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Mitch Herron #1
The Omega Strain
Meet Mitch Herron: unstoppable assassin and biological nightmare.
Herron’s business is death and business is good. Though he’s an assassin without equal, his latest job is no walk in the park. Fanatics hell-bent on cleansing the planet ambush Herron and turn him into a walking bioweapon.
With only days before he’s used to spread the most lethal contagion in human history, Herron can surrender himself to quarantine or hunt down the fanatics, knowing he might be the only person who can.
The clock is ticking…
Herron’s business is death and business is good. Though he’s an assassin without equal, his latest job is no walk in the park. Fanatics hell-bent on cleansing the planet ambush Herron and turn him into a walking bioweapon.
With only days before he’s used to spread the most lethal contagion in human history, Herron can surrender himself to quarantine or hunt down the fanatics, knowing he might be the only person who can.
The clock is ticking…
162 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 4, 2017
1026 people are currently reading
837 people want to read
About the author
Steve P. Vincent
32 books92 followersSteve P. Vincent lives with his wife in a pokey apartment in Melbourne’s north-west, where he’s forced to write on the couch in front of an obnoxiously large television.
When he’s not writing, Steve keeps food and flat whites on the table working for the man. He enjoys beer, whisky, sports and dreaming up ever more elaborate conspiracy theories to write about.
He has a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Political Science and History. His honours thesis was on the topic of global terrorism. He has travelled extensively through Europe, the United States and Asia.
The Foundation is his first novel.
When he’s not writing, Steve keeps food and flat whites on the table working for the man. He enjoys beer, whisky, sports and dreaming up ever more elaborate conspiracy theories to write about.
He has a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Political Science and History. His honours thesis was on the topic of global terrorism. He has travelled extensively through Europe, the United States and Asia.
The Foundation is his first novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 149 reviews
January 13, 2023
I received this book as part of the Murder and Mayhem 20 thriller novels Boxed Set and this story is exactly what I was expecting when I purchased it. Mitch Herron is an assassin, but in his latest secret
agent mission, he’s infected with a bioweapon that threatens the entire planet. He learns that he has a matter of days to find the responsible parties before he dies and contaminates the world. There's a great deal of action and suspense, although the ending was a little bit rushed with what to me felt like too little exposition. I think the whole ticking clock bit could have been milked for more suspense, but that's a minor nitpick. Better to end too early than to end too late with excessive exposition. This was a really fun and entertaining read. The Omega Strain by Steve Vincent is actually the type of novel I expected from a boxed set called Murder and Mayhem. Unfortunately, too few of the books fit in with the theme of the set and I will include my complaint with all of my reviews for the collection.
agent mission, he’s infected with a bioweapon that threatens the entire planet. He learns that he has a matter of days to find the responsible parties before he dies and contaminates the world. There's a great deal of action and suspense, although the ending was a little bit rushed with what to me felt like too little exposition. I think the whole ticking clock bit could have been milked for more suspense, but that's a minor nitpick. Better to end too early than to end too late with excessive exposition. This was a really fun and entertaining read. The Omega Strain by Steve Vincent is actually the type of novel I expected from a boxed set called Murder and Mayhem. Unfortunately, too few of the books fit in with the theme of the set and I will include my complaint with all of my reviews for the collection.
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December 16, 2018💝FREE on Amazon today (12/16/2018)!💝
Blurb:
Meet Mitch Herron: unstoppable assassin and biological nightmare.
Herron’s business is death and business is good. Though he’s an assassin without equal, his latest job is no walk in the park. Fanatics hell-bent on cleansing the planet ambush Herron and turn him into a walking bioweapon.
With only days before he’s used to spread the most lethal contagion in human history, Herron can surrender himself to quarantine or hunt down the fanatics, knowing he might be the only person who can.
The clock is ticking…
Blurb:
Meet Mitch Herron: unstoppable assassin and biological nightmare.
Herron’s business is death and business is good. Though he’s an assassin without equal, his latest job is no walk in the park. Fanatics hell-bent on cleansing the planet ambush Herron and turn him into a walking bioweapon.
With only days before he’s used to spread the most lethal contagion in human history, Herron can surrender himself to quarantine or hunt down the fanatics, knowing he might be the only person who can.
The clock is ticking…
September 18, 2023
Mitch Herron is trying to stop a bioweapon attack before he dies. So he is running after those who planned this attack.
Unfortunately, he was out-gun and was captured.
During the time of his capture, he was injected with the bioweapon himself.
A doctor was captured too. So this doctor can confirm that it is an actual threat.
The plan is simple. Infected several persons and spread the virus in the city.
The bioweapon is a smallpox variant.
Mitch killed some along the way. And try to go the root of the issue. The one who bankroll this attack.
The book is not thick. And it have the feel like an action base game with a lot of guns.
Overall, an interesting read. As I found out it is a self-publishing first novel from the writer. It is not bad at all .
Not a lot of character development. And even less self-reflection on the main character on why he is in this line of work. But the story is straightforward enough to be entertaining.
4 stars.
Unfortunately, he was out-gun and was captured.
During the time of his capture, he was injected with the bioweapon himself.
A doctor was captured too. So this doctor can confirm that it is an actual threat.
The plan is simple. Infected several persons and spread the virus in the city.
The bioweapon is a smallpox variant.
Mitch killed some along the way. And try to go the root of the issue. The one who bankroll this attack.
