The Rainbow Virus by Dennis MeredithMy rating: 3 of 5 stars
I was hoping for a bioterrorism tale along the lines of a Robin Cook novel. It wasn't too bad!
Arthur Lupo, a somewhat sad figure, is a molecular biologist gone wrong. At first his disappearance seems odd, then downright freaky as brightly coloured people start to appear in the streets of America. Lupo has discovered how,to create the perfect virus - one the human immune system cannot detect, nor defend against. Initially novel, the possibilities become increasingly disturbing as biochemical warfare-grade virus samples are discovered missing from a secure facility. Suddenly it isn't so easy being green, not if it means these deadly diseases can be engineered to harness the same undetectable vector and compromise whole cities.
Enter disgraced FBI agent Bobby Loudon and obsessive CDC epidemic-tracker Kathleen Shinohara to save the day - and possibly each other, from certain disaster. As the blurb dramatically foreshadows: Lupo reveals that his first viruses were only a test. He dramatically proves their infectivity by transforming the terrified citizens of Denver into a rainbow of colors. In a chilling declaration, he announces that he will now release an unstoppable artificial virus whose spread will decimate the world's population.
Loudon and Shintohara are fairly predictable characterisations. He is a good cop with a bad rap - a drinking habit and a work complication. She is beautiful and exotic, as well as incredibly clever and resourceful - if somewhat emotionally shut down. The rest is not unexpected - expect salvation all around!
Notwithstanding the fact this isn't going to be published in the Lancet, it is a good fun read. The style is good and has flashes of something more, but not often enough. The pace of the book is uneven and some of the minor characters not finely enough drawn to distinguish them from each other.
That said, I liked it and will read more of Dennis Meredith's work. It is harmless and catchy and fun - even if the ending was just a little bit too flat. Three stars. Thank you NetGalley for letting me have an advance copy. Sorry it took me so long to write the review!
