Customer Reviews

Crime Zero: A Novel

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book is excellent. If you have read Miracle Strain I would say Crime Zero might just pip it to the post.

If you can imagine that potentially the gene responsible for crime can be modified to create pasive individuals and no violence among peoples and countries. Ok then imagine that this could also wipe out certain races or class of people. Scary thoughts.

Crime Zero actually becomes incredibly real. Rogue geneticists have identified the gene and are intent on creating a world of stability and peace (nothing wrong with that you say). But in doing this it will involve a number of deaths (millions) generations wiped out.

Only one person can stop the genocide and she created the original gene modifications necessary but she is being shut down.

A very very good read.

Especially that last line.

I picked this up because I was thirsting for some science fiction, and there was pretty slim pickings in the library. I wasn't expecting much. I was glad to be disappointed.

Cordy writes convincing characters, interweaving future science possibilities with practical life. But the best part of the novel is dealing with the philosophical issues of predestination and Arminianism, nature vs. nurture. The best of science fiction causes us to think beyond our paradigms, and this is no exception. To what extent do criminals, or any of us, choose our errors? Even when we do not choose, are we still responsible? It would be easy to simply bring up these issues through dialogue between the characters. Instead, Cordy discusses the issues through the characters' lives, and the plot of the book.

I strongly recommend you have snacks and drinks already prepared before beginning the book. I was unable to put it down after I began. Cordy provides the realism of science and the fantasy of the genre to weave a tale that encompasses the reader's reality, if only for a few hours.

A future battle of the sexes? Could have been fun. But this vision of the future isn't convincing enough to be entertaining, and the lifeless, flat characters are utterly unabsorbing. A short thriller that never develops its theme in an interesting way.

Michael Cordy has once again proven himself to be the master of the "genetic thriller." Not unlike the Miracle Strain, Cordy's latest offering is based heavily on modern genetic research mixed with well thought out fantasy. Crime Zero, however, doesn't take that fantasy to such extremes, providing a more subtle and, in many ways, more believable story.

Crime Zero is fast paced and exciting from beginning to end. The tension in the story isn't bad, and Cordy uses the "battle of the sexes" to his advantage. There's also a Clancy-like FBI hierarchy, complete with a female director to add to the conflict. The storyline jumps around between subplots, an approach that can often be frustrating, but ultimately adds to the complexity of the plot.

Unfortunately, Cordy's style of writing is very simplistic, especially in contrast to his scientific explanations. While these inclusions sound very well researched, they can at times read more an encyclopedia than a novel. Unlike Michael Crichton, Cordy doesn't always make the reader feel as though these explanations are vital to the plot. The author also attempts to overcome the lack of depth that was apparent in the Miracle Strain by digressing into the characters' pasts, but they often end up sounding like convenient, last minute additions.

Overall, Crime Zero is an excellent gauge of Cordy's creativity and philosophy towards the future of genetic engineering.

This is a great book that you could see from two perspectives. If you are a male reading this book, you would see it differntly than how a female would see it. The females have a lot of power in this book, and it's kinda like a World War of the sexes. This is a very original book, or at least I have never read anything else like it.

Kept me glued to the page for two nights and then my wife had to read it and then we argued about whether men are naturally violent for the whole week-end. We both loved it but the fact that we argued shows that there's a lot more brainwork to this novel than usual. Great

By the year 2008, violent crime attains epidemic levels across the planet. FBI Director Madeline Taylor wants to end the geometric rise in violence. The first female head of the bureau turns to her friend Alice Prince, the force behind the third largest biotech firm in the nation. Working with scientist Kathy Kerr, Alice has isolated and lessened the impact of the male aggressive genes, making the male species less prone to violence.

The FDA approves testing the process on humans, but unknown to Kathy, Alice and Madeline have already illegally tested on the species for almost a decade. A stunned Kathy learns the truth and plans to blow the whistle. However, they kidnap her instead. Her former lover FBI agent Luke Decker manages to rescue her only to learn that her two abductors have other more diabolical plans for the serum.

Anyone who has had the pleasure to read THE MIRANDA STRAIN will enjoy CRIME ZERO. Like the former novel, this medical thriller centers on genetic engineering. The difference between the two tales is that the latter is much easier for a lay-person to understand, thereby adding to the pulse pounding enjoyment. The various subplots with its myriad of characters smoothly coalesce into a fast-paced story line that proves how much skill Michael Cordy possesses. Mr. Cordy has reengineered the medical thriller sub-genre with his magnificent genetic engineering novels.

Harriet Klausner

Michael Cordy delivers another high quality read.. on a topic that will become increasingly 'current' over the coming decades. As was the case with Miracle Strain, Cordy is very early out and displays considerable foresight in his predicted outcomes.

A must read if you are into well researched fiction exploring the age old science vs faith dilemma.

I stumbled across this book in a local charity shop and thought I'd give it a read. I have to say that it was a great decision. Initially, I was slightly blinded by the descriptive science, but once I got involved in the plot I was hooked. This book makes you ask questions as to whether or not this could actually happen. Highly recommended.

Even better than "The Miracle Strain". A genetic thriller that makes you forget it's fiction. Loved both books - new favorite author! Can't wait till the next one.