Plague

By: Buzz Bernard

Narrated by: Drew Commins

In only a matter of days, 9/11 and the destruction of the Twin Towers will be rivaled by a lone-wolf terrorist attack on America. Atlanta is targeted as Ground Zero for the most horrifying plague in modern times. Deep in the secret recesses of a Cold War lab, the Russians created tons of deadly bio-weapons. Now, decades later, a protege; of that Russian research is about to release weaponized Ebola into the heart of the South's most iconic city: Atlanta, where the symbols of American "decadence" range from a happily diverse population to the Coca-Cola museum and CNN building. A preliminary test of the horrifying virus demonstrates the unspeakable suffering of its victims - and alerts the Centers for Disease Control that a terrible pandemic is in the making. CDC Virologist Dr. Dwight Butler begins a frantic effort to track down the source before it's too late. For new BioDawn CEO Richard Wainwright, it quickly becomes clear that the "accidental" plane crash that killed the pharmaceutical company's entire executive hierarchy may have some connection to the evolving threat. Suddenly Richard is being stalked by a hit woman. He and Butler join forces to find the lone terrorist at the center of a plan that could unleash a modern Black Plague on the western world.

©2012 H. W. "Buzz" Bernard (P)2013 Bell Bridge Books

Good Suspense Novel

This was a decent story about a terrorist trying to take out Atlanta with the ebola virus. It has action from the beginning until the end. It was a very interesting story, but it was not the type of book that I just didn't want to put down. It did hold my interest throughout the entire book though. The narrator did a good job. There was not a lot of emotion in his voice, but he did have different voices for each character and did not make the book boring at all. Overall, it's a great read and worth checking out.

A good listen

It’s an exciting premise. Lots of action. A bit more religious discussion than I’d expect in a thriller. And it’s not very deep thinking religion either.

It was a good listen, and I wanted to hear how it ended. But definitely not on a relisten list. The narrator wasn’t bad, but didn’t add much either.

Didn’t care for the ending. It was a bit trite.

Fantastic Bio-Terrorism Novel

What a great read. I've added the author's other audiobook to my wishlist, and wish there were more.

Drew Commins did an incredible job of narration. Another newcomer, but hopefully with a big future narrating audiobooks. Pacing was great, and character voices were all done so well, and each distinctly, you had no issues figuring who was speaking, ever.

The plot involves a bio-terrorism attack being planned, and a "sort of" ordinary man getting involved in stopping it. You know, it nice for once having a CEO character in a book that was actually a really good person. He is called in from retirement to run as a caretaker CEO of a biotech company, after the prior executives all die in a plane crash. He is a hands-on exec, and wants to know what is going on with his company, and things start getting pretty unruly in a short time. I found the whole book pretty realistic, and never felt like I was being insulted by ludicrous story constructs

I really wish there were more books of this genre - realistic virus infection stories. And tying it with terrorists made it even more thrilling.

Highly recommended. Very highly recommended!

A threat unlike any ever seen on American soil...

A threat unlike any ever seen on American soil is just days away from being released. An altered version of Ebola which allows for airborne transmission is about to be released in Atlanta and could have the world on its knees in a few short days. This story is about the CEO of a biotech company who realizes that there is a lot more going on within his new company than he first realized. He must find out the truth and stop the terrorist before it's too late.

Drew Commins does the narration for Plague and does a perfect job. This is the second book that I've listened to that Commins narrated for Bernard and I can see why he's done more than one book for him. Commins gives each character their own voice and continues them throughout the story, making following different characters easy. Commins takes this heavy and sometimes dark book and narrates it in a way that keeps the listener coming back for more.

I love that Bernard did research for this book. I could probably write an entire review on the accuracy and the amount of work he put into the scientific descriptions and the background of the diseases and their spread. There were parts that I was "geeking" out about because Bernard was explaining things like the non-fiction books I've read on this disease (Thanks, Richard Preston).

Plague takes place in urban/suburban Atlanta and has a lot of local things that a non-local wouldn't understand, but I'm sure if you were from Atlanta this book would be even scarier.

Bernard allows the reader to feel perilous throughout most of the story. Wanting to jump in and help prevent this atrocity from being committed. This, to me, is a sign of excellent writing. Allowing the reader to feel like they are invested in the story without making them feel overwhelmed.

Overall, Plague is a phenomenal bio-thriller up there with the likes of Richard Preston's fiction and non-fiction work. Well-researched and incredibly well told, Plague had me up late listening and worrying about the things that were within its pages.

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Great storytelling!

Lots of twists and turns in this tale. A wonderful listen. A new story about what could happen.

Edge of your seat journey

This is the first book I have read/listened too by this author. I can say I was not disappointed.
The book kept me on the edge of my seat.The characters just dragged you into the action. Some you will love, others you really should hate, but you cannot. I will definitely get more books by this author.
The narrator was great!

Worst First Day on the Job Ever

Where does Plague rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

It's memorable because it's cautionary. It's not the best executed story but the warning is clear. The story was engaging with non stop action. However, I had big problems with some of the plot devices and decisions the characters made. I cannot believe that the CDC, FBI and Atlanta police would be that lethargic in responding to someone with critical information about a bio terror attack when they (1) know the threat is real; people are already dying; (2) the threat has no cure and a 90% kill rate and (3) the general public knows nothing about the threat so it's not some random person giving out fake information. Also, within moments of meeting you, your executive assistant is flirting with you like you're the last man on earth and you decide to follow her home just so see how things play out? Mind you, this is the new CEO of a major phamacuetical company, chosen for his good judgement. So overall this is closer to a 3.5 than a 4, but it will keep you listening.

What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike?

The performance was good except for the wince-worthy accents. I couldn't get Rocky and Bullwinkle's Natasha out of my mind every time one of the main characters spoke; only to discover it was supposed to be an Israeli/German accent. And the African Americans spouted more Uncle Remus than a southern drawl. Drew Commins is a good text narrator but voices not so much.

Imagine a Muslim terrorist a US citzen

This a story told day by day what would be like if a Muslim or any type terrorist was in the US and created a strain of Ebola that could be transmitted in the air and was letting it loose in Atlanta GA. This really takes you day by day of the events of the terrorist, the cops, CDC and innocent people who was used as test subjects just to see if the virus would work as he had plan. In the story is death, love, and radical, racial and bigotry on both the terrorist , the cops and big companies.
I will say you if you like nail biting and edge of the seat listening get this audiobook.

Horrible story even worse naration.

Would you try another book from Buzz Bernard and/or Drew Commins?

NO!!!! This story was boring.

What could Buzz Bernard have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

Add some life to the characters.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

The naration was the worst part of the book. He made the characters sould all the same and in parts that should have been exciting, dangerous or sad, he sounded the same. No life to the story at all.

What character would you cut from Plague?

The "seceret adgent"