What do you think?
Rate this book
Dr Steven Dunbar #6
The Lazarus Strain
When the Crick Research Institute is broken into the police believe that it was Animal Rights activists taking things a step too far. But one of the Institute’s top scientists, Tim Devon, is found brutally murdered and six research monkeys have been let loose. No one seems to know exactly what the monkeys were being used for and government officials arrive a little too promptly to prevent any of Prof. Devon’s colleagues from finding out exactly what he was researching. Why is the army deployed to shoot the monkeys? And why, if there really is nothing to worry about, is one still being on the loose such a problem? Dr. Steven Dunbar, working for the Sci-Med Inspectorate, an elite government agency charged with investigating high-tech crime relating to the world of science and medicine, is sent to investigate. With an increased security alert issued by the government, Steven’s suspicions are roused by what he finds at the Institute. Was the attack on Devon really the work of extremist activists or is something far more sinister going on?
304 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2007
43 people are currently reading
413 people want to read
About the author
Ken McClure
70 books123 followersKen 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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
April 26, 2011
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I was reading another book when this one arrived, but when I flipped through it and read the prologue, I was hooked and had to finish The Lazarus Strain.
The book is edge-of-your-seat and surprised me at the end. Awesome read!
(A note on the books I've read and the ratings I give. All the books that I read have gone through a preliminary screening because my time is limited and I have to make the most of it. So, its potential to succeed with me is very high before I ever get my hands on it. I consider genre and what other readers have said after reading it. I am not author specific, nor publisher specific.)
The book is edge-of-your-seat and surprised me at the end. Awesome read!
(A note on the books I've read and the ratings I give. All the books that I read have gone through a preliminary screening because my time is limited and I have to make the most of it. So, its potential to succeed with me is very high before I ever get my hands on it. I consider genre and what other readers have said after reading it. I am not author specific, nor publisher specific.)
June 11, 2012
Enjoyable but predictable
September 9, 2021
I'm not sure the timing was great when picking this up to read ... a mutated flu virus causing a global pandemic? That would never happed ;)
I'm a great fan of 'The Stand' which sort of has the same premise, but this isn't anywhere as good as that. It is a bit predictable and the big twist at the end could be seen coming a mile away, but that said, I still enjoyed this. The author writes from a medical/scientific background, so it all feels eerily too realistic. I personally feel that Dunbar kind of deserved everything he got and maybe if he hadn't fixated on Leila quite so much when he first met her, he wouldn't have been taken so much by surprise as events unfold.
An enjoyable, entertaining read, which would have me tracking down other books in the series.
I'm a great fan of 'The Stand' which sort of has the same premise, but this isn't anywhere as good as that. It is a bit predictable and the big twist at the end could be seen coming a mile away, but that said, I still enjoyed this. The author writes from a medical/scientific background, so it all feels eerily too realistic. I personally feel that Dunbar kind of deserved everything he got and maybe if he hadn't fixated on Leila quite so much when he first met her, he wouldn't have been taken so much by surprise as events unfold.
An enjoyable, entertaining read, which would have me tracking down other books in the series.
July 8, 2017
In 1918 an influenza virus, commonly known as the Spanish Flu, killed millions of people worldwide. In order to protect against such an event happening again, a British scientist develops a similar virus and works on a vaccine using monkeys in his tests. Then his laboratory is invaded by animal rights activists, infected monkeys are let loose, and Her Majesty's Government is thrown into a state of panic as they fear another pandemic similar to the one in 1918 might wipe out millions of the world's population. Doctor Steven Dunbar, an investigator with Sci-Med Inspectorate, a government agency, is put on the case.
The Lazarus Strain, published in 2007, is the sixth Steven Dunbar book written by Ken McClure. It's a good thriller, easy to get through at a pace, with some interesting characters, although it does feel a bit quaint at times, a bit like reading an Agatha Christie novel except that the characters have mobile phones. Even so, I liked most of the characters, including the dry wit of Inspector Frank Giles of the local police force. In many ways, McClure's books are a refreshing change from many modern thrillers. Although there is some grisly detail, McClure reins it in and doesn't get graphic for the sake of it.
I read the first Dunbar story, Donor, a little while ago and although I've missed out on the four books, it didn't spoil this one for me even though I am aware that a lot has gone on in between.
