What do you think?
Rate this book
Bloodletting
The butchered remains of twelve year-old Jasmine Rivers are discovered in the cellar of an abandoned farmhouse on the desolate eastern plains of Colorado, the fourth mutilated body found in the last two months. The FBI is still searching for the missing parts of the previous three.
Hundreds of miles away in Arizona, eleven corpses are exhumed from the Sonoran Desert. They’ve been mummified and bundled in the traditional Inca style. But the Inca lived in South America, and these bodies aren’t centuries old.
Seemingly unrelated victims that share a common cause of exsanguination.
Special Agent Paxton Carver follows the trail of blood, which leads him to the continuation of genetic experimentation that began during World War II and a designer retrovirus capable of altering human chromosomes. Can he track down the virus and prevent further exposure before the real bloodletting begins?
Hundreds of miles away in Arizona, eleven corpses are exhumed from the Sonoran Desert. They’ve been mummified and bundled in the traditional Inca style. But the Inca lived in South America, and these bodies aren’t centuries old.
Seemingly unrelated victims that share a common cause of exsanguination.
Special Agent Paxton Carver follows the trail of blood, which leads him to the continuation of genetic experimentation that began during World War II and a designer retrovirus capable of altering human chromosomes. Can he track down the virus and prevent further exposure before the real bloodletting begins?
Kindle Edition
First published February 17, 2009
87 people are currently reading
215 people want to read
About the author
Michael McBride
122 books480 followersMichael McBride was born in Colorado and still resides in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains. He hates the snow, but loves the Avalanche. He works with medical radiation, yet somehow managed to produce five children, none of whom, miraculously, have tails, third eyes, or other random mutations. He writes fiction that runs the gamut from thriller to horror to science fiction...and loves every minute of it.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
November 28, 2014
I listened to the audio version of this book, narrated by Scott Thomas.
This was an exciting whirlwind of a story! It combined police procedural with scientific elements that I enjoyed. At times, it became a little too science-y for me, but that didn't interfere with my enjoyment very much.
I liked the narration by Scott Thomas, though I wasn't thrilled with his voicing of the main female character, Elliot. Other than that he did a fine job and I would listen to more of his work in the future.
This was a twisty thriller that caught me by surprise quite a few times. Just when I thought I had it figured out, the story took a 180 and I had to theorize all over again. I liked the characters and I would read a sequel if one were released. Just saying, Mr. McBride. Just sayin'.
Recommended for fans of fast paced thrillers!
I was provided a free audiobook from the author in exchange for an honest review. This is it.
This was an exciting whirlwind of a story! It combined police procedural with scientific elements that I enjoyed. At times, it became a little too science-y for me, but that didn't interfere with my enjoyment very much.
I liked the narration by Scott Thomas, though I wasn't thrilled with his voicing of the main female character, Elliot. Other than that he did a fine job and I would listen to more of his work in the future.
This was a twisty thriller that caught me by surprise quite a few times. Just when I thought I had it figured out, the story took a 180 and I had to theorize all over again. I liked the characters and I would read a sequel if one were released. Just saying, Mr. McBride. Just sayin'.
Recommended for fans of fast paced thrillers!
I was provided a free audiobook from the author in exchange for an honest review. This is it.
October 2, 2014
The idea behind Michael McBride's novel, BLOODLETTING, is simply staggering in terms of its complexity. McBride has created a storyline that manages to both terrify and mesmerize readers at the same time. As I have praised him for in some of his other works, McBride is an author who does his research. This novel is a non-stop adrenaline-fueled ride from first to last page.
We start with Special Agent Paxton Carver covering a case where young teenaged girls are brutally tortured and mutilated; things escalate dramatically from there!
McBride brings forth a cast of unique personalities that breath life into this world--his characterization is especially evident here. While this story has its own complete, stunning conclusion, I would positively LOVE to see him re-visit some of these characters in future novels. I feel there is so much more they could bring us, through McBride's outstanding imagination....
Highly recommended.
*RE-READ edit: still 5 stars, and a favorite! :)
We start with Special Agent Paxton Carver covering a case where young teenaged girls are brutally tortured and mutilated; things escalate dramatically from there!
McBride brings forth a cast of unique personalities that breath life into this world--his characterization is especially evident here. While this story has its own complete, stunning conclusion, I would positively LOVE to see him re-visit some of these characters in future novels. I feel there is so much more they could bring us, through McBride's outstanding imagination....
Highly recommended.
*RE-READ edit: still 5 stars, and a favorite! :)
June 11, 2016
Special Agent Paxton Carver just received an assignment that will change everything that he has ever known or believed and is about to be thrust into something much bigger than he could have ever imagined…that is, if he can survive long enough to realize it.
Corrupt pharmaceutical retrovirus spreading serial killers. Evil Nazi corporate genetic experiments bent on world domination. Exsanguinated children and more than a few ancient mummies.
Yep, just another Tuesday for Michael McBride as he weaves his way thru some pretty heavy concepts that he somehow manages not turning into a total clusterfuck. I am not sure how he does it. Actually, I do. McBride is a smart guy. He does his homework and he has the ability to relate a lot of sciencey jargon and concepts into thrilling, relatable and cohesive storylines that even a simpleton like myself can understand. A well done and exciting, blood drenched thriller. Well done, sir.
Corrupt pharmaceutical retrovirus spreading serial killers. Evil Nazi corporate genetic experiments bent on world domination. Exsanguinated children and more than a few ancient mummies.
Yep, just another Tuesday for Michael McBride as he weaves his way thru some pretty heavy concepts that he somehow manages not turning into a total clusterfuck. I am not sure how he does it. Actually, I do. McBride is a smart guy. He does his homework and he has the ability to relate a lot of sciencey jargon and concepts into thrilling, relatable and cohesive storylines that even a simpleton like myself can understand. A well done and exciting, blood drenched thriller. Well done, sir.
May 28, 2009
This is a book that makes me wonder why a guy like Michael McBride isn't enjoying "Dan Brown" kind of success. I mean, Bloodletting is a rich, involved, tense mystery/horror hybrid that combines elements of forensic anthropology, bioengineering, forensic pathology, and history into an unbelievably tight package. Someone at one of the big publishing houses ought to grab this and make Michael McBride a household name.
December 14, 2015
I listened to this as an audiobook, and I now wish I'd read it, because it is not uncommon for me to miss pieces of audiobooks, given that I listen while doing other things, and this is not the sort of book where that's a good idea, because there is a lot going on. I liked it very much, but I'm convinced I'll get a lot more out of it if I go back and read it instead. And I'll give a more comprehensive review then as well.
August 10, 2025
Micheal McBride knows exactly how to end a chapter on a good cliffhanger: telling me something exciting and scary, and prompting me to turn the page and continue reading, only to be met with the most mediocre writing known to man, subjecting me to dullness, waiting until the end of the next chapter to see any kind of thrill or excitement.
There were good moments in this book, but unfortunately those moments are outweighed by boring, over-convoluted plot and iffy science.
Also McBride keeps bringing up when his characters have full bladders and that just rubs me the wrong way.
There were good moments in this book, but unfortunately those moments are outweighed by boring, over-convoluted plot and iffy science.
Also McBride keeps bringing up when his characters have full bladders and that just rubs me the wrong way.
October 9, 2015
Some harrowing scenes involving children, so beware. Some heavy science, so beware, if like me you were totally rubbish at chemistry or biology at school! But really good. Looking forward to a sequel hopefully.
July 22, 2018
Bloodletting
It was scary, plenty of gore, and complicated. I’ve read most of his books and really got into them. The ones I couldn’t get into either had too complicated plots or the plot just didn’t hold together. But I will not give up on him. He is a good writer. Even Stephen King sometimes didn’t quite make it.
It was scary, plenty of gore, and complicated. I’ve read most of his books and really got into them. The ones I couldn’t get into either had too complicated plots or the plot just didn’t hold together. But I will not give up on him. He is a good writer. Even Stephen King sometimes didn’t quite make it.
August 29, 2018
Another winner
McBride has done it again. Good read, nice pace, interesting characters. Very interesting story line. A healthy mix of science and fantasy that keeps you reading. Never got boring.
McBride has done it again. Good read, nice pace, interesting characters. Very interesting story line. A healthy mix of science and fantasy that keeps you reading. Never got boring.
October 13, 2021
Edge of your seat thriller
Omg! This book was fantastic. Lots of action and what a storyline. I still am in awe and intrigued by the intent and plan to change the human race. Great read!
Omg! This book was fantastic. Lots of action and what a storyline. I still am in awe and intrigued by the intent and plan to change the human race. Great read!
November 13, 2022
Loved it
Highly recommended to anyone who loves a medical thriller. Astonishing twists and turns with believable characters. I would have liked some of the characters to be more fleshed-out, but that probably would have distracted from the story line.
Highly recommended to anyone who loves a medical thriller. Astonishing twists and turns with believable characters. I would have liked some of the characters to be more fleshed-out, but that probably would have distracted from the story line.
February 24, 2021
You must stop!!!
If you write one more book that keeps me up till 2 I'm done for. Don't you care? I try to stop!I do. But you just keep on chunking them out. Then the dreams...
If you write one more book that keeps me up till 2 I'm done for. Don't you care? I try to stop!I do. But you just keep on chunking them out. Then the dreams...
November 4, 2021
Ira Levin would be jealous
Great science. Terrifying characters.
Lots of mayhem. Love his books and fun nights of reading till all hours. Pop corn! Fun.
Great science. Terrifying characters.
Lots of mayhem. Love his books and fun nights of reading till all hours. Pop corn! Fun.
February 4, 2015
Bloodletting is an Audiobook available on Audible.com and Narrated by Scott Thomas. Scott does a great job with the Female voice and the male FBI agent in this story. The story itself is very intense involving multiple mutilated body's found in several states with no suspects.
Hundreds of miles away mummified remains are found and an anthropologist is taken from her dig in South America, by the FBI, to look at the remains. The anthropologist and the FBI Agent are old Friends and wonder why they are brought together for this case.
Plans for DNA manipulation going back to WWII and the Nazis comes to light and the mystery takes a sinister turn.
This thriller makes you think and shiver as your listening. What possibly could happen next? Will they ever stop this serial killer? Will they ever solve this crime?
Bloodletting is a wild ride and worth listening to more than once.
This book was gifted to me for an honest review from a third party.
Hundreds of miles away mummified remains are found and an anthropologist is taken from her dig in South America, by the FBI, to look at the remains. The anthropologist and the FBI Agent are old Friends and wonder why they are brought together for this case.
Plans for DNA manipulation going back to WWII and the Nazis comes to light and the mystery takes a sinister turn.
This thriller makes you think and shiver as your listening. What possibly could happen next? Will they ever stop this serial killer? Will they ever solve this crime?
Bloodletting is a wild ride and worth listening to more than once.
This book was gifted to me for an honest review from a third party.
June 24, 2017
This was the first book I've read by Michael McBride but I will definitely be reading more of his work. Although there was quite a bit of science talk that was a little over my head, I was able to follow and without giving anything away...this book makes you think, for sure! I loved how it tied historical events along with the advanced biogenetics into the plot. I truly couldn't put down this book and am hoping there is another with these characters (I will look tonight)!
May 16, 2016
Not a bad book, but not a great one either. Before hitting the stores, it should have been polished a bit more. The characters are not really developed, a bit stereotypical. The story line could have been great, riveting, but it lacks something... can't really put my finger on what that something is though.
August 12, 2010
Pretty good book. The ideas and the science are really strong, though the characters are a bit stereotypical. If McBride could develop better characters and more believable interactions between them, he'd really have something.
January 9, 2015
Another fantastic novel by Michael McBride, like peeling the layers from a sweet Vidalia union, the conspiracy inside this wonderful story keeps the reader wanting more and more. Sequel, Mike?
September 8, 2015
I absolutely loved this book, it was a very intense story and Michael McBride is such a clever man!
March 21, 2016
A book of cliched characters behaving in stereotypical ways interspersed with the occassional thrill.
Hard work at times but those occassional thrills made it bearable.
Hard work at times but those occassional thrills made it bearable.
April 16, 2016
Enjoyable, but not particularity good writing. Some very iffy science in this story.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews