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The Rainbow Virus

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Description


Dennis Meredith brings to his novels an expertise in science from his career as a science communicator at some of the country's leading research universities, including MIT, Caltech, Cornell, Duke and the University of Wisconsin. He has worked with science journalists at all the nation's major newspapers, magazines, and radio and TV networks and has written well over a thousand news releases and magazine articles on science and engineering over his career. He has served on the executive board of the National Association of Science Writers and has written numerous articles and guidebooks on science writing and science communication. He has also served as a judge and manager for the NASW Science-in-Society Awards and the AAAS Science Writing Awards. He was a creator and developer of EurekAlert!, working with The American Association for the Advancement of Science to establish this international research news service, which now links more than 4,500 journalists to news from 800 subscribing research institutions. In 2007, he was elected as a AAAS Fellow "for exemplary leadership in university communications, and for important contributions to the theory and practice of research communication." In 2012 he was named the year's Honorary Member of Sigma Xi, the Scientific Research Society. He holds a B.S. degree in chemistry from the University of Texas (1968) and an M.S. in biochemistry and science writing from the University of Wisconsin (1970). He is currently writing science articles, non-fiction books and science fiction novels. He also develops and conducts communication workshops for researchers seeking to enhance their communication skills, both professional and lay-level. He has developed workshops for researchers at universities, research foundations, and government agencies and laboratories.

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Customer Reviews


5 out of 5 stars Virus Threatens Global Devastation
David Williamson

Book lovers who enjoy thrillers, especially those with a medical science slant, will cherish Dennis Meredith's new novel The Rainbox Virus. Meredith is one of this country's most accomplished science communicators. He has served in that capacity at MIT, Caltech, Cornell and Duke University and has consistently displayed a gift for translating even the most arcane research and technology into terms lay readers can understand and appreciate. Meredith's engaging bioterrorism novel is about colored people, but not those who endured centuries of slavery and oppression here and abroad. A seemingly mad but brilliant young scientist has devised, as a test, an otherwise harmless but permanent way of turning people red, blue, yellow or any other possible color. The skin of most everyone in Denver has changed hue almost overnight. CDC and FBI investigators believe the rogue researcher has refocused his attention on creating and releasing deadly viruses that could kill billions of innocents around the world. With time running out, their sometimes terrifying job is to find and stop him by any means necessary. The chief hunters, semi-outcast FBI agent Bobby Loudon and tireless CDC disease detective Kathleen Shinohara, draw emotionally and physically close as they pursue their wary, elusive quarry. Complicating the chase is a secret organization and the deadly hitman it has hired to advance its own shadowy purposes. Meredith's book, as the saying goes, is hard to put down as it races toward a violent climax. It also rivals the best work of such masters of the genre as Michael Crichton and Robin Cook. Among its many strengths, beyond clear explanations of genetic engineering, are a fine and balanced storyline, appealing characters, near-perfect pacing and, perhaps surprising, elements of humor that fit well into and temper the dark, exciting narrative.

5 out of 5 stars Thoroughly enjoyed this book
M. Rice

Yes, I enjoyed the book. A thoughtful, quickly paced story. So descriptive you can easily visualize the characters and imagine yourself right in the middle of the action. Author Meredith builds suspense and keeps your curiosity moving right to the (surprise) ending. A good look-see at bioterrorism, but not so technical that a layman won't understand. Meredith has taken an imaginative and complicated plot and skillfully made it sound plausible.I'm looking forward for the next one.

5 out of 5 stars A Really Entertaining Story; Loved It!
M. BRATCHER

What an entertaining and excellent story! Author Meredith combines medical mystery, detective work, humor and bioterrorism into this book.I really like how the author makes us think about how our skin color (natural or induced) can define our life and interaction with other people.The dialogue of the main and secondary characters is first-rate. There is no slack in the story; it continuously builds over the pages into a final few chapters that twist and turn... well, I'm stopping here; don't want to give anything away.An awesome first fiction novel from this author. I look forward to more!

4 out of 5 stars Well done book on bioterrism
K. Eckert

This was a well done book that was part thriller and part bio-terrism. It was well written and engaging and I enjoyed it. I got a copy of this book from NetGalley to review.Arthur Lupo at first just seems to be eccentric when he unleashes a genetic virus on the population that turns people a multitude of colors. Then it’s revealed that he has gotten his hands on some of the world’s deadliest viruses and the rainbow virus was just a test. Now two people, Kathleen Shinohara (from the CDC) and Bobby Loudon (a disgraced FBI agent) must race against time to track down Lupo and figure out how to stop the Rainbow Virus along with other potentially more vicious viruses from spreading.I picked this book up to read for a pretty silly reason...I was participated in a Color-coded reading challenge and needed a book with the word Rainbow in the title. I am glad I read it, although not typically the type of book I read, this was a well done genetic thriller of sorts.I don’t know a ton about genetics, so I am not sure how accurate some of the scientific terminology was throughout the book. However, none of it sounded all that contrived and it all seemed very plausible and was a very interesting premise. I love the idea of a genetic terrorist who does a “test study” by genetically altering a person’s skin color.There are some interesting issues brought up around skin color because of all the different skin colors. There is talk of rights for differently colored people and instant rumors of what skin colors make you better at which things. There is also an instant market for makeup and clothing that matches different colors of skins.Read more ›

5 out of 5 stars Gripping medical thriller
Amazon Customer

I received this e-book from the author as part of LibraryThing's Member Giveaway Program. The author requested a review.I'm one of those people who will read any fiction with the biohazard flower on the cover or the word 'virus' in the title so I saved this one to enjoy during vacation. I was not disappointed!I'm not a virologist so I can only say the science sounds plausible. The depiction of communication problems between various government agencies (and even within individual bodies) is spot on.People mysteriously start turning vivid colors with only the services of an allergist in common. FBI agent Bobby Loudon and his partner Walter are on the hunt to find missing scientist Arthur Lupo. Their paths cross with CDC field agents Kathleen Shinohara and Doc Smith who are searching for the origin of the color-changing virus.The most thought-provoking moments are offered by the victims of the virus attack. How much of our identity is based on the color of our skin? Becoming a different color is originally a novelty that confers instant celebrity status and financial gain. Later sufferers face relationship insecurities, racism, and the sense of losing who they are. The public crisis is cleverly paralleled in the growing interracial romantic relationship between Loudon and Shinohara.Other items for thought: What makes someone become a bioterrorist? Who really holds power? What do they know? Should they be trusted? Are there sufficient safeguards on facilities conducting genetic research?But this book doesn't have to be an intellectual exercise. The characters are colorful (no pun intended) and the story is well-written. There is plenty of suspense, romance, action, and even some moments of levity. Fans of medical thrillers will love this book and other readers can also find plenty to enjoy within its covers.This review is based on the Kindle Adult edition.

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