The book is not thick. And it have the feel like an action base game with a lot of guns.
Overall, an interesting read. As I found out it is a self-publishing first novel from the writer. It is not bad at all .
Not a lot of character development. And even less self-reflection on the main character on why he is in this line of work. But the story is straightforward enough to be entertaining.
4 stars.
June 3, 2018
This is one book that starts out as it ends with such thrilling excitement, danger and mystery. The author has no trouble holding you on the edge again and again with one thrilling ride that makes your heart beat faster not knowing when the end will come and who will be left alive. What happens when a mad man gets his hands on and unleashes a bio weapon that could end life as we know it on this planet killing thousands if not all humans. What a nightmare that would be as the lead character finds out this is no walk in the park trying to find the people responsible for this injustices. What follows is truly one exciting listen that holds you spellbound until the end with this life and death story that has compassion, danger, thrills, excitement and mystery.
The narrator as always does a wonderful job from his character voices to the emotion. His character voices are wonderful you always know who is talking and what they are feeling. His male to female voice are great and easy to follow with smooth and even when changing to one character to the next. He gives the right tones for the scenes you can hear the fear, excitement, danger in the characters voices. His performance is just outstanding. There is no background noises, no volume changes, no repeating of words just a very clean and clear audio that pulls you in. If any breaks were taken I could not tell it was just a very clean and clear audio that I got lost in. The narrator normal voice is just a wonderful as his character voice keeping you on the edge with danger and true emotion that makes your heart beat a little faster as the scenes unfold keeping you on the edge. Mr. Jordan does a great job bring the audio alive making you feel each emotion, danger and excitement that the author gives. It was a thrilling ride that I totally enjoyed from a very talented narrator.
Herron has been infected with the bio weapon, he must decide if he goes after the would be killers or go into quarantine in hopes of them finding the antidote to save his life. Of course our hero won’t stand aside and watch others die he will go on the hunt for the mad man who wants to kill so many and hope when the end comes he is still alive. The author put a lot of thought into this giving detailed scenes that will keep you on the edge until the end with first one road block and then another. I have no trouble picturing this as a wonderful movie that people would love to watch. It has a little bit of everything in it but one thing is for sure you won’t be able to put it down. The characters feel real almost like family as you want to reach in and pull them out time and time again from the danger that is before them. Herron does have a sidekick that helps him along the way. He more or less inherited her when she is found to be where he is being held and left to die just like him. She is a little bit of a mystery but adds so much to this story. I truly loved the characters, the plot, the twists and turns and how it all played out giving me hours of enjoyment. I found things to do, so I could listen longer before I knew it I came to the end not wanting it to end. I can hardly wait to see what book two will be like. If you are looking for a wonderful listen that keeps your attention and makes you enter act with the characters you have found it. I enjoyed this so much that I also bought another of this author audio. I just love his writing style and how he pulled me in with wonderful entertainment.
The narrator as always does a wonderful job from his character voices to the emotion. His character voices are wonderful you always know who is talking and what they are feeling. His male to female voice are great and easy to follow with smooth and even when changing to one character to the next. He gives the right tones for the scenes you can hear the fear, excitement, danger in the characters voices. His performance is just outstanding. There is no background noises, no volume changes, no repeating of words just a very clean and clear audio that pulls you in. If any breaks were taken I could not tell it was just a very clean and clear audio that I got lost in. The narrator normal voice is just a wonderful as his character voice keeping you on the edge with danger and true emotion that makes your heart beat a little faster as the scenes unfold keeping you on the edge. Mr. Jordan does a great job bring the audio alive making you feel each emotion, danger and excitement that the author gives. It was a thrilling ride that I totally enjoyed from a very talented narrator.
Herron has been infected with the bio weapon, he must decide if he goes after the would be killers or go into quarantine in hopes of them finding the antidote to save his life. Of course our hero won’t stand aside and watch others die he will go on the hunt for the mad man who wants to kill so many and hope when the end comes he is still alive. The author put a lot of thought into this giving detailed scenes that will keep you on the edge until the end with first one road block and then another. I have no trouble picturing this as a wonderful movie that people would love to watch. It has a little bit of everything in it but one thing is for sure you won’t be able to put it down. The characters feel real almost like family as you want to reach in and pull them out time and time again from the danger that is before them. Herron does have a sidekick that helps him along the way. He more or less inherited her when she is found to be where he is being held and left to die just like him. She is a little bit of a mystery but adds so much to this story. I truly loved the characters, the plot, the twists and turns and how it all played out giving me hours of enjoyment. I found things to do, so I could listen longer before I knew it I came to the end not wanting it to end. I can hardly wait to see what book two will be like. If you are looking for a wonderful listen that keeps your attention and makes you enter act with the characters you have found it. I enjoyed this so much that I also bought another of this author audio. I just love his writing style and how he pulled me in with wonderful entertainment.
