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Genetic Imperfections

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A bitter father who lost his only child to leukemia risks everything to save a ten-year-old's life with the first genetic cure for cancer in this action-packed second thriller from the author of The Sunset Conspiracy.

Fifteen years ago, David Wellington abandoned his lucrative banking career and joined Rexsen Labs to save his young son's life. But despite his sacrifices and prayers, he helplessly watched him die. On that day his heart hardened, and he embarked on a path of cynicism, materialism and self-indulgence. Now, at forty-five, he's ready to collect the payoff for selling his soul when he takes Rexsen Labs public. Propelled by the pending FDA approval of CGT, the first genetic cure for leukemia, he's on the verge of becoming Newport Beach's newest billionaire.

But his dream suddenly becomes a nightmare when his jet crashes into the Pacific Ocean. While David miraculously survives, he loses control of Rexsen to his ruthless wife, Priscilla, her scheming brother, and her Wall-Street-cover-boy lover. Meanwhile, Rexsen researcher Tori Clarke discovers a fatal flaw in CGT, and becomes the target of a deadly cover-up to save their multi-billion dollar payday. Framed for murder and on the run, David joins forces with Tori to regain control of Rexsen, fix CGT, and save a young girl's life. Trapped between the authorities and the company he helped build, David risks everything to give meaning to his second chance at life and his only chance for love.

Genetic Imperfections is a story of redemption uniquely packaged in the thriller genre. It's a story about how the fundamental goodness in one man can be buried by tragedy and replaced with bitterness and greed--and how the path to redemption reveals itself in mysterious ways.

According to the National Institute of Health, there are over sixty clinical trials for cancer using gene therapy underway in the US--there are none underway to treat greed.

Paperback

First published March 20, 2012

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About the author

Steve Hadden

10 books134 followers
About Steve

Steve Hadden is the author of the thrillers, The Sunset Conspiracy, Genetic Imperfections, The Swimming Monkeys Trilogy, The Victim of the System, The Dark Side of Angels, and The Secret That Killed You. A pre-med student turned chemical engineer who’s worked at the top of some of the largest companies in the world, Steve believes powerful thrillers lie at the intersection of intriguing stories and intelligent characters in search of dramatic revelations with global human impact.

He attended Penn State, where he studied pre-med and graduated with a degree in chemical engineering. He began a career in the oil and gas business and traveled to intriguing places around the world and met some fascinating characters. An early fan of authors like Michael Crichton and Clive Cussler, he pursued his dream of becoming a thriller author.

His experience in the oil and gas business ultimately led to the idea for his first thriller, The Sunset Conspiracy. His interest in biology and science formed the foundation for his next four thrillers in the tradition of Michael Crichton, Genetic Imperfections and The Swimming Monkeys Trilogy. He returned to his hometown of Pittsburgh with his thriller, The Victim of the System, inspired by the true story of a ten-year-old on trial for murder. The Dark Side of Angels is based on one of the most remarkable discoveries in the history of medicine.

His latest thriller, The Secret That Killed You, was sparked by his interest in the emotional challenges faced by RPA (Drone) pilots and children of alcoholics, along with one of the most heinous crimes of the twentieth century.

Steve and his wife live in South Carolina.


Visit his website at http://www.stevehadden.com

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5 stars
95 (47%)
4 stars
56 (27%)
3 stars
39 (19%)
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6 (2%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
Profile Image for Mandy Walkden-Brown.
627 reviews31 followers
October 25, 2018
Well written, gripping read.

Compelling storyline peppered with action, conspiracies, intrigue and unforeseen twists.

Well developed characters; likeable protagonists -and suitably brutal, amoral, cold-blooded scary protagonists.

Definitely an author to watch and, more importantly, read!
Profile Image for Melissa T.
616 reviews30 followers
did-not-finish
September 3, 2018
*I received this book via Goodreads Giveaways*

This is a story about a father who sinks his money into cancer research to find a cure for his young son, and fails. The death of his son changes him into a bitter, greedy man. He "miraculously" survives a plane crash.

