Pandora's Succession by Russell Brooks

Title: Pandora's Succession

Author: Russell Brooks

Genre: Bio Thriller

Publisher: Russell Brooks

Publication Date: 

ISBN: 9780986751301

Stand alone or series: Stand Alone

Pages: 267 pages

Book Received from:  Author

First Lines: The blow to the side of his head dropped Ridley Fox to the floor. The cold surface against the side of his face, the jarring pain, and the spinning were the last things he remembered before he blacked out.

Synopsis:

Where would you hide if you learned the CDC and a major pharmaceutical company unleashed a hyperdeadly microbe on the human race?
CIA operative, Ridley Fox, never stopped hunting his fiancé’s killers — a weapons consortium called The Arms of Ares. When an informant leads him to an old bunker outside of Groznyy, Chechnya, Fox is captured and left for dead. When the informant rescues him, Fox learns that his capture was no coincidence: someone had set him up—possibly another government agent. Fox barely escapes after learning that Ares has acquired a hyperdeadly microbe—called Pandora—that is believed to have wiped out ancient civilizations. The trail leads Fox to Tokyo where he discovers that other forces —including agents within Japanese Intelligence—want Pandora for themselves. The only ally Fox turns to is a woman from his past who he nearly got killed.

My Thoughts:

Pandora's Succession starts right in the middle of action with Ridley Fox being captured and dragged to a room to die a paralysing and slow death. He has never stopped hunting for the murderers of his fiance and it has led up to the point where Chapter One starts and he is lying in the room. Thankfully someone comes to his aid. She is part of the reason he is there in the first place and reveals vital information when come in contact with Ridley. A bio weapon of mass destruction (I've always wanted to say that lol)

The story is complex with multiple viewpoints (the main being Ridley) and I found it helped to fill in alot of the blanks when a previous chapter ends and a new one starts. Ridley is a very likable character. Unlike some books where the main hero in the story seems arrogant and hard, Ridley has a soft spot for the underdog and steps in to help even though it could jeopardize his mission.

I did find a few times that the story's pace lagged in places where there was a heavy amount of description. I think if it were cut down a little the story would have flowed better. But in saying that, there were only a few parts through the book where I actually sat back and took notice.


All in all, a well plotted book full of action, where you don't know who can be trusted and will have you second guessing up until the end. Fantastic read.

Originally posted on Book Lovers Inc