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SOYUZ: The Final Flight
When a disgruntled astronaut decides to get revenge, all hell breaks loose! By the time the final flight of the Russian space capsule Soyuz docks at the International Space Station, Derek Johnson -- one of its passengers and the oldest astronaut to fly in space -- is sick with a severe case of food poisoning that does not respond to antibiotics, and he soon dies. Recruited to assist NASA's medical team, Dr. Bob Kramer, a forensic toxicologist and expert witness, concludes that Johnson's death was caused by a mutated form of Campylobacter jejuni bacteria that is not normally found in nature. In "SOYUZ: The Final Flight" -- a captivating, page-turning, science-fiction thriller -- space exploration, mental illness, and forensic toxicology collide at the intersection of good and evil as Kramer unravels the cause of a mysterious incident and suspicious deaths aboard the International Space Station.
Unknown Binding
First published January 1, 1985
9 people are currently reading
27 people want to read
About the author
Harry A. Milman
7 books18 followersHarry A. Milman, PhD is the author of three bestselling forensics books -- (1) "FORENSICS: The Science Behind the Deaths of Famous People," a 2021 Readers' Favorite Finalist in the Non-Fiction, Health - Medical genre; (2) "FORENSICS II: The Science Behind the Deaths of Famous and Infamous People;" and (3) "FORENSICS III: They Got Fifteen Minutes of Fame from the Way They Died," as well as two award-winning mystery novels—"A Death at Camp David," winner of the Best Mystery Novel in the 2018 Book Talk Radio Club Awards, and the space exploration thriller "SOYUZ: The Final Flight," a finalist for Best Second Novel in the 2018 Next Generation Indie Book Awards and a finalist for Best Science Fiction Novel in the 2018 Book Talk Radio Club Awards. As a pharmacologist, toxicologist, and cancer expert with over fifty years of experience at ToxNetwork.com, the US Environmental Protection Agency, the US National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health, and the US Public Health Service. Dr. Milman has testified at trials and depositions and has assisted law firms for nearly twenty-five years as an Expert Witness in over three hundred and fifty civil, criminal, and high-profile legal cases. In addition, Dr. Milman has authored over seventy scientific articles and has edited five science books. Often quoted in newspapers and magazines, Dr. Milman appeared as a toxicology expert on the History Channel, the Oxygen Channel, TV and radio news programs, true-crime television shows, and in numerous podcasts.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
October 14, 2019
Reading the description of the book talks about the death of an astronaut at the hands of a disgruntled astronaut. This was a major spoiler since the details articulated in the book's description take the majority of the book to realize. The fact that a disgruntled astronaut is the cause is revealed around the middle of the book. The book would have been much better had the book's description been left all the plot details out.
The second book in which Dr. Kramer is featured, the book's taunts us to follow "as Kramer unravels the cause of a mysterious incident and suspicious deaths aboard the International Space Station". Kramer's contribution to the case is lame at best, although he does hire a private detective who seems able to get to the bottom of things. Instead, most of our exposure to Kramer is in watching him live out his fantasy as a James Bond - sans the danger or excitement - while having sex with his flight-attendant girlfriend at every opportunity.
The Science Fiction aspects added a different twist to an otherwise ho-hum whodunit. Some of the elements were predictable and others downright unrealistic .
Overall, the book wasn't bad, even it most of the story was told in the book's description. It was not good enough, however to compel me to read the first Dr. Kramer book.
The second book in which Dr. Kramer is featured, the book's taunts us to follow "as Kramer unravels the cause of a mysterious incident and suspicious deaths aboard the International Space Station". Kramer's contribution to the case is lame at best, although he does hire a private detective who seems able to get to the bottom of things. Instead, most of our exposure to Kramer is in watching him live out his fantasy as a James Bond - sans the danger or excitement - while having sex with his flight-attendant girlfriend at every opportunity.
The Science Fiction aspects added a different twist to an otherwise ho-hum whodunit. Some of the elements were predictable and others downright unrealistic .
Overall, the book wasn't bad, even it most of the story was told in the book's description. It was not good enough, however to compel me to read the first Dr. Kramer book.
June 29, 2019
After a revision, this second edition has emerged as a very fine story that is striking as well as compelling.
Having read the first book by this author that contained the same main character, Dr. Bob Kramer, I was interested to see how he would continue. While I found Dr. Kramer a little irritating in A Death At Camp David, in this book, he was more amusing. Anyone who orders their martini shaken not stirred can’t be that bad!
The mesh of the plot was well developed and kept this reader on their toes. With a little misdirection and distractions thrown in, it’s a fun read with a solid foundation.
Having read the first book by this author that contained the same main character, Dr. Bob Kramer, I was interested to see how he would continue. While I found Dr. Kramer a little irritating in A Death At Camp David, in this book, he was more amusing. Anyone who orders their martini shaken not stirred can’t be that bad!
The mesh of the plot was well developed and kept this reader on their toes. With a little misdirection and distractions thrown in, it’s a fun read with a solid foundation.
March 4, 2018
Milman takes his background and experience in toxicology and weaves it into a sci-fi, "white knuckles" space thriller that could very well happen. The reader is kept captivated to the last page as each chapter brings new and unexpected events that slowly build to a crescendo, terminating in a big surprise ending. The book has all the elements that are currently in the news--Russia, space exploration and terrorism--making the story very believable and enjoyable. The book would easily make a visually satisfying space adventure film that could easily rival "The Martian."
April 29, 2018
Met the author in a nearby bookstore and thought I would be a “good egg” and support a local author. Found the dialog stilted and the writing somewhat juvenile. Truly was disappointed and must admit it was a chore even getting through the first few chapters. Curious who edited the book as I suspect this avid reader would have bloodied the pages with much red ink. I read all genres and am open minded to a good story. Suspect this is a writer whose friends are too afraid to be honest about the writing style and ability.
July 28, 2025
Soyuz: The Final Flight is a gripping blend of science fiction, medical mystery, and space drama. Dr. Milman’s expertise in toxicology shines through every page, making the story feel both thrilling and believable. The plot is fast-paced, the science is solid, and the suspense keeps you hooked. A must-read for fans of intelligent thrillers!
January 3, 2018
What an interesting premise, murder and intrigue aboard the space station!
A very well written and researched book, I thoroughly enjoyed it and recommend it to all.
A very well written and researched book, I thoroughly enjoyed it and recommend it to all.
March 1, 2018
Pretty terrible. I finally quit after about 20 chapters. I was suckered in by the cover.
September 28, 2019
No way NASA would do such a bad job vetting astronauts....
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 13, 2019
Enjoyed, though the author seemed to but a lot of words towards minute details that while occasionally interesting, was just filler. RC Bray always great.
December 18, 2019
Not much of a sci-fi story, but it's a intresting story non the less, with intresting techincal challenges. A delight for people who like hard-sci-fi.
Currently reading
October 17, 2023Page 55
the old astronaut has food poisoning
the old astronaut has food poisoning
December 31, 2019
As an avid space enthusiast, I was drawn to this novel. The fact that it is narrated by my favorite narrator, R.C. Bray, is how I stumbled across it.
This was a fun listen and I thoroughly enjoyed the science behind the different scenarios and situations. The only complaint I have is that the ending felt a bit rushed even though it fit in with the rest of the storyline.
It was also great to meet this author at Fort Meade a few weeks back when I recognized his book cover.
A solid 4/5
This was a fun listen and I thoroughly enjoyed the science behind the different scenarios and situations. The only complaint I have is that the ending felt a bit rushed even though it fit in with the rest of the storyline.
It was also great to meet this author at Fort Meade a few weeks back when I recognized his book cover.
A solid 4/5
November 5, 2020
- FINALIST for BEST SCIENCE FICTION NOVEL in the 2018 BOOK TALK RADIO CLUB AWARDS.
- FINALIST for BEST SECOND NOVEL in the 2018 NEXT GENERATION INDIE BOOK AWARDS.
If you liked "The Martian", you will LOVE "SOYUZ: The Final Flight". The plot is based on today's headlines so it is very believable and could very well happen. The characters are down-to-earth and easily relatable. Unlike "The Martian" where the science was botany, in "SOYUZ: The Final Flight" the science is toxicology. This fast paced, page-turning novel will keep you captivated until the last page. According to one reviewer, "SOYUZ: The Final Flight" is "by far, the best book I've read all year!"
- FINALIST for BEST SECOND NOVEL in the 2018 NEXT GENERATION INDIE BOOK AWARDS.
If you liked "The Martian", you will LOVE "SOYUZ: The Final Flight". The plot is based on today's headlines so it is very believable and could very well happen. The characters are down-to-earth and easily relatable. Unlike "The Martian" where the science was botany, in "SOYUZ: The Final Flight" the science is toxicology. This fast paced, page-turning novel will keep you captivated until the last page. According to one reviewer, "SOYUZ: The Final Flight" is "by far, the best book I've read all year!"
July 24, 2018
Out of the world intrigue. Soyuz, The Final Flight is not only a compelling murder mystery with a surprise rationale behind it, it takes you on a journey to the International Space Station. What could be better. The characters are strong and the plot is solid. Mystery buffs will love this book.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews