Catch Me if You Can

Dead End Deal by Allen Wyler

Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher in exchange for a review. 

Summary: World renowned neurosurgeon Jon Ritter is on the verge of a medical breakthrough that will change the world. His groundbreaking surgical treatment, using transplanted non-human stem cells, is set to eradicate the scourge of Alzheimer’s disease and give hope to millions. But when the procedure is slated for testing, it all comes to an abrupt and terrifying halt. Ritter’s colleague is gunned down and Ritter himself is threatened by a radical anti-abortion group that not only claims responsibility, but promises more of the same.

Faced with a dangerous reality but determined to succeed, Ritter turns to his long-time colleague, corporate biotech CEO Richard Stillman, for help. Together, they conspire to conduct a clandestine clinical trial in Seoul, Korea. But the danger is more determined, and more lethal, than Ritter could have imagined.

After successful surgical trials, Ritter and his allies are thrown into a horrifying nightmare scenario: The trial patients have been murdered and Ritter is the number one suspect. Aided by his beautiful lab assistant, Yeonhee, Ritter flees the country, now the target of an international manhunt involving Interpol, the FBI, zealous fanatics and a coldly efficient assassin named Fiest.

Review: A dramatic medical thriller with plenty of murder, mayhem, and corporate espionage.

I will admit to reading very few mysteries or thrillers. I will read them if they have a specific topic or setting such as mysteries which take place in medieval times. I like anything medical so I figured I might enjoy Dead End Deal. The book has an interesting premise: a neurosurgeon who is on the verge of a breakthrough who will do almost anything to continue his trials on humans. Despite how that might make him sound, Dr. Ritter is actually a pretty decent guy although a bit too obsessed for his own good.

This book is never boring. From the get go there is plenty of action, murder, and intrigue. There is never a dull moment. Ritter winds up being better at eluding his captors than I expected. There were a few incidents that I found hard to believe. Personally, I felt the mutual longing between Ritter and Yeonhee was unnecessary and tacked on to the story (it felt too much like wish fulfillment). I also didn’t like how Feist kept harping on how people looked gay and how he called them fags. I understand that it was part of his character, but it got too much.

Rating:

Recommendation: I would recommend this book to those that enjoy medical thrillers.