Steven Dunbar doesn't seem to be lucky in love and, as I expect to read many more of McClure's Dunbar novels, I am hoping there won't be a bit of romance injected into every one of them. Keep the romance for the Mills and Boons brigade I say. This is only my second Ken McClure book and already I understand Dunbar's gone through a few women by the sound of it. Oddly, he seems inclined to reveal all to his ladies, in more ways than one. Poor Dunbar, try keeping it zipped, forget the dalliances, and get on with the nitty gritty science and investigations.
Although Ken McClure is, or was, a research scientist I thought that there were what I hope, I really do hope, are unlikelihoods in The Lazarus Strain. Surely identification and vetting of employees in such potentially dangerous work would be carried out in great depth, including photo identification as well as fingerprinting. In reality, one would hope so. Surely Dunbar, a level-headed man in an important job, would be ultra cautious with regard to whom he shared sensitive information, even with those close to him. Again, keep it zipped, Dunbar. :)
I thought The Lazarus Strain was a good read, I enjoy Ken McClure's writing style, and I'm looking forward to reading more of his novels.
http://movies-and-books-world.blogspo...
The Lazarus Strain, published in 2007, is the sixth Steven Dunbar book written by Ken McClure. It's a good thriller, easy to get through at a pace, with some interesting characters, although it does feel a bit quaint at times, a bit like reading an Agatha Christie novel except that the characters have mobile phones. Even so, I liked most of the characters, including the dry wit of Inspector Frank Giles of the local police force. In many ways, McClure's books are a refreshing change from many modern thrillers. Although there is some grisly detail, McClure reins it in and doesn't get graphic for the sake of it.
I read the first Dunbar story, Donor, a little while ago and although I've missed out on the four books, it didn't spoil this one for me even though I am aware that a lot has gone on in between.
Steven Dunbar doesn't seem to be lucky in love and, as I expect to read many more of McClure's Dunbar novels, I am hoping there won't be a bit of romance injected into every one of them. Keep the romance for the Mills and Boons brigade I say. This is only my second Ken McClure book and already I understand Dunbar's gone through a few women by the sound of it. Oddly, he seems inclined to reveal all to his ladies, in more ways than one. Poor Dunbar, try keeping it zipped, forget the dalliances, and get on with the nitty gritty science and investigations.
Although Ken McClure is, or was, a research scientist I thought that there were what I hope, I really do hope, are unlikelihoods in The Lazarus Strain. Surely identification and vetting of employees in such potentially dangerous work would be carried out in great depth, including photo identification as well as fingerprinting. In reality, one would hope so. Surely Dunbar, a level-headed man in an important job, would be ultra cautious with regard to whom he shared sensitive information, even with those close to him. Again, keep it zipped, Dunbar. :)
I thought The Lazarus Strain was a good read, I enjoy Ken McClure's writing style, and I'm looking forward to reading more of his novels.
http://movies-and-books-world.blogspo...
August 19, 2012
Another Ken McClure novel that absolutely entertained, gripped, thrilled and pleasured me. It has a prologue that is so informative (non-fictional), that the price of the book could be justified solely for it.
As with the author's writing, it is simple, lucid, classical and very smooth. I keep repeating this in most of my reviews of his books, and say so again that his style of English prose writing is something that almost seems to be a misfit for a thriller, and yet it does its job with elan. Thrillers are typically nowadays associated with high adrenalin, high octane sequence of events, but McClure's style is a throwback to another time, but still equally engaging.
As for this novel's story and plot, Steven Dunbar (an ex-defence doctor, now an investigator with government agency) races against time to deduce a possible terrorist attack using a virus. He and his colleagues have only limited time to help develop a much needed vaccine, and stop fundamentalists from using a virus believed to be long extinct as a biological weapon. It all starts as an attack on an animal lab testing facility, seemingly by animal rights activists. Some primates being used for research and containing potentially deadly and contagious virus are let loose. These events start a cycle of events that eventually show a much sinister plan.
Overall, I found the novel and the plot very believable and to a large extent, scary! It was gripping, interesting and informative without being preachy or deviating from the flow of the story. The only reason I am rating is a 4 and not 5 stars is because the plot became predictable in the last 40 pages or so, and the ending was too sudden and abrupt.
