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Patient Zero: A Medical Thriller
Welcome to the hot zone! Caught in a raging pandemic, disease detectives put it all on the line to find Patient Zero.
Through all the coughing, choking and misery of a killer flu virus on the loose, a Swedish WHO investigator and a junior American diplomat must combat Chinese secrecy, U.S. drug company interests and a criminal coverup to stop the disease in its tracks. But are they too late? Enjoy this close-up, clinical look at an unfolding disaster, with a Chinese city in crisis, relationships lost, international criminal justice in action, and a medical community’s desperate search for Patient Zero.
“This novel sparkles!” – author Henry D. Smith
Through all the coughing, choking and misery of a killer flu virus on the loose, a Swedish WHO investigator and a junior American diplomat must combat Chinese secrecy, U.S. drug company interests and a criminal coverup to stop the disease in its tracks. But are they too late? Enjoy this close-up, clinical look at an unfolding disaster, with a Chinese city in crisis, relationships lost, international criminal justice in action, and a medical community’s desperate search for Patient Zero.
“This novel sparkles!” – author Henry D. Smith
- GenresMedical
252 pages, Paperback
Published May 5, 2017
275 people are currently reading
92 people want to read
About the author
Fritz Galt
27 books3 followersFritz Galt has lived much of his life abroad while writing about his experiences in political hotspots around the globe.
Following graduate study in the MFA Creative Writing Program at San Francisco State University, Mr. Galt moved to Chicago and pursued a successful career in publishing. Mr. Galt has since lived in Belgrade, Taipei, Mumbai, Beijing, Shanghai, Washington, Brussels, Guangzhou and Ulaanbaatar. He lives with his family in Asia.
He has written 15 novels including highly acclaimed espionage, medical, financial, political, historic and techno thrillers and mysteries.
Following graduate study in the MFA Creative Writing Program at San Francisco State University, Mr. Galt moved to Chicago and pursued a successful career in publishing. Mr. Galt has since lived in Belgrade, Taipei, Mumbai, Beijing, Shanghai, Washington, Brussels, Guangzhou and Ulaanbaatar. He lives with his family in Asia.
He has written 15 novels including highly acclaimed espionage, medical, financial, political, historic and techno thrillers and mysteries.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
August 3, 2019
A shallow and emotionless tale of corporate greed, cover-ups and mistakes in a medical thriller which fails to thrill. There are some good elements to the book - the south China setting feels genuine and the medical aspects not too bad (albeit rushed - seriously, all that happened within a three week timespan? Suspend belief now!)
The book follows former General Peak, an army doctor turned corporate executive, as he tries to hush up the accidental release of a deadly genetically-engineered virus in Guangzhou, South China, in order to benefit financially from a vaccine his company has developed. We also follow the aptly-named Matt Justice, a junior US consulate officer whose investigations lead eventually to the General.
My main problems with this book are the flat, emotionless, undeveloped characters, the unrealistic speech patterns and the lack of any female perspective. Has the author ever met a woman? If so, it's not obvious from their portrayal in this book - there are three females - one slut, one desperate for a white wedding and one spy. All are irritating, shallow, stereotypical sidekicks.
Another problem is that we never hear anything about the disease itself, nor how it affects normal people, the environment and the economy (the streets are empty, yet conveniently buses and trains continue to run for our bad guy and hero). With 50% of the populace sick and dying what about the dead bodies, secondary diseases, lack of food distribution, power, water, fear, riots, etc? Nothing.
The book has the makings of a good plot but is poorly executed. Not recommended.
The book follows former General Peak, an army doctor turned corporate executive, as he tries to hush up the accidental release of a deadly genetically-engineered virus in Guangzhou, South China, in order to benefit financially from a vaccine his company has developed. We also follow the aptly-named Matt Justice, a junior US consulate officer whose investigations lead eventually to the General.
My main problems with this book are the flat, emotionless, undeveloped characters, the unrealistic speech patterns and the lack of any female perspective. Has the author ever met a woman? If so, it's not obvious from their portrayal in this book - there are three females - one slut, one desperate for a white wedding and one spy. All are irritating, shallow, stereotypical sidekicks.
Another problem is that we never hear anything about the disease itself, nor how it affects normal people, the environment and the economy (the streets are empty, yet conveniently buses and trains continue to run for our bad guy and hero). With 50% of the populace sick and dying what about the dead bodies, secondary diseases, lack of food distribution, power, water, fear, riots, etc? Nothing.
The book has the makings of a good plot but is poorly executed. Not recommended.
January 20, 2019
Having just finished Cook's "Pandemic," I was surprised to see so many similar plot elements in "Patient Zero" - Chinese virus-hackers, complicit Big Government, the male main characters struggling to control their vices...
Galt did a nice job weaving multiple subplots together. His writing style was quite crisp and evocative. I'm not sure the book needed the general's womanizing as a thread, though that did make for a convenient conclusion. It was a quick read, but enjoyable. Three stars because 1) the general was just irritating from the start - I get that he was the villain, but more he was a dolt; 2) the American hero was underdeveloped & his scenes were very utilitarian in comparison; 3) the whole resolution sequence was pretty contrived, in comparison to the beginning of the conflict, which was quite well developed. I'll go check out some of Mr. Galt's other books - his style was enjoyable, if a bit light. Great airplane/commuter read!
