, 2024
Richard, suffering from a big trauma, leaves everything behind and joins a Buddhist monastery. After 3 years he returns to America, but on the way back he sees himself trapped in the middle of a major conspiracy involving virus, global warming and extraterrestrial life forms (kidding, it's just virus and global warming!). With the help of a friend, a police and a former FBI, he has to move fast, otherwise not even Lord Buddha can save him...
This one was weak... The characters are not convincing, the story is way to unreasonable and the pace really really slow. The fist chapters are ok, but then everything just drags in pseudo considerations about life, existence and enlightenment (ripped from some modern mindfulness supermarket literature instead of inspired in real Buddhist books) and constant repetition of dialogues and arguments.
This one was weak... The characters are not convincing, the story is way to unreasonable and the pace really really slow. The fist chapters are ok, but then everything just drags in pseudo considerations about life, existence and enlightenment (ripped from some modern mindfulness supermarket literature instead of inspired in real Buddhist books) and constant repetition of dialogues and arguments.
November 28, 2017
The story has more twists and turns than a winding mountain road with roller coaster thrills. Could not set it down for long. What is original in what I would describe as a political horror story, is the protagonist's conflict of conscience. His religious convictions weigh heavily against the taking of another's life for any reason: yet he is placed in the position from the story's beginning to do just that, lest he allow someone innocent to perish if he does not. This theme is prevalent throughout what is a read both reflective and entertaining.
August 14, 2018
This was like reading a self help booklet with action and suspense! There was so much positivity that you can't enjoy the fantasy and adventure because of all the Buddhist enlightenment reels throughout. I kind of felt guilty for liking the extreme measures and plot of the story. Alot about this book is great, certain aspects were only seen through the eyes of one race as saviors. All five saviors of humanity are white. With that being said I know the story was pure fantasy in most aspects, but in general the views on how to save the world from itself was legit.
October 22, 2017
Can't recommend this one - too many plot holes and unconvincing action.
Corrupt government officials and scheming powerful leaders join in a plan to kill off 90% of the world's population as a solution to global warming.
Corrupt government officials and scheming powerful leaders join in a plan to kill off 90% of the world's population as a solution to global warming.
July 4, 2018
Good book
Good story that started strong frm the beginning and continued thru to the end. Only drawback was a few very long winded over described tangents that I felt didn't add much to the story
Good story that started strong frm the beginning and continued thru to the end. Only drawback was a few very long winded over described tangents that I felt didn't add much to the story
March 11, 2017
Interesting and hought-provoking read, if you can ignore the grammar and tense issues. Would love to edit and polish up this draft.
January 1, 2017
This was a very entertaining book. There were many ideas for the reader to think about, such as why people buy the things they buy, poverty, difficult choices when it comes to survival, and wanting something that is not needed.
While I don't think I'd feel guilty if I had done what Richard was forced to do in the epilogue, I can imagine how conflicting it would be for a doctor to feel the need to take a life out of necessity since doctors usually save lives rather than take them. I really felt what he felt during the story. The Buddhist ideas seemed to be presented well too.
I felt really bad for Richard when he gave money to the kid as he was leaving India and he ends up not being able to help all the poor children. It is hard knowing that there are poor people in the world who don't have access to things a more privileged individual would have. The fact that it is impossible to help every single person is depressing, but true.
I especially find it difficult to see how conflicts can be solved without the use of violence, since there is so much violence in the media these days. Humans in general have a tendency to be violent when the violence itself is unnecessary, and Brumbaugh clearly presents this concept as Richard and his friends try to stop a conspiracy. This was a thought-provoking read and I would recommend to someone who wants a book that will make them think.
While I don't think I'd feel guilty if I had done what Richard was forced to do in the epilogue, I can imagine how conflicting it would be for a doctor to feel the need to take a life out of necessity since doctors usually save lives rather than take them. I really felt what he felt during the story. The Buddhist ideas seemed to be presented well too.
I felt really bad for Richard when he gave money to the kid as he was leaving India and he ends up not being able to help all the poor children. It is hard knowing that there are poor people in the world who don't have access to things a more privileged individual would have. The fact that it is impossible to help every single person is depressing, but true.
I especially find it difficult to see how conflicts can be solved without the use of violence, since there is so much violence in the media these days. Humans in general have a tendency to be violent when the violence itself is unnecessary, and Brumbaugh clearly presents this concept as Richard and his friends try to stop a conspiracy. This was a thought-provoking read and I would recommend to someone who wants a book that will make them think.
January 2, 2017
ER Doctor Richard Gregg kills a crazed man in order to save his girlfriend and is riddled with guilt and trauma. He leaves his practice and becomes a Buddhist monk in Sikkim. At the end of three years his teacher tells him it is time to leave and return to the States. As soon as he arrives, he is chased, shot at, survives an auto accident, and is confronted with run or die scenarios without knowing why until he discovers a pen shaped vial was dropped into his carry bag. From then on it is a helter scatter but deadly adventure of survival. An elitist group of world leaders who want to survive doomsday predictions of climate change plan to poison the world’s population and inoculate only the chosen ones from infection and death. Dr. Gregg must constantly ponder his Buddhist mindset of the four noble truths when confronting kill or be killed. A good read with lots of excitement, electronic wizardry, a retired police dog named Buddy and really nasty bad guys.
I received an electronic copy in return for an honest review.
I received an electronic copy in return for an honest review.
March 27, 2017
Dr. Richard Gregg had got an anonymous call that if he wanted to see his GF Julie 1 last time he better do as he was told.
Richard was now in the abandon house.
Gary had Julie tied up.
He had a revolver & gave Richard a choice.
It was not what Richard wanted.
He/Gary fought & now Gary lay dead.
Richard was taking some well-deserved time off.
He was now in Darjeeling, India (Himalayas).
Buddhism was his lifestyle for a while.
By train he later arrived in Delhi, India.
Then back in the US.
Georgetown Community Hospital. Sally (night shift charge nurse) told Dr. Alex Stewart (35+, ER physician) they had multiple trauma patients coming in.
Dr. Richard Gregg was 1 of them. He checked out fine.
Alex was going to let Richard stay with him until he got back on his feet.
There was a knock-on Alex’s door.
Officer Martin & Officer Nichols were there to see Richard.
Unbelievable. Officer Martin shot Officer Nichols in cold blood.
More gunshots galore. & then all hell broke loose.
Alex, Buddy (Alex’s German Shepard), & Richard were on the run for their lives.
Emily Clark (Newark PD) was sent to pick the 3 of them up.
They were to meet Doug (former Forensic accountant LQNH) at Hoboken Hospital ER.
Like always things didn’t go as planned.
All 4 of them later arrived at Oscar Lubowski (techno-geek, hacker) place.
What is Dr. Griffin Todd (Harvard, PhD, Chair; Virology Dept., scientist, Primate Research Center director) involved in?
Would something happen to Oscar & Richard?
What are Emily, Alex & Doug planning to do?
I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review. Only an honest one.
A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very well written conspiracy adventure book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a huge set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great conspiracy adventure movie, or better yet a mini TV series. There is no doubt in my mind this is a very easy rating of 5 stars.
Thank you for the free Black Rose Writing; ebookstage; Amazon Digital Services LLC; book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
Richard was now in the abandon house.
Gary had Julie tied up.
He had a revolver & gave Richard a choice.
It was not what Richard wanted.
He/Gary fought & now Gary lay dead.
Richard was taking some well-deserved time off.
He was now in Darjeeling, India (Himalayas).
Buddhism was his lifestyle for a while.
By train he later arrived in Delhi, India.
Then back in the US.
Georgetown Community Hospital. Sally (night shift charge nurse) told Dr. Alex Stewart (35+, ER physician) they had multiple trauma patients coming in.
Dr. Richard Gregg was 1 of them. He checked out fine.
Alex was going to let Richard stay with him until he got back on his feet.
There was a knock-on Alex’s door.
Officer Martin & Officer Nichols were there to see Richard.
Unbelievable. Officer Martin shot Officer Nichols in cold blood.
More gunshots galore. & then all hell broke loose.
Alex, Buddy (Alex’s German Shepard), & Richard were on the run for their lives.
Emily Clark (Newark PD) was sent to pick the 3 of them up.
They were to meet Doug (former Forensic accountant LQNH) at Hoboken Hospital ER.
Like always things didn’t go as planned.
All 4 of them later arrived at Oscar Lubowski (techno-geek, hacker) place.
What is Dr. Griffin Todd (Harvard, PhD, Chair; Virology Dept., scientist, Primate Research Center director) involved in?
Would something happen to Oscar & Richard?
What are Emily, Alex & Doug planning to do?
I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review. Only an honest one.
A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very well written conspiracy adventure book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a huge set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great conspiracy adventure movie, or better yet a mini TV series. There is no doubt in my mind this is a very easy rating of 5 stars.
Thank you for the free Black Rose Writing; ebookstage; Amazon Digital Services LLC; book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews