Review: A political thriller with unique twists...
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 04 10, 2014
Although many readers read to escape the news of today’s headlines, once in a while a great book comes with a plot from today’s headlines that give hope to the human condition as it overcomes prejudices and fears. The JANUS EFFECT by Jan Coffey is one such book.In what appears on the surface as a terrorist attack, a flesh eating disease with unique DNA that causes the quick death of those exposed has broken out in the United States. The only hope the government has to find out what is going on is that the strain is similar to a supposed biological weapon found in a captured laboratory in Iraq. The US government has held the doctor, whose was found at the lab in a ghost prison in Afghanistan for the last five years. Dr. Austyn Newman, American agent from Homeland Security, has been tasked with going to the “ghost prison” to meet with Dr. Banaz to secure an antidote for the plague, as more incidents occur across the US. The problems increase when they meet in Afghanistan; though appalled with how she has been treated he realizes quickly something about the good doctor’s situation is not right. Dr. Banaz has secrets of her own that form the foundation of her demands in Austyn’s search for an antidote, which speak to loyalty to family and culture.As Homeland Security health teams race from one horrific incident of death to another caused by the disease, the belief is the common denominator of theses strains means an antidote lies with Dr. Banaz. However, the imprisoned Dr. Banaz has secrets of her own that form the foundation of her demands in Austyn’s search for an antidote, which speak to loyalty to family and culture. She only will help if Austyn if he will taker her Northern Iraq, home to the Kurds and then into Iran for the answers he seeks. The subplots that appear as only incidental on the surface to give the story more depth and tension are crucial to what is really going on. To say more would spoil it for the reader.The story is beautifully written story with strong emotions as it addresses the real effects of a government’s misguided actions on the people who are the innocent victims in political wars. THE JANUS EFFECT by Jan Coffey is a rich tale of devotion to family and culture and the ethics of governments and corporations moved by fear and monetary greed. This is a must read for readers who like political thrillers with twists and turns offering a conclusion that will catch them off guard..