Acceptable Risk [Paperback]

Robin Cook (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 23, 1996

With millions of dollars at stake, every scientist in America is fighting to discover the next Prozac, the latest "feel good" drug. Using bacterial mould first uncovered during the Salem witch trials, Edward Armstrong isolates a stunningly effective anti-depressant.

Editorial Reviews

Review

A research scientist discovers a mood-altering, enhancing drug and involves himself and other researchers in a deadly experiment. Blended with this story of greed and laboratories gone awry is a woman's relationship troubles and her increasingly troubled conviction that something has gone wrong. The tension and sound effects are superb in audio format. -- Midwest Book Review --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

Tuesday,

July 12, 1994

Kimberly Stewart glanced at her watch as she went through the turnstile and exited the MBTA subway at Harvard Square in Cambridge, Massachusetts. It was a few minutes before seven p.m. She knew she would be on time or only minutes late, but still she hurried. Pushing through the crowd milling about the news kiosk in the middle of the square, she half ran and half walked the short distance on Massachusetts Avenue before turning right on Holyoke Street.

Pausing to catch her breath in front of the Hasty Pudding Club building, Kimberly glanced up at the structure. She knew about the Harvard social club only in reference to the annual award it gave to an actor and an actress. The building was brick with white trim like most buildings at Harvard. She'd never been inside although it housed a public restaurant called Upstairs at the Pudding. This was to be her first visit.

With her breathing restored to near normal, Kim opened the door and entered only to be confronted by several sizable flights of stairs. By the time she got to the maitre d's podium she was again mildly winded. She asked for the ladies' room.

While Kim wrestled with her thick, raven hair which refused to do what she wanted it to do, she told herself there was no need to be nervous. After all, Stanton Lewis was family. The problem was that he had never before called at the last minute to say that he "needed' her to come to dinner and that it was an "emergency.'

Giving up on her hair and feeling totally thrown together, Kim again presented herself at the maitre d's podium. This time she announced she was to meet Mr. and Mrs. Stanton Lewis.

"Most of your party is here,' the hostess said.

As Kim followed the hostess through the main part of the restaurant, her anxiety went up a notch. She didn't like the sound of "party.' She wondered who else would be at the dinner.

The hostess led Kim out onto a trellised terrace that was crowded with diners. Stanton and his wife, Candice, were sitting at a four-top in the corner.

"I'm sorry I'm late,' Kim said as she arrived at the table.

"You're not late in the slightest,' Stanton said.

He leaped to his feet and enveloped Kim in an extended and demonstrative hug that bent her backwards. It also turned her face a bright red. She had the uncomfortable feeling that everyone on the crowded terrace was watching. Once she was able to break free from Stanton's bear hug she retreated to the chair held out by the hostess and tried to melt into her seat.

Kim always felt uncomfortably obvious around Stanton. Although they were cousins, Kim thought they were the social antithesis of each other. While she considered herself moderately shy, occasionally even awkward, he was a paragon of confidence: an urbane and aggressively assertive sophisticate. He was built like a ski racer and stood straight and tall, overpowering people as the consummate entrepreneur. Even his wife, Candice, despite her demure smile, made Kim feel socially inept.

Kim hazarded a quick glance around her, and as she did so she inadvertently bumped the hostess, who was attempting to lay Kim's napkin across her lap. Both apologized simultaneously.

"Relax, cousin,' Stanton said after the hostess had departed. He reached across the table and poured Kim a glass of white wine. "As usual you're wound up like a banjo wire.'

"Telling me to relax only makes me more nervous,' Kim said. She took a drink of the wine.

"You are a strange one,' Stanton said playfully. "I can never understand why you're so damn self-conscious, especially sitting here with family in a room full of people you'll never see again. Let your hair down.'

"I have no control over what my hair chooses to do,' Kim joked. In spite of herself she was beginning to calm down. "As for your inability to understand my unease, it's entirely understandable. You're so totally self- assured that it's impossible for you to imagine what it's like not to be so.'

"Why not give me a chance to understand?' Stanton said. "I challenge you to explain to me why you are feeling uncomfortable right at this moment. My God, woman, your hand is shaking.'

