I received this book as a Christmas present from a family member who is aware of my love for the Steve Alten Meg books.

This is not a critique, just my ramblings.

I have to admit that I was a little shocked when I realised the content and found it hard to ´get into´ but it is a very good read. I would not go so far as to say it is the best book I have ever read as some critics have done, it is well written, informative (as are all of Steve´s books), and of its type (and I am not a fan of this sort of book) is excellent. Whether I will read it more than once is debatable.

The hero is Patrick Shepherd who had a promising career in baseball before 911. Following 911, he enlists in the forces and serves 11 years, eventually being hospitalised, and like many who served in this period, a traumatised damaged individual having lost an arm and seemingly mentally unstable experiencing nightmares about the war.

On 21 December 2012 a scientist (working at a bio-hazard level 4 laboratory), takes Scythe, a version of the Black Death with altered DNA into Manhatton, Mary believes that God has chosen her to ¨bring forth the end of days¨, she infects herself with the virus. Many world leaders are trapped including the American president and the officials rush to seal off the island.

And this is as far as I have read, but glancing swiftly through I notice that nine of the chapters are named after the nine circles of hell from Dante´s Inferno. A poem (I hate to admit) I have not read!

I just cannot read a book without checking out the ending first, and this was one big surprise. Just try and guess who becomes the Grim Reaper!