December 6, 2018
I was super lucky to jump on my newsletter from Steve ...that was giveaway of an Audible book of your choice ... I was like heck yeah!! count me in. please. He did contact me and was like which book are you interested in ... I was like ...hey ... which one would you suggest for me to start with ...he said this one considering i have yet to read any of his books ever!! I was so in love with this Audible listen. Love the cover. Mitch Herron Series, 3 books in the series so far. far. Maybe you are a fan of "Tom Jordon" he is a great narrator, I really appreciate it when an author picks a great narrator, well done, awesome! I mean it this was one of those listen/reads where you are so curious where it will head ... edge of your sit ... kind of patiently waiting for it to get there ...but not really 'cause you wanna know what will happen??! I am a go 2 mystery lover ... I appreciate the ideas and thoughts it must take to write one ...and I love it when they get ya ... like u can not figure it out still u get to the end. love that! Fast action thriller for sure! page turner, action, twists, turns, if that might strike your fancy? I say stop what you are doing and either do Audible or read this book!! such a great read. I do look forward to more from Steve and so happy that I pick a winner ... love that! score. ( ;
December 16, 2022
An excellent thriller with lots of action and great characters.
The chemistry between the main characters was believable.
I am on board to continue with this series.
The chemistry between the main characters was believable.
I am on board to continue with this series.
February 18, 2025
Zero character development and completely unrealistic. Relied on a lot of luck and coincidences to move the story forward.
November 8, 2024
Highly entertaining read
Currently reading
March 31, 2022Author gift
November 23, 2023
KEEP THE BODY BAGS HANDY!
Assassin Mitch Herron is doing what he does best, and that’s killing bad guys. In fact, he’s so good at it that he keeps a running tally so that he doesn’t mess up the body count. In the middle of a clean-up on aisle nine, an unanticipated blow to the back of his head has him wondering, “Who turned out the lights?” It also reduces his destructive power to that of a sock puppet, but not for long. He soon wakes to the sight of Mike Freeman, a nattily-attired leader of a fanatical sect intent on committing an act of bioterrorism. The problem? Herron is just as intent on stopping him … hence the mowing down of his underlings. Now I know it sounds weird, but Freeman seems to object to Herron’s permanently eliminating members of his organization and is about to repay the favor in his own inimitable way. Before Herron knows it, a syringe filled with an unknown substance is injected into his arm, and even without a scorecard, he knows he’s on the losing end of that battle. Luckily, he’s an optimist and knows that a battle is not a war and so he enlists the aid of Erica Kearns, a specialist in highly contagious pathogens to figure out what is circulating in his system. It turns out to be a doozy of a biohazard … one so virulent that it was thought to be an urban legend called The Omega Strain. A rose by any other name would be just as deadly and Herron has exactly four days to stop the ticking time bomb gestating in his body. With nothing left to lose, Kearns and Herron go looking for a cure, one that Herron hopes will turn the big bad strain into nothing worse than a seasonal cold.
If you’re one of those thousands of readers who love nothing more than a non-stop action thriller set against the background of a world-ending calamity, THE OMEGA STRAIN is for you! Written with a take-no-prisoner approach, author Steve P. Vincent does a masterful job of keeping us turning pages and trying to figure out what comes next. We are not disappointed because the twists and turns abound fueling the need for more. Think of it as engorging on a Thanksgiving dinner that never ends. But it’s here that I insert a WARNING that should be heeded, and the ditty goes something like this: Get your snacks ready “before” you begin reading because there is no downtime allotted for you foraging for an edible food source. So collect everything you need before your eyeballs hit the page. I mean it. Now as for me and the wicked pace, the brutish velocity wore me out and I felt a little like I ran ten marathons by the end of this cautionary tale. However, the adrenaline rushes found at every step of the way in this action thriller made the ride more than worthwhile … but another thing about the author.
Another one of Steve P. Vincent’s idiosyncrasies will please those readers always complaining about too much atmosphere. You know, those lush boring passages that go on f-o-r-e-v-e-r and brim over with childish emotions, and exacting descriptions about everything you never needed to know about a character’s life. You won’t find any of that Gothic digressive stuff sullying Vincent’s pages. For instance when Eric Kearns is introduced, she’s described as “attractive.” Yup, that’s it! Attractive. No unnecessary five-foot-seven-inches, one-hundred-twenty-pounds … three arms with a tawny mane of hair that resembles Pike’s Peak when she wakes up in the morning … I mean, do we really need to know that? So by the author stopping short and doing a little self-editing in keying in “attractive,” we readers immediately fill in the blanks with our own vision of what Dr. Kearns would look like if she had been described. Clever device, and what can I say except that it works.
Ultimately the terseness of language and economy of words combine to enhance the storyline. The plot well-thought out, we understand the dangers as do the characters. In fact, since we are engaged early on, we’re totally vested in this drama and cheering Herron on in hopes he prevails in outwitting these thugs. Definitely an immersive experience that becomes like watching your favorite sports team battle for supremacy. With no holding back, I totally and whole-heartedly recommend THE OMEGA STRAIN and am giving it FIVE STARS and a spinning heel kick to the groin! Congrats to Steve P. Vincent for creating such a likable destructive kind of guy!
Assassin Mitch Herron is doing what he does best, and that’s killing bad guys. In fact, he’s so good at it that he keeps a running tally so that he doesn’t mess up the body count. In the middle of a clean-up on aisle nine, an unanticipated blow to the back of his head has him wondering, “Who turned out the lights?” It also reduces his destructive power to that of a sock puppet, but not for long. He soon wakes to the sight of Mike Freeman, a nattily-attired leader of a fanatical sect intent on committing an act of bioterrorism. The problem? Herron is just as intent on stopping him … hence the mowing down of his underlings. Now I know it sounds weird, but Freeman seems to object to Herron’s permanently eliminating members of his organization and is about to repay the favor in his own inimitable way. Before Herron knows it, a syringe filled with an unknown substance is injected into his arm, and even without a scorecard, he knows he’s on the losing end of that battle. Luckily, he’s an optimist and knows that a battle is not a war and so he enlists the aid of Erica Kearns, a specialist in highly contagious pathogens to figure out what is circulating in his system. It turns out to be a doozy of a biohazard … one so virulent that it was thought to be an urban legend called The Omega Strain. A rose by any other name would be just as deadly and Herron has exactly four days to stop the ticking time bomb gestating in his body. With nothing left to lose, Kearns and Herron go looking for a cure, one that Herron hopes will turn the big bad strain into nothing worse than a seasonal cold.
