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Frank Corso #4
Red Tide
Terror has hit the West Coast with a vengeance—leaving a tunnel full of corpses beneath the Seattle streets, with a dark promise of far, far worse to come. Despite official attempts to keep the catastrophe under wraps, rogue journalist Frank Corso refuses to remain idle, immersing himself in a shadow world of senseless violence and unconscionable evil. For a strange connection that seems to tie one exceptionally brutal death with the impending destruction of thousands—perhaps millions—of innocent lives is pulling Corso and his best friend and ex-lover, photographer Meg Dougherty, deeper into the heart of a hideous conspiracy. And its nightmarish consequences will dwarf anything ever spawned by simple jealousy, greed, or bloodlust.
416 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2004
71 people are currently reading
170 people want to read
About the author
G.M. Ford
34 books219 followersGerald M. Ford was the author of the widely praised Frank Corso novels, Fury, Black River, A Blind Eye, Red Tide, No Man's Land, and Blown Away; six highly acclaimed mysteries, featuring Seattle private investigator Leo Waterman; and the stand-alone thriller Nameless Night. A former creative writing teacher in western Washington, Ford lived in San Diego.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
June 19, 2014
I am a big fan of this author's books. He's written two series, the first featuring Leo Waterman, an up and coming private eye in Seattle, Washington. The Waterman series is light, i.e. not a whole lot of violence, humorous and with a "unique" set of secondary characters. The second features Frank Corso, a discredited NY journalist now working as an investigative reporter for a third tier paper in Seattle. These mysteries and Corso are darker than their predecessors with Frank investigating - sometimes with the police and sometimes not - grisly crimes. And again even with this darker turn I've enjoyed the Corso series - up until now. Unfortunately Red Tide is a complete dud.
The book opens with a bang - a bio-terrorist attack on a major Seattle bus terminal. The next 200 pages consist of Frank, Seattle's finest and federal authorities getting ready to get ready to investigate. If this sounds like torturous reading - it is - and would even make for a bad TV disaster movie. The culprits and their motives, although an interesting plot twist, never have a chance to grab the reader's attention because they're lost in the repetition and "suspense building". And the "chase" and the supporting cast are both dull and routine.
Pass on this one.
The book opens with a bang - a bio-terrorist attack on a major Seattle bus terminal. The next 200 pages consist of Frank, Seattle's finest and federal authorities getting ready to get ready to investigate. If this sounds like torturous reading - it is - and would even make for a bad TV disaster movie. The culprits and their motives, although an interesting plot twist, never have a chance to grab the reader's attention because they're lost in the repetition and "suspense building". And the "chase" and the supporting cast are both dull and routine.
Pass on this one.
January 31, 2020
Enjoyable but disappointingly predictable unlike the other Corso novels
November 24, 2009
This is the fourth book of GM Ford I read (hopefully in the right order). I like his writing style, character development and the protagonist--Frank Corso.
Anyway, compared to the first three books, the fun was dropping. The theme about biochemical terrorism was interesting enough. But there was loose end about a character left unexplained. (Maybe, this may be explained further in the next book?)
In my opinion, the writer did well describing a macho lone-wolf protagonist like Frank Corso. The stories always well knitted. Made me feel like reading modern-time cowboy stories. Women, on the contrary, was not given that benefit. Female characters in his novels were unpredictable and usually did something uncomprehensible (for a female reader like me). The leading lady did confirm this in the end of this book. Really, I wouldn't mind at all if there was no female main character.
Anyway, compared to the first three books, the fun was dropping. The theme about biochemical terrorism was interesting enough. But there was loose end about a character left unexplained. (Maybe, this may be explained further in the next book?)
In my opinion, the writer did well describing a macho lone-wolf protagonist like Frank Corso. The stories always well knitted. Made me feel like reading modern-time cowboy stories. Women, on the contrary, was not given that benefit. Female characters in his novels were unpredictable and usually did something uncomprehensible (for a female reader like me). The leading lady did confirm this in the end of this book. Really, I wouldn't mind at all if there was no female main character.
September 5, 2007
RED TIDE (Amateur Sleuth/Police Procedural) - G+
G.M. Ford – 4th in series
William Morrow, 2004 - Hardcover
When the police evacuate an area in Seattle, including a gallery with Meg Donovan’s first showing and Corso in attendance, Frank decides to find out why. Terrorists have released a controlled form of the Ebola virus into a subway stations, and over a hundred people die. In the meantime, Meg sees, follows, and loses the man responsible for marking her, only to have him turn up later, dead in her kitchen.
*** It was nice to see Corso working with the police, for a change. And there were a couple other very good characters in the policeman Hart and reporter Sexton. The pace is tense and fast and keeps you turning the pages late into the night. Although I was disappointed with the very end of the book, I shall certainly be first in line for his next one.
