A woman with a rare genetic illness must uncover her connection to a terrorist group before their next attack in this exciting new bio-thriller from the author of Disease X. Lucas Grafton has spent the last ten years hunting the Conclave, a secret organization who took everything from him, including his very identity. Now he has a lead–an imminent terrorist attack on London–code-named … London–code-named “Descartes”. But he can’t connect the dots until a seemingly innocent woman appears during his stakeout.
Jenna Young can’t believe she was attacked and barely escaped with her life. Now she’s on the run with a stranger…and racing against the clock. With only a note left by her father after his death, telling her to use the code-word “Descartes” to get the pills that slow the progression of her illness, Jenna has only days before her body will start to rapidly deteriorate.
Lucas and Jenna must piece together why she’s wanted by a terrorist group she’s never heard of. And why, despite her claims that she needs an unknown and presumably illegal drug to stay alive, she seems to be getting stronger by the day…
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Wow !! This is not my normal genre of books to read but it was amazing. It keeps you on the edge of your seat right until the very end. Fast paced thriller with lots of twists and turns.
Riveting medical thriller…
This gripping story begins with the main character, Jenna Young, dealing with the sudden loss of her father, a physician who has been treating Jenna’s rare genetic illness for her entire life. As she is running perilously short of her vital medication, she begins to realize that she actually knows very little about her illness or the medication her father has always supplied so Jenna is forced to seek help. For reasons unknown to her, her search for the answers she desperately needs puts her in the crosshairs of a clandestine cabal of wealthy and powerful individuals bent on world domination through the use of an incredibly lethal biological agent of mysterious origins. Fortunately for Jenna, a handsome and enigmatic stranger arrives in time to save her from a terrifying fate but his motives and intentions are suspect. Can she trust him? Will he be able to help her find the answers she needs? The medical and scientific aspects of this story will appeal to fans of Michael Crichton and Robin Cook. The full-throttle action, the unexpected twists, and the unremitting intrigue make this book an absolute delight for enthusiasts of the medical thriller genre. Don’t miss out on this one.
I was provided with an advance copy of this book by the author and I am voluntarily offering my honest and unbiased review.
„The Descartes Evolution“ by N.J. Croft a tantalizing biological thriller on the possible connections between genetic illness and terrorism is without doubt an extraordinary addiction to the genre, and hits perfectly the climate we are living in. Nevertheless, this it’s by no means an opportunistic book. N.J. Croft has previously proven without doubt (Disease X, 2019) his command of the genre.
The story follows Lucas Grafton und Jenna Young through a labyrinthic adventure in search for the truth behind a terrorist group. Lucas has been fighting terrorism in general and the Conclave (a secret organization, that has stealing his very own identity) for over ten years. After discovering an imminent threat to London under the code name “Descartes”, it seems as he finally has a real lead.
Jenna suffers from a very rare illness that can be only slowed down with some mysterious pills provided by her father, but as her father is assassinated, and her only access to the pills is a leftover note prompting her to use the code “Descartes” to obtain the medication, Jenna comes in contact with Lucas. A race to both, obtain the pills and dismantle the terrorist organization begins. Things get complicated, for Jenna the lack of proper medication has very unexpected side effects, that unearth new layers of secrets between the already very thick woven plot.
A very intelligent thriller, that blends facts and fiction to a highly enjoyable mix; with very relatable main characters, intelligent crafted enemies, carefully depicted action situations, and a good use of pace, that allows the story to begin in a relatively slow and relaxed motion to pick up the pace until the very last page. The book is easy to read, a real page turner, where the reader feels immersed into the plot from the very first chapter, racing along Lucas and Jenna in pursuit of the truth, savoring every new clue and suffering throughout the losses. A highly satisfying thriller!