If you’re one of those thousands of readers who love nothing more than a non-stop action thriller set against the background of a world-ending calamity, THE OMEGA STRAIN is for you! Written with a take-no-prisoner approach, author Steve P. Vincent does a masterful job of keeping us turning pages and trying to figure out what comes next. We are not disappointed because the twists and turns abound fueling the need for more. Think of it as engorging on a Thanksgiving dinner that never ends. But it’s here that I insert a WARNING that should be heeded, and the ditty goes something like this: Get your snacks ready “before” you begin reading because there is no downtime allotted for you foraging for an edible food source. So collect everything you need before your eyeballs hit the page. I mean it. Now as for me and the wicked pace, the brutish velocity wore me out and I felt a little like I ran ten marathons by the end of this cautionary tale. However, the adrenaline rushes found at every step of the way in this action thriller made the ride more than worthwhile … but another thing about the author.
Another one of Steve P. Vincent’s idiosyncrasies will please those readers always complaining about too much atmosphere. You know, those lush boring passages that go on f-o-r-e-v-e-r and brim over with childish emotions, and exacting descriptions about everything you never needed to know about a character’s life. You won’t find any of that Gothic digressive stuff sullying Vincent’s pages. For instance when Eric Kearns is introduced, she’s described as “attractive.” Yup, that’s it! Attractive. No unnecessary five-foot-seven-inches, one-hundred-twenty-pounds … three arms with a tawny mane of hair that resembles Pike’s Peak when she wakes up in the morning … I mean, do we really need to know that? So by the author stopping short and doing a little self-editing in keying in “attractive,” we readers immediately fill in the blanks with our own vision of what Dr. Kearns would look like if she had been described. Clever device, and what can I say except that it works.
Ultimately the terseness of language and economy of words combine to enhance the storyline. The plot well-thought out, we understand the dangers as do the characters. In fact, since we are engaged early on, we’re totally vested in this drama and cheering Herron on in hopes he prevails in outwitting these thugs. Definitely an immersive experience that becomes like watching your favorite sports team battle for supremacy. With no holding back, I totally and whole-heartedly recommend THE OMEGA STRAIN and am giving it FIVE STARS and a spinning heel kick to the groin! Congrats to Steve P. Vincent for creating such a likable destructive kind of guy!
June 3, 2018
This is one book that starts out as it ends with such thrilling excitement, danger and mystery. The author has no trouble holding you on the edge again and again with one thrilling ride that makes your heart beat faster not knowing when the end will come and who will be left alive. What happens when a mad man gets his hands on and unleashes a bio weapon that could end life as we know it on this planet killing thousands if not all humans. What a nightmare that would be as the lead character finds out this is no walk in the park trying to find the people responsible for this injustices. What follows is truly one exciting listen that holds you spellbound until the end with this life and death story that has compassion, danger, thrills, excitement and mystery.
The narrator as always does a wonderful job from his character voices to the emotion. His character voices are wonderful you always know who is talking and what they are feeling. His male to female voice are great and easy to follow with smooth and even when changing to one character to the next. He gives the right tones for the scenes you can hear the fear, excitement, danger in the characters voices. His performance is just outstanding. There is no background noises, no volume changes, no repeating of words just a very clean and clear audio that pulls you in. If any breaks were taken I could not tell it was just a very clean and clear audio that I got lost in. The narrator normal voice is just a wonderful as his character voice keeping you on the edge with danger and true emotion that makes your heart beat a little faster as the scenes unfold keeping you on the edge. Mr. Jordan does a great job bring the audio alive making you feel each emotion, danger and excitement that the author gives. It was a thrilling ride that I totally enjoyed from a very talented narrator.
Herron has been infected with the bio weapon, he must decide if he goes after the would be killers or go into quarantine in hopes of them finding the antidote to save his life. Of course our hero won’t stand aside and watch others die he will go on the hunt for the mad man who wants to kill so many and hope when the end comes he is still alive. The author put a lot of thought into this giving detailed scenes that will keep you on the edge until the end with first one road block and then another. I have no trouble picturing this as a wonderful movie that people would love to watch. It has a little bit of everything in it but one thing is for sure you won’t be able to put it down. The characters feel real almost like family as you want to reach in and pull them out time and time again from the danger that is before them. Herron does have a sidekick that helps him along the way. He more or less inherited her when she is found to be where he is being held and left to die just like him. She is a little bit of a mystery but adds so much to this story. I truly loved the characters, the plot, the twists and turns and how it all played out giving me hours of enjoyment. I found things to do, so I could listen longer before I knew it I came to the end not wanting it to end. I can hardly wait to see what book two will be like. If you are looking for a wonderful listen that keeps your attention and makes you enter act with the characters you have found it. I enjoyed this so much that I also bought another of this author audio. I just love his writing style and how he pulled me in with wonderful entertainment.