This is my 2nd DNF book today. This one also has a religious element that is overly preachy that I don't care for. It's also written like an action filled, mutated Lifetime movie.
405 reviews
January 1, 2018
I started this book yesterday and read well past midnight into the new year. I just couldn't put it down. I could hardly wait until breakfast dishes were done and I could finish the last three chapters. Without a doubt, this is the best book I have read in 2017. It deals with personal and corporate greed, murder, intrigue, and redemption of the soul. I won't give out the particulars because I don't want to spoil it for anyone. Believe me the last three chapters were a real eye opener. I hope you love this book as much as I did. Thank you Steve Hadden and Goodreads giveaways for this spectacular book. I hope to read more of Mr. Hadden's work.
Profile Image for Jacob Peled.
524 reviews11 followers
August 22, 2018
I am getting many newsletters regarding Free give a way books from Amazon. You have to be quick since after few days it is not free any more. I found out that many of them are great book that succeed in introducing new author I never knew before.
“Genetic Imperfections“ - written by “Steve Hadden” is just my last discovery. In general I like conspiracy thrillers. Genetic books and medical thrillers. In this book I got them all plus a little bit of romance.
It was a great reading. Fast -paced. Lots of twists.
Profile Image for Texas.
1,685 reviews394 followers
June 5, 2018
The Victim of the System - A well written, fast paced, action packed thriller, filled with suspense and an intriguing, dynamic plot. The characters are interesting, well developed and likable, the good guys that is, but the bad guys fill out their roles, too. This is probably the best of all of Hadden's stories, which is quite an accomplishment since his other books are also substantial reads. Needs minor editing. I received this book through AXP.com. 5*

The Sunset Conspiracy - My first book by this author and I enjoyed it. There are quite a few good people fighting quite a few criminals. The story is fast paced with a believable storyline, although a time or two, it's too easy or unrealistic how an event turns out; especially the ending. I liked the characters and their realistic dialog and behavior. The book could use some editing, but it's still good entertainment, nothing stupid. I'll be reading his Swimming Monkeys next. I received the Swimming Monkeys through AXP.com.

Genetic Imperfections - Fast paced. Action packed. Intriguing. Interesting, well developed characters that are so realistic, along with their thoughts and dialog. A well thought out, twisting plot that the reader can immerse in for the length of the book. Editing was better for this book compared to his other four books.

Swimming Monkeys Series - This is a new author to me and I liked his five books. Swimming Monkeys consists of three action packed, fast paced suspense novels with interesting characters that kept developing along with the storyline. I prefer books with science and technology, and the author did a good job with his descriptions and explanations. The dialog was realistic and my favorite character is Thad, a cool dude; my least favorite is Thad's brother. All the books needed some editing, but not too distracting, although God is lower case a lot. I received the author's books through AXP.com.

Genesis #1 - Genesis is complete but still has a cliffhanger ending. A well written, suspense filled, action packed story with an interesting storyline. All the characters are developed with realistic behavior and dialog. The emotions run the gamut: disbelief; anger; hate; love; deception; fear; bravery. One part of the journey is completed; the series continues with Revelation, the second book.

Revelation #2 - This book continues 60 minutes after the point Genesis ended. Revelation is complete but has a cliffhanger ending! A well written, suspense filled, action packed story with an interesting storyline filled with destruction every step of the journey our heroes make. All the characters are developing, still with realistic behavior and dialog. Emotions run the gamut: disbelief; anger; hate; love; deception; fear; bravery and plenty of sacrifice by others. While Thad is still a cool dude, there are others just as cool. Another part of the journey is completed; the series continues with Exodus.

Exodus #3 - Exodus picks up in the cliffhanger from Revelation. The description of The Trail of Tears is quite incorrect, missing a lot of Indian tribes. Well written; suspense filled; action packed. Full of emotions and pain for all involved in this last leg of the journey. The characters are multi-faceted and realistic in their dialog and actions. A very entertaining series of books. This book needs editing.
Profile Image for Cath.
950 reviews17 followers
April 17, 2018
Our main character is David, an embittered father, who had to watch his son die a painful death from leukaemia some fifteen years before. He turned his life from his previous banking career and joined Rexsen Labs, as CEO, to help find a cure for his son, but failed. Now the lab has found a cure and have FDA approval on the horizon. David is ready for the enormous financial gain this will bring him.

