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Plague Walker #1
The Devil’s Noose
The thing that wiped out the dinosaurs is about to make its comeback.
It's a trillion times smaller than a killer asteroid.
And it's fallen into the hands of a madman.
After surviving a horrific outbreak of the Black Nile virus, epidemiologist Leigh Austen's done her best to bury memories along with the bodies.
But when a call for help from the World Health Organization (WHO) arrives at her lab, she's got to face her nightmares all over again. Something's wiping entire villages clean of humans and wildlife in a war-torn former Soviet Republic. Leigh's skills are desperately needed to identify and stop the pathogen's spread before it explodes into a global pandemic.
Austen's team of scientists and armed security set off into the epicenter of the hot zone: over a mile straight down the throat of the Karakul, the deepest open-pit mine in Asia. From there, they'll contend with treacherous military officers, caverns filled with scalding-hot poisonous gas, and an organism so deadly it annihilated the dinosaurs sixty-five million years ago. What Leigh and her people discover will shake them to their very core.
If they survive.
Author's Note: The Devil's Noose: A Pandemic Medical Thriller is a self-contained work and does not end on a cliffhanger. It contains a limited amount of strong language, gore, and some graphic violence. Ratings-wise, it would either be a hard PG-13 or soft R. Please decide to purchase accordingly.
It's a trillion times smaller than a killer asteroid.
And it's fallen into the hands of a madman.
After surviving a horrific outbreak of the Black Nile virus, epidemiologist Leigh Austen's done her best to bury memories along with the bodies.
But when a call for help from the World Health Organization (WHO) arrives at her lab, she's got to face her nightmares all over again. Something's wiping entire villages clean of humans and wildlife in a war-torn former Soviet Republic. Leigh's skills are desperately needed to identify and stop the pathogen's spread before it explodes into a global pandemic.
Austen's team of scientists and armed security set off into the epicenter of the hot zone: over a mile straight down the throat of the Karakul, the deepest open-pit mine in Asia. From there, they'll contend with treacherous military officers, caverns filled with scalding-hot poisonous gas, and an organism so deadly it annihilated the dinosaurs sixty-five million years ago. What Leigh and her people discover will shake them to their very core.
If they survive.
Author's Note: The Devil's Noose: A Pandemic Medical Thriller is a self-contained work and does not end on a cliffhanger. It contains a limited amount of strong language, gore, and some graphic violence. Ratings-wise, it would either be a hard PG-13 or soft R. Please decide to purchase accordingly.
310 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 7, 2019
552 people are currently reading
250 people want to read
About the author
Michael Angel
116 books52 followersMichael Angel's fictional worlds range from the former Soviet province of Ozrabek to the magic-filled realm of Andeluvia.
His eBooks, audio books, and paperbacks populate shelves in 12 different languages. However, despite keeping a keen eye out for globe-trotting epidemiologists, unicorns, or galactic marshals, none have yet put in an appearance on Hollywood Boulevard.
THE PLAGUE WALKER PANDEMIC MEDICAL THRILLERS~
The Devil's Noose
The Reaper's Scythe
The Blood Zone
The Wildfire Pathogen
The Plague Walker (A Leigh Austen Short Thriller)
FANTASY & FORENSICS ~
Centaur of the Crime
The Deer Prince's Murder
Grand Theft Griffin
A Perjury of Owls
Forgery of the Phoenix
Assault in the Wizard Degree
Trafficking in Demons
A Warrant of Wyverns
The Conspiracy of Unicorns
Dragon with a Deadly Weapon
Forensics and Dragon Fire (Fantasy & Forensics Novella)
APOCALYPSE WITH A SIDE OF GRILLED SPAM ~
Episode One
Episode Two
Episode Three
Episode Four
Season One Compilation
STANDALONE SF/F NOVELS~
The Detective & The Unicorn
The Wizard, The Warlord, and The Hidden Woman
I Married the Third Horseman
THE AMANDA LOVE UNIVERSE ~
A Shovelful of Stars
Pay To Pray
Dogfight
A Planet Torn
Fringe Space Tales (Amanda Love Compilation)
COLLECTIONS & SHORTS~
Never Mind the Princess, Save the *Dragon*
Treasure of the Silver Star
Sylph
Gatekeeper and Goddess
So a Dragon, a Muse, and an Alien Walk Into a Bar...
Predators and Prey
Deepest Fears
Three Acts of Courage
Strange Powers, Stranger Places
Crisis Points
Love's Origins
Cyber Son
Cantaloupes and Wild Shoshone
Vala Staffwielder
Little Girl Lost
Love's Labors and Lies
The Haute Couture Time Traveler
Blood, Sweat, and Fears (an 18-story compendium)
Michael Angel's welcome mat is out at MichaelAngelWriter.weebly.com. Or, feel free to stop by and say 'hello' to the kind folks who publish his material at BantyHenPublishing.com.
His eBooks, audio books, and paperbacks populate shelves in 12 different languages. However, despite keeping a keen eye out for globe-trotting epidemiologists, unicorns, or galactic marshals, none have yet put in an appearance on Hollywood Boulevard.
THE PLAGUE WALKER PANDEMIC MEDICAL THRILLERS~
The Devil's Noose
The Reaper's Scythe
The Blood Zone
The Wildfire Pathogen
The Plague Walker (A Leigh Austen Short Thriller)
FANTASY & FORENSICS ~
Centaur of the Crime
The Deer Prince's Murder
Grand Theft Griffin
A Perjury of Owls
Forgery of the Phoenix
Assault in the Wizard Degree
Trafficking in Demons
A Warrant of Wyverns
The Conspiracy of Unicorns
Dragon with a Deadly Weapon
Forensics and Dragon Fire (Fantasy & Forensics Novella)
APOCALYPSE WITH A SIDE OF GRILLED SPAM ~
Episode One
Episode Two
Episode Three
Episode Four
Season One Compilation
STANDALONE SF/F NOVELS~
The Detective & The Unicorn
The Wizard, The Warlord, and The Hidden Woman
I Married the Third Horseman
THE AMANDA LOVE UNIVERSE ~
A Shovelful of Stars
Pay To Pray
Dogfight
A Planet Torn
Fringe Space Tales (Amanda Love Compilation)
COLLECTIONS & SHORTS~
Never Mind the Princess, Save the *Dragon*
Treasure of the Silver Star
Sylph
Gatekeeper and Goddess
So a Dragon, a Muse, and an Alien Walk Into a Bar...
Predators and Prey
Deepest Fears
Three Acts of Courage
Strange Powers, Stranger Places
Crisis Points
Love's Origins
Cyber Son
Cantaloupes and Wild Shoshone
Vala Staffwielder
Little Girl Lost
Love's Labors and Lies
The Haute Couture Time Traveler
Blood, Sweat, and Fears (an 18-story compendium)
Michael Angel's welcome mat is out at MichaelAngelWriter.weebly.com. Or, feel free to stop by and say 'hello' to the kind folks who publish his material at BantyHenPublishing.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
May 9, 2022
The Devil’s Noose is the first full book in a pandemic medical thriller series about epidemiologist Leigh Austen - and was originally published in early 2019, before the world was gripped by a real pandemic.
I bought it in early 2020 through a Bookbub promotion, and it’s been high up my TBR ever since, but continually displaced until now by ARCs and Book Club books. There is a prequel novella - which you can access for free from a link at the end of this ebook - which describes events referred to in this story; I did read that two years ago, but it’s not essential to the plot here.
Leigh Austen is part of a WHO/CDC funded team sent to Kazakhstan to investigate a deadly outbreak surrounding a massive mine. No one knows what they’re dealing with, but to date it’s been universally fatal - some even believe it was responsible for wiping out the dinosaurs. The site is dangerous enough as separatist rebels are fighting in the region, but what they discover down the mine is terrifying - and not everyone wants to stop it seeing the light of day…
I enjoyed this action thriller and regret leaving it so long. It’s a fast-paced easy read, with likeable Good Guys, Hollywoodesque Bad Guys, and a scary-sounding potentially apocalyptic pathogen - don’t worry it’s nothing like the coronavirus, and the story is about preventing a pandemic, not enduring one.
There were some minor but irritating mistakes - especially with the French spoken by one character - not least that she’s named Helen when it should be Hélène, and a couple of medical issues, but most readers won’t notice these. While the outcome is not really in doubt - since there are five more books in the series - this was a satisfying adventure, and I look forward to continuing the series in due course.
I bought it in early 2020 through a Bookbub promotion, and it’s been high up my TBR ever since, but continually displaced until now by ARCs and Book Club books. There is a prequel novella - which you can access for free from a link at the end of this ebook - which describes events referred to in this story; I did read that two years ago, but it’s not essential to the plot here.
Leigh Austen is part of a WHO/CDC funded team sent to Kazakhstan to investigate a deadly outbreak surrounding a massive mine. No one knows what they’re dealing with, but to date it’s been universally fatal - some even believe it was responsible for wiping out the dinosaurs. The site is dangerous enough as separatist rebels are fighting in the region, but what they discover down the mine is terrifying - and not everyone wants to stop it seeing the light of day…
I enjoyed this action thriller and regret leaving it so long. It’s a fast-paced easy read, with likeable Good Guys, Hollywoodesque Bad Guys, and a scary-sounding potentially apocalyptic pathogen - don’t worry it’s nothing like the coronavirus, and the story is about preventing a pandemic, not enduring one.
There were some minor but irritating mistakes - especially with the French spoken by one character - not least that she’s named Helen when it should be Hélène, and a couple of medical issues, but most readers won’t notice these. While the outcome is not really in doubt - since there are five more books in the series - this was a satisfying adventure, and I look forward to continuing the series in due course.
January 15, 2020
"But I need this little demon for only two reasons: to purify man and bring the outsiders to their knees. Speak to me no more of anything else!”
Epidemiological Investigative Service officer Leigh Austen is called upon to head a group that goes to a huge open pit mine in the former Soviet Republic of Kazakhstan. Miners, local residents and animals in the area alike are being felled by a fast-acting disease or toxin.
The World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have been called in by the local government to figure out what the killing agent is.
Leigh is joined by other doctors plus a private security force led rugged Nicholas Navarro.
This is the first full book in the Plague Walker Pandemic series following the short story prequel THE PLAGUE WALKER. I enjoyed the story, the interesting location, the characters both good guys and bad.
I am now off to read the second book in the series THE REAPER'S SCYTHE.
Epidemiological Investigative Service officer Leigh Austen is called upon to head a group that goes to a huge open pit mine in the former Soviet Republic of Kazakhstan. Miners, local residents and animals in the area alike are being felled by a fast-acting disease or toxin.
The World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have been called in by the local government to figure out what the killing agent is.
Leigh is joined by other doctors plus a private security force led rugged Nicholas Navarro.
This is the first full book in the Plague Walker Pandemic series following the short story prequel THE PLAGUE WALKER. I enjoyed the story, the interesting location, the characters both good guys and bad.
I am now off to read the second book in the series THE REAPER'S SCYTHE.
February 17, 2020
Preface: I received a free copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Explicit content: Death, implied mass murder
Recommended for: General action/thriller fans, Andromeda Strain fans (at least for the first half).
I wasn't expecting much from this book. Generally, this genre tends to be pretty shallow - high on the shootbangs, low on the actual science behind the outbreak. However, this one pleasantly surprised me. I have no idea if anything the scientists say about this disease is accurate, but it sounded science-y enough for me to believe it. Tying the disease into the possible extinction of the dinosaurs was pretty cool, as was its mineral-related abilities. The characters aren't terribly complex, but each is believable enough, and you still don't want any harm to come to them. I really thought one character was going to end up as a romantic lead (he's attractive, rich, has a lot of verbal sparring with the protagonist) but thankfully that didn't happen. There's a tease of romance with another character, but it's never the focus of the story, and is left more ambiguous, which was nice. Overall, the first half of this was pretty strong.
The story gets a little weaker (imo) in the second half, when the science takes a back seat to the action. I kept waiting for an actual outbreak to occur, but it never really does - the threat comes from the military people. Really, after a point, the disease is just a plot point, not the focus of the story itself. Personally, I was disappointed by this, but other readers might not mind.
My other quibble is something a lot of authors do, which is to give the villains a bunch of POV chapters. This sucks a lot of tension out of the novel, especially in the beginning - it would have been so much more interesting if we didn't know a certain character was a traitor, or what the villains' plans were. Unfortunately, that's all exposed right out the gate, which takes a lot of fun out of it. Again, this is something many authors do, especially in this genre, so I can't really hold it against this book, but it would have been much stronger without it.
Overall, this was an enjoyable read, and much stronger than the rest of the genre (at least for me). I wish it had more of a focus on the science-y side of things and the disease itself, especially in the second half, but it's still a solid action/thriller.
Explicit content: Death, implied mass murder
Recommended for: General action/thriller fans, Andromeda Strain fans (at least for the first half).
I wasn't expecting much from this book. Generally, this genre tends to be pretty shallow - high on the shootbangs, low on the actual science behind the outbreak. However, this one pleasantly surprised me. I have no idea if anything the scientists say about this disease is accurate, but it sounded science-y enough for me to believe it. Tying the disease into the possible extinction of the dinosaurs was pretty cool, as was its mineral-related abilities. The characters aren't terribly complex, but each is believable enough, and you still don't want any harm to come to them. I really thought one character was going to end up as a romantic lead (he's attractive, rich, has a lot of verbal sparring with the protagonist) but thankfully that didn't happen. There's a tease of romance with another character, but it's never the focus of the story, and is left more ambiguous, which was nice. Overall, the first half of this was pretty strong.
The story gets a little weaker (imo) in the second half, when the science takes a back seat to the action. I kept waiting for an actual outbreak to occur, but it never really does - the threat comes from the military people. Really, after a point, the disease is just a plot point, not the focus of the story itself. Personally, I was disappointed by this, but other readers might not mind.
My other quibble is something a lot of authors do, which is to give the villains a bunch of POV chapters. This sucks a lot of tension out of the novel, especially in the beginning - it would have been so much more interesting if we didn't know a certain character was a traitor, or what the villains' plans were. Unfortunately, that's all exposed right out the gate, which takes a lot of fun out of it. Again, this is something many authors do, especially in this genre, so I can't really hold it against this book, but it would have been much stronger without it.
Overall, this was an enjoyable read, and much stronger than the rest of the genre (at least for me). I wish it had more of a focus on the science-y side of things and the disease itself, especially in the second half, but it's still a solid action/thriller.
April 16, 2023
This is a fast-paced, entertaining thriller, with lots of action and funny characters. Although I must say this is not a medical thriller. Just because there are people from the World Health Organization doesn't mean there is a medical issue., really. It's more of a scientific thriller IMHO.
Other than that, this is the perfect read when you want something that will keep you amused with not a lot of effort on your part. It's easy to follow and has the exact amount of humour to cut excessive tension.
And even when there is not a cliffhanger (the book is self-contained) there is a thread left loose that I bet will be the starting point in the next books of the series.
The narration is good, and I liked that there were two narrators, one female and one male. That made listening to the story easier and more enjoyable.
All in all, a good story, worthy of your time.
Other than that, this is the perfect read when you want something that will keep you amused with not a lot of effort on your part. It's easy to follow and has the exact amount of humour to cut excessive tension.
And even when there is not a cliffhanger (the book is self-contained) there is a thread left loose that I bet will be the starting point in the next books of the series.