The narrator as always does a wonderful job from his character voices to the emotion. His character voices are wonderful you always know who is talking and what they are feeling. His male to female voice are great and easy to follow with smooth and even when changing to one character to the next. He gives the right tones for the scenes you can hear the fear, excitement, danger in the characters voices. His performance is just outstanding. There is no background noises, no volume changes, no repeating of words just a very clean and clear audio that pulls you in. If any breaks were taken I could not tell it was just a very clean and clear audio that I got lost in. The narrator normal voice is just a wonderful as his character voice keeping you on the edge with danger and true emotion that makes your heart beat a little faster as the scenes unfold keeping you on the edge. Mr. Jordan does a great job bring the audio alive making you feel each emotion, danger and excitement that the author gives. It was a thrilling ride that I totally enjoyed from a very talented narrator.
Herron has been infected with the bio weapon, he must decide if he goes after the would be killers or go into quarantine in hopes of them finding the antidote to save his life. Of course our hero won’t stand aside and watch others die he will go on the hunt for the mad man who wants to kill so many and hope when the end comes he is still alive. The author put a lot of thought into this giving detailed scenes that will keep you on the edge until the end with first one road block and then another. I have no trouble picturing this as a wonderful movie that people would love to watch. It has a little bit of everything in it but one thing is for sure you won’t be able to put it down. The characters feel real almost like family as you want to reach in and pull them out time and time again from the danger that is before them. Herron does have a sidekick that helps him along the way. He more or less inherited her when she is found to be where he is being held and left to die just like him. She is a little bit of a mystery but adds so much to this story. I truly loved the characters, the plot, the twists and turns and how it all played out giving me hours of enjoyment. I found things to do, so I could listen longer before I knew it I came to the end not wanting it to end. I can hardly wait to see what book two will be like. If you are looking for a wonderful listen that keeps your attention and makes you enter act with the characters you have found it. I enjoyed this so much that I also bought another of this author audio. I just love his writing style and how he pulled me in with wonderful entertainment.
January 6, 2024
The Mitch Herron Action Thrillers has NINE books as of today, and well — I’m spent already. Seeing the summary of “All thriller, no filler”, I had to give it a go. And you know, if the other volumes are currently free I’ll take it. Otherwise, I will wait and this series will enter my wishlist.
Giving it a go… It paired nicely with biking, for at the least the first 30min, after that I just couldn’t pedal and hold the kindle high without feeling like my legs were giving out. And it went as fast as 2h, the full reading, not the workout. Also, had to stop to eat and whatnot. This thriller gave no mercy or chance for me to rest. Each page NEEDED to be turned to see the end of it all. Clearly, this is an assassin novel, and clearly tons of violence and deaths — too different from the crime genre I was reading on New Years. But hey, I prepped my mind and with each descriptive death taking place, I swept the delete key. I paid attention to the plot, and dude, it was twisted.
A well-planned job took a turn when Herron (which I kept reading Heroin) got taken and tortured and then jabbed with a virus that would activate within three days. Certain death was upon him. But he wanted to see the job done regardless. After some struggle he managed to escape several attempts of arrest, death, and more death. With the help of a scientist who happened to have been taken by force, the duo go around the clock to stop the release of said virus to the population. The big bad really was awful to find out about, but — farewell!
I failed to check the date, but damn. What a timing to have read this while we are still riding an endemic c19 world till the end of times cause we couldn’t band together to lessen its toll. If we were only an assassin and a knowledge scientist…
Giving it a go… It paired nicely with biking, for at the least the first 30min, after that I just couldn’t pedal and hold the kindle high without feeling like my legs were giving out. And it went as fast as 2h, the full reading, not the workout. Also, had to stop to eat and whatnot. This thriller gave no mercy or chance for me to rest. Each page NEEDED to be turned to see the end of it all. Clearly, this is an assassin novel, and clearly tons of violence and deaths — too different from the crime genre I was reading on New Years. But hey, I prepped my mind and with each descriptive death taking place, I swept the delete key. I paid attention to the plot, and dude, it was twisted.
A well-planned job took a turn when Herron (which I kept reading Heroin) got taken and tortured and then jabbed with a virus that would activate within three days. Certain death was upon him. But he wanted to see the job done regardless. After some struggle he managed to escape several attempts of arrest, death, and more death. With the help of a scientist who happened to have been taken by force, the duo go around the clock to stop the release of said virus to the population. The big bad really was awful to find out about, but — farewell!
I failed to check the date, but damn. What a timing to have read this while we are still riding an endemic c19 world till the end of times cause we couldn’t band together to lessen its toll. If we were only an assassin and a knowledge scientist…
November 29, 2018
( Format : Audiobook )
" Out gunned, out of position and out of time. "
The reader is thrown straight into the action as The Omega Strain begins - and the race is on until the very ending. Mitch Herron is an assassin, but more than that. He's a loner who receives top secret assignments and prides himself on always completing them. But this time he has failed. Intelligence has determined that in just three days a terrorist organization will be releasing a virus that seriously threatens the whole population. His mission: to locate and destroy the fanatical group before they are able to complete their task. He was so close but then he was caught and the remaining terrorists departed, leaving him alive but with no idea what to do or where to go next, and time has nearly run out. Plus he has injuries that need some attention. Reluctantly, he finds himself with a travelling companion, tolerated only because she just might be able to help..
