Book Review: The Devil's Cure

Reviewed By: Webspinner - RAM

The Devil's Cure     Amazon US HC Amazon Canada HC
Kenneth Oppel
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Medical   Government Agency   Thriller   Serial Killer
Hyperion, Jun 2001, $24.95, 416 pp.

A blood sample taken from a death-row convict triggers questions in a prison doctor's mind, and he brings the results to Dr. Laura Donaldson, who has just had another cancer treatment experiment fail. She seizes on what she sees as an opportunity for a possible cancer treatment, and thereby sets in motion a legal challenge, a prison escape, a cross-country chase, and an ethical dilemma for many people along the way, including Dr. Donaldson and FBI agent Kevin Sheldrake.

The plotting and characterizations in "Devil's Cure" are exceptionally well done and make this a great choice for summer reading. With insight into with religious cult mentality and presenting the reader with an ethical/moral dilemma, Oppel has written a enticing first adult novel that will keep you both reading and questioning. There are many questions to be resolved within the pages of this thriller - some of which are answered by the main characters, and some that are left to the reader to ponder. When you have finished reading, you may still not have reached your own conclusions. As an ardent supporter of the "Bill of Rights", I'm still working on my own decisions.

Webspinner - RAM

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Webspinner - RAM