Galt did a nice job weaving multiple subplots together. His writing style was quite crisp and evocative. I'm not sure the book needed the general's womanizing as a thread, though that did make for a convenient conclusion. It was a quick read, but enjoyable. Three stars because 1) the general was just irritating from the start - I get that he was the villain, but more he was a dolt; 2) the American hero was underdeveloped & his scenes were very utilitarian in comparison; 3) the whole resolution sequence was pretty contrived, in comparison to the beginning of the conflict, which was quite well developed. I'll go check out some of Mr. Galt's other books - his style was enjoyable, if a bit light. Great airplane/commuter read!
September 24, 2025
Patient Zero was a mid-pace quick-read medical thriller. It was just ok for me. There wasn't any one moment where I gasped or felt excited. It was a good story with no real meat to it. I'm not bummed I read it but I feel like if I hadn't read it I wouldn't feel like I missed out on the experience. I grew up on Robin Cook Medical Thrillers so I hold this genre to a step standard. I give it 2.75 stars
July 25, 2017
Great
This book is a must read for beginning writers. The antagonist is a bumbler with an unrealistic view of himself. He's not so much bad as greedy and opportunistic. He is also funny. The protagonist is not particularly handsome, and he sweats buckets. But he perseveres. And the descriptions of China are awesome. Good tight plot.
This book is a must read for beginning writers. The antagonist is a bumbler with an unrealistic view of himself. He's not so much bad as greedy and opportunistic. He is also funny. The protagonist is not particularly handsome, and he sweats buckets. But he perseveres. And the descriptions of China are awesome. Good tight plot.
March 30, 2018
A solid good read.
I really like the author's writing style. Very tight and no nonsens (and especially not boring) but still descriptive enough to be immersive.
All the characters were depicted well and interesting.
Unfortunately the book didn't give me a feeling of dread due to the pandemic. It was a bit too neat and felt very small scale.
I really like the author's writing style. Very tight and no nonsens (and especially not boring) but still descriptive enough to be immersive.
All the characters were depicted well and interesting.
Unfortunately the book didn't give me a feeling of dread due to the pandemic. It was a bit too neat and felt very small scale.
January 14, 2019
Great plot and character development
Very enjoyable read. Fast-paced, but the characters and plot development were excellent. Well crafted story from start to end. The author took the time to describe the science and detective work behind the pandemic without being too unbelievable or too laborious.
Very enjoyable read. Fast-paced, but the characters and plot development were excellent. Well crafted story from start to end. The author took the time to describe the science and detective work behind the pandemic without being too unbelievable or too laborious.
October 6, 2019
OK
I wouldn't recommend this book. The part about the virus was interesting. The people in the book were not. Eve and Matt were not developed enough for me to care for them. They were less likeable than the villain. It was obvious some incidents were added just to make him seem despicable.
I wouldn't recommend this book. The part about the virus was interesting. The people in the book were not. Eve and Matt were not developed enough for me to care for them. They were less likeable than the villain. It was obvious some incidents were added just to make him seem despicable.
October 19, 2019
Really bad
I wanted to like this book but it was terrible. The plot was something that has been done a 100 times. The characters were superficial at best and there was no suspense. Don't waste your time.
I wanted to like this book but it was terrible. The plot was something that has been done a 100 times. The characters were superficial at best and there was no suspense. Don't waste your time.
July 26, 2020
Amazing!!
This book was awesome! I read it in one day it was so much like what is going on right now in all pur countries. I pray covid 19 isn't like this story. Manmade from Greed!!
This book was awesome! I read it in one day it was so much like what is going on right now in all pur countries. I pray covid 19 isn't like this story. Manmade from Greed!!
July 2, 2023
Couldn't put it down
I was looking for a Robin Cook medical thriller and found this little gem on Kindle unlimited. It's a wonderful read, with surprises and twists aplenty, I shall be looking for more Fritz Galt books
I was looking for a Robin Cook medical thriller and found this little gem on Kindle unlimited. It's a wonderful read, with surprises and twists aplenty, I shall be looking for more Fritz Galt books
March 5, 2020
Very Good
Very fast paced action. I could hardly put it down. I felt it corresponds with what is happening I today's world. I highly recommend it.
Very fast paced action. I could hardly put it down. I felt it corresponds with what is happening I today's world. I highly recommend it.
April 1, 2020
I read this during the COVID-19 pandemic. WOW, the similarities within the book and the current events surrounding me, kept me very interested and ,amazed to read this within 24hours.
April 1, 2022
It is an ok read, I’ve read a lot of medical thrillers and felt this was very similar in plot to a few others. A little predictable I felt.
February 19, 2025
I enjoyed this but it seemed like it was written to an outline with no deviations at all. There was some sex to spice it up a bit, there was an explosion at the beginning, pathogens were released, flu shots that may have been contaminated were administered and on and on it went. As I said, did enjoy it but I was in the mood more for a different novel perhaps?🤷🏼
Three stars isn’t that bad but I need more to give it 4 or 5 stars!
Three stars isn’t that bad but I need more to give it 4 or 5 stars!
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews