Acceptable Risk [Paperback]

Robin Cook (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 1996

Robin Cook confronts one of the most provocative issues of our time--a terrifying glimpse into the dangers of antidepressant drugs...

"Cook manages to keep the suspense mounting and the pages turning."-- San Francisco Chronicle

"King of the mind-bending medical thriller"-Kirkus Reviews

"[A] morality tale of antidepressants and greedy medical entrepreneurs."-- Detroit News

"One of Cook's best"-- Associated Press

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.

Product Details

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Berkley (February 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0425151867
• ISBN-13: 978-0425151860
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.2 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (74 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #391,036 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #11 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Mystery & Thrillers > Authors, A-Z > ( C ) > Cook, Robin
  • #44 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Mystery & Thrillers > Thrillers > Medical

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 (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 (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 (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.