Rating: 
Summary: Who Could put this book down?
Review: For the people that criticized this book down and dirty like "read so and so he's a much better writer" Obviously dont know a good book when they read one or perhaps they dont understand what they are reading. I read this book in 2 days, it was one of the most intriguing books I have read, yes the ending did sort of leave you hanging, but the first and middle parts made up for it, as for the characters being exaggerated, not so, there are many people that are just like Kim Regis and the other characters as well. I am Robin Cooks' biggest fan, I've read almost every one of his best selling novels, and I have loved everyone of them. This book is a real look into the meat industry and should make you think about what you're really eating, it did me. Because e.coli is real folks and this could happen.
Rating: 
Summary: Toxin
Review: Cook suffers from an inability to write dialogue. This was the worst. How could we feel sorry for Kim and change our own meat-eating ways, as was obvious that Cook was trying to do, when we could in no way ally ourselves with the main character. As are many of Cook's characters, he was brash, rude, arrogant, and totally unbelievable. It's time for Cook to quit preaching and start writing.
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Summary: Tells the Truth in an Engrossing Manner
Review: If you're the type of person that does not have the time to read Laurie Garrett's BETRAYAL OF TRUST: The Collapse of Global Public Health (Hyperion, 2000), at 754 pages a real challenge, then this book, and the other books in the series, are a very worthwhile means of exploring real truths in an engrossing manner. The fact of the matter is that we are creating an increasingly dangerous environment for ourselves, with cross-contamination, increasingly resistant strains of difficult to diagnose diseases, and so on. The naive will lambast the book for scare-mongering, and they will be wrong--if this book gets you through an airline flight, or an afternoon, and causes you to think just a tiny bit about the reality that we can no longer trust our government to protect the food supply and preparation process, and to think just a tiny bit about how you might protect your children from inadequate "due diligence" by the food service industry, then you will be richly rewarded. The author himself recommends the non-fiction book by Nicols Fox, SPOILED: What is Happening to Our Food Supply and Why We Are Increasingly at Risk (Basic Books, 1997 or Penguin, 1998). The bottom line is that this novel is for serious people, and chillingly worthwhile for those who like to learn while being entertained.
Rating:
Summary: Poor execution, poor characterization, poor ending
Review: I'm sure I've read worse books than this one, but not many. The characters in the book were so exaggerated they were unbelievable, and their actions totally unrealistic. I forced my way to the end, hoping it would redeem the book somewhat for me, but the ending was the worst part of all. Talk about lack of resolution. The book also suffers from poor research. I'm surprised he hasn't been sued by the beef industry for his representation of them in this book. If things were really as bad as he makes them out to be, people would be dropping like flies. If you want to read a good medical thriller, try Michael Palmer. He is a much better writer.
Rating:
Summary: Worst book I've read in years
Review: This was the first Robin Cook work I've read, and if it'sindicative of his work, it will be the last. The book starts out introducing us to stereotypical TV-movie characters in equally stereotypical dialogue: the rich, self-absorbed doctor argues with his airhead bimbo girlfriend/former secretary while driving his Mercedes, then argues with his whiny teenage daughter who hates the girlfriend, then argues with his estranged wife... Once the real story gets going, the doctor behaves in totally unrealistic ways constantly. The "story" is mainly an attack on the meat industry, and we're deluged with gross-out scenes and intricate gory details which do nothing for the plot, but appear to be intended solely to nauseate the reader. Characters spout statistics and news-story-type facts instead of dialogue, and implausible plot elements follow each other in rapid succession. Finally, the first unexpected plot twist happens -- and the book suddenly ends! No wrap-up of story lines, no resolution of relationships, it just... stops. The audio tape tries to make the story suspenseful by using a LOT of "dramatic" background music, without success... I was amazed this book even got published -- if it had been a new author's first submission, it would never have seen print. Do yourself a favor, and skip this one.
Rating:
Summary: Character development
Review: I applaud a writer who can develop character and tell a story that isn't held together by graphic and lengthy sex scenes or non-stop vulgarities meant to sell the book. Well done, Dr. Cook! You're the best!
Rating:
Summary: A chilling and frightening masterpiece!
Review: Some people say that the ending leaves the situation unresolved. And, in a way, it does. But, that's the way the world works; especially with the meat industry. You can't just bring all the dirty, behind-the-scenes deeds to a close, once and for all! Those kind of things are always going to be a fact of life, and that's what Cook was trying to show. The book as a whole is my favorite Cook book I've read yet. Masterfully penned, hauntingly real, and a real page turner! The only downer was the character of Kim Reggis was a little over-done. Come on! No one has a personality THAT hyper! The guy flips out if he doesn't get his way after asking once! His character could've been better written. But, as I said, Robin Cook has written a positively surreal thriller, and one that will surely make you think.
Rating:
Summary: Where's that ending, am I missing some pages?
Review: I was literally looking at my book wondering if I was missing pages between the end and that stupid epilogue. You are left wondering more about what happened than wondering how someone like that can even be published. They start a story line and then say I'm done I can't write no more. I was really disappointed by this book. It had no character depth and was very unrealistic. I was wondering how that arrogant doctor thought that he should have special privileges in the ER. They should wait with the rest of us. And he is in jail twice in the same week and is still let out to run amongst the rest of us. I could barely get passed the fact that the main character a male was named Kim. I guess since I didn't get to know the person of Kim I was always having to remind myself it was a man. It could have been a good book but it needed to go back to the drwing board for lots and lots of revisions. A teacher would say that it has potential but you can't turn in that without lots of work. Most of the plot was just bad and the ending was even worse. I don't know how people could give this book 5 stars it definitely deserved only one, if that.
Rating: 
Summary: One of Cook's best
Review: I think Toxin is definitely one of my favorite cook books. It was action packed the whole book through and it was very suspensful.It also taught me about E.coli and the beef industry. In conclusion I think this is one of Cook's best and any Robin Cook fan should read it.
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Summary: Cook Has a New Fan With 'Toxin"
Review: Wow! 'Toxin' was the first medical thriller I had ever read, and I am happy to say that it won't be my last. Robin Cook has not only turned me into a fan with this book, but also into a vegetarian! I was handed this book by my friend (who also happens to be a vet) during vacation. I had finished it after three days - it was THAT riveting and impossible to put down. Cook really delves into the truths about meat processing in the US, and what can go wrong. After the E-coli breakout in my home town of Atlanta a couple years ago (during which several children died), this story really kicked me in the pants. Cook draws the reader in, and never lets up until all the secrets are out. If you enjoy the medical field and thrillers, then I would highly suggest this book. Although the ending is a little strange, it was still believable, and did not change my opinion of the story or the author.
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