Plaguemaker [Hardcover]

Tim Downs (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 10, 2006

July Fourth: New York City... Hundreds of thousands line the banks of the East and Hudson Rivers awaiting the nation's largest fireworks display. Soon the sky will explode in cascading showers of silver and gold. Everywhere, faces will turn skyward in wide-eyed wonder. Then the sky will grow dark again--but it will not be empty. The air will be filled with clouds of smoke and specks of debris will rain down everywhere. Some will pick bits of paper from their children's hair. Some will brush away still-burning sparks or embers. And some will absentmindedly scratch at the tiny, biting specks that dot their necks and arms. Will the beginning of the show mark the beginning of the end? That's what FBI agent Nathan Donovan must decide. When he is forced to enlist the help of ex-wife Macy Monroe, an expert in the psychology of terrorism, the fireworks really begin--but she may be the only one who can help him stop the Plague Maker in time.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

After strong debut and sophomore novels (Shoofly Pie; Chop Shop), Downs hits his stride in this delightful faith-based thriller. FBI Special Agent Nathan Donovan acts fearlessly, but he's haunted by an event in his past that drives his reckless behavior. A puzzling murder case in which thousands of fleas are released in a room leads to a cameo appearance by forensic entomologist Dr. Nick Polchak, the Bug Man from Downs's earlier novels. The fleas are the ideal vehicle for bubonic plague, and New York is the perfect target. Things get dicey when a Chinese octogenarian known as Li has information that could lead to solving the case—if Li doesn't seek his own revenge first. More complications arise when Donovan's ex-wife gets involved, and we discover the roots of Donovan's anger and fear. As the story unfolds, Downs evenhandedly dispenses humor, interesting technical details and the trademark "ick" factor that characterizes his previous books. He throws in enough surprises and unusual events to keep the story fresh, and he's learned how to hold a novel together through the closing pages. The real plagues, Downs suggests, are fear, hatred and a thirst for revenge, and he manages to convey the importance of forgiveness and reconciliation without too much sermonizing. This is Downs's best book to date. (Jan. 10)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Terrorists hatch a plot to introduce quantities of Asian fleas into New York City. The fleas infect rats with bubonic plague. The requisite FBI agent, a tough-talking loner named Nathan Baldwin, gets wind of the plot, then finds an ally in a Christian Chinese named Li Ming, who leads Nathan toward Syrian culprits and a Japanese mastermind not unlike Dr. No. And, in fact, Downs brings to mind Ian Fleming's humor, if not also his sadism, resulting in a familiar but competent thriller. John Mort
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 400 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson; 1St Edition edition (January 10, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1595540229
• ISBN-13: 978-1595540225
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.4 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (37 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,140,958 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Tim Downs is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Indiana University. After graduation in 1976 he created a daily comic strip, Downstown, which was syndicated by Universal Press Syndicate (Doonesbury, Calvin & Hobbes, The Far Side) from 1980 to 1986. His cartooning has appeared in newspapers and magazines worldwide. Tim has written eight novels in the mystery/suspense genre, beginning with Shoofly Pie (2003) and Chop Shop (2004). His third novel, PlagueMaker, was awarded the Christy award as the best CBA mystery/suspense novel of 2006. His fourth novel, Head Game, was released in January of 2007, followed by First the Dead (2008), Less than Dead (2008), Ends of the Earth (2009), and Wonders Never Cease (May 2010). His hobbies include woodworking, design, and writing about himself in the third person. Tim lives in Cary, North Carolina, with his beautiful wife Joy. They have three grown children.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars FABULOUS, March 26, 2006

By 

Colleen Coble (IN United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Plaguemaker (Hardcover)

This is my first book by Tim Downs, but it won't be my last. PLAGUE MAKER was a fabulous read! Totally engrossing, interesting detail into bioterrorism and a wonderfully flawed hero and heroine. Even the secondary characters were fully developed and almost stole the show. I expected a great thriller, but got so much more with the way he superbly wove in the theme of the importance of forgiveness.

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Equals and Exceeds, August 6, 2006

By 

Eric Wilson "novelist" (Nashville, TN United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 100 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Plaguemaker (Hardcover)

Since the debut of Tim Downs' Bug Man books ("ShooFly Pie" and "Chop Shop"), I've eagerly awaiting anything else of his. He's shown a penchant for creating memorable characters, then wrapping them into a plot that involves creepy-crawlies.

"Plague Maker" continues this trend, with a story of plague-carrying fleas and a sardonic hero. Although Nick Polchak (the Bug Man) makes a humorous cameo appearance, the story revolves around two older men with long-standing grudges, and the angry FBI agent, Nathan Donovan. Slowly, Donovan unravels the motives of these older men and uncovers a monstrous threat against the United States. Flashbacks are used effectively, and the story gallops along to a high-seas finale.

A few weeks ago I finished another thriller that's been featured in bookstores across the country. That book was titled "The Faithful Spy." As I read Tim Downs' "Plague Maker," I found myself comparing the two. They both feature terrorist attacks planned against the US; they both show intensive research and narrative skill; they both wrap big ideas around likeable, believable characters.

Downs' book is equal to the other book on every level, but exceeds it in moments of comic relief, and in the portrayal of vengeance and forgiveness. "Plague Maker" is never preachy or pedantic, but it uses nicely the motif of the plague--and the plague of hatred and bitterness that plagues us all on some level. Once again, Downs' proves to be a master of character and suspense.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I couldn't put it down!, February 6, 2006

By 

TheSleepyReader (Midwestern USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Plaguemaker (Hardcover)

This is the first book that I have read by Tim Downs and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It has action, suspense, humor, wit and emotion. A great combo to me!

One thing that I particularly enjoyed was Mr. Downs ability to tell the story and not resort to sex and cursing. I am no prude and I know how to skim past stuff that is offensive to me, however, I did find it refreshing to not have to worry about it.

Overall a very fun and engaging read! Check it out!