G.M. Ford – 4th in series
William Morrow, 2004 - Hardcover
When the police evacuate an area in Seattle, including a gallery with Meg Donovan’s first showing and Corso in attendance, Frank decides to find out why. Terrorists have released a controlled form of the Ebola virus into a subway stations, and over a hundred people die. In the meantime, Meg sees, follows, and loses the man responsible for marking her, only to have him turn up later, dead in her kitchen.
*** It was nice to see Corso working with the police, for a change. And there were a couple other very good characters in the policeman Hart and reporter Sexton. The pace is tense and fast and keeps you turning the pages late into the night. Although I was disappointed with the very end of the book, I shall certainly be first in line for his next one.
April 25, 2015
In some ways an interesting and enjoyable book, but one that gets increasingly tiresome and ludicrous the further you read.
My chief complaints are the ridiculous coincidences that eventually tie-in the main Corso plot with a sub-plot involving his girlfriend, and the 'mysterious' lady scientist who pops up whenever convenient to the story and then vanishes into thin air.
The final twist is pathetic. It is hackneyed, defies logic and insults the reader's intelligence.
It feels like the author had an idea for a great novel, started working through the necessary twists and turns to make the story work, then got bored and decided to patch it up any which-way so they could finish early.
My chief complaints are the ridiculous coincidences that eventually tie-in the main Corso plot with a sub-plot involving his girlfriend, and the 'mysterious' lady scientist who pops up whenever convenient to the story and then vanishes into thin air.
The final twist is pathetic. It is hackneyed, defies logic and insults the reader's intelligence.
It feels like the author had an idea for a great novel, started working through the necessary twists and turns to make the story work, then got bored and decided to patch it up any which-way so they could finish early.
March 27, 2011
This book just didn't hold my attention. After a very interesting opening, the story sputters to a halt. I knew there must be more action coming, but I just didn't care to read through all the dry character background that seemed to be forced into the book. A lot of time is spent trying to develop the character's past all in the middle of a bio-terror attack on the city. It's almost as if the characters forgot that a disaster was taking place. This kind of breakdown in logic prevented me from finishing the book.
August 4, 2012
Eh. I like G.M. Ford's characters, pacing, plot, pretty much everything. I generally find bioterror, potential apocalypse, life post 9/11 fiction to be interesting and thought provoking. Unlike peanut butter and chocolate, these two great tastes did not go great together. The pacing was odd (one day takes multiple chapters, one month takes paragraphs) and the B-storyline was just too random, dropped half way through the book and only returned as a bombshell/cliffhanger postscript.
I'll stick with Mr. Ford, but will cross my fingers as I pick up the next book.
I'll stick with Mr. Ford, but will cross my fingers as I pick up the next book.
May 21, 2016
These books from this author, and genre in general, are my "mindless don't want to read anything too heavy", so the bar is set to meet that goal.
Lots of characters, I should've kept notes to remember who's who (that's a tip for you). Always well written if you overlook the few clichés. If you like the character's Frank Corso and Meg Dougherty, they're actually not in this so much. I thought the characters could have had any other name and the story would be the same.
Regardless of that, the book fulfilled its duty, and I will read the next in the series when the time is right.
Lots of characters, I should've kept notes to remember who's who (that's a tip for you). Always well written if you overlook the few clichés. If you like the character's Frank Corso and Meg Dougherty, they're actually not in this so much. I thought the characters could have had any other name and the story would be the same.
Regardless of that, the book fulfilled its duty, and I will read the next in the series when the time is right.
June 6, 2014
The plot required a degree of disbelief that was greater than most Ford novels. Having said that, this is a worthy addition to the Frank Corso franchise. As always, solid writing, great plot, visually interesting and villians that need killing.
I don't know if I like Corso better than Waterman, but I'd have to say that the Ford novels have eclipsed the Crais novels that I've always been a fan of.
Great job.
I don't know if I like Corso better than Waterman, but I'd have to say that the Ford novels have eclipsed the Crais novels that I've always been a fan of.
Great job.
October 10, 2009
Biological warfare book. I couldn't buy the fact that Frank Corso went from leading suspect to assistant policeman in like 5 minutes. Really does Frank have to be the police too? I get that as the leading character the story is about him, but why not write a book that gives him a chance to shine as a reporter not a pseudo cop.
November 23, 2013
I so did not like this book, too many male protagonists (I couldn't keep up on who is who because they were all so generic). Womes were either dumb or the victim and that male-female encounter from the female perspective was so wrong on so many levels. I just read this because I had not read a book in quite a while and felt that I needed to finish this.
June 19, 2015
#4 in the Frank Corso series. Frank Corso is now a best selling author.
Frank Corso is at a showing of photog Meg Daugherty's works when the gallery is evacuated because of a terrorist attack. People in a bus tunnel have been struck down by a bioengineered hemorrhaghic virus. Corso gets caught up with Meg and a pair of cops in an effort to find the terrorists before they strike again.
Frank Corso is at a showing of photog Meg Daugherty's works when the gallery is evacuated because of a terrorist attack. People in a bus tunnel have been struck down by a bioengineered hemorrhaghic virus. Corso gets caught up with Meg and a pair of cops in an effort to find the terrorists before they strike again.
