Sunday, December 22, 2002

Plum Island by Nelson DeMille


Wounded in the line of duty, NYPD homicide cop John Corey is convalescing in rural eastern Long Island when an attractive young couple he knows is found shot to death on the family patio. The victims were biologists at Plum Island, a research site rumored to be an incubator for germ warfare. Suddenly, a local double murder takes on shattering global implications - and thrusts Corey and two extraordinary women into a dangerous search for the secret of PLUM ISLAND. . . ~authors website

Ebola Virus
Ebola hemorrhagic fever (Ebola HF) is a severe, often-fatal disease in humans and nonhuman primates (monkeys,
gorillas, and chimpanzees) that has appeared sporadically since its initial recognition in 1976.The exact origin, locations, and natural habitat (known as the "natural reservoir") of Ebola virus remain unknown. However, on the basis of available evidence and the nature of similar viruses, researchers believe that the virus is zoonotic (animal-borne) and is normally maintained in an animal host that is native to the African continent. A similar host is probably associated with Ebola-Reston which was isolated from infected cynomolgous monkeys that were imported to the United States and Italy from the Philippines. The virus is not known to be native to other continents, such as North America. ~questions and answers about ebola

Critical Praise
"CHILLING. . . . That rare breed of suspense novel that keeps you sitting on the edge of your beach chair even while you're laughing out loud.-Newsday

"FASCINATING. . .expertly melds medical mystery, police procedural, and nautical adventure. . . .Acquires its own storm force as it moves toward a catastrophic denouement. . . .A smooth job from an old pro."-Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"BITING WIT....A peach of a puzzle...with Detective John Corey, DeMille has created the kind of rambunctious hero that readers will want to see again."-Chicago Tribune

About the Author
Nelson DeMille is the author of: By the Rivers of Babylon, Cathedral, The Talbot Odyssey, Word of Honor, The Charm School, The Gold Coast, The General's Daughter, Spencerville, Plum Island, The Lion's Game, Up Country, Night Fall, and Wild Fire. He also co-authored Mayday with Thomas Block and has contributed short stories, book reviews, and articles to magazines and newspapers.