2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Robin Cook Meets Robert Ludlum, December 27, 2000
"The Miracle Strain" is a good try by first time author Michael Cordy. It has something for everyone. You will learn more about gene therapy than you can shake a stick at (the Robin Cook connection) and you will be engrossed by the Brotherhood of the Second Coming, a religious international cabal, while not focusing on world domination, but which definitely has plans for a new world order - vintage Robert Ludlum. The book even has a 3-word title, which is a Ludlum trademark.
Dr. Tom Carter seeks the perfect gene to help save his daughter Holly from impending brain cancer. His pursuit causes him to cross paths with the Brotherhood, who originally try to have him killed. The Brotherhood has their own assassins with colorful names like Gomorrah and Nemesis. One of the assassins is even a woman. The Brotherhood, originally formed by Lazarus, is awaiting and has evidence of the Second Coming.
But because this book trys to be all things to all people, that turns out to be a shortcoming. There is the medical thriller aspect, the hunt for the gene, there is the international intrigue of the assassin tracking Carter down, and there is the religious overtones of the impending Second Coming, reminiscent of the "Left Behind" series. If Cordy could have concentrated on just one of these venues, he might have had a better book. Still a good first try. However, if you would like to see what this story would be like after Cordy had a couple of novels under his belt, try "The Genesis Code" by John Case.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
An interesting paradox., August 8, 2000
The Miracle Strain seems to open a whole can of worms upon its reading. The book brings about a strong ethical question; is it all right to search for the body of Jesus? This question is answered by many people in many ways throughout the book. The main character, a doctor, believes it to be the only way to cure some of today's worst diseases, i.e. by finding the only perfect human being. His arch nemisis answers the question quite simply, "Why else would a mortal search for the genes of God? If not to become God himself?" The book is a very creative journey, and an excellent first novel. Although some parts of the plot could be considered a little far fetched other pieces make up for it. The Miracle Strain is a good book, well worth the money.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
ABSOLUTLY THRILLING AND GRIPPING(Hi-tech meets the BIBLE), August 11, 1998
If you are a fan of "realistic" science fiction then this is your piece,combined with the paranormal and the unexplained all taking place in our modern world of politics,religon as well as the ruthless quest of power earthly as well as heavenly this book effectively combines the usually conflicting contents of religon and science in one explosive drama of epic proportions.
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