Nano

By: Robin Cook

Narrated by: George Guidall

Length: 12 hrs and 24 mins

Publisher's summary

After a tumultuous year in which her mentor is murdered and her estranged father comes back into her life, Pia Grazdani, the embattled medical student from Death Benefit, decides to take a year off from her medical studies and escape New York City. Intrigued by the promise of the burgeoning field of medical technology and the chance to clear her head, Pia takes a job at Nano, LLC, a lavishly funded, security-conscious nanotechnology insititute in the picturesque foothills of the Rockies. Nano, LLC is ahead of the curve in the competitive world of molecular manufacturing, including the construction of microbivores, tiny nano-robots with the ability to gobble up viruses and bacteria.

But the corporate campus is a place of secrets. She's warned by her boss not to investigate the other work being done at the gigantic facility, nor to ask questions about the source of the seemingly endless capital that funds the institute's research. And when Pia encounters a fellow employee on a corporate jogging path, suffering the effects of a seizure, she soon realizes she may have literally stumbled upon Nano LLC's human guinea pigs. Is the tech giant on the cusp of one of the biggest medical discoveries of the 21st century - a treatment option for millions - or have they already sold out to the highest bidder?

©2012 Robin Cook (P)2012 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"Excellent…a perfect protagonist for a thriller - gutsy, tenacious, expert in the martial arts and willing to take risks to get to the bottom of a mystery. Nano is one of Cook’s best.” (Associated Press)

“The scientific details are fascinating.” (Booklist)

What a disappointing bore

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

This had the capability to really get into the nano science, fast forwarding to how different ways the nano science will change our lives for better or good. Less sexual pandering and more saving the world.

What was most disappointing about Robin Cook’s story?

The book teases you with excerpts from Discover or Science Times facts and leaves it at that. Then it puts you through some really boring detective stuff and all the sexual icons such as a beautiful, smart but headstrong young woman scientist, a dumb boyfriend, a gay pal, a ganster father and a monsterous CEO lusting after said woman to his ultimate downfall.

Then it really gets bad. The evil empire wins, the girl sold into slavery and the boyfriend and gay pal drift out of sight. THE BOOK ENDS. Where is nano?

Which scene was your favorite?

None

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

Only the reader. I'm surprised he didn't nap part of the time!

Any additional comments?

This is possible the worst book I have read.

NO ENDING

It's like Robin Cook just quit the story. I don't think I will read/listen to another Robin Cook novel.

Waste of time!

Would you be willing to try another one of George Guidall’s performances?

I did not like his voice at all, and he seemed to rush through the reading. Maybe he was as bored with it as I was!

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

I could not recommend this book to anyone. The story was weak, the characters unappealing, and the ending - wasn't! I slogged all the way through this and then found the author chose not to bring the story to a close.

Any additional comments?

I keep thinking I will give Robin Cook's novels another chance because I enjoy medical thrillers and he is so well known. But this is the last one. Not worth the money.

Great Expectations disapointing ending

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

an ending that was a bit more satisfying. Only excitement was in later few chapters

Would you ever listen to anything by Robin Cook again?

probably.

What about George Guidall’s performance did you like?

well presented

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from Nano?

Should have expanded the lead in to the ending.

This book is a CHEAT

What disappointed you about Nano?

I have to second all reviews so far. If there is not a free part 2 to this, I'll never buy, or read another Robin Cook novel. He cheated readers out of any conclusion-an English teacher would give this work an F.

What was most disappointing about Robin Cook’s story?

The book just ends, everything is hanging. George is wandering around London, her father leaves the house where he thinks she is being kept-to find nothing, and the bad guy gets on his plane to go home thinking all is well. I could have just stopped anywhere in the book, and gotten just as much out of it.

What does George Guidall bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

George Guidall is an excellent narrator, up to this point I might have tried anything he was narrating. I have no problem with the performance.

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from Nano?

I wouldn't have cut anything, I would have finished the book. Next time I will definitely read the reviews before spending my money on this.

Any additional comments?

This book is a complete waste of time.

A true rip-off

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

I don't think anyone wants a book without an ending!

If you’ve listened to books by Robin Cook before, how does this one compare?

The worst!

Have you listened to any of George Guidall’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I always enjoy him.

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

A good story, a bit slow in places, but good concept.

Any additional comments?

I should have paid attention to the reviews. I have never been so let down by a book. I even cued back to see if I missed the ending somehow, but no, there simply is no ending. If you want to avoid frustration, DO NOT order this book.

Eh.

I haven't read a Robin Cook book in years, and got this one as a gift. Overall, it was just OK. I kept wanting the story to move faster. It was a little hard to get into the characters, maybe because I hadn't read the other book with the same protagonist. Like many have said, the ending was a bit abrupt. There were many characters left hanging. I have no problem reading books where the "bad" guys win, or where there is some ambiguity, but this one seemed very rushed and unfinished. I guess I would call this a generic thriller that passes the time, but isn't worth a re-listen.

Where was the ending?

At first I thought it was a mistake. It just cut off. Ok, must go on vacation now. Good place to stop, right? No! Very disappointing.

Unfinished

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

No. I found the main character to be cold and unlikable. All but one of the men in this story were foolish. The doctor friend she met in Co. was my favorite character.

What aspect of George Guidall’s performance would you have changed?

George gave a decent performance...

Do you think Nano needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

Yes, but I probably won't bother with it...

What a disappointment!

What would have made Nano better?

An Ending!

What do you think your next listen will be?

Something without George Guidall

How could the performance have been better?

A more capable reader!

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from Nano?

I would have a satisfactory ending

Any additional comments?

Don't bother. The subject is intriguing, but the characters are weak, undeveloped, and directionless.