The chairman, who is his old friend and mentor, and he are on their way back from a meeting by private jet when the plane falls apart around them. David sees his friend looking at a photograph of his kids and say his final words about his children. They never understood how he gave his life for science and not profit. His children are only after money and power.

David somehow survives the plane crash into the ocean and is labelled as the miracle man. On a walkabout the hospital before he can be released, he finds a ten year old girl also suffering from cancer and with only weeks to live. She reminds him of his son and calls him her miracle mas as well. He realises he has a second chance at life and is determined to get this girl the cure his company have come up with.

Unfortunately, there are others who want to stop him coming back to the company and use the crash as a reason to have him retired. His wife Priscilla, her brother Prescott – now named as Chairman and the new CEO, Brayton, who has taken over his work life and also his wife! Brayton though, has other reasons to need the FDA approval deal to go through on time. He is living over his means and borrowed money from the wrong people.

A top lab researcher, Tori, brings her worries about a flaw with the cure to the new CEO and is stopped before she can finish. Her job gets changed and her life is now in danger. David and her join together to try and delay the approval, but get framed for murder and are left on the run. David has a second chance at life and love, but needs to find out who has started the backlash against them. Who wants this to go through the most, who will they kill to succeed?

A good thriller, with the medical aspects of a cure for cancer thrown into the mix. Not far from current research currently going on worldwide. But adding the life of someone who thought their old life was over when a life changing event happened to them. Changing them from a normal, kind man to one just concerned with money and belongings surrounding him. There is the chance for redemption for David and a new chance for love and even salvation if he can get a cure to the little girl. This book carries you through quite rapidly and keeps your interest the whole way through.
Profile Image for Jamie Bee.
Author 1 book121 followers
October 9, 2019
I was intrigued by the medical thriller aspect of this book, which is why I chose it at my favorite book review website. While the medical thriller part was certainly present, I felt like the novel had issues on a variety of fronts. First, it seemed like every time we met a new character, we got a very large information dump about them, their story, and how they related to the bigger story. I hate data dumps in novels in general, but to just keep running across them every time there was a new viewpoint character or a new character got a little wearisome.

Second, I am an RN, and I found the way that the author portrayed the hospital setting was grossly inaccurate. I hate that in stories. Given our ever-connected, networked world, it seems to me like authors could simply go on nursing groups on Facebook or other forums and ask if anybody would be willing to share their knowledge so books can be accurate. I know I would help an author out. There are so many things that are inaccurate, but I think the one that bothered me the most is that a nurse would just let a patient who survived an airplane crash just walk out of his room on his own. We actually have some pretty strict protocols in the hospital for mobility. A patient like him would have had to have been signed off by PT as able to walk around the unit independently. A nurse couldn't make this decision and just let him go. And given what has happened to him, a good nurse—even with such permission—would have walked with him or had a nursing assistant walk with him to make sure he was safe on his own. I could go on about the medical, but I will not.

I also had issues with the characters. I had really hoped that this would be a story of redemption and love, as promised in the book description. But most of the characters were motivated by such greed and were so ugly that any positive themes felt completely overwhelmed. Too, probably because of the information dumps, I never felt like I connected with the characters, especially those at the heart of what should have been the romance and redemption. So I never really bought those themes for them anyway. I also did find issues with grammar, punctuation, and usage. All in all, I found this to be a disappointing book.

I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.

Read my other reviews at https://www.readingfanaticreviews.com
1,745 reviews13 followers
March 24, 2019
This is the 2nd book that I have read from this author and I liked it as well as The Sunset Conspiracy.

As in the 1st one, this is a story of greed by a family versus the Government which refers to the 1st one. The way the story started out and continued reflected a positive change in the main character, who almost died when the plane he was in crashed. The different avenues that the family who were trying to take control of the company was quite interesting.

The way that the lead character with assistance of a research employee several circumstances left you speechless how they were able to overcome it.

The ending was well done since the main perpetrator was not identified until the conclusion.

I recommend this book and this author highly.

