Rating: 
Summary: Robin Cook Meets Robert Ludlum
Review: "The Miracle Strain" is a good try by first time author Michael Cordy. It has something for everyone. You will learn more about gene therapy than you can shake a stick at (the Robin Cook connection) and you will be engrossed by the Brotherhood of the Second Coming, a religious international cabal, while not focusing on world domination, but which definitely has plans for a new world order - vintage Robert Ludlum. The book even has a 3-word title, which is a Ludlum trademark.Dr. Tom Carter seeks the perfect gene to help save his daughter Holly from impending brain cancer. His pursuit causes him to cross paths with the Brotherhood, who originally try to have him killed. The Brotherhood has their own assassins with colorful names like Gomorrah and Nemesis. One of the assassins is even a woman. The Brotherhood, originally formed by Lazarus, is awaiting and has evidence of the Second Coming. But because this book trys to be all things to all people, that turns out to be a shortcoming. There is the medical thriller aspect, the hunt for the gene, there is the international intrigue of the assassin tracking Carter down, and there is the religious overtones of the impending Second Coming, reminiscent of the "Left Behind" series. If Cordy could have concentrated on just one of these venues, he might have had a better book. Still a good first try. However, if you would like to see what this story would be like after Cordy had a couple of novels under his belt, try "The Genesis Code" by John Case.
Rating:
Summary: Robin Cook Meets Robert Ludlum
Review: "The Miracle Strain" is a good try by first time author Michael Cordy. It has something for everyone. You will learn more about gene therapy than you can shake a stick at (the Robin Cook connection) and you will be engrossed by the Brotherhood of the Second Coming, a religious international cabal, while not focusing on world domination, but which definitely has plans for a new world order - vintage Robert Ludlum. The book even has a 3-word title, which is a Ludlum trademark. Dr. Tom Carter seeks the perfect gene to help save his daughter Holly from impending brain cancer. His pursuit causes him to cross paths with the Brotherhood, who originally try to have him killed. The Brotherhood has their own assassins with colorful names like Gomorrah and Nemesis. One of the assassins is even a woman. The Brotherhood, originally formed by Lazarus, is awaiting and has evidence of the Second Coming. But because this book trys to be all things to all people, that turns out to be a shortcoming. There is the medical thriller aspect, the hunt for the gene, there is the international intrigue of the assassin tracking Carter down, and there is the religious overtones of the impending Second Coming, reminiscent of the "Left Behind" series. If Cordy could have concentrated on just one of these venues, he might have had a better book. Still a good first try. However, if you would like to see what this story would be like after Cordy had a couple of novels under his belt, try "The Genesis Code" by John Case.
Rating: 
Summary: Miraculous pain from "The Miracle Strain!"
Review: All I can say after reading this abomination is that I have never read anything like it. The plotter is utter compost, and I would have enjoyed watching grass grow more that reading this mind-numbing plot. And beyong the sleep-inducing storyline of this "story," the depth of the characters, or lack there of, left me yearning for a more intelligent and in-depth book, say, "Run, Spot, Run?" Read this book only if you are extremely depressed, you may well get a good laugh out of it!
Rating: 
Summary: A FUN & EZ READ, NOT COMPLEX, NOT PERFECT, BUT ENJOYABLE!!
Review: Amidst all the poor reviews I must say that I actually enjoyed reading this book. True there are some flaws in the plot. Yes the characters aren't perfectly well developed. And absolutely, the nature of the story line is extremely implausable. But that is what makes it fun to read. Wouldn't it be cool if....??? The end could have been a little more...something...but all-in-all, this is a great book to read on an airplane or on the beach when you are trying to relax and NOT tax your mind with techno-babble.
Rating:
Summary: A FUN & EZ READ, NOT COMPLEX, NOT PERFECT, BUT ENJOYABLE!!
Review: Amidst all the poor reviews I must say that I actually enjoyed reading this book. True there are some flaws in the plot. Yes the characters aren't perfectly well developed. And absolutely, the nature of the story line is extremely implausable. But that is what makes it fun to read. Wouldn't it be cool if....??? The end could have been a little more...something...but all-in-all, this is a great book to read on an airplane or on the beach when you are trying to relax and NOT tax your mind with techno-babble.
Rating: 
Summary: A thrilling tale of intruige
Review: An excellent book, especially for a first work. I would highly recommend this book to everyone. At times a little difficult to believe, Cordy still manages to draw you in and not make you care whether a premise is believable or not. Cordy definitely has the makings of a Robin Cook. If you're going to read it, make sure you have lots of time available because you won't be able to put it down.
Rating:
Summary: Wait for the movie.
Review: Buy the paperback for a long journey - this book can be read in one sitting. The idea is interesting enough to carry you through the rather linear and predictable plot. An average book that that will obviously make a very entertaining film.
Rating:
Summary: Great idea, abominable writing
Review: Cardboard characters, cardboard writing, cardboard plot. A great idea spoiled by a complete lack of atmosphere. This is a badly-disguised pitch to the barons of Hollywood, not a real book. Skip it
Rating:
Summary: I LOVED THE IDEA!!!!
Review: Cordy writes well and tells a good story. I love the idea of the novel and found the characters well developed. Seeing it is his first book, I'm very impressed with his effort. I'm looking forward to the next one. ********* 1998 must have been a good year for first time authors.
Rating:
Summary: Daft and poorly written
Review: Genetics is a great subject for thrillers. It's laden with mystery and power. But in this book you'd never think so. The story is never anything but corny and over-blown, the characters are so thin it makes you want to weep (or sleep) and the prose style is like an essay from 7th grade. If you enjoy a good read, buy something else.
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