Forbidden Research

by Howard Simon

Working together despite personal conflicts on a new technique that could revolutionize medicine, three brilliant surgeons struggle for survival when someone begins killing off the nation's leading medical researchers. Original.

352 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

About the author

Howard Simon, an author as well as illustrator of children's books, was born in New York City and has lived in Paris, the Ozarks, Connecticut, and San Francisco. He was an instructor in painting at New York University, and lived in New York with his wife.

Reviews

[Faith · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story’s presents the two sides of animal testing (medical advancement vs animal rights) through the actions of an increasingly violent animals activist group (ABP). There are a plethora of characters from all sides, to the point it’s a little hard to keep track of every, especially the last 80 pages or so. The main characters (Zach, Glen and Casey) are all likable and most of the characters feel like they are based off people from Dr. Simon’s life.

I found this to be an easy read and Dr. Simon was good at explaining medical concepts. One of the main ‘sets’ is a trauma hospital, so the things are a bit on the bloody side. Overall, his was a good story, very much in the vein of Robin Cook or Michael Crichton. I would be willing to read more, but it seems to be the only by the author (Goodreads has others, but I believe they are mixing up two people, unless Dr. Simon has time to paint, teach painting and illustrate in addition to being a husband, father, surgeon and author).

[Summer · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book asks some important questions about the ethics of animal tests and experimentation..... and the plot and characters are pretty entertaining. My biggest problem though is that once it established everything, the novel wasn't sure were it wanted to go with it all, so in the end, it feels rushed and unfinished. It certainly isn't a bad read though.

[WayBackWhen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good enough thriller with vividly detailed medical procedures and terminology layered throughout. I enjoyed the characters and the philosophical musings on animal research. Overall worth a read.