Profile Image for David Taylor.
1,538 reviews24 followers
April 3, 2018
After reading Victim of the System and The Sunset Conspiracy I couldn’t pass up reading another of Steve Hadden’s books. Once again, he has created a story that hooks the reader with action, intrigue, deception, and speculative science. If you haven’t read any of Mr. Hadden’s other books, grab this now, if you have read his other books then this is a must read. I’m looking forward to reading any and all of his future works.
Profile Image for Margaret.
792 reviews5 followers
May 12, 2018
Really hard to put this thriller down! Unexpected twists, turns and non-stop danger. With one big surprise at the end! Steve Hadden's Genetic Imperfections is a story about development of gene therapy to cure cancer and the battle between those whose purpose is to benefit mankind versus those who are greedy for money and power and everything it provides. A terrific read!
Profile Image for Subhajit Das.
368 reviews112 followers
November 22, 2018
It is a hooking read with a much grasping plot than I could have ever imagined. The story has been presented so descriptively well by the author and the strength of the characters and the so significantly portrayed that I was completely inside the pages of the book. I enjoyed every bit of it. Definitely recommending to every one.
43 reviews
April 14, 2018
I received this book free and voluntarily reviewed it. I enjoyed the book though sometimes I had a hard time keeping all the characters straight. I fortunately, a sad commentary of the life we live. I look forward to reading more books by this s author.
38 reviews
November 12, 2018
Wow

A real page turner! Lots of twists and turns showing a pharmaceutical company at its best and worst. The all mighty dollar can make people stupid with greed, but sometimes good wins. Awesome read!!
796 reviews5 followers
November 22, 2018
Excellent Book

STEVE Hedden has a way to on get the reader into the story and keep them on the edge of their seat. While you may suspect it will end well, it takes a lot of twists and turns before the climax of the plot. Well done!
15 reviews1 follower
February 25, 2019
Genetic imperfections

Amazingly well rounded. Lots of action to entice you to turn the next page yet with an underlying deepness that gave the book a whole new meaning. I highly recommend this book!
Profile Image for Pat Eroh.
2,618 reviews32 followers
October 12, 2019
Made my head spin, the action was so fast-paced. This well-written book with a great storyline and wonderful characters give this book a 5-star.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Debra H. Wruble.
419 reviews8 followers
February 23, 2022
Intriguing

Well written story about espionage and corruption involving a pharmaceutical company that is developing new medications to fight cancer. After the death of the founder, several heirs decide to murder in order to inherit a larger amount. Great read
42 reviews
April 8, 2018
Good read!I

This book was great from beginning to end . I can't wait to read his next book. Thank you Steve for your wonderful book!

Profile Image for Brenda.
19 reviews1 follower
April 22, 2018
Thank you

Thank you for making God a real saviour in this book all of the other books never give credit for anything God does and you speak of him with as truth.
434 reviews7 followers
April 28, 2018
I really enjoyed the story. Lately in most of the books I've been reading it shows how greedy people can be. I can see why our world is going to hell.
314 reviews11 followers
April 30, 2018
Excellent and a tear jerker

Excellent plot and the ending was one the very best that I have read in a long time. Well worth reading.
1,840 reviews16 followers
May 26, 2018
biotech firm about to go public and also release a cancer cure. but there's a problem in the treatment. Power and money hungry people get involved
187 reviews4 followers
November 23, 2018
Great book

Wow! Talk about an exciting book!!! This one sure had it all... Thriller, mystery, suspense, medical or whatever! I loved it.
13 reviews2 followers
November 25, 2018
Fast moving

Realistic plot regarding the importance of profit within the search for innovative treatments for cancer. Interesting characters and fast moving plot.
Profile Image for Alisonh.
24 reviews
January 24, 2019
Good book

I enjoyed the book. It was a little technical in parts, but overall it was a really good and quick read.
Profile Image for Mary E.
434 reviews3 followers
March 15, 2019
Great story

I enjoyed this story a lot. It was well written with some interesting twists and turns, some expected and some not.
Profile Image for Dennis Ingledue.
7 reviews
May 23, 2019
Good read

This the kind of book I like, one book to tell the story ! The tale was believable and the ending was great !
1,471 reviews7 followers
October 4, 2020
Great thriller

Loved the mystery and humanitarian thread through this book. Glad for the happy ending and good feeling. Would love to read more from this author.
137 reviews
October 24, 2020
Loved it

I love stories. I love reading good stories and this was a very enjoyable ending
I think anyone who likes good stories will like this one too
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews

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