Newly divorced surgeon Dr. Kim Regis is determined to remain a good father to his only son, Selden. On a special night out, Kim takes Seldon to his favorite fast-food restaurant for a feast of burgers and fries. But the good time turns to tragedy: the young boy becomes gravely ill and dies as a result of poisoning by E. coli. bacteria found in the meat. Was Seldon's death a result of shoddy food-handling practices? Or was it a sophisticated case of product tampering - by a rival fast-foot giant or a disgruntled employee? Or perhaps by someone with a score to settle with Kim? Taking a leave from his surgical practice, Kim devotes his energies to solving the mystery full time. But he immediately hits a brick walls: a code of silence more impenetrable than anything he has ever encountered in his medical career. Instead of a cold-shoulder reception, however, Kim is soon met with a boot and a fist as thugs attempt to quash his inquiry. Aided by his ex-wife, Kim pursues a trail of deadly evidence, uncovering complicity and guilt stretching from the slaughterhouse floor to the corporate boardroom. Racing against time before more are poisoned, the two come face-to-face with the shocking and elusive truth. And in their life-and-death search for answers, they rediscover the reasons they first fell in love. With trademark pulse-pounding flair, Robin Cook delivers a cutting-edge thriller, borrowing from today's fears and tomorrow's medical technology.
Shai G. (LoveBeingMOM) from OAKLEY, CA wrote on 9/1/2005...
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
As usual for Robin Cook, I had a difficult time putting this book down. It grabs your attention and keeps it all the way until the last page.
Julie C. from FISHERSVILLE, VA wrote on 8/30/2005...
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
You may never eat meat again. ;)
Camille L. (StealthBunny) from FORT EDWARD, NY wrote on 6/29/2005...
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Medical thriller about the dangers of the American meat industry and bacterial contamination such as E. coli. This thriller hits such a controversial issue head-on with a no-holds-barred approach. A good, scary read
Brian G. from WORCESTER, MA wrote on 6/23/2005...
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
A story that deals with E coli in the meat supply and how one doctors efforts to find out how it happened and how to correct it. In the meantime he runs into red tape of the government, and the meat industry.
Rate These Member Reviews
Nichole S. (purrfectionist84) from SCHNECKSVILLE, PA wrote on 12/12/2007...
This book is a grim, shocking tale of contamination in the meat industry. It is probably the most socially significant novel I have ever read. It really opened my eyes. Unfortunately, it will probably be a long time before I will get up the courage to eat another hamburger.
Tracey M. (chemistmcg) from BALTIMORE, MD wrote on 9/10/2007...
decent robin cook. dissatisfying ending, though.
Cindy F. (johnnysangel) from MECHANICSVLLE, MD wrote on 7/17/2007...
Cook writes good medical thrillers and this one was no exception. Page turning and leaves you thinking!
Katherine R. (magnoliafly) from TAMPA, FL wrote on 5/16/2007...
You'll consider going vegan after reading this book. Thought provoking.
Rosemary F. (roro) from GLENSIDE, PA wrote on 4/10/2007...
it is the usual suspencful writing by Cook
Amy R. (pauli) from FISHERS, IN wrote on 3/23/2007...
Just how safe is America's meat supply? When a doctor's daughter becomes infected with E. coli, the widespread dangers of bacterial contamination are no longer a subject for debate but a grim reality. In desperation, he is forced to follow a trail of ignorance and corruption from the tangled red-tape of teh medical community to the highest levels of the powerful meat industry. An eye-opening thriller.
-back cover
Marcia E. from MOORE, ID wrote on 3/10/2007...
This book is a little shelf-worn along the edges, but is in overall good condition.
Amanda D. from MINERAL WELLS, TX wrote on 2/10/2007...
Coruption and ignorance at the top of the meat supply companies are responsible for an outbreak of e-coli. Mix of medicine and suspense.
Lynn D. from MULHALL, OK wrote on 1/6/2007...
Recent health scares have made everyone aware that our meat supply my not be safe. A doctor's daughter becomes infected with E. coli, he is forced to follow a trail of ignorance and corruption from the tangled red-tape of the medical community to the highest levels of the powerful meat industry. This is an eye opening thriller that every American should read.
CHRIS P. (MaineMan) from BELFAST, ME wrote on 11/4/2006...
DEALS WITH THE SAFETY OF AMERICA'S MEAT SUPPLY, YOU WON'T ENJOY STEAK THE SAME AFTER READING THIS BOOK!