The narration is good, and I liked that there were two narrators, one female and one male. That made listening to the story easier and more enjoyable.
All in all, a good story, worthy of your time.
August 12, 2019
Fast Paced!!!!!!
This novel is a thriller that will keep hold of the reader's attention and interest starting from the first page! So many lively, intelligent, and intriguing characters. A plot that is believable and at the same time will leave the reader horrified at what man is capable of accomplishing. Nick, Leigh, October, and Redhawk will leave the reader wanting more.
This novel is a thriller that will keep hold of the reader's attention and interest starting from the first page! So many lively, intelligent, and intriguing characters. A plot that is believable and at the same time will leave the reader horrified at what man is capable of accomplishing. Nick, Leigh, October, and Redhawk will leave the reader wanting more.
December 7, 2019
Great book! Never stops- pathogens, villains and explosions! Oh my! If you likeHot zone or Outbreak orbooks along those lines you’re going to love this book. Great characters you love and others you hope die painfully. This book needs to be made into a movie!
July 3, 2019
I loved this book! A great medical thriller about preventing a pandemic released from the bottom of a massive pit mine. Lots of action, great characters and a riveting plot. A must read.
August 8, 2021
Like reading a disaster movie
There's only one reason I couldn't give this book a five star review: as it purports to be the first of a series, I simply can't envision it lasting for more than a few.books before the plots fail off into repetition. Angel has a fine heroine in Leigh Austen, a former CEO field researcher who is living with her role in a disastrous episode (there's a prequel novella I have yet to read) as an outcast from the world of life research, who gets a sudden call when "the men in suits" appear at the lab she's finally been hired by just as an accident with a deadly strain threatens her fellow researcher. That forms the opening in the book - and leaves at least one character behind for future use - and is exceedingly well written.
While they wanted the now injured resarcher, they have Austen to go track reports of something nasty in Kazakhstan. She meets the leader of the mercenary security contractor and gets a good vibe, consults with the mysterious DiCaprio, available only through a very secure computer interface, and receives a very cryptic response before she has to fly abroad. She shares it with her security man and now they are both on the lookout.
Upon touchdown she finds an old colleague from the days of that disastrous earlier mission, as well as other bright minds. They begin investigating in a mile deep mine while Mr. Security and his team grow increasingly more disturbed about their hosts. What follows is an action thriller/war movie/monster movie/horror movie that ends with a core group of the good guys surviving to fight another day, as well as the surprise existence of a character thought to be dead, mounting a sample from that mine in her personal, private collection of deadly pathogens.
I'm going to pick up that novella. I'm going to read the next volume in the series. I'm hoping that Michael Angel is a good enough writer to keep the series going with new, original plots and situations that don't hear such close resemblance to action movie plots. Is there really enough "save the world from the deadly threat of microorganisms" material to keep a series of thrillers from collapsing upon itself? I have my doubts, but I'll keep reading his books until that happens.
There's only one reason I couldn't give this book a five star review: as it purports to be the first of a series, I simply can't envision it lasting for more than a few.books before the plots fail off into repetition. Angel has a fine heroine in Leigh Austen, a former CEO field researcher who is living with her role in a disastrous episode (there's a prequel novella I have yet to read) as an outcast from the world of life research, who gets a sudden call when "the men in suits" appear at the lab she's finally been hired by just as an accident with a deadly strain threatens her fellow researcher. That forms the opening in the book - and leaves at least one character behind for future use - and is exceedingly well written.
While they wanted the now injured resarcher, they have Austen to go track reports of something nasty in Kazakhstan. She meets the leader of the mercenary security contractor and gets a good vibe, consults with the mysterious DiCaprio, available only through a very secure computer interface, and receives a very cryptic response before she has to fly abroad. She shares it with her security man and now they are both on the lookout.
Upon touchdown she finds an old colleague from the days of that disastrous earlier mission, as well as other bright minds. They begin investigating in a mile deep mine while Mr. Security and his team grow increasingly more disturbed about their hosts. What follows is an action thriller/war movie/monster movie/horror movie that ends with a core group of the good guys surviving to fight another day, as well as the surprise existence of a character thought to be dead, mounting a sample from that mine in her personal, private collection of deadly pathogens.
I'm going to pick up that novella. I'm going to read the next volume in the series. I'm hoping that Michael Angel is a good enough writer to keep the series going with new, original plots and situations that don't hear such close resemblance to action movie plots. Is there really enough "save the world from the deadly threat of microorganisms" material to keep a series of thrillers from collapsing upon itself? I have my doubts, but I'll keep reading his books until that happens.
February 11, 2020
Based on the title "...Pandemic Medical Thriller", I thought we would be racing to save the world population from a currently spreading pandemic. While saving the world does happen, it is because of the prevention of a pandemic. That being said, I enjoyed reading this book. I like medical thrillers and this fits solidly in that category. I felt it was well written and the medical details were very good. I think the concept of finding a prehistoric "bug" with the potential to wipe out humanity was very interesting and different than other books in this genre. I liked the characters and would love more background details about them - this is the first I've read of this author so forgive me if I have missed earlier books with this detail. I am definitely interested in reading more of Austen and Navarro!
Thank you to the author for an advanced copy of this book, this review reflects my honest opinion.
Thank you to the author for an advanced copy of this book, this review reflects my honest opinion.
October 2, 2024
A PAGE-TURNER THAT WILL KEEP YOU UP NIGHTS
“The Devil’s Noose” is an emotional rollercoaster! A millennium-old virulent plague that was responsible for the extinction of the dinosaurs is uncovered in a miles deep mine shaft in Afghanistan.
Dr. Leigh Austin is selected by the World Health Organization and the Center For Disease Control to travel to the Republic of Kazakhstan and lead a team of Doctors and a Civilian Security Team to investigate an unknown bio-weapon left by the Soviet Union.
What follows is a gripping account of how we might deal with the deadliest contagious disease known to mankind.
I am not a SciFi fan, but not since “The Andromeda Strain” by Michael Crichton have I read a more compelling, riveting story. I’m all set for the next installment of the Plague Walker Medical Thrillers Series.
“The Devil’s Noose” is an emotional rollercoaster! A millennium-old virulent plague that was responsible for the extinction of the dinosaurs is uncovered in a miles deep mine shaft in Afghanistan.
Dr. Leigh Austin is selected by the World Health Organization and the Center For Disease Control to travel to the Republic of Kazakhstan and lead a team of Doctors and a Civilian Security Team to investigate an unknown bio-weapon left by the Soviet Union.
What follows is a gripping account of how we might deal with the deadliest contagious disease known to mankind.
I am not a SciFi fan, but not since “The Andromeda Strain” by Michael Crichton have I read a more compelling, riveting story. I’m all set for the next installment of the Plague Walker Medical Thrillers Series.
February 12, 2020
If you like suspense, action, betrayal and potential world-ending virus bug, then you will love this book by Michael Angel, as it has it all and then some. Doctor Leigh Austen and her bodyguard team of Nicholas, October, and Redhawk are led on a gruesome adventure to try and identify and then contain the deadly virus, while characters like Chelovik and Helen attempt to use it to control their part of the world. Thus the two sides battle it out, both scientifically and physically. The action is intense and deadly and some of the descriptions of the dead are rather gruesome. I would look forward to reading another adventure by this author. This is a voluntary review of an Advanced Reader Copy of this book from Hidden Gems Books.
April 21, 2023
Received as an audio review copy from Story Origin, this is an honest review. Exceptionally narrated by Kelly McGaw and Parker Burningham as both truly together elevate this intelligent thriller to an intense level. With a terrifying out break of a deadly pathogen, epidemiologist Leigh Austen finds her entering a battle ground of clashing agendas: as she and the World Health want to clamp down in a virus that's exploding in land once a part of the Soviet Republic and those whom view the virus as a tool to bring things to a new order of controlling the world. A in your face race against the clock with haunting, dire consequences.
Definitely highly recommended.
Definitely highly recommended.
April 18, 2023
Audiobook: This was my first experience with Michael Angel's work, and it was thrilling. Leigh Austen was an epidemiologist. She was asked to investigate what unknown virus wiped out an Asian village. Unbeknownst to Leigh, several groups were after the dangerous organism for their own purposes. I liked Leigh as she was intelligent and driven. There were surprising twists and turns. I was absorbed by the action filled tale. Kelly McGaw's and Parker Burningham's narrations were good and kept my attention. I was given a free copy of the audiobook, and I have voluntarily posted this review.
February 26, 2024
An unexpected joyride! So much more than expected!
This book is so much more than the synopsis might lead one to believe. In the vein of AG Riddle, blending facets of different literary genres into something in which the sum is far more than the total of its parts. Michael Angel just became a new favorite, if all his works are of this caliber, he'll break into my top 5 favorite authors! Get this as a free download while you can, but don't hesitate to buy it if you have to. 5/5 Stars
This book is so much more than the synopsis might lead one to believe. In the vein of AG Riddle, blending facets of different literary genres into something in which the sum is far more than the total of its parts. Michael Angel just became a new favorite, if all his works are of this caliber, he'll break into my top 5 favorite authors! Get this as a free download while you can, but don't hesitate to buy it if you have to. 5/5 Stars
March 1, 2020
I received this book free as an ARC reader for review.
Hold on to your seat for this fast paced medical thriller as we journey to a monster open pit mine on the fringe of Russia in search of a pathogen that can kill whole villages in less than a day. Lies, betrayal, jeweled skulls and sheep cheeks all make this story intricate and detailed. With nonstop action, interesting characters easy to love and hate, and fascinating technology… You won’t be able to put this book down
Hold on to your seat for this fast paced medical thriller as we journey to a monster open pit mine on the fringe of Russia in search of a pathogen that can kill whole villages in less than a day. Lies, betrayal, jeweled skulls and sheep cheeks all make this story intricate and detailed. With nonstop action, interesting characters easy to love and hate, and fascinating technology… You won’t be able to put this book down
July 11, 2020
Dr. Leigh Austen is asked to go a part of the old Soviet Union to find out what virus or microorganism is killing people. She gets a cryptic message from a trusted friend before she along with several other people head to this isolated old mine that looks like you are heading into hell. There are so many twists and turns, it is hard to know who are the good guys or are the bad guys. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and will be reading more by this author.
September 2, 2020
I really enjoyed The Devil's Noose. It grabbed my interest from the start, and kept me reading. It's a great medical thriller with a unique and interesting take on what killed the dinosaurs...and the attempt to stop it before it happens again. Definitely worth a read if you like medical thrillers about pandemics, that are full of action and suspense.
June 29, 2021
Author Michael Angel has created a feast of words that kept me on the edge of my seat! This apocalyptic thriller is packed with suspense, surprises and shocks. I definitely recommend it and plan to read the protagonist’s next encounter with potential world ending events.
Read via Kindle Unlimited
Read via Kindle Unlimited
November 5, 2021
THOR'...
It took me a long time to decide to read this book. The cover wasn't something that I think I would read, but, finally I decided to give it a try and lo-&-behold find a great book.
Like the characters and the story, it had the good amount of mystery, action and suspense. I already buy the next books in the series.... Recommended
It took me a long time to decide to read this book. The cover wasn't something that I think I would read, but, finally I decided to give it a try and lo-&-behold find a great book.
Like the characters and the story, it had the good amount of mystery, action and suspense. I already buy the next books in the series.... Recommended
January 3, 2022
Quite an exciting adventurous tale
I am not scientific but this story of a substance found in a very deep remote mine that kills all living creatures by starving their oxygen input is captivating.
The lead female scientist is a likeable main character.
The baddies are interesting too.
I am not scientific but this story of a substance found in a very deep remote mine that kills all living creatures by starving their oxygen input is captivating.
The lead female scientist is a likeable main character.
The baddies are interesting too.
January 4, 2022
First time that I have read a novel by tis author. There is a well developed story line. Angel has created a path for the reader to follow. I loved how Angel has crafted his novel. The writing is delightful. You are wondering when the end is coming to an end and you are thinking no way, don't end yet. A great novel, you will be crying for more.
December 26, 2022
There is good news and bad news.
The good news is the author maintains a brisk pace, and provides suitable complications to keep your interest. We have a disease that will – wait for it – DESTROY THE WORLD!! – maybe – and the heroine really doesn’t want to be involved but she feels she must. The cast of characters is suitably diverse and reminiscent of a circus side show or a mock horror movie like ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW.
That’s the good news. The bad news? Well, in one form or another we’ve seen it all before. A villain and perhaps more than one, a mysterious disease, a mysterious location and only a last-minute desperate and out of the blue solution will save the world. Spoiler alert – the world is saved.
So take your pick. If you are looking for novelty, this may not be for you. If you want action and occasionally interesting dimensions in developing a plot then go for it. It’s not a bad read – but like fast food it left me slightly disappointed and wanting something else.
September 5, 2024
Exceptional
The Devil's Noose was thrilling, heart racing, and terrifying. Different groups fighting each other for something that could destroy the world, without caring about humankind in general. Along with the technical and medical jargon, the story reflects human behavior in both favorable and unfavorable yet accurate ways. A great read. I recommend this book.
The Devil's Noose was thrilling, heart racing, and terrifying. Different groups fighting each other for something that could destroy the world, without caring about humankind in general. Along with the technical and medical jargon, the story reflects human behavior in both favorable and unfavorable yet accurate ways. A great read. I recommend this book.
July 7, 2020
Fascinating yet disturbing
Especially when read against the backdrop of enduring and living through Covid-19. Fascinating and well-defined characters. Vivid imagery within the mine. Would make great movie.
Especially when read against the backdrop of enduring and living through Covid-19. Fascinating and well-defined characters. Vivid imagery within the mine. Would make great movie.
May 25, 2021
Wow, the book kept me interested throughout.
There was a no holds barred about the whole thing.
Anyone who loves the apocalyptic style of novel will be engrossed by this one and should not only add to their TBR list but put it at the top.
There was a no holds barred about the whole thing.
Anyone who loves the apocalyptic style of novel will be engrossed by this one and should not only add to their TBR list but put it at the top.
July 29, 2021
A quick read with lots of action and great character development. With pandemic being a prominent news item these days (2020-2021) the information is used interestingly for a work of fiction. Looking forward to reading more in this series.
October 30, 2022
Just don’t.
It was all I could do to keep reading this book. The writing was juvenile. The plot was simplistic. I would recommend that you just don’t even start this book. I will not start another from this author.
It was all I could do to keep reading this book. The writing was juvenile. The plot was simplistic. I would recommend that you just don’t even start this book. I will not start another from this author.
March 6, 2025
biological madness
Leiigh Austen has been sent to Africa to investigate a deadly disease. The plasm falls a lot of action and twisted terms as they try to get rid of the disease. I found the book very interesting and I recommended for all who like a thriller book.
Leiigh Austen has been sent to Africa to investigate a deadly disease. The plasm falls a lot of action and twisted terms as they try to get rid of the disease. I found the book very interesting and I recommended for all who like a thriller book.
April 28, 2020
That was a lot of fun- a bit like Michael Crichton before he went completely off of the rails. You need a willing sense of disbelief, but it's a fun read.
September 9, 2022
Excellent
Enjoyed this immensely. Characters are believable and well portrayed within the confines of the story itself. Thoroughly enjoyed. Try it !!
Enjoyed this immensely. Characters are believable and well portrayed within the confines of the story itself. Thoroughly enjoyed. Try it !!
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