Zmowa

Dr Steven Dunbar #4

by Ken McClure

Arabia Saudyjska, rok1991. Szczepionka stworzona, by chronić żołnierzy alianckich walczących z Saddmem Husajnem zostaje skażona. Ale nie przez wroga... Anglia, rok 2002. Weterani wojny w Zatoce zaczynają umierać -tysiącami. Nikt nie potrafi znaleźć przyczyny epidemii. A ci, którzy znają przerażająca prawdę, milczą. Doktor Steven Dunbar odkrywa, że rozwiązania trzeba szukać nie wśród piasków Iraku, lecz w murach Whitehallu..

Genres: Thriller, Fiction, Mystery, Ebooks, Medical, Audiobook

192 pages

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

Ken McClure is the internationally bestselling author of over twenty medical thrillers such as The Lazarus Strain, The Gulf Conspiracy, White Death and Dust to Dust. His books have been translated into twenty-five languages and he has earned a reputation for the accuracy of his predicitions. McClure's work is informed by his background as an award-winning research scientist with the UK's Medical Research Council. He lives in a small village in the Lammermuir Hills of Scotland.

Reviews

[Anand · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yet another thrilling and gripping novel by McClure. I have started noticing a pattern in his style of writing.

First 25-30% of his plot typically describes a crisis situation that almost becomes a nightmare, but things turn out to be a fizzle, leaving Dunbar (and indeed, the reader) thinking the worst is over. Then, the next portion of his novels, say till about 75% mark, deals with some situation or development that is seemingly unconnected to the initial developments and at times often read as a separate story by itself, only to then finally emerge as being intrinsically connected to the initial developments. The final quarter of the book then is often a time for realisations and deductions, with the plot converging into to a coherent whole, where we find the protagonist (Steven Dunbar in the case of the Sci-Med series) racing against time to catch and out-do the baddies!

In this novel, the plot revolves around a batch of contaminated vaccines administered to the defences forces fighting in Iraq during 1991. Many of the personnel of the UK army come back from the war only to suffer from what becomes known as the 'Gulf War Syndrome'- unexplained headaches, loss of immunity, susceptibility to cold, cough and flu, etc. Most of it is dismissed as imaginary or psychological impacts of war, while many attribute it to unknown biological warfare perpetrated by Saddam. The truth, however is scary, and though the level of mystery/whodunit is relatively low (the reader knows of the identity of the wrong doers from the beginning), the climax is still a cliff hanger with one last twist of truth awaiting the reader.

The narrative is smooth, the English language and lexicon classical, and the pace is even and pleasurable. Most importantly, as with most of his writings, the real attraction of McClure is his ability to tell a chillingly real tale, often leaving the reader wondering 'what-if' this were to be true?!!

Recommended read.

[Lianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first Ken McClure book I've read and I will definitely be picking up more by this author. I initially thought the book might have a bit too much science and politics in it for my interest, but McClure manages to give enough detail to make the story plausible without it being boring. After a slightly slow start, the story moves along at a nice pace, and although there's not a lot of character development, Dr Steven Dunbar seems a fairly likeable and solid lead. Overall the book was a quick, light read with an enjoyable and intriguing plot that mixes truth and fiction to good effect.

[Karine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Took a little time to get into as the story is being set at the beginning of the book but as soon as the investigation started,I couldn't put it down!

The scenario itself is interesting, using a Gulf War Syndrome theory. I was left with a sense of injustice when I completed the book.

[Shar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent Dr Steven Dunbar story. Has other people have said it does take a while to get going there is a lot of bits at the start which do seem rather tedious but suppose they were needed to explain the processes but once it gets going its keeps you hooked

[Nassos · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy to read and the plot quite intriguing...

[Sandi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this Steven Dunbar books this was my fifth one. I reading them in orderj

[Jacob Peled · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is from the series about Dr. Steven Dunbar. But for some reason he "appears" only after reading 20% of the book. This book as oppose to others on the series didn't make much sense. The attempt to take the known phenomenon of what was known as the "Golf war Syndrome" and give it some kind of a science fiction explanation didn't make any sense. I would have rated it as a 2 star, but since I was able to finish it, I upgraded it to a 3.

[Jack · Rating 4 out of 5]

Biotech thriller featuring Steven Dunbar investigating the sudden death of a former Porton Down scientist.

[Natasha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Three stars

Have read the previous Steven Dunbar books but wasn't so keen on this one. Will try some more of his other books though

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly hooked

This is my fourth Dunbar book in as many days. I am completely hooked… Here’s to the next one …

[Vivien · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ok audio book. An interesting take on Gulf War Syndrome but I found Dr Steven Dunbar a bit arrogant. I don't think I will investigate numbers 1-3 of the series.

[Wiktoria · Rating 2 out of 5]

wątek romantyczny mega szybki i dziwny

[J.B. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining story. Mr. McClure needs to proofread his novels.

[Gill's likes reading · Rating 1 out of 5]

I thought this book was an 'investigative thriller' but it seemed to be nothing more than political meetings without any investigation. I read 60 pages and there was no investigation into anything. In fact there appeared no investigation and nothing thrilling. A story about contamination of vaccine given to soldiers during the gulf war it seemed to me to be told only by describing each meeting with ministers and high ranking army personnel.

I gave up reading it. I suppose I like description narrative that stimulates my imagination.

[Don · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Gulf Conspiracy is a good to listen [or read] to and focuses on government conspiracies and cover up. There is, naturally, the incident which has to be hushed up and then the good guy tracks down potential sources of information, often with dire consequences.




The end was a bit brief for me. Like driving a car into a brick wall [not that I have ever done that; I settled for going over the handlebars of my motorbike]. The ride is enjoyable but stopping is severe!

[Sarah]

I gave this 4 stars instead of the 5 stars I gave the first 3 Dunbar books. I didn't find it captured me as fully as the first three. I still read it in one day (by the pool on holiday!) and it was still a great read...but not as enjoyable as the previous 3. On to number 5 regardless though as 'twas still a good read

[Pen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dr Dunbar is a randy fella. This was the 4th Dunbar book I've read in a week. Time to take a break from him. Good read, but I'm tired of the good doctor.

[Brian Deegan · Rating 4 out of 5]

(178/6/27)

[Amanda Wilson · Rating 1 out of 5]

I like Ken McClure but I didnt like this book at all.

[Trine Villemann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a big fan of Dr Steven Dunbar.

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

far fetched but interesting enough
scientist as pants man?

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable story about a government cover-up and would make a good film, but I found the language rather ripe and quite unnecessary.