Action filled from start to finish, the book is written in clear, short sentences which add to the urgency of the plot.Some of the incidents along the way are brutal but clean - the violence, though frequent and viscious, never feels gratuitous. Both action and writing is stark, close to the bone: a perfect pairing of the story line and written word. The narration continues that same presentation. Tom Jordan reads with a gruff edge to his voice, perfectly in character for Herron, and his voicing of the other protagonists is similarly individual and appropriate. His intonation is good, his timing spot on and the whole is flawlessly read with understanding but no histrionics. A nice performance.
A very absorbing and enjoyable thriller
" Out gunned, out of position and out of time. "
The reader is thrown straight into the action as The Omega Strain begins - and the race is on until the very ending. Mitch Herron is an assassin, but more than that. He's a loner who receives top secret assignments and prides himself on always completing them. But this time he has failed. Intelligence has determined that in just three days a terrorist organization will be releasing a virus that seriously threatens the whole population. His mission: to locate and destroy the fanatical group before they are able to complete their task. He was so close but then he was caught and the remaining terrorists departed, leaving him alive but with no idea what to do or where to go next, and time has nearly run out. Plus he has injuries that need some attention. Reluctantly, he finds himself with a travelling companion, tolerated only because she just might be able to help..
Action filled from start to finish, the book is written in clear, short sentences which add to the urgency of the plot.Some of the incidents along the way are brutal but clean - the violence, though frequent and viscious, never feels gratuitous. Both action and writing is stark, close to the bone: a perfect pairing of the story line and written word. The narration continues that same presentation. Tom Jordan reads with a gruff edge to his voice, perfectly in character for Herron, and his voicing of the other protagonists is similarly individual and appropriate. His intonation is good, his timing spot on and the whole is flawlessly read with understanding but no histrionics. A nice performance.
A very absorbing and enjoyable thriller
April 1, 2022
Mitch Herron is an assassin hired to dispose of a militant group of fanatics who intend to release a virus that will kill most of the population on earth. The story opens with him enduring a round of torture at the hands of the leader of the group - some of it will cause readers to cringe. Finally, Mitch is injected with the same time-release virus that the terrorists injected themselves and is, therefore, now a carrier of the dreaded disease of which there is no cure. He knows he will die in less than three days and goes on a killing spree to stop the group of terrorists. On the way, he rescues a biochemist who knows about viruses and agrees to help him in his quest.
As the first book in a series, I would expect to learn more about the main character, Mitch, and the organization for which he works. There is nothing about his background or why he chose this line of work.
All we know is that he keeps count of the number of people he's killed. Mitch is portrayed as a cold-blooded killer and seemingly without a conscience. I found it odd that when he engaged a fellow assassin from the same group that hired him, the two could not work together for a common cause because of a special assassins' code.
The story kept me engaged and turned out to be a short read in under three hours. The author presents a twist at the end that readers will not expect. If you are interested in a swash-buckling type story, then this is for you. I enjoyed the read but will not be pursuing the rest of the series.
As the first book in a series, I would expect to learn more about the main character, Mitch, and the organization for which he works. There is nothing about his background or why he chose this line of work.
All we know is that he keeps count of the number of people he's killed. Mitch is portrayed as a cold-blooded killer and seemingly without a conscience. I found it odd that when he engaged a fellow assassin from the same group that hired him, the two could not work together for a common cause because of a special assassins' code.
The story kept me engaged and turned out to be a short read in under three hours. The author presents a twist at the end that readers will not expect. If you are interested in a swash-buckling type story, then this is for you. I enjoyed the read but will not be pursuing the rest of the series.
June 24, 2021
It’s very unusual that I start a novel and so enraptured by the plot, intrigue, pace and characters that I devoted half the day to finish it.
The protagonist Herron is a ruthless but dedicated assassin on the right side of humanity that dispatches his marks with aplomb and efficiency - most of the time. Another quirk of his character that is usually reserved by villains is his penchant for notching his kill counts.
His latest assignment though forces him to dispense his usual careful planning and he ends up facing the unpleasant consequences. It doesn’t deter him though from seeking to complete his assignment even though being replaced by another for his initial failure.
The assignment is finally resolved but the ending is left as a cliff hanger to be answered in the next chapter.
A must read!
The protagonist Herron is a ruthless but dedicated assassin on the right side of humanity that dispatches his marks with aplomb and efficiency - most of the time. Another quirk of his character that is usually reserved by villains is his penchant for notching his kill counts.
His latest assignment though forces him to dispense his usual careful planning and he ends up facing the unpleasant consequences. It doesn’t deter him though from seeking to complete his assignment even though being replaced by another for his initial failure.
The assignment is finally resolved but the ending is left as a cliff hanger to be answered in the next chapter.
A must read!
December 13, 2018
I love audiobooks and was thrilled to receive this one from the author.
The Omega Strain is a virus that is going to wipe out mankind if Mitch Herron does not stop it. At first he fails in his mission and is captured but that is just the beginning. He escapes and teams up with another prisoner who is a scientist from the CDC. They race against time to kill all the carriers and stop the spread of disease.
This audiobook was very well done with no glitches. The narrator was excellent. I like to hear the characters speak to get a better idea of their personalities. Tom Jordan did this well.
This book kept me on the edge of my seat and I can’t wait to read the other books in this series. Thanks Steve!