As with the author's writing, it is simple, lucid, classical and very smooth. I keep repeating this in most of my reviews of his books, and say so again that his style of English prose writing is something that almost seems to be a misfit for a thriller, and yet it does its job with elan. Thrillers are typically nowadays associated with high adrenalin, high octane sequence of events, but McClure's style is a throwback to another time, but still equally engaging.
As for this novel's story and plot, Steven Dunbar (an ex-defence doctor, now an investigator with government agency) races against time to deduce a possible terrorist attack using a virus. He and his colleagues have only limited time to help develop a much needed vaccine, and stop fundamentalists from using a virus believed to be long extinct as a biological weapon. It all starts as an attack on an animal lab testing facility, seemingly by animal rights activists. Some primates being used for research and containing potentially deadly and contagious virus are let loose. These events start a cycle of events that eventually show a much sinister plan.
Overall, I found the novel and the plot very believable and to a large extent, scary! It was gripping, interesting and informative without being preachy or deviating from the flow of the story. The only reason I am rating is a 4 and not 5 stars is because the plot became predictable in the last 40 pages or so, and the ending was too sudden and abrupt.
April 8, 2012
The book is mainly about how the 1918 influenza (Spanish flu) has been taken out of protection of a cold freeze high tech security laboratory to find a possible vaccine to it. However this turns out to be the start of a nail biting action packed medical sci-fi book. It all starts when the laboratory that was working on the vaccine gets attacked, however that isn't the worst of it. The worst comes to be when they finds the scientist that was working on the vaccine is found caged, bleached and dead. That isn't the worst of it, after reading through a few notes of the dead doctor they notice that the animals that the doctor was using to test the test vaccines on have disappeared,all because of this, the challenge is on for the team at Sci-Med to find the one monkey with the flu and also to make the vaccine just in case. But could there be a traitor in their midsts? you'll have to read to find out
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 13, 2012
The Intelligence community really REALLY needs to read, 'The Lazarus Strain'! The author did a fantastic job of setting up a plot that is entirely possible.. to be carried out.. because of the "protect your hiney at any cost" attitude of all elected officials and government bureaucrats.
The story is about a police officer who is trying to solve what appears to be an animal rights group attack gone wild.. on a medical research facility. The research facility carries out medical tests on live animals. The animals are all released into the wild of England .. and one scientist has been horrifically murdered.
The characters are well developed and very believable! As the author is British.. some of the words we're used to in the USA appear odd.. but, they're properly spelled if one is in the UK!
I don't want to write a spoiler.. Just know that the ending.. will take you completely by surprise! And, pray.. that no one evil ever reads this novel.
The story is about a police officer who is trying to solve what appears to be an animal rights group attack gone wild.. on a medical research facility. The research facility carries out medical tests on live animals. The animals are all released into the wild of England .. and one scientist has been horrifically murdered.
The characters are well developed and very believable! As the author is British.. some of the words we're used to in the USA appear odd.. but, they're properly spelled if one is in the UK!
I don't want to write a spoiler.. Just know that the ending.. will take you completely by surprise! And, pray.. that no one evil ever reads this novel.
March 16, 2012
Dr Steven Dunbar is frustrated by the heinous murder and the trashing of a science facility in Norfolk, UK. Who did it?, why did they do it? forms the main questions of the story which becomes more complicated each time he thinks everything is resolved.
Easy to follow plot, even with turns and blind alleys, this is the first Dunbar book I have read and I found it to be an enjoyable thriller. I don't think I will go back to earlier books now that I know where he is in his personal life, but will definately read future stories. He's a nice character, the supporting characters all have a chance to shine when they make discoveries, though the "baddy" is barely sketched and really offers little opportunity to really dislike him.
Definately worth a read though.
Easy to follow plot, even with turns and blind alleys, this is the first Dunbar book I have read and I found it to be an enjoyable thriller. I don't think I will go back to earlier books now that I know where he is in his personal life, but will definately read future stories. He's a nice character, the supporting characters all have a chance to shine when they make discoveries, though the "baddy" is barely sketched and really offers little opportunity to really dislike him.
Definately worth a read though.
May 9, 2012
What a brilliantly written thriller this is. The story is convincing and the action takes place over a just a few months which allows for a build up of tension. There are scientists found murdered, embarrassed government officials trying not to let information out, terrorist, the lot. The author is a medical scientist and the work is clothed in great conviction but is easily within the non-specialist's understanding. The writing is fluent and the whole story is totally absorbing. I have never read any of Ken McClure's work before but I am now a convinced fan.
September 16, 2012
Steven Dunbar must figure out who is behind a recent break in at an animal research facility and work to stop them from what may be the worst terrorist attack of all time. This book doesn't slow down from a minute from the very first page and the writing style is very engaging. I haven't read any other novels in the series or by McClure, but after this enjoyable read, I definitely will.
March 30, 2013
A very enjoyable Medical thriller! Did figure out the whodunit until very late in the book and that makes it a good read to me! Although, I will say, that once I did figure out it was kinda like Dunbar -- come duh you should have this figured out now :) I will definitely be looking for more in this Steve Dunbar series!
December 3, 2010
This medical thriller will keep you guessing until the very end. Even when you think you have it sussed, the twists keep coming.
August 23, 2011
3 star science thriller (top 50% of the genre). The 1918 influenza virus is BAAAACK...and bioterrorists have it. For my full review, see ScienceThrillers.com
February 3, 2012
Excellent fun with many twists though I'd worked it out by half way through.
March 25, 2012
My first read of this author. Enjoyable stuff - in fact I finished it in a week which is good going for me!
June 29, 2012
This book was absorbing. It sucked me rite in. Great story telling, a must read for those who enjoy being left in the dark at every turn.
September 9, 2012
I enjoyed this book very much. the ending was a surprise to me. I would recommend it to anyone who likes crime stories'
September 22, 2012
medical mystery
October 14, 2012
This is the 6th book in the Steven Dunbar series by Ken McClure. I have read 1 - 6. I just downloaded #7 to my kindle yesterday and as with the Lazarus strain I already can't put it down.
February 28, 2013
Very good reading. Slow at time. But came across as a book to read. Had to stick with it at time wanted to stop reading but the beginning and end provide lots of twist.
February 15, 2013
Loved it, Steven Dunbar stories always have a twist and he always gets his man!
July 19, 2021
Brilliant narration as always by Sean Barrett. I clearly didn't have enough information about pandemics, so I tried this... I anticipated the ending when we were halfway through. I won't be trying any more of the series.
May 28, 2022
This is the sixth book in the series I am reading, and everyone so far has been successful. It is important to remember that in this type of thriller, one does not have to look for the logic behind the events, just like in reading a science fiction book.
July 28, 2017
What could happen if a terrorist organisation had the knowledge to exploit biotechnology ? This thriller extrapolates true events to speculate what might happen.
August 24, 2024
Entertaining but predictable. Palmer, Cook or Crichton he is not.
March 18, 2014
I really enjoyed this novel. It is the first one I have read by this author, but won't be the last. Like others have said, I saw the ending well in advance, but wasn't completely sure until I was close to the end. So glad Anand, one of my Goodreads friends, recommended this to me. I highly recommend this to anyone that likes medical thrillers.
October 11, 2012
I really wanted to like this book. It had all the right elements of a very good story. But I found the characters two-dimensional. The dialogues were trite. The plot was very predictable. Just not my cup of tea.
May 13, 2013
Really well written and completely plausible medical thriller.
The rating on a movie would probable be either PG13 or R. There is no sex but there are about 28 "F" words . Very good Author. I found out it is the 6th in a series but it wasn't apparent in reading it to me.
The rating on a movie would probable be either PG13 or R. There is no sex but there are about 28 "F" words . Very good Author. I found out it is the 6th in a series but it wasn't apparent in reading it to me.
September 2, 2014
This book was very good and very plausible. I enjoyed the fact that the story stays close enough to reality to be a possibility. I also enjoyed the twists that this book gave. I did figure it out before the end but still enjoyed it very much.
March 26, 2025
Solved the mystery at about the 30% mark, well before the detective. Believable scenario and realistic action, although not as much as I'd expect from a thriller. Actually, it felt more like a medically inclined police procedural. Three stars is the best I can give it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews