Sequence

Dr. Alexandra Blake #1

by Lori Andrews

Dr. Alexandra Blake's new job puts her at the forefront of her industry. As a geneticist at the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology in Washington, D.C., Alex is charged with finding a vaccine against bioterrorism. But the institute's new director, bitter over losing a bid to head the FBI, decides to refocus the institute toward crime solving. Soon Alex is forced to put her research on hold and cover forensics on a gruesome series of murders.


Across the country, women near military bases are turning up dead, their corpses covered in strange tattoos. The more Alex studies the case, the more disturbing questions she has about the killer's motives. And when a new headline-making murder strikes particularly close to home, suddenly everyone around Alex--her boss, the Feds, even her congressman boyfriend--becomes suspect. Now it's up to her to succeed where forensics fail, and Alex will risk everything to trace the enemy…or die trying.

Genres: Mystery, Thriller, Fiction

336 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published June 13, 2006

About the author

Lori Andrews is a law professor, a public interest lawyer and mystery novelist. She’s taught at Princeton, written for a television legal drama, and advised governments around the world about emerging technologies. Her mystery IMMUNITY (released as an ebook April 28, 2020) involves a pandemic during a presidential election. www.immunityanovel.com

Lori started her consumer activism when she was seven and her Ken doll went bald. Her letter to Mattel got action. She’s been fighting for people’s rights ever since.

A professor of law at Chicago-Kent College of Law, Lori frequently appears on television, including on Oprah, 60 Minutes, Good Morning America, and Nightline. The American Bar Association Journal calls her “a lawyer with a literary bent who has the scientific chops to rival any CSI investigator.”

Reviews

[Belinda Vlasbaard · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 sterren - Nederlandse paperback

Recensie volgt later.

[Susan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought that this book was going to be about the science of viruses and using modern gene technology to solve a serious virus pandemic. However the virus research part of the story was just an aside. It turned out that solving the mystery of the Spanish Flu pandemic was just an everyday occurrence for such a talented scientist/doctor. The story was really about murder and this die-hard geneticist soon becomes the only one in the book able to solve, not one, but actually two murder mysteries. One of which was a serial killer. And for some reason (not clear), she decides that there is really no need to work together as a "team player" because being a "civilian" allowed her to do whatever she damn well wanted to do. So of course, she decides to attempt to capture both killers single-handedly. Why get her trained colleagues involved, they might screw things up with their tactical protocol. It would be much better to just wing it and hope for the best (curly blond locks blowing in the wind). And then fill in the gaps with a few sex scenes, a few comments about her clothing and (to further add to her likeability I guess) throw in a sad past about her father dying in the war when she was 5. As you can imagine, this was a truly believable story ..... NOT. But if you like "cheesy" ..... need I say more.

[Bethany · Rating 1 out of 5]

Dr. Lori Andrews is a top-notch lawyer and biotechnology expert, who has a high profile because of her involvement in the government as regards genetics and things of that sort. She has written several non-fiction books that look quite interesting; Sequence is her first foray into the world of the novel. In it, a serial killer murders women near or on military bases in a seemingly random - but naturally not - pattern and Alexandra Blake, a fictional top-notch biotechnology expert, must use her wits, skills, and knowledge of genetics to track the killer down.

While the premise is engaging, the book itself is not. It could be that Andrews has not figured out yet how to write a novel, or that I felt talked down to because of her attempts to dumb down the science for the average consumer. Mostly, Sequence is just awkward. Hopefully with her second novel, Andrews will come into her own. Pick up a different book than this one.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book interesting, as it had some historical fiction mixed with modern murder mystery with some romance and political dealings mixed in. I didn't find it too heavy on the romance to deter me from reading it. Since the book went in a lot of different directions with story details, it was interesting enough to distract me from some of the more predictable portions of the murder mystery that I saw coming from a long way off.

[eq · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read this over the weekend and still managed to watch all of season 2 of 30Rock. Lame? I know. But so is this book.

Out of the entire investigation team, the GENETIST solves the serial killer murder. Really? Really?!

The dialogue was corny, the situation improbable, and the writing was lousy.

Give me a Janet Evanovich any day.

[JTomala · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book. It kept my interest all the way through. I am a crime novel reader and the profiling and DNA interested me a lot.

[Sandie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dr. Alexandra Blake is working on the origins of the 1918 Spanish Flu that killed thousands all over the world. She is a genetic scientist working for the government at an agency called AFIP (Armed Forces Institute of Pathology). But things are about to change. The Institute has just gotten a new Director and he is a colonel and definitely military all the way through. Alex has been used to working in the lab without much oversight and doing things her own way.