The Omega Strain is a virus that is going to wipe out mankind if Mitch Herron does not stop it. At first he fails in his mission and is captured but that is just the beginning. He escapes and teams up with another prisoner who is a scientist from the CDC. They race against time to kill all the carriers and stop the spread of disease.
This audiobook was very well done with no glitches. The narrator was excellent. I like to hear the characters speak to get a better idea of their personalities. Tom Jordan did this well.
This book kept me on the edge of my seat and I can’t wait to read the other books in this series. Thanks Steve!
September 18, 2019
Assassin Mitch Heron's assignment is to take out the bio-terrorists bent on destroying the entire population of earth with their engineered virus, but something goes wrong and instead of executing his targets, he ends up as their weapon when he is injected with the time-delayed virus. Now he has just days to complete his original mission and find a way to stop the virus.
This story is full of seat-of- your-pants suspense with plenty of violence and gun play, an likable and competent lady CDC doctor, a crazy terrorist with a band of accomplices and a plot with more twists than a DNA strand.
Steve Vincent tells a story that will give you a whole new respect for medical researchers, even if it does keep you awake a few nights.
This story is full of seat-of- your-pants suspense with plenty of violence and gun play, an likable and competent lady CDC doctor, a crazy terrorist with a band of accomplices and a plot with more twists than a DNA strand.
Steve Vincent tells a story that will give you a whole new respect for medical researchers, even if it does keep you awake a few nights.
May 3, 2022
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“…He held up the cop’s pistol, ejected the clip and then slammed it home again. He pulled back the slide and chambered a round.…”
WHAT?
WHAT WHAT WHAT?????
THE FOK YEW TAWKIN ABOUT ????
YOU BEHAVE LIKE A FRAUD: “… He scribbled down the details, closed the web browser and stood. Buying the gun wouldn’t require a huge detour, but he knew he had barely any time to spare.…”
If you really are who you say you are, then you already must know that the gun would have to be sent to a registered holder of an FFL (Federal Firearms License.), and then you would also have to undergo the standard FBI background check.
NO WHERE online can you just buy a gun and walk out with it!!
NO WHERE!
.
.
“…He held up the cop’s pistol, ejected the clip and then slammed it home again. He pulled back the slide and chambered a round.…”
WHAT?
WHAT WHAT WHAT?????
THE FOK YEW TAWKIN ABOUT ????
YOU BEHAVE LIKE A FRAUD: “… He scribbled down the details, closed the web browser and stood. Buying the gun wouldn’t require a huge detour, but he knew he had barely any time to spare.…”
If you really are who you say you are, then you already must know that the gun would have to be sent to a registered holder of an FFL (Federal Firearms License.), and then you would also have to undergo the standard FBI background check.
NO WHERE online can you just buy a gun and walk out with it!!
NO WHERE!
.
.
December 9, 2023
Mitch Herron is a man of many identities. He needs these identities that come and go as he's a hitman knocking off the bad guys one by one. But Mitch is faced with one of the most intense threats of our time, a bioweapon designed to wipe out a large number of the population. There is no cure and is about to be released in a matter of days.
Mitch is working against the clock. This is one of the best audio books of the action and thriller genres that I have listened to all year. I cant wait to read the next one in the series.
This is a great read that keeps you interested on a number of fronts; there is action, friendship and an enduring race against time that keeps you on the edge of your seat.
Mitch is working against the clock. This is one of the best audio books of the action and thriller genres that I have listened to all year. I cant wait to read the next one in the series.
This is a great read that keeps you interested on a number of fronts; there is action, friendship and an enduring race against time that keeps you on the edge of your seat.
April 11, 2025
Interesting! Scary at the same time, esp. in the world we live in today.
The O.ega Strain is well written with two developed main characters and a full cadre of reasonably developed secondary characters. All are believable.
Mitch Herron is a contract assassin whose current contract has him killing 6 "fanatics' before World Environment Day. Unfortunately, Mitch has been infected with a "super strength" dose of mutated smallpox virus by one of the fanatics' assistant goon. He has 3 days to live and find & kill the remaining fanatics before the injected virus becomes activated and kills him.
I caught no errors or misspellings as I was reading, which makes reading The Omega Strain flow easier.
All in all, quite an interesting book to read.
The O.ega Strain is well written with two developed main characters and a full cadre of reasonably developed secondary characters. All are believable.
Mitch Herron is a contract assassin whose current contract has him killing 6 "fanatics' before World Environment Day. Unfortunately, Mitch has been infected with a "super strength" dose of mutated smallpox virus by one of the fanatics' assistant goon. He has 3 days to live and find & kill the remaining fanatics before the injected virus becomes activated and kills him.
I caught no errors or misspellings as I was reading, which makes reading The Omega Strain flow easier.
All in all, quite an interesting book to read.
December 27, 2017
The Omega Strain. Steve P. Vincent
Mitch Herron is an assassin. Not your typical assassin who works for money, but who eliminates people who deserve to die. A deadly virus has been created , by the head of the CDC. He's an environmentalist who feels man has polluted and is killing our environment. Therefore, human life needs to die. His scientifically created virus has no cure or way of stopping the infection. Mitch Herron's mission is to locate all the self inflicted carriers and eliminate the threat. It may cost him his life, they have forcibly infected him. A top notch thriller! Enjoyed immensely!
Mitch Herron is an assassin. Not your typical assassin who works for money, but who eliminates people who deserve to die. A deadly virus has been created , by the head of the CDC. He's an environmentalist who feels man has polluted and is killing our environment. Therefore, human life needs to die. His scientifically created virus has no cure or way of stopping the infection. Mitch Herron's mission is to locate all the self inflicted carriers and eliminate the threat. It may cost him his life, they have forcibly infected him. A top notch thriller! Enjoyed immensely!
December 4, 2018
This one I won it on a raffle to review it and omg, it didn't let me down, I want to know what else will happen with Mitch.
Mitch is not you usual antiheroe either, a hitman gone superhero was quite interesting for me or maybe it was just Mitch personality he was pretty cool and pretty I don't know sarcastic maybe, he was a very complex guy.
The addition of the doctor that will be like a side partner to him was something I actually liked, made him more human, and I like that Mitch wasn't just killing for the money but for doing some actual cleansing in this world.
I think I will stay with Mitch a long time or at least until I finish all the books he on, they're super fun and amazing.
Mitch is not you usual antiheroe either, a hitman gone superhero was quite interesting for me or maybe it was just Mitch personality he was pretty cool and pretty I don't know sarcastic maybe, he was a very complex guy.
The addition of the doctor that will be like a side partner to him was something I actually liked, made him more human, and I like that Mitch wasn't just killing for the money but for doing some actual cleansing in this world.
I think I will stay with Mitch a long time or at least until I finish all the books he on, they're super fun and amazing.
April 3, 2019
Fast paced from the very first lines and never really lets up. Mitch Herron is a strong character and he is a mix of a good guy and a bad guy too. An efficent killer who works for a group you really know nothing about. Captured and infected with a killer virus of smallpox, he is a man running out of time. Erica Kearns is a doctor at the CDC who has been kidnaped by the same people who captured him and becomes his semi-willing partner while they try to find the carriers of the virus before it activates in their bodies. All the time, Mitch is aware that he is a carrier too.
Really good read and a great start to a series. I would say you will not find this a wast of time. Just read it.
Really good read and a great start to a series. I would say you will not find this a wast of time. Just read it.
March 4, 2020
An excellent fast-paced thriller. Our protagonist Mitch Herron is an assassin, but not your typical antihero. Mitch is on the trail of his current target when he is captured, inoculated and released. Mitch finds out he’s been infected with the same virus he was looking for; weaponized smallpox. From that point, it’s a matter of tracking down the creator of the virus and eliminating the other contaminated like himself before the execution clock runs out. The story begins and ends with fast-paced action. A well-devised and executed thriller. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
December 28, 2023
Interesting premise and very fast-paced, but it gets extremely stupid and unbelievable near the end. I know these types of stories should not be overanalyzed, but the deus ex machina of the sidekick just inexplicably revealing she’s a master contortionist after the villain puts her in handcuffs and is about to kill the protagonist is just too much. Most other novels/movies have a character because anything more unbelievable simply doesn’t work no matter how outrageous the overall story is.
April 14, 2025
This is the first book in the Mitch Herron action thriller series by Steve P. Vincent. Mitch Herron is a skilled assassin whose latest mission is developing into a dangerous operation. Herron becomes a target by extremists who infect him with a deadly contagion, turning him into a walking bioweapon. With only days before the virus spreads and causes disastrous outcome, Herron must make a choice of surrendering himself to quarantine or hunt down the extremists himself. This is a fast paced story filled with action, suspense, espionage as Herron races against time to stop the extremists and prevent a global catastrophe. I really enjoyed this fantastic action thriller novel.
April 13, 2018
This is an excellent fast paced thriller that will have you on the edge of your seat from the moment you start reading until you finish. The story follows Mitch Herron as he tries to prevent 'the bad guys' releasing a virus across the globe on Earth Day to punish mankind for the environmental damage wrought throughout the world. But this is not just any old virus, this is a custom made virus with no vaccine and no cure. And so begins a race across America to capture and kill the carries before the virus is activated and wipes out the human race.
April 28, 2018
Mitch Herron is an assassin on a very dangerous assignment, where he was captured, albeit temporarily. His captors injected him w an unknown substance and, he later discovers that it’s an unstoppable strain of small pox. As Herron races against time to eliminate the other carriers, his unwitting partner is a scientist. No spoilers...read this story if you love thrillers...w a little gore. Looking forward to the next book in the series.
I voluntarily accepted a complimentary copy of this book and this is my honest review.
I voluntarily accepted a complimentary copy of this book and this is my honest review.
September 26, 2022
It's a short 150 pages book. So obviously it's purely plot based book. Mitch Harron is the protagonist who's a government assassin, hunting a group of fanatics who are planning to unleash a dangerous virus. However he ended up getting caught and injected with the same virus. Mitch is now after every person who was injected with this virus and end their life. There was no backstory of the protagonist, neither of any other character. The story moves at a breakneck speed and there's no room for fillers. A good weekend read.
January 6, 2019
An edge-of-the-seat read! What an incredible story!
Mitch Herron doesn’t leave things to chance but prepares for his missions very carefully until it all goes haywire and he’s forced to act quickly to prevent evil from happening. Do you agree with his methods? What would you do if you were in his position? I couldn’t put it down until I finished it. Kudos to the author for a fantastic story. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.
Mitch Herron doesn’t leave things to chance but prepares for his missions very carefully until it all goes haywire and he’s forced to act quickly to prevent evil from happening. Do you agree with his methods? What would you do if you were in his position? I couldn’t put it down until I finished it. Kudos to the author for a fantastic story. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.
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