Robust Vladislav cursed the apartment building, then the landlord who never fixed anything without a bribe, when he read the elevator’s “out of order” sign. He dragged his suitcase up five flights of stairs, resting between floors to slow his labored breathing, amazed that missing a week of gym workouts made him feel this tired and weak.
Olga greeted him at the front door with smiles that changed to concern and she said, “You look awful.”
Vladislav leaned his 260 pound frame against the doorjamb for support and Olga felt his brow. His glistening forehead felt hot. Alarmed, she led him to the living room sofa asking about the conference as she went to the medicine cabinet in the bathroom.
On her return Vladislav’s body had slumped to the side, his tortured breathing the only sound. Olga dialed for an ambulance with trembling fingers.
Thus begins McCusker and Larimore’s “work of fiction with a ring of truth.” That began with the release of an influenza contaminate into the Soviet water supply that released the potent 1918 Spanish flu responsible for killing millions.
Add hidden Nazi tunnels, homicidal environmentalists, a covert team of scientists and a subtle layer of Divine forgiveness and you have an unforgettable international thriller in the likes of Michael Crichton and Robin Cook. Written by the combined writing talents of Peabody award-winning writer and director, Paul McCusker and distinguished physician and medical journalist, Walt Larimore, M.D
The narrative is “Peppered with scientific details that brings the story to life” with a “ghastly list of what if’s,” according to Harry Kraus, MD. While Alton Gansky prays the story “never becomes a news headline he writes TSI is “engaging, innovative, entertaining and downright scary.”
I agree with them both! The realistic plot, engaging characters and non-stop action-suspense kept me reading long after “lights out.” Put this dynamic writing duo on your watch list.