But the new Director, Jack Wiatt, has other plans. He wanted the FBI and will do anything he can to find a way to get that assignment. He has started by getting a serial killer case assigned to the AFIP and taken away from the FBI since one of the victims was military. Alex is appalled. She loves working on the DNA of diseases and finding vaccines but has no interest in using DNA to catch criminals. But Wiatt could care less what Alex wants and the case is soon under investigation by a team.

Alex is a free spirit especially in her personal life. She is balancing two men, a musician who comes and goes and a Senator who seems interested but maybe not as much as he is interested in politics. As she grudgingly works on the criminal case, she finds her scientific mind engaged and she becomes interested. The killer is striking every eighteen to twenty days. Can the team find him before he strikes again?

I enjoyed this book. Alex is an interesting character and a good role model for young women interested in following their dreams. But I'm not sure it should be advertised as a murder mystery. The criminal aspect seems to be in the background most of the time and the emphasis is placed more on the political maneuverings of a government agency and on Alex's love life. This is the first in a series and I'd be interested in reading more to see if the cases become more criminal. This book is recommended for mystery readers.

[Brook Kleppetsch · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sequence was a ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️.5 read for me. It was a gripping, crime-lover’s cup of tea....once I got into it around page 100.

Dr. Alexandra Blake is a feisty, brilliant, accomplished geneticist who gets roped into solving a series of brutal murders. At first, she detests her precious time being taken away from her real work; developing vaccines. However, once her boyfriend becomes a prime suspect, everything changes.

What I didn’t like:
As I mentioned, this was a slow burn if I ever read one. It felt like it took forever for me to get past the background and all the introductions.
I didn’t love how the romance part of the book ended. I just didn’t like who she picked, I guess. Maybe with more romantic parts throughout I could have been more invested in her choice 🤷‍♀️

What I DID like

The characters were well-developed and very likable. They each had strong personalities and a lot of feeling and background to them.
There were several twists and turns in the plot to keep me wanting more.
Having 2 mysteries at once and watching them unfold and seeing the connections was really neat!!

[Priscilla Del Gesso · Rating 1 out of 5]

I CAN'T READ THIS BOOK. I 'VE READ TO PAGE 15, AND ITS JUST NOT INTERESTERING. I DON'T CARE ABOUT THIS WOMEN. I CAN'T PICK UP THE BOOK TO READ IT.

[Ivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found "Sequence" a great novel. I first started reading the Sequence Trilogy (that's what I call it, as Sequence is the first book in the series and the trilogy doesn't seem well-known enough to have an official name) when I bought "Immunity"--the last book in the trilogy-- at a local bookstore. Dr. Alexandra Blake, the protagonist, became one of my favorite fictional characters. She's very smart, tough but fragile, and gets to be around some seriously awesome gadgets. The DNA computer was pretty cool. I wish I had one of those.

The trilogy centers on Alex, a geneticist working at the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology. Although she's in the medical field, Alex does get to take part in some thrilling cases. The case in "Sequence" seems more fitting for investigators such as Nikki Heat or Aaron Hotchner and their respective teams. The cases in the next two books are much more suited for someone in the protagonist's position. In this first novel, Alex is forced to work on crime solving instead of medical and forensics work because the AFIP's new boss has ambitions to lead the FBI. Initially reluctant, Alex eventually begins gaining a stronger desire to solve the case, especially when even those close to her become suspects.

The Sequence Trilogy is so good, I'm amazed that it's not very well known and that there aren't any movies based on it yet. Talking about movies, sometimes when I read a novel I associate certain characters with movie stars that would fit the role. For some reason, I always visualize Alex Blake as Amber Heard. I think Amber would fit the role just about perfectly if she were cast as Alex.

If you like whodunits and suspense novels with some science and technology thrown in, I recommend the Sequence Trilogy. It is, alas, not available on the Kindle, so you'll have to make do with purchasing it in paperback or hardcover. I also admire Dr. Blake because she is what I hope to become in my field when I reach her age--an expert.

4.5 stars - A stunning page-turner!

[Barbara ★ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dr. Alex Blake is trying to find her place in the medical community. As a DNA specialist working for the US government, she is working on a serial killer case. The Tattoo Killer is indiscriminately viscously murdering women near military bases. Alex is instrumental in solving this case and "Rosie's Flu" as well as FBI director Devon's troubles. She's a great multi-tasker. LOL

The pace is a little slow with false leads, political intrigue and backstabbing (it does take place in DC) and even a little romance. I enjoyed the convoluted mystery and the process to solve it even when it got too technical. This is my first book by Lori Andrews but I've already added her next one - Silent Assassin to my books to read list.

[Tammy Lorah barette · Rating 2 out of 5]

For a nationally renowned expert on law and genetics, I am appalled at the author's descriptions of forensic science and crime scene applications in this novel. I cannot even excuse them as "just fiction" or "for entertainment only." Apparently, according to the actions described in this book, crime scene techs use "blue iridescent light" to find semen, UV light causes DNA to fluoresce, and plaster can be used to cast bite marks on human skin. If we are going to portray forensic sciences in works of fiction, is it too much to ask that the science portrayed is even a tiny bit accurate? Many authors in this genre go to great lengths to research and include factual scientific methods within the confines of a fictional story - and it works. This was just sad.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dr. Alexandra Blake is a cutting-edge geneticist at the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology in Washington, D.C.---charged with using her research into the genetics of viruses to find a vaccine against bioterrorism. Alex is forced to put her research on hold so she can cover forensics on a case involving a killer who murders women near military bases across the country and then tattoos their corpses. Another murder strikes closer to home for Alex and her colleagues---and her boyfriend, a congressman from Texas

It's an OK story, a little far-fetched in spots, but not bad. I'll read the next one in the series.

[Yofish · Rating 2 out of 5]

Murder mystery where I'm supposed to learn something about DNA analysis. I guess I did learn something, and it was OK when it stuck to that. But lord, way too much sex. The main character was supposed to be sympathetic, I guess, but I didn't like her taste in men, life, etc. I do not think the scientific life was captured well at all. And if all the genders had been reversed, we'd say it was misogynistic. (What's the right word here?) Author was Mom's 'mentor' in law school.

[Mary Havlovic · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dr. Alexandra Blake works as a geneticist at the AFIP in Washington, D.C. She is employed by the agency to help find a vaccine to fight bioterrorism. Alex has to put her research on hold to help solve murders that are falling under the AFIP's jurisdiction. Alex is determined to catch the killer by viewing the crime scnes, studying the evidence presented and trying to piece together the victims last waking moments.

[Kayel · Rating 3 out of 5]

another book I've read before... at least this one was long enough ago that I only remembered as it was happening, rather than expecting stuff to happen. OK enough. Alex was too under-developed as a character; like: every once in awhile you think to yourself "Is this the same person? Am I still reading the same book?" that was kind of lame. I also thought the science in this was a little out-dated, so I prob liked it better the first time 'round. the mystery was good tho

[Jenni Lathrop · Rating 1 out of 5]

Have this. Didn't bother to finish. Skimmed through. I usually love medical and science mysteries. But the main character was self-involved and the writing was terrible. Then add to this a branch of science that just isn't exciting enough to be the basis of a boiler-plate mystery. DNA sequencing of the Spanish Flu? Not so much. Good thing I got this book at a library sale!

[Ivy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was actually a pretty good novel even though I don't go for government conspiracy stuff. The characters were lovable and I honestly didn't know who the villain was until towards the end. That was a surprising twist as I read so much I can usually tell who's who in plot lines. I think I may pick up another one of hers if I think about it...

[Chris · Rating 1 out of 5]

I couldn't even finish this catastrophe. It's funny, because my neighbor said the same thing. And we don't even have the same tastes in books. But both agreed that this sucked. I don't think I've ever put a book down so quickly.

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first fiction book that famous Geneticist Lori Andrews has written, and it's good. It's easily readable, brings genetics down to as clear and concise a level as genetics can be. The plot is alright, the heroinea bit silly but nice. It's a good first mystery novel.

[Corky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lori Andrews is a new author for me. I really enjoyed this medical thirller and will read more by her. This one had just a different enough angle that I found it quite compelling.The information about DNA was fascinating and the protagonist Dr. Alexandra Blake is a very likeable character.

[Amy Rogers · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 star science thriller (top 50% of the genre). Some terrific, accurate use of forensic molecular biology as our doctor heroine tracks a serial killer and searches for love. For my full review, see ScienceThrillers.com

[Julia · Rating 1 out of 5]

In years gone by I might have enjoyed this but at this point in my life I'd rather read better books and watch this sort of thing on TV. It felt like I was reading "Bones" but was going to eat up way more than the 43 minutes an episode I was on that.

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was just OK. The characters were interesting, but nothing spectacular, and the mystery was not all that surprising. A good book to pass the time with, but not one I'd read over and over or really consider a must-read.

[jc wolfkill · Rating 2 out of 5]

You don't have to be a nationally renowned expert on law and genetics to write a book. This is an entertainment only read with some extraneous sex added to suppliment an mediocre plot.

[Mary Thomas]

a Dr. Alexandra Blake novel

[Eunira · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first book in the series

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

good, set in small village that isolates itself

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really good book. About genetics and DNA and how they were used to catch a serial killer. Alexandra finally comes to terms with her father's death and finds her way in life.

[Lisa Clark]

So far I love the main character, Alex; she's feisty and has a sense of humor but is a deep and believable character as well.