Kim put down her glass and put her hands in her lap. "I'm nervous mainly because I feel thrown together,' she said. "After your call this evening, I barely had time to take a shower, much less find something to wear. And, if you must know, my bangs are driving me crazy.' Kim blindly tried to adjust the hair over her forehead.

"I think your dress is smashing,' Candice said.

"No doubt about it,' Stanton said. "Kimberly, you look gorgeous.'

Kim laughed. "I'm smart enough to know that provoked compliments are invariably false.'

"Balderdash,' Stanton said. "The irony of this discussion is that you are a sexy, beautiful woman even though you always act as if you haven't a clue, which, I suppose, is somewhat endearing. How old are you now, twenty-
five?'

"Twenty-seven,' Kim said. She tried more of her wine.

"Twenty-seven and improving with each year,' Stanton said. He smiled impishly. "You've got cheekbones other women would die for, skin like a baby's bottom, and a ballerina's figure, not to mention those emerald eyes that could mesmerize a Greek statue.'

"The truth of the matter is somewhat different,' Kim said. "My facial- bone structure is certainly not exceptional ~although okay. My skin barely tans if at all, and ballerina's figure' sounds like a nice way of saying I'm not stacked.'

"You're being unfair to yourself,' Candice said.

"I think we should change the subject,' Kim said. "This conversation is not going to get me to relax. In fact it just makes me more uncomfortable.'

"My apologies for being so truthfully complimentary,' Stanton said, his impish smile returning. "What would you prefer we discuss?'

"How about explaining why my presence here at dinner was such an emergency,' Kim said.

"I need your help.' Stanton leaned toward her.

"Me?' Kim questioned. She had to laugh. "The great financier needs my help? Is this a joke?'

"Quite the contrary,' Stanton said. "In a few months I'll be launching an initial public offering for one of my biotech companies called Genetrix.'

"I'm not investing,' Kim said. "You've got the wrong relative.'

It was Stanton's turn to laugh. "I'm not looking for money,' he said. "No, it's something quite different. I happened to be talking with Aunt Joyce today and--'

"Oh, no!' Kim interrupted nervously. "What did my mother say now?'

"She just happened to mention that you'd recently broken up with your boyfriend,' Stanton said.

Kim blanched. The unease she'd felt when she'd arrived at the restaurant returned in a rush. "I wish my mother wouldn't open her big mouth,' she said irritably.

"Joyce didn't give any gory details,' Stanton said.

"That doesn't matter,' Kim said. "She's been giving out personal information about Brian and me since we were teenagers.'

"All she said was that Kinnard wasn't right for you,' Stanton said. "Which I happen to agree with if he's forever traipsing off with his friends for ski trips and fishing forays.'

"That sounds like details to me,' Kim moaned. "It's also an exaggeration. The fishing is something new. The skiing is once a year.'

"To tell you the truth I was hardly listening,' Stanton said. "At least until she asked me if I could find someone more appropriate for you.'

"Good Lord!' Kim said with mounting irritation. "I can't believe this. She actually asked you to fix me up with someone?'

"It's not my usual forte,' Stanton said. A self-satisfied smile spread across his face. "But I had a brainstorm. Right after I hung up with Joyce I knew to whom I'd introduce you.'

"Don't tell me that's why you got me here tonight,' Kim said with alarm. She felt her pulse quicken. "I never would have come if I'd had any idea--'

"Calm down,' Stanton said. "Don't get yourself in a dither. It's going to work out just fine. Trust me.'

"It's too soon,' Kim said.

"It's never too soon,' Stanton said. "My motto is, Today is yesterday's tomorrow.'

"Stanton, you are impossible,' Kim said. "I'm not ready to meet someone. Besides I'm a mess.'

"I already told you that you look terrific,' Stanton said. "Trust me, Edward Armstrong is going to fall for you like a ton of bricks. One look into those emerald eyes and his legs will turn to rubber.'

"This is ridiculous,' Kim complained.

"One thing I should admit right up front is that I have an ulterior motive,' Stanton said. "I've been trying to get Edward involved in one of my biotech companies ever since I became a venture capitalist. With Genetrix about to go public, there's no time like the present. The idea is to get him beholden by introducing him to you, Kim. Then maybe I'll be able to twist his arm to get him on the Genetrix scientific advisory board. If I get his name on the prospectus it will be worth a good four or five mil on the initial offering. In the process I can make him a millionaire.'

For a moment Kim didn't say anything as she concentrated on her wine. On top of her anxiety, she was feeling used as well as embarrassed, but she didn't voice her irritation. She'd always had trouble expressing herself in con~frontational situations. Stanton had amazed her as he always had, being so manipulative and self-serving yet so open about it.

"Maybe Edward Armstrong doesn't want to be a millionaire,' Kim said at length.

"Nonsense,' Stanton said. "Everyone wants to be a millionaire.'

"I know it's difficult for you to understand,' Kim said. "But not ...

--This text refers to the Mass Market Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Pan Books (August 23, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0330343386
• ISBN-13: 978-0330343381
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 3.9 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (75 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,110,870 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Doctor and author Robin Cook is widely credited with introducing the word 'medical' to the thriller genre, and over twenty years after the publication of his breakthrough novel, Coma, he continues to dominate the category he created. Cook has successfully combined medical fact with fantasy to produce a over twenty-seven international bestsellers, including Outbreak (1987), Terminal (1993), Contagion (1996), Chromosome 6 (1997) and Foreign Body (2008).

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Witches brew, December 12, 2001

By 

Cory D. Slipman (Rockville Centre, N.Y.) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Acceptable Risk (Mass Market Paperback)

Not one of Cook's best, although the premise of the book is built around a interesting concept. It seems that the Salem witch trials in 1692 were brought about by a fungus commonly found at that time on rye grain. This fungus, when ingested in bread, produced hallucinations and delusions which were interpreted as being possessed.

The main character, Kim Stewart, a 27 year old nurse from an affluent and blue blooded Massachusetts family has a skeleton in her closet. One of her ancestors, Elizabeth was convicted of witchcraft and hanged. Investigating her past leads to the discovery of the fungus. Her boyfriend, a brilliant research scientist metabolizes this fungus into a new, designer mood altering super Prozac type drug. His colleagues, anticipating a financial windfall, work diligently to test the drug to get FDA
approval. They speed up the process by guinea pigging the drug themselves, with somewhat predictable consequences.

The book starts out strongly with a fascinating concept but fizzles into an unfulfilling conclusion. Too bad, it had potential to be much better.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good and bad, March 13, 1999

By 

Frank (Stockton CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Acceptable Risk (Mass Market Paperback)

This book is written in the typical engaging and page-turning Cook medical suspense style. The character of Kim, and her search for self-confidence and family history, is particularly well-developed. Likewise the Salem witch trial history bit is well-done.

However, large parts of the book are rather poorly-done and/or over-done. The extensive plot line about the night creatures who, for a start, kill Edward's dog is just incredible. The evidence of these creatures' identity is all around the researchers and they unbelievably ignore it. Cook uses these creatures to turn a workable and enjoyable medical suspense plot into an over-done gothic novel.

Cook also incorrectly casts Prozac and other depression-lifting drugs as personality-changing drugs. The end scene of the medical research facility is unbelievable, and the reader is likewise disappointed with Kim at the end -- she's spent the novel finding her own strength and independence, and she winds up happy mainly because she's with a man.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A thought provoking, frightening look at medical ego, November 3, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Acceptable Risk (Mass Market Paperback)

After having read most of Robin Cook's novels, I thought I was prepared for anything. That assesment was incorrect. A mild mannered, shy doctor (Dr. Edward Armstrong) is literally transformed by ego and greed into an unfathomable character. He brings along a group of fellow practioners, as well as his romantic partner on his horrific journey. Meanwhile, Kimberly Stewart, our heroine, is seeking answers to accusations about an ancestor of hers believed to have been a witch. Their paths run concurrent as both learn secrets of personality altering drugs, their sources and potential uses. Mounting suspense may not prepare you for the final 40 pages. Be prepared! A great ride for my imagination.