December 2, 2016
2.5 stars
Not my favourite of this series. Not too much interaction between Frank and Meg.
An interesting plot and awful to think it could happen in this crazy world. Biochemical warfare on US soil! Frank is involved; first as a suspect then as an aide to the police.
Don't like the ending.
Not my favourite of this series. Not too much interaction between Frank and Meg.
An interesting plot and awful to think it could happen in this crazy world. Biochemical warfare on US soil! Frank is involved; first as a suspect then as an aide to the police.
Don't like the ending.
October 16, 2011
Disappointing. Reasonable premise that just didn't hold together very well.
January 6, 2019
For some reason this book could not hold my attention. I never got into flow or characters.
August 13, 2021
I didn't like this one. Well written, but a story that has seen too many variations. And, I think this is the type of story that starts crazy conspiracy theories. Yes, it could happen, but that doesn't mean it does. And the animosity between the various law agencies is an old saw. If it is that bad, we are truly in trouble.
At least, the ending wasn't as bad as it could have been. Looking forward to what happens with Meg.
At least, the ending wasn't as bad as it could have been. Looking forward to what happens with Meg.
August 8, 2019
What a tedious read that seemed to go on forever. I skipped over pages and pages of boring material. When the character of Brian, Meg’s tormentor, appeared I thought I was in for a real thriller, but he gets killed almost immediately. The plot was disjointed and lacked any suspense. I’ve come to expect more from this author. A real dud!
Hated the ending—without Meg, this series is soulless.
Hated the ending—without Meg, this series is soulless.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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January 10, 2018
Convoluted and boring. DNF
0.0 stars out of 5.0
0.0 stars out of 5.0
August 4, 2019
Cracking.
June 22, 2022
Consistently good writing, strong characters and GM Ford knows Seattle and loves it. Corso is a superhero, smart and nimble as he gets around constraints. Sorry to lose GM Ford this year.
August 9, 2022
Another great read in the Frank Corso series.
March 10, 2024
Can't get enough of G.M. Ford & Corso.......good reading.
November 14, 2011
Due to a number of unforeseen diversions in my personal life recently, I took a great deal longer to read this than would normally have been the case and as a result I feel that (inevitably) it was disjointed and slow to conclude. However, please don't let that up you off, especially if you like world conscious plots and themes. The story points a long over due finger at American corporate greed and their self centred attitude to what happens, as a result of their actions, elsewhere in the world!
Unfortunately for me, there was less of the humour that bubbled to the surface in the previous Frank Corso novels and this was the poorer for it. Meg, Frank's erstwhile sidekick, got to see her nemesis destroyed and Frank got to save the day but I have always thought that the two of them together are so much more than they are apart and in this story they rarely team up, more's the pity. However, another few days spent in the life of Frank Corso is always a good thing even if, as in this case, Frank seamlessly moves from prime suspect to hero in the blink of an eye and single handedly out thinks and out performs the cops!
Unfortunately for me, there was less of the humour that bubbled to the surface in the previous Frank Corso novels and this was the poorer for it. Meg, Frank's erstwhile sidekick, got to see her nemesis destroyed and Frank got to save the day but I have always thought that the two of them together are so much more than they are apart and in this story they rarely team up, more's the pity. However, another few days spent in the life of Frank Corso is always a good thing even if, as in this case, Frank seamlessly moves from prime suspect to hero in the blink of an eye and single handedly out thinks and out performs the cops!
February 26, 2010
G.M. Ford tells a fast paced, vivid story but he doesn’t neglect the characterizations or the backstory, which turns the question of guilt and responsibility on its ear.
But I did have one big quibble, with the last two pages, which seemed a rather… lazy way to solve one of the backstory issues.
But I did have one big quibble, with the last two pages, which seemed a rather… lazy way to solve one of the backstory issues.
June 10, 2012
Ebola, bio-terrorism, action, adventure, yet somehow, still forgettable. This story has been told better. If you are interested in stories involving Ebola as weaponry, there are many in this genre, my advice to you is start seeking out one of the more believable, well-written ones. They are out there, much less dated than "Red Tide." This one simply has not aged well.
August 10, 2008
Seattle author/sometimes scofflaw who happens to be downton when a dirty bomb goes off in a train station. He manages to insert himself into the investigation and racing against the clock to stop another, more deadly bombing.
January 5, 2009
This is my second read just for the escape and pleasure of a little suspense reading in a couple of days. I have not read any of Ford's books before but found this one just suspenseful enough to keep me enteratined.
September 9, 2013
Journalist Corso is at Meg's art exhibit when they are given an order to evacuate. There is terrorist activity in the subway system, and more is promised. Corso pulls Meg in and tries to stop it. The book I was reading was smokey smelling, which may have made me like the book less.
December 30, 2010
Yet another detective thriller airplane read, set in Seattle, but I'm enjoying this one more than most. Deservedly? Can't tell ya, but it doesn't really matter.
May 31, 2011
Love the characters, story grabs you from the start.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews