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The Manhattan Project
Bioterrorism. Real. Invisible. Devastating. And it's taking New York by storm. With its insatiable hunger for fast food, easy fixes and life lived at breakneck speed, the city that never sleeps is hurtling towards disaster. Now John Wyse, an ordinary New York cop, looks set to be the only person who can thwart catastrophe on an apocalyptic scale ... New York City is under attack. Millions may die. But the enemy's weapons are invisible, undetectable and creating terror at lightning speed. Now, there's nothing to stand in their way ... A Hiroshima survivor turned criminal mastermindA pharma industry riddled with corruptionA Libyan entrepreneur coerced by threats to his familyA New York cop falling fast for an elusive beautyA visitor to Tokyo from the mountains of Afghanistan One terrible desire for revenge connects them all. With the clock ticking on an audacious, devastating plot to bring America to its knees, can anyone save New York from catastrophe? PRAISE FOR THE MANHATTAN PROJECT 'Paul McNeive takes a very real worldwide medical problem and turns it into a disturbingly plausible thriller that builds to an edge-of-your-seat climax. Altogether a compelling read!' – Robert Goddard, author of The Wide World trilogy 'With an extraordinary, original and well-researched plot, contemporary themes, action, twists and turns, The Manhattan Project has all the ingredients of an international bestseller.' – Glenn Meade, New York Times bestselling author of The Romanov Conspiracy 'With a plot as fast-paced as the writing – bioterrorism meets big pharma – and a storyline stretching from Japan through the Middle East to the USA, The Manhattan Project is a cracking debut thriller. Guaranteed to be read in an all-night sitting!' – Paul Carson, author of Inquest 'The Manhattan Project, a brilliant debut novel, starts as a slow-burn and quickly ignites into a fast-paced biological disaster facing the citizens of New York.' – John McAllister, author of The Station Sergeant trilogy 'For anyone who likes their books big, blistering and utterly compulsive, this is the read for you. It is explosive, addictive and ultimately very satisfying. There's a new boy in town – at last an heir to Tom Clancy.' – Doreen Finn, author of My Buried Life
384 pages, Unknown Binding
Published March 1, 2020
17 people are currently reading
96 people want to read
About the author
Paul McNeive
5 books2 followersPaul McNeive lost his legs in a fire aged twenty, and this life-changing experience and what happened to him on his road to recovery inform his debut novel,
The Manhattan Project. In a highly successful career, Paul was the managing director of Savills, Ireland, and is now an international motivational speaker, a columnist for the Irish Independent, was the world’s first double amputee helicopter pilot and is an ambassador for the Douglas Bader Foundation.
He is also on the board of Ireland’s National Rehabilitation Hospital.
The Manhattan Project. In a highly successful career, Paul was the managing director of Savills, Ireland, and is now an international motivational speaker, a columnist for the Irish Independent, was the world’s first double amputee helicopter pilot and is an ambassador for the Douglas Bader Foundation.
He is also on the board of Ireland’s National Rehabilitation Hospital.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
May 16, 2018
Book Reviewed by Stacey on www.whisperingstories.com
The Manhattan Project begins in August 1945, Hiroshima, Japan with the dropping of the Atomic Bomb and the civilians caught up in the catastrophe. One of those who managed to survive the bomb was five-year-old Tsan Yohoto, who was at the park with his mum, brother, and sister. Unfortunately, his siblings weren’t quite so lucky. As he grew older and those that had survived the bomb became sick from the radiation, Tsan swore to himself that he would seek revenge.
Present day and Tsan has masterminded a plot to kill millions of Americans. This time though, there will be no plane crashes, bombs exploding or vans being driven into crowds, this time the attack will be invisible, undetectable and deadly.
There is only one hope, can NYPD Detective John Wyse discover what is happening and stop the attack before it is too late?
What a book The Manhattan Project is. It is crime thriller at its best. Author Paul McNeive has managed to create a plot that is perfectly realistic and that is what makes it quite scary. The plan to kill millions is so sophisticated and yet so simple and not something anyone would ever normally suspect. I won’t go into details as it would spoil the plot.
The book travels through various countries and jumps back and forth in time at the beginning whilst you get to follow the build-up to the plan. Once the plan is initiated the book stops going back and forth and is written in order of the days – some parts are time stamped too. It is also split into three sections. Lighting the Fuse, Ignition, and Fallout.
The first section and a few chapters into section two are quite slow as the story builds. I will admit to finding the beginning hard going at times as there are a lot of characters to remember, and the plot to kill millions was just beginning to be initiated. At some point in section two the pace suddenly picks up and the tension builds. This is when the excitement started.
The whole revenge and how it was sought is a real eye-opener, especially since it is something you could see some madman (or woman) trying to pull off. I’m not sure I like Paul NcNeive giving these people ideas!!
This is a thriller that will speak to people internationally with its terrorist theme. The book is certainly hard-hitting and had me hooked. It is alarming at times and I hope to never witness anything like the plot in real life.
The Manhattan Project begins in August 1945, Hiroshima, Japan with the dropping of the Atomic Bomb and the civilians caught up in the catastrophe. One of those who managed to survive the bomb was five-year-old Tsan Yohoto, who was at the park with his mum, brother, and sister. Unfortunately, his siblings weren’t quite so lucky. As he grew older and those that had survived the bomb became sick from the radiation, Tsan swore to himself that he would seek revenge.
Present day and Tsan has masterminded a plot to kill millions of Americans. This time though, there will be no plane crashes, bombs exploding or vans being driven into crowds, this time the attack will be invisible, undetectable and deadly.
There is only one hope, can NYPD Detective John Wyse discover what is happening and stop the attack before it is too late?
What a book The Manhattan Project is. It is crime thriller at its best. Author Paul McNeive has managed to create a plot that is perfectly realistic and that is what makes it quite scary. The plan to kill millions is so sophisticated and yet so simple and not something anyone would ever normally suspect. I won’t go into details as it would spoil the plot.
The book travels through various countries and jumps back and forth in time at the beginning whilst you get to follow the build-up to the plan. Once the plan is initiated the book stops going back and forth and is written in order of the days – some parts are time stamped too. It is also split into three sections. Lighting the Fuse, Ignition, and Fallout.
The first section and a few chapters into section two are quite slow as the story builds. I will admit to finding the beginning hard going at times as there are a lot of characters to remember, and the plot to kill millions was just beginning to be initiated. At some point in section two the pace suddenly picks up and the tension builds. This is when the excitement started.
The whole revenge and how it was sought is a real eye-opener, especially since it is something you could see some madman (or woman) trying to pull off. I’m not sure I like Paul NcNeive giving these people ideas!!
This is a thriller that will speak to people internationally with its terrorist theme. The book is certainly hard-hitting and had me hooked. It is alarming at times and I hope to never witness anything like the plot in real life.
May 12, 2018
Full praise to Paul McNeive becoming an author after losing both his legs, proves to anyone want to be a writer out there don't let anything stand in your way, you can become an author too. Author Paul McNeive lost his legs in a fire aged 2O and his life-changing experience and what happened to him on his road to recovery inform his debut novel. A very sad beginning Tom Ferenee had just triggered disaster by bombing. New York City is under attack. Millions may die. The enemy's weapons are invisible, undetectable and creating terror at lightning speed. Nothing can stand in their way. With the bomb that exploded sadly a five year old got badly hurt. Manhattan in the present a gunman pulled a gun out and killed a man. A lot more happens in this story. The terror in this novel is tense and nail biting. I recommend The Manhattan Project to fans of Andrew McNab, Chris Ryan and David Baldacci
May 20, 2019
Starting with the atomic bombing of Japan during the Second World War, a young survivor plans their revenge.
John Wyse is a Detective in the NYPD and meets Tsan at a party, but feels a bit unsettled by him…..
This has a realistic feel and is scary because of it…..we all know about how we virus’ are becoming resistant to antibiotics……so what if a deadly virus is released that there’s no effective treatment, because everyone has been exposed to antibiotics and then a virus is introduced deliberately ???..just how would we cope? A truly nightmarish possibility.
This is a fast paced book, and one to ponder, enjoy and tremble a little at Paul McNeive’s clever and creative writing….a thoroughly enjoyable, edge of your seat thriller.
Thank you to Black and White Publishing for a free copy of the book. This is my honest and unbiased review.
John Wyse is a Detective in the NYPD and meets Tsan at a party, but feels a bit unsettled by him…..
This has a realistic feel and is scary because of it…..we all know about how we virus’ are becoming resistant to antibiotics……so what if a deadly virus is released that there’s no effective treatment, because everyone has been exposed to antibiotics and then a virus is introduced deliberately ???..just how would we cope? A truly nightmarish possibility.
This is a fast paced book, and one to ponder, enjoy and tremble a little at Paul McNeive’s clever and creative writing….a thoroughly enjoyable, edge of your seat thriller.
Thank you to Black and White Publishing for a free copy of the book. This is my honest and unbiased review.
May 23, 2019
This book certainly creates a chill, particularly when you think of the potential for a real threat; the very modern and palpable theme of bio-terrorism lurking underneath this fictionalise account of a biological attack on the people of New York, is scary.
The narrative splits several times, from past to current and from different perspectives - both as we piece together the building threat, and from where the desire for revenge was born; the awful destruction of Hiroshima and the person who never forgot and would never stop seeking vengeance for their own devastating loss. In New York, a deflated NYPD cop, John Wyse becomes caught up in the plot to destroy and devastate, little does he know the trauma it will bring to his life as he gradually pulls pieces of the puzzle together.
The story was a little of a slow build, for me, and I did put it down for a while about half-way through; I'm glad I carried on as suddenly the narrative pace hurtles along and there are many nail-biting moments as we sprint towards the climax. It's a fascinating and scary story of human resistance to antibiotics and this fear is exploited to the maximum as the book's plot develops into a race to solve the medical dilemma and attempt to defeat it. There are some harrowing descriptions of the victims of this awful attack and the devastation it brings to families. Truly terrifying.
Overall a good book, with an array of characters, many serving the plot development (rather like an episode of Casualty, when you're watching people in their daily lives knowing that soon they're going to be injured or under threat). All the threads come together, built around the likeable John Wyse character and balanced with the terrorists' narratives interjecting throughout. Some moments of action and a surprise twist along the way make for some good reading.
A well-written, intelligently constructed thriller read; it stays within the boundaries of realism, which does make it ultimately all the more terrifying.
The narrative splits several times, from past to current and from different perspectives - both as we piece together the building threat, and from where the desire for revenge was born; the awful destruction of Hiroshima and the person who never forgot and would never stop seeking vengeance for their own devastating loss. In New York, a deflated NYPD cop, John Wyse becomes caught up in the plot to destroy and devastate, little does he know the trauma it will bring to his life as he gradually pulls pieces of the puzzle together.
The story was a little of a slow build, for me, and I did put it down for a while about half-way through; I'm glad I carried on as suddenly the narrative pace hurtles along and there are many nail-biting moments as we sprint towards the climax. It's a fascinating and scary story of human resistance to antibiotics and this fear is exploited to the maximum as the book's plot develops into a race to solve the medical dilemma and attempt to defeat it. There are some harrowing descriptions of the victims of this awful attack and the devastation it brings to families. Truly terrifying.
Overall a good book, with an array of characters, many serving the plot development (rather like an episode of Casualty, when you're watching people in their daily lives knowing that soon they're going to be injured or under threat). All the threads come together, built around the likeable John Wyse character and balanced with the terrorists' narratives interjecting throughout. Some moments of action and a surprise twist along the way make for some good reading.
A well-written, intelligently constructed thriller read; it stays within the boundaries of realism, which does make it ultimately all the more terrifying.
May 19, 2019
Review originally posted at A Reading Brit.
The Plot
The plot is what makes this book so damn good. It's a slow-burner at the start. You read a lot about them planning whatever they are going to do, and you read about it for a while before you even realise they're really planning to do anything. It's not 'til a good few chapters in that the plan is even mentioned. And what a plan it is. It's scarily believable. More terrifying than any horror I've ever read. It's so easy to see this happening in real life that it's disturbing. The build-up and planning we see is where this really excels. The author thought of every little thing, right down to getting people to open and close curtains in hospital wards. As the attack began to approach, the tension ramped up, until it hit boiling point. Once we reached that stage, I couldn't put it down, and read it straight through until I'd finished it.
The World
This is set in the modern-day real world. Within the first two chapters, you're dropped into a graphic description of children’s charred bodies, still swinging on their swings when the nuclear bomb was dropped on Hiroshima. This was eye-opening. I, of course, knew of Hiroshima, and what happened, but never considered it right down to your average family, on a human level. It was disturbing, as it should be, and I admit, it hooked me. After reading about those children, and imagining what must've been happening throughout the rest of the city, the need for revenge for the antagonist becomes a lot clearer. The novel is split between multiple different locations, but most of the time is spent in New York, where the whole plan for revenge is happening.
The Characters
John Wyse
The main protagonist in this. An NYPD detective, with an alcoholic partner, and a new girlfriend. He's not got the best, most amazing well-built personality out there, but I don't think this book is so much about the characters. It's more about the story and the warning. Despite that, John is interesting to read about as he begins to piece together what is happening in New York. I also enjoyed the fact he didn't really get his happily ever after. So often, these books can end with the main character walking away happy, partner on their arm, with no residual effects from whatever trauma they've been through. John doesn't get away that easy.
Tsan Yohoto
The antagonist. The big bad guy that came up with this whole plot to kill thousands of Americans using their own consumerism and obsession to both health-fads and fast food against them. His motives are clear, and his cold, calculating personality comes across well, and very creepily. He talks about annihilating Americans without the blink of an eye, and he does it well. I don't want to say much more, at the risk of spoilers, but this guy is a great antagonist, and probably the most well-developed and thought-out character in this book.
Would I read it again? If I want to be creeped out by antibiotic resistance, sure. I mean, it's re-readworthy, but I'm not sure the subject matter is something I want to think about too much!
Would I recommend it? Yes, for sure. I think it's a book that a lot of people could read, just as a lesson on finishing their course of antibiotics, and not insisting the doctor give them antibiotics to solve something that doesn't need it.
Is it going on my favourites shelf? Not quite. And it's not out of the fact the book isn't good, the book is amazing. I just prefer books with more focus on people, and characters, and this wasn't that.
The Plot
The plot is what makes this book so damn good. It's a slow-burner at the start. You read a lot about them planning whatever they are going to do, and you read about it for a while before you even realise they're really planning to do anything. It's not 'til a good few chapters in that the plan is even mentioned. And what a plan it is. It's scarily believable. More terrifying than any horror I've ever read. It's so easy to see this happening in real life that it's disturbing. The build-up and planning we see is where this really excels. The author thought of every little thing, right down to getting people to open and close curtains in hospital wards. As the attack began to approach, the tension ramped up, until it hit boiling point. Once we reached that stage, I couldn't put it down, and read it straight through until I'd finished it.
The World
This is set in the modern-day real world. Within the first two chapters, you're dropped into a graphic description of children’s charred bodies, still swinging on their swings when the nuclear bomb was dropped on Hiroshima. This was eye-opening. I, of course, knew of Hiroshima, and what happened, but never considered it right down to your average family, on a human level. It was disturbing, as it should be, and I admit, it hooked me. After reading about those children, and imagining what must've been happening throughout the rest of the city, the need for revenge for the antagonist becomes a lot clearer. The novel is split between multiple different locations, but most of the time is spent in New York, where the whole plan for revenge is happening.
The Characters
John Wyse
The main protagonist in this. An NYPD detective, with an alcoholic partner, and a new girlfriend. He's not got the best, most amazing well-built personality out there, but I don't think this book is so much about the characters. It's more about the story and the warning. Despite that, John is interesting to read about as he begins to piece together what is happening in New York. I also enjoyed the fact he didn't really get his happily ever after. So often, these books can end with the main character walking away happy, partner on their arm, with no residual effects from whatever trauma they've been through. John doesn't get away that easy.
Tsan Yohoto
The antagonist. The big bad guy that came up with this whole plot to kill thousands of Americans using their own consumerism and obsession to both health-fads and fast food against them. His motives are clear, and his cold, calculating personality comes across well, and very creepily. He talks about annihilating Americans without the blink of an eye, and he does it well. I don't want to say much more, at the risk of spoilers, but this guy is a great antagonist, and probably the most well-developed and thought-out character in this book.
Would I read it again? If I want to be creeped out by antibiotic resistance, sure. I mean, it's re-readworthy, but I'm not sure the subject matter is something I want to think about too much!
Would I recommend it? Yes, for sure. I think it's a book that a lot of people could read, just as a lesson on finishing their course of antibiotics, and not insisting the doctor give them antibiotics to solve something that doesn't need it.
Is it going on my favourites shelf? Not quite. And it's not out of the fact the book isn't good, the book is amazing. I just prefer books with more focus on people, and characters, and this wasn't that.
ARC gifted to me by the publisher, Black & White Publishing.
July 17, 2018
Book reviewed by Talia at www.readbetweenthescenes.com
Anyone who has studied any form of history should be familiar with the nuclear bombing of Japan by the United States during the Second World War. What Paul McNeive has done is create characters who have been affected by these events and while masquerading as pharmaceutical big wigs, they have been plotting their revenge.
The plot is disturbingly simple and ingenious, pulling on the post-modern phenomena of consumption which is seen in developed (predominantly Western) economies. By "market[ing] them to death" with the latest health fad, they will infiltrate the homes of millions and leave them susceptible to the next phase of their plan. The whole plan leaves a disturbing cast to thoughts about what we consume as a society, and where it ultimately comes from. While we may fear out-and-loud incidents such as bombs and gun-attacks, it could be beneficial to pause and look at the companies behind the projects we ingest to improve our lives.
John Wyse is a NYPD Detective who meets Tsan Yohoto at a dinner part yin New York. As his girlfriend, Anna, works on the marketing campaign for the new pharmaceutical he has an uneasy feeling about Tsan but cannot detect why. John and Anna's relationship is a pleasant romantic element woven through the narrative which helps to alleviate some of the tension which has been created, although their story isn't as simple as it first appears. There are numerous other stories also used to illustrate the hardships of life and how easy it could potentially be to infiltrate these families.
McNeive has created a nightmare scenario which draws on real threats that we see today. The growing ineffectiveness of antibiotics is a real threat in today's society. All it takes is one virus which is resistant to antibiotics to have a devastating effect on society. This book has several thought provoking ideologies throughout, while having a tense atmosphere as the Detective looks for the answers.
I really enjoyed this book; it is tense; and it draws on real-world concerns which should be thought about. The characters have real concerns, they aren't dreamily written but are gritty. There are so many threads that are slowly pulled together as the book continues which creates a beautifully constructed story. Well worth a read over the summer.
Anyone who has studied any form of history should be familiar with the nuclear bombing of Japan by the United States during the Second World War. What Paul McNeive has done is create characters who have been affected by these events and while masquerading as pharmaceutical big wigs, they have been plotting their revenge.
The plot is disturbingly simple and ingenious, pulling on the post-modern phenomena of consumption which is seen in developed (predominantly Western) economies. By "market[ing] them to death" with the latest health fad, they will infiltrate the homes of millions and leave them susceptible to the next phase of their plan. The whole plan leaves a disturbing cast to thoughts about what we consume as a society, and where it ultimately comes from. While we may fear out-and-loud incidents such as bombs and gun-attacks, it could be beneficial to pause and look at the companies behind the projects we ingest to improve our lives.
John Wyse is a NYPD Detective who meets Tsan Yohoto at a dinner part yin New York. As his girlfriend, Anna, works on the marketing campaign for the new pharmaceutical he has an uneasy feeling about Tsan but cannot detect why. John and Anna's relationship is a pleasant romantic element woven through the narrative which helps to alleviate some of the tension which has been created, although their story isn't as simple as it first appears. There are numerous other stories also used to illustrate the hardships of life and how easy it could potentially be to infiltrate these families.
McNeive has created a nightmare scenario which draws on real threats that we see today. The growing ineffectiveness of antibiotics is a real threat in today's society. All it takes is one virus which is resistant to antibiotics to have a devastating effect on society. This book has several thought provoking ideologies throughout, while having a tense atmosphere as the Detective looks for the answers.
I really enjoyed this book; it is tense; and it draws on real-world concerns which should be thought about. The characters have real concerns, they aren't dreamily written but are gritty. There are so many threads that are slowly pulled together as the book continues which creates a beautifully constructed story. Well worth a read over the summer.
August 23, 2019
Wie der Klappentext schon verrät, handelt es sich nicht um einen klassischen Thriller mit einem Mörder und einem Ermittler. Trotzdem muss ich sagen, dass dies der Spannung keinen Abbruch tut und mich der Buch richtig fesseln konnte.
Allerdings nicht von Anfang an. Denn hier werden erstmal die verschiedenen Personen vorgestellt, die Schauplätze wechseln ziemlich schnell und dadurch war es schwer, die jeweilige Handlung in den Gesamtkontext einzuordnen. Außerdem hatte ich zu Beginn einige Probleme mit den japanischen und arabischen Namen, sodass ich manchmal überlegen musste, wer die Personen denn nochmal war.
Meine anfänglichen Schwierigkeiten haben sich aber mit jeder Seite mehr gegeben. Schnell wurde klar, welche Protagonisten im Mittelpunkt stehen und wie die unterschiedlichen Handlungsstränge zusammengehören. Von da an konnte ich das Buch auch nicht mehr aus der Hand legen.
Das lag vor allem daran, dass alles sehr realitätsnah war. Ich hatte das Gefühl, wenn jemand wirklich so etwas tun wollen würde und das nötige Kleingeld hat, könnte es wirklich passieren. Sehr erschreckend! Überhaupt habe ich durch dieses Buch etwas das Vertrauen in Mediziner, Medikamente und die dazugehörigen Studien verloren, denn solange der Rubel rollt, scheint alles möglich zu sein. Ich kann nur hoffen, dass in Wirklichkeit nicht so einfach ist, Ärzte dazu zu bringen, unnötige Medikamente zu verschreiben - zumindest in Deutschland. Aber auch hier wird ja viel Antibiotika verschrieben, was sicher sinnvoll ist, aber auch die Resistenz fördert. Man macht sich wirklich Gedanken, was für mich bei einem guten Buch dazugehört.
Etwas gestört hat mich, dass es das klassische Schema "schwarz/weiß", die "Guten" und die "Bösen" gibt und das die Amerikaner natürlich diejenigen sind, denen Unrecht getan wird. Einige Figuren waren zwar nicht diesen zwei Gruppen zuzuordnen, da sie nicht hinter dem Terroranschlag standen, aber trotzdem mitgemischt haben. Leider hatten sie meines Erachtens zu wenig Raum.
Insgesamt hat mir das Buch aber richtig gut gefallen und Gänsehaut beschert. Wenn man erstmal in der Geschichte drin ist, legt man es so schnell nicht mehr aus der Hand. Von mir gibt es deswegen 4 Sterne.
Allerdings nicht von Anfang an. Denn hier werden erstmal die verschiedenen Personen vorgestellt, die Schauplätze wechseln ziemlich schnell und dadurch war es schwer, die jeweilige Handlung in den Gesamtkontext einzuordnen. Außerdem hatte ich zu Beginn einige Probleme mit den japanischen und arabischen Namen, sodass ich manchmal überlegen musste, wer die Personen denn nochmal war.
Meine anfänglichen Schwierigkeiten haben sich aber mit jeder Seite mehr gegeben. Schnell wurde klar, welche Protagonisten im Mittelpunkt stehen und wie die unterschiedlichen Handlungsstränge zusammengehören. Von da an konnte ich das Buch auch nicht mehr aus der Hand legen.
Das lag vor allem daran, dass alles sehr realitätsnah war. Ich hatte das Gefühl, wenn jemand wirklich so etwas tun wollen würde und das nötige Kleingeld hat, könnte es wirklich passieren. Sehr erschreckend! Überhaupt habe ich durch dieses Buch etwas das Vertrauen in Mediziner, Medikamente und die dazugehörigen Studien verloren, denn solange der Rubel rollt, scheint alles möglich zu sein. Ich kann nur hoffen, dass in Wirklichkeit nicht so einfach ist, Ärzte dazu zu bringen, unnötige Medikamente zu verschreiben - zumindest in Deutschland. Aber auch hier wird ja viel Antibiotika verschrieben, was sicher sinnvoll ist, aber auch die Resistenz fördert. Man macht sich wirklich Gedanken, was für mich bei einem guten Buch dazugehört.
Etwas gestört hat mich, dass es das klassische Schema "schwarz/weiß", die "Guten" und die "Bösen" gibt und das die Amerikaner natürlich diejenigen sind, denen Unrecht getan wird. Einige Figuren waren zwar nicht diesen zwei Gruppen zuzuordnen, da sie nicht hinter dem Terroranschlag standen, aber trotzdem mitgemischt haben. Leider hatten sie meines Erachtens zu wenig Raum.
Insgesamt hat mir das Buch aber richtig gut gefallen und Gänsehaut beschert. Wenn man erstmal in der Geschichte drin ist, legt man es so schnell nicht mehr aus der Hand. Von mir gibt es deswegen 4 Sterne.
May 10, 2018
(I received a free copy of this book for review. My full review is here:
http://writerinawheelchair.co.uk/2018...)
I wasn’t sure if I was going to like this book. It sounded like my sort of book but whilst I love a thriller I hate horror and I wasn’t sure if it would be too close to horror for me. In fact it was basically the perfect thriller. It had a creepy feel that I loved and kept me guessing the whole time I was reading.
Paul McNeive has taken an event most people have heard of, a cast of interesting characters and a very real threat that in the real world is known but perhaps not taken as seriously as it should be and created an amazing tale. It’s completely plausible that some variant of what happens in the book could actually happen and that just added to the tension I felt as I read it because that’s a scary idea.
This was genuinely a book that was hard to put down and of all the books I’ve blogged abut so far this year is probably the one I’d recommend the most. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about The Manhattan Project and more specifically the issues raised by it since I finished it.
http://writerinawheelchair.co.uk/2018...)
I wasn’t sure if I was going to like this book. It sounded like my sort of book but whilst I love a thriller I hate horror and I wasn’t sure if it would be too close to horror for me. In fact it was basically the perfect thriller. It had a creepy feel that I loved and kept me guessing the whole time I was reading.
Paul McNeive has taken an event most people have heard of, a cast of interesting characters and a very real threat that in the real world is known but perhaps not taken as seriously as it should be and created an amazing tale. It’s completely plausible that some variant of what happens in the book could actually happen and that just added to the tension I felt as I read it because that’s a scary idea.
This was genuinely a book that was hard to put down and of all the books I’ve blogged abut so far this year is probably the one I’d recommend the most. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about The Manhattan Project and more specifically the issues raised by it since I finished it.
June 21, 2024
Bioterrorism.Real. Invisible. Devastating.And it's taking New York by storm.With its insatiable hunger for fast food, easy fixes and life lived at breakneck speed, the city that never sleeps is hurtling towards disaster. Now John Wyse, an ordinary New York cop, looks set to be the only person who can thwart catastrophe on an apocalyptic scale ...New York City is under attack. Millions may die. But the enemy's weapons are invisible, undetectable and creating terror at lightning speed. Now, there's nothing to stand in their way ...A Hiroshima survivor turned criminal mastermindA pharma industry riddled with corruptionA Libyan entrepreneur coerced by threats to his familyA New York cop falling fast for an elusive beautyA visitor to Tokyo from the mountains of AfghanistanOne terrible desire for revenge connects them all. With the clock ticking on an audacious, devastating plot to bring America to its knees, can anyone save New York from catastroph
May 14, 2023
Well, this was a very good read. I was a little unsure to start with but the storyline was gripping and credible (maybe farfetched in places, but that's what fiction is all about). The characters were well-written and I'm pleased to see there's another book featuring Wyse. I'm not familiar with the advertising of pharmaceuticals in the USA but if it's anything like what's portrayed in this book, Americans need to wise up! The power of marketing and sell 'em cheap portrayed right here. Great work!
August 28, 2020
This is a terrifying book, bringing home just how much danger the human race is in from itself.
All the characters are sympathetic, from Tsan Yomoto as a survivor of the nuclear bomb in Japan, to John Wyse, a copy who want something more from life and thinks he has found it, to the President who has only a bit part in the story.
Obesity, misuse of pharmaceuticals, terrorism all play their part in the well-crafted story.
Read and enjoy
All the characters are sympathetic, from Tsan Yomoto as a survivor of the nuclear bomb in Japan, to John Wyse, a copy who want something more from life and thinks he has found it, to the President who has only a bit part in the story.
Obesity, misuse of pharmaceuticals, terrorism all play their part in the well-crafted story.
Read and enjoy
May 23, 2018
With thanks to the publisher for the copy received.The prologue for this book was one that sent the hairs up on the back of my neck. Powerful, terrifying and a feeling that those who carried out the attack would carry the guilt for the rest of their lives. The events that happened in these few pages was the reasoning behind the revenge attacks many years later.
We all hear how the overuse of antibiotics is a risk on the news, but the events that happen in this book is one I had never considered. That the overuse could be a method of terrorism.
It isn’t a fast paced novel, much of it concerns getting the antibiotic and the later alternative into the system. This is lengthy process and the amount of New Yorkers who are unknowing users is staggering and worryingly believable. Many methods are used, including different types of advertising.
Whilst it is fiction, the overuse of antibiotics isn’t and the author does demonstrate very well the danger that could happen. Hopefully with not the same numbers but it does leave you a little fearful.
There were probably more characters to dislike than like. Revenge, greed and betrayal all leave a sour taste in the mouth.
We all hear how the overuse of antibiotics is a risk on the news, but the events that happen in this book is one I had never considered. That the overuse could be a method of terrorism.
It isn’t a fast paced novel, much of it concerns getting the antibiotic and the later alternative into the system. This is lengthy process and the amount of New Yorkers who are unknowing users is staggering and worryingly believable. Many methods are used, including different types of advertising.
Whilst it is fiction, the overuse of antibiotics isn’t and the author does demonstrate very well the danger that could happen. Hopefully with not the same numbers but it does leave you a little fearful.
There were probably more characters to dislike than like. Revenge, greed and betrayal all leave a sour taste in the mouth.
September 22, 2018
A little slow going but utterly terrifying
Found this a little slow going at the start but once it did get going a few through it and couldn't put it down. He really details how reliant we are on antibiotics and the danger this poses in the not so distant future. It is brilliantly written and a fantastic debut
Found this a little slow going at the start but once it did get going a few through it and couldn't put it down. He really details how reliant we are on antibiotics and the danger this poses in the not so distant future. It is brilliantly written and a fantastic debut
June 28, 2021
Decent story well told. Perhaps a bit far fetched in some places. However, it was great to see the important message about antibiotic resistance - a ticking time bomb way worse than any pandemic in my humble opinion - woven in so well to a popular thriller like this. And the insight into the efforts made to market and sell prescription drugs is great, although very worrying!
July 29, 2018
Very telling story and really explains the thinking during the end of WW2.
September 21, 2018
Really good story I just found the end was a little rushed but I look forward to his next one
December 5, 2018
Great storyline....
August 8, 2021
Disappointing
November 13, 2023
Realistic plot which made it terrifying and a page turner
December 29, 2019
Solid debut novel. Starting with a wonderfully written blurb, which both drew me in and very representative of the book to follow, the scene was laid out perfectly in the first couple of chapters before the plot moves to Manhattan in the present day. There is some time-jumping, which I sometimes struggle to keep up with, but the way in which this was presented was easy to follow and there was a good overarching logic to follow throughout. Slowly eases out of the blocks as the author gradually introduces the main characters, but once the pace starts it doesn’t really ever cease until the last chapter. The twist at the end was a bonus – I didn’t see that one coming! McNeive does an incredible job of keeping some degree of emotion in the storytelling (I really felt for the doctor who lost his entire family), while conveying the brutality of the terrorist mindset (in all fairness, the BurgerFantastic owner seemed absolutely terrified for most of the book, it was really difficult to blame him although essentially he almost single-handedly facilitated all the chaos) and there was a good underlying discussion of antibiotic resistance and the dangers of overuse. I thought the curtain swishing bit was a bit far-fetched but that is quite literally my only qualm… and in the last chapter I sort of understand why it was needed in the plot, and although there are many other ways of getting to Anna I suppose this was the easiest to keep under the hood for most of the book.
Will definitely be looking out for more from this author (I understand from his profile that he doesn’t write full-time and currently this is his only work of fiction). 5 stars.
Will definitely be looking out for more from this author (I understand from his profile that he doesn’t write full-time and currently this is his only work of fiction). 5 stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 2, 2019
Really enjoyed this book. A good thriller with a decent story that had good science behind it. Also found it funny that one point the book asked me how I was "hi Damian how are ye" was what I read while reading on the tube. I had to reply to the book I am fine thanks.
July 28, 2019
middle school level trash
March 2, 2023
Great read. Very plausible thriller about a scheme to spread E. coli through Manhattan having first created antibiotic immunity in the population. Would make a great movie
July 21, 2018
Thankyou to NetGalley, Black and White Publishing and Paul McNeive for the opportunity to read The Manhattan Project.
This is a debut novel from this author. The description promised a lot, and it definitely delivered. The plot was well thought out and fast paced.. I was glued to my chair through the night to read this book. It was so good, I don't mind being tired today.
Would definitely recommend this book. I, for one, look forward to reading more from this author.
This is a debut novel from this author. The description promised a lot, and it definitely delivered. The plot was well thought out and fast paced.. I was glued to my chair through the night to read this book. It was so good, I don't mind being tired today.
Would definitely recommend this book. I, for one, look forward to reading more from this author.
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