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Dr. Sean Nolan Mysteries #4
Virulence
Dr. Sean Nolan had never entertained the idea of becoming a part-time medical detective. His first venture had been an accidental inquiry. When the cancer deaths in his small-town practice began to rise, even claiming his own wife, he wanted to know why, and who was responsible. With no rule other than to find the truth, his unorthodox approach, occasionally stretching legal boundaries, proved an unstoppable force that left no unanswered questions.
His second investigative foray is no accident. Forty-seven people are dead in California from an outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease. The Center for Disease Control has not been able to locate the source. With the outbreak fading, they have been reassigned, but the CDC director has asked Dr. Nolan to take a second look. He has been given two weeks to find the key piece of evidence.
Utilizing his own unique methods, and an unlikely group of associates, the door he unlocks is not to a single mystery, but a complex web of secrets that affect thousands of lives. Unlocking the door is simple. Forcing it open is something quite different.
His second investigative foray is no accident. Forty-seven people are dead in California from an outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease. The Center for Disease Control has not been able to locate the source. With the outbreak fading, they have been reassigned, but the CDC director has asked Dr. Nolan to take a second look. He has been given two weeks to find the key piece of evidence.
Utilizing his own unique methods, and an unlikely group of associates, the door he unlocks is not to a single mystery, but a complex web of secrets that affect thousands of lives. Unlocking the door is simple. Forcing it open is something quite different.
304 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 10, 2021
5 people are currently reading
10 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
May 4, 2021
This story has it all: action, adventure, mystery, suspense, and even a bit of quirky humor and romance. This was a fast-paced read for me because I found the plot so plausible (which is actually really scary). Johnson manages to write medical information in laymen terms so you never feel like it is "over your head" or leaves you feeling "lost" in the narrative or dialogue which, by the way, is handled as deftly as any other seasoned writer's work. It's a fabulous combination of real life doctor using his medical knowledge to create a unique thriller that by all means also showcases his imagination and writing skills. Bravo, E. W. Johnson -- well done!
May 31, 2021
Watching a medical thriller in this era has, for me at least, reached a new level of tense. I always enjoyed the old tv shows where doctors would help solve mysteries, and was immediately intrigued by Dr. Nolan. The premise of a medical doctor taking on part-time work as a detective is believably presented and really sets the tone for a thrilling adventure. He is also immediately a sympathetic character as he is a single father with two children.
In Virulence, Nolan is hired by the Center for Disease Control to investigate an outbreak of Legionnaires Disease in California. E.W. Johnson infuses his extensive medical knowledge with a compelling story full of suspense, unexpected twists, moments of levity, and a protagonist that you really want to root for and identify with.
The medical jargon feels so vivid and realistic, and after the last year or so it feels even more relevant in a way. The ability to take the extensive knowledge of a given field and make it come to life for those who are not familiar with it without talking down or over-explaining is a rare gift, one that E.W. Johnson uses to great effect.
I did not read the first book in this series, but I didn’t feel at all lost; the previous story’s events are folded neatly into this one and sufficient light is shed so that the reader does not feel confused or lost. After enjoying this book so much, I’m likely going to return to the first and give it a read as well.
This is a deft and clever thriller with a satisfying conclusion, and I recommend it to anyone who enjoys medical thrillers or a good, solid detective story.
In Virulence, Nolan is hired by the Center for Disease Control to investigate an outbreak of Legionnaires Disease in California. E.W. Johnson infuses his extensive medical knowledge with a compelling story full of suspense, unexpected twists, moments of levity, and a protagonist that you really want to root for and identify with.
The medical jargon feels so vivid and realistic, and after the last year or so it feels even more relevant in a way. The ability to take the extensive knowledge of a given field and make it come to life for those who are not familiar with it without talking down or over-explaining is a rare gift, one that E.W. Johnson uses to great effect.
I did not read the first book in this series, but I didn’t feel at all lost; the previous story’s events are folded neatly into this one and sufficient light is shed so that the reader does not feel confused or lost. After enjoying this book so much, I’m likely going to return to the first and give it a read as well.
This is a deft and clever thriller with a satisfying conclusion, and I recommend it to anyone who enjoys medical thrillers or a good, solid detective story.
April 4, 2021
Medical Thrillers are quickly becoming my favorite book genre and “Virulence” by E.W. Johnson, M.D. is one such novel. Finishing the book was bittersweet, I couldn’t wait to see how it would end, and at the same time, I didn’t want it to end. It is a very well-written, clever story, and a real page-turner. It even brought a tear to my eye (no easy feat) in one emotional scene toward the end.
Our protagonist is Dr. Sean Nolan, a small-town doctor, and widower raising two teenage daughters in Woodhaven, Washington. A recent toxic waste spill near Woodhaven brought the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to town. Dr. Nolan worked with the EPA to locate and mitigate the toxic waste impressing an EPA doctor with his investigative method and results. When an outbreak of Legionnaires Disease occurs in the Southern California desert, the EPA doctor recommends Dr. Nolan to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). The CDC hires Dr. Nolan to go and find the source of the Legionnaires bacteria. Watching Dr. Nolan prepare to be away for a few weeks foreshadows just how methodical and logical he is. In the course of investigating the Legionnaires source, Dr. Nolan uncovers crimes against humanity and the thriller part of our medical thriller begins.
Our author Dr. Johnson has created great characters. I cheered for the good guys and despised the bad guys. Dr. Nolan has a quirky sense of humor that I found entertaining. This story has action, adventure, mystery, suspense, humor, romance, love, friendship, and loyalty. Something for everyone and all done very well. I highly recommend this book. Enjoy!
Our protagonist is Dr. Sean Nolan, a small-town doctor, and widower raising two teenage daughters in Woodhaven, Washington. A recent toxic waste spill near Woodhaven brought the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to town. Dr. Nolan worked with the EPA to locate and mitigate the toxic waste impressing an EPA doctor with his investigative method and results. When an outbreak of Legionnaires Disease occurs in the Southern California desert, the EPA doctor recommends Dr. Nolan to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). The CDC hires Dr. Nolan to go and find the source of the Legionnaires bacteria. Watching Dr. Nolan prepare to be away for a few weeks foreshadows just how methodical and logical he is. In the course of investigating the Legionnaires source, Dr. Nolan uncovers crimes against humanity and the thriller part of our medical thriller begins.
Our author Dr. Johnson has created great characters. I cheered for the good guys and despised the bad guys. Dr. Nolan has a quirky sense of humor that I found entertaining. This story has action, adventure, mystery, suspense, humor, romance, love, friendship, and loyalty. Something for everyone and all done very well. I highly recommend this book. Enjoy!
April 24, 2021
This is the story of Dr. Sean Nolan, a father to two daughters and a widower living in Washington. Dr. Nolan had earlier helped the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) locate a toxic dump site in Woodhaven, something that had proven to be a challenge. There emerges an outbreak of Legionnaires in California and the Center for Disease Control sends a team to investigate the source but they are not successful. They eventually leave the site to investigate an outbreak of Zika, South of San Diego. The CDC hires Dr. Nolan to continue the investigation in California believing he is the right person for the job because of his thorough methodologies and focus.
I admired how the author used his vast experience as a medical doctor to write this book. Being my first time reading a medical thriller, I was not disappointed. It was easy to get lost in the story and imagine it as fiction. The book cover was aesthetically pleasing and gives the reader an idea of what to expect in the story. The writing was coherent and easy to read as well. This would be an intriguing read for fans of mystery and medical thrillers.
I admired how the author used his vast experience as a medical doctor to write this book. Being my first time reading a medical thriller, I was not disappointed. It was easy to get lost in the story and imagine it as fiction. The book cover was aesthetically pleasing and gives the reader an idea of what to expect in the story. The writing was coherent and easy to read as well. This would be an intriguing read for fans of mystery and medical thrillers.
April 1, 2021
It is so refreshing to see a detective who is also an M.D. taking on mysterious medical cases with great detective prowess. Johnson's experience as an M.D. clearly comes in handy and makes for an authentic and engaging read. Not only are the medical parts of this story apt, realistic, and coherent, Johnson manages to write a genuinely intriguing mystery plot that has the reader on the edge of their seat.
I do think a closer eye to editing could have been done, and the dialogue at times felt a little stressed and tedious--but on the whole, this was a very solid book and I look forward to more from E.W. Johnson in the future! Honestly, I could see a really fun BBC-style drama series coming from this.
I do think a closer eye to editing could have been done, and the dialogue at times felt a little stressed and tedious--but on the whole, this was a very solid book and I look forward to more from E.W. Johnson in the future! Honestly, I could see a really fun BBC-style drama series coming from this.
April 20, 2021
I could tell this was written by someone well-versed in the medical field, having worked in several medical office myself as a secretary. It wasn't distracting, in fact to me it added credibility to the character. The storyline was compelling, and overall it was well-written. I was sucked in and thoroughly enjoyed the mystery and main character. I hope there are more books to follow with Dr. Nolan.
May 12, 2021
E. W. Johnson M.D. did what no author—other than the great—could do. He created a unique tale that is so unlike other genres and plots it is unbelievable. The author uses his own medical knowledge and detailed research to create a detective novel that includes the customary twists and turns, but also a few new methods of storytelling. It will not take this author very long to hit the number one lists.
April 1, 2021
A good read: This book was interesting and it provided some quality time. The action was fast paced, and I found myself intrigued by the main character. Sometimes I felt like the dialogues weren't that smooth though, or as if the conversations were translated from a different language. But apart from that, the book was definitely worth the few hours invested in reading it.
April 3, 2021
Virulence is the most relatable work of art for this past year. The medical detective must do whatever he can to understand the causes of the latest phenomenon. With every single plot twist and turn, E.W. Johnson puts medical shows to shame. With incredible story lines, nothing is given away. Page after page, you will fall in love with this novel just like I did.
May 10, 2021
Do yourself a favor and read this book!
This book was very well written and kept my attention throughout every page. It was definitely a page turner and it kept me on the edge of my seat. A great medical thriller indeed, with plot twists that are hard to see coming. Would definitely recommend!
This book was very well written and kept my attention throughout every page. It was definitely a page turner and it kept me on the edge of my seat. A great medical thriller indeed, with plot twists that are hard to see coming. Would definitely recommend!
February 17, 2022
PAGE TURNER!
Never a dull moment in this book. The confluence of lives, careers, and evil keep you reading long after you said to yourself, “ I really need to go to bed!”
Never a dull moment in this book. The confluence of lives, careers, and evil keep you reading long after you said to yourself, “ I really need to go to bed!”
October 12, 2024
this is simply a placeholder for a different book with the same title that’s not on Goodreads oops
October 15, 2024
**** A03 by Three piece Suit ****
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews