Official Review: Plunder by Keith Wilson

[Erin Dydek]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Plunder" by Keith Wilson.]

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3 out of 4 stars

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With a job that brings him face to face with the world’s deadliest diseases, Brett Carson is not your average workaholic. As an Epidemic Intelligence Service agent with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, he’s considered the best at identifying and eliminating potential epidemics. His next case will lead him deep into the remote jungles of Guatemala, searching for the source of a virus that kills its victims within 24 hours. Washed out roads, civil war, and poisonous snakes are just a few things to keep him on his toes during the relentless search for answers. But the sweltering heat and a beautiful American woman will also give Brett reasons to sweat as the danger surrounding his investigation continues to grow at an alarming rate.

Plunder, by Keith Wilson, is an exciting edge-of-your-seat medical thriller that follows Brett Carson as he strives to solve the mystery behind the epidemic in Guatemala. With subplots that feature various character perspectives, the book keeps you in suspense as the plot progresses. The novel is a standalone with a complete story arc and an overall satisfying conclusion.

There was a lot to enjoy about this fast-paced novel. I particularly admired the depth of the medical details throughout the story. From vivid descriptions of the symptoms to the technical terms used to describe the medical findings, the author kept the book’s medical features authentic and interesting. Some readers may find the details of the virus a bit gruesome, but this information highlighted the dangerous reality of Brett’s career in the disease detective business. Still, the author tastefully kept the graphic nature of the virus to a minimum without reducing the devastating effects it had on its victims.

My favorite aspect of the book was the medical mystery, but the author also created a dynamic character in Brett Carson. From his introduction in chapter two, the reader is given a clear picture of the kind of man he is as he wraps up five months of work investigating a previously unidentified disease in Alaska. Through this early sequence of events, the author develops Brett as an imperfect but likable character that inspires confidence in the reader. After seeing his committed work ethic in Alaska, I was eager to cheer him on as he dove right into his next mission in Guatemala.

The only thing—aside from quite a few typos—that I wasn’t a huge fan of was Brett’s tendency to break the rules to get things done. At first, it was a minor gray area that didn’t bother me, but as he became more desperate, he did some drastic, less believable things. Still, his actions were similar to something you would see in a vigilante-hero type film or action movie, so it did make for an exciting book.

Beyond the need for additional proofreading to fix the typographical errors, I found nothing to detract from the book’s quality. Therefore, I rate Plunder 3 out of 4. Readers who are sensitive to swearing should know that the book uses fairly frequent mild profanities with at least three instances of heavier offensive language. The book’s romantic elements also escalate into some mildly descriptive sex scenes that are few and far between but do exist throughout the book. A final warning of an attempted rape scene is also noteworthy to mention. An adult audience should enjoy this heart-pounding novel—especially fans of Indiana Jones who love a mix of mystery, adventure, and romance!

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Plunder
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[hasincla]

I like the sounds of this, especially since it's a standalone - I am endlessly annoyed when I have to read the previous, or next, books to enjoy just one. I also like the medical mystery angle, so I'd adding this to my to-read list. Thank you for your review!

[Stephanie Elizabeth]

I have seen a huge influx in these types of pandemic books since COVID-19, and this one seems like it is full of action and mystery. poisonous snakes and a trip to the jungle sounds both exciting and terrifying. Thanks for the enthralling review.

[NetMassimo]

I'm not sure it's the right time to read this kind of novel, but this one seems well developed concerning the medical element, its characters, and plot, so I'll keep it in mind for a better future. Thank you for your great review!

[Finakaranja]

Definitely going to add this to my 'to-read' list. The review brings out the intriguing nature of the story without giving off too much detail about the content of the book. Good job.

[Marshal mutai]

matters to do with medicine are intriguing to me. This review just evoked more curiosity to read, thanks for the review!

[book_fanatic_]

In the times of an already existing epidemic, I'm not sure about reading this one. But your review makes it interesting to read. Might give this one a try later. Thanks for the nice review.

[Usuma Khan]

You incorporated all the elements that make a review informative. Appreciate the effort. However, I do hope that the book undergoes another round of editing to ensure a smoother read.

[Tonika632]

I love the thing that this is a standalone book. It sounds interesting, just my cup of tea. Great review!

[Priyanka2304]

A lot of books are coming on shelves related to newly discovered viruses and CDC. Can related a lot to these. Thanks for the review.