Embryo

by Charles Wilson

Beautiful Bailey Williams hires a young detective, Ross Channing, to help her find a reclusive scientist who has been experimenting with artificial wombs in an attempt to get the one thing she wants--a child. Original.

Genres: Thriller, Fiction, Mystery

304 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 1999

Reviews

[Paul McBride · Rating 3 out of 5]

Medical ethics, wrapped around a slight mystery. This is the second book I have read from this author. Both books were fine, but they also were missing a wow factor. And at times were boring.

[Jim Swike]

Didn't read enough to give a proper review. Enjoy!

[Kristin Lundgren · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another Wilson book that I read about 12 years ago. I think. I didn't note it in the book, so if I did, then either I forgot, or I got it from the library and later acquired a copy. Anyway, it's the story of a beautiful, wealthy model/starlet who comes to a small bail bond/private detective firm, which was recommended to her by a friend who had used their services in the past. She wants them to do some investigation about the rumors of a doctor in Mexico or who was able to create babies outside the womb - basically a type of test tube baby grown in an artificial womb. She wants to find out if this happened and or speak to anyone who was involved. She wants a baby, but doesn't want what having baby does to your body. She has the money, a lot, and since Ross Channing recently graduated from law school, and he and his partner, shortly to graduate, intend to set up practice, and disband the bail bonds service, he agrees. He calls an old friend and contact in Mexico, and asks him to investigate, thinking it will be a dead end, but it isn't. At least not that kind of dead. Soon things begin to spiral out of control, as people are killed, and the secrets of the past begin to unfold. Ross takes a liking to Bailey, and stays at her side, helping her through this minefield of science, and those who wish to stop it. Cutting edge science (for then), and lots of bodies piling up make this a good solid non-disease medial thriller. The only nagging issue to me is Bailey's obsession to go so far out of the norm in order not to have to carry a child. Many other models and actresses have done so with no ill effects that can be seen, or can be airbrushed out. So the motivation is sketchy, and there is a sort of eew factor involved, but I enjoyed it, esp. it's drippy Louisiana setting.

[Kristin · Rating 2 out of 5]

The description on the back of this book made it sound more interesting than it really was, but it is a fast read. The book was just weird, that's the best way I could put it.
I wouldn't be surprised if someone was developing an outside-the-body means of growing a fetal animal, but probably a mouse rather than a human, I would hope. The thought of making a baby this way reminds me of the old Alien Encounter at Disney World, and that was a strange 'ride' at that park.
Overall, I wasn't really impressed by the book because I thought it was too 'out there', and I especially didn't like the ending scene.

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is sort of basic type of thriller. It has an interesting premise and plot, with solid enough characters for the genre, combining to make a fairly entertaining and fast read. And while the artificial birth seemed more fitting in a science fiction novel than a mystery/thriller novel, Wilson manages to present his crazy-sounding science in a fairly realistic way. The plot held some unpredictable turns and the book ends in an absolutely eerie fashion. Wilson is a writer with a sense for entertaining plots and seems to be a safe bet for a fun thriller.

[Terri · Rating 3 out of 5]

A new lawyer/PI is hired by a beautiful model to track a Mexican folktale of a doctor carrying out out-of-womb births. And then people associated with the past and the tale are ending up dead. Suspenseful and asking a lot of interesting ethical and moral questions.

[ASA · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read this when I was a sophomore in high school. Unfortunately, shortly after, I lost it in the school library and never found it again :| I feel so bad because the book was great and interesting on so many levels. I loved it. Hands down, sci-fi.

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A page turner. Original.